GENTOO PENGUIN

ORDER Sphenisciformes

FAMILY Spheniscidae

GROUP 2: BIRDS GENUS & SPECIES Pygoscelis papua

The gentoo penguin breeds on islands around the Antarctic and spends part of each year at sea. Like other penguins, it is an excellent swimmer and is well suited for a life in the water.

KEY FACTS

SIZES Length: 11/ 2-2 ft. Weight: 10-20 lb.

BREEDING Sexual maturity: 3-4 years. No. of broods: 1 . Breeding season: Late spring . Eggs: 2. Incubation period: 36 days.

LIFESTYLE Habit: Rather timid, breeds in small colonies. Diet: Krill, small fish, crabs, and squid. Lifespan: Up to 18 years.

RELATED SPECIES Closely related to the adelie penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae, and the chinstrap penguin, P. antarctica.

Range of the gentoo penguin.

DISTRIBUTION Sub-Antarctic islands of the southern Atlantic and Indian oceans, including the Falklands and islands off Cape Horn . It also breeds on the edge of the Antarctic Peninsula .

CONSERVATION Until the twentieth century, penguins were hunted for their oil by both whalers and seal hunters. Today, mari ne pollution is the main threat to their survival.

FEATURES OF THE GENTOO PENGUIN

Body: Long and large, protected from the cold weather by fat beneath the skin.

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The gentoo penguin looks like a typical

black and white IIdinner suited II penguin

with a white band across its head. It has become

so well adapted for living at sea that it can only

waddle awkwardly on land.

The gentoo penguin swims tina, Tasmania, and New fast, using its tail and flippers Zealand. Birds in the southern to steer. At high speeds it nesting colonies are thought dives up and down through to travel far distances. the water (called porpoising) so Less sociable than other it can breathe at regular penguin species, the gentoo intervals without slowing penguin congregates in small, down. It can stay underwater slightly inland breeding from 30 seconds to two colonies called rookeries. minutes and can reach depths After the chicks leave the of 230 feet. nest, the adult molts (sheds its

The penguin stays at sea feathers) and replaces its dirty three to five months a year, brown plumage with black feeding to build up fat and white feathers. It then reserves. Penguins have been leaves the colony and returns seen off the coast of Argen- to the sea to feed .

~ FOOD & FEEDINC The gentoo penguin mainly eats krill (tiny shrimplike crus­taceans) and a few small fish . It catches the krill on short, shallow dives.

The well-oxygenated Antarctic seawater is rich; it

Above: Adult males call to other penguins as part of a territorial ritual.

Right: An adult opens its beak to feed a chick regurgitated food.

Far right: A penguin launches itself into the icy water.

usually supports vast quanti­ties of krill. But high levels of pollution have decreased the krill supply. The overfishing of krill around the world has also diminished this food supply.

~ -BR- E-E-D-IN- C--­

The gentoo penguin mates in late September or October when the snow and ice melt. The male mates after estab­lishing a territory, usually on an old nest site on a flat area close to the beach. He and his mate then build a nest of grass.

The female lays two white eggs and the pair takes turns incubating them . The chicks hatch about 36 days later, spend ing the first few days sheltered under their parents. The adults take turns collect­ing food and guarding the chicks from predators.

After three or four weeks the chicks leave the nest and gather in groups called

creches. At feeding times adults lead the young to the beach and encourage them to find their way back to the nest. This behavior helps chicks to quickly become

DID YOU KNOW? • There are records of albino gentoo penguins that have white feathers over most of their body. • The three subspecies of gentoo penguins differ

Above: A female greets a male returning to the nest.

independent. After seven to eight weeks the young leave the nest for the sea .

mainly in bill, flipper, and foot measurements. • The male performs its elaborate trumpeting display to attract unmated females and warn off other males.

"'" CARD 82 MACARONI PENGUIN ~~--------------------------~------~

ORDER Sphenisciformes

.. FAMILY "IIIIIIII Spheniscidae

GENUS & SPECIES Eudyptes chrysolophus

The flightless macaroni penguin is an excellent swimmer. It is well-adapted for spending long periods of time in the

water without being affected by the cold.

KEY FACTS ____________________________ ~

SIZES Height: 2 ft. Male, slightly larger,

with stronger bill.

Weight: Up to 1 3 lb .

BREEDING Sexual maturity: 6 years or older.

No. of broods: 1 .

Breeding season: Late spring.

Eggs: 2. Incubation period: 31-37 days.

LIFESTYLE

Habit: Sociable; breeds in groups or large colonies and seeks out

feeding grounds in large flocks.

Diet: Krill (shrimplike marine

crustaceans), small fish, crabs, and

squid.

Lifespan: Up to 10 years.

RELATED SPECIES

Closely related to other species of

crested penguin including the

rockhopper penguin, Eudyptes crestatus, and the erect-crested

penguin, Eudyptes atratus.

Range of the macaroni penguin .

DISTRIBUTION Sub-Antarctic islands of the southern Atlantic and Indian

oceans, including the Falklands and islands off Cape Horn.

CONSERVATION Seal hunters were a threat in the early 20th century; now oil

spillages can be fatal. Many species of penguin are increas­

ing, probably due to the dwindling numbers of whales which

compete with them for food.

FEATURES OF THE MACARONI PENGUIN

Feathers: Back and beUy feathers are slightly bent, overlapping to form a water­proof layer. Thick down at the base of each feather conserves body heat by trapping a layer of air around the penguin's body.

Tail: Triangular­shaped, used as a rudder in the water.

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~ Body: Long and egg-shaped. Thick deposits of fat under the skin protect it from the cold.

'- -"----- Flippers: Stiff, flightless wings, adapted for swimming .

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Macaroni penguin

Rockhopper penguin

The two penguins of the genus Eudyptes (crested) are distin­guished by the striking yellow crests on their heads.

