The comical-looking ostrich is unique in many ways: it is the world's largest bird, it can run faster than any other two-legged animal,
and it lays the largest eggs of any living creature.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Height: Males, 6-9 ft. Females, 5-6 ft. Weight: Males, up to 350 lb.
Females, up to 200 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Males, 3-4 years.
Females, 2 years.
Mating season: Varies.
Eggs: 10-12, cream or white.
Incubation: About 42 days.
Fledging: 4-5 months.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Usually forms small groups.
Diet: Grasses, seeds, leaves, and
flowers. Very occasionally eats
locusts and grasshoppers.
lifespan: Over 40 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Nearest relatives are rheas,
cassowaries, kiwis, and emus-all
fl fghtless birds.
Range of the ostrich.
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread in the southern Sahara, Somalia, Ethiopia, and
parts of East Africa and the Zambesi. Feral populations,
descendants of introduced birds, also exist in Australia.
CONSERVATION
Numbers in southern Sahara are decreasing due to hunting.
In other places, populations are not t hreatened but are
declining as a result of human intrusion into habitats.
HOW THE OSTRICH RUNS FROM DANGER
Unique among birds, the ostrich has hoof-like feet (top right) which help it to run rapidly away from danger. Powered by strong leg muscles, it walks at a speed of 2 mph. When alarmed, it will run at 20 mph. When frightened , an ostrich can sprint at 45 mph (bottom right) .
Although the ostrich is native only to parts of Africa,
it is one of the world's best known birds.
Its bizarre appearance is characterized by a round,
dumpy body, spindly legs, and a long neck
extending up to a small head. Its large eyes
give it a quizzical-looking expression.
~ HABITS Depending upon the amount of grass and vegetation available, ostriches will live in a variety of habitats, including sparsely wooded areas, savannah grasslands, and semideserts.
Outside the breeding
~ FOOD &: FEEDING The ostrich grazes on the scarce but nutritious plant shoots, leaves, flowers, and seeds in its habitat. With the use of its long neck, it gathers food and stores it in its throat, called a gullet, before passing it down the digestive tract.
Like many other birds, the ostrich also swallows dirt, sand, and small stones along
season, adult ostriches spend their time in small, loose groups of two to five birds. Desert populations of ostriches are more nomadic. They travel great distances to find food and to avoid drought.
with its food. This material grinds up the tough plant fibers that accumulate in the gizzard (the bird's second stomach) and so helps digestion.
While grazing, ostriches often scan the horizon for a sign of predators. Their long necks and acute vision are especially helpful for this purpose.
DID YOU KNOW? • It is a common misconception that ostriches bury their heads in the sand . This belief most likely came about because, from a distance, the tiny head of a grazing ostrich may not be visible. • Ostriches in captivity have swallowed an amazing variety of objects. During its lifetime, one ostrich swallowed a roll of film, three gloves, a comb, a bicycle valve, a pencil, a piece of rope, several coins, part of a gold necklace, a handkerchief, and a clock. • One ostrich egg is equal in volume to twenty hen's eggs. • Ostrich fossils found in India, China, and southern Russia are 7 million years old .
~ OSTRICH &: MAN Ostriches were once farmed for their feathers, which were used as hat plumes. Today they are raised for their meat and skin. They have also been trained to scare other birds away from crops and to round up sheep, as well as to be ridden in races.
Ostriches were first introduced into Australia in the 1860s. Many of the ostriches being farmed escaped and started breeding in the wild.
During breeding season, males make several shallow depressions, called nest scrapes, in the ground within their territories. Each male pairs up with a female-the major henwho chooses a nest scrape and lays as many as twelve eggs.
Right: As night fal/s, the male takes over nest duty. If he has a large troop of minor hens, he may be sitting on up to forty eggs, although only those eggs at the center of the nest, laid by the major hen, are sure to hatch.
Thereafter, two to five additional hens also lay their eggs in the same nest.
Because of its large size, the ostrich can incubate many eggs. However, if there are more eggs than she can incubate, the major hen will
Left: Kicking up sand as they go, ostriches swing from side to side as they run across a dry river bed.
roll some of the minor hens' eggs to the edge of the nest, where they may fail to hatch. Soon after hatching, the brood joins up with broods from other nests, and the large flock of chicks is guarded by one or two adults.
left: Males defend their breeding territories by chasing away intruders and making aggressive displays, flicking their wings or raising them in the air.
"" CARD 22 MAGPIE ~~--------------------------------------~ ~ ORDER ~ Passerifarmes
,.FAMllY "IIIIIIIIIII Carvidae
,. GENUS &: SPECIES
"IIIIIIIIIII Pica pica
The magpie's large size, distinctive coloring, and long tail make it unmistakable. It is a clever bird and can survive
in a variety of habitats.
KEY FACTS
I~ SIZES '(':Ii length: 15-1 8 in.
Tail: Approximately 8-9 in.
Wingspan: 20 in.
Weight: 7-9 oz.
Iy l BREEDING "'. Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: April-June.
No. of broods: 1, but repeat
clutches are laid if eggs fail to hatch.
Eggs: Usually 5-7. Pale, creamy
blue or green, spotted brown.
Incubation: 1 7-1 8 days.
Fledging period: 3-4 weeks.
l y l liFESTYlE "'. Habit: Solitary or in pairs.
Diet: Omnivorous, mainly insects.
Call: Loud ka-ka-ka.
RELATED SPECIES
Magpies are members of the crow
family. This family also includes
rooks, jackdaws, and ravens.
THE MAGPIE & ITS NEST
Birds of both sexes have distinctive plumage and long, wedgeshaped tails.
Much of Europe, including Great Britain, Asia, northwest
Africa, and western North America.
CONSERVATION
Numbers are probably increasing in all habitats, in spite of
some persecution by those who consider them a nuisance.
