BAIKAL TEAL

ORDER
Anseriformes
FAMILY
Anatidae
GROUP 2: BIRDS
GENUS & SPECIES
Anas formosa
The Baikal teal takes its name from Lake Baikal in Siberia. The
bird breeds on the shores of that lake and farther north to
the deltas of Siberian rivers within the Arctic Circle.
KEY FACTS

SIZES
Length: 15-17 in.
Wingspan: About ft.
Weight: About 1 lb.
BREEDING
Breeding season: Mid-May to
mid-July.
Eggs: 6-9, yellowish white.
Incubation: Almost 4 weeks.
Fledging period: Unknown.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Active by day and night.
Migratory and sociable, living in
large flocks.
Diet: Aquatic vegetation and in-
vertebrates, grass seeds.
Calls: Male utters deep, clucking
"ruk ruk ruk." Female has low-
pitched quack.
Lifespan: Unknown.
RELATED SPECIES
It is one of the dabbling ducks. Its
closest relative is the green-winged
teal, Anas crecca.
Breeding range of the Baikal teal. Winter range.
DISTRIBUTION
The breeding grounds are centered on the lower reaches of
Siberian rivers, from the Yenisei River east to the Anadyr. The
main winter populations are on floodplain lakes in southeast-
ern China, South Korea, and southern Japan.
CONSERVATION
Conservation measures are necessary because the population
of the Baikal teal has declined sharply in recent decades.
FEATURES OF THE BAIKAL TEAL
Fl ight: Fast wing
beats, but not as
fast as g reen-
wi nged teal 's.
Drake (male) : Hand
plumage, with a striking
tern of green. black. buff.
whi te on the face. Brown
contrasts with grayish body.
reddish brown, and blac eat
MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILE' M PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Eggs: 6 to 9.
Yellowish white
wi th olive tint.
Female: Dull plumage si milar to
that of the green-winged teal , but
wi th a distinctive white spot on
each side at base of bill.
0160200981 PACKET 98
The Baikal teal was one of the most common ducks in its
range earlier in this century. But the population has declined
so sharply that conservation measures are now needed to
protect the species. The teal forms huge, dense flocks and
regularly visits land to feed at night. Both habits have led
to its downfall because they make it vulnerable to hunters.

The Baikal teal lives on ponds,

parts of the Siberian taiga (co-
niferous forests). The bird breeds
in dense concentrations close to
ponds along river valleys in the
northeast, from the Yenisei River
east to the Anadyr. Its breeding
range extends north as far as the
edge of the tundra and south to
the north shore of Lake Baikal.
The Baikal teal winters farther
south. It can be found on lakes,
marshes, freshwater stretches of
water, and sheltered coastal re-
gions in southern japan, South
Korea, and southeastern China.
Little is known about many of
the bird's habits because of its
secretive nature and remote, se-
cluded habitat.
Right: Like the mallard, the Baikal
teal is a dabbling duck that belongs
to the genus Anas.

The Baikal teal pairs up with a
mate in its winter quarters and
returns to its breeding grounds
in late April and early May. This
duck usually makes a ground
nest near water, hidden among
scrub or under a willow or juni-
per bush. Little is known about
egg laying, incubation, or rear-
ing of the young because the
Baikal teal is especially secretive
when it is nesting.
After breeding, both parents
molt (shed their feathers) . Like
Left: The male's facial markings
make this duck one of the most
striking teal species.
'i
I
other ducks, they molt all their
flight feathers at once. During
this vulnerable flightless period,
the male Baikal teal acquires a
dull "eclipse" plumage similar
in color to the female's normal
plumage. This dull coloration
reduces the risk that he will be
spotted by predators. The male
molts before the female does
and may travel some distance
north to do so. The female of-
ten molts while she is still rais-
ing her ducklings.
Right: The Baikal teal is threatened
by overhunting and the loss of wet-
land habitat.
I __
.
r f . I f ..--
Left: Formosa,
the name of the
Baikal teal's spe-
cies, comes from
the Latin word
for "beautiful. II
DID YOU KNOW?
In a single day in 1947, as
many as 10,000 Baikal teals
were killed by just th ree jap-
anese hunters.
Russian names for this duck
are bubbling teal and gurgler.
Both names reflect the male's
distinctive call. An old name
FOOD &: FEEDING
The Baikal teal feeds like other
dabbling ducks. Dippi ng its bill
under the water surface, it takes
in water along with particles of
plant and animal food. It then
uses its large tongue to pump
the water out the sides of its bill
through thin toothlike ridges
called lamellae.
The Baikal teal eats a variety of
plant food, from grass seeds to
leaves of weeds. It also eats in-
is spectacled teal, referring to
the facial pattern of the male.
Although it is now rare, the
Baikal teal was fairly abundant
at one time. According to rec-
ords, flocks of 100,000 mem-
bers wintered in japan early
in this century.
sects, snails, and other aquatic
invertebrates. Besides feeding in
the water, it seems to spend a
great deal of time eating on the
shore, feeding on seeds and oth-
er parts of land plants like pop-
pies. Some Baikal teals even eat
acorns in woods far from water,
and others feed on crops such as
soybeans that have spilled from
trucks onto roads. Winter flocks
may visit crop fields.
LONG-TAILED TIT
, , - - - - - ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
~
ORDER
Passeriformes
FAMILY
Aegithalidae
GENUS &. SPECIES
Aegithalos caudatus
Despite its name, the long-tailed tit is not related to the true tits.
Like those birds, however, it feeds in flocks during fall and winter,
flitting through woodlands in a constant search for insects.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Head and body, 2 ~ in.
Tail, 3 in.
Weight: About Y, oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: March to July.
No. of broods: 1.
Eggs: 7-12; pinkish, spotted.
Incubation: 2 weeks.
Fledging period: 15-16 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Highly sociable year-round.
Active by day.
Diet: Small insects and their eggs
and larvae. Some seeds.
Call: Sharp, high-pitched notes.
Lifespan: 8 years.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 4 other species of long-
tailed tit, including the sooty long-
tailed tit, Aegithalos fuliginosus-
which is found in China.
Range of the long-tailed tit.
DISTRIBUTION
The long-tailed tit breeds in a broad band across Eurasia, from
Ireland and Portugal east to Japan, extending north into Scan-
dinavia and south into China. Most populations are resident,
but some move to warmer areas in cold winters.
CONSERVATION
The long-tailed tit is reasonably common. But deforestation
and the loss of hedgerows may affect numbers in certain areas.
FEATURES OF THE LONG-TAILED
Tail: Distinctive black feathers edged
with white. Exceptionally long-over
half the bird's total length. Dips up
and down in the bird's weak,
undulating flight.
Eggs: 7 to 12; pink-
ish white with tiny,
purplish red spots.
Incubated by the
female.
" MCMXCII IMP BV'IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILE""
Adult plumage: Black and white
wings; pinkish white body. White
crown flanked by bold black bars.
Male and female look alike.
