GREAT CRESTED GREBE

__________________________________
... ORDER .... FAMILY ... GENUS & SPECIES
Podicipediformes Podicipedidae Podiceps cristatus
In the 1800s the feathers of the great crested grebe were used to
decorate hats. As a result, the bird was threatened by overhunting.
It has since recovered and is now flourishing in many areas.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 1 j-) ft.
Wingspan: 3 ft .
Weight: 1 j-)-2 lb.
BREEDING
Breeding season: May to
September.
Eggs: 3-6; white at first, then
stained brown.
Incubation: About 4 weeks.
Fledging: Up to 3 months.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Nonmigratory, except in
colder regions.
Diet: Small animals, including fish,
mollusks, frogs, and insects and
their larvae. Also waterweeds.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 8 other species in the
genus Podiceps, found in North
and South America, Australia,
and New Zealand. They include
the red-necked grebe, Podiceps
grisegena.
Range of the great crested grebe.
DISTRIBUTION
The great crested grebe is found in Europe, except the extreme
north. It is also found in part s of Asia, eastern and southern Afri-
ca, Australia, and New Zealand.
CONSERVATION
The use of the bird's feathers to trim women's hats in the 19th
century led to its near extinction in many areas, especially Great
Britain. However, its future now seems secure.
FEATURES OF THE GREAT CRESTED GREBE
Bill: Long and
slender.
Plumage: White
neck, breast, and
underparts. Upper-
parts are various
shades of brown.
In the breeding
season, the bird
has a double-
horned crest and
chestnut frills
around the head.
Sexes are alike.
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Flight: Reveals vivid wing patches
Long neck and trailing legs aid
identification.
Juvenile: White head and neck with black-
brown stripes, which provide camouflage
in vegetation on the water's edge. Re-
mains striped until it molts (sheds)
into first winter plumage
US P 6001 12078 PACKET 78
The relative abundance of the great crested grebe today is a
major triumph for the bird protection movement, especially
in Great Britain, where the greatest conservation effort has
taken place. A hundred years ago there were thought to be
no more than 42 pairs left in Great Britain. The population
has increased steadily since then, and there are now more
than 5,000 pairs present during the breeding season.
~ HABITS
The great crested grebe can be
found in freshwater ponds, slow-
flowing rivers, marshes, flooded
gravel pits, and reservoirs. It pre-
fers habitats where there are
large beds of densely growing
rushes or reeds.
This bird is mainly sedentary.
But some grebes from northern
regions move to sandy coasts or
estuaries for the winter, when
their freshwater habitats freeze
over. They soon return inland,
however, to build their nests and
raise their young.
The bird hardly ever flies ex-
cept during such migrations. It
tends to fly very low over the
ground, with its wings beating
rapidly and its head and feet
fully extended. The feet serve as
rudders to steer the bird in the
air, just as they do in water.
Right: A bold, opportunistic feeder,
the great crested grebe will even
tackle a mature perch.
~ BREEDING
Great crested grebes breed be-
tween May and September. Dur-
ing this time both sexes acquire
double-horned crests and chest-
nut frills around their heads. In
a very elaborate courtship ritual,
male and female face each oth-
er some distance apart on the
water and stretch their necks.
Then they swim together and
rub necks, uttering loud calls.
Next they dive for waterweeds,
which they present to each oth-
er. They also tread water, breast
to breast, while they shake their
heads. The pair may continue
their water-treading routine
when building a nest.
Left: Chicks can dive for food at six
weeks old. They often hitch a ride
on a parent.
DID YOU KNOW?
The great crested grebe is
the largest and most often
seen grebe in Europe.
Like other grebes, the great
crested grebe eats its own
feathers. Although the feath-
ers have little nutritional val-
ue, they apparently provide
roughage to aid digestion.
The name of the order to
Made from waterweeds, the
nest may rest on the bed of a
pond or stream, but it is built up
so that the top clears the water.
Alternatively, the nest may float,
attached to a log or a clump of
plant stems. The birds line the
nest with plant matter, which
they later use to cover the eggs
when leaving them unattended.
Three to six white eggs are
laid, which later become stained
a less conspicuous brown. Both
birds take turns incubating. The
offspring hatch in around four
weeks. They are able to swim
right away but rely on their par-
ents for food for some time.
Right: Both the male and female
have handsome ruffs and hornlike
crests in the breeding season.
which this species belongs l
means the "rump foots." This
refers to the fact that the feet
are set far back on the body,
which helps the bird :)vVim.
The name "loon" is some-
times applied to the great
crested grebe as well as to
some other water birds that
are not related to the grebe.
I ~ I BIRDWATCH
I
The great crested grebe lives
mainly on inland lakes and riv-
I
ers. When seen from afar, the
grebe may be mistaken for
another water bird. Through
binoculars, it can be identified
by its long bill and black cap.
In flight the great crested
grebe can be recognized by
the bold white patches on its
wings. Its long, slender neck
and trailing feet distinguish it
from mergansers.
Adult grebes communicate
with barks and clicking noises.
The chicks use a loud whistle.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The great crested grebe feeds
mainly on small fish, mollusks,
and insect larvae. It occasionally
eats frogs, as well as weeds, al-
gae, and other plant matter.
The bird often dives beneath
the water's surface to find its
prey. It either probes the bed
with its long, slender beak or
chases small aquatic animals. It
can swim considerable distances
when searching for food under
the water.
'" CARD 222 I
ZEBRA FINCH
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ORDER
Passeriformes
FAMilY
Estrildidae
GENUS & SPECIES
Taenioptera guttata
The zebra finch is the most common grass finch in Australia, where
it ranges from semideserts to city parks. It is also well known
because of its popularity as a cage bird.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
length: 4 in.
Weight: ~ - ~ oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 11 weeks.
Breeding season: Varies.
No. of eggs: 3-7; white.
Incubation period: 12-16 days.
Fledging period: 3 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable; pairs for life.
Diet: Grass seeds and insects.
Call: A loud "tia" and low "tet-tet"
contact call.
lifespan: Up to 8 years.
RELATED SPECIES
There are about 27 genera con-
taining 124 species in the family
Estrildidae. These birds are spread
all over Africa, Asia, and Australia.
The double-barred finch, Stizoptera
bichenovii, is a close relative of the
zebra finch.
Range of the zebra finch.
DISTRIBUTION
Found throughout most of Australia, except in the wet coastal
scrubland and rainforest. Also occurs on the Lesser Sunda Is-
lands of Indonesia.
CONSERVATION
The zebra finch is the most common Australian grass finch,
and it is increasing its range. It has benefited from human set-
tlement and irrigation of arid regions.
FEATURES OF THE ZEBRA FI NCH
Female: Mainly smoky gray,
with a black cheek stripe
Tail: Striped
black and white
in both sexes.
below the eye.
Male: Often marked with streaks of black,
white, and red on each cheek; black and
white stripes on his breast; and white
flecks on his orange-brown sides.
Eggs: 3 to 7. They are laid
at different times of the
year, but in dry regions they
are usually laid after a rain-
fall , when food is plentiful.
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Bill: Short
and conical ,
ideal for eat-
ing seeds.
Bright red in
both sexes.
Nest: Loose dome
of grass and twigs
with a side en-
trance. Lined with
feathers, wool, or
fu r. Usually 6 feet
from ground but
may b 30 feet up
>i n eucal ptus trees.
