Wildlife Fact File - Birds - Pgs. 141-150

' " CARD 141 I

YELLOWHAMMER

,,---------------------------------------------~ & ORDER

FAMILY

GENUS

Passeriformes

Emberizidae

Emberiza citrin ella

SPECIES

KEY FACTS SIZES Length: 61h in. Weight: 1 oz. BREEDING Sexual maturity: 1 year. Breeding season: End of April to August. No. of broods: Usually 2. Eggs: 3 or 4, pinkish white streaked with black or brown. Incubation: 12-14 days. Fledging period: 16 days. LIFESTYLE Habit: Lives in pairs during the breeding season; social in winter. Diet: Mainly seeds but also fruit, vegetable matter, and insects. Call: Single "tweak" or "twit" when flying; distinctive song. lifespan: Oldest on record, 12 years. RELATED SPEC IES There are 38 species of bunting in the genus Emberiza.

Range of the yellowhammer.

DISTRIBUTION The yellowhammer is found in a band across the northern hemisphere from Great Britain and Portugal in the west to central Asia in the east. CONSERVATION The population decline in recent decades may be the result of changing agricultural practices, such as burning stubble, which depletes an important food source for the yellowhammer.

FEATURES O F THE YEllOWHAMM ER Flight: Sometimes straight, sometimes wavy. White flashes on the outer tail feathers are revealed.

Female: Has duller plumage, with less yellow than the male. Has more streaks on the underparts and head.

Eggs: 3 or 4 per clutch . Usually 2 broods a year. Pinkish white with scribblelike markings of black or brown.

Bill: Short, stout, and conical, for stripping tough husks from seeds and crushing berries.

Male: Distinctive bright yellow head and breast, with red-brown and black streaks on the upper parts. Chestnut rump and back.

The yellowhammer is the best known of the seven bunting species that nest in Europe. After a crop is harvested, it gathers in flocks to pick fallen grain from the fields. © MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

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Also known as the yellow bunting, the yellowhammer is usually found on farmland. Fields surrounded by rows of shrubs or low bushes make an ideal habitat for this bird, which prefers to live in areas that have plenty of ground cover. Its distinctive song can be heard in spring. It is described as sounding like a-little-bit-of-bread-and-no-cheese. 1/

1/

~ HABITAT The yellowhammer can be found in scrubland, farmland, and pastures. It seldom ventures into woods or urban areas and rarely visits gardens. Populations that breed in the northeastern part of the range usually migrate in late September. They winter in western Europe or around the Mediterranean Sea and return north between March and May. Birds in the southern part of the range remain in the same area all year. The yellowhammer adopts a territory during the breeding season but later Right: In the breeding season the male sits on a high perch and sings to ward off rival males.

abandons it to join a flock. Yellowhammer flocks may include several other species of seed-eating birds such as finches, other buntings, and sometimes sparrows. At this time of year, yellowhammers have a communal roosting spot, usually located in thick hedges or bushes.

FOOD &: FEEDING

The yellowhammer is a groundfeeding bird. It often joins other species searching for food in fields. It lives mainly on seeds but also eats berries, other plant matter, and insects. Its stubby conical bill is typical of seed eaters. The shape is ideal for removing husks and crushing the seeds inside. Nestlings are given a high-

protein diet of insects, especially caterpillars and butterflies. The food is partially digested in the parent's crop (pouched enlargement of the gullet) before it is given to the young birds. Like many seed-eating birds, the yellowhammer swallows grit, which helps to grind up tough plant matter in its gizzard (part of the stomach).

left: Like many other seed eaters, the yellowhammer has a stubby but powerful beak.

Right: The yellowhammer probes the soil for seeds but also snaps up insects and worms.

DID YOU KNOW? • Yellowhammers do not seem to suffer from the cold in areas where they remain through the winter. Birds have been found roosting on vegetation under a foot of snow. • A relative of the yellowhammer, the ortolan bunting, is considered a delicacy

in some Mediterranean countries. Like other small birds that migrate south, it is caught in nets and sold for food. • In some areas the yellowhammer is known as the "scribble lark." This name refers to the scribblelike markings on the eggs.

~

~ BIRDWATCH

The yellowhammer rarely visits gardens. In spring and summer, the male may appear on the branch of a bush or tree or on a telephone wire or post. From these perches, he sings to protect his breeding ground from other males.

In fall, yellowhammers can be seen among flocks of seedeating birds on farmland . The juvenile and the female are both duller in color than the male, and their heads and underparts are streaked rather than yellow.

~ BREEDING Breeding begins at the end of April, when yellowhammers frequently engage in a fast and furious courtship flight. Twisting and turning, the male flies after a female until the two finally fall to the ground and mate. When displaying on the ground, both birds flutter their wings in front of each other. The male also raises his crest, spreads his tail, and circles the female. The female builds the nest, choosing a site that is concealed by vegetation. The site may be under a hedge or in low bushes, but it is rarely more than three

left: During their first few days, the young are fed by their parents.

feet above the ground. The cup-shaped nest is made of grass and moss and lined with hair and fine grass. There are usually three or four eggs, pale pink or creamcolored, with fine lines of black or brown. The eggs are almost always incubated by the female, who is fed by the male. The male has been known to incubate the eggs, but this behavior is rare. After 12 to 14 days, the eggs hatch, and both adults feed the nestlings. Within two weeks the young can fly and leave the nest. A pair of yellowhammers raises two, rarely three, broods a year.

'\: CARD 142

I

KEY FACTS

CARMINE BEE-EATER

SIZES Length: Head and body, 9-10 in . Tail streamers, 4-5 in . Weight: 1-2 oz.

,,~----------------------------------------~ ORDER FAMILY GENUS &: SPECIES Coraciiformes

Meropidae

Merops nubicus

BREEDING Sexual maturity: 1 year. Breeding season: Varies with latitude. No. of eggs: 2-3, occasionally more, glossy white. Incubation period: About 20 days. Fledging period: About 1 month. LIFESTYLE Habit: Social. Diet: Airborne insects, mainly bees, grasshoppers, ants, and locusts. lifespan: Not known . RELATED SPECIES There are 24 species of bee-eater in 3 genera. The 21 species in the genus Merops include the closely related rosy bee-eater, Merops malimbicus.

Range of the carmine bee-eater. DISTRIBUTION The northern subspecies breeds in central Africa from Senegal east to Somalia. The southern subspecies breeds in central southern Africa from Angola east to Mozambique. CONSERVATION Despite some local threats-especially by beekeepers-the carmine bee-eater remains common throughout its range, with a total population of around five million.