PRINTED IN U.S.A
Juvenile: While the young is in the
nest, its tail is noticeably shorter than
the adult's and its plumage is duller
with no pink feathers. At 4 or 5 weeks
of age (shown at left), the juvenile re-
sembles the adult with the character-
istic long tail feathers and a similar
body coloring. However, it retains
chocolate brown cheeks during its
first few months out of the nest.
NORTHERN RACE
A. c. caudatus: A white-
headed race occu rring
in Scandinavia.
0160200981 PACKET 98
The long-tailed tit is well known for the remarkable purse-
shaped nest that it builds in early spring. Constructed by
both the male and female, the nest is made of moss and
bound together by spiderwebs. It is camouflaged on the
outside with lichens and insulated with an inside lining
of as many as 2,000 feathers. In contrast to this complex
structure, true tits tend to use holes or birdhouses for nesting.
~ HABITS
The long-tailed tit lives in a fami-
ly group. In the early part of the
breeding season, the group is
fairly small. But just after breed-
ing and in fall and winter, it may
expand to a flock of 20 or more
individuals. Larger flocks contain
several family groups. The flock
defends a territory for feeding
and roosting as well as breeding.
This bird frequently remains in
the same territory for years. But
in winter it may roam through
nearby woods or hedgerows in
search of food . Foraging flocks
of long-tailed tits may be joined
by true tits, goldcrests, and oth-
er small woodland birds.
By roosting together in tight
groups on sheltered branches,
long-tailed tits are able to sur-
vive the winter. The birds keep
their loose plumage fluffed out
in order to lose as little heat as
possible from their tiny bodies.
During the breeding season, the
adult pair and its young roost in
a warm, feather-lined nest.
~ BREEDING
When the weather is mild, win-
ter flocks of long-tailed tits start
to break up in middle February.
At this time they form smaller
breeding groups of males and
females. It seems that only the
dominant male and female in
each group breed. The other
birds in a breeding group are
often related to the male and
help rear the young.
Most pairs have found nest
sites by late March. A pair takes
up to three weeks to complete
the purse-shaped nest. The birds
begin at the base and work up-
ward, using moss as well as spi-
Left: Trees provide ample nest sites
and a plentiful supply of insects for
the long-tailed tit to eat.
DID YOU KNOW?
Long-tailed tits sometimes
use pieces of plastic instead of
lichen for the outer layers of
their nests.
In a severe winter a popula-
tion of long-tailed tits. may fall
by more than two-thirds. But
the big clutches help restore
numbers fairly quickly.
derwebs to make an oval shell.
Near the top they leave a small
entrance and then camouflage
the outer shell with lichens. Fi-
nally, the birds line the inside
with a great many feathers to
provide insulation.
The female lays 7 to 12 eggs,
which she incubates. But many
of the eggs are taken by preda-
tors- often early in the season
when the nest is most conspicu-
ous. The remaining eggs hatch
in two weeks. About two weeks
later, the young fledge. They re-
main with the family flock until
the following spring.
Right: The chicks are not only fed
by their parents but also by related
nonbreeding adults.
Once the roof of the nest is
completed, a long-tailed tit
pair sleeps in the nest instead
of roosting with the flock.
Many British nicknames for
the long-tailed tit refer to its
nest-building. Some examples
include poke pudding, bottle
tit, and oven builder.
The long-tailed ti t is a little bird
that has black, whi t e, and pink
feat hers. It possesses a longer
tail than any other small wood-
land bird in Europe. Its tail plus
its t iny, round body give t his
species its distincti ve appear-
ance when it is perching or in
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
The long-tailed tit feeds mainly
on insects and their eggs and
larvae plus other small inverte-
brates. It takes insects like aphids
from leaves and buds and uses
its bill to pry other insects from
crevices in bark. This bird also
eats seeds, but its bill can cope
only with small, soft seeds such
as those of honeysuckle plants.
Unlike true tits, the long-tailed
tit rarely descends to the ground
Left: The long-tailed tit feeds almost
exclusively on insects.
the air. Duri ng its weak, undu-
lating fli ght, the bi rd's tai l dips
up and down.
Flocks of long-tail ed tits can
be seen flyi ng rapidly through
trees and bushes. They cross
gaps in single file, call ing out
constantly as t hey fly.
to feed . But like true tits, it can
hang upside down and peck at
food that it is holding with one
or both of its feet.
In severe winters, many long-
tailed tits die of starvation, since
their bills are too weak to peck
through the frost on branches
in order to find food. Within the
northern part of the range, the
birds spend most of their time
foraging. They cover about four
miles a day and spend just a few
minutes in each tree.
GRAY BUTCHERBIRD
ORDER
Passeriformes
FAMILY
Cracticidae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Cracticus torquatus
The gray butcherbird'S musical song is one of the most beautiful
sounds in the woods and scrubland of Australia. But this
bird is also known for its grisly feeding habits.
Ii]
li1
KEY FACTS
SIZE
Length: 11-13 in.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2 years.
Breeding season: Varies, depend-
ing on the region.
Eggs: 3-5, usually 4.
Incubation: About 3 weeks.
Fledging period: Almost 4 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Territorial. Lives in pairs.
Diet: Insects, lizards, birds, mice,
some fruit and seeds.
Call: Musical warbling and whis-
tling song.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 10 species of butcherbird
that occur in Australia and eastern
Indonesia. These include the black
butcherbird, Cracticus quoyi; the
pied currawong, Strepero grocu-
lina; and the Australian magpie,
Gymnorhina tibicen.
FEATURES OF THE GRAY BUT
Plumage: Gray back and black top
and sides of head. White collar,
rump, and underparts. Black
tail with white tip; black and
white wing feathers.
Range of the gray butcherbird.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in eastern, southern, and western Australia north to the
Palmer River, Alice Springs, and the Ashburton River. It is also
found in northwestern Northern Territory and the Kimberleys,
as well as Tasmania.
CONSERVATION
The gray butcherbird is widespread and numerous across much
of Australia, with little adverse pressure on the population.
,
prey includes in-
sects, small birds,
lizards, and mice.
Larder: The butcherbird
stores extra food to eat
later. It wedges it in the
fork of a tree or sticks it
onto a thorn or the barb
of a barbwire fence.
MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200941 PACKET 94
The gray butcherbird lives up to its name by using its
heavy, hooked bill to IIbutcher
ll
meat. A fierce predator
for its size, this bird kills whenever it can. It is capable of
catching and dismembering prey that is much too large
to be swallowed whole. After the butcherbird tears up its
catch, it may store some of it in a secure spot to eat later.
~ HABITS
The gray butcherbird is wide-
spread over much of Australia,
but within its range its distribu-
tion seems patchy. It is usually
seen perching on a fence or a
tree. Although the bird prefers
open woodland, it also appears
at forest edges, among shrubs,
and in vegetation along rivers,
roads, fields, and even gardens,
parks, and golf courses. In Tas-
mania many birds forage in sub-
urbs and cities during fall. When
foraging, the gray butcherbird
may hop along the ground. But
it soon returns to the trees, often
carrying its prey.
