Birds
American Golden Eagle
COMMON NAME: American Golden Eagle
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Aquila chrysaetos canadensis
TYPE: Bird
DIET: Carnivore
GROUP NAME: Convocation
LIFESPAN: 18 yrs
SIZE: 3.5 ft; wingspan - 7 ft
WEIGHT: Male- 6 lbs; Female - 13 lbs
STATUS: Stable
THREATS: Habitat loss and Poaching
FUN FACT: When in the air Golden Eagles swoop down at speeds up to 200 mph to catch their prey
Bali Mynah
COMMON NAME: Bali Myna
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Leucopsar rothschildi
As their name suggests, these birds are found on the Indonesian island province of Bali. They are listed as critically endangered and there are thought to be only fifty adults left in the wild.
They are omnivorous, with a diet consisting of seeds, fruit, insects, and even small reptiles. During courtship, the male will raise the crest feathers atop his head and bob up and down. He will also vocalize while puffing up his chest feathers. Bali Myna are monogamous and will raise their chicks together, taking turns incubating clutches of two to three bluish-green eggs.
Fun fact: The Bali Myna is the only bird species native to Bali.
Blue-crowned Motmot
COMMON NAME: Blue-crowned Motmot
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Motmotus coeruliceps (momota)
The Blue Crowned Motmot is a brightly colored Amazonian bird of blue, green, and yellow. Their diet is varied and consists of small lizards, rodents, frogs, invertebrates, and fruits.
During the rainy season, they will dig an underground burrow. After the rains subside, they will lay three or four round, white eggs in the burrow. The parents will spend their days foraging for food separately. They will feed their young during the day but will not share the nest with their chicks.
Predators include ocelots, margays, birds of prey and snakes.
Fun facts: These birds have two blue, racquet shaped feathers that swing back and forth like a pendulum.
Blue-gray Tanager
COMMON NAME: Blue-gray Tanager
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Thraupis epicsopus
This South American songbird has adapted well to live near human populations and may be found in pairs or groups, feeding upon on fruits, nectar, and insects amongst treetops.
Fun fact: There are fourteen subspecies which can be distinguished by the color of their shoulder-patch. These colors range from green, blue, gray, and purple.
Blue-throated Piping Guan
COMMON NAME: Blue-throated Piping Guan
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pipilee cumanensis
The Blue-Throated Piping Guan is found in the rainforests of the Amazon where it spends most of its time amongst the treetops, feeding on palm fruit, figs, and flowers. To supplement their diet with minerals, they will visit the forest floor in search of clay or salt licks
Fun fact: This bird has been known to ascend to mountaintops as much as 5,000 feet high in search of food.
Cabot’s Tragopan
COMMON NAME: Cabot’s Tragopan
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Tragopan caboti
This Asian bird is found amongst the Himalayan Mountain Range, including areas of Northeast India, Central China, and into Myanmar and will migrate to lower elevations during winter months.
The male of the species performs an elaborate display during courtship. With their bright orange, white-dotted feathers puffed up, they inflate bright blue horn-like structures atop their head, as well as a radiant blue and red chin bib. They will then crouch down, fanning out their wings while chattering, before stretching and make themselves as tall as possible.
During the breeding season, a female may lay an orangish egg with brown spots, every other day for up to a month.
Fun Fact: The Tragopan belongs to the pheasant family. Unlike most pheasants, this species prefers to nest in trees rather than on the ground.
East African Grey Crowned Crane
COMMON NAME: East African Grey Crowned Crane
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Balearica regulorum gibbericeps
Named for its striking crown of golden feathers, this crane can be found in parts of eastern and southern Africa, congregating in groups of up to 200.
They are monogamous and thought to mate for life. Breeding largely coincides with the rainy season. Elaborate courtship dances involving bows, jumps and wing flapping, are performed by both males and females. Each parent contributes to the rearing of chicks which are able to walk and even run as soon as they hatch.
These cranes are considered endangered in eastern Africa, due to the loss of wetland habitat and feeding grounds, as well as pesticide pollution.