FEATURES OF THE CARMINE BE SOUTHERN CARMINE BEE-EATER NORTHERN CARMINE BEE-EATER

The southern carmine beeeater is larger than the northern bird and does not have its blue-green throat plumage.

The carmine bee-eater is the largest of the African bee-eaters. It is also the most flamboyant in appearance. This vividly colored bird plucks its prey from the air with great skill.

Eggs: 2 to 3 glossy white eggs per clutch . Laid and hatched at intervals.

Plumage: Bright red body with bluegreen underparts and wing flashes. Crown of head also blue-green. Black head stripe and tail streamers.

©

Bill: Long and sturdy. Curves down. Ideal for snatch ing insects in midair.

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~ FOOD &: FEEDING

Large flocks of carmine beeeaters devour insect swarms. Grasshoppers, locusts, flying ants, and honeybees are frequent targets. The carmine bee-eater sails on thermals (warm air currents) 150 to 325 feet above the ground, diving often to pluck insects from the air. After hunting, it rests on a favorite perch Left: Unlike the southern carmine

bee-eater, the northern bird has blue-green throat plumage.

Despite its name, the carmine bee-eater also eats most other flying insects. This social bird is found in both central and southern Africa-in two populations that are regarded by some experts

as separate species. The northern carmine bee-eater is smaller than the southern bird, and it can also be distinguished by its blue-green throat plumage.

~ HABITAT The carmine bee-eater spends most of the day flying high above its African domain . On its sharp-pointed wings it sails effortlessly over mangrove swamps, wood and scrub savannas, grassy plains, lakeshores, cultivated flood plains,

I

~DYOU KNOW?

I : The carmine bee-eater will sometimes skim over water in flight, and it may even submerge itself. Freeze-frame photography has shown that in doing this the bee-eater sometimes catches fish. • The carmine bee-eater may prepare its nest site up to four

carmine beeeater eats many kinds of flying insects.

months before it is needed. By starting early, the bird can dig in soil that is still soft and moist after the rainy season. • One of the local names for this bird means "cousin to the fire," referring to its fiery plumage as well as its habit of feeding near bush fires.

Left: Although

the bee-eater is sociable yearround, it forms even larger flocks during the breeding season.

~ BREEDING and open pastures. All that seems important to the beeeater is that the land below supports sufficient insect prey and offers suitable nest sites. There is only one habitat that the carmine bee-eater shunsthe rainforest.

It~ee~~t~~!:'~i~~~~TA!:~d~!' the action usually mune to the sting of the wasp and honeybee. It can also "de-sting" its prey before eating it by holding the bee sideways in its beak and then repeatedly rubbing it on a perch . Even if the sting is not

but stays alert for any signs of more prey. The bee-eater also rides on the backs of antelope, cattle, ostriches, and bustards so it can catch insects disturbed by the host animal. This bird even perches on tractor cabs, and it may fly alongside cars and trucks, snatching insects from the slipstream. Another tactic is for the carmine bee-eater to fly toward a bush fire and feed on fleeing insects.

extracts most of the venom and reduces the sting's effect. This behavior is largely instinctive, but young birds benefit from practice as their early attempts are often unsuccessful and they get stung.

The carmine bee-eater is a social bird that forms flocks of 50 or more. In the breeding season colonies of as many as 10,000 birds gather at prime nest sites. The bee-eater digs a burrow into a cliff face by a river. It often starts two or three tunnels for each one it completes, so cliff sites that are used regularly become honeycombed with burrows and may collapse. Before they nest, the males become aggressive and chase each other in flight . The winner offers food to a female. If Left: Continual nest building may

undermine the sandy banks where the bee-eater burrows.

she accepts, the birds mate. Usually the first eggs are laid just before the rains begin in the north and a little later in the south. Because the eggs are laid at roughly two-day intervals, the young do not hatch together. Young beeeaters grow quickly, so the oldest and youngest chicks differ in size. The youngest chick often cannot compete for food and starves. Sometimes a nonbreeding bird helps a pair feed their young, so the whole clutch survives. The young bee-eaters fledge after about a month. Then all the birds disperse north and south of the breeding areas.

"' CARD 143 ]

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL

,,'-------, . ORDER "11IIIIIIII Charadiiformes

FAMILY Laridae

KEY FACTS

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SIZES Length: 2 -2 ~ ft.

GENUS & SPECIES Larus marinus

Wingspan: 5-5 ~ ft. Weight: 2-4 lb.

BREEDING Sexual maturity: 4-5 years. Breeding season: April to May. No. of broods: 1 per year. Eggs: 2 or 3. Incubation: About 4 weeks. Fledging period: 8 weeks. LIFESTYLE Habit: Sociable, but often in small-

Breeding range of the great black-backed gull.

er groups than other gulls. Call: Harsh /lark-ark-ark ./I

DISTRIBUTION

Diet: Marine invertebrates, carrion,

The Baltic, the Scandinavian coast, Great Britain and Ireland,

birds and their eggs, small mam-

and south to Brittany in France. It also breeds around Iceland,

mals, some vegetation .

southwestern Greenland, along the eastern seaboard of Cana-

Lifespan: Maximum recorded,

da, and as far south as North Carolina.

20 years.

CONSERVATION

RELATED SPECIES The closest relative is the kelp gull,

Like most gulls, the great black-back has increased in numbers in this century. Its range has also increased.

Larus dominicanus.

FEATURES OF THE GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Plumage: Dark gray to black back and win g feathers; white body and head . Sexes similar. Juvenile has brown and white markings on its upper parts.

Eggs: 2 or 3 per clutch . Buff or olive brown , speckled with brown or gray.

Legs: Flesh colored. Lesser black-backed gull has yellow legs.

The great black-backed gull is a highly successful predator. It is easy to distinguish from other gulls by its large size, black back and wing feathers, and heavy yellow bill.

Bill: Heavy and strong , with hooked tip. Distinguishes great black-back from other gulls. Able to snatch and grip prey such as puffins while flying.

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~ BREEDING

The great black-backed gull has increased both its numbers and its range in the last hundred years. In winter this large bird relies on scavenging for most of its food. It eagerly consumes a variety of animal

waste products thrown out by humans. The great black-back can also be a fierce predator, attacking other bird species as well as fish and mammals.

~ HABITAT

The great black-backed gull is now found in areas where it was previously unknown. It usually breeds on small coastal islands and rocky outcrops. But as its numbers have grown, the gull has moved inland, inhabiting islands on freshwater lakes and nesting on heathland. Mature gulls from the southern areas of the range do not migrate far in winter. Young birds are more likely to move south. Black-backs banded in Great Britain have been found in northwestern France and Spain. Gulls breeding in the

north of the range-Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and along the Murmansk coast of the Soviet Union-are more likely to move south in winter. Many fly to locations near the North Sea. Birds banded in Iceland have been found in northwestern Britain and Ireland in winter. Similarly, gulls from Greenland and northern Canada migrate south to the eastern seaboard of Canada and the United States each winter. Right: Swallowing a fish whole is commonplace for the great blackbacked gull.

