Wildlife Fact File - Birds - Pgs. 101-110

NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD

""'-----ORDER

FAMILY

GENUS & SPECIES

Passeriformes

Mimidae

Mimus polyglottos

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IOIl

KEY FACTS SIZES Length: Head to tip of tail, 9-11 in. Tail length: About 5 in . BREEDING Breeding season: Beginning to end of summer. No. of broods: 2-3 in a season. Eggs: 3-6, blue-green speckled with brown. Incubation: 12 days. Fledging period: 2 weeks . LIFESTYLE Habit: Solitary except during breeding season. Diet: Insects and fruit. Call: Bubbling song; also mimics other birds, voices, and sounds. RELATED SPECIES About 30 related species, including the blue mockingbird, Melanotis caerulescens, of Mexico and the Galapagos mockingbird,

Range of the northern mockingbird.

DISTRIBUTION Found in the United States, Mexico, and the West Indies. CONSERVATION The northern mockingbird's numbers are probably increasing in all areas. Any persecution by fruit farmers has little effect on the bird's total population. It has been introduced to Hawaii.

Nesomimus trifasciatus.

FEATURES OF THE NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD Plumage: Both sexes are dark gray above and whitish below, with long tail feathers. Chicks: Fed by both parents. Fledge in about 2 weeks. Nest: Built from twigs about 3 feet above ground . Threat display: The bird cocks its tail, calls out shrilly, and fans out its tail feathers. It may do this along the boundary of its territory or at the approach of a predator. It sometimes swoops and attacks predators that come near a nest full of young.

The northern mockingbird is named for its ability to mimic, or mock, other birds' songs. It is even able to imitate mechanical sounds and human voices.

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The northern mockingbird belongs to a family of over 30 species that includes catbirds, thrashers,

and tremblers. All the species are known in the Americas, but it is the northern mockingbird that is renowned for its bubbling song and its ability to mimic.

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SPECIAL ADAPTATION

The northern mockingbird's song is a series of notes and syllables that are constantly changed or repeated . Sometimes the bird sings a favorite tune repeatedly and then discards it altogether.

In addition to using its own song, the mockingbird mimics the sounds of other birds. When a mimicked song is recorded and played back, it sounds identical to the original bird 's song .

~ BREEDING The northern mockingbird's breeding season begins in early summer. The same pair of birds may breed for several years. They have a rapid courtship that involves flashing the white on their wings as well as aerial displays. After mating, the pair finds a nest site, usually in a dense bush about three feet above the ground. The nest is made of small twigs and lined with grass and tiny shoots. Both Left: The mockingbird prefers a habitat of dense trees, as well as pasture or scrubland.

~ HABITAT Once confined to scrubland and canyons, the northern mockingbird is now seen more often in gardens and parks. These places provide every-

1010 YOU KNOW? I•

The northern mockingbird is the state bird of Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Texas, and Tennessee. • The bird's scientific name, Mimus polyglottos, means "many-tongued mimic." • Other bird mimics include the European starling, the

~ FOOD &: FEEDING thing the bird needs-grass for feeding, tall perches the male can sing from, and dense shrubs and trees for nesting and roosting.

European marsh warbler, and some Iyrebirds and parrots. • The Galapagos mockingbird evolved in total isolation. It has longer legs and a flatter bill than other mockingbirds. • Northern mockingbirds were brought to Bermuda in 1893 but soon died out.

The northern mockingbird has a varied diet. It searches the ground for insects such as grasshoppers and beetles. It also eats snails, spiders, and small reptiles. It seems to stir up insects in the grass by flicking its tail to one side or by flapping its wings. Fruit is a large part of the bird's diet, and it eats many kinds of wild berries. It also likes cultivated fruit such as grapes. For this reason, it has been persecuted. Right: Nesting takes place in summer, when the female incubates up to six eggs at a time.

birds take part in nest building. They complete the nest in three to four days. The female then lays three to six eggs in the nest. She does most of the incubation, but th~ male takes over while she eats. The eggs hatch after 12 days, and the chicks are fed by both parents for two weeks. Because the entire breeding process takes only a month, the pair can raise more than one brood in a season.

~ DEFENSE The northern mockingbird sings to defend its territory. Unlike many other birds, it defends its territory year-round, not just in the breeding season. Outside the breeding season, a bird will defend its territory even from its mate.

The bird displays a threatening posture when it faces an enemy. Cocking its tail, it gives a shrill warning before fanning its tail. It will swoop on cats, dogs, or other intruders. Below: From perches like this the male sings his "mocking" songs.

KEY FACTS

MARTIAL EAGLE

SIZES

GROUP 2: BIRDS ORDER

FAMILY

GENUS &: SPECIES

Falconiformes

Accipitridae

Polemaetus bellicosus

Length: 2-3 ft. Female larger than male. Weight: Male, 11 lb. Female, 1 3 lb. Wingspan: Over 8 ft.

BREEDING Breeding season: September to July, depending on location. Clutch size: 1 large egg . Incubation: 6 ~ weeks . Fledging period : 14 weeks.

LIFESTYLE Habit: Pairs for life. Diet: Varied; mostly game birds and small mammals. Lifespan: Up to 50 years.

RELATED SPECIES The closest relative is the crowned eagle, Stephanoaetus coronatus. Others include Bonelli's eagle, Hieraeetus fasciatus, and the longcrested eagle, Lophoaetus occipitalis.

Female: Larger, -

DISTRIBUTION Found in most of Africa, except in forested areas and the Sahara Desert.

CONSERVATION Although the martial eagle is not an endangered species, its numbers are being reduced by increasing settlement of its range and by humans who see it as a threat to livestock.

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more powerful than the male, with more spots on its underside and a larger wingspan.

Nest: Large and

untidy; as much as 6 ~ feet

Chick: Born with thick down that is replaced with juvenile feathers after a few weeks.