Paired birds defend their terri-
tory all year and often keep the
same site year after year. Both
sexes try to deter any intruders,
and they sing frequently to an-
nounce their presence. Often
they engage in duets, with each
bird singing in turn. They partly
open their wings and raise and
bow their heads as they sing.
The gray butcherbird is one
of Australia's most musical birds,
especially in fall. The phrasing of
the song seems to vary accord-
ing to the region. This butcher-
bird is also an expert mimic of
other birds.
~ FOOD & HUNTING
The gray butcherbird perches
motionless as it searches its sur-
roundings for any sign of move-
ment. When it spots a victim, it
swoops down to catch its prey
and often flies back to the perch
with its meal. The gray butcher-
bird hunts insects, lizards, other
birds, and mice. In addition, it
eats some fruit and seeds.
Today, the Australian butcher-
birds are classified in a family of
their own. However, they were
once thought to be related to
the shrikes. Like shrikes, butch-
erbirds have strong hooked bills
Left: The gray butcherbird alights
on a prominent perch in order to
survey the area for food.
DID YOU KNOW?
Australian names for the gray
butcherbird include yoyjeddie
and waddo-wadong.
Butcherbirds have frequently
been seen hunting beside fal-
cons, snatching creatures that
have been driven from cover
by the birds of prey.
for tearing prey. Also like shrikes,
they often catch animals that
are too large to be swallowed
whole and tear them up. But
with its small legs and feet, the
gray butcherbird cannot easily
hold down food to tear it apart.
So it carries prey to the fork of a
branch, a thorny bush, or a wire
fence and wedges it into a crev-
ice or impales it on a barb. The
bird can then use its bill to rip up
the victim. Like shrikes, the gray
butcherbird sometimes keeps a
store of prey when it has caught
extra food.
Right: The gray butcherbird wedges
prey in a forked branch to tear into
manageable pieces.
The gray butcherbird is so
bold and aggressive that it will
kill caged birds and pull them
out through the wires. In con-
trast, some butcherbirds close
to human habitations are so
tame that they will take pieces
of meat offered by hand.
The gray butcherbird builds its
nest up to 65 feet above the
ground, usually in the fork of
two fairly upright branches. It
defends the nest fiercely and
swoops down at any intruders,
including humans, and snaps
at them with its sharp bill.
The nest is a shallow bowl of
twigs about eight inches across.
From below it looks untidy, but
the four-inch-wide inner cup is
neatly shaped and lined with
fine roots and grasses. There
Left: The juvenile's brownish feath-
ers are replaced by adult plumage
in its second year.
Left: The gray
butcherbird is
efficient, storing
any food that
it cannot eat
right away on
a fence or in a
bush. Later, it
returns to peck
at the carrion.
the female lays three to five blue,
green, or brown eggs that have
reddish brown spots. She does
most of the incubating, and the
male hunts for food.
The chicks hatch after about
three weeks, and they remain in
the nest for almost four weeks.
When fledged, young butcher-
birds have brownish plumage.
This changes to the adult plum-
age during their second year.
The adults do not usually allow
their young to stay with them
for long. But a few offspring may
remain for a year or more and
help feed the next brood.
304 1
WRYNECK
__________________________________
.... ORDER .... FAMILY GENUS & SPECIES
Piciformes Picidae lynx torquilla
The wryneck is an unusual member of the woodpecker family.
Camouflaged by its beautifully mottled gray and brown plumage,
it can become almost invisible in its woodland habitat.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: in.
Wingspan: 10-11 in .
Weight: 1 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: May to August.
No. of broods: 1, occasionally 2.
Eggs: 7-10, white.
Incubation: 11-14 days.
Fledging period: 18-22 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Day-active; territorial. Soli-
tary outside the breeding season.
Diet: Mainly ants. Also other inver-
tebrates and plant food.
Call: Series of up to 25 mournful,
shrill notes used as a territorial call.
Lifespan: Up to 10 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The wryneck has just one close rel-
ative: the rufous-breasted wryneck,
jynx ruficollis, which occurs in iso-
lated areas of Africa.
FEATURES OF THE WRYNECK
Breeding range of the wryneck. Winter range.
DISTRIBUTION
Breeds from Portugal north through Scandinavia and east to
Japan. Also breeds in parts of China, Algeria, Turkey, and the
former Soviet Union. Winters in Africa north of the equator,
India, and parts of Southeast Asia.
CONSERVATION
The wryneck is declining in most of western Europe but is
common in the rest of its range.
Long and
sharp. Bird
has a long:
sHCI<Ytongue
for catching
I .I
in ects.
Plumage: Dull-colored for camouflage.
The feathers are a mixture of grays and
browns, mottled and barred with dark
Eggs: White;
7to10ina
clutch. Laid
in a nest
hole in a
tree, wall ,
or bank.
I , I
and pale markings.
MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Tail: Has soft feathers. In contrast,
the true woodpeckers have stiff tail
feathers, which they use as braces
when climbing trees.
0160200991 PACKET 99
The wryneck is a strange little bird in many ways.
Howeve" one of its most unusual characteristics is the
way it behaves when it is cornered or picked up. At such
times the bird twists and turns its head and hisses like a
snake. All the while its head feathers are ruffled and its tail
is fanned out. It is this distinctive strategy for deterring
predators that has earned the wryneck its common name.

The wryneck can be found near
areas of warm, dry ground with
low vegetation where there are
good supplies of ants. It favors
parks, orchards, and large gar-
dens, adapting readily to the
presence of humans. It also fre-
quents open woodlands, groves,
wooded heaths, and the edges
of deciduous woods.
At its wintering grounds in Af-
rica and southern Asia, the bird
visits a variety of habitats. These
include areas that have little or
no tree cover such as farmland,
scrubland, and even semidesert.
The wryneck at times perches
Right: The wryneck keeps the nest
hole clean by regularly removing
balls of droppings.
on a tree trunk like a true wood-
pecker. However, it usually sits
crosswise on branches and oth-
er perches. It is seen mainly on
the ground, where it remains
motionless for long periods or
hops around jerkily, with its long
tail raised. It looks more like a
fairly dull-colored songbird than
a woodpecker.
FOOD &: FEEDING
The wryneck feeds mainly on
ants and their larvae, picking
them off branches or breaking
up ants' nests using its sharp
bill. As the ants try to escape,
the wryneck snaps them up in
its bill or catches them with its
long, sticky tongue. The bird's
throat can hold up to 150 ants
at a time.
When ants are not available,
Left: The male shows hjs nest hole
to a potential mate by poking out
his head conspicuously.
DID YOU KNOW?
The wryneck is also called
writhe neck, snake bird, hiss-
er, and twister. These names
reflect its defensive strategy of
writhing and hissing. If those
tactics fail , the bird pretends
to be dead, hanging limply
with its eyes closed.
