Wildlife Fact File - Birds - Pgs. 241-250

KEY FACTS

EURASIAN NUTCRACKER

,,~--------------------------. . FAMILY . . ORDER GENUS & SPECIES

GROUP 2: BIRDS

~

Passerifarmes

~

Carvidae

Nucifraga caryacatactes

SIZES Length: 12-13 in. Weight: About 6 oz . Wingspan: 21-22 in. BREEDING Breeding season: March to May. Eggs: 3 or 4; white with bluish green tinge and gray-brown spots. Incubation: 17-19 days. Fledging period: 3-4 weeks. LIFESTYLE Habit: Lives in pairs or small family groups. Active by day. Diet: Pine kernels or hazelnuts; also insects and berries.

Range of the Eurasian nutcracker.

RELATED SPECIES The Eurasian nutcracker belongs to the crow family. Its closest relative is Clark's nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana, of North America.

DISTRIBUTION Found in conifer forests in Eurasia, from Scandinavia and the Alps eastward to Kamchatka, Korea, and Japan. Also occurs in the high mountains of southern Asia and on Taiwan. CONSERVATION Fast-growing conifer forests recover rapidly when trees are cut down, so the bird's habitat is in little immediate danger from human interference.

FEATURES OF THE EURASIAN NUTCRACKER Eggs: 3 or 4 per clutch. White with bluish green tinge and small graybrown speckles.

Wings: Broad. Dark brown to black. White speckles on the underside are revealed only in flight.

CLARK'S NUTCRACKER

This North American species also hoards food in conifer forests. Its body plumage is mainly gray.

Bill: Long and sturdy for cracking nuts and pinecones against rocks and prying out kernels.

Tail: Short. Dark brown to black with white on tips of feathers and under tail.

Throat: Contains a pouch that can expand to hold dozens of pine kernels at once.

Like its relatives the jay and the magpie, the Eurasian nutcracker is a member of the crow family. It gets its name from its habit of cracking open nuts and pinecones to get at the nutritious kernels inside.

Plumage: Chocolate brown with large white flecks.

© MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

0160200591 PACKET 59

~ FOOD & FEEDING The pine kernels that form the bulk of the Eurasian nutcracker's diet have a very high energy value. One ounce of pine seeds provides 150 calories; an ounce of insects has about 20 percent less. Seeds provide less protein than insects but more carbohydrates, which the Eurasian nut-

nels. Or it hammers a cone or a nut against a log or a rock to crack it open. It uses such force that the sound can be heard over 150 feet away. In parts of Scandinavia, some nutcrackers feed mainly on hazelnuts. But most nutcrackers

cracker needs for energy in its cold habitat.

prefer pine seeds. In fact, they rely on these seeds so much that some subspecies have developed

The nutcracker slips its long, pointed bill between the layers of

distinctively shaped bills to deal with local pinecones, which may

a pinecone and pries out the ker-

vary in shape.

Left: In winter the Eurasian nutcracker may move from pine forests to woods at lower altitudes.

Right: When nuts and pinecones are scarce, the nutcracker takes seeds from orchard fruits.

During harsh winters, food becomes scarce in the

DID YOU KNOW?

snow-covered forests of the north. In order to avoid

• If one Eurasian nutcracker sees another nearby, it will

smell to rediscover the sites, but that would be impossible

starvation, many birds fly south to warmer regions. But

stop burying its food and wait for the other bird to go

when the food stores are covered with snow.

the Eurasian nutcracker has a different solution to this

away so as not to reveal the location of its food store.

• If there is a shortage of pine seeds, the nutcracker may migrate as far west as Great Brit-

problem. It stores up food during summer and fall and hides it carefully from other animals. With this stockpile

of food, it is able to survive the icy winter months.

~ HABITAT

• It is not known how the nutcracker remembers where it has buried its food. It was thought that the bird used

I

~ SPECIAL ADAPTATIONS In fall the Eurasian nutcracker spends its time collecting and

the food, and flies off to get another load.

storing nuts and seeds. It stuffs its throat pouch with food and lubricates the food with saliva

The nutcracker has an amazing ability to find its food stores. One group of birds recovered

ain to find an alternative food

so it can be coughed up easily.

86 percent of their stores and

source. It will feed on berries, insects, and table scraps.

When its pouch is full, the bird

even remembered which were

returns to its territory, buries

empty and which were full.

---1

~ BREEDING

The Eurasian nutcracker lives in conifer forests throughout the northern part of its range. In

most of the fruit is gone, and the insects are dead or in hiding. Throughout the winter and

the southern part, it can also be found in mountainous regions covered with woodland .

until the middle of spring, there is nothing for birds to eat. In order to avoid starvation, most

These forests contain the pine trees that provide the bird with its staple food-the nutritious kernels of pinecones.

birds fly south. The Eurasian nutcracker, however, does not need to migrate

Conditions in these forests change dramatically with the seasons. Food is plentiful from

because it prepares for winter by storing food during the summer and fall. With this stockpile of food, the nutcracker is able

late spring through fall. Birds can easily find an abundance of nuts, berries, and insects. But by

to survive through the winter and into the middle of spring, when fresh food becomes avail-

the first snowfalls of early winter,

able again.

The Eurasian nutcracker pairs for life and breeds in its own territory. Set in a pine tree, the nest is made of sticks, stems, and mud and is lined with grass and moss. Since they have a secure food supply, the adults can nest early in the year, when temperatures are still below freezing . As a result, the young birds are fully fledged in time to gather their own food stores for winter. With most members of the crow family, the female sits on Left: The Eurasian nutcracker can find its food store even when it is buried under snow.

the eggs, while the male brings her food. This is impossible for the nutcracker, since the male does not know where his mate's food supply is hidden, and his own hoard is too small to share. So that each bird gets a chance to feed, the male and female nutcracker take turns incubating the eggs. The parents feed the young for up to three months. When the stores of food are almost used up, the parents forage for food outside their territory. The young finally leave the nest at the end of summer.

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER

"," CARD 242 I

"'

GROU P 2: BIRDS

"'~-------------------------------------------------~ GENUS &: SPECIES ORDER Piciformes

FAMILY Picidae

Oendrocopos minor

KEY FACTS

--------~~ ---~~~

..

SIZES Length: 5-6 in . Wingspan: 10-11 in. Weight: ~-% oz. BREEDING Sexual maturity: 1-2 years. Breeding season: Spring. No. of broods: Usually 1. Eggs: 4-6; white. Incubation: 2 weeks. Fledging period: 3 weeks. LIFESTYLE Habit: Solitary, but forms pairs during the breeding season. Diet: Insects and their larvae. Call: Slow peeping notes. Lifespan: Oldest on record, 6~

years.