Egg: A single beige-andbrown speckled egg is laid. Weighs up to 6~ ounces.

The martial eagle is Africa's largest eagle. It spots its prey while soaring high in the sky, then swoops down to kill and carry off its victim in its powerful claws. © MCM XCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

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BREEDING The martial eagle nests high in the fork of a tree or on the top of flat-crowned trees. The nest is built from sticks gathered by the female and sometimes the male. Nest building takes several weeks. The finished nest can measure up to six and a half feet wide and three and a half feet deep. Left: A young martial eaglet. Below: An adult regurgitates meat to feed its hungry chick.

The martial eagle is a large bird with dark gray plumage. Despite its size and strength, this eagle is very timid and avoids contact with humans as much as possible.

~ HABITAT

DID YOU KNOW?

The martial eagle is found in woodlands near large, open clearings. Its preferred habitat is the open savanna and semidesert regions of southern and eastern Africa south of the Sahara. It soars in the air for hours at a time, tirelessly searching the ground for prey from heights that make it almost invisible to the human eye. Sometimes it stops to hover over an area where potential prey is present.

• The martial eagle can spot prey more than a mile away. • A pair of martial eagles has a range of 50 to 120 square miles and is separated from other pairs by about 20 to 25 miles. These distances make the martial eagle one of the most thinly distributed birds in the world. • A martial eagle egg is large. It weighs about six and a half ounces.

~ FOOD &: HUNTING The martial eagle hunts a variety of animals. It prefers game birds but also hunts young impalas, jackals, snakes, lizards, and smaller mammals such as the meerkat. With the increase in farms and the introduction of domestic animals to its range, the martial eagle has added lambs, young goats, and chickens to its diet. The martial eagle searches for prey by soaring high up and scanning the ground below. At other times it flies low and level. Once it spots its prey, the eagle swoops down quickly, holding its wings high over its back to increase its speed. After killing its prey, the eagle carries it off in its strong talons.

Above far right: A martial eagle watches over its untidy nest.

Above right: After killing a gazelle, the eagle raises its wings menacingly to scare off other gazelles.

Right: In flight, the eagle conserves energy by soaring on air currents.

Once the nest has been built, the mates often return to it year after year. Breeding takes place from September in the northern part of the range to July in the southern regions. The female lays a single egg, which she incubates for a month and a half. After the chick has hatched,

the male provides the food. Later, as the chick grows and needs more food, both parents share the task of finding food and feeding it. At three months, the young eagle, or eaglet, attempts its first flight, but it may remain close to the nest for as long as three months after leaving it.

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BIRD OF PARADISE

,,'-------ORDER Passeriformes

FAMILY Paradisaeidae

. . . GENERA ~ Various

KEY FACTS SIZES Length: 6 in.-4 ft., including tail feathers . Wingspan: 3-10 in. BREEDING Sexual maturity: Female, 2-3 years. Male, up to 7 years. Breeding season: Variable. Eggs: 1-2, rarely 3. Pale with colored spots and blotches. Incubation period: 17-21 days. Fledging period: 17-30 days. LIFESTYLE Habit: Mostly solitary outside the breeding season. Some have a single mate, but most males have several mates. Diet: Fruit, leaves, buds, flowers, invertebrates, small vertebrates. RELATED SPECIES There are 43 bird of paradise species, all grouped in the same family. Of these species, 37 can be found in New Guinea.

Range of birds of paradise.

DISTRIBUTION Found in New Guinea, the Moluccas, the Aru Islands, Cape York Peninsula, and the east coast of Australia. CONSERVATION Birds of paradise were once hunted for their plumage. This was made illegal in 1924 following a dramatic drop in numbers. Today, loss of habitat is a major threat to many species, particularly those with restricted ranges.

SOME BIRDS OF PARADISE AND THEIR DISP Superb bird of paradise, Lophorina superba: Lives in the mountain forests of New Guinea. Mainly black -_. feathers, but in display the ale shows a throat $hield of metallic blue-green feathers. ng of Saxony bird of paradise, Pteridophora a/berti: Found in Papuan highlands. Male has crest feathers.

Raggiana bird of paradise, Paradisaea raggiana: Found in New Guinea. Often displa~s In trees at edges of villages. 'Male has dazzling plumage for courtship, with mixed coloring of maroon, yellow, and green.

The birds of paradise found in New Cuinea and the surrounding areas are extremely showy. Their brilliant plumage and flamboyant displays are unequaled in the bird world. © MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

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~ CHARACTERISTICS

Birds of paradise originated in New Guinea, and there are 37 different species on this large tropical island. Six species have spread to the Moluccas, the Aru Islands, and the east coast of Australia. Most of the birds live in the rainforests of New Guinea, and many live only in the highlands. Others inhabit the savanna (grassland) on the south of the island or live in the mangroves that fringe the coast. Birds of paradise are similar in shape to crows or starlings. The smallest, the king bird of paradise, is only six inches long. The largest species are 18 inches long with tails that Left: The male raggiana bird of paradise often displays near vii/ages in New Guinea.

Male birds of paradise vary greatly from species to species, displaying an amazing variety

of colors as well as crests, fans, plumes, and tail streamers. The birds also differ widely in size and in the shape of their bills. But despite their differences, they are all closely related, forming

a distinct family of magnificent perching birds.

~ FOOD &: FEEDING

Birds of paradise find most of their food in trees. The various species have different diets, as the different shapes of their bills show. Many species, such as the greater bird of paradise, have short, stout beaks that are suitable for eating fruit, buds, leaves, and flowers as well as insects

and other small animals. Other species, such as the brown sicklebill, are equipped with long, thin curved bills that are good for pulling insects and their larvae out from under bark and moss. Right: Only six inches long, the king bird of paradise is the smallest in this family of birds.

may extend another 24 inches. Birds of paradise have rounded wings, and their feet are strong for perching on branches. Plumage varies widely within this family of birds. In certain species the male and female are alike with plain feathers. But in most other species the female is brownish for camouflage on the nest, while the male has multicolored feathers that are' often iridescent, and crests, fans, or tail ribbons. This vivid plumage is intended to attract the females, and competition between males has resulted in the evolution of even more colorful forms. As various groups of birds became separated from one another, they evolved to form distinct species.