The great black-backed gull may form large colonies. But it tends to be more solitary in its nesting habits than many other gull species. It usually chooses a site close to the breeding colonies of other seabirds so that it can prey on them. The great black-backed gull often returns to the same spot each year to breed. The nesting site is often a high point such as a rock, wall, or fence post, from which the gull can

survey its surroundings. It constructs its saucer-shaped nest from dry vegetation . The female usually lays two or three eggs at two-day intervals in April. Both parents incubate the eggs for about four weeks. A few days after hatching, the down-covered chicks are able to leave the nest. They develop a mottled grayish plumage and begin to fly at seven to eight weeks of age. Soon afterward, they leave the colony.

Left: Its black back, heavy bill, and large body distinguish the great black-back from other gulls.

Right: The mottled chicks are well developed when hatched and soon leave the nest.

DID YOU KNOW? • A chick frightened from its nest may be preyed on by other birds in the colony. Even if it returns to its nest, it may be eaten by its own parents. • The black-backed gull population is increasing and has squeezed out smaller seabirds. Birds like terns return to their nesting colonies in

spring but find that they are full of gulls. • Records show that on an island off the coast of Wales, 27 great black-backed gulls ate 2,536 Manx shearwaters. • After killing and eating another bird, the black-backed I gull leaves its victim's s,~in neatly turned inside o ~

BIRDWATCH The great black-backed gull can be identified by its black back, large body, and massive yellow bill. It can be seen yearround along the East Coast, especially in fishing ports. It follows fishing boats to catch fish that escape from the nets.

~ FOOD & FEEDING

Young great black-backed gulls are fed animal waste products by their parents. They are also provided with digested shellfish, rabbits, mice, and voles as well as the eggs, young, and even

Birds from Canada boost the great black-back population in winter, when the gulls can be seen on most coastlines. The birds may also be seen farther inland in winter, scavenging in garbage dumps, meat factories, and sewage plants.

adults of other seabird species. The gull kills prey by shaking it violently, then pecking it thoroughly and tearing it apart. The great black-backed gull often has food preferences. Gulls that favor other seabirds can have a disastrous effect on the populations of rarer species like puffins, storm petrels, and Manx shearwaters. The great black-backed gull also preys on the fledging chicks of razorbills, guillemots, and even its own species. Left: Great black-backed gulls that live in temperate areas do not migrate long distances.

KEY FACTS

TAKAHE GROUP 2: BI RDS . . ORDER ~ Gruiformes

FAMILY Rollidoe

GENUS & SPECIES Porphyria montelli

SIZES Height: 1 Yz-2 ft. Weight: 5-6 lb . BREEDING Sexual maturity: About 2 years. No. of broods: 1 . Breeding season: From September to Oct ober. Eggs: 1 or 2; cream w ith brown and gray blotch es. Incubation period : About 1 month . LIFESTYLE Habit: Pairs for life. Range of the takahe.

Diet: Alpine grasses, herbs, and ferns . Young are fed insects. Call: Repeated pairs of long, deep notes like a donkey's bray. Lifespan: Up to 12 years.

DISTRIBUTION Found only in the Murchison and Kepler mountain ranges in the Fiordland National Park on South Island, New Zealand. Captive-bred birds have been introduced on Mana Island.

RELATED SPECIES The takahe is a member of the rail

CONSERVATION

fam ily of over 100 species. Its clos-

The takahe is now protected, but it remains an endangered

est relative is the purple gallinule, Porphyria porphyria, of Africa, Asia,

species despite conservation measures. It is thought that there are between 180 and 250 pairs in existence.

and Australia .

FEATURES OF THE TAKAHE Body: Its plump body makes the bird look clumsy, but it is a very fast runne r. Plumage": Shades of blue arid green with

a wlitteHaSh u n~~ tail

If eathers.

Large and very sturdy fo r ripping out and chewing tufts of grass.

clumps of grass

A flightless bird from New Zealand, the takahe was mistakenly classified as extinct at two different times. Today, about 400 takahes survive in New Zealand ~ Fiordland National Park.

t~~~~~~i~~~~~

while it ri ps out tender shoots with its bill.

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Eggs: 1 or 2; cream with gray and brown blotches. Laid in a sheltered nest on the ground. PRINTED IN U.S.A.

US P 6001 12 054 PACKET 54

~ FOOD & FEEDING

The takahe feeds primarily on the tender leaf bases of alpine grasses. It prefers young leaves, which are rich in protein and other nutrients. The takahe uses its bill to pull up a tuft of grass by the base. It holds the tuft in its foot while chewing the new growth, and then it throws the rest away. Piles of discarded stalks are a sign that a takahe has been feeding nearby. The takahe also eats grass seeds. It holds several grass stalks in its beak and then runs its beak along

the stems to fill it with seeds. When the ground is covered with snow, the takahe moves down into the woodlands to feed on herbs, ferns, and forest grasses. The fact that this vegetation is less nutritious t han alpine grasses may be one reason why the takahe population has not thrived in recent years. The takahe also suffers from the presence of other alpine grass eaters, especially red deer. The deer eat so much that little nutritious grass is left for the takahe.

Left: Like many animals that eat

Right: The takahe will venture into shallow water to drink, but it has not been known to swim.

only vegetation, the takahe must feed nearly all the time.

The takahe is a large, plump bird about the size of

a small turkey. It compensates for its inability to fly by being a remarkably good runner. With its vivid red bill, its pink legs, and the blue and green shades of its silky plumage, the takahe is one of New

Zealand's most attractive native birds. It has been a protected species since 1948.

~ HAB ITAT

The takahe lives in the Fiordland National Park on South Island, New Zealand. It inhabits inaccessible mountain val leys at altitudes of up to 6,000 feet . These valleys are dotted with small lakes surrounded by alpine grasses, which thrive in the damp, peaty ground. Frequent heavy rain, gales, and snow make the environment inhosp itable. The takahe's range is limited mainly to a valley called Taka-

he Valley in the Murchison and Kepler mountains. This area is a designated sanctuary. Public access is prohibited to avoid habitat disturbance by tourists. Takahes live in pairs in territories that may be as large as one and a half square miles. If a pair is separated within its territory, the two birds call to each other and perform a brief display when they meet. They display in a similar manner if an intruding takahe appears.

