'" CARD 11 ] SNOWY OWL ~~ _________________________________ G_R_O_U_P_2_:_B_IR_D_S __ ~

... ORDER 'IIIIIIIIIII Srigiformes

FAMilY Strigidae

GENUS & SPECIES Nyctea scandiaca

The snowy owl is one of the world's largest owls. It hunts mainly during the twilight hours in the desolate and

bitterly cold Arctic tundra that is its home.

KEY FACTS SIZES

length: 21-26 in . Female larger.

Wingspan: 60-65 in .

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: 2 years.

Breeding season: May-Sept.

No. of broods: 1 .

Eggs: 3-9, smooth, glossy, white.

Incubation: 30-33 days.

Fledging period: 43-50 days.

LIFESTYLE

Call: Breeding males, a loud,

booming hoot. Both sexes, a harsh

bark when defensive.

Habit: Hunts mainly at dawn and

dusk. Basically solitary.

Diet: Lemmings, small mammals,

ducks, other birds.

lifespan: Up to 15 years in the

wild, 28 years in captivity.

RELATED SPECIES

No owls are closely related .

Range of the snowy owl.

DISTRIBUTION

Breeds throughout the Arctic region, from Iceland and

Scandinavia to Siberia, Alaska, Canada, and Greenland.

CONSERVATION

Despite its protected status, the snowy owl is often threatened

when in contact with humans. Its population fluctuates, so its

number is hard to estimate.

A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE SEXES

Female: 20% larger than the male. Her dark-flecked, white plumage provides camouflage against the background of partly melted snow and rocks, as she lies flat on her nest in early summer.

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Courtship fl ight: Male holds wiriQs in a "V" shape on each beat, causiri,Q undulating flight.

L Male: Plumage is almost totally white, .and can be seen up to 11/4 miles

,'" away by his mate.

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The snowy owl lives mainly on lemmings.

When these tundra rodents are in short

supply, and when the Arctic winter is

exceptionally severe, this great white owl

migrates south in search of food.

~ CHARACTERISTICS The snowy owl is the largest bird in the Arctic region. The male. is almost entirely white, with a few dark markings among his feathers . The

female has more dark feathers

than the male, concentrated into barred markings on her

~ BREEDING The male snowy owl has a large territory, and, when mating, his cries can be heard six miles away in the thin Arctic air. In protecting his territory, he will sometimes chase and fight with another male in midair. A female, too, will defend territory or a po­tential mate against others of her own sex.

The female makes a nest in a hollow in the ground . Like other species of owl, the female snowy owl will stagger her egg-laying. This gives the older, stronger chicks the ad­vantage in periods when food

wings, breast, and underside. She has longer claws and can be as much as one fifth larger and one third heavier than the male. This marked difference in

appearance between the sexes is unique among owls.

is in short supply. They eat most of the food their parents

bring to the nest and they may even kill and eat their younger, weaker nest mates.

The owlets hatch after a 30-

day incubation period, using a temporary "egg tooth" to

~ FOOD & HUNTING In the Arctic, the snowy owl feeds mainly on lemmings and an occasional mouse. Elsewhere, it will eat rabbits, hares, and birds. Unlike most owls, the snowy owl rarely hunts at night. It seeks its prey in the twilight of early morning and evening. It seizes its prey with its sharp claws, called talons .

The long Arctic winter brings many hours of dark­ness and numbing cold, but the snowy owl's thick feathers

keep it well insulated and warm. Food is scarce during

crack through the shell. They are covered with thin,

white down which is soon replaced by a coat of sooty black down. At 43-50 days, they can fly. After 60 days, they are able to hunt for themselves.

Right: There are no trees in the tundra, so the nest is just a depression in the ground.

Left: A tem­porary "egg tooth " helps the chick chip away the shell.

~ MIGRATION The snowy owl is a wanderer, moving south in winter when the weather is harsh and prey is scarce in the far north. At intervals, the lemmings that form the species' main prey

the harsh winter months in the tundra, and the snowy owl is capable of fasting for

up to 40 days at a time. It survives on the thick deposits of fat under its skin that it has acquired during the summer and further conserves its energy by moving as little as possible.

Above left: The snowy owl will often hunt in broad daylight.

Right: This male carries a king eider duck in his sharp talons.

suffer a dramatic and sudden drop in their population, and the snowy owls move much further south. The owls sometimes migrate as far as the Caribbean Sea. They have

long been rare in Europe, but careful protection enabled one pair to breed successfully in Scotland . In eight seasons, they'd borne twenty-three

healthy young.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Archaeologists have found snowy owl bones in kitchen

waste thrown out by Neo­lithic people. Today Eskimos sometimes eat owl meat when other food is scarce.

• If a predator, such as a wolf or an arctic fox, nears the nest, the owls often attack the intruder fearlessly, swooping down on it and striking it with their talons. Sometimes a parent will feign

injury, dragging its wing along the ground, to lure the predator away from the eggs or young .

BARN OWL

ORDER Strigiformes

FAMILY Tytonidae

GENUS &: SPECIES Tyto alba

The bam owl is a silent noctumal hunter. It has such an acute sense of hearing that it can pinpoint the exact location

of its prey even on the darkest night.

KEY FACTS

SIZES

Length: 1 3-14 in.

Wing length: 12 in.

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: 1 year.

Breeding habits: Courtship starts

in March. Couples mate for life.

Eggs: 4-7. Sometimes 2 broods.

Incubation: 33 days by female.

Fledging: 60 days.

LIFESTYLE

Diet: Mainly mice, voles, and

shrews. Also rats, sparrows, bats,

frogs, and large insects.

Lifespan: Average 2 years.

RELATED SPECIES

There are 9 species of barn

owl-some very rare-and

36 subspecies of Tyto alba

worldwide.

HOW THE BARN OWL HEARS

Distribution of the barn owl

DISTRIBUTION

Found on every continent except Antarctica.