RELATED SPECIES The 5 closely related species in Europe include the great spotted woodpecker, Oendrocopos major.

Range of the lesser spotted woodpecker. DISTRIBUTION Found in deciduous woodland, parks, and old orchards across Europe and Asia, from Spain and Great Britain to eastern Siberia, and southeast to Iran. Also found in North Africa. CONSERVATION Although it suffers when dead trees are removed from forests, the lesser spotted woodpecker appears to be in no danger over its wide range.

FEATURES OF THE LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Female: Same barred blackand-white plumage as male. Black-and-white head; white underparts with black streaks. Eggs: 4 to 6; white. Laid in nest hole in decaying tree.

Male: Plumage has black-and-white barred pattern, especially noticeable in flight. Unlike the female , the male has a dull red crown .

Bill: Straight and very strong . The sharp point is adapted for chiseling into hard wood.

About the size of a sparrow, the lesser spotted woodpecker is the smallest of the European woodpeckers. During the breeding season it drums its bill against a tree, producing a sound that attracts a mate.

Tail: Wedgeshaped , with stiffened feathers. Acts as a prop when the woodpecker is pecking or climbing up a tree .

Feet: 4 toes-2 face forward and 2 backward, to help the bird climb the vertical and overhanging surfaces of tree trunks. Sharp, curved claws also provide grip. © MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

0160200791 PACKET 79

~ FOOD &: FEEDING

The lesser spotted woodpecker is well known for the way in

The lesser spotted woodpecker eats all kinds of insects and their larvae. However, it is specially adapted for feeding on insects that live in the bark of trees. Using its strong, pointed bill, the bird strikes a trunk with a series of hammering blows. It then removes the bark, exposing its prey, and extracts the

which it hammers on the trunks of trees to remove the bark and get at the insects inside. The bird is specially adapted for this method of feeding. It has a thick bill with a sharp point and very strong neck muscles. In addition, it has a special system of shock absorbers inside its head

to cushion the blows and thereby protect the brain.

~ HABITAT The lesser spotted woodpecker is widely distributed throughout Europe and Asia. It makes its home in open woodland and parkland as well as in neglected orchards, where the decaying trees provide a rich source of food.

A shy bird, this woodpecker usually remains hidden in the tops of tall trees such as ash, oak, and birch. It rarely ventures near humans, except in quiet areas with good tree cover, such as large gardens or country churchyards.

Below: The male lesser spotted

Right: The tail of the lesser spotted

woodpecker can be distinguished from the female by his red crown.

woodpecker is stiffened to provide support as the bird clings to a tree.

insects from their boreholes with its long, flexible tongue, which has a rigid, barbed tip. Coated with a sticky mucus produced by special glands, the tongue is ideal for picking up insects. The lesser spotted woodpecker usually feeds in the tree canopy. But it also forages in shrubs closer to the ground. left: The lesser spotted woodpecker eats various insects, depending on the season. Caterpillars are preferred in spring, when they may be taken to the nest by both adults to feed to the hungry chicks.

~ BREEDING

DID YOU KNOW? • Woodpeckers play an important role in woodland ecology by helping to control the numbers of wood- and bark-boring insects, which damage trees. • After the chicks have left the nest, the adult woodpecker often uses the cavity as a shelter during bad weather. • The black woodpecker, like

~I

the closely related lesser spotted woodpecker, has shock absorbers inside its head. It executes between 8,000 qnd 12,000 pecking movements every day. • The lesser spotted woodpecker is able to drum its bill against trees at a rate of up to 30 times per second.

The generally solitary lesser spotted woodpecker pairs up for the spring breeding season. To attract mates and to establish the boundaries of their territories, both males and females drum against the trunks of trees with their bills. The drumming sound is very soft but continues for long periods, interspersed

BIRDWATCH

The lesser spotted woodpecker can be found high in trees in open wooded areas, parklands, churchyards, or old orchards. This shy bird is rarely seen in urban areas, except at the edges of large gardens. L 'hiS woodpecker's drum-

ming sound can be heard in spring . It is softer and faster than the sound produced by the great spotted woodpecker. The two birds look similar, but the lesser spotted woodpecker is much smaller and has heavily barred plumage.

J

with spells of fluttering flight. Once paired, the birds find a nest site inside a decaying tree, usually on the underside of a dead branch about 6 to 25 feet above the ground. They drill a tiny entrance hole approximately one inch wide and then tunnel downward to hollow out a cavity. The birds line the bottom of the nest with wood chips that are produced by their drilling. In May the female lays four to six white eggs. Both sexes take turns incubating the eggs, which hatch in about two weeks .. Fed caterpillars and insects by both of their parents, the chicks grow very quickly. They are fledged and ready to leave the nest in about three weeks. left: The durable nest hole may be used by the same pair for years.

CARD 243

KING PENGUIN

'S:I I~

,I....

ORDER Sphenisciformes

FAMILY Spheniscidae

GENUS & SPECIES Aptenodytes·patagonicus

KEY FACTS

SIZES Height: About 3 ft. Weight: 20-45 lb. BREEDING Sexual maturity: 6 years. Breeding season: November to April. Breeds every 2 years. No. of broods: 1. Eggs: 1. Incubation: 2 months. Fledging period: 9-12 months. LIFESTYLE Habit: Sociable. Diet: Squid and fish. RELATED SPECIES There are 18 species of penguin, including the gentoo, Pygoscelis papua; the Adelie, P. adeliae; the chinstrap, P. antarctica; and the rockhopper, Eudyptes chrysocome. The only other species in the genus Aptenodytes is the emperor penguin, A. forsteri.

Range of the king penguin.

DISTRIBUTION Lives in the ice-free sub-Antarctic waters and breeds on islands there. The largest breeding colonies exist on the South Georgia, Kerguelen, Macquarie, and Marion islands. CONSERVATION Although the king penguin is a slow-breeding species and has been threatened in the past by hunters, the population does not appear to be in danger.

FEATURES OF THE KING PENGUIN Wings: Powerful, stubby, and flipperlike. Propel the bird rapidly underwater. Plumage: Well-oiled feathers are 2 inches long and form a thick mat over the entire body. This coat keeps out the cold and wet but retains heat on land and in the water. The downy chick takes up to a year to grow full adult plumage.

Feet: Steer the penguin through water when it pursues prey. Containing many blood vessels, they are used to incubate the egg and warm the chick.

Beak: Long, curved . and sharp for seizing,.prey.