~ TAKAHE & MAN

DID YOU KNOW? • The takahe is one of several flightless birds in New Zealand. Over centuries, the birds lost the ability to fly because there were no native predatory mammals. • The skin of the first living takahe found by settlers is now in the British Museum.

'. The species was named mantelli after Walter Mantell, the first person to find takahe bones. • The takahe was hunted by Maoris for its tasty flesh. Puppets of mother takahes are used to rear captive chicks, which are later released.

I.

Early European settlers in New Zealand were told of a flightless bird called the takahe. They assumed the species was extinct since only fossils were found. This theory was disproved when four takahes were discovered in the mid- to late 19th century. After that the bird was not seen

~ BREEDING

The takahe pairs for life, mating during September and October. Male and female build their nest between clumps of grass. After piling up a thick layer of soft grass stalks, they pull the tall surrounding grass across to form a bower that shelters the nest. The female lays one or two cream-colored eggs that have Left: At eight weeks old, takahe chicks still rely on their parents to bring them food.

for 50 years and was once again classified as extinct. In 1948 the takahe was rediscovered in Fiordland. It has been protected ever since. Today, the New Zealand Department of Conservation is establishing a breeding program to ensure the bird's survival.

brown and gray blotches. The hatchlings have a black bill with a white tip and are covered with black down. They can leave the nest a day or two after birth, but they are fed insects by their parents for a few weeks until they are independent. If snowfall is heavy, the parents may be unable to get enough food for the chicks. Only about half of the takahe hatchlings survive the harsh weather of their first winter.

~RD145

BLACK-WINGED STILT ORDER Charadriiformes

FAMILY Recurvirostridae

KEY FACTS SIZES Body length: 14-16 in .

GENUS &- SPECIES Himantopus himantopus

Wingspan: 2-3 ft. Bill: 2-3 in. Legs: 7 in. Weight: 6-7 oz. BREEDING Sexual maturity: 2 years. Breeding season: April to July. No. of eggs: Usually 4. No. of broods: 1 per year. Incubation: 25 days. Fledging period: 28-32 days. Range of the black-winged stilt.

LIFESTYLE Habit: Lives in small colonies. Diet: Insects and their larvae. Call: Shril!, piping cal!. Lifespan: Oldest banded bird, 12 years, 2 months.

DISTRIBUTION Found in southern Europe, China, India, and centra! Africa. CONSERVATION In the tropics, the black-winged stilt is not under any immediate threat. Populations have increased in Italy and Spain, where there are about 20,000 pairs. But in the heavily polluted areas of eastern Europe, especially Romania and Bulgaria, numbers have fallen sharply.

RELATED SPECIES There are 5 species in the genus Himantopus, ranging throughout the warm regions of the world .

FEATURES OF THE BLACK-WINGED STILT Male: Black back and wings with white underparts. In spring and summer, the back of the head is also black. In winter the head is pure white.

Eggs: 4. Light brown with darker brown speckles. Laid in a scrape or nest on the ground near water or on a sandbank

fti;('..,.-----

or clump of floating vegetation .

Bill: Black. Long , straight, and sturdy. Enables the stilt to snap up food rapidly from the water.

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Legs: Bright pink. Very long in relation to the bird's body size . Enable the stilt to wade into deep water to forage for food .

Female: Dark markings on the crown .

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Juvenile: Markings are brownish , lighter than l:Jese of the adult bird.

The black-winged stilt is a tall, elegant bird that lives on coastal and inland wetlands in warm regions. This wading bird is named for its long, thin, stiltlike legs. © MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

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~ FOOD &: FEEDING The black-winged stilt's long legs enable it to wade farther out than most wading birds, so it can exploit food sources that others cannot reach. While wading in water up to its belly, the stilt can submerge its head to probe the bottom for mollusks and plant seeds. But most of the time the stilt picks insects and other invertebrates off water plants or the surface of the water. The bird's

diet includes beetles, fly larvae, worms, snails, and tadpoles. The bill of the black-winged stilt is quite different from the avocet's bill. The avocet has a curved bill that enables it to scoop up food, while the stilt has a straight beak that is well adapted for rapid snapping. The stilt's bill also has a strong grip for grabbing insects like dragonflies and caddis flies as they land on the water.

Left: The black-winged stilt's long

Right: When foraging in shallow water or on bare mud the stilt bends down awkwardly.

legs enable it to wade into deep water to find food.

The black-winged stilt is a black and white marsh bird that is related to the avocet. When it walks on dry land, the stilt's long, spindly legs give it a peculiar appearance. But in the water its legs give it a distinct advantage over other wading birds. The stilt can wade out farther than most birds. As a result, it can take advantage of food that others cannot reach.

DID YOU KNOW? • The black-winged stilt's legs are longer in proportion to the size of its body than the legs of any other bird except the flamingo. • In India and other hot areas the black-winged stilt keeps its eggs cool by splashing its breast feathers with water be-

• When incubating the eggs on its nest, the black-winged stilt folds its legs into a long, awkward V shape that extends out behind its body. • The black-winged stilt has been known to breed in England only on four occasions: twice in 1945 and twice in

fore sitting on its clutch.

the 1980s.

downy black, white, and light gray plumage of the stilt chick helps to hide it from predatory birds as it walks on the open mud of salt pans and estuaries.

~ HABITS The black-winged stilt lives in colonies of 20 to 100 birds. These birds are found around still, shallow lakes with water that is fresh or brackish (salty) but not tidal. An opportunistic bird, the blackwinged stilt may move frequently in order to find richer or safer feeding grounds. On exposed ground, the stilt can tolerate strong winds and high temperatures without seeking shelter. But it is not limited to unsheltered areas. The blackwinged stilt may feed around artificial environments such as fish ponds, sewage treatment areas, and water tanks. Yet it

is wary of humans and flies off even when an intruder is quite a distance away. The black-winged stilt walks in long, delicate strides. It has long, spindly legs that are perfect for wading in deep water. But they are awkward to bend when the stilt is feeding on dry land. In flight, the stilt beats its wings rapidly and uses its long legs as a rudder. The black-winged stilt swims readily, but it dives only in an emergency. The chick is uncomfortable in the water at first because it has difficulty paddling with its oversize legs.

The black-winged stilt nests near its feeding grounds. Nesting colonies vary from a few birds to several hundred pairs. The stilt often builds its nest on a raised platform of pebbles on a sandbank in the water, so the birds may appear to be floating as they sit on their nests. A nest may be little more than a shallow hole in the ground. Or it may be a substantial structure made of grasses and reeds. Black-winged stilts pair for only one season. The female takes Left: The stilt's nest may be a neat construction made of woven grass

and stalks.

the initiative by intruding on the male's territory in order to draw attention to herself. The male is hostile at first, but he soon becomes interested. He develops a protective concern for his mate and her eggs. A clutch of four eggs is laid in summer. Both parents defend the chicks from predators such as gulls, hawks, and crows. The adults fly around the intruders, performing displays to draw attention away from the nest. The young stilts develop full adult plumage as well as the distinctive bright pink legs almost a year after hatching.