The wryneck was once be-
lieved to have magical quali-
the wryneck eats other insects
such as beetles and grasshop-
pers, as well as butterflies and
their larvae and pupae. Occa-
sionally it darts out its tongue
to catch flying insects. It also
feeds on spiders, woodlice, and
mollusks plus berries and other
plant food. The wryneck has
even been known to eat tad-
poles and birds' eggs.
Right: The wryneck brings ant lar-
vae to its nest hole to feed its young
in their first few days.
ties. Its generic name, lynx, is
the origin of the word jinx-
meaning "to bring bad luck."
It was also thought that if tied
to a revolving wheel, the wry-
neck could bring back unfaith-
fullovers.
Until 1850 the wryneck was
seen in Hyde Park, in the heart
of London.


The wryneck can be seen in
Europe between April and Au-
gust. But it is difficult to find
because its dull-colored plum-
age is excellent camouflage,
letting the bird blend perfect-
ly with the bark of trees.
At close range, the wryneck
BREEDING
In April the wryneck returns to
its breeding grounds. The male
attracts a female with his loud,
ringing song and shows off his
nest site by drumming or tap-
ping with his bill from inside the
tree hole.
The wryneck nests in a natu-
ral hole in a tree, wall, or bank
of earth. It often takes over the
hole of a flycatcher, sparrow, or
tit, evicting the occupant and
pulling out the existing nest.
Highly territorial in the breed-
ing season, wrynecks can be
very aggressive toward nearby
hole-nesting birds. Even after
Left: Male and female wrynecks
pair up and stay together for one
breeding season only.
can be seen to possess a mix
of gray and brown feathers,
which are beautifully mottled
and barred with dark as well
as pale markings. The bird's
slightly undulating, hesit ant
flight reveals the distinctive
barring on its prominent tail.
finding a nest site, a pair may
destroy other birds' nests and
break the eggs or kill the chicks.
When it meets a rival bird, the
wryneck stretches out its neck,
pointing its beak at its adversary.
It also ruffles its crown feathers,
spreads its tail, and sometimes
sways its head from side to side.
It adopts similar postures during
its courtship displays.
The female lays 7 to 10 eggs
in the unlined nest hole, usually
in Mayor June. She does most
of the incubation, but the male
shares the task by day. He also
helps feed the young, bringing
them ant larvae during their first
five days and then large balls of
ants stuck together with saliva.
STEAMER DUCK
ORDER
Anseriformes
FAMILY
Anatidae
GENUS
Tachyeres
Steamer ducks are found in the coastal waters that lie off the
southernmost part of South America and the Falkland Islands.
Of the four different species, only one is capable of flying.
---SI
~
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 2-3 ft. Male larger than
the female.
Weight: Flying species, 6-7 lb.
Flightless species, 8-11 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: From 2 years.
Breeding season: Varies.
No. of eggs: 6- 12, depending on
the species.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Social and aggressive. Pair
for life.
Diet: Crustaceans, mollusks, and
other marine invertebrates.
Lifespan: Unknown.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 4 species in the genus
Tachyeres: the flying steamer duck
and the Magellanic, Falkland, and
white-headed flightless steamer
ducks. The family Anatidae con-
tains more than 140 species of
duck, swan, and goose.
THE STEAMER DUCKS
Flying steamer duck: Mottled black
and gray body with white underparts
and wi ng bands. In the breeding sea-
son, the male's head is whitish and
then pale brown. For the rest of the
year it is gray-brown with a white ring
around each eye. The female has
a darker head and neck. Both
sexes have a reddish tinge
on the throat.
MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Range of steamer ducks.
DISTRIBUTION
The four species of steamer duck are confined to the Falkland
Islands and southern South America, from southern Chile and
Argentina to Tierra del Fuego. The Magellanic flightless steam-
er duck is found in coastal waters along the Strait of Magellan.
CONSERVATION
Within their limited range, all species are numerous.
Falkland flightless steamer duck:
Speckled brownish gray wi th white un-
derparts. The male has a pale head with
chestnut neck coloring.
PRINTED IN U.S.A
Magellanic flightless steamer duck:
Similar in appearance and color to
the flyi ng steamer duck but gener-
Hya paler gray. Sexes are similar.
White-headed flightless steamer
duck: (Not shown.) This speci es looks
much li ke the other steamer ducks,
except that the male has a pale head
af.ld the female has a wLde white band
rtmni 9 frack from each eye.
0160200951 PACKET 95
Steamer ducks are large and heavYt with a gooselike
appearance. They are named for their habit of rushing
over the water much like the old paddle steamboats. These
birds "steam II along on the surface, alternately paddling
their feet and flailing their wings in a rowing motion.
~ HABITAT
Steamer ducks live off the coasts
of southern South America and
nearby islands. They usually re-
main close to salt water, living
almost permanently in waters
near the shore. Although some
experts call them seabirds, they
belong to the group of birds
known as waterfowl.
The three flightless steamer
~ HABITS
The Magellanic flightless steam-
er duck can swim at speeds of
17 miles per hour with its body
underwater and only its head
above the surface. The flying
steamer duck paddles more
ducks are most often found off
coasts where tidal variations are
minimal. The Magellanic flight-
less steamer duck favors rocky
coasts that have offshore kelp
beds. The flying steamer duck
is occasionally found on inland
rivers. However, in the winter,
this species generally returns
to coastal areas.
slowly. It can fly but rarely does.
Steamer ducks often use their
wings to strike one another or a
predator. The carpal joints in the
wings have bony knobs, adding
impact to the blows.
DID YOU KNOW?
The steamer ducks' generic
name comes from the Greek
for "fast-rowing."
The Magellanic flightless
steamer duck may nest up
to half a mile inland.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
Steamer ducks dive to feed on
marine invertebrates, especially
mollusks and crustaceans such
as crabs. The Magellanic steam-
er duck dives in shallow water
to feed among the kelp and dig
in the gravel.
Like most other ducks, steam-
er ducks have lamellae, or thin
toothlike ridges, at the edges of
their bills. They use the lamel-
lae to strain out the water that
they take in with their food.
Left: Steamer ducks utter a range
of growls, mews, and croaks while
they paddle along.
Right: The Falkland flightless steam-
er duck dislodges mollusks with a
nail on the tip of its bill.
One Falkland steamer duck
was found with 450 mussel
shells in its crop and stomach.
The white-headed flightless
steamer duck was discovered
as recently as 1981 .
Little is known about the breed-
ing habits of steamer ducks. Like
other sea ducks, they probably
engage in noisy courtship dis-
plays. The male and female pair
for life.
Flightless steamer ducks usual-
ly nest among grassy tussocks in
the sand but may use a burrow
deserted by a penguin. The fly-
ing steamer duck nests on open
ground near the shore.
The flying steamer duck lays 7
to 9 eggs, whereas the Magel-
lanic steamer lays 6 to 12. The
female lays one egg a day and
Left: The well-developed chicks can
swim very soon after hatching.
Left: The three
flightless species
are heavy birds.
But they can use
their webbed
feet and power-
ful wings to pro-
pel themselves
at great speed
over the water.
starts incubating when she has
finished laying. The male guards
her as she incubates, and chases
away intruders.