The macaroni penguin is a member

of the crested penguin family whose members all

have plumes of golden yellow feathers over

their eyes. Unlike other penguin species

that waddle clumsily, the macaroni

penguin hops along on both feet.

~ HABITS The macaroni penguin is more at home in the water than on land. After it breeds and molts (sheds its feathers), it returns to the sea, at which point sci­entists believe that it migrates r:1Orthward to warmer waters, although this has not been proven.

The macaroni penguin is an extremely sociable animal. It spends much of its life in the company of other penguins. It breeds and molts in large col­onies on shore and gathers in

large groups to feed at sea. The macaroni penguin

swims on or just below the surface of the water, using its tail and flippers to change direction. When moving at fast speeds, it rises to the surface of the water at regu­lar intervals to breathe, much like a dolphin does, so that it does not have to slow down.

The penguin rarely dives for longer than two to three minutes; the heat-conserving air trapped beneath its feath-

~ BREEDING The macaroni penguin mates in spring, usually at the same site and with the same partner as the previous year. The male establishes the pair's breeding territory, and the female soon joins him.

The female lays two eggs of different sizes. The first is small and the second egg may be 70 percent larger. It is rare for more than one egg to survive.

Both parents incubate the surviving egg and take turns leaving the nest every few days to feed. For the first few days after hatching, the chick is sheltered under the body of one parent while the other forages for food.

DID YOU KNOW? • The macaroni penguin's family name comes from the Greek word spheniskos, meaning "small wedge." It refers to the shape of the bird's flipperlike wings.

• It was once thought that

ers makes it too buoyant to stay submerged for a longer period of time.

As soon as its chicks become independent, the macaroni penguin begins its annual molt. The bird's old, dirty feathers are gradually replaced during a several-week period. New feathers grow beneath the old ones, gradually push­ing them out of the skin. The old feathers fall out only when the penguin is fully covered with new feathers .

The chick is born with a covering of thick down, which is soon replaced by feathers. It soon heads out to sea with the colony. Although it grows adult feathers at the end of its first year, the chick does not breed until it is at least six years old.

penguins lived only in the cold Antarctic waters . They actually inhabit waters that

have a wide range of tem­

peratures and are found as

far north as the Galapagos

Islands.

Right: A parent feeds its chick. Below: Adults are aggressive to intruders. Below right: Parents take turns incubat­ing the eggs.

~ FOOD &: FEEDING The macaroni penguin feeds mainly on krill (small, shrimp­like crustaceans). It also eats

small fish and squid. Large amounts of krill are

fOund throughout the Antarc­tic because they thrive in the well-oxygenated water. Krill

are most plentiful on the surface of the ocean at night, and large groups of macaroni penguins travel between their colonies and feeding grounds.

During the day, the penguin dives underwater to catch small fish and squid.

Top left: A colony of 50,000 nest­ing pairs uses all available space to rear the young.

Left: Colonies resound to the sounds of courting. This soon leads to a period of frenzied nest building.

NIGHTINGALE

ORDER Passeriformes

FAMILY Turdidae

GENUS & SPECIES Luscinia megarhynchos

The nightingale is famous for its melodious song, which is often heard at night when other birds are silent. It usually sings

from dense cover, so it can be difficult to spot.

KEY FACTS

SIZES

Length: 61/2-63/4 in. Wingspan: 9-10 in.

Weight: 1/2-1 oz.

BREEDING Sexual maturity: 1 year.

Breeding season: May to June.

No. of broods: 1, sometimes 2.

Eggs: 4-5, dull olive, speckled .

Incubation: 13-14 days.

Fledging period: 11-12 days, independent at 4 weeks.

LIFESTYLE

Habit: Pairs only when breeding.

Diet: Worms, spiders, insects,

larvae, fruits, and berries.

Lifespan: Oldest known, 7 years,

11 months.

RELATED SPECIES

The rare thrush nightingale,

Luscinia /uscinia, looks similar to

the nightingale but is darker

above with a gray-mottled breast.

FEATURES OF THE NIGHTINGALE

Range of the nightingale.

DISTRIBUTION

Breeds in southeast England, throughout southern Europe, and across into central Asia . Winters in Africa .

CONSERVATION

The nightingale population has declined in many parts of

Europe because of habitat loss, but it now appears to be stable.

Nest location: In deciduous wood­land thickets close to or on the ground.

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The nightingale's song is most often

heard from April to June. The male calls

out during the daytime to defend his territory

against rival males, but his call is more often

heard during warm evenings when he sings

melodiously to attract a female.

~ HABITAT

Migrating nightingales arrive in Central Asia, Europe, and Great Britain from West Africa in mid-April. Flying mainly at night, the males precede the females by a few days.

The nightingales blend into the dense cover of tangled thickets and other deciduous woodlands. They also live in overgrown parks and gar­dens, tall and overgrown hedges, and dense under­growth. Nearby rivers or

ponds provide insects to eat. In Great Britain the nightin­

gale popUlation has de­creased because of a loss of habitat, but large numbers

still live in southeast England. The thrush nightingale, a re­lated species, is more com­mon in northeastern Europe.

BI-RDWATCH

The nightingale is most likely to be found in the southeast of England. Seldom seen, this brown, thrush-sized bird has a light buff breast, point­ed beak, and chestnut­brown tai l.

The nightingale's song is heard from mid- to late spri ng. The male sings during warm evenings to

attract females returning from African wintering grounds. During the day his calls warn rivals away from his territory.

The song has warbling tri lls, high whistles, rich melodies, and some harsh sounds. It has a wide range of repeated notes ending with a loud burst of song.

DID YOU KNOW? • A nightingale often re­turns to the same area to nest each season, but rarely with the same mate. They may, however, nest nearby.

• The male and female nightingale clean their nest by removing or swallowing the chicks' feces.

• When the fledglings leave the nest to learn how to fly, each parent takes responsi­bility for part of the brood until the family regroups later.

