BAIKAL TEAL
~ ORDER ~ ~ Anseriformes ~
FAMILY Anatidae
GROUP 2: BIRDS
GENUS & SPECIES Anas formosa
The Baikal teal takes its name from Lake Baikal in Siberia. The bird breeds on the shores of that lake and farther north to
the deltas of Siberian rivers within the Arctic Circle.
KEY FACTS '--------~~--~---
SIZES
Length: 15-17 in.
Wingspan: About 2~ ft.
Weight: About 1 lb.
BREEDING
Breeding season: Mid-May to
mid-July.
Eggs: 6-9, yellowish white.
Incubation: Almost 4 weeks.
Fledging period: Unknown.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Active by day and night.
Migratory and sociable, living in
large flocks .
Diet: Aquatic vegetation and in
vertebrates, grass seeds.
Calls: Male utters deep, clucking
"ruk ruk ruk." Female has low
pitched quack.
Lifespan: Unknown.
RELATED SPECIES
It is one of the dabbling ducks. Its
closest relative is the green-winged
teal, Anas crecca.
Breeding range of the Baikal teal. Winter range .
DISTRIBUTION
The breeding grounds are centered on the lower reaches of
Siberian rivers, from the Yenisei River east to the Anadyr. The
main winter populations are on floodplain lakes in southeast
ern China, South Korea, and southern Japan .
CONSERVATION
Conservation measures are necessary because the population
of the Baikal teal has declined sharply in recent decades.
FEATURES OF THE BAIKAL TEAL
Fl ight: Fast wing beats , but not as fast as g reenwinged teal 's.
Drake (male) : Hand plumage, with a striking tern of green. black. buff. white on the face . Brown hrp.;~~"'''''_~ contrasts with grayish body. reddish brown , and blac eat
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Eggs: 6 to 9. Yellowish white with olive tint.
Female: Dull plumage similar to that of the green-winged teal , but
with a distinctive white spot on each side at base of bill.
0160200981 PACKET 98
The Baikal teal was one of the most common ducks in its
range earlier in this century. But the population has declined
so sharply that conservation measures are now needed to
protect the species. The teal forms huge, dense flocks and
regularly visits land to feed at night. Both habits have led
to its downfall because they make it vulnerable to hunters.
~HABITAT The Baikal teal lives on ponds,
ma~he~andrive~inswampy
parts of the Siberian taiga (co
niferous forests). The bird breeds
in dense concentrations close to
ponds along river valleys in the
northeast, from the Yenisei River
east to the Anadyr. Its breeding
range extends north as far as the
edge of the tundra and south to
the north shore of Lake Baikal.
The Baikal teal winters farther
south. It can be found on lakes,
marshes, freshwater stretches of
water, and sheltered coastal re
gions in southern japan, South
Korea, and southeastern China.
Little is known about many of
the bird's habits because of its
secretive nature and remote, se
cluded habitat.
Right: Like the mallard, the Baikal teal is a dabbling duck that belongs to the genus Anas.
~ BREEDING The Baikal teal pairs up with a
mate in its winter quarters and
returns to its breeding grounds
in late April and early May. This
duck usually makes a ground
nest near water, hidden among
scrub or under a willow or juni
per bush. Little is known about
egg laying, incubation, or rear
ing of the young because the
Baikal teal is especially secretive
when it is nesting.
After breeding, both parents
molt (shed their feathers) . Like
Left: The male's facial markings make this duck one of the most striking teal species.
'i
I
other ducks, they molt all their
flight feathers at once. During
this vulnerable flightless period,
the male Baikal teal acquires a
dull "eclipse" plumage similar
in color to the female's normal
plumage. This dull coloration
reduces the risk that he will be
spotted by predators. The male
molts before the female does
and may travel some distance
north to do so. The female of
ten molts while she is still rais
ing her ducklings.
Right: The Baikal teal is threatened by overhunting and the loss of wetland habitat.
I __ ~
. " ,~. ~. "'\~' I r f ~),;.l . I f..--
Left: Formosa, the name of the Baikal teal's species, comes from the Latin word for "beautiful. II
DID YOU KNOW? • In a single day in 1947, as
many as 10,000 Baikal teals
were killed by just th ree jap
anese hunters.
• Russian names for this duck
are bubbling teal and gurgler.
Both names reflect the male's
distinctive call. An old name
~ FOOD &: FEEDING The Baikal teal feeds like other
dabbling ducks. Dipping its bill
under the water surface, it takes
in water along with particles of
plant and animal food. It then
uses its large tongue to pump
the water out the sides of its bill
through thin toothlike ridges
called lamellae. The Baikal teal eats a variety of
plant food, from grass seeds to
leaves of weeds. It also eats in-
is spectacled teal, referring to
the facial pattern of the male.
• Although it is now rare, the
Baikal teal was fairly abundant
at one time. According to rec
ords, flocks of 100,000 mem
bers wintered in japan early
in this century.
sects, snails, and other aquatic
invertebrates. Besides feeding in
the water, it seems to spend a
great deal of time eating on the
shore, feeding on seeds and oth
er parts of land plants like pop
pies. Some Baikal teals even eat
acorns in woods far from water,
and others feed on crops such as
soybeans that have spilled from
trucks onto roads. Winter flocks
may visit crop fields .
LONG-TAILED TIT
,,-----~------------------------------------~ ~
ORDER Passeriformes
FAMILY Aegithalidae
GENUS &. SPECIES Aegithalos caudatus
Despite its name, the long-tailed tit is not related to the true tits. Like those birds, however, it feeds in flocks during fall and winter,
flitting through woodlands in a constant search for insects.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Head and body, 2 ~ in .
Tail, 3 in.
Weight: About Y, oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: March to July.
No. of broods: 1.
Eggs: 7-12; pinkish, spotted .
Incubation: 2 weeks.
Fledging period: 15-16 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Highly sociable year-round.
Active by day.
Diet: Small insects and their eggs
and larvae. Some seeds.
Call: Sharp, high-pitched notes.
Lifespan: 8 years.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 4 other species of long
tailed tit, including the sooty long
tailed tit, Aegithalos fuliginosus
which is found in China .
Range of the long-tailed tit.
DISTRIBUTION
The long-tailed tit breeds in a broad band across Eurasia, from
Ireland and Portugal east to Japan, extending north into Scan
dinavia and south into China. Most populations are resident,
but some move to warmer areas in cold winters.
CONSERVATION
The long-tailed tit is reasonably common . But deforestation
and the loss of hedgerows may affect numbers in certain areas.
FEATURES OF THE LONG-TAILED
Tail: Distinctive black feathers edged with white. Exceptionally long-over half the bird's total length. Dips up and down in the bird 's weak, undulating flight.
Eggs: 7 to 12; pinkish white with tiny, purplish red spots. Incubated by the female.