CONSERVATION

Now a protected species. Farmers are being urged to leave

patches of rough land to encourage rodents; they are also

encouraged to supply breeding boxes or leave natural sites

undisturbed.

The barn owl has superb hearing, and a The ears are asymmetrically placed on

The very sensitive ears are surrounded by small feathered flaps that can be closed over the delicate inner parts if noise levels rise too high. On still nights, these flaps can be erected to catch the minute squeaks and rustles of tiny prey below.

large part of its brain is devoted to sorting the barn owl's head. One is near the owl out the auditory signals it picks up. equivalent of a forehead and the other is

level with the nostril.

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Barn owls can pinpoint the locations of small creatures using their ears alone. They are able to time the interval be­tween the reception of the sound to each ear, much as humans do, but with far greater accuracy.

Ear opening

Ear opening Eye sockets

Nostrils

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A change of climate in the northern regions of the

barn owl's habitat is causing snow to last for

longer periods in winter. Bad weather plays a

significant part in reducing the numbers of this

attractive nocturnal bird.

~ BREEDING Because barn owls live just two

years, they usually breed only

once or twice. They mate for

life. Barn owls generally use a

nest site that's been occupied

by generations of barn owls

over many decades; still, every

year, the male goes through a

ritual courtship calling to

"show" the female the nest site.

Instead of building a nest,

the couple places their four to

A barn owl chick rests after breaking out of its shell.

seven pure white eggs in a dark

space surrounded by pellets.

The female lays the eggs at

two-day intervals and incubates

them until early May, when their

staggered hatching relieves the

parents of the burden of feeding

all the hungry owlets at once.

The owlets grow gradually

bolder. After 60 days they are

fully fledged and able to hunt

their own food.

Barn owls prefer a warm climate

with mild winters. They don't,

:3 like many other birds, store

A 28-day-old chick. The white down soon changes to buff.

; extra fat in their tissues to help

8 them survive harsh winter Q)

~ weather, so many die during

§ freezing weather or are too

~ exhausted in the spring to

breed.

Barn owls make their homes

Barn ow ls are both rare and

nocturnal, so you are more

likely to see traces of the bird

than the bird itself. Daytime­

its inactive period-is the best

time to look.

Barn owl pellets contain undigested bones and fur.

Barn ow l pellets are a sure

indication of the bird's pres­

ence. They contain unwanted

pieces of fur, bones, teeth, claws,

beaks, heads, and insect w ing

cases that the ow l can't digest.

Two of these pellets are coughed

up each day through the mouth,

one at a feeding place and one

at the nest site.

in buildings, but they need

open grassland nearby for hunt­

ing. Until about 50 years ago,

the traditional farm was an ideal

habitat. Corn stored in barns

encouraged rodents to breed,

ensuring the barn owl a plenti­

fu l supply of food. Nearby hay­

fields provided an unlimited

source of mice.

~ FOOD & HUNTING Although barn owls mate for

life, they hunt alone. The barn

owl's eyes are specially adapted

to detect movement in grass­

land: they have extra light­

sensitive rods and cones in the

retinas, and their cylindrical

shape produces accurate tele­

scopic vision. In the dark the

barn owl relies almost totally on

its acute hearing.

The barn owl swoops silently

and plucks its victim away with

its large talons. Its downy

feathers help muffle the sound

of its movement, so the prey is

; unaware of the owl's approach.

8 Mice, voles, and shrews are

~ the owl's staples, but it will also

I lett: Over long distances, barn ~ owls carry prey in their beaks. u.:

DID YOU KNOW? • Barn owls don't "hoot" like

other owls. They make a hoarse

"khurrew" noise.

• In Malaysia, w here barn owls

were introduced to control

plagues of rats, each barn owl

family killed about 1,300 rats

a year.

• Adult owls swallow prey

If you soak a pellet in water

for a few hours then gently pull

it apart with tweezers, you'll be

able to see the bones and fur

that the owl discarded from its

dinner.

catch other small rodents, spar­

rows, and bats. When other

food is scarce, barn owls will eat

frogs and large insects.

The owl takes its captured

prey to a favorite eating place.

During the breeding season the

male carries the food back to

the nest site.

Above: A barn owl swivels its head to catch the slightest sound.

whole and head first. To feed

their young, they grip the prey

with their feet and tear it into

small pieces that the owlets can

swallow.

• Most birds that live in holes,

cavities, or domed nests lay

white eggs, since there is no

need for camouflage.

"" CARD 13 TAWNY OWL

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

GENUS &: SPECIES

Although the tawny owl is a nocturnal animal and is rarely seen, its distinctive 'hooting call is a familiar sound throughout its range and

serves to announce its territory.

KEY FACTS SIZES Length: 15-16 in. Weight: 12-23 oz. Wingspan: 37-41 in .

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: 1-2 years. Breeding season: February to

June. Eggs: 2-5, white. One brood. Incubation period: 28-30 days. Fledging: 32-37 days.

LIFESTYLE Habit: Mainly resident. Pairs for life. Usually monogamous. Diet: Small mammals, birds, amphibians, worms, and beetles. Lifespan: Up to 18 years old.

RELATED SPECIES

Two closely related species are the Ural owl, Strix uralensis, and the great gray owl, Strix nebuloso. Both are larger than the tawny owl.

Range of the tawny owl.

DISTRIBUTION

Europe, except Iceland and northern Scandinavia. Parts of northern Africa, western Soviet Union, Afghanistan, and China.

CONSERVATION

Not uncommon over most of its range. Like many birds of prey, it has suffered as a result of pesticides like DDT.

ADAPTATIONS OF THE TAWNY OWL

~

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The tawny owl is common throughout

Europe, where its coloring varies

from gray to reddish brown. A natural-born

hunter, it swoops swiftly on its prey

and can even catch a bat in flight.