Fun facts: They are the only crane species known to perch in trees.
Eastern Screech Owl
COMMON NAME: Eastern Screech Owl
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Megascops asio
The Eastern Screech owl is one of the smaller owl species, standing six inches tall on average. They are found on the Eastern coast of North America, as far west as Minnesota. They may have gray or reddish coloring, with a mottled appearance that provides camouflage amongst the forest trees they call home. They are nocturnal and will hunt in darkness in search of small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish & invertebrates.
Fun facts: The tips of owls' flight feathers have small, comb-like edges that help to baffle sound, making them nearly silent fliers and stealthy hunters.
Eurasian Eagle Owl
COMMON NAME: Eurasian Eagle Owl
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Bubo bubo
This bird of prey is one of the largest owls in the world, second only to the Blackiston’s Fish-Owl. They are known to inhabit a vast range, including much of Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa. A common misconception is that this owl preys upon eagles. In fact, The Eurasian Eagle owl was named for its similarity in size to an eagle. These owls prefer a diet including small mammals, such as mice, voles, and rabbits.
Fun fact: The eye of an owl is not round, like a human’s. In fact, they are in the shape of a cylinder or tube. This is why an owl must turn its head to see, rather than simply rotating their eyes. Owls can swivel their heads up to 270 degrees.
Gray-necked Wood Rail
COMMON NAME: Gray-necked Wood Rail
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Armides cajaneus
The Grey-Cowled Wood Rail is typically found amongst the mangroves and swampland of Central and South America.
They utilize their elongated beak to hunt for crustaceans, and other small, aquatic animals such as frogs and snakes. They will also feed on seeds, fruits, and some vegetation.
They are monogamous, and a pair will nest together within dense vegetation. The female will typically lay between two to seven eggs, and hatchlings will fledge at around six weeks of age.
Fun Fact: When nesting, the male will leave in search of food during the night, and the female will forage during the day.
Hamerkop
COMMON NAME: Hamerkop
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Scopus umbrette
TYPE: Bird
DIET: Carnivore
GROUP NAME: -
LIFESPAN: 10 - 20 yrs
SIZE: 22 in; Wingspan - 3 ft
WEIGHT: 14.5 - 17 oz
STATUS: Least Concern
THREATS: Habitat Loss
FUN FACT: These birds “Mysterious Legend Bird of Africa” by native people, folklore of magical powers.
Great Horned Owl
COMMON NAME: Great Horned Owl
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Bubo virginianus
The Great Horned Owl is named for the large tufts of feathers atop its head, resembling horns. These tufts are called ‘plumicorns.’ These Owls are found throughout the United States including much of Alaska, as well as Central and South America. Their diet consists largely of small mammals, reptiles and invertebrates and may also include other birds, including ducks, geese, and even smaller owls. They are the only bird of prey known to feed on skunks.
Fun fact: Owl’s will regurgitate indigestible material in the form of an ‘owl pellet.’ These oval shaped masses of bone and hair can be found on the ground near owl nesting sites and are a great way to discover what they've been eating.
Helmeted guinea fowl
COMMON NAME: Helmeted guinea fowl
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Numida meleagris
This African bird has been domesticated and can be found on farms throughout the world. They are easily identified by their dark feathers, adorned with white speckles, as well as the blue and red color of their head and helmet-like casque.
They are omnivorous, with a diet including seeds, seedlings, fruits, invertebrates and small animals such as mice, lizards and frogs.
Gregarious in nature, they are known to come together in groups of several hundred.
This species is typically monogamous, and pairs will work together to raise their young. Females may lay a clutch of up to 20 eggs.
Fun Fact: Hens have been known to deposit eggs within the nests of other Guinea Fowl. This is known as ‘Egg Dumping.’
Nicobar Pigeon
COMMON NAME: Nicobar Pigeon
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Caloenas nicobarica
This vibrantly plumed Asian bird is found amongst the low and wetland forests of the Nicobar Islands, New Guinea, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. They are instantly recognizable by their metallic, rainbow coloring and collar of long, thin feathers. Their diet mainly consists of fruits and seeds found on the forest floor. They have an internal gizzard that is capable of breaking down hard nuts which would be difficult for human to open without a tool.