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Adult plumage: Black and white wings; pinkish white body. White crown flanked by bold black bars. Male and female look alike.
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Juvenile: While the young is in the nest, its tail is noticeably shorter than
the adult's and its plumage is duller with no pink feathers. At 4 or 5 weeks of age (shown at left), the juvenile resembles the adult with the character-
istic long tail feathers and a similar body coloring . However, it retains
chocolate brown cheeks during its first few months out of the nest.
NORTHERN RACE
A. c. caudatus: A whiteheaded race occu rring in Scandinavia.
0160200981 PACKET 98
The long-tailed tit is well known for the remarkable purse
shaped nest that it builds in early spring. Constructed by
both the male and female, the nest is made of moss and
bound together by spiderwebs. It is camouflaged on the
outside with lichens and insulated with an inside lining
of as many as 2,000 feathers. In contrast to this complex
structure, true tits tend to use holes or birdhouses for nesting.
~ HABITS The long-tailed tit lives in a fami
ly group. In the early part of the
breeding season, the group is
fairly small. But just after breed
ing and in fall and winter, it may
expand to a flock of 20 or more
individuals. Larger flocks contain
several family groups. The flock
defends a territory for feeding
and roosting as well as breeding.
This bird frequently remains in
the same territory for years. But
in winter it may roam through
nearby woods or hedgerows in
search of food . Foraging flocks
of long-tailed tits may be joined
by true tits, goldcrests, and oth
er small woodland birds.
By roosting together in tight
groups on sheltered branches,
long-tailed tits are able to sur
vive the winter. The birds keep
their loose plumage fluffed out
in order to lose as little heat as
possible from their tiny bodies.
During the breeding season, the
adult pair and its young roost in
a warm, feather-lined nest.
~ BREEDING When the weather is mild, win
ter flocks of long-tailed tits start
to break up in middle February.
At this time they form smaller
breeding groups of males and
females. It seems that only the
dominant male and female in
each group breed. The other
birds in a breeding group are
often related to the male and
help rear the young .
Most pairs have found nest
sites by late March. A pair takes
up to three weeks to complete
the purse-shaped nest. The birds
begin at the base and work up
ward, using moss as well as spiLeft: Trees provide ample nest sites and a plentiful supply of insects for the long-tailed tit to eat.
DID YOU KNOW? • Long-tailed tits sometimes
use pieces of plastic instead of
lichen for the outer layers of
their nests.
• In a severe winter a popula
tion of long-tailed tits. may fall
by more than two-thirds. But
the big clutches help restore
numbers fairly quickly.
derwebs to make an oval shell.
Near the top they leave a small
entrance and then camouflage
the outer shell with lichens. Fi
nally, the birds line the inside
with a great many feathers to
provide insulation.
The female lays 7 to 12 eggs,
which she incubates. But many
of the eggs are taken by preda
tors- often early in the season
when the nest is most conspicu
ous. The remaining eggs hatch
in two weeks. About two weeks
later, the young fledge. They re
main with the family flock until
the following spring. Right: The chicks are not only fed by their parents but also by related nonbreeding adults.
• Once the roof of the nest is
completed, a long-tailed tit
pair sleeps in the nest instead
of roosting with the flock.
• Many British nicknames for
the long-tailed tit refe r to its
nest-building. Some examples
include poke pudding, bottle
tit, and oven builder.
The long-tailed ti t is a little bird
that has black, w hite, and pink
feathers. It possesses a longer
tail than any other small wood
land bird in Europe. Its tail plus
its t iny, round body g ive this
species its distinctive appear
ance when it is perching or in
~ FOOD &: FEEDING The long-tailed tit feeds mainly
on insects and their eggs and
larvae plus other small inverte
brates. It takes insects like aphids
from leaves and buds and uses
its bill to pry other insects from
crevices in bark. This bird also
eats seeds, but its bill can cope
only with small, soft seeds such
as those of honeysuckle plants.
Unlike true tits, the long-tailed
tit rarely descends to the ground
Left: The long-tailed tit feeds almost exclusively on insects.
the air. During its weak, undu
lating flight, the bi rd's tai l dips
up and down.
Flocks of long-ta iled tits can
be seen flyi ng rapidly through
trees and bushes. They cross
gaps in single file, call ing out
constantly as they fly.
to feed . But like true tits, it can
hang upside down and peck at
food that it is holding with one
or both of its feet.
In severe winters, many long
tailed tits die of starvation, since
their bills are too weak to peck
through the frost on branches
in order to find food. Within the
northern part of the range, the
birds spend most of their time
foraging. They cover about four
miles a day and spend just a few
minutes in each tree.
GRAY BUTCHERBIRD
ORDER Passeriformes
FAMILY Cracticidae
GENUS &: SPECIES Cracticus torquatus
The gray butcherbird'S musical song is one of the most beautiful sounds in the woods and scrubland of Australia. But this
bird is also known for its grisly feeding habits.
Ii]
li1
KEY FACTS
SIZE
Length: 11-13 in.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2 years.
Breeding season: Varies, depend
ing on the region .
Eggs: 3-5, usually 4.
Incubation: About 3 weeks.
Fledging period: Almost 4 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Territorial. Lives in pairs.
Diet: Insects, lizards, birds, mice,
some fruit and seeds.
Call: Musical warbling and whis
tling song.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 10 species of butcherbird
that occur in Australia and eastern
Indonesia. These include the black
butcherbird, Cracticus quoyi; the
pied currawong, Strepero grocu
lina; and the Australian magpie,
Gymnorhina tibicen.
FEATURES OF THE GRAY BUT
Plumage: Gray back and black top and sides of head. White collar, rump, and underparts. Black tail with white tip; black and white wing feathers.
Range of the gray butcherbird.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in eastern, southern, and western Australia north to the
Palmer River, Alice Springs, and the Ashburton River. It is also
found in northwestern Northern Territory and the Kimberleys,
as well as Tasmania.
CONSERVATION
The gray butcherbird is widespread and numerous across much
of Australia, with little adverse pressure on the population.
,
prey includes insects , small birds, lizards, and mice.
Larder: The butcherbird stores extra food to eat later. It wedges it in the fork of a tree or sticks it onto a thorn or the barb of a barbwire fence.
© MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200941 PACKET 94
The gray butcherbird lives up to its name by using its
heavy, hooked bill to IIbutcher ll meat. A fierce predator
for its size, this bird kills whenever it can. It is capable of
catching and dismembering prey that is much too large
to be swallowed whole. After the butcherbird tears up its
catch, it may store some of it in a secure spot to eat later.