~ HABITAT Tawny owls are mainly found on farmland and woodland. They live in both evergreen and deciduous trees. In cities, they are often found in wooded areas, such as parks and cemeteries.

DID YOU KNOW?

Tawny owls will breed in conifer forests where the trees are mature enough to provide suitable nesting holes. The recent increase in the planting of conifers has been beneficial to the tawny owl.

• In addition to the hooting flush small birds and animals call, tawny owls produce a out into the open where they bubbling trill, a loud moan, can be caught. and a hissing noise. • There is a high death rate • Tawny owls will hover over among owlets since they are

~ FOOD & HUNTING A nocturnal bird, the tawny owl hunts at night. Its hearing is so sharp that it can pinpoint its prey without seeing it. Once it locates its prey, it swoops almost silently down from its perch and seizes it.

The tawny owl's diet can be quite varied and is depen­dant upon its habitat. In woodland areas, it eats mainly small rodents, birds, shrews, worms, and beetles. Owls that live near ponds or creeks catch fish.

In urban areas, the tawny owl will eat a higher propor­tion of small birds, such as sparrows and starlings.

~ BREEDING Tawny owls form mating pairs and select nest sites in the fall. A hole in a mature deciduous tree is preferable, but abandoned bird nests or crevices in rocks or buildings may also be used.

Before mating, the male will court the female for several weeks by bringing her food. Mutual preening is also common.

The female incubates two to five eggs. Since she lays the eggs one at a time, they hatch at intervals.

Fledging takes about 5 weeks. The young are fed by their parents until they are 2-3 months old. They are eventually turned out of the nest and forced to find their own territory.

bushes and undergrowth, forced to leave their nests Right: This owlet will be turned out of the nest as soon as it beating their wings loudly to soon after birth .

'--______________________ ~ becomes independent.

left: With its sharp talons outstretched, the tawny owl swoops down on a field mouse.

Below: Tawny owls produce pellets made of the indigestible parts of their food, such as bones, teeth, fur, and feathers. They can be found in or around nests.

Tawny owls can be encour­aged to nest in wooded areas that are lacking in mature trees if they are provided with nesting boxes. The boxes should have a large opening at the front and be large enough (30 inches deep with an 8x8 inch floor) to provide the owl with plenty of nesting space. Boxes should be placed high on a tree trunk in a posit ion where it is not exposed to direct unlight.

BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY

ORDER Pelecaniformes

FAMILY Sulidae

CARD 14

GROUP 2: BIRDS

GENUS &: SPECIES Sula nebouxii

The blue-footed booby is a goose-sized tropical seabird that breeds on islands off the Pacific coast. It catches fish in spectacular

plunging dives beneath the surface of the waves.

KEY FACTS

SIZES

Length: 30-33 in. Females larger.

Weight: Males 3 lb. Females 4 lb.

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: 3-4 years.

Breeding season: Almost year­

round on Galapagos.

Eggs: 2-3. Incubation: 41 days.

Fledging period: 102 days.

LIFESTYLE

Habit: Feeds singly or communally.

Diet: Fish .

Call: Short, high-pitched squeaks.

lifespan: 1 7 or more years.

RELATED SPECIES

There are 9 species of gannet and

booby-the gannet in temperate

waters, the boobies in tropical and

subtropical waters.

Range of the blue-footed booby.

DISTRIBUTION

Breeds on arid islands in the Gulf of California, off the west

coast of Mexico, on islands along the coast of Ecuador and

northern Peru, and on many of the Galapagos Islands.

CONSERVATION

There are less than 40,000 breeding pairs, half of which live

on the Galapagos Islands, where the species is legally

protected. Egg collectors pose a minor threat elsewhere.

COURTSHIP DISPLAYS OF THE BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY

Courting rituals: The male parades around his nesting territory, flaunting his blue feet in an exaggerated , high­stepping walk, and presents small pieces of nest material to the female . Flight display: The male also flashes his feet at his mate in an airborne "salute" while landing after making a courtship flight over his territory.

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POinting display: Each bird angles its bill to the sky and tilts

its wings around so that the upper faces are angled forward. The male

then utters a thin, piercing whistle, the female gives groaning calls.

Female

WF DM NC 20

The blue-footed booby is one of the world's most

comical-looking seabirds. It has dazzling blue

webbed feet, a cigar-shaped body, and long

pointed wings and tail. Its tapering, pointed bill

with serrated edges is ideal for grasping the

slippery fish that are its prey.

~ BREEDING During the breeding season, which is year-round, the males stage elaborate courtship displays (see back page). After mating, two to three eggs are laid in a shallow depression on flat or gently sloping ground. Both male and female take turns incubating the eggs.

Unlike most birds, the blue­footed booby-along with its relatives the gannet, the cormorant, the tropicbird, and the pelican-lacks patches of bare skin, called brooding patches, that serve to transmit heat from the bird's body to the eggs. Instec;ld, the booby incubates the eggs beneath its broad, webbed feet. The feet have an increased blood supply which conveys heat to the

eggs, maintaining a constant temperature of 103° F.

When the chicks start to hatch, the booby supports the eggs on the tops of its feet. The chicks, which have only a sparse covering of down, are brooded here. Chicks feed from b.oth the male and the female, thrusting their bills inside their parents' to obtain regurgitated fish. The male brings in a constant supply of small fish for the chicks, who must be fed continually. If food is scarce, the largest of the chicks will be fed at the expense of the survival of its smaller, weaker nest mates. This behavior ensures that at least one chick in each brood will survive. If more food is available, all the chicks may survive.

r DID YOU KNOW? • The name "booby" comes from the Spanish word bobo which means "stupid fellow."

The blue-footed booby is so called because its lack of fea r and its clumsiness on land have made it easy prey for man . • The pupils in the female's eyes appear larger than the

~ CHARACTERISTICS The blue-footed booby has brown and white plumage that greatly contrasts with its bright blue feet and greenish-gray bill. Its head is pale brown and streaked with whitish feathers .