0160200641 PACKET 64
In the drier parts of its range, the zebra finch frequently
has to survive long periods without drinking water. Even
though this bird possesses highly efficient kidneys and a
remarkable ability to conserve moisture, it usually makes
its home close to a water source. Hikers in the Australian
outback often listen for the zebra finch 5 call because
they know that water will probably be nearby.
~ HABITAT
The zebra finch is the most
adaptable of Australia's grass
finches. In the south it lives near
humans, visiting parks and gar-
dens. In northern Australia it is
usually found in open savanna,
woodland, and grassland that
has enough scrub or tree cover
for nesting.
Because this hardy bird can
tolerate semidesert conditions,
it can be found in the very dry
and barren heartland of Aus-
tralia. It has benefited from the
actions of farmers, who have
sunk wells and provided water
troughs for livestock.
An extremely sociable bird,
the zebra finch tends to live in
large but closely knit flocks. Ev-
ery flock has its own bathing
and preening site. Often there
is a special tree with a "courting
branch," which is used by each
pair during mating.
Right: The zebra finch has very
efficient kidneys and can live over
eight months without water.
~ BREEDING
Zebra finches breed in a group
of 5 to 25 pairs within the colo-
ny. The male performs a lively
courtship display, usually on a
branch that has no leaves to ob-
struct movement. A close pair
bond is established, usually last-
ing for life. The two birds stay
together all year, roosting in a
special nest and reinforcing their
bond with mutual preening and
body contact.
The dome-shaped nest is con-
structed loosely from grasses or
twigs and has a side entrance.
It is set in the branches of a low
tree or thorny bush at least six
Left: When courting, the male zebra
finch dances before the female. She
quivers her tail in response.
feet from the ground. The male
collects the materials, while the
female constructs the nest.
The female lays three to seven
eggs on a bed of feathers, rabbit
fur, or sheep's wool. The parents
share the incubation, which lasts
1 2 to 1 6 days.
The newborns are blind and
partly covered with down. Both
parents brood them for about
three weeks. Then the young
leave the nest for the first time.
The adults lead them back, and
they continue to roost in the
nest until their parents begin
raising another brood.
Right: In arid regions, rain stimu-
lates the bird to display and start
building a nest.
Left: There are
numerous sub-
species of the
zebra finch
spread all over
Australia. They
can vary a
great deal in
coloring. Each
subspecies is
adapted to a
particular envi-
ronment.
DID YOU KNOW?
A male zebra finch can be-
come sexually mature at just
two months old, but usually
he is older. In areas where the
rainfall is unpredictable, the
bird must be ready to breed at
any tim--ven after a short
period of rain.
The zebra finch drinks like
a pigeon, sucking up water
~ FOOD & FEEDING
Zebra finches usually feed in
flocks of 50 to 100 pairs. The
bird's diet consists mainly of
grass seeds, which it collects
while it hops across the ground.
Occasionally it also jumps up,
snatching a seed head and then
shaking it to dislodge its nutri-
tious contents. Although it is
an able flier, the bird does not
hover when feeding.
The zebra finch also feeds on
insects. It takes some, such as
flying termites, while it flies. It
rather than filling its bill and
tipping back its head. This
technique may have come
from the bird's need to drink
the dew on leaves in order to
survive in arid regions.
The zebra finch passes very
little urine. Its kidneys retain
the body fluids to preserve
essential moisture.
snaps up other insects while it
hops on the ground. Insects, as
well as grass seeds, are an im-
portant part of a young bird's
diet. The parent stores them in
its crop and regurgitates them
for its young.
The zebra finch can survive
for weeks or months without
water. When it drinks, it takes
in much less than other species.
It retains, stores, and reuses al-
most all the water that most
birds lose in their urine.
'" CARD 223 I
BLACK SKIMMER
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ORDER
Charadriiformes
FAMilY
Rynchopidae
GENUS & SPECIES
Rynchops niger
The black skimmer is known for its distinctive bill, which enables it to
feed on fish and shrimp while it flies. With its mouth open, it uses the
lower part of its bill to scoop up prey from beneath the water.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
length: 1 6-20 in.
Weight: 9-1 2 oz.
Wingspan: 3-4 ft.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 3-4 years.
Breeding season: May to October.
No. of broods: Usually 1.
Eggs: 2-5; usually 3 or 4.
Incubation: 3-4 weeks by both
parents.
Fledging period: 4-5 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Social. Nests in colonies but
usually feeds alone.
Diet: Small fish and crustaceans.
lifespan: Unknown.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 2 other species in the
skimmer family: the Indian and the
African skimmer. Relatives also in-
clude gulls and terns.
Range of the black skimmer.
DISTRIBUTION
Found on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North, Central, and
South America. Also found farther inland along the larger rivers
of South America.
CONSERVATION
Although its nesting habitat has been reduced by the damming of
rivers, the black skimmer is still fairly common. However, rainforest
destruction has affected its diet and the quality of the water.
FEATURES OF THE BLACK SKIMMER
Plumage: Black
upperparts, white
underneath. Black
crown and white
forehead. Long
pointed wings.
Short white tail.
Flight: Graceful with steady, shallow wing
beats. Flies over water with mouth open
and longer, lower mandible (bill) scoop-
ing up prey. Legs and webbed feet are
tucked under body.
THE SKIMMER'S PUPil
Skimmers are the
only birds that have
vertical pupils. The pu-
pils narrow in bright light but
dilate in fading light, so the bird
has maximum light when hunting.
Egg: Usually 3 or 4; creamy
white with dark blotches.
Incubated by both parents.
MCMXCIV IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A. US P 6001 12067 PACKET 67
The unusual shape of the black skimmer's bill makes
this bird easy to distinguish from the gulls and terns
to which it is related. The lower part of the bird's bill
is flattened and quite a bit longer than the upper part.
This distinctive feature makes the black skimmer instantly
recognizable, especially when it is seen feeding at dusk
along the coastline and sometimes inland on rivers.
~ HABITS
The black skimmer is found on
the coasts of North, Central,
and South America. In South
America it also lives farther in-
land, along the banks of rivers,
bays, and marshes.
This highly sociable bird of-
ten nests in colonies of several
hundred individuals on sand-
bars or mud banks. When it is
not nesting, the black skimmer
may rest during the day, usual-
lyon mud or sand. If it is ap-
proached, it may fly up and
swoop down with hoarse cries,
but it rarely attacks an intruder.
The black skimmer is a restless
bird that spends a great deal of
time in the air, flying short dis-
tances between sandbars.
Breeding populations in the
northernmost part of the range
migrate south for the winter,
but those in the south do not
migrate at all.
Right: The black skimmer's steady,
shallow flight over water is suited
to its method of feeding.
~ BREEDING
The black skimmer begins to
breed at age three or four, join-
ing nesting colonies that may
contain hundreds of birds. The
birds nest on mud banks, sand-
bars, or small islands and often
share these sites with terns, who
protect the skimmers by driving
off predators.
In the breeding season, the
black skimmer is more aggres-
sive than usual, arguing over
territories and mates. Airborne
fights and chases are a common
part of courtship.
The female usually lays three
or four eggs in a small, unlined
Left: During incubation, the black
skimmer is careful to keep the tem-
perature of the eggs constant.