~ HABITS The gray butcherbird is wide
spread over much of Australia,
but within its range its distribu
tion seems patchy. It is usually
seen perching on a fence or a
tree. Although the bird prefers
open woodland, it also appears
at forest edges, among shrubs,
and in vegetation along rivers,
roads, fields, and even gardens,
parks, and golf courses. In Tas
mania many birds forage in sub
urbs and cities during fall. When
foraging, the gray butcherbird
may hop along the ground. But
it soon returns to the trees, often
carrying its prey.
Paired birds defend their terri
tory all year and often keep the
same site year after year. Both
sexes try to deter any intruders,
and they sing frequently to an
nounce their presence. Often
they engage in duets, with each
bird singing in turn. They partly
open their wings and raise and
bow their heads as they sing.
The gray butcherbird is one
of Australia's most musical birds,
especially in fall. The phrasing of
the song seems to vary accord
ing to the region. This butcher
bird is also an expert mimic of
other birds.
~ FOOD & HUNTING The gray butcherbird perches
motionless as it searches its sur
roundings for any sign of move
ment. When it spots a victim, it
swoops down to catch its prey
and often flies back to the perch
with its meal. The gray butcher
bird hunts insects, lizards, other
birds, and mice. In addition, it
eats some fruit and seeds.
Today, the Australian butcher
birds are classified in a family of
their own. However, they were
once thought to be related to
the shrikes. Like shrikes, butch
erbirds have strong hooked bills
Left: The gray butcherbird alights on a prominent perch in order to survey the area for food.
DID YOU KNOW? • Australian names for the gray butcherbird include yoyjeddie
and waddo-wadong.
• Butcherbirds have frequently been seen hunting beside fal
cons, snatching creatures that
have been driven from cover
by the birds of prey.
for tearing prey. Also like shrikes,
they often catch animals that
are too large to be swallowed
whole and tear them up. But
with its small legs and feet, the
gray butcherbird cannot easily
hold down food to tear it apart.
So it carries prey to the fork of a
branch, a thorny bush, or a wire
fence and wedges it into a crev
ice or impales it on a barb. The
bird can then use its bill to rip up
the victim. Like shrikes, the gray
butcherbird sometimes keeps a
store of prey when it has caught
extra food.
Right: The gray butcherbird wedges prey in a forked branch to tear into manageable pieces.
• The gray butcherbird is so bold and aggressive that it will
kill caged birds and pull them
out through the wires. In con
trast, some butcherbirds close
to human habitations are so
tame that they will take pieces
of meat offered by hand.
The gray butcherbird builds its
nest up to 65 feet above the
ground, usually in the fork of
two fairly upright branches. It
defends the nest fiercely and
swoops down at any intruders,
including humans, and snaps
at them with its sharp bill.
The nest is a shallow bowl of
twigs about eight inches across.
From below it looks untidy, but
the four-inch-wide inner cup is
neatly shaped and lined with
fine roots and grasses. There
Left: The juvenile 's brownish feathers are replaced by adult plumage in its second year.
Left: The gray butcherbird is efficient, storing any food that it cannot eat right away on a fence or in a bush. Later, it returns to peck at the carrion.
the female lays three to five blue,
green, or brown eggs that have
reddish brown spots. She does
most of the incubating, and the
male hunts for food.
The chicks hatch after about
three weeks, and they remain in
the nest for almost four weeks.
When fledged, young butcher
birds have brownish plumage.
This changes to the adult plum
age during their second year.
The adults do not usually allow
their young to stay with them
for long. But a few offspring may
remain for a year or more and
help feed the next brood .
~CARD 304 1
WRYNECK "~ __________________________________ G~R~O~U~P_2~:~B~IR~D~S~~ .... ORDER .... FAMILY GENUS & SPECIES ~ Piciformes ~ Picidae lynx torquilla
The wryneck is an unusual member of the woodpecker family. Camouflaged by its beautifully mottled gray and brown plumage,
it can become almost invisible in its woodland habitat.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 6-6 ~ in.
Wingspan: 10-11 in .
Weight: 1 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: May to August.
No. of broods: 1, occasionally 2.
Eggs: 7-10, white .
Incubation: 11-14 days.
Fledging period: 18-22 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Day-active; territorial. Soli
tary outside the breeding season .
Diet: Mainly ants. Also other inver
tebrates and plant food .
Call: Series of up to 25 mournful,
shrill notes used as a territorial call.
Lifespan: Up to 10 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The wryneck has just one close rel
ative: the rufous-breasted wryneck,
jynx ruficollis, which occurs in iso
lated areas of Africa.
FEATURES OF THE WRYNECK
Breeding range of the wryneck. Winter range.
DISTRIBUTION
Breeds from Portugal north through Scandinavia and east to
Japan. Also breeds in parts of China, Algeria, Turkey, and the
former Soviet Union. Winters in Africa north of the equator,
India, and parts of Southeast Asia.
CONSERVATION
The wryneck is declining in most of western Europe but is
common in the rest of its range.
~iII: Long and sharp. Bird has a long : sHCI<Y tongue for catching
I .I in ects.
Plumage: Dull-colored fo r camouflage . The feathers are a mixture of grays and
browns, mottled and barred with dark
Eggs: White ; 7to10ina clutch . Laid in a nest hole in a tree, wall , or bank.
I , I and pale markings.
~ MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILE TM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Tail: Has soft feathers . In contrast, the true woodpeckers have stiff tail feathers , which they use as braces
when climbing trees.
0160200991 PACKET 99
The wryneck is a strange little bird in many ways.
Howeve" one of its most unusual characteristics is the
way it behaves when it is cornered or picked up. At such
times the bird twists and turns its head and hisses like a
snake. All the while its head feathers are ruffled and its tail
is fanned out. It is this distinctive strategy for deterring
predators that has earned the wryneck its common name.
~ HABITAT The wryneck can be found near
areas of warm, dry ground with
low vegetation where there are
good supplies of ants. It favors
parks, orchards, and large gar
dens, adapting readily to the
presence of humans. It also fre
quents open woodlands, groves,
wooded heaths, and the edges
of deciduous woods.
At its wintering grounds in Af
rica and southern Asia, the bird
visits a variety of habitats. These
include areas that have little or
no tree cover such as farmland,
scrubland, and even semidesert.
The wryneck at times perches
Right: The wryneck keeps the nest hole clean by regularly removing balls of droppings.
on a tree trunk like a true wood
pecker. However, it usually sits
crosswise on branches and oth
er perches. It is seen mainly on
the ground, where it remains
motionless for long periods or
hops around jerkily, with its long
tail raised. It looks more like a
fairly dull-colored songbird than
a woodpecker.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING The wryneck feeds mainly on
ants and their larvae, picking
them off branches or breaking
up ants' nests using its sharp
bill. As the ants try to escape,
the wryneck snaps them up in
its bill or catches them with its
long, sticky tongue. The bird's
throat can hold up to 150 ants
at a time.