~ FOOD & FEEDING

Like other birds in the thrush family, the nightingale mainly feeds on insects and worms on the ground or in vegetation under bushes or trees. It also catches its insect prey in flight.

In fall the nightingale migrates to West Africa where food is plentiful. It fills up on fruits and berries before it leaves.

Left: A nightingale bathes in the water source that also supplies it with insects.

Right: Nestlings are safely hidden in a dense thicket. The male collects insects, worms, and other inverte­brates for them.

BREEDING The nightingale's pairing dis­play takes place under dense cover. The male nightingale droops and flutters his wings, fanning out his red-brown tail while giving his call.

The pair chooses a nest site hidden by thick undergrowth such as nettles, ivy, or grass. The female builds a nest base of dead leaves and lines it with grass and hair.

The female incubates the well-camouflaged eggs, but her mate stays close by, calling

Center: The female makes the nest base with dead leaves and lines it with grass and hair.

Right: Insects picked off the ground are a favorite food.

her to join him in feeding . The eggs hatch 1 3 to 14 days later. The male initially collects spiders, beetles, ants, and other insects for the female to feed to the young.

The nestlings open their eyes at five days. They take to their wings 11 to 12 days later, but are shaky in flight for a few days.

In late August or early September the pair separates and each bird migrates to West Africa for the winter.

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER

... ORDER ~ Caviiformes

FAMILY Caviidae

GROUP 2: BIRDS

GENUS & SPECIES Cavia immer

The great northern diver has a haunting call that sounds like a mournful wail. According to Norse legend, if a flock flew

overhead calling, they were following souls to heaven.

KEY FACTS

SIZES Length: 2-3 ft. Weight: 8-10 lb . Wingspan: 43/ 4-5 ft.

BREEDING Sexual maturity: 2 years. Breeding season: June to September. No. of broods: 1 . Eggs: 2, brown . Incubation: 25 days.

LIFESTYLE Habit: Pairs for life. Diet: Mainly fish. Call: Mournful wail.

RELATED SPECIES There are 4 other species of diver: red-throated, Cavia stellato,

black-throated, C. arctica, white­

billed, C. adamsii, and Pacific, C. pacifica.

• Range of the great northern diver Winter range -----==--==

DISTRIBUTION North America and southern coasts of Greenland and Iceland. Migrates south in winter, often stopping along northern European coasts.

CONSERVATION The great northern diver has a stable population throughout its range, but increasing water pollution and habitat disturbance may decrease its numbers.

FEATURES OF THE GREAT NORTHERN DIVER

Flight: Once airborne, the diver fli es fast, revealing its underside, which is white year-round.

Summer plumage: Both sexes have a black neck and greenish black head with a white collar. The upper parts are boldly patterned in black and white.

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Bill: Heavy and pointed . LarQer than those of other related

Nest: A shallow hole or a gathered mound of vegetation near the

water's edge.

Slipway: Flatt ned, smoothed path to the water that gives the diver a Quick escape route when alarmed.

Eggs: Two, light or dark brown with dark brown spots.

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Although awkward on land, the great

northern diver is a powerful swimmer that mainly

lives in water, feeding on fish it retrieves from the depths

of lakes. It inhabits the higher latitudes of the northern

hemisphere, but can sometimes be seen off

more southerly coasts in winter.

~HABITS The great northern diver sleeps, feeds, and courts on the water. It comes ashore only to breed. With its strong legs set back on its large, streamlined body, it walks awkwardly on land.

It flies well and at high speeds but needs a long take-

off area in the water. To land, the diver circles on swiftly beating wings and then glides down at a steep angle. At the last moment, the great northern diver lowers its feet and slides into the water, throwing up a great sheet of spray.

Right: Each 1111;1!!III!!I!I~i breeding pair defends a small territory on ci lake. The birds spend almost all their life on the water, diving deep to catch fish.

~ FOOD &: FEEDING The great northern diver feeds mainly on fish, although it may also eat crustaceans, mollusks, sea worms, water insects, and vegetation . When it eats, the diver dips its bill and forehead underwater and then dives for up to one minute, using its feet and wings to force its body deeper into the water.

Some fishermen complain that the diver interferes with their fishing, though this is un­likely. Sometimes divers may get tangled in lines or nets .

DID YOU KNOW? • The wail of the great northern diver is often mistaken for a wolf's cry.

• With the exception of penguins, the great north­ern diver holds the record

for deep dives: one was snared in a net at 230 feet .

Left: The great northern diver is recognizable during the summer by its black-and­white plumage.

Right: In winter the diver's plumage turns a dull gray­brown. At this time of year it may be seen off North Atlantic coasts.

• Also known as the com­mon loon, the diver's ghost­ly cry and shambling walk inspired the word "loony."

• The diver descended from a seven-foot-Iong fishing bird that lived 100 million

years ago .

~ PREDATORS The adult diver has no serious predators, but its eggs are eat­en by foxes, minks, otters, and thieving birds such as herring gulls, crows, and skuas.

When disturbed on the nest, the diver freezes, stretching its neck low to hide. If necessary the diver slips into the water,

~ BREEDING

The great northern diver pairs for life after a courting ritual of chasing, either half-flying across the water or swimming with the body partially sub­merged and the neck held out stiffly. The pair mates on the nest or in water.

Clumsy on land, the diver builds its nest near water with a flattened slipway for easy es­cape in an emergency. It makes a shallow hole on the shoreline, or sometimes uses decaying vegetation for a nest.

Between June and August

Left: The nest is built close to the water, enabling the chicks to swim soon after hatching.

swimming below the surface until it is safely away from danger. But once her eggs hatch the female rarely leaves the nest.

The diver is not threat­ened, but increasing pollu­tion of its habitat may de­plete the population .

the female lays two eggs, light or dark brown with dark brown spots. Both parents take turns incubating, and the chicks hatch in 25 days.