Right: The drab brown colors of the female magnificent bird of paradise camouflage heron the nest.

~ BREEDING

DID YOU KNOW? • The ribbon-tailed bird of paradise that is found in Central New Guinea was not discovered until 1939. Its two long tail feathers can be up to three feet long. • Several species utter strange calls. The king of Saxony bird of paradise sounds like the

Left: The male magnificent bird of paradise has outstanding multicolored plumage. In display, he often removes leaves from surroundings so that light falls on his iridescent feathers and shows him off to best effect.

crackle of radio static, and the magnificent riflebird lives up to its name with a call that sounds like a passing bullet. • Males may not breed until they are seven years old. But they watch the courtship rituals of their elders, learning and waiting for their time.

Breeding behavior varies with the different species. The males of colorful species mate with many females. To attract a mate the male performs elaborate displays. Some males compete at communal display grounds called leks. Male groups of 15 to 20 greater birds of paradise

gather in the treetops at dawn, fluffing up their yellow and white plumes. Each male bows down and curves his wings high in a complex dance ritual. The male blue bird of paradise hangs upside down from a branch, fans out his feathers and tail ribbons, and then bobs up and down. After breeding, the colorful males take no part in nest building or incubation. The drably colored males of certain species find a single mate, and both sexes share in nesting and caring for the young. Nests are usually built in trees or inside hollow tree trunks. Left: The male emperor bird of paradise puts on spectacular courtship displays.

KEY FACTS

BLACKBIRD GROUP 2: BIRDS ORDER Passeriformes

FAMILY Turdidae

GENUS & SPECIES Turdus merula

SIZES Length: lOin. Weight: 3-4 oz. BREEDING Sexual maturity: 1-2 years. Breeding season: February until early fall. No. of broods: 3, sometimes 4. Eggs: 3-9, usually 4-5. Incubation: 11 -1 7 days. Fledging period: 14-19 days. LIFESTYLE Habit: Territorial in mating season. Flocks for migration and winter roosting.

Range of the blackbird.

Call: Melodic song from February to August. Shrill alarm call. Diet: Worms, insects, soft fruit, and winter berries.

DISTRIBUTION Found throughout Europe, except in the extreme north, and in Asia . Introduced in Australia and New Zealand. Birds from colder areas of Europe migrate to northern Africa for the winter.

RELATED SPECIES The genus Turdus has 62 species, including the American robin, Turdus migratorius.

CONSERVATION The blackbird has adapted well to life close to humans. The only threat to it would be a series of harsh winters.

FEATURES OF THE BLACKBIRD Female: Dark brown plumage with speckled underparts, chest, and throat. Builds nest each year at start of breed ing season .

Male : Distinctive all-black plumage, yellow bill, yellow ring around eye£. I

three broods raised each year. Chicks hatch blind and naked. Fed by both parents. Fly after about 2 weeks.

The blackbird is a familiar sight in the gardens and countryside of Europe. It is known for its melodious song, which can be heard at dawn and dusk for much of the year. © MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

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~ FOOD &: FEEDING Worms are the blackbird's favorite food and an important source of liquid. But during hot, dry weather worms burrow deep in the soil and are hard to find. The blackbird then seeks other moisture-rich food, including insects and soft fruit in summer and ripe berries in winter. The blackbird feeds mainly on the ground. It makes quick,

hopping runs across lawns and other grassy areas searching for worms. First the bird stands with its head cocked to one side. Then it darts forward and slowly pulls its prey from the ground with its bill. Some blackbirds have become so tame that they will stand close to a person who is digging and snatch worms as the earth is turned over.

Left: Unlike the female, the male

Right: Berries are an important source of liquid when earthworms

blackbird has plumage that lives up to its name.

The male blackbird is easily identified by

DID YOU KNOW?

his glossy black plumage, yellow bill, and

• The female blackbird and the song thrush both have speckled chests and throats. This resemblance has led to mistaken reports of blackbirds mating with song thrushes. • Migrating blackbirds carried astray by the wind have been

yellow-ringed eyes. By comparison the female looks quite drab. Her feathers are dark brown on top, paler underneath the body, and speckled on the chest and throat.

~ HABITS

The blackbird originally inhabited the woodlands of Europe and Asia. About 200 years ago it began to frequent parks and gardens, and during the last 80 years it has moved into the larger towns and cities. Today, untroubled by the presence of humans, the blackbird is a familiar sight throughout most of Europe. Right: Despite its woodland origins, the blackbird is now tame. It can be seen all over Europe, sunning itself in gardens and parks.

The blackbird's tuneful song as well as the male's striking appearance make it a popular garden bird. It sings for much of the year, from early February until late July or early August. The song is made up of several rich, mellow notes strung together in phrases. It can be heard at both dawn and dusk.

are scarce.

seen across the Atlantic in Greenland and Canada. • One blackbird pair is on record as having fledged 1 7 chicks from four broods. • The blackbird's main enemies are cats, crows, sparrow hawks, and magpies.

The blackbird is found in the gardens and parks of Eu rope and Asia. As it alig hts on a perch, it displays its typical posture-wings down and tail cocked up. The blackbird likes to sing

~ BREEDING

The male blackbird is extremely territorial in mating season, which begins in February. A mature bird will reclaim its old territory and often pairs with the same female each year. The female builds a bowlshaped nest of grass, leaves, and mud, often in a bush, a hedge, or low in a tree. When the nest is finished, she displays to the male, running in front of him with her bill up and tail erect. He responds to her high-pitched calls by puffing out his feathers and fanning his tail. Left: Like the female, the young

blackbird looks somewhat like the song thrush.

high above the ground, as it perches on a roof or at the top of a ta ll tree. A fascinating sight is the struggle between bird and worm as the bird tugs its prey from the ground.