When ants are not available,
Left: The male shows hjs nest hole to a potential mate by poking out his head conspicuously.
DID YOU KNOW? • The wryneck is also called writhe neck, snake bird, hiss
er, and twister. These names
reflect its defensive strategy of
writhing and hissing. If those
tactics fail, the bird pretends
to be dead, hanging limply
with its eyes closed .
• The wryneck was once believed to have magical quali-
the wryneck eats other insects
such as beetles and grasshop
pers, as well as butterflies and
their larvae and pupae. Occa
sionally it darts out its tongue
to catch flying insects. It also
feeds on spiders, woodlice, and
mollusks plus berries and other
plant food. The wryneck has
even been known to eat tad
poles and birds' eggs.
Right: The wryneck brings ant larvae to its nest hole to feed its young in their first few days.
ties. Its generic name, lynx, is
the origin of the word jinxmeaning "to bring bad luck."
It was also thought that if tied
to a revolving wheel, the wry
neck could bring back unfaith
fullovers.
• Until 1850 the wryneck was seen in Hyde Park, in the heart
of London.
~ ~ BIRDWATCH The wryneck can be seen in
Europe between April and Au
gust. But it is difficult to find
because its dull-colored plum
age is excellent camouflage,
letting the bird blend perfect
ly with the bark of trees.
At close range, the wryneck
~ BREEDING In April the wryneck returns to
its breeding grounds. The male
attracts a female with his loud,
ringing song and shows off his
nest site by drumming or tap
ping with his bill from inside the
tree hole.
The wryneck nests in a natu
ral hole in a tree, wall, or bank
of earth. It often takes over the
hole of a flycatcher, sparrow, or
tit, evicting the occupant and
pulling out the existing nest.
Highly territorial in the breed
ing season, wrynecks can be
very aggressive toward nearby
hole-nesting birds. Even after
Left: Male and female wrynecks pair up and stay together for one breeding season only.
can be seen to possess a mix
of gray and brown feathers,
which are beautifully mottled
and barred with dark as well
as pale markings. The bird's
slightly undulating, hesit ant
flight reveals the distinctive
barring on its prominent tail.
finding a nest site, a pair may
destroy other birds' nests and
break the eggs or kill the chicks.
When it meets a rival bird, the
wryneck stretches out its neck,
pointing its beak at its adversary.
It also ruffles its crown feathers,
spreads its tail, and sometimes
sways its head from side to side.
It adopts similar postures during
its courtship displays.
The female lays 7 to 10 eggs
in the unlined nest hole, usually
in Mayor June. She does most
of the incubation, but the male
shares the task by day. He also
helps feed the young, bringing
them ant larvae during their first
five days and then large balls of
ants stuck together with saliva.
STEAMER DUCK
ORDER Anseriformes
FAMILY Anatidae
GENUS Tachyeres
Steamer ducks are found in the coastal waters that lie off the southernmost part of South America and the Falkland Islands.
Of the four different species, only one is capable of flying.
---SI ~
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 2-3 ft. Male larger than
the female.
Weight: Flying species, 6-7 lb.
Flightless species, 8-11 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: From 2 years.
Breeding season: Varies.
No. of eggs: 6-12, depending on
the species.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Social and aggressive. Pair
for life.
Diet: Crustaceans, mollusks, and
other marine invertebrates.
Lifespan: Unknown.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 4 species in the genus
Tachyeres: the flying steamer duck
and the Magellanic, Falkland, and
white-headed flightless steamer
ducks. The family Anatidae con
tains more than 140 species of
duck, swan, and goose.
THE STEAMER DUCKS
Flying steamer duck: Mottled black and gray body with white underparts and wing bands. In the breeding season, the male's head is whitish and then pale brown. For the rest of the year it is gray-brown with a white ring around each eye. The female has a darker head and neck. Both sexes have a reddish tinge on the throat.
© MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Range of steamer ducks.
DISTRIBUTION
The four species of steamer duck are confined to the Falkland
Islands and southern South America, from southern Chile and
Argentina to Tierra del Fuego. The Magellanic flightless steam
er duck is found in coastal waters along the Strait of Magellan.
CONSERVATION
Within their limited range, all species are numerous.
Falkland flightless steamer duck: Speckled brownish gray with white underparts. The male has a pale head with chestnut neck coloring.
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Magellanic flightless steamer duck: Similar in appearance and color to the flying steamer duck but generHya paler gray. Sexes are similar.
White-headed flightless steamer duck: (Not shown.) This species looks
much like the other steamer ducks, except that the male has a pale head
af.ld the female has a wLde white band rtmni 9 frack from each eye.
0160200951 PACKET 95
Steamer ducks are large and heavYt with a gooselike
appearance. They are named for their habit of rushing
over the water much like the old paddle steamboats. These
birds "steam II along on the surface, alternately paddling
their feet and flailing their wings in a rowing motion.
~ HABITAT Steamer ducks live off the coasts of southern South America and nearby islands. They usually remain close to salt water, living almost permanently in waters near the shore. Although some experts call them seabirds, they belong to the group of birds known as waterfowl.
The three flightless steamer
~ HABITS The Magellanic flightless steamer duck can swim at speeds of 17 miles per hour with its body underwater and only its head above the surface. The flying steamer duck paddles more
ducks are most often found off coasts where tidal variations are minimal. The Magellanic flightless steamer duck favors rocky coasts that have offshore kelp beds. The flying steamer duck is occasionally found on inland rivers. However, in the winter, this species generally returns to coastal areas.
slowly. It can fly but rarely does. Steamer ducks often use their
wings to strike one another or a predator. The carpal joints in the wings have bony knobs, adding impact to the blows.
DID YOU KNOW? • The steamer ducks' generic name comes from the Greek for "fast-rowing." • The Magellanic flightless steamer duck may nest up to half a mile inland.
~ FOOD & FEEDING Steamer ducks dive to feed on marine invertebrates, especially mollusks and crustaceans such as crabs. The Magellanic steamer duck dives in shallow water to feed among the kelp and dig in the gravel.
Like most other ducks, steamer ducks have lamellae, or thin toothlike ridges, at the edges of their bills. They use the lamellae to strain out the water that they take in with their food.
Left: Steamer ducks utter a range of growls, mews, and croaks while they paddle along.
Right: The Falkland flightless steamer duck dislodges mollusks with a nail on the tip of its bill.
• One Falkland steamer duck was found with 450 mussel shells in its crop and stomach. • The white-headed flightless steamer duck was discovered as recently as 1981 .
Little is known about the breeding habits of steamer ducks. Like other sea ducks, they probably engage in noisy courtship displays. The male and female pair for life.