The well-developed downy
chicks hatch on the same day,
within a six-hour-period. They
can swim the day after hatching
but remain close to their moth-
er and peck at food on the sur-
face of the water.
The downy covering lasts for
two to four weeks and is grad-
ually replaced by the juvenile
plumage. Young steamer ducks
usually stay close together in
large flocks. Adults tend to re-
main together in pairs.
CRAB PLOVER
ORDER FAMILY
Charadriiformes Dromadidae
GROUP 2: BIRDS
GENUS &; SPECIES
Dromas ardeola
The crab plover is common along tropical shores of the Indian
Ocean. This bird is unique among waders for its habit of
digging deep, roomy nesting tunnels in sandy ground.
__ __________________________
SIZES
Length: 13-14 in.
Wingspan: ft.
Weight: 14 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Unknown.
Breeding season: Varies, depending
on location.
No. of eggs: Usually 1, pure white.
Incubation: Unknown.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Social, living and breeding in
large colonies. Partially migratory.
Diet: Mainly crabs and other crus-
taceans; also some mollusks and ma-
rine worms.
Call: Varied repertoire of noisy calls,
including harsh "kru-uk."
Lifespan: Unknown.
RELATED SPECIES
The crab plover is the only member
of the family Dromadidae.
Range of the crab plover.
DISTRIBUTION
The crab plover inhabits the Persian Gulf, Oman's eastern tip,
the coasts and islands of the Indian Ocean south to Madagas-
car, and the coasts of the Red Sea and eastern Africa.
CONSERVATION
The crab plover is common across its range.
FEATURES OF THE CRAB PLOVER
Plumage: Mainly
white, with black
mantle and
wingtips. The
bird also has a
small black spot
around each eye.
Legs: Long,
typical of a
wader. Feet are
partially webbed.
MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILpM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Burrow: Dug
deep in sand
and used for
-,;"' nestin , ;
Bill: Thick and
heavy, for crush-
ing the shells of
crabs and other
crustaceans.
0160200961 PACKET 96
With its black and white plumage and long legs, the crab
plover is easy to confuse in flight with an avocet. But while
an avocet has a graceful bill that curves upward, the crab
plover has a thick, daggerlike bill, which it uses to crush the
shells of the crabs and other crustaceans on which it feeds.
~ HABITS
The crab plover inhabits a vari-
ety of tidal zones, such as coast-
al mud flats, lagoons, estuaries,
sandy bays, and exposed coral
reefs. It gathers in flocks of 20
to several hundred birds. This
bird is partially migratory, with
many crab plovers leaving their
breeding grounds after nesting.
Some vacate eastern Africa in
November and cross the Red
Sea to Saudi Arabia, where they
remain until February.
This raucous bird has a large
repertoire of loud calls, includ-
ing a shrill bark, a crowlike chat-
ter, and a flight call that can be
described as extended, musical
yelping. The crab plover seems
noisier and more restless in win-
ter, uttering its cries and croaks
as it runs around with its swift,
jerky movements.
Right: The crab plover gathers in
groups to search for crabs on mud
flats and beaches.
DID YOU KNOW?
The crab plover's burrow-
ing habits probably evolved
to protect it from the sun in
its breeding grounds.
The pure white egg of the
crab plover is characteristic of
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
The crab plover feeds on crabs
and other crustaceans, which it
breaks open with its bill. It also
eats marine worms, mollusks,
and other invertebrates.
Feeding in large, noisy flocks,
the birds run along the shore-
line at low tide. They search the
muddy surface for food and use
their bills to probe the weeds in
uncovered rock pools.
The bird alternates regularly
between feeding and resting. It
flies for a minute or two before
it begins feeding again. While
it is not strictly night-active, it
feeds mainly around twilight
and frequently after dark or
around dawn.
left: When it flies, the crab plover's
long legs protrude well beyond its
short white tail feathers.
Right: Land crabs may prey on the
chicks, but they are no match for
the adult crab plover.
hole-nesting birds but unusu-
al in wading birds, which nor-
mally lay patterned eggs.
The crab plover sometimes
perches on the back of a wal-
lowing hippopotamus.
~ BREEDING
The crab plover's breeding sea-
son seems to vary with its loca-
tion. In eastern Africa it mates
in mid-May, but along the Per-
sian Gulf it seems to start earlier.
Not much is known about the
bird's courtship habits. It is the
only wader that lays its eggs in
a large, sandy burrow near the
sea. It often uses a hollow made
by a large land crab, which it ex-
tends by tunneling deep into
the sand with its bill and feet.
left: With one
leg raised close
to its body and
its eyes closed,
the crab plover
sleeps while still
standing up.
The crab plover usually breeds
on small islands. Its large colo-
nies are so dense that the earth
is honeycombed with tunnels.
In the brood chamber, the fe-
male usually lays a single pure
white egg, which is huge for
the bird's size. During incuba-
tion, the adults hiss loudly at
any intruder.
Both parents feed the gray
chick for some time, even after
it can venture outside.
COMMON QUAIL
"
". ORDER FAMILY GENUS &: SPECIES
Coturnix coturnix ...... Galliformes Phasianiidae
The common quail is a small migratory game bird found
throughout Europe and as far east as China. Despite its short
wings, this hardy bird travels thousands of miles each year.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 6-7 in.
Wingspan: 13-14 in.
Weight: Male, 3-4 oz. Female,
3-50z.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: Varies, depending
on location.
Eggs: Usuall y 8-13.
Incubation: 17-20 days.
Fledging period: About 3 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Migratory. Pair bonds last for
the whole breeding season.
Call: Male's song sounds like "wet-
my-lips."
Diet: Seeds and insects.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 6 species of quail in the
genus Coturnix. The common quail's
closest relative is the Japanese quail,
C. japonico.
Resident range. Winter range. Breeding range.
DISTRIBUTION
In summer the common quail ranges from southern Scandi-
navia to islands off the coast of northern Africa and eastward
through the former Soviet Union to China. In winter the bird
ranges from northern and central Africa to India.
CONSERVATION
There has been a general decline in the common quail popula-
tion, probably because of habitat loss.
FEATURES OF THE COMMON QUAIL
Male: Black and white
markings on the neck.
Upperparts are rust
barred with white and
black. Paler chest.
,', MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILE' M
C : ~ i C k : Quickly develops
est-riped plumage that
J -acts as camouflage.
PRINTED IN U.s.A.
Eggs: 8 to 13. Cream with
brown blotches. Laid in a
scrape on the ground.
Female: Duller
plumage than
the male. Lacks
throat and neck
markings. Has
elongated black
markings on her
breast.
0160200981 PACKET 98
The common quail can be distinguished from related quail
species by its small size as well as by the dark stripes that
run along its primary wing feathers. The plumage of this
game bird provides excellent camouflage when the quail
is hiding among vegetation. However, the bird's presence
may be betrayed by the distinctive three-syllable call of
the male, which is said to sound like "wet-my-lips."