After mating, the female lays four to five eggs, which she alone incubates. The chicks hatch blind and naked after 11 to 1 7 days. They are fed by both parents and grow quickly. The chicks leave the nest in about two weeks, but they cannot fly properly for a few days after fledging. To protect the young birds on the ground, the adults drive off predators with shrill calls. There are usually three or four broods each year. Chicks from the second brood are the most likely to survive; those from late broods are rarely old enough at the beginning of winter to survive the cold.

KEY FACTS

VERMILION FLYCATCHER ORDER Posseriformes

FAMILY Tyrannidoe

GENUS &: SPECIES Pyrocepho/us rubin us

SIZES Length: 5-7 in . Wing length: About 3 in. BREEDING Breeding season: Varies according to region. March to June in U.S. Southwest. No. of broods: 1-3. Eggs: 2-4, usually 3. White, with brown blotches. Incubation: 12 days. Fledging period: 15 days. LIFESTYLE Habit: Perches conspicuously. Has a distinctive song. Diet: Insects, mostly taken in flight.

RELATED SPECIES There are about 370 species of tyrant flycatcher, divided into 1 3 subfamilies, all found in North and South America.

Range of the vermilion flycatcher.

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DISTRIBUTION Widespread from southwestern United States through Mexico, Central America, and northern South America to Bolivia and Argentina . Also found on the Galapagos Islands. CONSERVATION The vermilion flycatcher remains abundant in suitable habitats.

FEATURES OF THE VERMILION FLYCATCHER Female: Dark gray top . Creamy white throat and underparts. Peach-colored belly and undertail feathers.

Male: Bright red and dark brown plumage.

Nest: Made of short twigs woven with finer twigs, grasses, dead leaves, and spiders' webs. Spiders' webs are also used to bind the nest to branches. The interior is lined with plant down, feathers, hair, and other fine material.

Eggs: The clutch usually consists of 3 eggs marked with dark blotches.

The vermilion flycatcher is a favorite of birdwatchers from the Southwest to South America. The male displays his brilliant red plumage to its fullest during his courtship flights. © MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

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DID YOU KNOW? • The male vermilion flycatcher tends to lose his vivid coloring in captivity. His head and breast become a spotty red and white. • In the United States, the adult vermilion flycatcher

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molts, or sheds, all its plumage after the breeding season. It also partially sheds its plumage in early spring. • The male vermilion flycatcher is noted for its soft, tinkling courtship song.

FOOD &: FEEDING

The vermilion flycatche r eats a variety of small insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and flies. Near beehives, it may also prey on honeybees. This bird catches its prey in a typical flycatcher manner. It sits upright on its perch . As soon as it spots a flying in-

sect, it darts out to snatch its victim. After returning to its perch, the bird swallows the insect. To eat a large insect, it holds the insect down with one foot and pecks off small pieces. The flycatcher may also snatch beetles and grasshoppers on the ground .

Left: During breeding season, a male starts to sing from his perch before flying upward.

Right: The female vermilion flycatcher lacks the male 's bright red coloring.

The vermilion flycatcher belongs to the large family of tyrant flycatchers. The male's vivid red coloring distinguishes him from most other tyrant flycatchers. The female is much less colorful than the male.

~ HABITS The vermilion flycatcher can be found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. It lives at the edges of woodland, in open fields, and in semiarid scrub. Birds in the northern areas vary in their seasonal movements. In Arizona some move into the wetter valleys for the winter. Others spend only the summer in Arizona and then migrate to Mexico, the Gulf

coast, or southern California. The male vermilion flycatcher's distinctive song is heard during his courtship display. He starts from a low perch and flutters upward in a spiral, with his crest erect, his breast feathers puffed out, his tail spread, and his wings vibrating rapidly. All the time the flycatcher is singing. At a height of about 65 feet, he turns and flutters slowly down.

The breeding season is signaled by the male verm ilion flycatcher's courtship song and flight . After he attracts and mates with a female, the pair starts to build a nest in the fork of a horizontal branch . This nest is generally 10 to 25 feet above the ground and is often located near water. The female usually lays three eggs, two to three times a year. She does the incubating, but the male stays nearby and fends off intruders. The young first fly about two weeks after hatching but take a year to develop their full adult plumage . Left: The vermilion flycatcher is abundant in suitable habitats.

_ _ _",~K;.;;;;;. EY ..;...... FACTS

LOVEBIRD GRO UP 2: BIRDS ORDER

FAMILY

GENUS

Psittaciformes

Psittacidae

Agapornis

SIZES Length: 5-7 in. Wing length: 3-4 in. Weight: y' -2 oz. BREEDING Sexual maturity: In captivity, 1-2 years. Breeding season: Varies depending on region, but usually follows the rainy season. Eggs: 3-8, rounded . Incubation: 22-25 days. Fledging period: 5-7 weeks. LIFESTYLE Habit: Most species live in flocks and form strong pair bonds. Diet: Seeds, fruit, leaf buds, flowers, and insects. Call: Sharp, metallic, often highpitched. RELATED SPECIES The 9 species of lovebird form 1 genus within the large parrot family Psittacidae.

Range of lovebirds.

DISTRIBUTION Found in western and central Africa east to Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Kenya; southwestern Africa; parts of Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Madagascar. CONSERVATION Trapping for the caged-bird trade has heavily reduced the numbers of some species. Any trade now is either strictly controlled or illegal.