Flightless steamer ducks usually nest among grassy tussocks in the sand but may use a burrow deserted by a penguin. The flying steamer duck nests on open ground near the shore.
The flying steamer duck lays 7 to 9 eggs, whereas the Magellanic steamer lays 6 to 12. The female lays one egg a day and
Left: The well-developed chicks can swim very soon after hatching.
Left: The three flightless species are heavy birds. But they can use their webbed feet and powerful wings to propel themselves at great speed over the water.
starts incubating when she has finished laying. The male guards her as she incubates, and chases away intruders.
The well-developed downy chicks hatch on the same day, within a six-hour-period. They can swim the day after hatching but remain close to their mother and peck at food on the surface of the water.
The downy covering lasts for two to four weeks and is gradually replaced by the juvenile plumage. Young steamer ducks usually stay close together in large flocks. Adults tend to remain together in pairs.
CRAB PLOVER
ORDER FAMILY Charadriiformes Dromadidae
GROUP 2: BIRDS GENUS &; SPECIES Dromas ardeola
The crab plover is common along tropical shores of the Indian Ocean. This bird is unique among waders for its habit of digging deep, roomy nesting tunnels in sandy ground.
~ __ ~~~K~E~YF~A~CT~S~ __________________________ ~
SIZES
Length: 13-14 in.
Wingspan: 2~ ft. Weight: 14 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Unknown.
Breeding season: Varies, depending
on location.
No. of eggs: Usually 1, pure white.
Incubation: Unknown.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Social, living and breeding in
large colonies. Partially migratory.
Diet: Mainly crabs and other crus
taceans; also some mollusks and ma
rine worms.
Call: Varied repertoire of noisy calls,
including harsh "kru-uk."
Lifespan: Unknown.
RELATED SPECIES
The crab plover is the only member
of the family Dromadidae.
Range of the crab plover.
DISTRIBUTION
The crab plover inhabits the Persian Gulf, Oman's eastern tip,
the coasts and islands of the Indian Ocean south to Madagas
car, and the coasts of the Red Sea and eastern Africa.
CONSERVATION
The crab plover is common across its range.
FEATURES OF THE CRAB PLOVER
Plumage: Mainly white, with black mantle and wingtips. The bird also has a small black spot around each eye.
Legs: Long, typical of a wader. Feet are partially webbed.
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Burrow: Dug deep in sand and used for
-,;"' nestin , ;
Bill: Thick and heavy, for crushing the shells of crabs and other
crustaceans.
0160200961 PACKET 96
With its black and white plumage and long legs, the crab
plover is easy to confuse in flight with an avocet. But while
an avocet has a graceful bill that curves upward, the crab
plover has a thick, daggerlike bill, which it uses to crush the
shells of the crabs and other crustaceans on which it feeds.
~ HABITS The crab plover inhabits a vari
ety of tidal zones, such as coast
al mud flats, lagoons, estuaries,
sandy bays, and exposed coral
reefs. It gathers in flocks of 20
to several hundred birds. This
bird is partially migratory, with
many crab plovers leaving their
breeding grounds after nesting.
Some vacate eastern Africa in
November and cross the Red
Sea to Saudi Arabia, where they
remain until February.
This raucous bird has a large
repertoire of loud calls, includ
ing a shrill bark, a crowlike chat
ter, and a flight call that can be
described as extended, musical
yelping. The crab plover seems
noisier and more restless in win
ter, uttering its cries and croaks
as it runs around with its swift,
jerky movements.
Right: The crab plover gathers in groups to search for crabs on mud flats and beaches.
DID YOU KNOW? • The crab plover's burrowing habits probably evolved
to protect it from the sun in
its breeding grounds.
• The pure white egg of the crab plover is characteristic of
~ FOOD &: FEEDING The crab plover feeds on crabs
and other crustaceans, which it
breaks open with its bill. It also
eats marine worms, mollusks,
and other invertebrates.
Feeding in large, noisy flocks,
the birds run along the shore
line at low tide. They search the
muddy surface for food and use
their bills to probe the weeds in
uncovered rock pools.
The bird alternates regularly
between feeding and resting. It
flies for a minute or two before
it begins feeding again. While
it is not strictly night-active, it
feeds mainly around twilight
and frequently after dark or
around dawn.
left: When it flies, the crab plover's long legs protrude well beyond its short white tail feathers.
Right: Land crabs may prey on the chicks, but they are no match for the adult crab plover.
hole-nesting birds but unusu
al in wading birds, which nor
mally lay patterned eggs.
• The crab plover sometimes perches on the back of a wal
lowing hippopotamus.
~ BREEDING The crab plover's breeding sea
son seems to vary with its loca
tion. In eastern Africa it mates
in mid-May, but along the Per
sian Gulf it seems to start earlier.
Not much is known about the
bird's courtship habits. It is the
only wader that lays its eggs in
a large, sandy burrow near the
sea. It often uses a hollow made
by a large land crab, which it ex
tends by tunneling deep into
the sand with its bill and feet.
left: With one leg raised close to its body and its eyes closed, the crab plover sleeps while still standing up.
The crab plover usually breeds
on small islands. Its large colo
nies are so dense that the earth
is honeycombed with tunnels.
In the brood chamber, the fe
male usually lays a single pure
white egg, which is huge for the bird's size. During incuba
tion, the adults hiss loudly at
any intruder.
Both parents feed the gray
chick for some time, even after
it can venture outside.
COMMON QUAIL
" ". ORDER FAMILY GENUS &: SPECIES Coturnix coturnix ...... Galliformes Phasianiidae
The common quail is a small migratory game bird found throughout Europe and as far east as China. Despite its short wings, this hardy bird travels thousands of miles each year.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 6-7 in.
Wingspan: 13-14 in.
Weight: Male, 3-4 oz. Female,
3-50z.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: Varies, depending
on location.
Eggs: Usually 8-13 .
Incubation: 17-20 days.
Fledging period: About 3 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Migratory. Pair bonds last for
the whole breeding season.
Call: Male's song sounds like "wet
my-lips."
Diet: Seeds and insects.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 6 species of quail in the
genus Coturnix. The common quail's
closest relative is the Japanese quail,
C. japonico.
Resident range. Winter range. Breeding range.
DISTRIBUTION
In summer the common quail ranges from southern Scandi
navia to islands off the coast of northern Africa and eastward
through the former Soviet Union to China. In winter the bird
ranges from northern and central Africa to India .
CONSERVATION
There has been a general decline in the common quail popula
tion, probably because of habitat loss.
FEATURES OF THE COMMON QUAIL
Male : Black and white markings on the neck. Upperparts are rust barred with white and black. Paler chest.
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C:~iCk: Quickly develops est-riped plumage that
J -acts as camouflage.
PRINTED IN U.s.A.
Eggs: 8 to 13. Cream with brown blotches. Laid in a scrape on the ground.