",CARD146 I EASTERN SCREECH-OWL

,,~------------------------FAMILY GENUS . . ORDER ~ Strigifarmes

Strigidae

&; SPECIES

Otus asia

KEY FACTS SIZES Height: 7-10 in. Wingspan: 16 in . Weight: 3- 3 ~ oz. BREEDING Sexual maturity: 1 year. Breeding season: Spring . Eggs: 3-7; white. No. of broods: 1 . Incubation: About 4 weeks. Fledging period: 5 weeks. LIFESTYLE Habit: Nocturnal. Diet: Small mammals, birds, and large insects. Call: Hollow whistle or long, trembling trill.

Range of the eastern screech-owl. DISTRIBUTION Found in eastern and central North America, from southern Canada, through the United States, to central Mexico.

RELATED SPECIES The eastern screech-owl is replaced by the western screech-owl, Otus

CONSERVATION The eastern screech-owl is generally thriving throughout its

kennicotW west of the Rockies. It

range, but there may be some localized persecution by farmers and lumber companies.

is also closely related to the scops owl, O. scops.

FEATURES OF THE EASTERN SCREECH-OWL Head: Prominent tufts of feathers on its crown help disguise the owl as part of a branch while it is perched in a tree during the day. The owl has yellow eyes with a black border.

Plumage: Adult coloring varies from mostly gray to red-brown. The reasons for the variations are not clear. Even members of the same brood may have different coloring . The back and tail feathers have dark brown flecks and stripes. The young's wings and tail are similar to the adult's. Its upperparts are broadly striped, and the feathers are tipped with dull white.

The eastern screech-owl is one of the smallest owls in North America. Although it is only the size of a thrush, this nocturnal bird has the strength and predatory instincts of a small hawk.

Eggs: Clutch size varies to 7. Eggs laid 2 to 3 d usually in a tree cavity I sticks , grasses, leaves, and feathers. Incubated by female only. © MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

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~ FOOD &: HUNTING

Because it is active during the night, the eastern screech-owl is heard more often than it is seen. This bird's mournful, trembling calls and hollow whistles can only loosely be described as screeches. But they are eerie enough to have given rise to a well-known superstition. Whenever the screech-owl is heard, the saying goes, death and disaster are not far away.

~ HABITAT

The eastern screech-owl is common throughout eastern and central North America, with a range that stretches from the Great Lakes south to the Gulf of Mexico. It frequents woodlands, including the most remote forests, but it may also venture onto farmland and orchards. The owl may even make its home near human dwellings or in city parks. This night-active bird spends the day in a concealed spot, so Right: The eastern screech-owl may use the same nesting site for several years in a row.

When night falls, the eastern screech-owl sits on a branch, looking and listening for signs of prey. Its eyesight is especially keen at dusk, although it does not see much better than humans in very dark conditions. In the dark, its sharp hearing proves valuable. The eastern screech-owl eats a large and varied diet. It pounces from its high perch onto small mammals, birds, and large insects. Mice and voles are popu-

lar prey, as are small birds such as robins and swallows. Sometimes this owl kills pigeons and other birds larger than itself. The eastern screech-owl uses its strong talons to seize worms, locusts, beetles, and large grasshoppers from the ground. It can also catch insects flying in the air with a loud snap of its horned bill. The owl may occasionally supplement its diet with bats, flying squirrels, moles, shrews, fish, reptiles, and amphibians.

Left: The eastern screech-owl can raise or lower its prominent ear tufts at will.

Right: While the female rears her young, the male collects food for the whole family. Left: The size of the eastern screech-owl's eyeballs indicates how important vision is to it. The owl seems to have a fixed stare because its eyeballs cannot rotate much in their sockets.

I DID YOU

KNOW?

• The eastern and western screech-owls are very similar, but they have different calls and occupy different ranges. • Screech-owls like to bathe themselves, and dead owls are at times found in rain barrels. • Woodsmen used to complain that the owl's eerie call kept them awake at night.

Some believed that throwing a horseshoe into the campfire or turning their pockets inside out would keep the owl quiet. • Bird-watchers occasionally play tape recordings of the eastern screech-owl's call to attract flocks of songbirds, which gather to attack the noisy "owl."

~ BREEDING it is rarely seen. It usually stays all year in the same well-defined territory-an area that meets its needs for food and provides a safe place in which to roost, bathe, and raise a family.

The male eastern screech-owl begins to look for a mate in February. He calls to attract her to a chosen nesting site. The two birds sometimes make use of a large birdhouse, but they may have to kill the rightful owners before taking over. More often, they use a hole where a branch has fallen from a tree or a hollow left by a woodpecker. The female lays three to seven round, almost perfectly white eggs at intervals of two to three Left: After leaving the nest, the young sit in the tree, where the parents can eosily find them.

days. She remains in the nest to incubate the eggs for about four weeks, while the male brings food to her. The chicks are covered with white down. They open their eyes after about six days and remain in the nest for several weeks. The mother feeds them with food supplied by her mate. Once able to fly, the young leave the nest and perch together on a branch. They make loud squealing noises when hungry. Their parents continue to feed them until they become independent, about two weeks later.

' " CARD 14 7

GREEN-WINGED TEAL ,,~----------------------------~~~~~~~ FAMILY GENUS & SPECIES ORDER ~ "11IIIIIIII

Anseriformes

Anatidae

Anas crecca

I

KEY FACTS SIZES Length: 13-1 5 in. Wingspan: 2 ft. Weight: 6-1 6 oz. BREEDING Sexual maturity: 1 year. Breeding season: April to June. Eggs: 8-11; yellowish white. Incubation: 3-4 weeks. Fledging period: 25-30 days. LIFESTYLE Habit: Usually forms small flocks outside the breeding season. Diet: Seeds of water plants, water beetles, bugs, and larvae. Call: Male whistles. Female gives high-pitched, rapid quacks. lifespan: Oldest known bird, 16 years, 9 months. RELATED SPECIES The green-winged teal is one of 36 species in the genus Anas, which includes the familiar mal-

Breeding range of the green-winged teal.

Winter range.

DISTRIBUTION Found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Many birds migrate farther south for the winter. CONSERVATION The green-winged teal is common over a large range. Numbers are decreasing slightly in Great Britain, Ireland, and southern Poland because of the loss of wetland habitat. Many are killed for sport in their first year.

lard, A. platyrhynchos.