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Magpie nests are large, cup-shaped structures made of twigs and coated with mud or dung . They are lined with fine plant stems, grass, or hair-which is sometimes pulled from living animals.
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At first sight, the magpie's distinctive plumage
looks black and white, but on closer inspection,
it appears a metallic green-blue color.
This striking bird is related to the plain, black crow,
with which it has in common a heavy bill,
keen eyesight, and sharp intelligence.
BIRDWATCH Magpies' d istinctive plumage and wedged-shaped tails make them easy to identify . They can be seen walking or hopping across the ground or pecking at the remains of small an imals on the road.
Listen for their loud rattling call, and look for their big nests in bushes or trees. The nests are particularly visible in the spring before the leaves begin to grow.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING The magpie is omnivorous-it eats both meat and plants. The magpie forages mainly on the ground, where it feeds on insects, slugs, snails, wood lice, and spiders. It has also been known to kill small mammals and lizards. Farmers dislike the magpie because it steals grain, seeds, berries, and fruit.
In spring, the magpie will systematically search hedges and bushes for the nests of other birds so it can steal and
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Left: Its long tail and iridescent plumage make the magpie quite unmistakable.
Right: A female magpie returns to the nest to feed her hungry brood.
Below right: A neatly woven nest of twigs holds the magpie's clutch of seven green, mottled eggs.
~HABITAT The magpies' ideal habitat is a combination of open ground and scrub or woodland where it can feed and find suitable trees for nest building.
In the past, the magpie was principally found on farmland among thickly hedged mead-
eat the eggs and chicks. Small mammals killed on the road also quickly attract scavenging magpies, as do bird feeders and garbage dumps.
The magpie uses its strong, slightly curved bill to dig into the soil for insects and to break through the shells of the eggs it steals.
Right: A scavenging magpie discovers a dead rabbit. Carrion (dead animals) commonly forms part of the magpie's diet.
~ BREEDING Mating season begins in late fall, and both sexes attract attention by raising and fluttering their wings.
Pairs may begin nesting in the fall, although they cease activity in harsh weather. The dome-shaped nest is built in a shrub or tree approximately 10 feet above the ground. In tall trees, the nest may be located even higher.
Eggs are not usually laid before April, and a clutch of five to seven is normal. The female takes sole responsibility for incubating the eggs while the male stays busy bringing her food.
ows. But as farmland has disappeared, the bird has moved into suburban areas.
In general, the magpie is not migratory, since its diet is variable enough to allow it to survive year-round, despite seasonal changes.
When they hatch, the chicks are blind and helpless . The female stays with them for a week. After this time, both adults share in caring for the young until the chicks leave the nest four weeks later.
~ MAGPIE &: MAN The magpie has generally been regarded with mixed feelings. Some people admire its handsome, rather exotic appearance and bold behavior, while others take offense at its habit of stealing other birds' eggs and scavenging
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for dead animals. For many years, the mag
pie has been killed in great numbers by being trapped, shot, and poisoned . Still, it is clever at avoiding danger, and magpies are increasingly common in many backyards.
DID YOU KNOW? • Magpies often roost communally for safety.
• The great spotted cuckoo lays its eggs in magpie nests.
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• Magpies will ride on an imals' backs to feed on ticks . • Magpies will d ig holes in which to hide food . They also steal bright objects.
• The name magpie comes from Mag, a nickname for Margaret, meaning chatterbox, and from pie or pied, meaning black and white.
"'" CARD 23 RED KITE ~~----------------------------~~~~~~~ ~ ORDER
Falconiformes FAMILY Accipitridae
GENUS &; SPECIES Milvus milvus
The red kite has a distinctive gliding, circling flight. Its deeply forked tail also makes it easily recognizable.
KEY FACTS
SIZES Length: Male, 24-26 in. Females larger than males. Wingspan: 5-6 ft. Weight: Male, 28-42 oz. Female, 35-56 oz.
BREEDING Sexual maturity: 2-3 years. Breeding season: April to July. No. of eggs: 1-5 (usually 3). Incubation: 28-30 days. Fledging period: 45-50 days.
LIFESTYLE Habit: Pair for life. Diet: Includes small mammals and birds, carrion, and fish . lifespan: Typically 4-5 years, but may live to 26 years in the wild
and up to 38 in captivity.
RELATED SPECIES There are four species of North American kite.
Range of the red kite.
DISTRIBUTION
Scattered thinly over Europe, parts of North Africa, Turkey, and the Caucasus; much reduced or exterminated in parts of northern and western Europe where it was once common.
CONSERVATION
Despite preservation efforts by conservationists, the red kite remains endangered.
FEATURES OF THE RED KITE
Eggs: White with reddish brown speckles. The clutch is usually two or three eggs but can contain just one or as many as five.
mary (wingtip) feathers: Long and spreading, for fine control when hovering or gliding .
Wings: Long, slender, and angled back from the midpoint. The front edges are a rich chestnut brown with white flashes toward the
~ _________ primary (wingtip) feathers.
Eyes: The red kite has excellent vision, roughly eight times keener than human eyesight.
Bill: Curved and painted. The kite uses it to tear apart prey and carrion.
".I~- Tail: Long and deeply forked. Helps th kite maintain balance and control its direction.
PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200141 PACKET 14
The red kite is one of the most graceful
of all birds of prey. It soars on the wind with
its long, angled wings, while its forked tail
constantly stabilizes its flight. It has a varied diet
that includes small mammals and birds,
fish, and carrion.
DID YOU KNOW? • An old name for the kite, glead or glede, refers to its graceful, gliding fl ight.
• The red kite sometimes steals food from other birds, including herons, crows, and even other birds of prey such as buzzards, goshawks, and peregrine falcons . It chases them in flight until they eventually give in and drop their food or prey.