DID YOU KNOW?
When the black skimmer
feeds, its mandibles resemble
scissor blades cutting through
the water, so it is known as the
"scissorbill." It is also called
"cut water" and "storm gull."
Black skimmer adults rarely
I
swim, but the chicks can swim
soon after hatching.
I Most black skimmer breed-
hollow on the ground. Because
the nest is so exposed, the eggs
are often robbed. In such cases,
the bird lays a second clutch at
another site.
Both sexes incubate the eggs
for three to four weeks. During
hot weather, one partner wets
its belly and feet in water, then
returns to wet the eggs to lower
their temperature.
The downy hatchlings remain
near the nest before fledging at
four or five weeks old. The par-
ents then teach the chicks how
to feed but supply them with
food for a few weeks longer.
Right: The young are vulnerable
in their hollow, even though their
plumage camouflages them.
ing colonies contain less than
1 00 pairs, but the largest col-
ony on record contained ap-
proximately 4,000 pairs.
Both mandibles of a black
skimmer chick are the same
length. This enables the chick
to take food from its parents
and also pick up food from
the ground.
~ FOOD &: HUNTING
The black skimmer and the oth-
er two species of skimmer are
the only birds in which the low-
er part of the bill, or mandible,
is longer than the upper mandi-
ble. The black skimmer uses its
flattened lower mandible to cap-
ture the crustaceans and small
fish that make up its diet.
When hunting, the bird flies
with steady wing beats close to
the water. With its mouth open,
it skims the water with the tip of
its lower mandible. When the
Left: When the
black skimmer
hatches, both
mandibles
(parts of the
bill) are near-
ly the same
length. But by
the time the
bird reaches
adulthood, it
has the charac-
teristic longer
lower mandible.
lower bill touches prey, the up-
per bill jerks down. The bird's
head goes back as the mouth
snaps shut, and the victim is
trapped inside. The black skim-
mer's well-developed head and
neck muscles playa vital role in
this unusual method of feeding.
This bird usually feeds after
dusk and prefers to hunt at low
tide or in calm waters. It often
feeds alone but sometimes joins
small packs for a concentrated
trawling session.
MEW GULL
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~
ORDER
Charadriifbrmes
FAMILY
Laridae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Larus conus
The mew gull gets its name from the sound of the call that it utters
during the breeding season. This bird is widespread in northern
latitudes, where it can be seen in coastal as well as inland areas.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 15-17 in.
Wingspan: 3 ~ - 4 ft.
Weight: 11 -18 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2 years.
Breeding season: May to July.
No. of broods: 1 .
Eggs: 1-4; olive blotched with
rusty brown.
Incubation: 3-4 weeks.
Fledging period: 5 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable; mainly day-active.
Diet: Invertebrates, fish, and scraps.
Call: Usually silent; mewing calls in
the breeding season.
lifespan: Oldest known, 24 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The genus Larus contains 40 spe-
cies of gull from all around the
world, including the herring gull,
L. argentatus.
Resident range of
the mew gull.
DISTRIBUTION
Winter range. Breeding range.
Breeds in northwestern North America, and from Europe east
across Siberia to the Pacific. Winters as far south as Mexico, the
Red Sea, and Vietnam.
CONSERVATION
The mew gull is widespread and fairly abundant. Its population
has increased in recent decades and is probably continuing to
increase throughout its range.
FEATURES OF THE MEW GUll
Summer adult: White
overall, with gray
back and upper wing
feathers. Black-and-
white primaries
(wingtip feathers) .
Yellow-green bill
lacks red spot
present on bills
of black-backed,
glaucous, and
herring gulls.
Legs and feet:
Yellow. These
help distinguish
the mew gull
from the herring
gull , which has
pink legs and
feet.
MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILpM
Eyes: Dark,
unlike the
herring gull's
Flight: Graceful and buoyant.
Reveals long wings suitable
for gliding and soaring.
yellow eyes. . - -
Winter adult:
Brown-streaked
head; otherwise,
winter and summer
plumage similar. Bill
is duller color in
winter.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Eggs: Olive
blotched with
rusty brown.
01 60200801 PACKET 80
With its small bill, dainty posture, and buoyant flight,
the mew gull is often regarded as a more peaceable bird
than many of its close relatives. Its appearance is deceptive,
however, for this gull frequently resorts to piracy-chasing
other birds and bullying them into giving up their prey.
When it is at its northern breeding sites, the mew gull
will even launch an attack on an unruly neighbor.
~ HABITAT
In the breeding season pairs of
mew gulls can be found along
rocky or sandy seashores. Oth-
ers nest inland on tundra and
grassland, at altitudes of up to
4,500 feet in hilly regions.
After breeding, the birds flock
together to feed at estuaries,
sandy shores, and farmland.
I DID YOU KNOW?
The mew gull breaks open
eggs by dropping them.
I In some parts of Norway
people provide bird houses
for mew gulls and then col-
Those that forage inland often
leave at dusk to roost in safer
areas near reservoirs or lakes.
Many mew gulls migrate long
distances for winter. Birds that
nest in eastern Siberia may fly
to southern China, while some
gulls from Alaska spend the win-
ter in California.
leet the birds' eggs for food. I
A mew gull breeding colo-
ny is extremely noisy. The b i r ~ s
produce an almost constant
chorus of high-pitched cries.
~ BREEDING
The mew gull nests almost any-
where, from rocky islands, cliffs,
and dunes to river islands, wa-
terside trees, marshes, and tun-
dra. Some pairs nest alone, but
a suitable nesting site may con-
tain several thousand birds.
The female builds the nest
\
between May and July. Made
of seaweed or other plant mat-
ter, the nest is usually on the
ground but sometimes on a
building. The female mew gull
typically lays a clutch of three
Left: The usually silent mew gull
breaks into long, strident screams
to defend its nesting site.
eggs, which both sexes incu-
bate in two or three hour shifts
for three to four weeks.
Both of the parents provide
their hatchlings with food, but
the female tends to bring more
than her mate. At first the par-
ents put food directly into each
chick's mouth, but after several
days they just regurgitate food
onto the ground for the nest-
lings to pick up. The adults con-
tinue to bring food to the young
until they have fledged.
Right: The downy hatchlings are
mottled but develop full plumage
after five weeks.
Left: The mew
gull breeds on
islands, coasts,
or tundra. After
the female lines
the nest with
plant matter,
her mate helps
her incubate
for three or four
weeks.
~ I BIRDWATCH
The mew gull is common on
North America's northwestern
coast, nesting mostly in Alaska
and the Yukon Territory.
After breeding, mew gulls mi-
I
grate down the Pacific coast,
where thousands spend the
winter. At this time of year, the
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The mew gull is a predator and
scavenger that eats almost any-
thing. In coastal areas it feeds on
shellfish, shrimps, starfish, and
small fish, sometimes stealing
prey from puffins, kittiwakes,
and black-headed gulls.
On inland waters, the mew
gull feeds on caddis flies, drag-
onflies, stone flies, and their lar-
vae. It catches aquatic prey near
the water's surface, swooping
down from the air or swimming
and dipping its bill underwater.
Left: A frog makes a tasty meal, but
the mew gull will eat just about any-
thing it can find.
bird's normally white crown is
streaked with rusty brown.