Female: Duller plumage than
the male. Lacks throat and neck markings. Has
elongated black markings on her
breast.
0160200981 PACKET 98
The common quail can be distinguished from related quail
species by its small size as well as by the dark stripes that
run along its primary wing feathers. The plumage of this
game bird provides excellent camouflage when the quail
is hiding among vegetation. However, the bird's presence
may be betrayed by the distinctive three-syllable call of
the male, which is said to sound like "wet-my-lips."
~MIGRATION The common quail is one of the
galliforms, a group of birds that
have rounded bodies and poor flying ability. Despite this, the
common quail is migratory. Yet unlike most other migrants, in
dividual quails may not follow the same route each year and
may even visit different winter or summer quarters.
The males migrate before the
~ ~BIRDWATCH In summer the common quail
is seen in m uch of Europe, except the coldest parts.
Smal l and brown, the com
mon quail has dark st ripes on
females in order to establish ter
ritories . They repel their rivals
by singing the "wet-my-lips" song. When the females arrive,
they select nesting sites. In summer the common quail
is found throughout southern and central Europe and east to
China. In winter it travels south in large flocks to central Africa
as well as India.
its wings and a reddish tinge to its breast. It likes to nest in
dry fields of tall grass or grain
crops and is often spotted in wheat fields.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING During the spring the common
quail eats grasshoppers, ants, earwigs, and beetles. This high
protein diet may help restore the bird's strength after its arduous migration. In addition, it
helps the quail prepare for the
demands of rearing its young during the spring and summer.
Later in the year, the common
quail feeds primarily on seeds
Left: The common quail is a reluctant flier. It prefers to hide among the undergrowth.
DID YOU KNOW? • The common quail does not always complete its migration in one trip. Italy is one of the
favorite stopover sites for birds that are heading farther north
in Europe.
• Quails are mentioned in the Old Testament as the miraculous food found by the Israel
ites while fleeing Egypt. It is
while they are abundant. The bird likes to nest in fields of al
falfa, wheat, and oilseed rape, where it can feed on the grains that have fallen off the plants. The very high energy content
of the diet helps to fatten the common quail in preparation for its long fall migration from
Europe and China to central
Africa and India.
Right: Due to its excellent camouflage, the quail can rarely be seen
among vegetation.
thought that some exhausted
quails landed after migrating from Europe and were easily
caught. Great flocks of these birds were common until the
beginning of this century.
• Some common quails never fly to Europe. They winter in central Africa and summer in
southern Africa.
The common quail is a deter
mined breeder. If a clutch fails
to hatch, the bird tries to produce one or even two more.
The quail usually nests in flat
or only slightly hilly country below 3,200 feet. But it has been
seen at much higher elevations,
such as in the Himalayas. The
quail nests in a scrape on the
ground in thick vegetation, preferably tall grasses or wheat.
Once a male has established
a territory and a female has se
lected a nest site, the birds begin to form a pair bond. The female responds to the male's
calls with her own call to at-
Left: The chicks can leave the nest within a few hours of hatching.
Left: The female common quail broods her young under her wing to keep them safe from predators. She rears her chicks for seven weeks, without help from her mate.
tract him to her site. The male
approaches the female and circles her with his breast feathers
puffed up. He croons softly and
drags a wing along the ground.
This courtship display is similar to that of a pigeon. When the display is finished and the birds
have paired up, they mate. The pair bond usually lasts for the
entire season, and the partners
often sing together.
The female lays an egg a day for 8 to 13 days. She incubates
them for about 18 days, without help from her mate. The
young can fly when they are about three weeks old . They
are ready to migrate at two months of age.
BEWICK'S SWAN '( ...... _-----
ORDER Anseriformes
FAMILY Anatidae
GROUP 2: BIRDS GENUS &: SPECIES Cygnus columbianus bewickii
Bewick s swan is named after Thomas Bewick, a famous illustrator of birds. A winter visitor to northwestern Europe and eastern Asia,
this swan is a subspecies of North America s tundra swan.
KEY FACTS ---------~~------- -------------------------------------------------------~
SIZES
Length: About 4 ft.
Wingspan: 6-7 ft.
Weight: Male, about 13 lb. Female,
about 14 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 3-4 years.
Breeding season: June to August.
No. of broods: 1.
Eggs: 3 to 5, off-white.
Incubation: 1 month.
Fledging period: About 6 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Social except when nesting;
pairs for life.
Diet: Grass and aquatic plants.
Call: High-pitched musical bab
bling, honking, and yelping.
Lifespan: Up to 22 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The genus Cygnus has 6 swans, not
including the North American tun
dra swan, sometimes considered a
separate species from Bewick's.
Breeding range of Bewick's swan. Winter range.
DISTRIBUTION
Bewick's swan breeds from the Arctic coast of Russia east to the
Bering Strait. It winters in northwestern Europe and eastern Asia.
The American form, called the tundra swan, breeds in the Ca
nadian Arctic and winters in more southerly latitudes.
CONSERVATION
Although legally protected over most of its range, small num
bers of Bewick's swan are shot each year.
FEATURES OF BEWICK'S SWAN COMPARISON OF BILLS
Plumage: Adult is white . Juvenile is mottled gray.
Flight: Gooselike, with faster wing beats than the whooper swan .
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Bill: Mainly black. Yellow
patch at the base is extended to a square or round
shape toward the nostrils.
Legs: Sturdy. Set near the
middle of the body, so the
swan can walk well on land.
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Whooper swan Large yellow patch on bill usually extends to a distinct point near the nostrils. The forehead slopes steadily into the bill .
Mute swan Mostly orange bill with black nostrils. The prominent black knob at the base of the bill is larger in the male than in the female .
0160200961 PACKET 96
Bewick's swan is the smallest of the three swan species
that are found in Europe. This graceful bird breeds as far
east as the Taimyr Peninsula in Siberia, then undertakes
a long and arduous migration to winter in northwestern
Europe. In its winter quarters, Bewick's swan usually settles
on shallow lakes and slow-flowing rivers that are close
to flooded grasslands and grain fields, where it feeds.
~ HABITAT Bewick's swan nests in the Arctic tundra, far from human habitation. It favors flat, grassy swamps with lakes and pools but may also breed along broad, sluggish rivers or on coasts and islands.
When wintering in northwestern Europe and eastern Asia, the swan usually settles inland near flooded pastures or grain fields. It is found primarily on lowland lakes, ponds, reservoirs, or slowmoving rivers.
When migrating, the bird rests on freshwater lakes, pools, rivers, and estuaries.
Right: Because it is a heavy bird, Bewick's swan must make a great effort when taking off and landing.