FEATURES O F THE G REEN -WIN G ED T EAL Flight: Fast, with rapid wing beats. Both male and female have distinctive black and green patches on their wings. When disturbed, the bird takes off almost vertically, climbing steeply while twisting in the air.

~

~

Eggs: 8 to 11 ; white with a yellowish tinge. Laid in a hollow nest lined with leaves and grass and concealed in tall vegetation .

-

Female: Brown-striped plumage helps to conceal her while she rears her young . - - -- -

-

--

-

Male: Chestnut head and neck with broad green stripe. Finely striped gray upper parts with mottled breast. Black and yellow feathers under tail.

The green-winged teal is one of our smallest ducks, not much larger than a pigeon. It keeps its tail feathers dry so that it can take to the air quickly whenever danger threatens. © MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

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~ FOOD & FEEDING The green-winged teal eats insects and plants that it finds on the water's surface or plucks from the mud. In summer it feeds mainly on insect larvae, mollusks, water beetles, and bugs. In winter it relies more on plant seeds. The green-winged teal is adapted for life in and around shallow water. It pumps water

or mud through its bill to sift out bits of food. When feeding on land, it walks slowly on its short legs in a typical duck's waddle. The male may venture into deeper water, upending to find food below the surface. In some locations the greenwinged teal feeds at night. But in quiet areas, it prefers to feed during the day.

left: The male green-winged teal's

Right: The green-winged teal is a dabbling duck, feeding on the sur-

whistling call is unlike the female 's high-pitched quack.

The green-winged teal is found throughout North America and Eurasia, but the duck's appearance differs slightly in these two places. In Europe and Asia the male birds have a horizontal white stripe along their sides, but in North

America the males have a vertical white stripe on each side of the breast. All these birds have a distinctive green patch on the upper surface of the wings.

~ HABITAT

face or in shallows.

left: The female greenwinged teal's plumage is duller than that of the male. But she has green and black patches on her upper wings that can be clearly seen during flight.

DID YOU KNOW? • Even if paired, a male greenwinged teal will join other males around an unattached female and display to her. When a female leaves the nest to feed, she covers the eggs with down to hide them. • The male molts (sheds his feathers) in June or July. The female molts later, in August

·

I

or September. For a brief period, before his breeding plumage emerges, a molted male looks like a female. • Hunters like the greenwinged teal because of its agility in the air. Shooting accounts for more than half the deaths in much of the bird's range.

~ BREEDING

The green-winged teal likes shallow water where there is plenty of vegetation . Small ponds and slow-flowing rivers are ideal habitats. The bird is also found on wetlands made up of several shallow areas of water. It usually breeds in areas with scrub not far from water. In winter, when an ideal habi-

tat may be difficult to find, it can be seen along the coast, on estuaries, salt marshes, lagoons, or even reservoirs devoid of plants. Most green-winged teals migrate south for the winter. But many that breed in Europe are resident year-round, unless the winter is severe.

Winter is often the best time to watch green-w inged teals, because t he resident population is enlarged by visitors from farther north . Another good time to see the birds is

the breeding season because the male in breeding colors is easy to identify. If you see a small duck fly up vertically into the ai r, it is probably a green-winged teal.

The male green-winged teal becomes aggressive at the start of the breeding season. He is quick to attack other males to keep them from his mate. But, unlike many water birds, he does not defend his territory. Once a pair has formed, the birds search for a nest site. The nest is set on the ground, often in the center of a tussock of grass. It is surrounded by thick vegetation to conceal it and is never far from water. The female begins building the nest by sitting on the chosen spot to create a shallow cup shape left: The green-winged teal is usually found in areas of shallow water with dense vegetation.

with her body. She gathers leaves and grass to line the indentation, then adds a layer of down . The female lays between 8 and 11 eggs, which all hatch at the same time. The chicks are well developed and can leave the nest almost immediately. The female leads them to the water, where they eat while she keeps a dose watch . For the first few nights, the chicks may return to the nest, and even later they huddle close together to keep warm . An average of only four or five young from each brood survive to become independent. They can fly after 25 to 30 days.

"' CARD 148

COMMON SNIPE "

G ROUP 2: BIRDS

ORDER Charadriiformes

FAMILY Scolopacidae

KEY FACTS SIZES

,,~------------------------------~~--~~~

~

I

~ GENUS & SPECIES ~ Gallinago gallinago

Length: 11 in. Bill length: 2%1-3 in. Weight: 3-5 oz., depending on the season. BREEDING Breeding season: April to July. Broods: 1. Eggs: 4; pale green or light yellow with brown blotches. Incubation: 1 7-20 days. Fledging period: 19-20 days. LIFESTYLE

Year-round range of

Habit: Shy, solitary, territorial.

Breeding grounds.

the common sn ipe.

Diet: Insects, larvae, worms. lifespan: Up to 10 years.

DISTRIBUTION

RElATED SPECIES

The three main subspecies are the Eurasian, Faroe, and North American snipe. The Paraguayan snipe, Gallinago paraguaiae, and the Magellanic snipe, G. magellanico, are sometimes considered to be subspecies.

The Eurasian snipe is found in Great Britain, northern Europe, Scand.inavia, and the U.S.S.R. The Faroe snipe occurs in the Faroe, Shetland, and Orkney islands and Iceland. The North American snipe is found in the northern United States and Canada. CONSERVATION

The widely distributed common snipe is under no threat.

FEATURES OF THE COMMON SNIPE Eggs: 4; pale green or light yellow with dark brown markings.

Tail: Fan-shaped, with 2 special stiffened feath ers. As the snipe dives, these 2 feathers swing out, and the air passing over them produces a drumming sound .

Flight: For its display flight, the snipe dives almost vertically from a great height, with its wings still beating and its tail fanned out.

Bill: Up to 3 inches long . Very

The common snipe is a long-billed wader native to Eurasia and the Americas. This member of the sandpiper family is known for its spectacular diving display flight.

Plumage: Brown, light yellow, and black, with some feathers edged in white. This coloration provides excellent camouflage in wetland vegetation.

Eyes: Set relatively far back on the head to give the snipe allround vision.

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strong but slender, tapering to a point. Ideal for probing in soft soil, sand, and mud, with a flexible tip that can grasp underground prey.