The mew gull's bill is yellow-
green in summer and duller in
winter. But it always lacks the
red spot that is found on the
bills of the black-backed, glau-
cous, and herri ng gulls.
Inland, the mew gull forages
in any grassy area, from farm-
land to city parks. The bird tugs
at earthworms with its bill or
snatches insects such as flies and
beetles. Birds in a flock move for-
ward by "leapfrogging" over
one another.
Groups of mew gulls often cir-
cle around tractors, looking for
invertebrates in the plowed soil.
They also prey on the chicks of
ground-nesting birds and on
small rodents such as field mice.
Like many gulls, they scavenge
scraps from garbage dumps in
inland towns and fishing ports.
RED-THROATED LOON
ORDER
Caviiformes
FAMILY
Caviidae
GENUS&: SPECIES
Cavia stellato
The red- throated loon's colorful breeding plumage sets it apart
from other species. Also, few birds can match its fishing
skills in the northern habitats where it breeds.
KEY FACTS ____________________________
SIZES
Length: About 2 ft .
Weight: lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2-3 years.
Breeding: May to September.
Eggs: Usually 2; olive-buff with
brown-black markings.
Incubation: About 4 weeks.
Fledging period: 6 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Active by day. Pairs for life.
Territorial when breeding.
Calls: Barking alarm call, wailing
and cooing during breeding, and
gooselike cackling in flight.
lifespan: Up to 24 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Members of the family Caviidae
also include the Arctic loon, Cavia
arctico, as well as the common
loon, C. immer.
Breeding range of the
red-throated loon.
DI STRI BUTION
Winter range.
The red-throated loon breeds on freshwater ponds and lakes in
northern latitudes worldwide. It winters farther south, on ice-
free coasts of Europe, Asia, and North America.
CONSERVATION
The species is still numerous in the remote parts of its range,
but many populations have declined in this century because
of human interference.
OF THE RED-THROATED LOON
I Slightly Summer plumage: Usually acquired in April or
upturned-a May. The gray throat features a wine-red patch
feature that on the front that may seem darker in poor light.
helps to distin- It fades in the fall.
guish the spe-
cies in its winter
plumage from
other loons.
Eggs: 2. Ol ive-buff with brownish
black speckles. Incubated by both
parents for about 4 weeks.
MCMXCVI IMP BV/ IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Winter plumage: The red throat
patch disappears. The gray head and
neck become much paler, merging
with the white of the breast. The up-
perparts have fine white speckling
not seen on other loons.
US P 6001 12 077 PACKET 77
The graceful red-throated loon is often seen on both coasts
of the United States in winter. The smallest and the most
widely distributed member of the loon familYt this bird is
well suited to its aquatic way of life. Loons are second
only to penguins in diving ability. They have a unique
method of squeezing air from their plumage so that
they sink effortlessly beneath the water's surface.

The red-throated loon makes
its home on freshwater ponds
and lakes near the coast but
moves farther inland to breed.
It is well adapted to life on the
water. Unlike most birds, it has
solid, heavy bones, so it can
control its buoyancy. The loon
can sink at will, slipping beneath
the surface by expelling the air
trapped in its feathers, as well
as air in its lungs and air sacs.
When alarmed, the loon fully
submerges its body, leaving
only its head above the water.
The loon's muscles and blood
circulation are adapted for stor-
ing extra oxygen that the bird
needs for long dives. One dive
may last a minute and a half,
covering several hundred yards
and reaching depths of 30 feet.
Most loons need a long run
across the water to become
airborne, but the red-throated
loon can take off much more
easily. It can thus breed near
small ponds only 30 feet across.

Red-throated loons pair for life.
They return to the same territo-
ry each year and frequently re-
use the same nest. On arrival in
spring, they fly around, making
loud wailing and shrieking cries.
Courtship involves diving to-
gether and dipping bills in the
water. The paired loons then
mate on land. Using mosses or
water plants, they build a shal-
low nest. It is often located on
an island, near the water, and
the birds wear a path from the
landing place as they shuffle
along the ground to the nest.
Left: The red-throated loon 5 dis-
tinctive throat patch is visible only
in summer.
DID YOU KNOW?
An extra transparent eyelid
protects a loon's eyes under
the water.
The scientific name stellato
means "set with stars." The
name refers to the white speck-
les that are found on the red-
throated loon's upperparts.
In the Shetland Islands the
red-throated loon is known as
Both of the adults share the
four-week incubation, but the
female does most of the work.
The two chicks swim and dive
within a day of hatching. They
snap up water insects and also
eat fish that is caught by their
parents. They fight aggressively
over this food, and often only
the stronger chick survives.
The young loons are brooded
onshore for several nights. Then
they spend nights on the water,
safe under a parent's wings or
even nestled in the warm feath-
ers on its back.
Right: Parents are easily scared off
the nest, and they will leave their
eggs unprotected.
the rain goose because it is be-
lieved that its calls foretell bad
weather. Some Native Amer-
ican tribes once believed that
loons could make it rain.
The red-throated loon, like
other loons, loses its flight
feathers in the late summer. It
is still able to dive for food but
is flightless for several weeks.
BIRDWATCH
In summer the striking breed-
ing plumage of the adult red-
throated loon is easy to spot.
But in winter its drab coloring
, makes it more difficult to dis-
tinguish from other loons.
In the wintertime this bird is
seen mostly on estuaries and
FOOD &: FEEDING
With its tapering body, snakelike
neck, and sharp bill, the red-
throated loon is well adapted
for catching fish underwater. To
facilitate swimming, its legs are
set far back on its body, and it
has webbed, paddlelike feet. In
addition, the legs are flattened
from side to side, minimizing
water resistance, and they are
rotated in a way that drives the
Left: The skin and feathers of breed-
ing birds were once used to make
blankets in Greenland.
coastal waters. Major clues to
identification are its smaller
size; slender, upturned bill;
and upward-tilting head. Its
plumage has white speckles
on the upperparts, and it is
noticeably paler than that of
other loons.
bird forward through the water.
The red-throated loon preys
on fish, crustaceans, and other
aquatic animals. It feeds in shal-
low water, where there is good
light, because it hunts by sight.
When foraging, it holds its head
just under the water to avoid
glare and ripples at the surface.
On a small pond, there is rare-
ly enough food for a pair and
their offspring. They frequently
make trips to larger lakes, coast-
al waters, and estuaries for food.
"" CARD 226 I
LAPWING GROUP 2:
.. ORDER .. FAMILY .. GENUS & SPECIES
'11IIIIIIII Charadriiformes '11IIIIIIII Charadriidae '11IIIIIIII Vanellus vanellus
The northern lapwing, also known as the peewit, is probably the
most familiar shorebird in many parts of Europe. It is the
only lapwing that is widespread in Eurasia.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 11-12 in.
Wingspan: About 3 ft .
Weight: 5-9 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: Early spring.
No. of broods: 1 .
Eggs: Usually 4; olive brown with
black and dark brown blotches.
Incubation: 24-28 days.
Fledging period: 5 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Forms large flocks outside
the breeding season.
Diet: Mainly ground-dwelling in-
sects, earthworms, spiders, and
small freshwater mollusks.
Call: Flight call, "peewit, peewit."
Lifespan: 20 years recorded.
RELATED SPECIES
The 24 species in the genus
Vanellus include the blacksmith
and wattled plovers of Africa.