The king penguin is the second largest of all the penguins. It breeds in huge colonies on sub-Antarctic islands, where the offshore waters teem with the squid and fish on which it feeds. ©MCMXCVI IMP BV/IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

US P 6001 12 075 PACKET 75

~ FOOD &: HUNTING

The king penguin is an excellent hunter. The bird dives into the sea and snatches fish with its curved, sharp beak. Inside its mouth and over its tongue are protrusions that enable it to grip slippery prey. The king penguin forces excess salt water from its mouth before swallowing. From December to February -the Antarctic summer-the king penguin feeds around the

The king penguin is exceptionally agile in the water. With its streamlined body and powerful, flipper/ike wings, it can swim underwater faster than many birds can fly. The king penguin spends most of its life at sea. It moves onto the ice-free islands of the far south only to molt and breed.

I DI D YOU KNOW?

• The king penguin will dive to a depth of 200 feet when it is hunting. The bird's prey includes squid that are three feet long . • At the start of the mating

While hunting, the king penguin is at risk from its greatest enemy-the leopard seal. When they see this predator, penguins rush to the shore, beating the water with their flippers. The

Falkland, South Georgia, and South Sandwich islands. It hunts as far south as Antarctica's pack ice, preying on the many fish

flurry and noise confuses the seal, and only the weaker birds are caught.

Left: The king penguin flaunts its head markings in courtship to attract a mate.

Right: The king penguin has thick body fat and oily, matted plumage to protect it from the cold. Left: The king penguin uses its feet and tail as a rudder to propel itself very quickly through the sub-Antarctic waters.

~ BREEDING

~ HABITAT The king penguin lives in Antarctica's oceans at latitudes of about 40 degrees. In this forbidding region, westerly gales howl across the seas, and the long winters are nearly sunless. Since this penguin lives north of the permanently frozen waters, it can find food throughout the year. It stays mainly in the

that feed in the rich surface waters, where phytoplankton (marine plant life) multiplies in the summer sunlight. Plentiful food enables the penguin to sustain a thick layer of body fat that helps it survive in icy seas.

open sea, slipping gracefully through the icy waters. By contrast, it moves clumsily on land, with a laborious waddle. The bird breeds in large colonies on the windswept, muddy shores of sub-Antarctic islands, where only a few plants survive in summer. In winter the islands are covered with snow.

season the male king penguin brays like a donkey while trying to attract a female. • Although the king penguin is nearsighted on land, it sees much better underwater.

-----l

Shortly before the breeding season begins, the king penguin moves onto land to molt. In two weeks the old feathers are replaced with new plumage. The birds then begin courtship. The female lays one egg once every two years. Egg laying usually occurs in November, but it may go on until April. After lay-

two share the incubation duties. The chick hatches in about two months. Although it has a thick layer of down, the parents carry the chick on their warm feet until it is large enough to regulate its body temperature. The parents feed their young until it reaches 80 percent of the adult body weight. The chick

ing her egg, the female feeds at sea for two weeks. During that time the male incubates the egg by placing it on his feet and insulating it with a fold of his skin. When the female returns, the

then leaves its parents and huddles with other chicks in a nursery, where it fasts during winter until it is reduced to about 40 percent of the adult weight. The chick reaches full adult weight

Left: A dense layer of down insulates the offspring until it acquires the sleek adult plumage.

and develops adult plumage in spring. By the next December, it is fully fledged and independent.

' " CARD 244

GREATER SCAUP

I

"I

SIZES Length: 17-20 in. Male larger than female. Wingspan: About 2~ ft. Weight: 2-2~ lb.

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

Anseriformes

Anatidae

KEY FACTS

Aythya marila ~

,;:

BREEDING Sexual maturity: 1-2 years. Breeding season: May to July. No. of broods: 1 . Eggs: 6-15; light green. Incubation: About 1 month. LIFESTYLE Habit: Lives in flocks for most of the year. Males and females pair up in late winter. Diet: Mollusks, crustaceans, insects, aquatic plants, and seeds. Call: During courtship male coos and female utters a harsh "karr." lifespan: Up to 19 years. RELATED SPECIES The greater scaup's closest relative is the lesser scaup, Aythya affinis, of North America.

•

Breeding range of the greater scaup.

Winter range.

DISTRIBUTION Breeds from northern Eurasia west to Scandinavia, Iceland, and across to northern Canada and Alaska. Winters in western parts of Europe and Asia, the east and west coasts of North America, and parts of Japan and China. CONSERVATION Although numbers have decreased in recent years, the greater scaup appears to be in no danger in any part of its range.

FEATURES OF THE GREATER SCAUP Male: Pale gray upperparts with fine black mottling . White belly, sides, and flanks. Black head feathers have a greenish gloss. Bill: Pale blue in both sexes.

Legs: Short, grayish blue. They are set far back on the body, facilitating diving, but they make the bird waddle awkwardly on land.

The greater scaup is a hardy duck that spends much of the year on large coastal bays. This bird swims steadily-even moving through choppy waves when the weather is stormy.

Duckling: Coloring similar to that of female. Young males acquire black-and-white adult plumage after 1 year.

Female: Mostly brownish with white patch, or "face," at base of bill.

©MCMXCVI IMP BV/IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILpM

Body: Plump and rounded like most diving ducks. The head is set on a short neck.

Wings: Short and pointed. Because the bird is heavy and its wings are short, it has to flutter over the surface of the water before it can take off. PRINTED IN U.S.A.

US P 6001 12 076 PACKET 76

~ BREEDING

Male and female greater scaup form pairs while still in their winter quarters. They fly north to their breeding grounds in early spring and mate soon after arriving. Each pair usually breeds in its own territory. In places where there are large populations, however, the birds breed in colonies, often among seabirds such as gulls and terns. The male stays with his mate until she lays her eggs in late May, but he does not help her

incubate or rear the ducklings. The female lays between 6 and 15 pale green eggs in a downlined ground hollow near fresh water, where there is some covering vegetation. She incubates the eggs for about a month. The ducklings can dive a few hours after hatching, but the female looks after them until they can fly, about five to six weeks later. The young are mature and ready to breed within one or two years.

Left: Smaller than the male, the female greater scaup is dull brown, aside from her white " face.

Right: Greater scaup ducklings can

II

The greater scaup breeds in Arctic regions, from Siberia to Scandinavia, Iceland, and northern Canada. In winter

this bird retreats to inland waters. It migrates as far south as the Gulf of Mexico-although in that area its closest relative, the lesser scaup, is more common in winter.

~ HABITS

The greater scaup lives in large flocks that rarely come to shore except to breed. For much of the year, these birds are found in saltwater coastal areas, where the water is generally no more than 20 feet deep. The birds float on waves in large groups, or "rafts." Excellent divers, they can remain submerged for as long as 30 seconds, and they swim quickly underwater. During winter, flocks of greater scaup move south to inland waters. They live on large lakes and reservoirs, joining other diving ducks like the ring-necked duck. In spring, the bird returns to the Arctic to breed at the edges of freshwater lakes.