0160200561 PACKET 56

~

The common snipe is also known as the fantail snipe because of the shape of its tail feathers. This shYt mostly solitary game bird can be found in marshes and meadows throughout its range. When disturbed,

FOOD & FEEDING

The common snipe usually forages for food during the twilight hours. It feeds on insects and their larvae, earthworms, snails, and small crustaceans. The snipe also eats plant fibers and seeds as well as grit, which serves to grind up food in the bird's stomach. The snipe forages for food in shallow water, probing the soft soil with its bill. It moves as little as possible when feeding

and pivots on its legs while digging into the ground around its body. Its three-inch-Iong bill -the longest of any wading bird-is strong and very sensitive. It has a flexible tip that can be opened while the rest of the bill remains closed . As a result, the snipe can probe deep in the earth for prey, grasp it, and pull it out without having to force open the whole bill in the dense-

Left: Large eyes set relatively for back on its head enable the snipe to see in all directions.

Right: While searching for food,

recognize. It can also be identified by the unusual drumming sound it produces during its courtship display.

• The snipe's large eyes help it see while feeding at twilight.

~ HABITAT

There are three subspecies of the common, or Wilson, snipe. Named after the areas where their breeding grounds are located, the subspecies are the Eurasian, the Faroe, and the North American snipe. Snipes are found in areas that are rich in damp, organic soil such as peatlands, bogs, and swamps. They also inhabit marshy tundra, moist farmland, and overgrown areas near small rivers and ponds. The snipe is well adapted for life in its wetland habitats, where it is well camouflaged by its brown, yellow, and black

plumage. This camouflage, as well as the bird's tendency to remain hidden in the undergrowth, make the snipe difficult to spot on the ground . The snipe has short legs but long, slender toes that enable it to wade across marshy ground. It uses its long bill to probe deep in the earth for food. With its large eyes set relatively far back on its head, the snipe can watch for enemies while feeding. In winter snipes fly south to warmer climates . They usually winter in freshwater environments but are sometimes seen on coastal meadows.

the snipe can keep its long bill submerged for up to 30 seconds.

DID YOU KNOW? • The word snipe is thought to be Scandinavian in origin, and was once a term of abuse in English. • The common snipe and other birds of the genus Gallinago are described as limocoline, which means "mud-dwelling."

the snipe flies off in a zigzag pattern that is easy to

ly packed soil.

• The snipe beats its wings 11 times per second when producing its characteristic drumming sound. • In its display flight, the snipe may dive from heights of up to 230 feet. • It is thought that the snipe flies away from danger with its chicks held between its legs.

The well-camouflaged common snipe is hard to spot on the ground . It is easiest to see when it is standing in shallow water, foraging for food . If it is disturbed, the common snipe w ill emerge from cover and fly off in a zigzag

~ BREEDING

Loose flocks of snipes fly together to their breeding grounds. The males arrive before the females to establish territories. To attract a mate, the male soars high in the air and begins to circle. He then dives, with his tail fanned horizontally and his wings still beating. The air is pushed through the outer tail feathers, making them vibrate and producing the distinctive drumming sound. Both male and female build the nest in a small, fairly dry holLeft The newly hatched chick is covered in down, but it soon takes on the colors of its parents.

pattern, giving a harsh call. Watch for the male's diving courtship flight between late March and mid-June. The drumming sound is most often heard at this time, even though it occurs throughout the year.

low on the ground. They line the hollow with grass and then pull vegetation over the top to disguise it. The female snipe lays four pale green or yellow eggs speckled with brown. The eggs hatch after 1 7 to 20 days, within four to eight hours of each other. Both parents take care of the young. The chicks can leave the nest a day after hatching but remain nearby for three weeks until they can fly. If disturbed, the chicks burrow headfirst in the grass, while the parents make a distracting show of running back and forth.

CARD 149

RAINBOW LORIKEET GROUP 2: BIRDS ORDER Psittaciformes

FAMILY Loriidae

GENUS & SPECIES Trichoglossus haematodus

KEY FACTS SIZES Length: 10-11 in. Weight: 3~-5~ oz. BREEDING Breeding season: Mainly August to January in Australia but also in most other months. Eggs: Usually 2, white. Incubation: 3 ~ weeks. Fledging period: 7-8 weeks. LIFESTYLE Habit: Sociable. Lives in flocks. Diet: Mainly pollen, nectar, and fruits but also seeds, berries, leaf buds, insects, and larvae. Call: Sharp screech in flight, chatters while feeding. Lifespan: 10 years in the wild . RELATED SPECIES The lorikeets, of the family Loriidae, are related to cockatoos, parrots, and parakeets. All are found in

•

Range 'o f the rainbow lorikeet.

DISTRIBUTION The rainbow lorikeet is widespread in wooded areas of eastern Australia. It is also found in New Guinea and nearby Pacific islands, south to the Solomon Islands, New Hebrides, and New Caledonia. CONSERVATION The rainbow lorikeet is a common bird, particularly in northeast Australia. It is under no particular threat.

Australasia.

FEATURES OF THE RAINBOW LORIKEET THE RAINBOW

Plumage: Green upperparts, blue head, and yellow band around neck. Breast is orange-red, and belly is a dark violet blue.

The rainbow lorikeet lays 2 white eggs in a tree hollow. The nest has a soft lining of decayed wood dust.

Tail: Long and pointed, with bright green feathers.

Beak: Red. Shaped like pincers for grasping food . Large fleshy tongue has brushlike tip for extracting nectar.

Legs: Short, covered in small scales.

The rainbow lorikeet is one of Australia ~ most colorful birds. With its large curved bill and bright plumage, it is easily recognized as a member of the parrot order.

Feet: 4 long toes, 2 pointing forward and 2 backward . Used for gripping branches and climbing trees. ©MCMXCVI IMP BV/IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

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US P 6001 12 052 PACKET 52

~ FOOD &: FEEDING

Rainbow lorikeets live in large flocks that fly in short, swift bursts through the trees of their woodland habitat. When they find a tree that has a good food supply, hundreds of these chattering birds descend onto its branches, transforming the tree into a mass of color.

can often be found feeding beside other parrots as well as honeyeaters and flowerpeckers. The flock may travel long distances in search of food, landing when one of the birds spots a good food supply. The rainbow lorikeet leaves its nighttime roosting site at sunrise to set off in search of food. When the sun becomes too hot, it rests in the shade of a tree. Then the lorikeet feeds until sunset, when it returns to its roost.

left: A rainbow lorikeet finds a source of food by listening for the sound of birds already feeding.

Right: The rainbow lorikeet's plumage is a familiar sight in Australian gardens.

DID YOU KNOW? • The rainbow lorikeet has become a tourist attraction in South Queensland, Australia. Visitors feed the birds a diluted honey mixture. • When feeding from flowers, the rainbow lorikeet transmits pollen from one flower to the

next. In doing so, it helps to pollinate shrubs and trees such as coconut palms and eucalyptus trees. • The rainbow lorikeet is very agile. It can hang upside down from a branch to reach the nectar and pollen of flowers.