Range of the northern lapwing.
DISTRIBUTION
Found from Ireland, Scandinavia, Portugal, and Morocco east-
ward across Eurasia to China, Korea, and southern Japan.
CONSERVATION
Although protected in many European countries, the northern
lapwing's numbers have declined because of draining of its
habitat and human activity on its breeding grounds.
FEATURES OF THE NORTHERN LAPWING
,
Chasing flight: Joins with other
lapwings to drive invading crows
from its territory and protect its
eggs and young.
Nest: Shallow
hollow in soil,
lined with dry
grass and
leaves. Chosen
by the female
from several hol-
lows made by
the male during
courtship.
MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Plumage: Similar in both
sexes, but the female has
more white on tail and throat.
White underparts can be seen
in flight. Back is iridescent
dark green. Broad, rounded
wings unlike those of other
shorebirds.
Crest: Long,
black, rising
from crown of
head.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Eggs: Usually J
in a cl utch. Hatch
in rna tho
Undertail:
Chestnut-
colored. Flashed
. by male as part
of courtship
display.
0160200631 PACKET 63
The northern lapwing is boldly patterned in black and
white, with a wispy black crest rising from its head. The
dark feathers on its upper body are tinged with iridescent
green. As a result, this bird is called the green plover in
parts of Europe. The northern lapwing is particularly
striking during the spring breeding season, when
the male performs a dramatic display in the air.
~ H A B I T S
When not breeding, the north-
ern lapwing gathers in large
flocks on open land. In early
spring, winter flocks quickly
break up into breeding pairs.
In late July and August, after
the breeding season, the flocks
begin to build up again. Some
of the birds migrate south or
west in September.
Unlike most migratory birds,
the northern lapwing appears
to have no set pattern for mi-
gration. For example, birds
breeding in northern England
migrate to several different
places, including France and
Right: The northern lapwing chick
soon runs around, but its parents
guard it until it can fly.
Ireland. They may change these
locations from year to year, de-
pending on the harshness of
the weather. During a relatively
mild winter, northern lapwings
that have spent the summer in
Scandinavia fly west in order to
spend the winter in England.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
The northern lapwing discovers
most of its food on the ground
or just below the surface. Its
diet consists mainly of flightless
insects, earthworms, spiders,
snails, and small freshwater
mollusks. It also eats some
seeds and plants.
The northern lapwing is usu-
ally a welcome visitor to farm
fields, because it eats larvae
Left: Classified as a shorebird, the
northern lapwing prefers a habitat
with plenty of water.
I DID YOU KNOW? -
The longest recorded migra-
tion of northern lapwings oc-
curred in 1927. A flock flew
across the Atlantic Ocean to
Newfoundland, helped by
I
easterly winds.
The northern lapwing pats
the ground with one foot. It
is thought that this iS,done to
imitate the sound of rainfall
and grubs that can harm crops.
The flock spreads out to feed,
with each bird some distance
from its neighbor. Each bird
covers the ground thoroughly.
It runs a few steps, stops to lis-
ten, then snatches an insect
with its pointed bill or pulls a
worm out of the ground. After
eating, the bird runs another
few steps.
Right: The northern lapwing eats
worms and insects found just below
or on the ground.
to bring worms to the surface.
The bird's feeding method
is so successful that flocks are
sometimes chased by seagulls
trying to steal worms.
Northern lapwings are hit
by airplanes more often than
most birds-about five colli-
sions occur for every 10,000
airplane flights.
Displaying northern lapwings
can be seen at the start of the
breeding season. They usually
gather in areas with plenty of
water-marshes, mud flats,
I
and flooded land. Their calls
can be heard as they twist
and plunge in display.
~ BREEDING
The northern lapwing breeds
from early February to April.
Birds fill the air, performing aer-
obatic courtship displays. They
rise slowly and then fall through
the air at great speed, jerking
their wings and doing twists,
turns, and somersaults as they
fall. This display is accompanied
by a loud swishing of wings and
noisy calls.
The male attracts the female
by scraping the ground and
showing off his chestnut under-
tail feathers. He makes several
hollows, or scrapes, in the soil to
hold eggs. The female chooses
Left: Northern lapwing chicks hatch
in about four weeks. They live in a
nest scrape made by the male.
At other times, the bird can
be identified by its slow flight,
with its broad, rounded wings
moving in lazy wing beats. It
can also be recognized by its
crest and distinctive flight call.
Large flocks form outside the
breeding season.
one and lines it with dry grass
and leaves. She lays four olive-
brown eggs blotched with black
and dark brown patches.
Each adult takes turns incu-
bating, although the female
spends more time on the eggs.
The adults guard their chicks
from intruders-even birds of
prey-by dive-bombing them
from the air, uttering loud calls.
The parents also try to draw
the predator's attention away
from the nest by pretending
to be injured.
The chicks can run soon after
hatching and fly after about
five weeks. The fledglings then
quickly gather in small flocks,
ready for the winter.
FIELDFARE
ORDER
Passeriformes
FAMILY
Turdidae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Turdus pilaris
The fieldfare is a member of the thrush family and a winter visitor
to much of western Europe. A noisy, sociable bird, it forms
large flocks with other thrushes such as redwings.
KEY FACTS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
SIZES
Length: 9-10 in.
Wingspan: 15-17 in.
Weight: 3-4 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1-2 years.
Breeding season: Late spring.
No. of broods: 1 .
Eggs: 5-6; pale greenish blue with
reddish brown blotches.
Incubation: 11-14 days.
Fledging period: 12-16 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable.
Diet: Worms, insects, al)d fruit.
Call : Chuckling song. Noisy call
in flight.
Lifespan: Oldest known, 18 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Related to other large thrushes,
including the American robin,
Turdus migratorius, and the
European redwing, T. iliacus.
FEATURES OF THE FIElDFARE
Bill: Pointed and yellow with a dark tip.
Good for pulling worms out of the ground
and plucking berries from branches.
Juvenile:
Similar to the
adult but lacks
the gray head
patch. Speckled
markings are not
as distinct as
those of the
adult. Legs dark-
en as it matures.
MCMXCVI IMP BV/ IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILpM
Resident range
of the fieldfare.
DISTRIBUTION
Winter Breeding
range.
Found in open woodland, parks, gardens, and farmland. The
summer range extends from Scandinavia east to Siberia. In fall
fieldfare populations migrate to spend the winter as far south
as the northern Mediterranean coast.
CONSERVATION
The fieldfare is common throughout its range. The only poten-
tial threat to its numbers is a series of harsh winters.
Adult: Gray head, chestnut-
brown back and upper wings,
gray rump, and black tail.
Orange-buff chest and white
flanks are patterned with the
dark speckles typical of
Eggs: 5 to 6; pale greenish
blue mottled with reddish
brown blotches.
most thrushes.
PRINTED IN U.S.A. US P 6001 12077 PACKET 77
The fieldfare-like its close relative, the redwinfris a
northern species of thrush. In late spring this bird breeds in
the northernmost areas of Europe. In the fal/large numbers
migrate south to spend the winter in western and southern
Europe. Most gather on farm fields or pastures, but in very
harsh weather they may also become regular visitors to
garden bird feeders, where they find a ready food supply.