• During the English renais-
sance the red kite was protected by Londoners because it fed on the refuse that accumulated in the streets. In his play, The Winter's Tale, Shakespeare refers to the bird's unusual practice of using clothes snatched from the line as nest-building material : "When the kite builds, look to your lesser linen ."
• The last time a red kite was seen in London was in 1859.
~HABITS The red kite is similar in size to a buzzard but is more slender. Its plumage is mainly chestnut, and it can be identified in flight by its narrow, W-shaped wings and long, deeply forked tail. Its white head is marked with dark streaks, and its wings have white areas near the tips of the underwings. The male and female red kites look very similar to one another.
Left: Keen eyesight and a hooked bill help make the kite an expert predator.
~ FOOD & HUNTING
The red kite's habitat has diminished and, as a consequence, it no longer relies solely on scavenging in garbage dumps for food . It has adapted its diet to include small mammals such as rabbits and rodents, as well as invertebrates, reptiles, and fish. It also kills large birds and eats carrion (flesh of dead animals).
The red kite's preference for carrion may be because its
Red kites do not generally migrate, though some young birds may wander quite far from their home range soon after they have fledged (grown feathers).
During a typical day a red kite may wander six miles or more from its roost site to hunt and scavenge. In win-ter red kites gather in small groups at food sites and at roosts. Most of the year they are solitary, although in breeding season they roost in pairs.
small, weak talons, are unsuitable for subduing large, struggling animals. But its talons are efficient for catching smaller prey.
The red kite hovers effort-1ess�y in the air for hours while it seeks out prey. It generally glides at a height of less than 65 feet. Once it spots live prey, it dives down and snatches the animal with its outstretched talons.
~BREEDING Before mating in late March or April, red kite pairs fly together over the nest site, which is usually found on the outskirts of a forest . Sometimes a pair of kites grasp one another's talons and remain
Above: Chicks hatching. As with most birds of prey, the eldest is much larger than the youngest. They are ready to leave the nest after eight weeks.
Left: This red kite has found some carrion, a staple of its diet.
The red kite's remarkable ability to soar for several hours at a time was the reason behind the naming of the toy kite, whose maneuvers resemble the m ovements of the red kite in flight.
The species is sometimes seen in areas populated by man where it often nests near or on buildings. The kite often makes use of t he abandoned nests of other birds of
locked together until separating just above the treetops.
Both mates build the nest, which is located high up in a tree. They construct the nest of twigs and man-made materials, adding a soft lining of sheep's wool.
The female incubates the eggs, although the male may help temporarily. The chicks are creamy white and pale brown and hatch at intervals. They make their first flights at 48 days old.
~ RED KITE & MAN
The red kite was common throughout much of Europe before 1800. It flourished in both cities and the countryside by scavenging on refuse.
The species had become extinct in parts of its range at the end of the 1800s because of overhunting by gamekeepers, trophy hunters, and egg collectors. However, the red kite is now steadily increasing in numbers as a result of conservationists' activities.
prey, as well . Like many birds of prey,
the red kite perfo rms a mating display. Whi le ai rborne, the male and female entwine the ir talons and free fa ll in sp irals, separating and swooping skyward aga in just befo re they would hit the treetops.
The red kite is not ve ry vocal. Its ca ll resembles that of the buzzard . ______ --1
EURASIAN STARLING ,,---------------------------------~~~~~~ ~ ORDER
Passeriformes FAMILY Sturnidae
GENUS &: SPECIES Sturnus vulgaris
The starling has become a common sight in urban areas. Huge flocks of these birds can be seen circling in the sky before they
settle at their communal roosts.
KEY FACTS
SIZES Length: 81/2 in. Wing length: 5 in.
Weight: 21/2 -3 oz.
BREEDING Sexual maturity: 1 year. Breeding season: April to May.
Eggs: Usually 5-7. No. of broods: Usually 1. Incubation: 12-13 days. Fledging period: 3 weeks.
LIFESTYLE Habit: Sociable; forms large
roosting flocks. Diet: Worms, insects, fruit,
berries, and seeds. Lifespan: Generally up to 3 years.
Oldest known, 21 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The starling family (Sturnidae) has 108 species, including mynah birds and ox peekers.
Range of the Eurasian starling.
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread in Europe and western Asia, spreading south in winter. Introduced into North America, southern Africa, and Australasia .
CONSERVATION
The starling has adapted well to changes in its habitat. Its
numbers have dropped recently in some regions, but it remains abulildant.
FEATURES OF THE EURASIAN STARLING Flying: Flies quickly, in a straight line. Moves erratically when chasing insects.
Feeding: Moves quickly along branches to pick insects from bark.
Eggs: Usually lays five to seven white or pale blue eggs.
site at beginn' of breeding season . Usually a hole in a tree or wall; often an old woodpecker nest.
e main coloring is black inte persed wit shiny purple, green, and blue. In summer thtl mate and female have a bright yellow beak.
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The Eurasian starling is a highly resourceful
and adaptable bird. Its adaptability has
enabled the bird to greatly expand its range
and numbers over the last 150 years,
during a time when many other bird species
have suffered a serious decline from
loss of habitat.
~BEHAVIOR Although the starling is still frequently seen in its wild habitats, such as woodlands, it is now most closely associated with human settlement. It is a common species, both on farmland pastures and in the hearts of cities in many parts of the world.
Sociable by nature, starlings feed and roost in noisy, active flocks, and they often nest in loose colonies. On winter evenings, many thousands of the birds flock into cities to roost. They crowd among park trees or along building ledges, often struggling with one another for the best perches. Roosting birds benefit from the slightly higher
temperatures and the shelter from wind that are available in the cities.
Their fairly long, pointed wings make the starlings strong fliers. This enables many starlings to migrate south, away from the harsh winters of their range.