~ BREEDING At the Arctic breeding grounds, a Bewick's swan pair builds its nest on a snow-free bank or hill. The nest is a mound of grasses, sedges, and moss, a foot and a half high and three feet wide on the bottom. The female stands inside the nest, arranging the material as the male passes it to her. At the top, she constructs a small cup for the eggs and then
Left: Bewick's swan has a black bill with a yel/ow patch that is square or rounded near the nostrils.
I DID YOU KNOW? • Bewick's swan pairs for life. If one bird dies, its mate may take up to three years to find another partner. • Feeding in the peaty, ironrich water or mud of its tun-
I dra breeding grounds may cause the head and neck of Bewick's swan to be stained rusty red with iron oxide.
lines it using grass and down. During the month-long incu
bation, the three to five off-white eggs get stained and scratched. When the female leaves to feed, she covers the eggs with grass and down to insulate them and hide them from predators. The cygnets (young) leave the nest soon after hatching and fledge in about six weeks.
Right: The young Bewick's swan has a pinkish white bill, which turns yellow and black as the bird matures.
• Much information about Bewick's swan has been gained from studying birds that for years spent the winter at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust's headquarters in Gloucestershire, England. The trust was established by Sir Peter Scott, and the first captive-bred Bewick's swans were raised there.
BIRDWATCH Bewick's swan can be identified by the black-and-yellow pattern on its bill. The size and shape of the yellow patch at the base varies between individuals, but the patch is always square or round toward the nostrils. In contrast, the patch
~ FOOD &: FEEDING Bewick's swan eats plant matter, from shoots to root vegetables. Agile on land, it feeds mainly on flooded fields and marshy pastures in winter. It prefers short, soft grasses such as marsh foxtail to taller, coarser species. In addition it eats potatoes as well
~ MIGRATION Western populations of Bewick's swan breeding as far east as Siberia's Taimyr Peninsula migrate to winter in Europe's northwest. Eastern populations winter within eastern Asia, from Japan and Korea to southeastern China.
The birds leave their breeding grounds in fall, as soon as their
on the related whooper swan's bill extends to a sharp point.
Only about half the size of the whooper, Bewick's swan looks like a smaller version of its relative. Its flight resembles that of a goose, but its wing beats are faster.
as grain from stubble fields. In early spring it frequently grazes on sprouting winter wheat.
This swan also eats underwater vegetation . It immerses its head and neck or upends its entire body to reach plants three feet deep with its long neck.
young can fly. They join others during the trip and rest at traditional stopover sites, sometimes lingering until the cold weather forces them to move on.
The swans leave their wintering grounds in mid-February and visit the stopover sites on their way back to the Arctic.
SONG THRUSH
ORDER Passeriformes
FAMILY Turdidae
GENUS &: SPECIES Turdus phi/ome/os
CARD 309
The song thrush is one of the most familiar garden birds in Europe. It is fairly easy to tell where this messy feeder has been by
the pile of shattered snail shells it leaves behind.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 9 in .
Weight: 2-3 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: From March
to August.
Eggs: 3-5; pale blue, speckled .
Number of broods: 2-3.
Incubation: 12-14 days.
Fledging period: 13 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Shy. Solitary or lives in small,
loose flocks.
Diet: Invertebrates, seeds, and ber
ries and other fruit.
Call: A short "tsip," uttered mainly
in flight or when disturbed.
Lifespan: Up to 14 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The genus Turdus contains 62
species, including the American
robin, T. migratorius, and the
European blackbird, T. meru/a.
Breeding range of the song thrush . Winter range .
~========~----------~
DISTRIBUTION
The song thrush breeds across Europe and Asia, from Great Brit
ain to western Siberia. Northern and eastern breeders tend to
migrate southward and westward .
CONSERVATION
There has been a steady decline in song th rush numbers with
in northern Europe, mainly because of a series of severe winters.
FEATURES OF THE SONG THRUSH
Flight: Strong, fast . and direct. revealing yellow plumage on underwings. Yellow is lacking on the related redwing and mistle thrush.
Plumage: Upperparts are warm brown. Breast and underparts are whitish buff and heavily spotted with dark brown. Lacks white tail feathers and heavier speckling of the mistle thrush.
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Eggs: Between 3 and 5: pale blue, lightly speckled with black. Laid in spring and early summer and incubated by the female.
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Movement and posture: The longlegged , upright stance is typical of all
species of ground-feeding thrush. The song thrush feeds mainly on the ground ,
moving with sho rt runs or hops. It pauses to cock its head to one side. which is the best way for it to spot food since its eyes
a~ situated on the sides of its head.
0160200981 PACKET 98
The song thrush is still a common bird in many parts of
Europe, although it is no longer as numerous as its close
relatives the blackbirds. The song thrush suffers badly
during harsh winters because its food supplies become
scarce. Due to a succession of severe winters, the bird's
numbers have been declining steadily in northern Europe.
~ HABITS The song thrush lives both in and around woodlands. It can be found among deciduous as well as coniferous trees as long as there is dense shrubbery on the ground. This bird has also adapted to artificial habitats, including farms, parks, gardens, and even vacant city lots .
~ MIGRATION The song thrush is a year-round resident over much of its range. However, birds that breed in the eastern part of the range tend to fly west for the winter, and those in the north travel south.
The migratory patterns of 10-
The song thrush lives alone or in small, loose flocks. It usually feeds in brief bursts of activity, interspersed with periods of displaying, preening, and resting . This pattern changes during the breeding season, when the parents spend the whole day gathering food for their chicks.
cal populations vary. For example, in Great Britain almost half of the adults migrate after they breed, while the remainder are sedentary. The migrating birds generally fly south toward Portugal, Spain, or France.
~ BREEDING The male song thrush sings to proclaim ownership of his territory to rival males as well as to prospective mates. He displays to rivals by puffing out his feathers and crouching with his tail spread and head raised. In his courtship displays, he runs in front of a female with his head thrown backward, his bill open, and his tail spread and lowered .
The song thrush usually nests within 10 feet of the ground in the dense cover of a shrub or
Left: The song thrush resembles a mistle thrush, but it is smaller with a less upright stance.
DID YOU KNOW? • The song thrush was introduced into Australia in 1856 and is now well established there. It was introduced into New Zealand six years later. • The song thrush can fly at speeds of 30 miles per hour. • The song of some individu-
evergreen tree. But it may also nest in a hole in a wall, on a rock ledge, or on the ground among dense vegetation. It constructs its cup-shaped nest using twigs, grass, and moss. The thick lining of mud, dung, and rotten wood is often mixed with leaves and dried to a hard plaster.
The female lays three to five pale blue eggs and incubates them alone. The chicks hatch in about two weeks and fledge two weeks later.
Right: The female may have up to three broods, since the incubation and fledging periods are short.
als is so varied that within 85 phrases, the same phrase is repeated only twice. • The relatively peaceful song thrush generally loses the aggressive encounters over food that take place between different thrushes in winter.