Top left: Boobies congregate on Baltra Island, Galapagos.

male's. This is an illusion-the female has rings of dark pig­ment around her pl.lpils that make them look bigger. • The blue-footed booby likes

plenty of space around its nest, but its relative the gannet may pack as many as seven nests in a square yard at its breeding colony.

Like the many other animals of the Galapagos Islands, the blue-footed booby is remarka­bly tame. As a result, it is one of the most photographed of all the islands' bird species.

Right: Sun-baked islands form the booby's breeding grounds.

Left and below: The booby incubates its eggs with the warm blood supply in the webbing of its blue feet. The chicks will sit on the parents' feet until they are about a month old, when they will be able to control their own body temperature.

FOOD & FEEDING The blue-footed booby spends much of its time gliding purposefully over the water, bill angled downward, watching the surface for signs of fish. It can dive from heights of up to 80 feet. Streaking downward at great speed, with wings angled in close to its body, it hits the water with barely a splash and resurfaces several yards away with its catch . Sometimes it will catch flying fish in midair. Unlike other boobies, the blue­footed booby will also catch fish by diving below the water from a swimming position on the surface.

Although it feeds alone, the bird will cooperate within a flock of boobies to hunt fish. The first bird to spot a fish gives a single whistle as a rallying

call; the rest of the group follows the first as it dives into the water. Their movements are perfectly synchronized.

The blue-footed booby feeds mainly in the early morning and late afternoon, possibly to avoid the atten­tion of the frigatebird, who might steal its food.

The male booby is adapted for catching one size of prey while the female is adapted for another. The lighter, more maneuverable male can dive into extremely shallow water in order to catch relatively small fish. The much heavier female catches larger fish further offshore in deeper water. Between them they can exploit a wide variety of prey.

"'" CARD 15 PEL'S FISHING OWL ,,~--------------------------------------~

ORDER Strigiformes

.. FAMILY ~ Strigidae

.. GENUS &: SPECIES ~ ScotopeJia peJi

Among the world's largest owls, Pel's fishing owl is one of seven species of owl that feed on fish. It ;s found

along rivers throughout most of Africa.

KEY FACTS

SIZES Length: 20-24 in. Wingspan: Average 60 in .

BREEDING Sexual maturity: Not known. Mating: Varies from region to region . Eggs: Usually 2, white. Incubation: About 32 days. Fledging: About 10 weeks. Adult plumage not complete until 15

months.

LIFESTYLE Habit: Nocturnal. Forms long-lasting

pair bonds. Diet: Fish, including pike, bream, and catfish. Also occasionally frogs, crabs, and mussels. Lifespan: Not known.

RELATED SPECIES There are 3 species of African fishing owl in the genus Scotopelia, and 4 species of Asian fish owl in

the genus Ketupa.

Range of Pel's fishing owl.

DISTRIBUTION Found along rivers in many areas scattered throughout Africa, south of the Sahara.

CONSERVATION Although quite common in some areas, it is scarce in many others. Habitat destruction, such as drainage projects and the building of dams, and river pollution pose a threat to some

fish ing owl populations.

IDENTIFYING PEL'S FISHING OWL

Since this owl hunts its prey by sight rather than by sound, it lacks the distinct round facial discs and asymmetrical ears which help its relatives to pinpoint sounds with such accuracy. It also lacks the soft plumage and silent flight of most owls.

The barn owl has feathered feet as there is little risk of their getting dirty.

Pel 's fishing owl has unfeathered feet to avoid collecting debris.

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eagles, fishing owls catch their prey by snatching it from the surface of the water, rather than by plunging into the water.

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A huge, impressive-looking bird with

rich orange-red plumage, Pel's fishing owl is

found at sea-level river mouths and along

rivers at altitudes of up to 5,600 feet.

The large, loose feathers on its head, neck,

and flank give it a shaggy appearance.

~HABITAT Pel's fishing owl inhabits rivers in lowland areas. It prefers stretches of water located near bankside trees. They provide ideal sites for nesting, as well as for perch­es from which the owl can hunt. The dense cover of the trees makes for good roost­ing sites during the day.

Fishing owl pairs rarely move far from their territory, except when changes in water level make it difficult for them to hunt fish. Then the owls are forced to find their prey in nearby swamps, flood plains, or sections of the river called oxbow lakes, that become cut off from the main flow.

~ FOOD & HUNTING Pel's fishing owl emerges from its daytime roost at dusk and perches on a branch or sand­bank. From this vantage point, it watches for the slightest ripple in the water that may in­dicate the presence of a fish. It quickly swoops down and attempts to catch the fish, snatching it in a viselike grip with its long, curved talons. The fishing owl usually eats its prey head first.

As dawn approaches, the owl returns to its roost. Here it sleeps through the day, unless disturbed, in which case it will fly off to another roost or perch in the open. It is rarely active in the daytime, except when a river dries up and it is forced to move elsewhere to find food .

Right: Spines on the undersides of the fishing owl's feet help it to grip a slippery catfish.

~BREEDING At the start of the breeding season, particularly on moonlit nights, the male calls to the female by hooting, and then with a low grunting sound. The female answers with a higher-pitched hoot.

Once · paired, the owls choose a hollow high up in a large riverside tree in which the female will lay her eggs. They do not build a nest, but the fallen leaves or bark flakes in the hollow provide a soft place for the eggs.

Breeding is timed so that the young develop during the dry season when fish are plentiful. The female survives on food brought to her by the male while she incubates the eggs.

Right: Two chicks may hatch up to five days apart. As with many birds of prey, the smaller and weaker of the two often starves soon after hatching. The survivor opens its eyes at about one week, and two weeks later its whole body is covered with pale brown, downy feath­ers.Atl0 weeks the young bird is ready to fly.