BIRDWATCH Starl ings commonly breed in April and May th roughout the temperate areas of their range. Their numbers swell in winter when migrant birds arrive from northern habitats. The starl ings may gather in
Left: Although considered pests, starlings have been successfully introduced in many parts of the world.
Right: A stone wall is an excellent site for a nest.
Below: A pile of rotten apples provides a good meal for a group of starlings.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING The starling is flexible in its feeding habits. It takes advantage of a wide range of food items that it finds in a variety of places. In the country, the starling will feed on seeds and berries, as well as on a variety of insects found in pastureland, such as beetles and
concentrations of up to a million birds. Look for their many droppings; watch for the massing flocks at dusk; and listen for the chorus of chattering that is the starl ing'S unmistakable cal l.
~BREEDING The large flocks of starlings tend to break up for the spring nesting season, but the
worms. It also chases insects in flight. Starlings in the city are attracted to food put out in bird feeders.
Many city-roosting birds feed in the surrounding country. Waves of birds spread out from the city at dawn. Each bird often heads for a regular feeding site that may be several miles from town.
The starlings return before dusk, forming ever-larger groups as they move in stages back toward the city. The incoming birds concentrate into a spiralling cloud. The whole flock twists and turns in the air for up to an hour before the birds settle for the night.
non-breeding birds may continue to roost communally. Breeding pairs select nest sites and establish their territories. In the countryside, nest holes are usually in trees or rocks, but urban birds find holes in buildings, often under the eaves of roofs or in drainpipes. The nest itself is a bulky cup of dry vegetation, lined with grass, moss, feathers, and a variety of man-made items such as cloth, string, ribbon, paper, and cigarette butts.
Right: After feeding in the country, starlings gather in large flocks before flying back to their roosts in cities and towns at dusk.
~ STARLING &: MAN Starlings are unpopular with people because they soil buildings and trees with their droppings. In one city, the starlings' droppings killed trees, coated paths and picnic tables, and created such a foul odor that some park areas were fenced off. Farmers also consider the birds to be
DID YOU KNOW? • The starling mimics the calls of other birds, and of manmade sounds, such as whistles and ringing telephones. • Dense roosting flocks of starlings often break tree branches, and small trees have been known to fall under the birds' combined weight • Because starlings eat insect pests, they are welcome in some farming regions. Nest boxes are provided for them in parts of the Soviet Union and New Zealand. • The starling population has recently declined in parts of Europe and the United States-probably because there are now fewer cattle pastures.
The female lays her eggs at daily intervals. She does most of the incubation. The chicks are featherless at birth.
pests because they cause damage to some crops. But starlings actually do some good by eating many agricultural pests.
City authorities and farmers sometimes use flashing lights and recordings of distress calls to drive away the flocks, often with little success.
"'" CARD 25 COMMON KINGFISHER ~~----------------------------------~ .. ORDER
'IIIIIIIIIII Coraciiformes FAMILY Alcedinidae
GENUS & SPECIES Alcedo atthis
The common kingfisher spends much of its time diving from the trees to catch fish underwater--yet, amazingly, it cannot swim.
KEY FACTS
SIZES Length: 6-7 in . Beak, 1 in.
Wingspan: lOin. Weight: 1 oz .
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: May-September. No. of broods: 1-2.
Eggs: White, 6-7 in clutch.
Incubation: 19-21 days.
Fledging period: 23-27 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Solitary, except during
breeding season . Resident Summer only • Winter only
DISTRIBUTION Diet: Small fish, crustaceans, frogs,
aquatic and land-dwelling insects.
Lifespan: Average 2 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The common kingfisher is found throughout most of Europe
and southern Asia, extending to the tip of North Africa and east to Japan and the Solomon Islands.
CONSERVATION There are 86 species of kingfisher in
temperate and tropical countries
worldwide, including the Australian kookaburra .
Worldwide numbers are declining, due mainly to pollution
and habitat loss. Kingfishers are fully protected in most European countries.
Kingfishers usually excavate their nest site in a sheer bank above the water, where they are safe from such predators as weasels. The tunnel has a chamber at the end.
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The eggs are laid directly on the floor of the tunnel and both adults incubate them for 3 weeks. The chicks are fed for up to 4 weeks on small whole fish . The young squ irt their droppings down the tunnel until the droppings eventually begin to ooze from the entrance.
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The attractive kingfisher is splendidly
adapted for survival along the riverbank.
Its brilliant blue-green feathers act as excellent
camouflage as it flies low and fast over the
water in search of fish.
~HABITAT Kingfishers are found along
the banks of clear, shallow waterways in areas that are sheltered from wind and waves. The kingfisher must live near waters that are unpolluted and that support a large number of fish. The birds prefer to live near treelined banks, where there are
plenty of overhangs from which to spot prey.
Many kingfishers in Europe remain in one location yearround, but freezing weather occasionally forces them to move in search of open water. Consequently, kingfishers are often found on the coasts in winter.
Left: Poised on its fishing post, a kingfisher waits patiently for a fish to swim within striking distance.
Right: An adult kingfisher dives to catch a fish .
~ The bird draws «: its wings back
and leads with its bill.
~ ~ BIRDWATCH Despite their bright coloring, kingfishers are not easy birds to spot. Fortunately they have high-pitched, d istinct ive calls . In the breeding
I ~. FOO~ &: HUNTING fish headfirst so that they Th~ kingfisher s ~Iet consists
DID YOU KNOW? • An Aust ralian relative of the kingfisher, the kookaburra, lives in wooded country where it feeds on insects, lizards, and other small animals.
~ngfishers ~way_s swa~o~
do not choke on the fins or mainly of small fish such as
spines.