---- ----

climb out of the nest when they are only a few hours old.

------------------------~

Left: The female greater scaup builds her nest in a hidden spot on the ground. She incubates her eggs for approximateIya month.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The greater scaup is not only hunted for sport, it is also killed for food . • The name scaup is thought to be derived from scalp, an old word for a mussel bed.

Mussels are a favorite food of this duck. • During the mid-1970s, the total North American population of greater scaup was approximately 750,000.

~ FOOD &: FE EDING

The greater scaup eats animals and plants. It dives for food rather than dabbling as some ducks do. It can feed in rough seas, unaffected by either cold weather or storms. In winter the bird eats mostly Left: The male's black head has a greenish sheen.

mollusks, especially mussels and cockles, along with small crustaceans, worms, and insects. In freshwater habitats it eats insect larvae, worms, and such aquatic plants as pondweed and sedges. The greater scaup also eats unharvested seeds that are washed into rivers.

~ BIRDWAT CH The greater scaup is abundant in winter along both coasts of North America. Most numerous in the north, it is outnumbered by the lesser scaup in southern California and the Gulf of Mexico.

While the two scaup species are similar, the lesser scaup has a purplish gloss on its head, a steeper forehead, and a shorter white wing stripe. In the north the lesser scaup lives in flocks on estuaries and ponds.

' " CARD 245

ROOK ,,---------------------------------~~~~~~~ ORDER FAMILY GENUS &: SPECIES Corvidae Corvus frugilegus ~ Passeriformes

I

KEY FACTS SIZES Length: 1 ~ ft. Wingspan: 3 ft. Weight: About 1 lb. BREEDING Sexual maturity: 1 year. Breeding season: March to June. Eggs: Usually 3-5. Incubation: 16-18 days. Fledging period: About 1 month. LIFESTYLE Habit: Highly sociable. Pairs nest in large colonies. Diet: Mostly insects and larvae, grain, weeds, seeds, and fruit. Occasionally takes eggs, nestlings, mammals, reptiles, and fish . lifespan: Oldest recorded, 22 years, but this is exceptional. RELATED SPECIES The rook is one of 4 crow species that breed in Europe. There are 39 species in the genus Corvus.

Range of the rook.

DISTRIBUTION Relatively common throughout northern and central Europe. Found in Asia from Turkey and Pakistan to China and parts of eastern Russia. CONSERVATION Populations have decreased since the 1960s. Loss of farmland, the spraying of crops, and the disappearance of elm trees have all contributed to the rook's decline.

FEATURES OF THE ROOK Tail: Forms a neat wedge shape when fanned out.

The rook is found in wooded habitats and on farmland in Europe and Asia. This sociable bird nests in a permanent colony called a rookery. Its loud, echoing caw" is a familiar sound in the countryside.

Wings: Broad, with upturning feathers on tips .

Eggs: Pale green ish gray, heavily flecked with gray and brown. Usually 3 to 5 in a clutch .

Bill: Long and straight, with a pale , bare patch of skin around the

Plumage: Glossy black with purplish sheen . Loose thigh feathers around the legs. The juvenile has a patch of bristly feathers around its beak. These feathers wear away as the bird repeatedly digs its beak into the ground to find food.

/I

© MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

0160200631 PACKET 63

~ FOOD &: FEEDING The rook eats almost anything, enjoying a readily avai lable supply of insects, fru its, grai ns, and seeds. It feeds on the ground,

jackdaw, and starling-the birds with which it is often seen feeding. Occasionally the rook takes

using its strong beak t o turn over rocks and lumps of soil

eggs or young birds from nests, and it sometimes hunts for fish, small mammals, or reptiles.

to find insects . The rook prefers to feed on plant matter, unlike the crow,

Right: A large throat pouch allows the rook to gather a mass of food atone time.

Left: The rook is often seen on farm land, where cultivated fields provide it with a rich supply of food. Right: A young rook stays in the nest for about a month before it tries to fly.

The rook is one of the larger members of the crow family.

It is found mainly in areas of farmland. For centuries it has been killed by farmers because of the damage it can inflict on crops. But in reality this bird is as much a help as a hindrance because it preys on insects that damage crops. Without the rook, these insect pests could be controlled only through the use of pesticides.

~ HABITAT The rook is found in most of Europe and parts of Asia. It usually nests in tall trees on the edge of farmland or in small woods. It is less frequently found in dense woods, scrubland, and marshland. But the bird is becoming Right: The rook's nest is a loose, untidy structure that allows air to circulate, keeping the chicks cool. In cold weather, the adult packs the nest with grass and moss.

I DI D YOU KN OW? • The expression "as the crow flies" originally referred to the steady flight of the rook. • In 1424, James I of Scotland introduced a law designed to eliminate rooks. Farmers were encouraged to place nets over their crops in order to trap and kill rooks eating their grain. • The desertion of a rookery is

considered a bad omen, like rats leaving a sinking ship. • Colonies of rooks have a "pecking order." The oldest birds nest at the center of the rookery, where they are sheltered from the wind . • Almost 7,000 nests were recorded in a rookery in Scotland in 1945.

The rook is easy to spot, especially w hen nesting in spring . High in the trees, th e rookery's untidy nests are cl early visible. But th e birds are often heard before they are seen . The rook's evening aerial display is very impressive. As

the bird returns to roost at d usk, it w heels, dives, and utters it s loud "caw" calls. The rook is often confused with the carrio n crow. One w ay to t ell the two birds apa rt is by the bare patch of skin around the rook's beak.

~ BREEDING

increasingly common in gardens and urban areas with trees.

There may be several hundred pairs of birds in a rook colony.

a rookery, each pair establishes a small territory around its nest.

The rook is a highly sociable bird. It nests in permanent col-

They usually return to the same nest site to breed each year. During courtship the male feeds his intended mate, and he bows and calls to her from a nearby branch. Both sexes build a large, loose

The birds vigorously defend the territory, driving off any intrud-

onies called rookeries. The birds feed in flocks, often with other members of the crow family.

Often the couple steals material from the nests of other rooks. Despite the large numbers in

ers with loud cawing . The female lays three to five eggs-usually in late March or early April. She incubates them for 16 to 18 days while the male brings her food. When the nestlings hatch, both parents feed them until they are ready to fly in about a month. In large colonies the competition for food is very fierce, and the death rate among chicks is high. One or

Left: Insects provide an abundant source of protein and form a major part of a chick's diet.

more chicks from each brood fails to survive beyond the first few months.

nest of sticks, lining it with grass, leaves, and roots. If a pair returns to an old nest and finds it damaged, the first task is to repair it.