DID YOU KNOW? • Pel's fishing owl is named after the Dutch naturalist, H.S. Pel, who identified the species in the mid-nineteenth century. • The mating hoots of the male fishing owl can be heard two miles away. • Pel's fishing owl's scientific name comes from the Greek skotos, or darkness, and peleio, meaning wood pigeon. • If a predator appears, the parents of a young Pel's fish­ing owl will distract it away from their offspring. • The world's largest owl is Blakiston's fishing owl, found in the U.S.S.R., Manchuria, and Japan. It is 28 inches long and has a wingspan of six feet.

PEREGRINE FALCON

The peregrine falcon is one of the larger species of falcon. It is an extremely strong flyer and can catch its prey with deadly

accuracy, diving through the air with amazing speed.

KEY FACTS

SIZES Length: 15-18 in. Wingspan: 37-43 in. Weight: Males, 20-26 oz. Females,

30-45 oz.

BREEDING Sexual maturity: 3 years. Breeding season: March to May. No. of broods: 1 . Eggs: 3-4 in clutch; white with reddish brown blotches. Incubation: 29-32 days.

LIFESTYLE Habit: Solitary. Fast-flying hunter of other birds. Pairs for life. Diet: Mainly other birds. lifespan: Estimated at about 20 years in the wild .

~ RELATED SPECIES 00 The subspecies of peregrine vary enormously. The largest are found in Artie regions and the smallest in desert areas.

COURTSHIP FEEDING

As part of the peregrine falcon's courtship behavior, the male passes prey to the female, often while in flight. To make this maneuver possible, the female rolls over in midair to take the food from the male's talons.

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• Resident peregrines

DISTRIBUTION

Wintering areas

Breeding grounds

Found in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

CONSERVATION The peregrine, like most of the larger falcons, has become endangered. Individual birds nesting in vulnerable areas are sometimes guarded by volunteers.

Male

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The peregrine falcon is a majestic animal, and a top

predator among birds of prey. But it is now endangered

because of persecution by hunters and egg collectors. It

is also suffering from the deadly effects of pesticides,

which diminish its breeding success.

~ HABITAT The peregrine falcon generally inhabits open country such as prairie and semidesert, where prey is easy to spot. In the United States, the falcon is most common in mountainous areas where there are rocky crags on which to breed. Cliffs and quarries also provide suitable nesting sites.

DID YOU KNOW? • Peregrine falcons have eyes that are larger than human eyes; they can spot their prey from a height of 1,000 feet.

• The male peregrine falcon is known as a tiercel because it is a third (a tierce) smaller in size than the female.

In winter, peregrine falcons may also frequent lakes and rivers. It can also be found far out at sea, on its route to or from its feeding areas. The scientific name of the peregrine falcon, peregrinus, is Latin for "foreign" or "wanderer."

Below: A female with young calls to its mate for food.

• In the United States the peregrine falcon is often called the "duck hawk" because it feeds on ducks. • Peregrines were deliberately shot during World War" so they wouldn't catch carrier pigeons.

Peregrine falcons mate for life and usually breed on high, in­accessible cliffs and rocky crags. Paired birds often return to the same eyrie (nest) each year. The falcons do not build nests, but rather use existing vegeta­tion in which to lay the eggs.

Egg-laying begins in the

spring, and three to four eggs is the usual number in a clutch. Incubation begins after the last egg is laid, and it is the female who spends the most time raising the chicks.

Below: Two-month-old chicks in their cliff-top eyrie.

~ FOOD &: HUNTING The peregrine falcon's main prey consists of other birds, ranging in size from the small skylark to larger birds like the pigeon and grouse. However, the peregrine falcon has been known to feed on rabbits or even bats. In winter, when the falcons hunt along waterways, they feed on gulls, waders, and ducks. The peregrine falcon most often swoops down and

Left: Peregrine plucking feathers off a captured common pigeon.

grabs its prey while in flight. It sometimes catches birds on the ground or in low­lying vegetation.

On the average, a pere­grine falcon needs 3 '/2 ounces of food a day. When there are young to feed, it requires more. During the breeding season, it may need to travel widely to find enough food. Its territory can range from 25-125 square miles.

~ PEREGRINE FALCON &: MAN The peregrine falcon is particu­larly sensitive to ch~mical pollutants because it is higher on the food chain and, consequently, ingests more of the toxins found in its prey. The pesticide DDT, in particu­lar, has caused a great reduc­tion in its numbers by affecting the falcon's breeding success.

The best time to spot pere­grine falcons is in spring, when the birds can be seen breeding on rocky ledges and cliffs or soaring in circles overhead. They are recognizable by their bullet-shaped bodies and broad, pointed wings.

Birds would break their own eggs in the nest because of thin shells caused by the excess of poison in their tissues.

The use of DDT is now prohibited and, although egg collectors still persecute the peregrine, its numbers are beginning to increase.

In the fall, peregrine falcons can be spotted on Padre Island, Texas, and Hawk Mountain, Pennsylva­nia. In spring, they can be seen in the Brigant ine Nat ional Wildlife Refuge, New jersey.

~ CARD 17

WINTER WREN '\. GROUP 2: BIRDS '\.~------------------------------------------------~

~ ORDER Passeriformes

FAMILY Troglodytidae

GENUS &: SPECIES Troglodytes troglodytes

The tiny winter wren has distinctive tail feathers that point upward and, although it is one of the smaller birds,

it has a particularly loud song.

KEY FACTS

SIZES Length: 4 in. Wingspan: 5 in. Weight: Up to 1/2 oz.

BREEDING Sexual maturity: 1 year. Breeding season: April to July. No. of broods: 1-2. Eggs: 5-6. White, spotted brown. Incubation: 14-15 days. Fledging period: 16-1 7 days.

LIFESTYLE Habit: Roosts communally in cold

weather. Diet: Mainly insects and spiders.

Lifespan: 6 years.

RELATED SPECIES There are more than 60 species in the wren family, which originates in North America. The largest is the 8-inch-long cactus wren that is found in the southwestern United States and Mexico.