• A family of six young common kingfishers w ill consume approximately 100 fish a day.
minnows and sticklebacks. The bird searches for its prey from a perch that is often as high as 10 feet above the surface of the water. When it has located a fish, it dives almost vertically
~BREEDING Kingfishers nest in burrows
season, kingfishers can be excavated in the firm soil of a
found burrow ing near rivers I waterside bank. If the nest site with sheer, sandy cliffs . They has not been fully dug out,
also inhabit the banks of la:Jes both mates will fly at the and flooded gravel pits. bank, beak first, until a small
into the water with its wings folded against its body.
After catching the prey, the bird rises to the surface of the water and then flies off to a perch. There it hits the fish against a branch to subdue it before swallowing it whole.
hole has been chiseled out. Once this is done, the birds will further enlarge the tunnel by shoveling out the soil with their feet.
The male attracts a female into the burrow, where he brings her food. He does this by crouching in front of her, with drooping wings, and stretching forward to offer her the fish . This courtship feeding provides the female with nourishment while she lays her eggs.
Right: Born featherless, the newly hatched young huddle together for warmth in the nest chamber. Both adults incubate and care for the young.
Both adults share the task of incubating the six to seven young, which are born without feathers. At first, the chicks take turns to receive food, each going to the back of the line once it has been fed; but as the chicks grow, competition for food becomes fierce.
The parents must hunt constantly in order to provide enough food for their growing young . After nearly four weeks, the chicks leave the nest and must quickly learn to defend themselves. The parents often produce a second brood before the summer
Left: After a successful hunting trip, an adult bird returns with a fish to the bankside nest hole for the hungry chicks inside. The presence of young can be confirmed by the droppings oozing from the tunnel entrance.
"" CARD 26 COMMON BEE EATER ~~----------------------------------------~
ORDER Coraciiformes
FAMILY Meropidae
GENUS &: SPECIES Merops apiaster
The common bee eater has a voracious appetite for flying insects. It breeds in southern Europe in summer and migrates
in September to spend the winter in Africa.
KEY FACTS
SIZES Length: 10 in. Weight: About 2 oz.
BREEDING Sexual maturity: 1-2 years. No. of broods: 1 per year. Breeding season: May to June. Eggs: White, 4-7 per clutch, rarely more than 10. Incubation period: 22-24 days. Fledging period: 21-24 days.
LIFESTYLE Call: Bell-like sound in flight. Habit: Sociable, nests in colonies. Diet: Flying insects, including bees, wasps, dragonflies, beetles, and butterflies. lifespan: Not known.
RELATED SPECIES
Related to 23 other species of bee eater, which live mainly in the
tropics, including the carmine bee eater, Merops nubicus.
Range of the common bee eater.
DISTRIBUTION
Throughout southern and southeastern Europe in summer. Found in tropical regions of Africa in winter. Also breeds in North Africa and southern Asia .
CONSERVATION
Conservation measures do not appear to be necessary at the present time, although many birds are killed every year by bee keepers in Mediterranean countries.
The common bee eater is a sociable bird that nests in large colonies containing hundreds, sometimes thousands, of birds. Within these colonies, the birds form family groups that include one or more young, non-breeding birds called helpers. The group remains together during nest building, incubation, and
hatching and often migrates together.
In flight the bee eaters form a huge flock that travels at a considerable altitude. Flocks of bee eaters work together to protect their communal nesting sites by swooping down from the sky to chase away predators such as black kites.
DID YOU KNOW? • The common bee eater is also known as the European bee eater. • The Australian bee eater has such brilliantly colored plumage that it is sometimes called the rainbow bird . • In Africa some species of bee eater make nest chambers in aardvarks' burrows. • A single common bee eater must catch the equivalent of 225 bee-sized insects every day to feed itself and its
Left: Bee eaters have favorite feeding perches to which they return regularly.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING The common bee eater feeds on flying insects such as bees, wasps, dragonflies, beetles, and butterflies. Still, the bee eater prefers to eat honeybees when they are available.
The bee eater hunts by perching on a fence post, telephone wire, or tree branch for
young. • Most species of bee eater form family groups of male, female, and young nonbreeding birds. The whitethroated bee eater's family group may have as many as 12 members.
• Tropical species of bee eater, such as the whitefronted and red-throated bee eaters of Africa, have some of the most complex bird societies known to man .
Right: The common bee eater is ready to mate at about 18 months of age.
a good vantage point. It rapidly scans the area then flies out and attacks passing insects. The bee eater later coughs up indigestible parts of its prey in the form of a pellet.
Below: The bee eater's nest is usually made in a steep bank.
~ BREEDING
The male and female bee eaters work together to dig a nest burrow in sandy ground close to water and feeding perches. Aided by the helper birds, they use their bills and feet to excavate a tunnel 3 to 10 feet long. The tunnel is parallel to the ground when it is dug in a bank, but in flat ground it slopes down at an angle.
The male and female defend their burrow by making aggressive gestures and chasing away rival males and other nesting pairs. Four to seven eggs are laid at intervals of one to two days.
Both parents take turns incubating the eggs, although the female usually spends the
night sitting on the eggs while the male roosts in a nearby tree. The male feeds the female, during the incubation period.
The eggs hatch at intervals, and the newborn are blind, naked, and pink. The chicks are fed insects by the parents and helpers and open their eyes after a week.
After fledging, the chicks, parents, and helpers stay in the burrow for several days before moving to a roost on a nearby tree. The chicks stay close to their parents for approximately six weeks, depending on them for food until they are skilled enough to catch their own.
"" CARD 27 EUROPEAN ROBIN ~~--------------------------------------~ .. ORDER
"'IIIIIIIIIII Passeriformes "'IIIIIIIIIIII GENUS & SPECIES
"'IIIIIIIIIII Erithacus rubecula
The chirpy red-breasted European robin is found widely throughout its range. Although it has a red breast similar to an
American robin s, it is a much smaller bird.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 5 in .
Wingspan: lOin.