KEY FACTS

CHICKADEE

~~----------------------------~~----~~ ~ ORDER

--------------------------------------------------------~

SIZES Length: 4-6 in. Wingspan: 5-7 in. Weight: ~-~ oz. BREEDING Sexual maturity: 1 year. Breeding season: March to June. No. of broods: 1. Eggs: Usually 5-8, but up to 13; white, finely speckled with brown. Incubation: 12-14 days. Fledging period: 16-17 days. LIFESTYLE Habit: Sociable, traveling in small parties most of the year. Diet: Small insects, caterpillars, spiders, insect eggs, seeds, and fruit. Call: Cheerful "chickadee-dee-dee" and various piping notes. Lifespan: Up to 12 years. RELATED SPECIES There are 45 species in the genus Porus, but only 6, all from North America, are called chickadees.

Range of chickadees. DISTRIBUTION Found from the tree line in northern Canada and Alaska south throughout the rest of Canada and the United States, into parts of Mexico. CONSERVATION Chickadees are adaptable and have learned to live close to humans. No species is currently in danger, but the Mexican chickadee is suffering from destruction of its habitat.

FEATURES OF CHICKADEES Black-capped chickadee: Has a black cap, white cheek, and black bib . Its back is gray, and its flanks are a yellowish color.

Mountain chickadee: Looks like the blackcapped chickadee but has white eyebrows and gray flanks.

Egg Whitish with fine spots or speckles in various shades of \}(Qwn. All

Chestnut-backed chickadee: Has a brown cap, a rusty back, and rusty flanks.

Chickadees, which belong to the titmouse family, are some of the best-loved birds in North America. Almost every part of the United States and Canada has a resident species of chickadee. © MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

0160200881 PACKET 88

Chickadees are alert, inquisitive birds. They often form the core of a large flock of foraging birds that includes other small songbird species. When this flock travels through the woods, each species seeks food in its own way, but there are many eyes watching for predators.

~

BREEDING

Chickadees begin nesting the year after they hatch. A pair separates from the flock with which it has spent the winter and establishes its territory. At the center is the nest, which is usually an abandoned woodpecker hole or a birdhouse. Occasionally the pair excavates its own cavity in the soft wood of a decayed tree stump. There is one brood a season . The female lays one egg a day

until she has laid a full clutch, usually between five and eight eggs. Both parents incubate the eggs for about two weeks. They then feed the chicks until the young leave the nest after nearly three weeks. The family group usually breaks up soon after the offspring fledge. The original pair remains in its territory, and it is joined there in early fall by wandering young birds from other broods.

Left: In fall and winter, the blackcapped chickadee feeds on berries and other fruit, as well as seeds.

Right: Like other chickadees, the Carolina chickadee often nests in

a hole in a rotten tree stump.

~

~ BIRDWATCH Chickadees are relatively tame and are easy birds to find because they are constantly calling "chickadee" to each other. When they are fo raging in the forest, you may be able to lure them into view by imitating a bird's squeaks of distress. Probably, they will come quickly to

~ HAB ITS

There are six chickadee species, and all are social birds. For most of the year, they travel in small parties, but they break up into pairs during the nesting season. Members of a party are continually calling to one another to keep in contact. A flock of foraging chickadees is often joined by small woodpeckers, nuthatches, kinglets, and creepers. The whole group moves noisily through the forest, looking for food. Chickadees are agile birds and frequently hang upside down, peering under leaves or examining the crevices in pinecones in search of food. They are also

very alert and quick to notice a predator. If they discover a fox or an owl, they may gather to scold it. Chickadees usually remain in the same area year-round. But in some years, for no apparent reason, they stage large-scale flights from the northern parts of their range in the fall. When these irruptions (irregular migrations) happen, chickadees may turn up far south of thei r normal range. Some birds may even appear in the center of large American cities. Right: These Carolina chickadees, like all young chickadees, have the same color patterns as their parents.

investigate your cry. As they gather and give alarm notes, they may attract other birds. In the spring nesting season, chickadees are more secretive and harder to find . They may even quietly raise a family in a garden without anyone knowing that they are there.

~ FOOD &: FEEDING Chickadees spend most of their waking hours foraging. They search in the branches, leaves, and bark of trees, as well as inside pinecones, for small insects, spiders, caterpillars, and insect eggs. Because of this diet, chickadees are frequently useful in combating outbreaks of insect pests such as gypsy moths and

codling moths. In addition to insects, these birds eat fruit if it is available, and they feed on many different kinds of seeds. Since chickadees are very inquisitive, they are often the first birds to discover a bird feeder. At the feeder they eat not only seeds but also peanut butter, suet, and bread.

DID YOU KNOW? • The word chickadee is an old American folk name for these birds. It was first used in print in 1838 by John James Audubon . Before that time the birds were called titmice. • When a female chickadee is threatened while incubating her eggs in her nest, she may utter a loud, snakelike hiss. This sound is often enough to scare off any would-be nest robber. • Where the ranges of differ-

ent chickadee species adjoin or overlap, the birds occasionally interbreed. This is an indication of how closely related they all are. • The Mexican chickadee can be found not only in Mexico but also in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. It is the only chickadee in Mexico's mountain forests, which have been partially destroyed in recent years.

KEY FACTS

CROWNED EAGLE GROUP 2 : BIRDS ORDER Falconiformes

FAMILY Accipitridae

GENUS &. SPECIES Stephanoaetus coronatus

SIZES Length: Male, 2 ~ ft. Female, 3 ft. Wingspan: 6~ ft. Weight: Male, 8 lb. Female, 8~ lb.

BREEDING Sexual maturity: 3-5 years. Breeding season: Dry season . Eggs: Usually 1-2. Incubation: 7 weeks. Fledging period: Almost 4 months. LIFESTYLE Habit: Pairs for life. Often hunts

Range of the crowned eagle.

in pairs. Lifespan: Average, 15 years.

DISTRIBUTION The crowned eagle is found in forested areas of Africa, from

RELATED SPECIES The crowned eagle is the only species in its genus. Its closest relatives

Guinea in the west to Kenya in the east and south to the coast of South Africa's Cape Province.

are in the genus Spizaetus, which contains the ornate hawk eagle,

CONSERVATION The crowned eagle is in no immediate danger and appears to

the mountain hawk eagle, and the crested hawk eagle.

be reasonably numerous. Its future may be threatened, however, by continued destruction of its habitat.

FEATURES OF THE CROWNED EAGLE Crest: Raised when the eagle is alarmed or excited .

Adult plumage: Darker than any other forest eagle of Africa. Back is mainly slate black. Buff or reddish underparts with black bars provide perfect camouflage.

Juvenile: Distinguished from adult by much paler plumage and a white crest.

Talons: Large and more powerful than those of any other African eagle. Used to kill prey.