When their dark, fluffy down dries, the young take to the water. They dive at two days old, but they tire easily. For the first three weeks they rest on their parents' strong backs.

The chicks first feed on aquatic invertebrates, pro­gressing later to fish. The parents feed the quickly growing chicks for seven weeks, and they are able to fly at 1 0 weeks.

NORTHERN SHOVELER

,. ORDER ~ Anseriformes

FAMILY Anatidae

The northern shoveler is the only shoveler duck found in the Northern Hemisphere. It is named for its huge bill, which it uses to

filter food from inland seas, lakes, and marshes.

KEY FACTS ------------------------------------------------~

SIZES

Length: 1 Z1 ft. Male larger.

Wingspan: 2Z1-2% ft.

Weight: About 1 ~ lb.

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: 1 year.

Breeding season: April to May.

No. of eggs: 9-11, buff-colored.

Incubation period: 22-23 days.

Fledging period: 40-45 days.

LIFESTYLE

Habit: Migratory, freshwater,

dabbling duck.

Diet: Crustaceans, mollusks,

aquatic plant seeds and leaves.

lifespan: 2-3 years. Oldest known

bird, 20 years 5 months.

RELATED SPECIES

There are 3 other shoveler species:

the South American red shoveler,

Anas plata lea; the African Cape

shoveler, A. smithii; and the Austral­

asian shoveler, A. rhynchotis.

Range of the northern shoveler. Winter range. =============:::::1 DISTRIBUTION

Common and widespread throughout the Northern

Hemisphere. Breeds from Alaska to eastern Russia. Win­

ters in southern United States, Mexico, southern Europe,

Africa, India, and Southeast Asia.

CONSERVATION

Some populations have declined due to loss of their

habitat, but numbers are generally stable or increasing.

FEATURES OF THE NORTHERN SHOVELER

Flight: The shoveler takes to the air easily and flies with strong wing strokes.

Plumage: The male has a glossy green head, chestnut belly, and white chest in contrast to the dull-colored female.

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Eggs: 9 to 11 eggs are laid and incubated for 3Y.1 weeks.

Bill : Very distinctive, wide, and spatulalike.

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The northern shoveler is one of four species

of shoveler duck. It is found throughout North America

and Eurasia, while its three relatives

live separately on the continents of Africa,

South America, and Australia.

~ HABITS The northern shoveler is usual­ly found in the shallow areas of freshwater lakes, ponds, or marshes, especially lowland sites with dense reeds or grass. Large flocks of birds may dab­ble around the muddy edges of the water, but they avoid deeper areas. Shovelers will alight on surprisingly small stretches of water, provided there is a rich aquatic life.

These birds take to the air easily and fly strongly, so they are able to move freely from site to site.

Shovelers are most often seen in pairs or small parties containing up to 20 ducks. Large flocks may gather dur­ing the fall and spring migra­tions, especially at stopover points between the northern breeding grounds and the southern winter quarters.

Not all northern shovelers migrate. Some live in central, temperate regions through­out the year. In the fall they are frequently joined by large numbers of migrants from the north.

~ FOOD &: FEEDING

The shoveler feeds by filtering water through its large spat­ulalike bill. Usually it feeds in the shallows, either alone or in groups of two or three. It swims in circles, sweeping its partly open bill from side to side through the water. After drawing in a beakful of water, the shoveler closes its bill so that the hairlike jagged edges in its mandibles (jaws) inter­mesh to form a filter. When the water drains, particles of food remain in the duck's bill. The mesh is so fine it even traps microscopic plankton.

The shoveler swims with its head and neck submerged, occasionally upending itself to reach food beneath the surface. It consumes crus­taceans, mollusks, insects, larvae, and the leaves and seeds of a variety of water plants. Although the shoveler feeds mainly by day, in areas where it is hunted or other­wise disturbed it also feeds at night.

DID YOU KNOW? • The northern or com­mon shoveler is popularly known as the spoonbill duck and the "smiling mallard."

• When the shoveler takes to the air, its wings produce a buzzing noise that is believed to be a territorial warning. • When feeding alone, the shoveler often swims in tight circles to create a whirlpool that stirs up food from the bed of the lake or pond.

The northern shoveler begins to search for a mate in mid­winter. Groups of up to 12 males may court a single female. They swim alongside her with their beaks in the air and make short "follow me" flights in front. They may also circle quickly in the air above the water, calling repeatedly

Top left: As with most ducks, the male shoveler's plumage is much more colorful than the female's.

~I BIRDWATCH The northern shoveler breeds primarily in western North America. During the fall mi­gration, it flies southward and eastward, and it can be seen in eastern areas during the winter months.

The northern shoveler is

left: Shoveler ducks mate to­ward the end of winter.

Right: Over a period of two weeks, the fe­male lays up to 11 pale green eggs.

to the female. To make her selection, the female swims close to one male and dis­courages the others.

At the breeding grounds the pair searches for a nest site. The nest is usually built on the ground, but close to the water.

The female duck presses her breast against the ground to make a cup-shaped hollow, which she then lines with

usually found in freshwater marshes. In winter it may also visit saltwater areas.

From close up, you can easily identify the northern shoveler by its large bill. Two other distinguishing features are its pale blue forewing

left: The female duck is highly pro­tective of her ducklings. She raises only one brood each year.

grass, leaves, and down. Al­though the female cares for the eggs, the male is usually on guard nearby.

The female takes about two weeks to lay 9 to 11 eggs. In­cubation begins after the last egg is laid, so all the young hatch together. The ducklings can feed themselves shortly after hatching, but their mother continues to guard them from predators.

and green rear patch. The male's bottle-green head, white breast, and chestnut belly are also unmistakable. After breeding, the male's plumage becomes duller, but it is still more colorful than the female's.