~ CHARACTERISTICS

~ HABITAT The rainbow lorikeet is found mainly in eastern Australia and on islands in the South Pacific. It lives in woodlands or at the edges of forests, where vegetation is not very dense. The lorikeet is also seen in gardens and parks. The city of Sydney

The rainbow lorikeet has a varied diet. It eats berries, seeds, leaf buds, insects, and larvae, but its favorite foods are pollen, nectar, and fruit. The bird crushes flowers or fruit in its beak and then laps up the juices with its tongue, which has a brushlike tip. Because large flocks of rainbow lorikeets can cause great damage to orchards, the birds are sometimes hunted and killed by farmers. A flock of rainbow lorikeets

has a flourishing population. In northern Australia the birds stay in the same area all year round. Farther south, where vegetation changes with the seasons, they are nomadic, constantly on the move in search of flowers and fruit. left: Once fledged, the young lorikeet roosts at the nest for a few days. Right: Lorikeets often perch in eucalyptus trees.

The rainbow lorikeet spends most of its life in trees. It usually comes down to the ground only to drink. Like all parrots, its feet are adapted for perching in trees. It curls its four toes around a branch-two in front and two behind.

Rainbow lorikeets live in noisy flocks. The size of a flock can vary from a few birds to several hundred if food is plentiful. At night the birds settle down in communal roosts, and their loud voices subside to a twitter.

~ BREEDING The rainbow lorikeet usually breeds between August and January. The nest site is well above the ground, usually in the hollow of a tree. The mating pair does little to the nest site except to line it with a cushion of decayed wood dust.

The female lays two white eggs, which she incubates for about 25 days. The male does not help to incubate the eggs, but he takes part in feeding the chicks. Approximately seven or eight weeks after hatching, the chicks are able to fly.

"" CARD

KING VULTURE

l5O]

,,----------------------------------~

ORDER

FAMILY

GENUS &: SPECIES

Falconiformes

Cathartidae

Sarcoramphus papa

KEY FACTS SIZES Len gth : 2-2 ~ ft. Wingspan: Up to 6~ ft. Weig ht: 6~-8Ib . BREEDING Sexual mat urity: 3-4 years. Breeding season: Variable. No. of broods: 1, but probably does not breed annually. Clutch size: 1. Incubation: About 2 months. Fledging period: 2 ~ months. LI FESTYLE Habit: Solitary; scavenges during the day. Diet: Carrion. lifespan: Maximum on record, 30 years in captivity. RELATED SPECIES There are 7 species of American vulture. The 2 largest species are the Andean condor, Vultur gryphus, and the California condor, Gymno-

Range of the king vulture. DISTRIBUTION Found in Central and South America from central Mexico to northern Argentina. Also found in Trinidad. CONSERVATION Unlike some of its close relatives, the king vulture does not face any immediate threat. But it is one of the countless species affected by the clearing of tropical rainforests.

gyps californianus.

FEATURES OF THE KING VULTURE Head: Has wattles (loose folds of skin) and orange cere (fleshy swellings) at the base of the upper part of the bill. The hooked bill is typical of a bird of prey. Plumage: Striking black flight feathers; creamy white underside and covert feathers (at the base of flight feathers) .

Flight: Soars on rising thermal air currents. Circles on outstretched wings, searching for carrion and signs of other vultures looking for food . Its flight once made it an easy target for ranchers, but today, it is no longer shot.

The king vulture lives in the rainforests of Central and South America, where it feeds on the flesh of dead animals. It has a strong, hooked bill that can tear into the toughest animal hides.

Egg: Single, white . Instead of building a nest, the king vultu re leaves the egg in a hollow stump. It is incubated by both parents for about 2 months. © MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

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0160200511 PACKET 51

~ BREEDING

The king vulture is the largest of the vultures that soar above the forests of Central and South America. Its black and cream-colored plumage, combined with the colorful skin wattles on its bare head and neck, make the king vulture one of the most striking of all birds of prey. Its name comes from the fact that other birds stop feeding on a carcass and make way for the "king" when this vulture appears.

~

HABITS

The king vulture is a bird of prey whose main habitat is dense rainforest. It also hunts in the savanna, where food is more easily seen from the air. Unlike other birds of prey, the vulture has weak feet. Since it eats only dead flesh, its feet are adapted for walking rather than for grasping live prey. The king vulture is generally solitary, but sometimes three or four birds circle together, soaring on thermals (rising currents of warm air). Up to 50 birds may gather around a carcass, usually dominating other species.

The breeding season begins with courtship rituals of circling, flapping, and whistling. The king vulture does not build a nest, and the female lays her single white egg in a hollow tree stump. Both parents help to incubate the egg for almost two months. The young is born with black skin and a coat of fluffy white down. The male regurgitates carrion (dead animal flesh) and feeds it to the

sitting female and her chick. Ayoung king vulture stays in the tree stump for up to three months and is dependent on its parents for another five months after leaving. The young often stays near its parents for two years. The bird acquires its adult plumage and bright facial coloring in its third or fourth year. The mixture and tone of the colors give an indication of an individual's age and health.

left: The king vulture's rounded eyeballs let it see in detail from a distance.

Right: The single young is cared for by both parents, sometimes for up to two years.

left: The king vulture has a strong bill with a sharp hook for ripping flesh. It sometimes eats so much carrion that it has difficulty flying.

DID YOU KNOW? • Because vultures have no

had a wingspan of more than

syrinx (voice box), they are

16 feet. • Vultures sunbathe. They spread their wings so the sun can condition the oil that lubricates their feathers.

voiceless. They can only make weak, hissing sounds. • The king vulture's family includes the largest bird that ever lived: the fossil Teratornis incredibilis, meaning "incredible bird monster." This bird

• When a vulture is angry, its bare head turns red and it appears to be blushing.

~

FOOD & FEEDING

Flying high above the tree canopy, the king vulture can locate carrion far below on the forest floor. Its success in finding food seems to result from two key factors: keen eyesight and constant alertness. It may also be able to detect the odor of carrion in dense vegetation. The king vulture watches individuals of its own and other vulture species. As soon as a carrion-eating bird descends, the king vulture swoops down

left: The king vulture's hooked bill can pierce tough hides like that of an armadillo.

from a distance of about a mile and is led by the other bird to the source of food. In return, the king vulture uses its stronger bill to pierce tough hides that other vultures are not equipped to tackle. It may also drive smaller and weaker birds away from the carcass, which it feeds on using its rough tongue. The vulture eats only rotting carcasses and garbage. Its bald head and neck are special adaptations to its diet of carrion. If the vulture's head were covered in feathers, they would become matted with blood as it ate.