Males and juveniles of the species will have brown eyes, while adult females will have white eyes.
Their current Conservation Status is Near Threatened. This is due to habitat loss because of deforestation for palm oil farming, hunting and the pet trade.
Fun facts: The Nicobar Pigeon is the closest living relative to the now extinct Dodo.
Wild Turkey
COMMON NAME: Wild Turkey
The North American Wild Turkey is adaptable to a variety of habitats including open forests, marshlands, and pastures. They spend their days foraging the ground for acorns, leaves, shoots, berries, insects, and even small vertebrates. At night, they roost among tree branches.
Larger, male turkeys can reach up to 25 lbs, with females averaging ten lbs. Despite their size, they are able to fly 55 mph in short bursts and run up to 25 mph.
This Wild Turkey boasts between 5,000 and 6000 iridescent feathers which reflect a range of color from bronze to green. The male is capable of altering the color of their head, neck and waddle to reflect their mood with a range including reds, blues and white.
Fun Fact: The Wild Turkey is one of only two birds native to the Americas that have been successfully domesticated, the other being the Muscovy Duck.
Purple Glossy Starlings
COMMON NAME: Purple Glossy Starlings
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lamprotornis purpureus
TYPE: Bird
DIET: Omnivore
GROUP NAME: Chattering, Cloud, Congregation
LIFESPAN: Human Care - 8 - 10 yrs
SIZE: 8.5 - 10.5 in
WEIGHT: 5 oz
STATUS: Not Listed
THREATS: Habitat Loss and Preditors
FUN FACT: This bird is one of the 22 species of starlings in Africa
Rainbow Lorikeet
COMMON NAME: Rainbow Lorikeet
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Trichoglossus moluccanus
Native to Northern and Eastern Australia, the Rainbow Lorikeet is a brightly colored species of the parrot family.
As this species is typically found feeding on flower blossoms, it was long thought that nectar was their main source of food. It is now thought that flower pollen is the main staple of their diet. They will also feed on fruits and seeds, as well as the occasional insect.
They are known to congregate in large numbers and their communal chattering can make quite a noise, to the point that they are considered pests in some parts of Australia.
Fun Fact: The end of a Rainbow Lorikeet’s tongue resembles a bottlebrush and aids in the collection of pollen.
Red and Yellow Barbet
COMMON NAME: Red and Yellow Barbet
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Trachyphonus erythrocephalus
TYPE: Bird
DIET: Omnivore
GROUP NAME: Colony
LIFESPAN: Wild - 3 yrs; Human Care - 6 yrs
SIZE: 8 - 9 in; Wingspan - 4 in
WEIGHT: 1.5 - 2.5 oz
STATUS: Least Concern
THREATS: Habitat Loss and Poaching
FUN FACT: Barbets have a strong, pointed red beak to break termite mounds
Red-capped Cardinal
COMMON NAME: Red-capped Cardinal
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Paroaria gularis
Sometimes called the Brazilian Cardinal, this South American bird is known to inhabit most of Northwestern and Central South America. They are a common sight among mangrove swamps and open areas such as shrubland and forest edges. They are also known to exist several hundred meters up the foothills of the Andes Mountains.
This species is often seen in pairs or congregating in groups and is known for their melodious song.
They feed primarily on seeds, as well as insects, berries, and fruit.
Fun Fact: In addition to their bright red cap of feathers, they are distinguished by their sturdy legs with widespread toes, which help them to balance themselves on floating vegetation while feeding.
Red-collared Widow Bird
COMMON NAME: Red-collared Widow Bird
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Euplectes ardens
TYPE: Bird
DIET: Omnivore
GROUP NAME: Colony
LIFESPAN: Unknown
SIZE: Male - 10 in; Female - 5 in; Wingspan - 6.5 in
WEIGHT: .5 - 1 oz
STATUS: Least Concern
THREATS: Predators (rats, snakes, and mongoose)
FUN FACT: The females choose their mates bt the tail length of the male
Redtail Hawk
COMMON NAME: Redtail Hawk
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Buteo jamaicenis
The Red-Tail Hawk is commonly found across all United States except Hawaii, through Northen Canada and as far south as Panama.