~FERENT SPECIES OF LOVEBIRD 3. Madagascar lovebird: Bluish gray head and throat. Yellow breast

1. Red-faced lovebird: Short-tailed and stocky like all lovebirds. Hooked bill is large in comparison with its body. Green plumage with red face. 2. Black-collared lovebird: Mainly green feathers with black collar on the nape. Gray bill.

Known for their affectionate habits, lovebirds are appropriately named for the way pairs perch together, nuzzling and preening one another.

4. Fischer's lovebird: Mainly green with bright orange head and throat. Black primary wing feathers. © MCM XC I IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

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~ FOOD &: FEEDING Diet varies among different species, but at some point most lovebirds eat seeds, fruit, berries, leaf buds, flowers, insects, and larvae. They can crack open hard seeds easily with their large, wide bills. Each species has its own method of foraging. Some find food on the ground, while Left: Different species of lovebird live in parts of tropical Africa and Madagascar.

These colorful little parrots from tropical Africa and Madagascar are sociable birds that live in small flocks. Although the various species

of lovebird have separate home ranges, they do not compete for nesting sites or food when distribution overlaps. Instead, the different species are able to coexist quite happily.

~ HABITS

Lovebirds are best known for the intense bonds they develop with their mates. Pairs often perch together and rarely separate even when they are in flocks. They reinforce the pair bond by preening and stroking each other with their bills. All the species of lovebird live in tropical Africa and Madagascar in habitats as varied as lowland rainforest, highland forest, savanna woodland, and dry rocky country. Some species have adapted well to cultivated areas and are found in fields, gardens, and even city parks. Lovebirds generally live in

small flocks of up to 20 birds. In special conditions, such as when crops are ripening in a field, flocks of several hundred birds may occur. A lovebird usually stays in its home range, leaving its roost after dawn to search for food nearby. If one of a pair goes to feed, its mate will follow. Its swift, twisting flight allows it to dart easily among branches and foliage. Lovebirds return to roost shortly before the sun sets. Some lovebirds are quiet and wary of humans . But most lovebirds are sociable and noisy with sharp, highpitched calls.

others pick food from trees. Most species have separate habitats, but lovebirds do not compete for food when ranges overlap. The red-faced and black-collared lovebirds live together in parts of Africa, but each finds food in different ways. The red-faced lovebird searches the ground for grass seeds, while the black-collared species eats figs, seeds, and insects in the treetops.

DID YOU KNOW?

I

• The red-faced lovebird hangs upside down from grasses and cereals to reach the seeds. It often sleeps hanging upside down when in captivity. • Some lovebirds carry nesting material in their plumage. Using the muscles

Above: Lovebirds form strong pair bonds, staying together even when in flocks.

that erect her feathers, the female grips bark and pieces of vegetation to her body. This lets her carry loads that are bigger than those she could carry in her bill. • Different species of lovebird often crossbreed when they are in captivity.

Left: The different species of lovebird do not compete for food when their ranges overlap.

~ BREEDING

Although some species are solitary, most lovebirds live in colonies. The female selects a site and builds the nest. Often larger and stronger than her mate, she takes more responsibility for defending the nest. A lovebird's nest can be in a tree hole, a hollow branch, the space between the base of a palm leaf and its trunk, or a crevice in a cliff or a building. The nest site and the method of construction vary with the species and its habitat. Certain species dig holes in termite nests. Others take over part of Left: Like other types of parrot, Fischer's lovebird has strong claws for perching.

communal weaverbird nests. The red-faced lovebird makes a flat pad of small twigs and grass, while the peach-faced lovebird builds a deep cup. Masked and black-cheeked lovebirds create bulky, domed structures out of long stalks and strips of bark. There is little competition for nest sites between species whose ranges overlap, and several nests can often be found in the same tree. The female incubates the eggs. When they hatch, she covers the chicks with her wings for protection-a process called brooding. Both male and female gather food for the young.

CARD 107 GROUP 2: BIRDS ORDER Charadiiformes

FAMILY Laridae

KEY FACTS

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BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE

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GENUS & SPECIES Rissa tridactyla

SIZES Length: 16-18 in. Wingspan: 3-4 ft. Weight: 12-18 oz. BREEDING Sexual maturity: 3 years, but may not breed until 4-5 years. Breeding season: Mainly end of May to June. No. of broods: 1 per year. Eggs: Usually 2 but can be 3. Cream or buff with dark spots. Incubation: 25-30 days. Fledging period: About 6 weeks. LIFESTYLE Habit: Social. Breeds on cliffs. Diet: Fish, marine invertebrates, insects, and worms. Call: Loud, insistent "kittiwake." Lifespan: Oldest known, 21 years. RELATED SPECIES The smaller red-legged kittiwake, Rissa brevirostris, nests in the Bering Sea and Aleutian islands.

Breeding range of the black-legged kittiwake.

DISTRIBUTION Widespread in the North Atlantic and North Pacific, breeding around the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the coasts of Newfoundland, Greenland, and the British Isles. Also breeds around the Bering Sea. CONSERVATION Since the kittiwake was given legal protection at the beginning of the century, its population has increased.

FEATURES OF THE BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE Plumage: In

flight, markings of the young are easy to see. They have a black collar and tail tip and black bars on the wings.

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( : ~ ...

of

Adult: Loses most of its dark

markings after 2 years, but wing tips remain black. Both male and female are white and gray in color. In winter the white plumage on the head and neck turns gray.

The black-legged kittiwake is the most oceanic of all gulls. It may travel hundreds of miles from its wintering ground in the middle of the ocean to its summer home on a cliffside.