The common quail is one of the
galliforms, a group of birds that
have rounded bodies and poor
flying ability. Despite this, the
common quail is migratory. Yet
unlike most other migrants, in-
dividual quails may not follow
the same route each year and
may even visit different winter
or summer quarters.
The males migrate before the


In summer the common quail
is seen in much of Europe, ex-
cept t he coldest parts.
Smal l and brown, the com-
mon quail has dark st ripes on
females in order to establish ter-
ritories. They repel their rivals
by singing the "wet-my-lips"
song. When the females arrive,
they select nesting sites.
In summer the common quail
is found throughout southern
and central Europe and east to
China. In winter it travels south
in large flocks to central Africa
as well as India.
its wings and a reddish tinge
to its breast. It likes to nest in
dry fields of tall grass or grain
crops and is often spotted in
wheat fields.
FOOD &: FEEDING
During the spring the common
quail eats grasshoppers, ants,
earwigs, and beetles. This high-
protein diet may help restore
the bird's strength after its ar-
duous migration. In addition, it
helps the quail prepare for the
demands of rearing its young
during the spring and summer.
Later in the year, the common
quail feeds primarily on seeds
Left: The common quail is a reluc-
tant flier. It prefers to hide among
the undergrowth.
DID YOU KNOW?
The common quail does not
always complete its migration
in one trip. Italy is one of the
favorite stopover sites for birds
that are heading farther north
in Europe.
Quails are mentioned in the
Old Testament as the miracu-
lous food found by the Israel-
ites while fleeing Egypt. It is
while they are abundant. The
bird likes to nest in fields of al-
falfa, wheat, and oilseed rape,
where it can feed on the grains
that have fallen off the plants.
The very high energy content
of the diet helps to fatten the
common quail in preparation
for its long fall migration from
Europe and China to central
Africa and India.
Right: Due to its excellent camou-
flage, the quail can rarely be seen
among vegetation.
thought that some exhausted
quails landed after migrating
from Europe and were easily
caught. Great flocks of these
birds were common until the
beginning of this century.
Some common quails never
fly to Europe. They winter in
central Africa and summer in
southern Africa.
The common quail is a deter-
mined breeder. If a clutch fails
to hatch, the bird tries to pro-
duce one or even two more.
The quail usually nests in flat
or only slightly hilly country be-
low 3,200 feet. But it has been
seen at much higher elevations,
such as in the Himalayas. The
quail nests in a scrape on the
ground in thick vegetation, pref-
erably tall grasses or wheat.
Once a male has established
a territory and a female has se-
lected a nest site, the birds be-
gin to form a pair bond. The
female responds to the male's
calls with her own call to at-
Left: The chicks can leave the nest
within a few hours of hatching.
Left: The fe-
male common
quail broods
her young un-
der her wing to
keep them safe
from predators.
She rears her
chicks for seven
weeks, without
help from her
mate.
tract him to her site. The male
approaches the female and cir-
cles her with his breast feathers
puffed up. He croons softly and
drags a wing along the ground.
This courtship display is similar
to that of a pigeon. When the
display is finished and the birds
have paired up, they mate. The
pair bond usually lasts for the
entire season, and the partners
often sing together.
The female lays an egg a day
for 8 to 13 days. She incubates
them for about 18 days, with-
out help from her mate. The
young can fly when they are
about three weeks old. They
are ready to migrate at two
months of age.
BEWICK'S SWAN
'( ......_-----
ORDER
Anseriformes
FAMILY
Anatidae
GROUP 2: BIRDS
GENUS &: SPECIES
Cygnus columbianus bewickii
Bewick s swan is named after Thomas Bewick, a famous illustrator
of birds. A winter visitor to northwestern Europe and eastern Asia,
this swan is a subspecies of North America s tundra swan.
KEY FACTS
- - - - - - - - - ~ ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
SIZES
Length: About 4 ft.
Wingspan: 6-7 ft.
Weight: Male, about 13 lb. Female,
about 14 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 3-4 years.
Breeding season: June to August.
No. of broods: 1.
Eggs: 3 to 5, off-white.
Incubation: 1 month.
Fledging period: About 6 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Social except when nesting;
pairs for life.
Diet: Grass and aquatic plants.
Call: High-pitched musical bab-
bling, honking, and yelping.
Lifespan: Up to 22 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The genus Cygnus has 6 swans, not
including the North American tun-
dra swan, sometimes considered a
separate species from Bewick's.
Breeding range of Bewick's swan. Winter range.
DISTRIBUTION
Bewick's swan breeds from the Arctic coast of Russia east to the
Bering Strait. It winters in northwestern Europe and eastern Asia.
The American form, called the tundra swan, breeds in the Ca-
nadian Arctic and winters in more southerly latitudes.
CONSERVATION
Although legally protected over most of its range, small num-
bers of Bewick's swan are shot each year.
FEATURES OF BEWICK'S SWAN COMPARISON OF BILLS
Plumage: Adult
is white. Juvenile
is mottled gray.
Flight: Goose-
like, with faster
wing beats than
the whooper
swan.
MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILpM
Bill: Mainly
black. Yellow
patch at the base
is extended to a
square or round
shape toward
the nostrils.
Legs: Sturdy.
Set near the
middle of the
body, so the
swan can walk
well on land.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Whooper swan
Large yellow patch on bill usual-
ly extends to a distinct point near
the nostrils. The forehead slopes
steadily into the bill .
Mute swan
Mostly orange bill with black nos-
trils. The prominent black knob at
the base of the bill is larger in the
male than in the female.
0160200961 PACKET 96
Bewick's swan is the smallest of the three swan species
that are found in Europe. This graceful bird breeds as far
east as the Taimyr Peninsula in Siberia, then undertakes
a long and arduous migration to winter in northwestern
Europe. In its winter quarters, Bewick's swan usually settles
on shallow lakes and slow-flowing rivers that are close
to flooded grasslands and grain fields, where it feeds.
HABITAT
Bewick's swan nests in the Arctic
tundra, far from human habita-
tion. It favors flat, grassy swamps
with lakes and pools but may al-
so breed along broad, sluggish
rivers or on coasts and islands.
When wintering in northwest-
ern Europe and eastern Asia, the
swan usually settles inland near
flooded pastures or grain fields.
It is found primarily on lowland
lakes, ponds, reservoirs, or slow-
moving rivers.
When migrating, the bird rests
on freshwater lakes, pools, riv-
ers, and estuaries.
Right: Because it is a heavy bird,
Bewick's swan must make a great
effort when taking off and landing.
BREEDING
At the Arctic breeding grounds,
a Bewick's swan pair builds its
nest on a snow-free bank or hill.
The nest is a mound of grasses,
sedges, and moss, a foot and a
half high and three feet wide on
the bottom. The female stands
inside the nest, arranging the
material as the male passes it to
her. At the top, she constructs a
small cup for the eggs and then
Left: Bewick's swan has a black bill
with a yel/ow patch that is square
or rounded near the nostrils.
I
DID YOU KNOW?
Bewick's swan pairs for life.