The crowned eagle is a huge, powerful bird that lives in forested areas of Africa, where it preys on mammals as large as monkeys and small antelope.

Wings: Short and very broad . ©MCMXCVI IMP BV/IMP INC . WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

us

P 6001 12 073 PACKET 73

~ FOOD &: HUNTING The crowned eagle hunts in the early morning or late evening, preying on mammals up to five times its weight. Perched in a tree, the eagle watches for prey and then pounces on its victim. Often a pair hunts together, with one eagle attracting the attention of the prey while its mate attacks. When its prey is light enough to carry, the eagle flies to its nest or a high branch to devour the whole animal, including the bones. It tears apart

The crowned eagle is a skillful, cunning hunter. It perches high in a tree, without moving, waiting for prey to appear. When it spots a victim, it swoops down to attack. To tackle larger prey, the eagle joins forces with its mate. While one bird distracts the prey, the other one moves in for the kill.

larger prey on the ground and carries the pieces into the trees to be eaten later. Left: When it is alarmed or excited,

the crowned eagle raises its blacktipped double crest. Right: The crowned eagle is most

abundant in areas where monkeys are common.

~ HABITAT The crowned eagle favors dense forest and open woodland . It is also found in savanna and semiarid regions in a range that ex-

tends from Guinea south to the coast of South Africa. The eagle is most common in the highland forests of Kenya and Zaire.

~ CHARACTERISTICS The crowned eagle is larger and darker than any other African forest eagle. Its buff or reddish underparts and its mostly slateblack plumage provide excellent camouflage. When alarmed or excited, this eagle will raise

The crowned eagle pairs for life.

lays one or two eggs and incu-

Courtship begins with the male's display flight. If he attracts a female, she may join him in flight. The male dives toward her, and

bates them for seven weeks. The male brings her food and may incubate while she hunts. When two chicks are born, one generally dies. The female guards the survivor fiercely dur-

she responds by showing him her talons. The pair may then its black-tipped double crest. The crowned eagle regularly patrols its territory, uttering loud calls to warn off intruders, particularly other eagles. During display flights, pairs of eagles soar over the forest canopy.

DID YOU KNOW? • When defending its nest, the crowned eagle has been known to attack humans.

by pulling its legs. The monkeys are more alarmed by an eagle in flight.

• Monkeys are not frightened of a perched crowned eagle, and they even bait the bird

• Despite its large size, the crowned eagle moves easily through dense forest.

lock talons and cartwheel together through the air. The two birds spend up to five months constructing a five-footwide nest in the fork of a tree. It is made of twigs, which the birds carry in their beaks, and branches, which they carry in their claws. The birds spend three months each year rebuilding the nest until it is over seven feet wide and three feet deep. In the dry season the female Left: The young eagle sometimes

remains with its parents for olmost a year.

ing its first 10 days and may even threaten the male when he brings food. The eaglet can feed itself at six weeks old, but the mother continues to feed it for another two weeks. At 11 weeks old, the eaglet gains the adult plumage. It can fly at almost four months but still relies on its parents. Birds in East Africa are independent at about 7 to 11 months old, later than those that live in South Africa. The long period of parental care prevents adults from breeding more than once every two years.

' " CARD 248

GYRFALCON

I

KEY FACTS SIZES

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

FAMILY

GENUS 8{ SPECIES

Falconiformes

Falconidae

Falco rusticolus

Length : About 2 ft . Female larger than male. Wingspan: 4-5 ft . Weight: 2-4 lb . BREEDING Sexual maturity: 2 years. Mating season: March to April. Eggs: 2-7, usually 3-4. Incubation: 4 weeks. Fledging period: 7 weeks . LIFESTYLE Habit: Solitary or in pairs. Some

L'_ ' _~ Range of the gyrfalcon.

young birds migrate. Diet: Mainly birds such as grouse, but also mammals, amphibians,

DISTRIBUTION

fish, and insects.

Found in Arctic regions of Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland,

Call: Low-pitched, gruff call during

Greenland, Canada, Alaska, and much of northern Asia.

the breeding season.

CONSERVATION

RELATED SPECIES

The population is difficult to estimate because of the gyrfal-

Other close relatives in the same

con's remote habitat. But the bird's numbers seem to be larg-

genus are the peregrine falcon,

er than previously thought, with 600 to 1,000 breeding pairs

Falco peregrinus, and the saker falcon, F. cherrug.

in Arctic Europe alone.

FEATURES OF THE GYRFALCON Bill: Hooked tip of upper mandible suitable for ripping flesh.

Plumage: May be snowy white , light gray, or brownish gray, Arrowhead-shaped markings on chest.

Tail feathers: Long and broad , often barred . Extend beyond wing feathers when the bird perches ,

Flight: Fast and sustained . Bird pro-

pels itself on slow, shallow wing beats . Often soars and glides

Eggs: From 2 to 7,

but usually 3 or 4. Buff-colored , with brown speckles .

The gyrfalcon is the largest and most powerful of all the fa/cons. A formidable hunter, it dominates the skies of its home in the remote, frozen wasteland of the Arctic. ©MCMXCVI IMP BV/ IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

US P 6001 12 078 PACKET 78

~

FOOD & HUNTING driving prey into the path of the other. In winter, when prey is scarce in the skies, gyrfalcons may hover over scrub to flush

The gyrfalcon preys mainly on ptarmigans and other grouse. In coastal areas, it also hunts gulls, snow geese, auks, ducks, and diving or wading birds. The gyrfalcon watches for its prey from a high cliff ledge or tree. Then it swoops down and launches a surprise attack from behind. It has great stamina and may chase a bird for a number of miles. Some birds will try to

out grouse. The gyrfalcon returns to its perch or nest to consume its catch . It bites off the head and wings, plucks out the feathers, and then eats the whole body. After digesting the nutritious parts, it coughs up the bones. The gyrfalcon also feeds on lemmings, ground squirrels, and hares. When other food is scarce, it may eat fish, amphib-

escape by soaring higher than the falcon, but the latter simply climbs rapidly to catch it. Gyrfalcon pairs sometimes hunt together, with one bird

ians, and insects. Right: In inland areas up to 90 percent of the gyrfalcon 's diet consists of grouse.

Left: The sturdily built gyrfalcon is a very powerful flier, with strong, broad wings.

The majestic gyrfalcon is one of the few birds of prey

DID YOU KNOW?

active during the day that is able to survive the severe

• The gyrfalcon's name may originate from the O ld Norse

winter weather of its Arctic habitat. The gyrfalcon's

word geirr, meaning "spear." This refers to the spearhead-

great size helps to distinguish it from other members of

shaped markings on the gyrfalcon's breast.

the falcon family. The bird is often difficult to recognize, however, because its plumage may be anyone of three colors: snowy white, light graYt or darker, brownish gray.