Range of the winter wren.

DISTRIBUTION Widespread throughout North America, Europe, North Africa, and northern Asia.

CONSERVATION The winter wren is common in North America where plenty of forest habitat remains in its breeding and wintering regions.

FEATURES OF THE WINTER WREN

The wren's tiny size, cocked tail, and busy darting movements are the best visual guides to its identification. Despite its small size, it has a remarkably loud , trilling song. Adult male and female birds look alike. Juveniles are a lighter color than adults.

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The nest is built by the male, who may build several during a breeding season. It is lined by the female. The five to six eggs are white with reddish brown spots.

0160200151 PACKET 15

The winter wren is found in woods,

bushes, and cultivated areas-it can adapt

to almost any habitat that has thick vegetation

and plentiful food. Despite its unique

markings and busy manner, it is a shy bird

and is difficult to spot.

Winter wrens are found in great numbers in a variety of habitats, including woodland, open land, rocky areas, and marshes. Like many species of woodland bird, the wren has adapted to living in populated areas where there is enough vegetation to provide cover. Still, they are not as common in urban areas as they are in the country.

Winter wrens have difficulty surviving through cold wea­ther. Prolonged periods of subzero temperatures cause

their small bodies to lose heat quickly, and the snow­covered ground makes it dif­ficult for them to find food.

One way in which wrens attempt to survive in winter is by communal roosting . Just before dusk wrens gather by attracting one another with their loud calls. One by one they enter the roost site­under the roof of a building or in an abandoned bird nest.

Right: The wren can adapt to almost any habitat that has thick vegetation and plentiful food.

~ BREEDING A male wren is extremely terri­torial and claims his territory by singing loudly from a perch among the tree branches. He is most vocal in March, when mating season begins.

At this time the male wren builds several nests in his terri­tory. A female selects one and lines it in preparation for laying her eggs. The nests are usually hidden in a bush, a hole in a wall, or a crack in a tree trunk. In more exposed habitats, a clump of grass or other vege­tation is used. However, as the human population expands, more wrens live in sheds and outbuildings in urban areas.

The female lays and incubates her eggs in April. When the young hatch, the male helps to feed t hem .

A male wren often has more than one mate, especially if he has a large territory. Each female that he mates with chooses a different nest with in his territory.

Right: The clutch of five to six eggs takes about two weeks to hatch. Both parents feed the young.

Far left: The wren spends most of its time searching for food.

~ FOOD &: FEEDING Winter wrens feed mainly on insect larvae, small beetles, craneflies, mosquitoes, ants, aphids, and spiders. They also eat the pupae (immature insects in the cocoon stage) of butterflies and moths. They occasionally eat small slugs and snails as well as small fish and tadpoles.

The tiny birds forage ex­haustively for food by look­ing among all the vegetation they can find . They make quick darting movements when they look for food.

Left: The male often builds more than one nest. The dome-shaped structure is built from various plant materials, including moss, grass, and leaves, and is lined by the female with feathers.

Above: Insects and their larvae are the wren 's main food.

BIRDWATCH Winter wrens are found throug hout most of eastern North America but, because they are so small and stay well hidden, they are difficult to observe .

Wrens are usually found fai rly close to the g round in bushes, trees, and under­growth. Wooded areas, where the bi rds tend to stay close to the edges of flower beds and bushes, are the best places to watch fo r them.

Because their diet consists of insects, it is d ifficu lt to p rovide food for them in a bird feeder. Stil l, they do eat g rated cheese and soft pet food if it is sprinkled on the ground near their feeding areas . Alte rnative ly, if you sweep leaves and twigs into a corner in the fa ll and turn them over in the winter, the wrens can feed on the nu­merous insects that have gathered there .

DID YOU KNOW? • In North America the winter wren migrates south at the end of the summer.

• Unlike most bird species, it is the male wren, rather than the female, that builds the nest.

• As many as 60 wrens have been counted sharing a single nest in a severe winter.

• Wrens have been said to ride on the backs of eagles and then fly off when the larger bi rds grew tired .

SULPHUR-CRESTED COCKATOO ~~----------------------------~ .,. ORDER

"IIIIIIIIIII Psittaciformes FAMILY Cacatuidae

GENUS &: SPECIES Cacatua gaierita

CARD--,-g l

The sulphur-crested cockatoo is one of Australia's best -known birds. Its reputation worldwide as a good-natured pet contrasts with its

wary nature in the wild.

KEY FACTS SIZES Length: 18-20 in .

Weight: 3-3 1/2 oz.

BREEDING

No. of broods: 1 . Eggs: 2, occasionally 3, white,

oval. Incubation: 30 days.

Fledging period: 60-70 days.

LIFESTYLE

Voice: A variety of very loud,

raucous screeches.

Habit: Active by day; in pairs or

small groups. Diet: Seeds, roots, bulbs, nuts; also

some insects and their larvae.

Lifespan: In captivity, 50 years.

RELATED SPECIES

There are 1 7 other species of

cockatoo, including the lesser

sulphur-crested cockatoo and the

blue-eyed cockatoo.

Range of the sulphur-crested cockatoo.

. DISTRIBUTION

The sulphur-crested cockatoo is found in most types of open,

forested country throughout northern, eastern, and south­

eastern Australia, and some offshore islands.

CONSERVATION

The sulphur-crested cockatoo is widespread and common

throughout most of its range. It is a protected species in

most Australian states.

SULPHUR-CRESTED COCKATOO'S SENTINEL WARNING SYSTEM

In southern Australia, where sulphur-crested cockatoos live in large flocks, the bird has evolved a warning system to avoid being caught by predators.

gather on the g round to feed on seeds, nuts, and berries.

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As the main flock feeds , a sentine_I _____ _ bird perched in the trees warns of fmpending danger with a loud screech.