If one bird dies, its mate may
take up to three years to find
another partner.
Feeding in the peaty, iron-
rich water or mud of its tun-
I
dra breeding grounds may
cause the head and neck of
Bewick's swan to be stained
rusty red with iron oxide.
lines it using grass and down.
During the month-long incu-
bation, the three to five off-white
eggs get stained and scratched.
When the female leaves to feed,
she covers the eggs with grass
and down to insulate them and
hide them from predators. The
cygnets (young) leave the nest
soon after hatching and fledge
in about six weeks.
Right: The young Bewick's swan has
a pinkish white bill, which turns yel-
low and black as the bird matures.
Much information about Be-
wick's swan has been gained
from studying birds that for
years spent the winter at the
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust's
headquarters in Gloucester-
shire, England. The trust was
established by Sir Peter Scott,
and the first captive-bred Be-
wick's swans were raised there.
BIRDWATCH
Bewick's swan can be identi-
fied by the black-and-yellow
pattern on its bill. The size and
shape of the yellow patch at
the base varies between indi-
viduals, but the patch is always
square or round toward the
nostrils. In contrast, the patch
FOOD &: FEEDING
Bewick's swan eats plant matter,
from shoots to root vegetables.
Agile on land, it feeds mainly on
flooded fields and marshy pas-
tures in winter. It prefers short,
soft grasses such as marsh fox-
tail to taller, coarser species. In
addition it eats potatoes as well

Western populations of Bewick's
swan breeding as far east as Si-
beria's Taimyr Peninsula migrate
to winter in Europe's northwest.
Eastern populations winter with-
in eastern Asia, from Japan and
Korea to southeastern China.
The birds leave their breeding
grounds in fall, as soon as their
on the related whooper swan's
bill extends to a sharp point.
Only about half the size of
the whooper, Bewick's swan
looks like a smaller version of
its relative. Its flight resembles
that of a goose, but its wing
beats are faster.
as grain from stubble fields. In
early spring it frequently grazes
on sprouting winter wheat.
This swan also eats underwa-
ter vegetation. It immerses its
head and neck or upends its en-
tire body to reach plants three
feet deep with its long neck.
young can fly. They join others
during the trip and rest at tradi-
tional stopover sites, sometimes
lingering until the cold weather
forces them to move on.
The swans leave their winter-
ing grounds in mid-February
and visit the stopover sites on
their way back to the Arctic.
SONG THRUSH
ORDER
Passeriformes
FAMILY
Turdidae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Turdus phi/ome/os
CARD 309
The song thrush is one of the most familiar garden birds in Europe.
It is fairly easy to tell where this messy feeder has been by
the pile of shattered snail shells it leaves behind.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 9 in.
Weight: 2-3 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: From March
to August.
Eggs: 3-5; pale blue, speckled.
Number of broods: 2-3.
Incubation: 12-14 days.
Fledging period: 13 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Shy. Solitary or lives in small,
loose flocks.
Diet: Invertebrates, seeds, and ber-
ries and other fruit.
Call: A short "tsip," uttered mainly
in flight or when disturbed.
Lifespan: Up to 14 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The genus Turdus contains 62
species, including the American
robin, T. migratorius, and the
European blackbird, T. meru/a.
Breeding range of
the song thrush. Winter range.
~ = = = = = = = = ~ - - - - - - - - - - ~
DISTRIBUTION
The song thrush breeds across Europe and Asia, from Great Brit-
ain to western Siberia. Northern and eastern breeders tend to
migrate southward and westward.
CONSERVATION
There has been a steady decline in song thrush numbers with-
in northern Europe, mainly because of a series of severe winters.
FEATURES OF THE SONG THRUSH
Flight: Strong, fast .
and direct. reveali ng
yell ow plumage on
underwings. Yellow
is lacking on the
related redwing and
mistle thrush.
Plumage: Upperparts are warm brown.
Breast and underparts are whitish buff
and heavil y spotted with dark brown.
Lacks white tail feathers and heavier
speckling of the mistle thrush.
.: MCMXCII IMP BVII MP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Eggs: Between 3 and 5: pale blue,
lightl y speckled with black. Laid in
spring and earl y summer and
incubated by the female.
PRINTED IN U.8A
Movement and posture: The long-
legged, upright stance is typical of all
speci es of ground-feeding thrush. The
song thrush feeds mainly on the ground,
movi ng with short runs or hops. It pauses
to cock its head to one side. which is the
best way for it to spot food since its eyes
a ~ situated on the sides of its head.
0160200981 PACKET 98
The song thrush is still a common bird in many parts of
Europe, although it is no longer as numerous as its close
relatives the blackbirds. The song thrush suffers badly
during harsh winters because its food supplies become
scarce. Due to a succession of severe winters, the bird's
numbers have been declining steadily in northern Europe.
HABITS
The song thrush lives both in
and around woodlands. It can
be found among deciduous as
well as coniferous trees as long
as there is dense shrubbery on
the ground. This bird has also
adapted to artificial habitats, in-
cluding farms, parks, gardens,
and even vacant city lots.

The song thrush is a year-round
resident over much of its range.
However, birds that breed in the
eastern part of the range tend
to fly west for the winter, and
those in the north travel south.
The migratory patterns of 10-
The song thrush lives alone or
in small, loose flocks. It usually
feeds in brief bursts of activity,
interspersed with periods of dis-
playing, preening, and resting.
This pattern changes during the
breeding season, when the par-
ents spend the whole day gath-
ering food for their chicks.
cal populations vary. For exam-
ple, in Great Britain almost half
of the adults migrate after they
breed, while the remainder are
sedentary. The migrating birds
generally fly south toward Por-
tugal, Spain, or France.
BREEDING
The male song thrush sings to
proclaim ownership of his terri-
tory to rival males as well as to
prospective mates. He displays
to rivals by puffing out his feath-
ers and crouching with his tail
spread and head raised. In his
courtship displays, he runs in
front of a female with his head
thrown backward, his bill open,
and his tail spread and lowered.
The song thrush usually nests
within 10 feet of the ground in
the dense cover of a shrub or
Left: The song thrush resembles a
mistle thrush, but it is smaller with
a less upright stance.
DID YOU KNOW?
The song thrush was intro-
duced into Australia in 1856
and is now well established
there. It was introduced into
New Zealand six years later.
The song thrush can fly at
speeds of 30 miles per hour.
The song of some individu-
evergreen tree. But it may also
nest in a hole in a wall, on a rock
ledge, or on the ground among
dense vegetation. It constructs
its cup-shaped nest using twigs,
grass, and moss. The thick lining
of mud, dung, and rotten wood
is often mixed with leaves and
dried to a hard plaster.
The female lays three to five
pale blue eggs and incubates
them alone. The chicks hatch
in about two weeks and fledge
two weeks later.
Right: The female may have up to
three broods, since the incubation
and fledging periods are short.
als is so varied that within 85
phrases, the same phrase is re-
peated only twice.
The relatively peaceful song
thrush generally loses the ag-
gressive encounters over food
that take place between differ-
ent thrushes in winter.