They are adaptable to many different habitats such as plains, woodlands, and mountain regions. They hunt a broad range of animals, including rodents, hares, reptiles, fish, and other birds.
This species mates for life and will perform a courtship flight at the beginning of each breeding season. During this flight, the pair will chase one another, sometimes locking talons midair. They may return to the same nest year after year, working together to repair it.
Both the male and female will contribute to the rearing of young which may take up to four months after hatching.
Fun Fact: Like the Cooper’s Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk, this species is sometimes referred to as a “Chicken Hawk.” Though they are rarely observed feeding on domesticated Chickens.
Ringed Teal
COMMON NAME: Ringed Teal
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Callonetta leucophrys
Native to the forests of South America, the Ringed Teal is a rather small duck, usually weighing about 12 ounces. Due to their small size, along with their clawed toes, they are capable of perching on small tree branches. They even build their nests within tree hollows.
The ringed Teal is considered a Dabbling Duck, and forages for invertebrates and aquatic plants just below the water surface.
Males and females form bonded pairs, and each participates in the rearing of chicks.
Fun Fact: Because of their tree-hollow nests, chicks often must take a long leap when leaving the nest.
Roseate Spoonbill
COMMON NAME: Roseate Spoonbill
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Platalea ajaja
This aquatic bird ranges from the Southeastern United States, through Mexico, to South America. They prefer habitats such as mangroves and coastal waterways, where they will forage in both fresh and salt water for crustaceans, small fish, insects, and some plants.
Much like the Flamingo, the rosy, pink color they are named for is thought to occur because of pigments within the crustaceans they eat.
Their spoon-shaped bill allows them to search through the mud, feel for a potential meal, and scoop it up without actually seeing it.
Courtship begins with a bit of sparring, leading to the clasping of bills. A pair will then present sticks to one another. The male will continue to provide sticks to the female, which she will use to construct a large, platformed nest.
The female typically lays two to three white, speckled eggs, which each parent will take turns incubating.
Fun Fact: Chicks are not born with a spoonbill. At around nine days old, their beak will begin to flatten and at about 40 days, they will begin to resemble that of an adult.
Scarlet Ibis
COMMON NAME: Scarlet Ibis
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Eudocimus ruber
TYPE: Bird
DIET: Carnivore
GROUP NAME: Flock
LIFESPAN: Wild - 16 yrs; Human Care - 20 yrs
SIZE: 2 - 2.5 ft; Wingspan - 3 ft
WEIGHT: 1.4 - 2 lbs
STATUS: Least Concern
THREATS: Habitat Loss and Poaching
FUN FACT: These birds have been found in ancient fossil records that date back 60 million years
White-cheeked Pintail
COMMON NAME: White-cheeked Pintail
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Anas bahamensis
The White Cheeked Pintail Duck prefers habitats, such as rivers, lagoons, and mangroves where fresh water meets the salt water of the sea. They have populations in South America, the Caribbean, and the Galapagos Islands.
They are Dabbling ducks, meaning they largely feed at or just below the water’s surface. Their diet includes aquatic plants, algae, seeds, and small invertebrates.
They typically form monogamous pairs and will breed year-round if conditions are favorable.
Fun Fact: While they do spend most of their time near the surface, they are capable of quickly diving several feet when evading a threat.
Silver Beaked Tanager
COMMON NAME: Silver Beaked Tanager
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ramphocelus carbo
This South American bird is named for their striking, silvery beak. While they will feed on insects, their diet mainly consists of fruit, and they have been known to congregate in large groups among fruiting trees.
This species constructs a high sided, bowl-like nest and the female will typically lay two speckled, blue-green eggs.
Fun Fact: When feeding on large fruits, they will pick away pieces and crush them to make them easier to eat.