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~ BREEDING The black-legged kittiwake usually returns to the breeding colony where it hatched or to one nearby. Birds begin to arrive in early January in the southern range. Farther north they usually do not return before March. Black-legged kittiwakes build new nests each year. Hundreds of birds can be seen flying back and forth from nesting sites on cliffs to grassy and muddy areas where they collect materials. The bird mixes algae with excrement to make a nest base that is well glued to the rock ledge. It tramples plant debris and mud into this base. Then it uses grass to

form a cup-shaped nest on top of the base. Parent birds defend their nest at all times. They take turns incubating the eggs, which hatch in 25 to 30 days. Both parents feed the downcovered pale gray chicks. With little room to move in the nest, the young bird cannot test its wings until it takes its first flight. This does not occur until the wings are well developed, at about six weeks of age. The youngster then takes off without help from its parents and is able to fly well. It may return once or twice to be fed by a parent before heading out to sea and feeding itself.

Left: The loud "kittiwake" call is

Right: A typical nesting site is a high, steep cliff ledge.

accompanied by a low clucking.

This small gull is named for its distinctive call. Cries of "kittiwake" fill the air as pairs of birds nod and bow in courtship on narrow cliff ledges. Now legally protected, the black-legged kittiwake is becoming a common sight on rocky shores in the North Atlantic and North Pacific.

~ HABITS

Unlike most other gulls, the black-legged kittiwake spends the winter almost entirely at sea. In summer this very social bird flocks in large numbers on the shore. Some kittiwakes travel inland for short distances up river estuaries. Kittiwakes also bathe in lakes that are not far from the coast. Because it spends so much time at sea or perching on a

cliff ledge, the kittiwake walks very little. It has much shorter legs than most gulls and lacks the usual hind claw. In fact, in many countries the kittiwake is known as the "three-toed gull." This is how it got its scientific name, tridactyla. Today, kittiwakes have begun to nest on seaside buildings, using windowsills in place of cliff ledges.

DID YOU KNOW? • In the 19th century kittiwakes were slaughtered for their feathers, which were used in women's hats. • The kittiwake travels great distances. Birds banded in England have been found in Newfoundland and Labrador.

• In Denmark a kittiwake colony has nested for years among sand dunes. Even more remarkably, a number of birds in northern Great Britain moved 10 miles upriver to breed on buildings in Newcastle and Gateshead.

I

Many kittiwakes winter off the Atlantic coast of the United States. They can be identified by their buoyant flight, yellow bills, and black wing tips. They are often seen diving for food .

Kittiwakes breed on cliffs along the Gulf of St. Lawrence and in Newfoundland . White splashes of bird droppings reveal their colonies, where they greet intruders with cries of "kittiwake."

------

~ FOOD & FEEDING

The black-legged kittiwake prefers to feed on fish, especially sand eels. But when fish are scarce, it will eat insects, crustaceans, animal plankton, and worms. The kittiwake has several ways of catching fish. While flying, it drops down to pluck

Left: Each year the kittiwake flies great distances to return to its breeding ground.

fish from the ocean surface. While swimming, it ducks its head underwater or makes a shallow dive. Other seabirds often try to steal its catch. Outside the breeding season, the kittiwake remains at sea. It can often be seen near a fishing fleet. Ignoring the offal (waste) popular with other gulls, it searches for plankton churned up by the boats.

KEY FACTS

WOODPIGEON ,,~------------------------------~~~~~~~ FAMILY GENUS &- SPECIES . . . ORDER '11IIIIIIII

Columbiformes

Columbidae

SIZE Length : About 16 in . Wingspan: About 30 in . Weight: 1-1 Y. lb.

Columba palumbus ,l

BREEDING Sexual maturity: 1 year. Breeding season: All year but usually April to October. Eggs: Usually 2, white. Incubation period: 15-1 7 days. Fledging period: 30-35 days. LIFESTYLE Call: Coo. Habit: Lives and roosts in large flocks out of breeding season. Diet: Varied . Flowers, seeds, herbs, grasses, grains, nuts, berries, and occasionally caterpillars and earthworms. RELATED SPECIES The feral pigeon and its wild ancestor the rock dove are among the woodpigeon's closest relatives.

Range of the wood pigeon.

01 STRI BUTION Found throughout Europe and eastward to northern India. Also found in mountain forests of northwest Africa.

CONSERVATION The wood pigeon is the most abundant wild pigeon in Great Britain . It may even ou tnumber the feral pigeon. Although many have been killed by farmers, who consider the bird a pest, the woodpigeon is not in any danger.

FEATURES OF THE WOODPIGEON Adult: Both sexes look alike. The head , neck, and tail are gray. The breast is a purplish gray, and there is a green , purple, and white patch on the neck. The back and wings are grayish brown .

Flight: The distinctive white patches on the wings can be seen in flight.

Nest: Built from small twigs, thin roots, and dead plant and grass stems. The squabs (chicks) stay in the nest for over a

The cooing of a woodpigeon is a well-known sound in Europe. This woodland bird has become more and more common as its natural predators have been killed off by humans.

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~ BREEDING

The woodpigeon is the largest species of dove or pigeon found in Europe. It is now common in some European cities and suburbs. But it is even more widespread in the open countryside, where it feasts on farmers' crops.

quantities of cereal crops and greens, so farmers consider it a major pest. Closer to the cities and suburbs, the wood pigeon is not viewed with the same mistrust and has become fairly tame. In London, for example, it can be found in wooded parks and large suburban gardens.

DID YOU KNOW? • In spite of its size and shape the wood pigeon is surprisingly agile. It can cling upside-down to a branch to reach fruit or nuts. • A male wood pigeon is very fussy about the quality of building materials for the

nest. Often they build on top of an abandoned nest. The female lays two white eggs, and both birds incubate them. Soon after hatching, the young, or squabs, feed on vitamin-rich pigeon's milk. The squab pushes its head into the adult's throat and drinks up the milky substance. After several days the squab begins to eat more solid food . By six to eight weeks, it is independent.

Left: The woodpigeon can be identified by the white patch on its neck.

Right: In the spring male woodpigeons woo potential mates with their soft cooing sound.

~I BIRDWATCH Woodpigeons have a distinctive call a nd are not difficult to locate. If disturbed, a pigeon rises from a tree with a great flurry.