Weight: 10 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year old.
Breeding season: April-June.
No. of broods: 2-3.
Eggs: 5-7 per clutch. Incubation: 1 3-14 days.
Fledging period: 12-15 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Form pairs for breeding
season only. Diet: Insects, worms, berries, seeds.
Lifespan: Oldest known bird lived
13 years. Usually live for a few years
only.
RELATED SPECIES
Every continent has birds called
robin, but only the Japanese and Ryukyu robins are closely related.
IDENTIFICATION GUIDE
Juvenile robins· have spotted chests, as the pale feathers have brown tips. Within the first 2 months after fledging , the birds undergo their first molt.'.l\11 body feathers are replaced, so the bird is left with-its first adult plumage. Wing and taiJ feathers are molted the following year. -
Allover Europe, except for parts of the Mediterranean coast
and northern Scandinavia . Also found in the Azores, Canary Islands, and parts of North Africa. Extends eastward into
central Russia, Turkey, and Iran.
CONSERVATION
Stable population. Loss of woodland has not affected
numbers because robins have adapted to other habitats.
Eggs white, lightly spotted
~~~!~~~~~~~~!~with red .
PRINTED IN U.S.A 0160200071 PACKET 7
The robin is mainly found in woodlands
throughout much of Europe, but in England,
robins often become tame. Still, robins
are fiercely aggressive defenders of
their established territories.
~ HABITAT Throughout their territory, robins may be found in all natural woodlands, where they nest and breed in the dense layer of undergrowth .
In England, where increased agriculture has
~ BREEDING A robin makes its territory known by perching in a visible place and singing loudly. This happens in spring, when it is establishing its home territory and trying to attract a mate.
When a partner has been chosen, the male robin strengthens the bond by bringing the female food. She builds the nest, concealing it in a low bank among thick vegetation. The domed structure is built with leaves
resulted in the large-scale clearing of trees, robins will also be found at the edge of woodlands and in hedges. They have adapted, too, to living in backyards and parks where they eat from feeders.
and lined with plant roots and hair. In backyards and near houses, robins will often build their nests on ledges inside porches and sheds. They are also attracted to nest boxes put in a protected place.
Mating occurs primarily from April to June, although some robins nest as early as January. Once the female has laid her eggs, she stays in the nest for 11-14 days, incubating them. During this time, the male brings her food,
Above: Feeding hungry young keeps both parents busy.
Left: Robins nest close to areas inhabited by man.
Right: A robin puffs up its feathers to help keep warm.
sometimes as often as 3 times an hour.
Both parents share the task of raising the young. After 3 weeks, the young have learned to fly and become independent. Adult birds that mate early in the season are more likely to have a second or third brood, and it is not uncommon for the female to be incubating the second clutch while the male continues to look after the first fledglings.
l\II BIRDWATCH Robins are frequent visitors to backyards, where they like to hunt in the bare soil. They can also be fo und among rose beds and shrubbery. They are always attracted to wellstocked bird feede rs that contain bits of cheese and other fatty foods . Some people have found that these friendly bi rds will take food fro m thei r hands. Still, it is important not to sta rtle the birds or encourage them to become too·tame if there are cats in the vicinity.
Robins will nest in artific ial sites, such as an old pan wedged sideways in a bush, or a nest box that has a large opening in the front.
L ~ SONG All birds, robins included, sing mainly to mark territory and to attract a mate, especially in spring during the breeding season. They will sing in the middle of the night if near a bright light. Early morning song is usually associated with establishing territory.
Unlike other birds, robins sing year-round. They are somewhat quieter in late
~~----~~~~----r summer when they are
I DID YOU KNOW? • Nearly three-quarters .of young robins die before they are a year old. They are usually caught by predators or are unable to fend for themselves. • British mailmen used to be called robins because of the
red uniforms they wore .
• It is mainly in England that robins have a close association with man . Elsewhere in Europe, they are shot by the thousands for food or sport.
• The American robin is also a thrush.
molting. At this time and throughout the fall, young birds and adults of both sexes sing a quieter, more melancholy song which serves to mark their winter territory.
Males begin to sing the song associated with breeding as early as December.
SHORT-EARED OWL
ORDER Strigifarmes
FAMILY Strigidae
GENUS & SPECIES Asia flammeus
The short-eared owl lives in the open spaces of marshes and fields, although it also frequents evergreen forests
where it can find a plentiful supply of mice.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: About 1 ft. Weight: 10-12 oz.
Wingspan: 3-3 1/2 ft.
BREEDING Sexual maturity: 1 year. Breeding season: April to June.
Eggs: 4-10, white . Incubation period: 24-28 days.
Fledging: 24-27 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Single or in pairs.
Diet: Mainly mice, but also other small rodents.
Call: High-pitched cry when disturbed. Male hoots when
courting . Young hisses.
RELATED SPECIES
The short-eared owl often shares
its range with the nocturnal long
eared owl, Asia atus.
THE SHORT-EARED OWL'S KEEN SENSES
i0MCMXCIIMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Range of the short-eared owl.
DISTRIBUTION
The short-eared owl breeds in the northern United States,
South America, northern Europe, and Asia . It winters in the
southern United States, southern Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, India, and southern Asia .
CONSERVATION
It is in no danger of extinction . When mice are scarce, the population drops, but it eventually rises again .
~_-_vvood pigeon's vision: Eyes have 340 -..: .
I : E.yeS1'ace forward and have about 110 degrees of vision. The fields of both eyes overlap and have 70 degrees of binocularv isipn . Within this field the owl can accu,rately pinpoint p~ey .
degree monoc~(slngle eye) vision-good for detecting p rs-but only
limited binocular eyes) vision.
PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200321 PACKET 32
The short-eared owl has bold
yel/ow eyes that give it a fierce-
looking expression as it searches the ground
from its observation post for signs of prey.