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD

ORDER Pelecaniformes

FAMILY Fregatidae

GROUP 2: BIRDS

GENUS &: SPECIES Fregata magnificens

The magnificent frigatebird is a master of aerial acrobatics. With its falconlike speed and split-second timing, it can

accurately pluck flying fish from the sea.

KEY FACTS

SIZES Length: 3-3 '/2ft. Weight: Up to 3 lb.

BREEDING Breeding season: Once every

two years; at any time of year.

No. of broods: 1 .

Eggs: 1; white.

Incubation: 40-50 days. Fledging period: 5-6 months.

LIFESTYLE

Habit: Sociable. Diet: Flying fish, surface­swimming sea creatures, and

food stolen from other birds.

RELATED SPECIES

There are 5 species of frigatebird

in a single genus. They are

sometimes called man-o' -war

birds.

Range of the frigatebird .

DISTRIBUTION

Galapagos and Cape Verde islands, the Caribbean, eastern Central America, and the South American coast.

CONSERVATION

The magnificent frigatebird has few predators. On the

Galapagos Islands short-eared owls prey on ch icks, and other

frigatebirds sometimes take the young .

FEATURES OF THE MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD Adaptations: The frigatebird 's large wingspan makes its aerial acrobatics possible. But the weight of its wings makes landing difficult. The frigatebird does not have waterproof plumage so it avoids water.

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Female: Larger, with a white streak across the breast.

Young: Helpless and featherless when hatched, it relies on its parents for up to six months.

0160200281 PACKET 28

The magnificent frigatebird is the

largest of the five species of frigatebird. Its long,

pointed wings, spanning seven feet, carry its light

body. The breast muscle supports the wings and

feathers and makes up half its weight.

~ HABITS The frigatebird lives and breeds on islands. It builds its nest with sticks, feathersl and bones in low shrubs and

Below: The male is easy to identify by his red throat sac and iridescent plumage.

trees. The frigatebird nests close to other birds such as boobies and gannets. The frigatebird steals their catches, carrying them off in a sharply hooked beak made for hold­ing slippery prey.

~ FOOD &: HUNTING During breeding season the frigatebird steals food from other birds' nests to feed its young. Sometimes a group of frigatebirds surrounds another bird while flying, pecking at its feathers until it drops its food. The frigatebird catches it before it hits the sea. Outside

DID YOU KNOW? • The sight of a frigatebird is a sign to sailors that land is near.

• Like carrier pigeons, frigatebirds were used by islanders to carry messages.

• The frigatebird's egg

breeding season the frigatebird feeds on flying fish. It accurately snaps up fish breaking the water surface.

It preys on jellyfish, squid, and other surface-swimming creatures. The frigatebird also eats young turtle hatchlings.

weighs six percent of the mother's body weight. • The frigatebird can tell if another bird is carrying food back to the nest by the cries it makes when approached.

[-:- SPECIAL ADAPTATIONS With a larger wingspan-to­weight ratio than any other bird, the frigatebird can fly for many hours .

Its long beak lets the bird dip into the water w ithout

wetting its feathers, which are lightly oiled but not waterproof. '

The frigatebird uses its V­shaped, pointed tai l feathers as rudders.

~ BREEDING During breeding season, the male frigatebird develops a large red throat sac to attract the female. Unlike other birds, the males do not show aggres­sion; they sit together to at­tract females flying overhead.

The male rattles his feathers and beak to persuade the female to choose him as a partner. The pair builds a nest where the female will lay one white egg that they both take turns incubating.

Left: The male gathers materials for the female to build the nest.

The parents feed the help­less and featherless chick for four to five months while it fledges (grows its feathers). Then the young frigatebird leaves the nest to join a group of nestlings learning how to fly.

The mother still feeds the young for another five to six months. This unusually long period of care limits the female to breeding only every other year.

Below: Young frigatebirds form groups to learn to fly.

OSPREY

ORDER Falconiformes

FAMILY Pandionidae

GROUP 2: BIRDS GENUS &: SPECIES Pandion haliaetus

The osprey is known for both its beauty and its impressive hunting technique. A fish-eater, it plunges down to the water surface to snatch unwary prey in its strong claws.

KEY FACTS

SIZES Length: 2 ft.

Wingspan: 4'/2-5' /2 ft. Weight: 2-4 lb.

BREEDING Sexual maturity: 3 years.

Breeding season: Varies according

to region.

Eggs: 2-4, usually 3. Incubation: About 38 days. Fledging period: About 50 days.

LIFESTYLE Habit: Migratory. Found both

alone and in loose groups. Diet: Fish. Occasionally small

mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibi­

ans, and invertebrates.

Lifespan: Can be 15-20 years .

Oldest recorded 32 years.

RELATED SPECIES The osprey, the only member of its

family, is related to the hawk,

eagle, vulture, and falcon.

IDENTIFYING THE OSPREY

Winter range Breeding range

DISTRIBUTION Worldwide along coasts and near inland waters. This map

shows breeding, wintering, and resident areas. The bird is

found elsewhere during winter migration.

CONSERVATION Shooting and pesticide poisoning threaten the rare and

endangered osprey in many areas of its range. Strictly

protected in some regions.

Identification: Eggs: Two or three creamy

white eggs, blotched with reddish brown.

Brown plumage with white

head feathers.

PLUNGE-DIVING FOR PREY

Nest site: High in treetops, at tops of rocky columns, or on ground if safe.

lPlMr.M)(r.1 IMP RV/IMP INr. WII n l IFF FAr.T FILETM

Male and female

. similar. Flies with

wings forming

"M" shape.

Chick: Fed by the

female. Flies after 50 days.

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Divi as hrgh as1 00 feet, the osprey thrusts its feet for­ward just before reaching the water and grabs the prey with its talons.

01 6020025 1 PACKET 25

The osprey's tendency to prey on fish

stocks makes it unpopular with fisheries.