~ HABITAT The gyrfalcon frequents inaccessib le mountainous areas in t he chilly northern wastelands of the Arctic. It is also found in m ore hospitable open tundra (vast tree less regions) and may live at the edges of coniferous forests. In addition, the gyrfalcoin makes its home on rocky Arctic coasts and islands, where it preys on nesting seabirds . Most gyrfalcons stay in the same place all year. But some birds-especially juveniles a

year or two old-move southward in winter when prey becomes relatively scarce. These birds settle on coasts, steppes, marshland, or farmland. Gyrfalcons from Greenland may spend the winter in Iceland, and small numbers may even migrate as far south as Ireland or the northern United States .

•,

• Falconers once trained the gyrfalcon to pursue kites and herons-birds it would not

• The offspring from the sa me brood may be different colors. Some are w hite, others are light gray, and still others are

normally ki ll in the wild .

brownish gray.

~ BREEDING

•

J A

In January or February the male

\

The gyrfalcons return to the north in the spring.

gyrfalcon starts defending a territory from other males . If the female has migrated south, she returns in February or March . The birds then perform display flights, rising to great heights and diving toward the nest site. The nest is usually on a cliff ledge or rocky outcrop. But the bird may nest in a tree or use the old nest of a raven .

Right: The sharp-sighted gyrfalcon sits on a perch watching for prey.

The female lays two to seven eggs at three-day intervals. She

; ~ I

•

~

.~

1

I

• With its slow, shallow wing beats, the gyrfal con appears clumsier than a peregrine falcon, but in level flight it actually flies faster tha n its relative.

I

\

incubates them for one month, while the male feeds her. The female broods her creamy white chicks closely, covering them with her wings to protect them from the cold . At first the male hunts alone for his fami ly, but soon the female joins him. Both adults feed their offspring bits of flesh. From a clutch of seven, usually only two or three chicks survive. After five weeks they have all their feathers, and they can fly two weeks later.

' " CARD 249

BONELLI'S EAGLE "~_________________________________G _R _O _U _P_ 2_:_B_IR_D _S__~ ~ "1IIIIIIII

ORDER Falconiformes

.... "1IIIIIIII

FAMILY Accipitridae

GENUS &: SPECIES Hieraaetus fasciatus

I

--------~.-

KEY FACTS

----------------------------------------------------~

SIZES Length: 2-2~ ft. Female larger than male. Weight: 35-55 lb. Wingspan: 5-6 ft. BREEDING Sexual maturity: 4-5 years. Breeding season: February to May. No. of broods: 1 . Eggs: 1-3, usually 2. Incubation: 6 weeks. Fledging period: 2 months. LIFESTYLE Habit: Solitary or forms permanent pairs. Highly territorial. Diet: Medium-size birds and mammals. Some small reptiles. lifespan: 20 years. RElATED SPECIES The closest relative is the African hawk eagle, Hieraaetus spilogaster, which was formerly regarded as a

Range of Bonelli's eagle.

DISTRIBUTION Found from southern Europe and North Africa east to India and southern China. An isolated race inhabits Indonesia. CONSERVATION Bonelli's eagle has been persecuted in Europe for many years. As a result, numbers are low throughout the region, except in Spain, where there are about 300 pairs. Numbers are still reasonable in the eastern parts of this bird's range.

subspecies.

FEATURES OF BONELLI'S EAGLE Head: Small and slender, with the powerful, hooked bill typical of eagles. Body: Medium size and slender. Dark brown wings are long and fairly broad . Breast is pale with dark streaks.

Flight: Faster than most eagles. Similar to a hawk's flight. Adult: Flight reveals dark bands on underside of wings and narrow bars across tail. Wings and tail are tipped with broad black bands.

Feet: Relatively large. Long , powerful hind toe has a stiff talon, so the eagle can kill prey large for its size.

Although it is not as large as some eagles, Bonelli ~ eagle is a remarkably fierce and powerful hunter. It darts out from behind mountain ridges or rocky outcrops to seize its unsuspecting prey. ©MCMXCIV IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

Juvenile: Tawny lower parts. Pale wings and tail with dark bars.

I

III.. 1

1'1

'~~ 1'

Eggs: White with traces of brown. From a clutch of up to 3 eggs, usually only 1 chick survives.

us P 6001

12069 PACKET 69

~ BREEDING Bonelli's eagle constructs a large nest that may be up to six feet across. Both male and female build the nest, using branches up to three feet long and one inch thick. They may begin to construct the nest up to four months before the eggs are laid. A pair may build as many as five nests over the years, or it may reuse the same nest year after year, adding to it each time. The nest is usually lined with a few sprays of foliage and set high on a cliff ledge or sometimes at the top of a tall tree. Although both sexes incubate Left: A bold and successful predator, Bonelli's eagle keeps a sharp lookout for prey.

Bonelli's eagle is one of the most powerful of all birds

DID YOU KNOW?

of prey. This medium-size, slender eagle regularly kills

• Bonelli's eagle is an excellent flier. It has been sighted passing under a flying jack-

animals that are as heavy or even heavier than itself. A very agile flie" Bonelli's eagle soars to great heights. During the breeding season the bird patrols its territot'Yt circling and wheeling in the air to defend its nest site.

daw, turning upside down in midair, and then seizing the smaller bird in its talons. • Bonelli's eagle is named after the 18th-century Italian

the eggs, the female performs most of the task. She sits on the eggs throughout the night and for up to 90 percent of the day, while the male feeds her. When he relieves her on the nest, she sometimes goes off to catch her own prey. Two young usually hatch, but in most cases only one chick survives. The other generally dies of starvation. The survivor is always the chick that has hatched first. Stronger and larger than the second hatchling, the first chick may even kill its sibling in order to receive more food. Right: The parents supply their big, downy chick with small prey for six to eight weeks. Left: At the nest the female Bonelli's eagle does most of the work. She shields her offspring from the effects of wind, rain, and sun.

naturalist Franco Andrea Bonelli, who sent a specimen from Sardinia to the French ornithologist Louis Vieillot. Vieillot was the first person to describe the species scientifically, and it was his idea to name the eagle after Bonelli.

~ FOOD & FEEDING

~ HABITS Bonelli's eagle frequents mountains and rocky terrain, broken by steep cliffs and covered with

Sometimes a pair engages in a wild aerial display. Each bird plummets from a great height

sparse woodland. Outside the breeding season, it hunts over

on closed wings, then pulls out of the dive with its wings out-

open country. This bold eagle defends its nest site against intruders of all sizes, including golden eagles, griffon vultures, and other birds of prey. Breeding pairs are very territorial, circling above their nests sites to proclaim ownership. In the process, the pair reinforces its bond .

stretched, and finally circles to regain its height. One bird may carry a branch high into the air and drop it to its partner, who spins down to catch the branch as it falls. The entire display may be repeated 10 times in a row. Right: With its tawny plumage, a young Bonelli's eagle is easy to mistake for a different species.