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The sulphur-crested cockatoo is

noisy and conspicuous. With its

white plumage and yellow crest gleaming

in the sun, it provides one of the most

spectacular sights to be

seen in Australia.

~ CHARACTERISTICS The sulphur-crested cocka­too is familiar throughout many parts of Australia. It lives in most types of open wooded country, preferring trees along rivers and other waterways. It has also become widespread on farmland and in urban parks and gardens.

In the southern part of its range, the sulphur-crested cockatoo gathers in large flocks, except during the breeding season. Some

flocks contain hundreds of birds, which cover the ground like a blanket of snow. In northern Australia, the birds remain in pairs or small groups throughout the year.

Each group of sulphur­crested cockatoos has a favorite roosting site, usually in a dead tree that is isolated in open country or towers above others in a forest.

Cockatoos usually spend mornings searching the ground for seeds and other

~ FOOD &: FEEDING

The sulphur-crested cockatoo feeds on a wide variety of seeds, as well as nuts, berries, fruits, flowers, corn, and some insects and their larvae.

In grain-growing areas, they aggravate farmers by devour­ing newly sown seed and young crops. The damage they

Above: A hole in the dead trunk of a eucalyptus tree is an ideal nest site.

food. Toward noon the birds seek the shade of surrounding trees, where they amuse themselves by stripping off bark and leaves. In the cool of the afternoon they return to the ground to feed, and at dusk they fly home to roost.

A flock of cockatoos will return to the same feeding grounds every day until the food supply is exhausted.

do may be exaggerated, and they are helpful to farmers in that they eat weed seeds and pests, including the eggs of the plague locust.

Right: A large group of sulphur­crested cockatoos gathers to feed.

~ BREEDING Sulphur-crested cockatoos have brief, simple courtships. The male struts along a branch toward his prospec­tive mate with his crest raised, bobbing his head while utter­ing soft, chattering calls. Be­fore mating, the birds gently preen each other's plumage.

The sulphur-crested cocka­too makes its nest in a hole or hollow branch of a tree, or in a high and inaccessible part

DID YOU KNOW? • The oldest captive bird in the world was Cocky, a sulphur-crested cockatoo who died in the London Zoo at the age of 82 . • A cockatoo uses its distinc­tive crest to show fear, ag­gression, and sexual arousal.

of a riverside cliff. The female lays two (rarely

three) eggs on a pile of wood dust at the bottom of the hole. Both parents brood the eggs, remaining very quiet to avoid attracting the attention of predators.

Below: Prior to mating and as part of their courtship ritual, these beautiful birds spend time preening each other's feathers.

• The largest cockatoo is the palm (or great black) cocka­too . It also has the largest beak. • Both the Latin and com­mon names Cacatua and cockatoo come from the Malayan word kakatoe, in

The sulphur-crested cockatoo is one of the most popular of all pet birds and has been kept as a pet by man since the 19th century. Many are superb mimics of human speech. Still, the sulphur­crested cockatoo can produce harsh, ear-splitting screeches early in the morning or when alarmed.

The best type of bi rd to be kept as a pet is one that has been bred in captivity, not removed from the wild. The pet bird trade (together with destruction of habitats) poses the biggest threat to wild cockatoos.

The sulphur-crested cocka­too is protected in nearly all Australian states, although permits to shoot them are issued to farmers in crop­growing areas. The cockatoo has become a familiar sight in some urban areas.

imitation of the birds' calls. • The only difference in 'appearance between the males and females is their eye color: dark brown for males, reddish­brown or deep red for females .

MANDARIN DUCK

ORDER Anseriformes

FAMILY Anatidae

GENUS &: SPECIES Aix ga/ericu/ata

The male mandarin duck is much more colorful than its mate. It is easily distinguished from the female

by its bright red bill and more prominent markings.

KEY FACTS SIZES Length: 16-19 in.

Wingspan: 27-29 in. Weight: Male, 22 oz. Female,

18 oz.

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: 1 year. Breeding season: April to May.

Eggs: 9-12, white. Incubation period: 29-30 days.

Fledging period: 40-45 days.

LIFESTYLE Habit: Shy but social; feeds by

dabbling. Diet: Seeds, nuts, and occasionally

snails and insects. Lifespan: 3-6 years in the wild .

Captive birds up to 12 years.

RELATED SPECIES One of 13 species of perching

duck. Closest relative is the wood

duck, Aix sponsa, from North

America.

Native range of the mandarin duck.

DISTRIBUTION

Found scattered throughout eastern Asia, the Soviet Union,

and China. Most found now in Japan and England, which

have populations of 5,000 and 1,000 pairs, respectively.

CONSERVATION

Destruction of the mandarin duck's habitat and persecu­

tion by hunters and collectors have caused the native

Asian population to decrease significantly.

FEATURES OF THE MANDARIN DUCK

The female's distinct shape and narrow, striped eye marking make her easy to identify.

During breeding season the male has a striking plumage of various colors, as well as conspicuous chestnut-orange cheek feathers .

The downy hatchlings remain in their tree nest only a few days before jumping down to the ground.

I~" V 1// I l' / {hi I.

I V ' . ,

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Mandarin ducks were once exported from China

by the thousands to decorate private lakes and ponds

in Europe, but some birds escaped. Now, with

widespread destruction of its natural Asian

habitat threatening the duck's survival, descendants

of the escaped ducks may save the species.

~ HABITS In its native Asian habitat the shy mandarin duck lives in small groups near wooded rivers and lakes. It prefers areas that have dense under­growth, where it can enter and leave the water unseen. In late summer it moves to nearby flooded rice fields and marshes in search of food.

The mandarin duck is most active in the morning and evening, when it travels to

~ FOOD & FEEDING Although the mandarin duck is primarily herbivorous (plant eating), it also eats insects and animals such as snails and small fish. In late summer Asian mandarin ducks flock to raid rice and wheat fields.