BIRDWATCH
Besides the song thrush, three
other thrushes with spotted
breasts occur in Europe: the
mistle thrush, fieldfare, and
redwing. While it most close-
ly resembles the mistle thrush,
the song thrush is smaller and
FOOD &: FEEDING
The song thrush has a very var-
ied diet. Its food supplies are de-
termined by its habitat as well
as by the time of year and the
weather conditions.
The song thrush feeds heavily
on earthworms between Janu-
ary and June, as long as the soil
is not frozen or baked hard by
the sun. In May and June the
bird also eats caterpillars and
feeds many of them to its off-
spring. When caterpillars start
to dwindle, the thrush switches
back to a diet of earthworms
until fall or early winter. It then
Left: The song thrush cracks open
a snail shell by hitting it repeatedly
on a stone.
its plumage is warmer brown.
The song thrush sings while
perched in a tree, on a roof, or
even on a 1V antenna. Its dis-
tinctive song is a series of clear,
varied phrases, each repeated
two, three, or four times.
feeds largely on berries and var-
ious other fruits.
When its usual food supplies
are scarce, the song thrush sup-
plements its diet with snails. Un-
like other European species of
thrush, it is adept at opening
the shells, which it does by hit-
ting the snails against rocks.
In addition, the song thrush
consumes slugs and a wide as-
sortment of other invertebrates,
including beetles, bees, flies, spi-
ders, and centipedes. In severe
winters, populations that live in
coastal areas feed on a variety
of sea animals. These include
periwinkles, dog whelks, crabs,
and sand hoppers.
"'" CARD 310 I
PIED KINGFISHER
, , ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
ORDER
Caraciifarmes
FAMILY
A/cedinidae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Cery/e rudis
The pied kingfisher is one of the larger kingfishers, about the
length of a blue jay. This noisy, sociable bird lives in watery
habitats in tropical and subtropical Africa and Asia.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 9-10 in.
Wingspan: 18-19 in.
Weight: 2 - 3 ~ oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year. Male may
not breed until 2 years old.
Breeding season: Any time of the
year, depending on location.
No. of broods: 1, possibly 2.
Eggs: 4-5, white and glossy.
Incubation: About 2 weeks.
Fledging period: 3-4 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Generally sociable, living in
small groups. Pairs for life.
Diet: Mainly fish. Also frogs, crus-
taceans, and aquatic insects.
Call: High-pitched, shrill call and
vibrant whistle.
lifespan: Up to 5 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Closely related is North America's
belted kingfisher, Cery/e a/cyan.
Range of the pied kingfisher.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in sub-Saharan Africa, Turkey, the Middle East, India,
Southeast Asia, and southern China. Most birds are resident,
but some make local seasonal migrations.
CONSERVATION
The pied kingfisher is common, but some populations may be
affected by habitat destruction and local food shortages. Some
birds have also been harmed by poisons used to kill fish.
FEATURES OF THE PIED KINGFISHER
Plumage: Black-and-white pattern-
ing on upperparts. White under-
parts with black bands on breast.
White cheeks and throat, with
black bands running back from
the eyes. Black crown.
Crest: Wispy feathers on crown, which
the bird flicks up when excited.
Fishing: The bird
either scans the
water for prey
from a nearby
perch or hovers
over the surface
before diving in.
MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Bill: Long and black. Oaggerlike
shape is typical of a kingfisher spe-
cies. Used to snatch fish from the
water and sometimes to catch fly-
ing insects. Also used to spar with
rivals during the breeding season.
0160200961 PACKET 96
With its bold black-and-white patterned plumage, the pied
kingfisher is easy to identify. As its name suggests, this bird
fishes for most of its food. It perches on a lookout such as a
dead branch or hovers above the water until it spots a fish,
then plunges in to catch its prey with its pointed bill.
~ HABITAT
The pied kingfisher lives in a va-
riety of freshwater habitats. It is
seen close to ditches and small
pools, as well as around reser-
voirs and lakes. It is also found
along slow-moving rivers and
streams, floodwaters, marshes,
and rice fields.
In parts of its range, such as
West Africa, the pied kingfisher
inhabits estuaries, mangrove
swamps, and coastal lagoons.
It is common along rocky and
sandy shores, where it searches
for fish above the surf.
Right: Rival pied kingfishers lock
bills in territorial conflicts during
the breeding season.
~ FOOD & HUNTING
Although it occasionally eats in-
sects, frogs, and crustaceans, the
pied kingfisher feeds mainly on
fish. It prefers cichlids and bar-
bels that are about two inches
long and weigh about a quarter
of an ounce but can cope with
fish that weigh up to an ounce.
It eats about an ounce and a
half of prey every day.
This kingfisher uses two main
fishing methods. It may wait on
a perch to spot a fish and dive
after it. Or it may fly low over
the water and then rise several
feet to hover and look for prey.
Left: A stump makes a good perch,
although birds have been seen div-
ing from the back of a hippo.
DID YOU KNOW?
The male pied kingfisher car-
ries fish to his mate. However,
he may not give it up without
a tussle. This behavior shows
the female that he will be a
good provider for their young.
Sometimes it descends slightly
and hovers again before diving
in or moving on. It usually hunts
within 160 feet of shore, but it
may venture as far as 2 miles
offshore to catch fish that sur-
face at dawn or dusk.
The bird often swallows very
small fish in flight but returns to
its perch with larger prey. After
beating the fish on the perch
to soften it, the bird swallows it
headfirst to avoid choking on
the spines and scales. Indigest-
ible bones are later coughed
up as inch-long pellets.
Right: The pied kingfisher grips its
prey and beats it against a branch
to soften it.
In Greek myth, gods calmed
the seas so kingfishers could
breed on floating nests. From
alkuon-the Greek word for
kingfisher-we get the word
halcyon, meaning "calm."
In the breeding season, a dozen
or more pied kingfishers chase
each other and call in defense of
their perches or nest sites. They
nest in a bank by a lake, river, or
coast or in a ditch up to half a
mile from water.
Both sexes dig a burrow, stab-
bing the soil or sand with their
bills and kicking it back using
their legs. The burrow is up to
five feet long and ends in a nest-
ing chamber. It is usually com-
pleted in one month, and the
female lays her eggs three days
later. Both birds incubate the
four or five eggs, but the female
does most of the work.
Left: The pied
kingfisher hov-
ers over the wa-
ter with its bill
pointed down-
ward. It stays in
one spot for a
few seconds,
then dives or
moves on.
The young hatch naked and
blind. By the fifth day their eyes
start to open. At two weeks they
have a reasonable covering of
feathers. They peck at the cham-
ber walls, loosening soil to cover
their droppings. The floor of the
chamber is soon covered with
compacted fish bones from the
youngsters' pellets.
Up to four nonbreeding adults
help a breeding pair feed their
young and guard the nest. They
may be the young of the previ-
ous year, but sometimes they
are unrelated. This complex so-
cial structure enables the colony
to raise more young.