Bonelli's eagle generally relies on surprise attacks when hunting. Concealing itself in a tree, it dives to the ground to seize mammals and birds. It catches birds as they take off or chases them in flight. This eagle also patrols a regular "beat" along mountainsides, gliding low to the ground and surprising prey from behind a rocky ridge or outcrop. When a pair hunts together, one bird chases the victim into its partner's path. Bonelli's eagle preys mainly

on medium-size mammals and birds, but it sometimes takes lizards and snakes as well. Bird prey includes larks, partridges, ducks, gulls, and some species as large as herons. Mammal prey varies in size from gerbils and rats to rabbits and hares. Unlike several larger eagles, which eat carrion (dead animal flesh), Bonelli's eagle only takes live prey. Because of its attacks on game birds, domestic poultry, and rabbits, it has been persecuted in much of its range.

KEY FACTS

COCK-OF-THE-ROCK ORDER

FAMILY

GENUS &- SPECIES

Posseriformes

Cotingidoe

Rupic%

rupic% , R. peruviono

~

rt1

SIZE Length: 12-15 in. BREEDING Sexual maturity: Unknown. Breeding season: Mainly February

to July. Eggs: Usually 2; white, with dark spots and blotches. Incubation: 3-4 weeks . Fledging period: 3-6 weeks. LIFESTYLE Habit: Mainly solitary, but males

form groups to display. Range of cock-of-the-rocks .

Diet: Fruit and insects. Call: Usually quiet. Noisy squeaks,

squeals, and grunts at display area.

DISTRIBUTION

Found in rainforests in northern Brazil, Guiana, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and northern Bolivia.

RELATED SPECIES

The 2 species of cock-of -the-rock,

Rupic%

rupic%

and R. peruviono,

are members of the Cotingidoe,

CONSERVATION

Exact numbers are not known, but cock-of-the-rocks are thought to be fairly common in the areas they inhabit.

a diverse and colorful family of

Both species are trapped for the pet trade but in fairly

birds consisting of 79 species in

small numbers.

28 genera .

THE TWO SPEC IES OF COCK-OF-TH E-ROCK ANDEAN

GUIANAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK

Females: Both species are du ll brown and lack the erect orest feathe rs of the males .

Male: Bright orang e plumage, with barred black and white wi ngs. Black detailing on t he erect crest.

Cock-of-the-rocks are named for the courtship display of the male. He struts around on a rocky outcrop in the forest, showing off his bright plumage to attract a mate.

COC K-OF-THE-ROCK

Male: Deep orange or red plumage with black and gray wings . The short, sharp bill is almost completely hidden by the crest.

© MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

0160200581 PACKET 58

~ FOOD & FEEDING Cock-of-the-rocks perch in the lower branches of fruit trees and dart from twig to twig to feed on fruit. Their small, sharp beaks-

In the early morning or late evening, large numbers of birds may gather together to feed in the trees. Although cock-of-the-

almost hidden by the feathers of their crests- are excellent for

rocks are wary birds, they sometimes search for food in places that offer little cover, such as the

plucking small fruits from twigs and branches. Left: The orange Guianan species is slightly more numerous than its red Andean relative.

There are two species of cock-of-the-rockthe Guianan and the Andean. They are among

edge of a forest or a clearing. Right: A shy bird, the vivid male Andean cock-of-the-rock is a rare and beautiful sight.

DID YOU KNOW? • Naturalists named cock-ofthe-rocks for the male bird's courtship display. While one

trappers. Their brilliant coloring makes them desirable for the pet bird trade.

Both species inhabit the tropical rainforests of northern

male displayed on the top of a rock, other males appeared

South America. Despite their brilliant coloring, these

to be trying to force him off and take his place in a game

• It is thought that the male of the Andean species sometimes pairs up with another male to perform his display. The pair may also forage for food together.

the most colorful and unusual birds in the world.

elusive birds are very difficult to observe in the dense, lush vegetation of their natural surroundings.

~ HABITAT With their swift, weaving flight, cock-of-the-rocks have the mobility they need to thrive in the dense vegetation of their rain-

Colombia, Guiana, and northern Brazil. It prefers areas with

forest habitat. In spite of their brilliant coloring, these birds are difficult to see. They are generally glimpsed only as a quick flash of color. They are easier to observe when they gather in groups on rocky out-

lives in cloud forest (rainforest at high elevation) on the slopes of the Andes Mountains in northwestern Venezuela and farther south in Colombia, Ecuador,

rocky outcrops and boulders. The Andean cock-of-the-rock

crops to perform their courtship displays. Most of the time,

Peru, and northern Bolivia. In these areas plant growth is very dense because the climate is cool and moist and ample light

however, these shy birds stay hidden in the forest canopy. The Guianan cock-of-the-rock is slightly more numerous than the Andean cock-of-the-rock. The two species are found in separate parts of South Amer-

filters through the trees . The Andean cock-of-the-rock lives primarily in mountain ravines, where it can find the nesting sites it prefers. It is also found on the banks of rocky streams, rapids, and waterfalls.

ica. The Guianan cock-of-therock lives in lowland tropical forests in southern Venezuela,

Right: The female cock-of-the-rock is a drab bird compared to her colorful mate.

of "king of the castle." • Both species are targets for

Left: The female builds her nest without the help of the male. She chooses a site high up on a rock face and may return to it year after year.

Cock-of-the-rocks are known for their highly elaborate courtship displays. As the breeding season begins, the colorful males and drab females gather at leks (display areas in forest clearings) in order to find mates. Sometimes 50 or more birds congregate to take part in the displays. The male cock-of-the-rock uses his large, strong feet to clear vegetation from a small area known as his court. When a female arrives, he shows off his bright colors by crouching and spreading out his feathers. He tilts his head to show off his crest, watching the female 's reaction to his display with his one exposed eye. When a female is attracted to a male, she flies down to join him in his court. Mating may then take place,

but it is often interrupted by the aggressive, persistent display of a rival male. After mating, the male demonstrates no interest in his partner. He takes no part in rearing the chicks. The female builds a semicircular nest of mud and small roots, and she uses saliva to stick it to a ledge or a crevice in a rock face. The nest is often situated above a rocky stream or in a niche in a cave. Because such specific nesting sites are preferred, a number of nests may be built in one small area, and a female may reuse the same nest site each year. After laying her brown-flecked whitish eggs, the female sits on them for three or four weeks until they hatch. The chicks are fed insects, frogs, and lizards until they can fly.