Taveta Golden Weaver
COMMON NAME: Taveta Golden Weaver
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ploceus castaneiceps
The Taveta Golden Weaver is named for the intricate nests in which they raise their young. Native to Western Africa, including Kenya and Tanzania, this male collects strips of grass and carefully interweaves the pieces to create a sturdy, rounded nest high in a tree. A colony of Weavers will typically build nests within the branches of the same tree. Females will fly from one nest to another and choose a mate based on the quality of their nest.
Females will lay a clutch of two to three olive green eggs. Hatchlings are fed by their mother and will fledge at about two weeks old.
Fun Fact: Though they are classified as songbirds and are closely related to sparrows, many people consider the sound produced by the chattering colony irritating.
Troupial
COMMON NAME: Troupial
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Icterus icterus
The Venezuelan Troupial is a tropical songbird native to South America. It is the National bird of Venezuela and can also be found in Colombia, and the islands of Puerto Rico, Aruba, Curacao, Trinidad and Bonaire.
Troupials are a species of New World Oriole, sporting the orange-yellow feathers with black and white markings common to the Oriole. This particular Troupial can be identified by a pale blue patch of skin around the eye.
They are not nest builders, rather they will claim an abandoned nest or overtake one that is occupied by challenging another bird. A mated pair will raise their young together and fiercely defend their acquired home.
They are omnivorous, with a diet consisting of fruits, insects, eggs and small vertebrates.
Fun fact: This Troupial is often found nesting in tall cactus.
Trumpeter Swan
COMMON NAME: Trumpeter Swan
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cygnus buccinator
Trumpeter Swans can be found in North America, with some traveling to breeding grounds in Alaska, Northwest Canada and the Great Lakes. In the winter months they will migrate in search of ice-free waters.
They are monogamous, forming bonded pairs as early as three or four years of age. They will reunite at the beginning of each breeding season and perform a courtship dance which is elaborate and unique to each pair.
The female is called a Pen, while the male is called a Cob. They will typically produce four to six offspring, called Cygnets, which will remain with their parents three to four months after hatching.
Fun Fact: Trumpeter Swans are the largest species of swan, as well as the largest waterfowl found in North America.
Turkey Vulture
COMMON NAME: Turkey Vulture
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cathartes aura
IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS:
A turkey vultures’ wingspan can be up to 6 feet wide. They start life as an all-white chick but gain their brownish/black color as they mature. Vultures have no feathers on their head, legs, or feet because this allows them to remain clean even though they eat dead animals.
They can be identified in flight by the “V” shape to their wings when they soar, as apposed to all other birds of prey who hold their wings straight out to the sides when they are soaring.
RANGE:
Native Range for turkey vultures is from Canada to South America. With no feathers on their head, legs, or feet, turkey vultures must migrate south for the winter to avoid frost bite.
HABITAT:
These birds prefer open country but also visit urban areas daily in search of food. They roost at night in large family groups as they are strongly family oriented birds, and prefer their privacy!
NESTING:
Turkey vultures prefer cavities in ledges, hollows in trees, and the rafters of old barns for nesting. Their nests are simple with only enough sticks to prevent the egg from rolling away. They typically lay only 2 eggs.
FEEDING HABITS:
Unlike all other birds of prey, turkey vultures are not predators. They feed only on animals that are already dead and find them through their sense of smell that is so acute, it can smell a dead animal from up to 3 miles away. As scavenger animals, they will feed on almost any dead animal they find.
CONSERVATION STATUS:
Turkey vultures are common in their range, so are listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).
Violet Turaco
COMMON NAME: Violet Turaco
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Muscophaga violacea
Violet Turacos are named for the deep violet color of their feathers. They can be found within the tropical savannas, forests and wetlands of western Africa. They are considered frugivores, with a diet consisting mainly of fruits such as plantain and figs, supplemented with buds, flowers and insects.
Fun fact: Turaco species are the only birds with truly red or green feathers. Other birds either gain these pigments via their diet or reflect them via iridescence.