~ HABITS
In the fall flocks of several hun-
dred fieldfares cross the North
Sea from Scandinavia and mi-
grate to western and southern
Europe. A few birds arrive in late
August, but most follow two or
three months later.
If the weather is bad, many
birds arrive exhausted from the
long trip. Because of their weak-
ened state, these birds may fall
victim to predators such as gulls
or hawks.
In winter fieldfares form large
flocks with other thrushes such
as redwings. These noisy flocks
roam the countryside searching
forfood.
On the ground, the fieldfare
looks like a typical member of
the thrush family, with its speck-
led plumage and upright stance
or hopping gait. When alarmed,
it stands erect and looks from
side to side for signs of danger.
If a predator approaches, the
whole flock of birds takes cover
in a nearby tree.
~ BREEDING
In March and early April, the
fieldfare flies north to breed in
Scandinavia and other parts of
northern Europe and Asia. After
mating, the birds make a cup-
shaped nest of grass, line it with
mud, and then add an inner lin-
ing of fine grass. They build the
nest well above the ground in
the forked branch of a tree. Un-
like other thrush species, the
fieldfare nests in loose colonies,
with the nests close enough for
pairs of birds to interact.
Left: When the ground is too hard
for it to dig up worms, the fieldfare
eats fallen fruit.
Right: The fieldfare prefers to build
its nest in the branches of a pine,
alder, or birch tree.
DID YOU KNOW?
The fieldfare is susceptible to
extreme cold. Unusually low
temperatures in winter may
force birds to fly south, and
the weaker birds may not be
able to survive the journey.
The fieldfare attacks preda-
tors by "bombing" them with
its droppings. Predators such
as hawks may become so cov-
The female fieldfare lays five
or six pale greenish blue eggs
with reddish brown blotches.
The eggs hatch after an incu-
bation period of 11 to 14 days.
Blind and featherless at first,
the chicks are fed by both par-
ents and grow quickly.
Right: Within a couple of weeks of
hatching, the chicks are ready to
leave the nest.
ered with the droppings that
they cannot fly.
Fieldfares usually visit Great
Britain only in winter. But in
1967 a pair nested in the Ork-
neys, off the coast of northern
Scotland. Since then, up to 10
fieldfare pairs are thought to
have raised their offspring in
northern Scotland each year.
~ I BIRDWATCH
From October onward, large
numbers of fieldfares arrive
in Europe's countryside from
Scandinavia. In colder weath-
er, flocks roam widely search-
ing for hawthorn berries and
rose hips. When the weather
becomes warmer, they visit
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
The fieldfare eats earthworms,
slugs, insects, and spiders. Dur-
ing cold weather, when it is not
able to obtain worms from the
frozen soil, the fieldfare lives on
ripe berries such as haws, rose
hips, and elderberries. It also
eats fallen fruit.
The fieldfare feeds in flocks
on the ground. It makes quick,
hopping runs across stretches
Left: The fieldfare's gray head and
rump distinguish it from the mis-
tIe thrush.
parks and gardens, until they
migrate in March and April.
The fieldfare is often con-
fused with the mistle thrush.
But it can be properly iden-
tified by its distinctive gray
head and rusty yellow throat
and breast.
of grassland or a plowed field,
searching for worms and in-
sects. The flock stays together,
moving in loose groups across
the ground.
In fall, when berries are ripe,
the flock settles on bushes and
eats all the berries before mov-
ing on to the next crop. During
extremely cold weather, when
there is a scarcity of berries, the
fieldfare frequently becomes a
regular visitor to a bird feeder
in a garden.
CAPERCAILLIE
""'-----------
ORDER
Galliformes
FAMILY
Tetraonidae
GROUP 2: BIRDS
GENUS &: SPECIES
Tetrao urogal/us
The capercaillie is normally a timid bird. But in the breeding
season, the male becomes so carried away by his raucous calls
that he temporarily loses his senses of hearing and sight.
---:-\1
li1
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 2-3 ft.
Wingspan: 3-4 ft.
Weight: Male, 9 lb. Female, 4 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Male, 2-3 years.
Female, younger.
Breeding season: April to July.
No. of broods: 1.
Eggs: 5-8; sandy or yellowish buff.
Incubation: About 1 month.
Fledging period: 2-3 months; can
fly at 2 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable in fall.
Diet: Plants and insects.
Call: Male has an extremely com-
plex call.
Lifespan: Up to 10 years.
RELATED SPECIES
A member of the grouse family.
The nearest relative is the black-
billed capercaillie, T. parvirostris.
Range of the capercaillie.
DISTRIBUTION
Mountainous forests of northern and central Eurasia from Scan-
dinavia and Scotland through the Vosges, Jura, Pyrenees, and
Alps, east to northwest Siberia.
CONSERVATION
Tree cutting is reducing the capercaillie's range. In central Eu-
rope numbers are declining because of climate changes. The
bird is also increasingly being shot for sport.
FEATURES OF THE CAPERCAILLIE
Male: Blue-black upperparts. Glossy
blue-green breast. Short "beard" of
feathers. Chestnut wings with white
flashes revealed in flight. White flecks
on tail and belly. Male raises and fans
his dark, rounded tail in display.
Bill: Ivory in
color. Deep and
hooked, with a
powerful bite
for snapping
off tree growth.
Comb: Red "eyebrow"
on male that swells
during his display.
MCMXCII IMP BV/I MP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Eggs: Up to 8 per clutch.
Sand-colored or yellow-
buff with darker speckles,
usually rusty brown.
Female: Much smaller than male.
Brown with heavy black-and-cream
patterning. Neck and breast are
mainly brown; underparts
are mainly white.
Chick: Mottled down. It can leave the nest and
feed itself a few hours after hatching but
relies on its mother for several days.
0160200811 PACKET 81
The largest member of the grouse family, the capercaillie
owes its name to the Gaelic words capull coille, which
mean "horse of the wood. " In spite of its huge size, this
bird roosts comfortably in the top of a pine tree. In the
morning it glides effortlessly to the ground, where it
forages for food among the forest undergrowth.
~ HABITAT
The capercaillie is found in the
forests of Europe and Asia, rang-
ing from Scandinavia east to
northwestern Siberia. This bird
lives in mature woodland with
densely packed trees, general-
ly pines. But in northern Spain
it inhabits holly woods, eating
the berries during winter, and
in Siberia it has been found in
oak forests.
The capercaillie is a very timid
bird. It tends to stay hidden in
ferns and other dense cover,
especially in summer, when it
rarely flies. It makes its nest in
undergrowth on the ground,
except in the winter, when it
perches in trees.
The heavily built capercaillie
does not need to migrate. It
can survive in cold, frequently
snowy, regions by storing warm-
ing layers of fat on its body. Be-
cause it feeds on tree matter,
the bird can stay in its wooded
breeding grounds throughout
the year.
~ BREEDING
Male and female capercaillies
usually meet only in the breed-
ing season, when the males
gather in display areas called
leks. The male struts around
with his tail raised and fanned
out and wings drooping. He
stretches his head and neck
upward, ruffles his throat feath-
ers, and utters a song consisting
of raucous clicking, popping,
gurgling, and grating noises.
Before dawn, while perched in
a tree, the male utters this rau-
cous song again. Then, at day-
break, he flies to the ground and
attacks any rivals. The females
wait for the victors to lead them
away. A successful male takes
Left: While calling, the male caper-
caillie may be deafened briefly by
blood blocking his ear passages.