Many Europeans put out bread for pigeons in winter. At first the birds may hesitate over this food . But they soon adjust to it.

The large birds of prey are the woodpigeon's main enemy. Recently, the woodpigeon has benefited as birds of prey have been killed off by people. In some places the woodpigeon is prey to martens or

other tree-climbing mammals. In Great Britain the bird is also caught by foxes and badgers. Farmers often consider the wood pigeon a pest, and they shoot many wood pigeons every year.

~ FOOD & FEEDING

~ HABITS Outside the breeding season the wood pigeon spends most of its time in a flock and uses a communal roost at night. The male also uses this roost while the female incubates the eggs. In the country the wood pigeon prefers to roost in small woods, preferably close to farmland. This bird eats large

During the breeding season the male wood pigeon attracts the female with loud cooing calls and dramatic displays in the air. Before a pair actually mate, they carefully preen each other's plumage and entwine their bills. The birds find a nesting site in a tree or shrub. The female settles in the chosen spot, and her mate brings twigs and stems to weave together a

nest. He picks each piece up and tests it in his bill before accepting or rejecting it. • On the Orkney Islands, off Scotland's coast, there are no trees. Woodpigeons nest on the ground, usually in the shelter of a rock.

The wood pigeon eats a variety of foods, including flowers, leaves, seeds, acorns, grasses, grains, and berries. It also sometimes eats caterpillars, small snails, and earthworms. Wood pigeons that live close Left: Careful preening of its feathers is part of the woodpigeon's daily ritual.

to people may eat bread and other scraps. The wood pigeon may eat specific crops. It often eats clover in winter and feeds on newly sown grain and wild mustard in spring. In summer large flocks can destroy fields of ripe grain. Toward the east, the bird also eats wild figs. The wood pigeon eats either on the ground or in a tree. It usually drinks after eating. The bird dips its bill into a puddle or pond and sucks up the water. It then lifts its head momentarily before taking a few shorter drinks. Left: The woodpigeon takes long and short drinks, sucking water up through its beak.

CARD 109

DOUBLE-WATTLED CASSOWARY GROUP 2: BIRDS ORDER

FAMILY

Casuariiformes

Casuariidae

. . . GENUS &: SPECIES

~ Casuarius cosuarius

KEY FACTS SIZES Height: Up to 5Y.; ft. Female larger than male . Weight: 1 30 lb. Female heavier than male. BREEDING Sexual maturity: Not known. Breeding season: Winter. No. of broods: 1 . Eggs: 4-8, pale to dark green. Incubation period: About 30 days. LIFESTYLE Habit: Solitary. Diet: Fallen fruit, seeds, berries, insects, and small vertebrates. Call: Hoarse, harsh croaking. Lifespan: Not known.

DISTRIBUTION Found in rainforests in New Guinea, Cape York peninsula in northeastern Queensland, the Aru Islands, and Ceram.

RELATED SPECIES Related to the dwarf, or small, cassowary, Casuarius bennetti, and to the one-wattled cassowary, C. unappendiculatus.

CONSERVATION The double-wattled cassowary was once common across its range, particularly in New Guinea. But its numbers have been drastically reduced by hunting and by the depletion of its rainforest habitat.

Range of the double-wattled cassowary.

FEATURES OF THE DOUBLE-WATTLED CASSOWARY

.Eggs: Four to eight

Plumage: Adult has coarse, bristly feathers with long tufts that give the effect of a double feather. Juvenile has brown plumage until its fourth year, when it turns glossy black.

large, green eggs per clutch.

Chicks: Brown, black, and white striped p~umage provides camouflage for the first few w 01 life.

The double-wattled cassowary is a large, flightless bird that is also known as the southern or Australian cassowary. This bird is so wary of humans that little is known about its life in the wild.

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~ FOOD &: FEEDING

The unusual-looking double-wattled cassowary has a large bony crest, or casque, on top of its head.

The cassowary probably uses the casque to turn over loose soil or sand when it searches for food. On its long neck there are bare patches of bright red and blue skin and long, fleshy flaps called wattles.

~ HABITS

Although it is the largest land creature in New Guinea, the timid double-wattled cassowary is rarely seen by humans. Solitary by nature, it comes into contact with other cassowaries only during the mating season. When two cassowaries meet at any other time, they usually fight until the weaker bird is wounded and driven away. This behavior has led naturalists to believe that the cassowary is very territorial. When in danger the cassowary runs away on its powerful

legs, with its head down and thrust forward. The horny casque probably protects the head from thorny branches. The cassowary is known to be very aggressive. It attacks by leaping at its adversary feet first and slashing with its sharp claws. Each foot has three toes: the outer and middle toes have sharp claws and the inner toe has a long spike that acts as a weapon. The cassowary's call has been described as a hoarse, harsh croaking.

The double-wattled cassowary spends much of the day hidden in the rainforest. It comes out in the early morning and late afternoon to forage for food. Its diet consists mainly of fruit, supplemented by seeds and berries. It also eats some species of fungi, invertebrates, and small vertebrates. Since the cassowary cannot fly to reach the fruit high in the trees, it must find fallen fruit. Captive birds have been seen turning over soil with their casques when searching for

food. This behavior probably occurs in the wild when birds forage for food in deep leaf litter on the forest floor. The cassowary needs a habitat with a diverse range of fruit-bearing trees that can provide it with food all year round. Because many forests in the bird's range are now used for timber production, the variety of tree species is diminishing. As a result it is becoming more difficult for the cassowary to survive in these forests.

Left: The skin of the cassowary's long, featherless neck is vivid red and blue.

Right: A tropical rainforest, with its diverse species of trees, is the ideal habitat for the cassowary. Left: The cassowary probably uses its casque, or bony crest, for turning soil when searching for food. The female's casque is larger than the male's.

