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.

" MCMXCII IMP BV 'IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILE""

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.

© MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILpM PRINTED IN U.S.A.

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.

,', MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILE'M

C:~iCk: Quickly develops est-riped plumage that

J -acts as camouflage.

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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 .

© MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILpM

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.

.: MCMXCII IMP BVIIMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

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.