DID YOU KNOW?
Female capercaillies some-
times mate with blackcocks
(black grouse), producing hy-
brids called rackel grouse.
The capercaillie died out in
Great Britain in the 1760s,
perhaps because of tree cut-
ting. Reintroduced from Swe-
more than one mate and may
form harems, but after mating
he usually leaves the females.
The female scratches out a
hollow at the foot of a tree or in
undergrowth and lines it with
pine needles, moss, grass, or
heather. She lays five to eight
large eggs, which she incubates
for about a month. The female's
mottled plumage conceals her
on the nest, but if disturbed she
flies away with her wings flap-
ping noisily.
The chicks have dark spots
and stripes on their buff-colored
down. They leave the nest with-
in a few hours of hatching and
can fly after about two weeks.
Right: More subtly patterned than
the male, the female is harder to
spot and rarely seen.
den in 1837, it now thrives in
parts of Scotland.
Breeding male capercaillies
can be very fierce. In addition
to fighting one another, they
have been known to attack
anything that moves, includ-
ing humans, cars, and sheep.
~ I BIRDWATCH
The capercaillie flies with ease
on its short, rounded wings,
but it stays low and only rarely
leaves the woods. It also moves
with surprising stealth on the
ground but takes off noisily
when alarmed.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
In summer the capercaillie feeds
on cloud berries, crowberries,
and holly berries, as well as the
leaves, stems, and berries of
bog whortleberry and bilber-
ry bushes. In addition, it eats
sedges, mosses, horsetails, and
wood rush leaves. The capercail-
lie's summer diet also includes
insects, which it finds by raking
the ground with its feet and
Left: The capercaillie's strong bill
can clip off fibrous tree buds and
new shoots.
The male is bulky, with legs
feathered to his toes. His plum-
age appears gray-black from
afar, but a closer look reveals
the glossy, blue-green chest.
The female is smaller, brown-
er, and more subtly patterned.
the curved tip of its bill. In fall
the bird also eats grain.
During winter the capercail-
lie's main source of food is tree
matter. In addition to pinecones
and needles, this bird feeds on
the young growth of Norway
spruce, pine, Douglas fir, and
juniper trees.
The female leads her chicks to
buds, shoots, and berries. The
young birds also eat grasshop-
pers, spiders, bugs, ants, bee-
tles, moths, and insect larvae.
""CARD 229 I
WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRD
ORDER
Pelecaniformes
FAMILY
Phaethontidae
GROUP 2: BIRDS
... GENUS &: SPECIES
'11IIIIIIII Phaethon lepturus
The white-tailed tropicbird is a beautiful seabird that ranges
over vast areas of tropical oceans. It spends much of its time
plunging into the sea to catch squid and fish.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 14-18 in.
Weight: 1 1 -1 2 oz .
Wingspan: About 3 ft.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 5 years.
Breeding season: Any time of year.
Eggs: 1; pale grayish brown or pur-
plish brown.
Incubation period: About 6 weeks.
Fledging: 10-1 1 ~ weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Solitary or lives in pairs out-
side the breeding season. Nests in
loose colonies.
Diet: Squid and fish.
lifespan: Unknown.
RELATED SPECIES
There are only 2 other species of
tropicbird: the red-billed tropicbird
and the red-tailed tropicbird. Rel-
atives include pelicans, gannets,
boobies, and frigatebirds.
Range of the white-tailed tropicbird.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in tropical and subtropical seas worldwide. Breeds in
colonies on islands in the ocean.
CONSERVATION
Some breeding populations still have a fair number of birds,
but many have suffered a decline. Threats include loss of habi-
tat, disturbance by humans, hunting for food and feathers, and
oil pollution.
FEATURES OF THE WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRD
, U f , ~
Flight: Rapid fluttering strokes
alternate with soaring glides.
Tropicbirds often hover around
the rigging of ships.
Plumage: Mostly white with black
markings on the wings and eyes.
Nest: Built on steep cliffs that can
be defended from intruders. The
tropi cbird has small , weak legs
that are set far back on its body,
so it has difficulty moving on land.
The position of its nest site enables
the bird to take off for fl ight by
"falling" into the air.
/
Egg: Single pale grayish or
purpli sh brown egg is incu-
bated by both parents.
MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200601 PACKET 60
The white-tailed tropicbird is the smallest
and most graceful of the three species of tropicbird.
Its buoyant, aerobatic flight is especially noticeable
when it soars on the updrafts that rise above the
cliffs of the tropical islands where it breeds. The sun
shines through the translucent wings of this slender
seabird as it twists and turns in the sky.
~ CHARACTERISTICS
The white-tailed tropicbird is
found only in the tropics and
subtropics. Like other tropic-
birds, the white-tailed species
visits land only when breeding.
It spends the rest of its time in
the air. Its graceful, almost but-
terflylike flight is made up of
rapid, fluttering strokes that
alternate with soaring glides.
It travels for hundreds of miles
over open ocean in search of
prey. These journeys extend to
the least productive areas of the
ocean, which other seabirds do
not usually visit.
The white-tailed tropicbird
often rests on the surface of
the ocean, sitting high in the
water and paddling with its
webbed feet. Its long, wispy
tail feathers-which may be as
long as its body-are cocked
up above the water.
The tropicbird's bright white
plumage contrasts with the bold
black markings on its wings and
eyes. In some races, the white
feathers of the males are tinged
with pink. In the race that breeds
on Christmas Island in the Indi-
an Ocean, both sexes have a
striking apricot-gold tinge.
Right: Chicks that are left alone
during the day may be killed by
tropicbirds looking for a nest hole.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
The white-tailed tropicbird
feeds on squid and small to
medium-size fish. Its agility
in the air enables the bird to
catch flying fish, which it is
fond of. The tropicbird is most
active at dusk and at night,
when squid and some fish rise
to the surface waters.
When the white-tailed tropic-
bird spots prey just below the
surface of the ocean, it hovers
and then dives on half-closed
Left: The tropicbird's bill varies
from yellow to red or gray depend-
ing on the bird's age.
ID.!.D YOU KNOW?
The prey that the white-
tailed tropicbird feeds on is
smaller than the prey that its
two relatives eat. As a result,
competition for food among
the species is reduced.
Sailors often call tropicbirds
"bos'n birds," probably be-
cause the shrill high-pitched
whistles of the larger species
wings from a height of 30 feet
or more. As the bird hits the
water, the impact is lessened
by a cushion of air-filled cells
at the front end of its body.
The white-tailed tropicbird
quickly emerges from the wa-
ter grasping its prey, which it
has seized in its large, pointed
bill. The sharp, serrated cut-
ting edges of the bill let the
tropicbird grip its slippery fish
prey securely.
Right: The young tropicbird lacks
the tail streamers of the adults,
and its bill is a duller color.
resemble the sound of a boat-
swain's pipe. Also, the long
tail streamers were thought
to look like the marlinspike
that the boatswain carried.
One or two pairs of white-
tailed tropicbirds have bred
on islands off Florida-more
than 600 miles from their
usual breeding grounds.