Breeding pairs migrate to warmer climates
during the winter.
In flight the short-eared owl hovers as it searches for food-much as a hawk does.
It can also be seen gliding and weaving through the air
with its wings forming a narrow V-shape.
If cornered on the ground, the owl tries to scare off its
enemy by spreading its wings and ruffling its feathers . This way, the owl looks much larger than it really is. This threat behavior is typical of several ground-nesting birds.
Some short-eared owls migrate to the warmer parts of their range for the winter and do not return to cooler
climates until the start of breeding season.
Above: 80th male and female short-eared owls have the same attractive, brown-barred plumage.
The short-ea red ow l is
common in its range, but find ing one can be diffi
cu lt. This sharp-eyed bird inhabits open ground and can quickly spot a bi rdwatcher.
The best t ime to see one is during breeding season w hen adults descend to the ground at regular intervals to feed their young.
It is easy to mistake an ow let on the ground for an abandoned bi rd; it should be left alone.
~ BREEDING
The short-eared owl's breeding season begins in April. During this period the male makes circling display flights over the breeding territory while singing his courtship song to attract a female .
After mating both birds scrape out a hollow on the
ground and line it with dry plants . The female lays the
eggs at two-day intervals and incubates each one for 24 to
28 days, relying on her mate to bring her food . The young hatch with their eyes closed. They are covered with a white down that soon changes to a light beige color.
Both parents feed the new chicks. They fiercely defend their brood against intruders. The chicks fledge at 24 to 27 days, but stay within the nest area until they can fly well.
~ FOOD & HUNTING
The short-eared owl hunts
during the daytime. Searching the ground below for small mammals such as mice, the owl relies upon its excellent sight and hearing to locate prey. When not
hunting from the air, the owl sits silently on a lookout post waiting and watching.
Once the owl locates prey it
swoops down and seizes the victim in its talons. The owl swallows its prey headfirst and whole while on the ground. Then it regurgitates (spits up) the bones and fur in the form of a pellet.
Right: Mice are a major part of the short-eared owl's diet. Each bird eats several thousand a year.
Above: Each owlet is two days older than the last, with one egg yet to hatch.
When food is plentiful, the parents may raise a second brood in the same year. These offspring are ready to breed the following spring .
DID YOU KNOW? • The short "ears" that give this owl its name are actually tufts of tiny feathers .
• One migrating short-eared owl traveled over 2,000 miles
from Tun isia to Arkhangelsk on the northern coast of the Soviet Union-the
longest recorded journey by this species.
GREAT CORMORANT ~-------... ORDER ~ Pelicaniformes
FAMILY Phalacrocoracidae
GENUS 8£ SPECIES Phalacrocorax carbo
'" CARD 29 1
The great cormorant is well adapted for catching fish. With its sleek shape, long, serrated bill, and powerful webbed feet,
it is ideally suited for its marine environment.
KEY FACTS
SIZES Length: 30-40 in. Wingspan: 50-60 in . Weight: 4-8 lb.; males heavier.
BREEDING Sexual maturity: 4-5 years. Breeding season: Lays eggs from late March to June. No. of broods: 1 . Eggs: 3-4, pale blue or greenish. Incubation: 28-31 days.
Fledging period: About 50 days.
LIFESTYLE Habit: Solitary or in loose flocks; forms breeding colonies. Diet: Mostly fish. Lifespan: Oldest known, 20 years.
RELATED SPECIES There are 32 species of cormorants worldwide, ranging from cool temperate to tropical regions.
Range of the great cormorant.
DISTRIBUTION
Both coasts of the North Atlantic, southeast and northern Europe, east and southern Africa, southern and east Asia, parts of central Asia, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
CONSERVATION
Numbers have increased in some areas, but declined in others. Breeding colonies have long been persecuted by
~hermen because of the bird's depletion of fishing stocks.
SPECIAL ADAPTATIONS OF THE GREAT CORMORANT
Tail: The cormorant 's broad tail is used like a rudder to guide it as it swims underwater.
Feet: Four webbed toes are set close together to give the bird extra power underwater.
Although the cormorant spends much of its time underwater, it remains a mystery as to why its feathers are not waterproof, as are those of most other water birds.
Diving: The cormorant folds its wings to its body and drives forward with powerful strokes from its webbed feet.
Bill: When the cormorant catches its prey, the sharp, serrated mandibles (jaw bones) grip the fish tightly.
~ FOOD & HUNTING The great cormorant's primary feeding grounds are shallow, inshore waters, where the bird can dive to the seabed to catch prey. Fish are its main food, and it is well adapted to hunt and catch them.
The great cormorant dives for food from the water's surface, arching its body in a graceful curve and disappearing silently beneath the waves. It swims swiftly underwater, using its broad tail as a rudder and relying on its strong thigh muscles and webbed feet for propul-
sion. Great cormorants can stay submerged for up to 60 seconds, re-emerging many yards from the place where they entered the water.
When it draws close to its prey, the bird snaps its bill shut, gripping the struggling fish tightly in its serrated jaws. It brings most of its prey to the surface before swallowing it. The great cormorant feeds on crab, flatfish, cod, whiting, wrasse, and sand eel, caught at depths of up to 30 feet. It will also eat an occasional frog, duckling, or water rat at inland sites.
~ HABITS
Left: During the breeding season, the male raises his wings to display his white flank to the female.
Below: The cormorant does not produce any waterproofing oil for its feathers, so after it dives, it must spread its wings to allow them to dry.
The seasonal habits of the great cormorant vary considerably over the bird's vast range. In many areas, it is sedentary, wintering and breeding in the same location . Others move from inland sites to coastal breeding grounds. Some populations-such as those from the Baltic- migrate thousands of miles south to the Mediterranean. They often form flocks at migration, but they are gener-
~ BREEDING The great cormorant nests at both coastal and inland sites, choosing cliffs, trees, reed beds, and sometimes bare ground. Its breeding colonies are usually small, but sometimes include as many as 2,000 pairs. The male attracts a female
ally solitary by nature except during breeding season.