Mandarin ducks are very

and from nearby lakes and rivers to feed. The duck's days are spent at the water's edge or perched in bankside trees . It is as much at ease on land as it is in the water.

Where the mandarin duck is kept in captivity, it has be­come less shy and more tolerant of human activity.

Right: In the fall the male grows colorful feathers to attract a mate.

buoyant, so they swim on the water's surface. They feed by dabbling in the water with their bills and by upending themselves to reach water plants.

Below: A male mandarin duck dabbles at the water's edge.

During breeding season the male's plumage becomes espe­cially colorful to help it attract a mate. The male competes with other males for the avail­able females. After she selects a mate, the female swims close to him. They develop a close bond by preening each other as they swim.

The female chooses the nest site and lays one egg per day for 9 to 12 days in mid-April. She incubates the clutch alone.

Within several days of their hatching, the female leads her ducklings to the nearest suit­able food supply. Although the ducklings become indepen­dent six weeks later, they remain in the area until the next breeding season.

Above: The female chooses the nest site and incubates the eggs alone.

left: Newly hatched chicks are ready to jump out of their nest.

darin duck can be seen in zoos. It is a lso popular for private collections. Although pairs of mandarin ducks have e caped from captivity, they have not become established in the wild in North America.

The adult male is impossible to mistake for any other Amer­ican duck. But the adult female mandarin closely resembles the female wood duck, since both have white eye markings.

DID YOU KNOW? • Pairs of caged mandarin ducks were once given to Chinese newlyweds as a sym­bol of marital fidelity. But in fact, the ducks do not pair for life; they find new mates each fall.

• When males molt (shed their feathers), they resemble females, but they are still rec­ognizable by their red bills.

• The female mandarin duck has only one working ovary. If it fails, the other ovary develops into a male sex organ and the bird becomes a non-breeding male.

• The mandarin is the only species of duck that cannot interbreed with other ducks because it has a different number of chromosomes.

BLUE 61 YELLOW MACAW

ORDER Psittaciformes

FAMILY Psittacidae

GENUS fir SPECIES Ara ararauna

The colorful blue and yel/ow macaw lives in the forests of Central and South America, yet remarkably little is known

about its life in the wild.

KEY FACTS

SIZES Length: Body to tip of tail, 33 in. Tail, 20 in.

BREEDING Sexual maturity: 3-4 years. Nest site: In cavity, high up in a tree. No. of eggs: 2, white.

Incubation: About 25 days. Fledging: 3 months.

LIFESTYLE Habit: Sociable; roosts and feeds in flocks. Diet: Nuts, fruits, seeds, berries. lifespan: Up to 50 years in captivity.

RELATED SPECIES There are currently 1 7 species of macaw. Some have become

extinct, such as the Cuban macaw, which became extinct in 1864.

Range of the blue and yellow macaw.

DISTRIBUTION In forests from Panama to the northern tip of Argentina, but they are absent from most of Venezuela and to the west of the Andes.

CONSERVATION Threatened by loss of habitat and by the zoo and pet trade. The survival of all macaws is threatened to some extent, and some are probably close to extinction.

FEATURES OF THE BLUE AND YELLOW MACAW

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The macaw has a massive beak which is hinged to allow it to crush the toughest nuts. The macaw also uses its beak to help it climb.

Its feet have toes that pOint forward and backward, which enables it to grasp food and to grip while climb­ing. The long tail is used for balance.

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Uniquely adapted to life in the forest,

the macaw's blue and yellow feathers actually

help to conceal it in the bright sunlight of its forest

habitat. A strong flyer, it travels with steady,

shallow wingbeats that carry it rapidly

through the trees.

~ HABITAT The blue and yellow macaw lives in forests that grow in swampy ground or along rivers. A wary bird, the ma­caw usually avoids human contact; macaws have de­clined or disappeared al­together in populated areas.

~ BREEDING Very little is known about the breeding habits of the blue and yellow macaw in the wild . They spend the ma­jority of their time in flocks. It is believed that macaws do not breed until they are 3-4 years old. They probably pair for life.

The birds nest high above the ground in cavities found in large, dead trees. Only two eggs are laid, and it is

In the forest, macaws can be found in communal roosting sites at night. At dawn, they leave their roosts to bask in the sun and feed. The macaw's plumage blends in with the rays of sunlight and the blue sky.

thought that the female incubates them . However, both the male and female aggressively defend the eggs.

When the young hatch, they are blind and featherless. They do not develop their full plumage until they are at least 10 weeks old. After they grow feathers, or fledge, they remain with their parents for several months before becoming independent.

Left: Macaws are thought to pair for life. Strong pair bonding is reinforced by mutual preening and displays of affection.

Right: A macaw in its true home­the trees of the tropical forest.

DID YOU KNOW? • Blue and yellow macaws fly as far as 15 miles to feed. • Macaws belong to the parrot family which numbers 328 species. Most macaws live in tropical or subtropical regions. • The largest species of

macaw is the hyacinth macaw, Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus. It is 3 feet long from head to tail tip. The red-shouldered macaw is the smallest species, measur­ing only 12 inches. • Different species of macaw eat different food.

~ FOOD &; FEEDING

Blue and yellow macaws are completely dependent on trees for their food, which includes fruits, seeds, berries, and nuts.

In their tropical and subtropi­cal habitats, different trees bear crops at different times of the year, so food is always plenti­ful. Large flocks often travel great distances each day for

~ MACAW&MAN Most macaws have long been imported to Europe and North America to be sold as pets. This has had a serious effect on the wild population; some species are already extinct.

Collectors often cut down trees so they can take young

ample food supply. The macaws most likely

learn how to find food areas in the appropriate season by following older, more experi­enced individuals in the flock.

Below: The macaw's powerful bill can crack the toughest nuts, enabling it to exploit a food source other birds cannot.

macaws from their nests. But the birds are often killed in the process.

But the greatest threat to the macaw's survival is the destruction of its habitat as forests are cut down to clear land for agriculture.