Hunted almost to extinction in many areas,

it has also been a victim of chemical

pollution. With protection, its numbers

are growing in some areas.

~ BEHAVIOR The only member of its family, the osprey is a large bird with long legs and powerful talons. It holds its long, slender wings in a shallow "M" shape while flying around the lakes, rivers, and coastal regions where it catches fish.

The osprey has one of the greatest ranges of any bird. It

BIRDW ATCH After a 50-year absence, the osprey returned to Scotland in the 1950s. Nesting sites across the Highlands are protected, and the Loch Garten nesting site is a favorite osprey viewing area

breeds in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and North America . In winter it leaves northern regions and heads south to more temperate climates. Eu­ropean birds fly to Africa, the North American species mi­grates to Central and South America, and birds from northern Asia go to India.

for European birdwatchers. By 1990, over 50 pai rs

nested in Scotland, and that number is rising. After breed­ing season, the ospreys fly to Africa, and can be seen at several stops along the way.

~ FOOD &: HUNTING The osprey feeds mainly on fish caught in surface water. It flies 65 to 100 feet above the water until it sees a fish. The pale plumage on the osprey's underside makes it difficult fo r fish to see it against the sky.

The osprey plunges down with wings swept back. Before reaching the water, it swings

Left: The osprey prefers to build its nest in treetops or on crags.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Although rare, the osprey can catch two fish in one dive.

• The osprey's large outer toe can turn backward, improving its grip on prey. • The osprey's feet are so well adapted for gripping that

its feet forward, its legs breaking the surface.

Curving talons and small hooks in its toes help the osprey catch fish and take them to its perch to eat. Still, larger birds such as the sea eagle may chase the os­prey and force it to drop its catch .

Right: The osprey carries its catch to a perch to eat.

some birds have been dragged underwater and drowned by large fish.

• On Gardiner's Island near New York, a single osprey colony contained over 300 breeding pairs.

~ OSPREY &: MAN The osprey has been hunted for preying on fish stocks. It was almost exterminated in 1900 but returned in 1950.

The osprey suffers from pesticide poisoning in North America. Chemicals such as DDT (used to kill pests on

~ BREEDING The male osprey performs displays during the breeding season to attract a mate or to strengthen his bond with an established mate. The male rapidly fl'ies up 1,000 feet or more, carrying a fish in his talons. He then hovers briefly,

Left: Nests are used year after year so they grow to large sizes.

farmland) seep into rivers and lakes and build up in fish that the osprey eats . The chemicals do not usually kill adult birds, but they thin the shells of their eggs, making them fragile and more likely to break. Few of these young hatch .

displaying the fish to the female before diving down with his wings folded. This may be repeated several times.

Breeding pairs build their nests in t reetops or on rocky heights-or on the ground with no predators nearby. The large nests, made of sticks and debris, may be used and added to each year.

The clutch contains three creamy white eggs blotched with red . The female, with some help from the male, incu­bates the eggs for 38 days. At seven weeks, the young ospreys fly and leave the nest.

Left: The osprey looks similar to fellow birds of prey, the hawk and eagle.

'" CARD 88 COMMON MYNAH ,,~----------------------------~~~~~~ ~ ORDER

Posseriformes FAMILY Sturnidoe

GENUS & SPECIES Acridotheres tristis

The common mynah is a sociable, but noisy and aggressive, relative of the starling. Adjusting easily to man IS presence, it gathers on open land and in gardens throughout its range.

KEY FACTS

SIZES

Length: 10 in. Wingspan: About l' /2 ft. Weight: 3-5 oz.

BREEDING Breeding season: Variable.

No. of broods: Up to 3. Eggs: 2-5; pale blue to turquoise.

Incubation: About 1 7 days.

Fledging: 22-24 days.

LIFESTYLE

Native range of the common mynah.

DISTRIBUTION

Habit: Forms small flocks during

the day; roosts in large flocks.

Diet: Mainly insects; also fruit,

grain, worms, and refuse scraps.

Call: Whistle or screech.

Lifespan: About 4 years in the

wild, more than 15 in captivity.

RELATED SPECIES The 6 species of Acridotheres all

originate from Asia. The hill mynah or Indian grackle, Graculo

religioso, is the most commonly

caged mynah.

Lowland areas of Asia from Afghanistan east to southwest China. Introduced to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa,

and islands in the Pacific, Indian, and south Atlantic

oceans, including Hawaii .

CONSERVATION Widespread throughout its range wherever man has settled.

This adaptable bird is not in any danger.

FEATURES OF THE COMMON MYNAH

In flight: Has white patches on its wings.

Eggs: Two to five per brood; pale blue to bright turquoise color. Up to three broods per year.

Head: Brown on juvenile, changing to black on adult.

Body: Dark gray-brown. Underside white from belly to rear.

Tail feathers: Black with white tip.

©MCMXCIIMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

Eye flashes and bill: Bright yellow.

legs and feet: Bright yellow.

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Nest: Often the abandoned

tree hole of a squirrel or bird .

0160200291 PACKET 29

The common mynah is native to southern Asia

from Afghanistan east to southwest China. Insects

form the bulk of its varied diet. It was introduced as

early as 1755 to the island of Mauritius to destroy a

plague of locusts. Because of the mynah's effectiveness

for insect control, it has been introduced

throughout much of the world.

~ HABITS The common mynah is adapt­able. Its natural habitat is open lowland but it now also lives wherever man has set­

tled throughout its range. A noisy, sociable, and aggres­sive bird, it screeches and flies up into trees if disturbed. It fights with its own kind, though rarely inflicting injury.

Outside its breeding season the mynah spends the day in a family group of four or five birds. In the evening it flies into the trees to roost in a large flock, often sharing the site with other species. Even at night the mynah is noisy, chattering loudly at intervals through the night.

~BREEDING In the city, breeding mynahs build their nests under the eaves of buildings. In the wild they choose sites in the crowns of palm trees or in empty tree holes. The birds use the same nest site year after year.