DID YOU KNOW? • The cassowary is related to the emu, kiwi, ostrich, and rhea, other flightless birds known collectively as ratites. • Cassowaries have been traded throughout Southeast Asia for about 500 years. • The cassowary escapes

from predators not only by running away, but also by swimming across rivers and small lakes. • Studies of the doublewattled cassowary show that it eats the fruit of more than 75 species of trees.

The double-wattled cassowary mates in winter, when there is plenty of food. The male courts the female by making loud booming calls. After mating, the female lays four to eight green eggs in a nest on the forest floor. Then she leaves, playing no further role in the process. Some naturalists believe the female mates several times during the breeding season, laying a few Left: The male cassowary incubates the eggs and cares for the hatched chicks.

batches of eggs, one in each territory. Others think she mates only once each season. The male incubates the eggs, which hatch about 30 days after laying. He cares for the chicks and protects them from predators until they can take care of themselves. The chicks are striped brown, black, and white when first hatched, but they gradually change to a dull brown. During the bird's fourth year its plumage becomes glossy and black.

CAR~10J -----311....--KEY FACTS

COMMON RAVEN ORDER Passeriformes

FAMILY Corvidae

GENUS &: SPECIES Corvus corax

SIZES Length: Over 2 ft. Weight: 11.; - 3 ~ lb. BREEDING Sexual maturity: 3 years. Breeding season: February to March. No. of broods: 1 . Eggs: 4 to 6 pale blue or green eggs, speckled gray or brown. Incubation: About 3 weeks. Fledging period: 5-6 weeks. LIFESTYLE Call: Deep, far-reaching croak. Habit: Sociable year-round. Diet: Mainly carrion. Also small mammals, frogs, lizards, insects. Lifespan: Up to 12 years in the wild . Much longer in captivity. RELATED SPECIES Closely related to other members of the crow family, including the carrion crow and rook.

Range of the common raven .

----==============

DISTRIBUTION Found mainly in remote areas of the Northern Hemisphere, including North America south to Nicaragua, Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia . CONSERVATION Although legal protection for the common raven has increased its numbers in recent years, there are huge areas within its range where it is no longer found .

FEATURES OF THE COMMON RAVEN Bill: Large , heavy, and powerful.

Throat feathers: Shaggy and pointed.

Chicks: Fed by both parents. Leave

nest after about 6 weeks . Juvenile plumage is dark brown and dull.

Nest: Large collection of sticks, packed together with mud and moss. Lined with

The common raven is the largest member of the crow family. This bird may appear to move slowly on the ground, but it can perform sophisticated displays in the air.

Eggs: 4 to 6. Pale blue or green with gray or brown speckles. Incubated for 3 weeks by female.

Plumage: Glossy black with blue, purple, and green highlights.

~ BREEDING In the common raven's courtship display, both the male and the female soar and dive through the air. The two ravens then perch together and preen each other. The common raven mates in February or early March . Most pairs stay in the same territory all year and use the same nest site each year. The couple gathers branches and large twigs to build a broad platform with a cup-shaped nest on a rocky crag or ledge. The nest itself is made of sticks

packed together with mud and moss. It is lined with sheep's wool and soft grass. The female lays a clutch of between four and six eggs. She incubates the eggs herself and is fed by the male. The eggs hatch about three weeks later, and both parents feed the chicks for about six weeks. The adults roost away from the nest soon after the chicks have hatched, visiting them only to bring food. The young are able to fly at five to six weeks of age.

left: The common raven raises its throat feathers when it calls.

Right: The raven is the largest

crow and the largest songbird.

For centuries, people have attempted to kill off

DID YOU KNO\I\I? the common raven. In the past many people believed that this all-black bird was an evil omen with strange powers, perhaps because it would feed on corpses hanging from the gallows. Today, the raven stays away from people and is found mainly in uninhabited areas.

~ HABITS Originally, the common raven was found throughout Europe, and was a frequent sight in many cities. During the seventeenth century, however, people came to believe that the raven had supernatural powers, and they tried to get rid of it. The raven then moved to more remote areas. Today, the common raven is a protected species that lives on mountains, moors, and rocky coasts. But it is still

• The common raven and other crows may be the most intelligent birds. • Parent ravens adjust their nest's lining depending on outside temperatures. They make the nest warmer or cooler for their young. • The phrase "an unkind-

ness of ravens" comes from the old belief that ravens neglected their chicks. • It is said that if all the ravens living in the Tower of London flew away, the realm would fall. The ravens' wings are clipped to keep them from escaping.

BIRDWATCH The common raven's usual habitats include sea cliffs, remote wooded valleys, and mountains. It can be confused with the carrio n crow because of its similar shape and black color. But the

common raven is larger, with a heavier, more powerful bill and shaggy throat feathers. In flight the raven is disti ngu ished by its wedge-shaped tail, a large head, and fi ngerlike feathers at its wingtips.

~ FOOD & FEEDING sometimes hunted illegally. The male does not mature sexually until his third year. Large flocks of up to 200 young fly and roost together until they are ready to breed. The mature raven defends its chosen territory aggressively. The raven is agile in the air, so other birds are unlikely to harm it in flight. But it moves slowly on the ground, so it may have to leave dead flesh to larger birds of prey.

The common raven's main food is carrion (flesh from dead animals), particularly sheep. Several ravens collect around a large carcass and pick the bones completely clean. During spring lambing season young ravens gather to feed on the placenta (afterbirth) left by ewes (female sheep). The raven may hoard food in left: The raven feeds mainly on carrion, but also eats small mammals and insects.

the winter, but there is usually a plentiful supply of food during the lambing season. The raven breeds in late February, so its eggs will hatch in spring . Young ravens have a proteinrich diet of stillborn lambs, nestlings, and carrion from rabbits, faxes, and deer. The raven will eat almost anything when carrion is not available, including small mammals, birds, frogs, lizards, and insects.