The white-tailed tropicbird does
not have an annual breeding cy-
cle. It may breed at any time of
the year, but climate and com-
petition for nest sites may help
to determine when the birds
breed. The average interval be-
tween successful egg-laying is
about 1 0 months. If the attempt
is unsuccessful, a pair may breed
again in five months.
Breeding takes place on islands
in the oceans. Since nest sites
are scarce, tropicbirds prefer to
breed in colonies. Adults return
to the breeding islands two to
six weeks before laying eggs.
During courtship, groups of
Left: With the
help of its long,
narrow tail
streamers, the
white-tailed
tropicbird can
twist and turn
as it soars in the
sky. It is thought
that the tail
streamers act
as stabilizers.
up to 10 birds fly alongside the
nesting cliffs, circling, swooping,
and uttering loud, rattling calls.
One bird may zigzag above an-
other with wings bowed down
toward the raised wings of the
lower bird. Pairing often involves
fierce fights over partners and
nest sites.
Both male and female incu-
bate the single egg. The hatch-
ling is covered in silky grayish
white down. Both parents brood
the chick for the first few days.
They then bring the chick food
once a day or less for about
two months. At that age it is
fledged and can fly out to sea.
TAWNY FROGMOUTH
ORDER
Caprimulgiformes
FAMILY
Podargidae
GROUP 2: BIRDS
GENUS &: SPECIES
Podargus strigoides
The tawny frogmouth has one of the best disguises of any
Australian bird. When it senses danger, it freezes into a
position that makes it look exactly like a dead branch.
KEY FACTS
~ - - ~ - - ~ ~ - - ~ ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
SIZES
Length: 1-1 ~ ft.
Wingspan: 1 ~ - 2 ft.
Weight: 3-4 oz.
BREEDING
Mating: Varies with location.
Eggs: Usually 2; white.
Incubation: 1 month.
Fledging period: 1 month.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Night-active. Usually lives
in pairs.
Diet: Mainly large insects; also
frogs, mice, birds, fruit, and car-
rion (dead animal flesh).
Call: Repeated low-pitched hoots;
occasional hisses and screeches.
RElATED SPECIES
There are 2 other frogmouths in
the genus Podargus. The frog-
mouths of the genus Batrachosto-
mus, like the Ceylon frog mouth,
B. moniliger; are more skillful fliers.
Range of the tawny frogmouth .
DISTRIBUTION
The tawny frogmouth is common throughout Australia as well
as Tasmania.
CONSERVATION
The tawny frog mouth is found in natural and man-made habi-
tats throughout its range. Although large-scale building and
development threaten some local populations, the bird's ability
to adapt ensures its survival.
FEATURES OF THE TAWNY FROGMOUTH
Flight: Rapid, agile, and swooping.
The bird takes some insects in
flight but usually snatches prey
from the ground.
MCMXCIl IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Bristles: Sprout from around the
bill. Improve the disguise
and may also serve to
funnel insects into
the mouth.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Bill: Very wide and
shallow, with a
hooked tip.
Plumage: Ash gray or
tawny brown, flecked with
brown and white. Provides
camouflage in the branches on
which the bird roosts and nests. t
One subspecies in Austral ia's
Northern Territory has deeper
red plumage, which blends in
better with the tropical foliage.
Alarm posture: Instead of flying from
danger, the bird pretends to be part
of its perch. Flattening its wings
and stretching out its body, it
squints its eyes and freezes
motionless to resemble
a stump of wood.
0160200841 PACKET 84
The tawny frogmouth is a hunting bird with an unusual
method of catching prey. Instead of spending hours in flight
searching for food, it passes much of its time on a woody
perch well camouflaged by its gray or brown plumage. As
soon as an unsuspecting victim wanders within range, the
tawny frogmouth swoops down to consume its next meal.
~ HABITAT
The tawny frog mouth thrives
in almost every type of habitat
in Australia and Tasmania. It is
most common in woodland
and dense forest, but it is also
found along riverbeds in the
Australian outback and in the
hot desert interior. This bird is
not afraid of humans and is of-
ten seen on golf courses and in
suburban parks and gardens.
The tawny frog mouth sleeps
by day, usually flattening itself
against the branch of a mallee,
belar, or eucalyptus tree. It is
Right: The tawny frog mouth en-
hances the branchlike effect by
remaining motionless.
active at night but remains pri-
marily within a small area. The
bird does not migrate, except
for a few local populations in
the coastal rainforests and in-
land deserts of Queensland.
~ BREEDING
The tawny frog mouth usually
nests and roosts with its mate
throughout the year. The male
may build a flimsy twig nest on
a horizontal forked branch, 16
to 32 feet above the ground. Or
else he may use the old nest of
another bird, such as a chough
or Australian magpie, and dis-
guise it with a lining made of his
own feathers plus lichen, moss,
and spiderwebs.
The female lays two eggs and
incubates them at night while
the male hunts. In daytime the
Left: Unable to fly, the young tawny
frog mouths display aggressively to
repel intruders.
I DID YOU KNOW?
The tawny frog mouth has an
extremely effective alarm pos-
ture. The bird is so sure of its
disguise that it will not flyaway
until an intruder comes within
a few feet.
A common Australian name
for the tawny frogmouth is the
two frequently swap roles. The
downy chicks hatch in a month
and stay in the nest for another
month, until they can fly.
Both adults feed the young,
and one of the pair is always
with them. This attention serves
to protect the offspring from
predators as well as from heat.
Temperatures in Australia's in-
terior frequently exceed 1 04
0
F.
Lacking full protective plumage
and unable to fly to shade, the
chicks would soon die without a
parent's cooling cover.
Right: In Australia's forests, where
food is usually abundant, tawny
frogmouths may breed at any time.
mopoke, taken from a call that
sounds like "more pork./I The
call actually belongs to a total-
ly different bird of the night-
the boobok owl.
The tawny frog mouth some-
times pecks at roads to obtain
the minerals in the asphalt.
Although the tawny frog mouth
is common, little is known about
it. This is partly because it is noc-
turnal and partly because it is so
good at disguising itself.
Upon sensing danger, the frog-
mouth adopts an /I alarm pos-
ture." The bird's gray or brown
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The first naturalists who studied
the tawny frog mouth noted its
wide beak and gave it the name
frog mouth, assuming that the
bird caught insects while flying
with its mouth open. This theo-
ry proved to be wrong, howev-
er, and it is now known that the
tawny frog mouth hunts on the
ground. Its rounded wings are
suited to swoops and sudden
turns, so it has no need to make
long flights when it is hunting.
The tawny frog mouth does
most of its hunting just after sun-
Left: The tawny frog mouth sits with
mouth agape, possibly to lure in-
sects with its colorful throat.
plumage blends in as it hugs a
branch and flattens its wings
against its body. With its eyes
narrowed to slits and its neck
stretched out, the bird resem-
bles a dead branch. The bristles
around its beak enhance the ef-
fect, fooling predators.
set and just before dawn. It re-
mains still on a branch or a fence
post, using its natural disguise
to mislead its prey. When it spots
a likely victim, the bird quietly
swoops down and makes off
with its catch. In this way it can
surprise and capture scorpions,
beetles, frogs, and even small
mice or birds. It also perches at
roadsides and darts out to feed
on the carcasses of small ani-
mals killed by cars.
The frog mouth supplements
its diet with fruit. It feeds mostly
on grapefruit and oranges, at
times causing crop damage in
the process.