The nest itself is a jumble of

left: The mynah pecks at grass, looking for insects.

~ FOOD &: FEEDING The common mynah prefers to eat insects. It strides about on the ground in search of food, turning over leaves and peck­ing for grubs and worms. It also eats berries, fruit, seeds, earthworms, flowers, nectar, and human refuse. It catches mice, frogs, and lizards and even eats other birds' eggs.

The mynah often perches on

grass and twigs, and some­times scraps of paper, foil, and string. Both adults build the nest and rear the young. Constant incubation is unnec­essary in the warmer climates of the mynah's habitats. The eggs hatch after about 1 7 days. The young fly when just over three weeks old.

a cow's back, feeding on the insects disturbed by the animal's hooves.

The mynah also circles in flocks above the farmer's ploW, watching for grubs and insects in the freshly over­turned soil.

Right: The mynah's calls range - from harsh screeches to a me­lodious whistle.

DID YOU KNOW? • The common mynah is useful in alerting humans to the presence of snakes. When the birds discover a snake they group nearby and screech at it.

• The oxpecker is a relative of the mynah . It, too, often perches on the backs of

cows and rhinos.

• Competition for nesting areas can be fierce . Male and female mynahs from several pairs often fight it out for the best sites.

• The hill mynah is the bird kept for its talent in imitat­ing human speech .

~ COMMON MYNAH &: MAN Man introduced the mynah to parts of the world where its insect diet was considered useful for protecting crops. As often happens, the disadvan­tages of introducing the bird were later discovered. In some

left: The hill mynah is the most skilled mimic in the family.

areas, the introduced mynahs have competed too success­fully and have reduced the local birds' numbers. In Hawaii, for example, the common mynah is a major predator of shearwater eggs. Farmers in other areas com­plain about damage to soft fruit and grain harvests.

BROWN KIWI

ORDER Apterygiformes

FAMILY Apterygidae

GENUS &: SPECIES Apteryx australis

The brown kiwi is a strange-looking creature that at first glance barely resembles a bird. It has no visible wings. Instead, it has

short, thick legs and coarse feathers that look like fur.

KEY FACTS

SIZES Length: 20 in . Height: 14 in . Weight: 5 Ibs. Female about 20 percent heavier than male.

BREEDING Sexual maturity: Not known, but probably at least 2 years. Laying season: July to February. Eggs: 1 or 2, white. Incubation: About 80 days.

LIFESTYLE Habit: Lives in pairs . Active mainly

at night.

Range of the brown kiwi.

Diet: Insects, worms, berries, seeds. Some larger prey such as reptiles and amphibians.

RELATED SPECIES There are 2 other species of kiwi, both in New Zealand: the great spotted kiwi, Apteryx haastii, and the little spotted kiwi, A. owenii.

DISTRIBUTION Found in New Zealand, on South Island, Stewart Island, and parts of North Island.

CONSERVATION

The brown kiwi is threatened by the destruction of its habitat and by predatory and competit ive species. It still survives in large numbers in some areas, especially in protected reserves.

RES OF THE BROWN KIWI

© MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILpM

Eggs: One or two, white. They are hidden in a hole among vegetation. The 11-week i period is the longes.~ of aoy bird.

Bill: Long, with sensitive nostrils at tip . It enables the kiwi to root for food and to

Daytime nest: A ---..:...~~

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hidden corner among dense vegetation or logs, where the kiwi sleeps UJltfi dusk.

0160200341 PACKET 34

The brown kiwi is one of New Zealand's

most celebrated and unusual birds. It spends

the day fast asleep in a spot concealed

by undergrowth or logs. Unable to fly, it

probes and scrapes for its food at night among

the fallen leaves covering the forest floor.

~ HABITS The peculiar habits and odd appearance of the brown kiwi owe much to the isolation of New Zealand's North and South islands. In most places a flightless bird of the-kiwi's size-about the size of a hen-would be easy prey for flesh-eating mammals. But until settlers arrived with do­mestic animals, land mam­mals could not even reach New Zealand.

In the absence of mammals, some New Zealand birds

developed habits normally associated with mammals. The brown kiwi, for example, cannot fly and feeds on insects at night.

The kiwi's habitat is mainly the forest, where it relies on its strong legs to scurry through thick undergrowth.

It generally lives in pairs, calling to its mate to keep in contact in the dense forest. The pair occupies and de­fends a territory, vigorously chasing away intruding kiwis.

~ BREEDING

The female produces one or two huge eggs, which may weigh more than one-sixth of her body weight. Each con­tains a large, nutritious yolk that lasts for the long incu­bation and provides the hatching chick with food.

The female lays her eggs in a hole among dense vege­tation, between tree roots, or in a hollow log. Her mate incubates them for 11 weeks -the longest incubation period of any bird. By hatching time each chick is open-eyed and fully feath­ered. Within a week it can leave the nest alone to gather food for itself.

DID YOU KNOW? • Europeans did not believe accounts of the kiwi until a specimen's skin was brought back in 1813.

• Sensitive bristles at the base of its bill help the kiwi root for food.

• The kiwi has such good

Left: Looking for food, the kiwi scrapes and pecks at the forest floor. Its keen sense of smell helps it to uncover earthworms and insects.

Right: Once the female has laid her eggs, the male guards them until they hatch. The incubation period is very long.

eyesight that it can run quickly in pitch darkness.

• During breeding the female's efforts in laying eggs and the male's role in incubation cause them to lose about one-fifth of their body weight.

~ BROWN KIWI &: MAN

Early Maori settlers of New Zealand prized the feathers of the kiwi for use in decora­tive cloaks. They also hunted the bird for its meat.