The great cormorant is often seen perching on rock reefs, trees, sea walls, buoys, and boats. It characteristically perches with its wings outstretched, most likely to dry its feathers and warm its body after a dive. Its webbed feet, which propel it through water, are unsuitable for use on dry land.
by raising and lowering his wings, revealing a conspicuous white patch on his flank.
The nest itself is a mound of sticks and dried seaweed that measures approximately three feet across. Both parents incubate the clutch of three to
Left: Cliffs are a common nesting site for the cormorant.
BIRDWATCH In North America, the great cormorant nests in coasta l areas ranging from southern Greenland to Nova Sc otia. It winters as far south as Florida .
It can be d isti nguished fro m t he more common double-crested cormorant by its white fla nk feathers and bright throat markings.
Great cormorants are often seen perched on buoys, jett ies, and boats.
four eggs and feed the chicks. Newly hatched nestlings take regurgitated food from their parents, but later they eat solid food. Though they fledge at about two months, the young return to the nest site to feed for another six weeks.·
Below: The chicks pester the adult for food by pecking at its bill until it regurgitates the catch into its throat.
DID YOU KNOW? • Great cormorants have been known to catch lowflying swallows over the water.
• Great cormorants sometimes swim just below the water's surface, leaving only the head and neck exposed.
• In parts of Asia, people use cormorants to catch fish. They tie the birds to boats with long leads and allow them to hunt underwater. A ring placed around the birds' throats prevent them from swallowing the fish.
""" CARD 30 BROWN PELICAN ~~----------------------------------------~ ~
ORDER Steganopodes
FAMILY Pelecanidae
GENUS Ex SPECIES Pelecanus occidentalis
With its enormous wingspan, huge beak, and habit of plunging into the water from great heights, the brown pelican is one of the most
dramatic birds of the North American coast.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 3 ft.
Wingspan: 6 ft . Weight: 7 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2-3 years. Breeding season: Varies with
location, but during the spring on
the West Coast No. of broods: 1 .
Eggs: Usually 3; dull white color.
Incubation: About 4 weeks.
Fledging period: About 9 weeks.
LIFESTYLE Range of the brown pelican.
DISTRIBUTION Habit: Social; breeds in colonies.
Diet: Mainly fish, occasionally carrion .
Lifespan: Probably 15-25 years .
On the west coasts of California and Mexico, extending east to the Carolinas.
CONSERVATION RELATED SPECIES
There are 8 species of pelican. All Although protected in the United States, numbers declined
in the 1950s and 1960s due to the deadly effects of pesti-are distributed along coasts cides. washed by warm temperate seas.
THE BROWN PELICAN'S DIVE When a pelican spots its prey from its perch above the water, it launches itself and drops down in a vertical line, its wings partly closed and its beak and head pointed at the target. As it enters the water, its wings are stretched back behind it like a paper airplane. The water breaks the momentum of the dive, which allows the bird to engulf the fish in its open pouch before bobbing back up to the surface.
The pelican's most distinctive feature , its uge beak, has a flattened upper part. The large bottom pouch can be opened to scoop up 2 gallons of water.
Brown pelicans inhabit the rocks and cliffs in warm coastal waters. They seldom venture far inland, nor do they stray far from the shoreline.
When they are not breeding, pelicans gather in flocks of up
to fifty birds to roost and feed together. During the breeding season, the flocks become larger. Often, they can be seen flying in a V-formation above the waves, following the flight path of the leader.
~--------------------------------- Left: A group of pelicans pauses between dives. Gulls may be waiting to steal what they can from the pelicans ' next catch.
Right: Pelicans sometimes beat their wings on the water's surface to frighten the fish into schools.
~ BREEDING Spring usually signals the start of the breeding season, although if fish stocks are low, mating is delayed. Many birds nest in shallow depressions on the ground that they line with feathers and surround by a wall of soil. Some colonies nest in trees, building structures of reeds on stick platforms.
Both adults share in the incubation of the eggs. The chicks are naked when they hatch, but grow an ample coat of fluffy down within 2 weeks. The parents feed their young with regurgitated fish.
In the ground-nesting colonies, youngsters gather in groups when they are 6 weeks old, where they wait to be fed by their parents. The adults seem to recognize and feed only their own young, beating off the other chicks that approach them for food . The young continue to be fed by their parents until they learn to fish for themselves.
~ FOOD &; FEEDING Brown pelicans feed almost entirely on fish, which they catch by diving from the air, sometimes from heights of up to 65 feet.
Plunging into the sea, the bird scoops up a beakful of water and fish. Too heavy to fly, it then has to sit on the waters' surface and allow the water to drain from its bulging pouch before it can swallow the fish.
Occasionally, brown pelicans also feed on carrion, and they have been known to eat the live young of their breeding neighbors.
Above and left: Many pelicans make a simple nest on the ground. Others build messy structures in trees. Young are often killed or injured falling from the branches.
DID YOU KNOW? • The pel ican is among the largest of all living birds, but the brown pelican is the smallest bird in the pel ican family.
• Pelicans use their pouches only to catch fish, not to carry them, as th is would make them too front heavy to fly properly. A pel ican can scoop over 2 gallons of water in its pouch at a time.
• The sound of a diving pelican hitting the water can be heard half a mile away. But a series of ai r pockets beneath the skin of the pel ican 's chest cushions the force of the impact and protects it against injury.
• Many pelicans that live on freshwater lakes feed by working in groups. Fi rst they force fish into a dense school by beating their wings on the water. Then, using their huge beaks, they scoop the fish into their pouches.