~I BIRDWATCH Besides the song thrush, three other thrushes with spotted breasts occur in Europe: the mistle thrush, fieldfare, and redwing . While it most closely resembles the mistle thrush, the song thrush is smaller and
~ FOOD &: FEEDING The song thrush has a very var-ied diet. Its food supplies are determined by its habitat as well as by the time of year and the weather conditions.
The song thrush feeds heavily on earthworms between January and June, as long as the soil is not frozen or baked hard by the sun. In May and June the bird also eats caterpillars and feeds many of them to its offspring. When caterpillars start to dwindle, the thrush switches back to a diet of earthworms until fall or early winter. It then
Left: The song thrush cracks open a snail shell by hitting it repeatedly on a stone.
its plumage is warmer brown. The song thrush sings while
perched in a tree, on a roof, or even on a 1V antenna. Its distinctive song is a series of clear, varied phrases, each repeated two, three, or four times.
feeds largely on berries and various other fruits.
When its usual food supplies are scarce, the song thrush supplements its diet with snails. Unlike other European species of thrush, it is adept at opening the shells, which it does by hitting the snails against rocks.
In addition, the song thrush consumes slugs and a wide assortment of other invertebrates, including beetles, bees, flies, spiders, and centipedes. In severe winters, populations that live in coastal areas feed on a variety of sea animals. These include periwinkles, dog whelks, crabs, and sand hoppers.
"'" CARD 310 I PIED KINGFISHER
,,~----------------------------------------~ ORDER Caraciifarmes
FAMILY A/cedinidae
GENUS &: SPECIES Cery/e rudis
The pied kingfisher is one of the larger kingfishers, about the length of a blue jay. This noisy, sociable bird lives in watery
habitats in tropical and subtropical Africa and Asia.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 9-10 in.
Wingspan: 18-19 in.
Weight: 2-3~ oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year. Male may
not breed until 2 years old.
Breeding season: Any time of the
year, depending on location.
No. of broods: 1, possibly 2.
Eggs: 4-5, white and glossy.
Incubation: About 2 weeks.
Fledging period: 3-4 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Generally sociable, living in
small groups. Pairs for life.
Diet: Mainly fish. Also frogs, crus
taceans, and aquatic insects.
Call: High-pitched, shrill call and
vibrant whistle.
lifespan: Up to 5 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Closely related is North America's
belted kingfisher, Cery/e a/cyan.
Range of the pied kingfisher.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in sub-Saharan Africa, Turkey, the Middle East, India,
Southeast Asia, and southern China. Most birds are resident,
but some make local seasonal migrations.
CONSERVATION
The pied kingfisher is common, but some populations may be
affected by habitat destruction and local food shortages. Some
birds have also been harmed by poisons used to kill fish.
FEATURES OF THE PIED KINGFISHER
Plumage: Black-and-white patterning on upperparts. White underparts with black bands on breast. White cheeks and throat, with black bands running back from the eyes. Black crown.
Crest: Wispy feathers on crown, which the bird flicks up when excited .
Fishing: The bird either scans the water for prey from a nearby perch or hovers over the surface before diving in .
© MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Bill: Long and black. Oaggerlike shape is typical of a kingfisher spe
cies . Used to snatch fish from the water and sometimes to catch flying insects. Also used to spar with rivals during the breeding season.
0160200961 PACKET 96
With its bold black-and-white patterned plumage, the pied
kingfisher is easy to identify. As its name suggests, this bird
fishes for most of its food. It perches on a lookout such as a
dead branch or hovers above the water until it spots a fish,
then plunges in to catch its prey with its pointed bill.
~ HABITAT The pied kingfisher lives in a va
riety of freshwater habitats. It is
seen close to ditches and small
pools, as well as around reser
voirs and lakes. It is also found
along slow-moving rivers and
streams, floodwaters, marshes,
and rice fields .
In parts of its range, such as
West Africa, the pied kingfisher
inhabits estuaries, mangrove
swamps, and coastal lagoons.
It is common along rocky and
sandy shores, where it searches
for fish above the surf.
Right: Rival pied kingfishers lock bills in territorial conflicts during the breeding season.
~ FOOD & HUNTING Although it occasionally eats in
sects, frogs, and crustaceans, the
pied kingfisher feeds mainly on
fish. It prefers cichlids and bar
bels that are about two inches
long and weigh about a quarter
of an ounce but can cope with
fish that weigh up to an ounce.
It eats about an ounce and a
half of prey every day.
This kingfisher uses two main
fishing methods. It may wait on
a perch to spot a fish and dive
after it. Or it may fly low over
the water and then rise several
feet to hover and look for prey.
Left: A stump makes a good perch, although birds have been seen diving from the back of a hippo.
DID YOU KNOW? • The male pied kingfisher car
ries fish to his mate. However,
he may not give it up without
a tussle. This behavior shows
the female that he will be a
good provider for their young.
Sometimes it descends slightly
and hovers again before diving
in or moving on. It usually hunts
within 160 feet of shore, but it
may venture as far as 2 miles
offshore to catch fish that sur
face at dawn or dusk.
The bird often swallows very
small fish in flight but returns to
its perch with larger prey. After
beating the fish on the perch
to soften it, the bird swallows it
headfirst to avoid choking on
the spines and scales. Indigest
ible bones are later coughed
up as inch-long pellets.
Right: The pied kingfisher grips its prey and beats it against a branch to soften it.
• In Greek myth, gods calmed
the seas so kingfishers could
breed on floating nests. From
alkuon-the Greek word for
kingfisher-we get the word
halcyon, meaning "calm."
In the breeding season, a dozen
or more pied kingfishers chase
each other and call in defense of
their perches or nest sites. They
nest in a bank by a lake, river, or
coast or in a ditch up to half a
mile from water.
Both sexes dig a burrow, stab
bing the soil or sand with their
bills and kicking it back using
their legs. The burrow is up to
five feet long and ends in a nest
ing chamber. It is usually com
pleted in one month, and the
female lays her eggs three days
later. Both birds incubate the
four or five eggs, but the female
does most of the work.
Left: The pied kingfisher hovers over the water with its bill pointed downward. It stays in one spot for a few seconds, then dives or moves on.
The young hatch naked and
blind. By the fifth day their eyes
start to open. At two weeks they
have a reasonable covering of
feathers. They peck at the cham
ber walls, loosening soil to cover
their droppings. The floor of the
chamber is soon covered with
compacted fish bones from the
youngsters' pellets.
Up to four nonbreeding adults
help a breeding pair feed their
young and guard the nest. They
may be the young of the previ
ous year, but sometimes they
are unrelated. This complex social structure enables the colony
to raise more young.
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