Today the kiwi is the coun­try's national emblem, and New Zealanders often refer

Left: The brown kiwi is an odd-looking bird, with a long beak and bulky, wingless body. During the heat of the day it sleeps in a safe place. Then, at dark, it strides off on its large feet in search of food.

to themselves as "Kiwis." But now the kiwi's survival

is threatened by the clearing of forest and by land mam­mals introduced by modern settlers. It has few defenses against such egg-thieving mammals as rats and ferrets.

~ FOOD &: FEEDING

The kiwi uses the pair of very sensitive nostrils at the tip of its bill to find food and locate fellow birds. Its good senses of hearing and touch also help it secure food.

The kiwi's diet includes insects, worms, berries, fruit, and occasionally small rep­tiles or amphibians. To find food, it scratches through dead leaves with its powerful claws or probes the soil with its bill to smell and feel for invertebrate prey.

BALD EAGLE

,,-----------------------------------------------~

ORDER Falconiformes

FAMILY Accipitridae

GENUS &: SPECIES Haliaeetus leucocephalus

The bald eagle was adopted as the national emblem of the United States in 1782. It now appears on every dollar bill.

Now rare, it is the country's most famous bird.

KEY FACTS

SIZES Length: Male, about 21/2 ft. Female, 3 ft. Weight: Male, 10 lb. Female, 13 lb.

Wingspan: 6-8 ft.

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: 5 years. Breeding season: November to

April depending on location.

No. of broods: 1 . Eggs: 2; white to pale blue. Incubation: 35 days.

Fledging: 10-11 weeks; usually

only 1 chick survives to maturity.

LIFESTYLE

Breeding range of the bald eagle.

DISTRIBUTION

Permanent range.

Habit: Mainly solitary outside

breeding season. Diet: Mainly fish; also rodents,

small mammals, and carrion.

The bald eagle's range is now thinly populated w ith

breeding areas rest ricted to Florida, the Aleutian Islands in the Bering Sea, Alaska, northern and eastern Canada, and

the northern United States.

RELATED SPECIES CONSERVATION Related to other sea eagles such

as the African fish eagle, Hali­aeetus vocifer.

An endangered species, the bald eagle is now fully protected

in the United States.

FEATURES OF THE BALD EAGLE

Flight: The bald eagle has broad wings with deeply slotted tips. These are ideal for soaring and long­distance flying.

Young: Fully fledged after 10-11 weeks. Survival of more than one from each brood is rare.

Talons: Long and sharp for seizing prey.

Aerie: Massive nesting platform of sticks and twigs built in a tree or on a cliff ledge. Weighs up to two tons; is larger than any other bird 's nest.

©MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.

Head feathers: Brown on

juvenile. The eagle has full

adult plumage after five years.

E: ggs: LJsually .'two, white or pale blue. Hatch after 35 days.

0160200291 PACKET 29

The bald eagle was once a common sight

throughout the United States and most of

Canada, but now it is in grave danger. Pollutants

and pesticides ingested by its prey have worked

their way up the food chain and are

threatening the bald eagle.

~ HABITAT The bald eagle makes its home along coastal areas, marshes, and riverbanks where it has the best chance of catching fish, its main diet.

The eagle is frequently found in Florida's estuaries

DID YOU KNOW? • From a distance the bald eagle's white head appears to be completely featherless; 'hence its name.

• A bald eagle's aerie built in Ohio about 1890 was used every year until storms destroyed it in 1925.

and pine forests. Greater numbers live in Alaska, its last great stronghold.

Outside the breeding sea­son, the bald eagle lives any­where in North America where there is water.

• The adult eagle protects its brood from stormy weather by forming a shelter with its outstretched wings.

• The largest gathering of bald eagles is on the Chilkat River in Alaska . Up to 4,000 inhabit a 1 O-mile stretch .

~ FOOD & HUNTING Watching motionless from its high perch, the bald eagle spots the silvery glimmer of fish swimming close to the water's surface. Soaring effort­lessly, the eagle plucks the fish from the water in its strong talons and carries it off to eat.

Sometimes the eagle dives underwater to catch fish. At other times it collects dead fish, such as salmon that have died after spawning, or it feeds on other carcasses.

Left: The bald eagle's keen eyesight enables it to spot prey moving far below it.

This adaptable hunter also attacks wading birds, forcing them to dive repeatedly until they are too exhausted to get away. The osprey, also a fish­ing bird, will give up its catch for the eagle to scoop up.

When fish are scarce, the eagle eats anything it can find or catch. It feeds on dead cat­tle and sheep. It also hunts live rodents and mammals, including fox and young deer, and even geese in flight.

Right: The eagle feeds mainly on fish. When hungry, it kills or scavenges whatever it can find.

~ BALD EAGLE & MAN Humans are responsible for the declining population of the bald eagle. It was once widely shot for its hunting habits. Now its habitat is being

Left: After winter the bald eagle makes the long flight to its northern breeding grounds.

~ BREEDING Breeding season lasts from December to April, although it begins earlier in Florida, the warmest and most southerly part of the bald eagle's range. It is timed so that hatching coincides with the most abundant food supplies.

Bald eagles mate for life and use the same nest each year. They build a huge aerie (nest) of sticks and twigs in a tree, or farther north, on rocky cliffs. The nest takes weeks to con­struct and is increased yearly.

The female usually lays two

Left: The young eagles feed regularly, but it is unlikely that both will survive to adulthood.

drained for development. More harmful are the effects

of toxic pollutants and pesti­cides. Poison from contami­nated prey builds up in the bird's body, causing sterility. This and its slow maturity rate contribute to its decline.

eggs, taking turns with her mate to incubate them over the next 35 days. Both par­ents feed the young: each brings food in its talons and tears it into smaller pieces with its beak. Competition for food is so great that usually only one chick survives to adulthood.

As the chicks grow they learn to tear up their own food and the parents leave them for longer periods. The chicks practice flying from the aerie, but they return nightly. This continues until their par­ents force them to leave at the end of summer.