"" CARD 1

GOLDEN EAGLE
~ ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ - - - - - - ~
~ ORDER
'IIIIIIIIIIII Accipitiformes
.. FAMILY
'IIIIIIIIIIII Accipitridae
~ GENUS &: SPECIES
~ Aquila chrysaetos
One of only two kinds of eagle to breed in North America, the
majestic golden eagle once provided the feathers for the
warbonnets of the Plains Indians.
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KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 30-35 in.
Wingspan: 6-7 ft.
Weight: 6-1 3 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 4-5 years.
Breeding season: March-July.
No. of broods: 1 .
Eggs: 2, white with brown
blotches.
Incubation: 43-45 days.
Fledging period: 65-70 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Solitary or paired, hunts for
prey on the ground while soaring
on thermals (hot air currents) .
Diet: Small mammals and birds
caught alive or eaten as carrion.
lifespan: 15-20 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The Imperial eagle, Aquila heliaco.
v
Range of the golden eagle.
DISTRIBUTION
Found sparsely across northern Europe, Asia, North America,
and North Africa.
CONSERVATION
A protected species in the U.S. since 1962, this eagle is still
threatened by direct persecution and habitat loss. It is hunted
in some parts of the world.
SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE GOLDEN EAGLE
The golden eagle
spends much time
soaring. Its wings
are long and have
well-spread
primary feathers,
which allow it to
adjust its move-
ments in air
currents.
The golden eagle
also has a particu-
larly large and
powerful hooked
beak. It is used to
dismember prey,
which it carries
back to its nest in
pieces.
MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILpM
Its legs and feet
are large and
thick with long,
sharp talons
which enable it to
grasp and crush
its prey.
PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200021 PACKET 2a
The golden eagle is one of the largest
and most regal birds of prey. But it
has long been persecuted, especially
by some farmers, who have long
held the mistaken belief that it
kills farm animals and poultry.
~
HABITAT
A large bird that hunts from and wetlands of eastern Asia,
the air, the golden eagle is Europe, and North America, it
most at home in wide open inhabits mountains and moors
spaces. Today, although it can where there is little cover for
be found among the forests its prey.
DID YOU KNOW?
Golden eagles are thought much as 200 square miles.
to live for 15-20 years in the Golden eagles swoop down
wild . Captive birds have been on their prey at speeds of up
known to live for 40-45 years. to 95 miles per hour.
In forested areas of North In old England, only kings
America, the golden eagle's were allowed to hunt golden
home range may cover as eagles.
~ BREEDING
Golden eagles usually build
their nests, called aeries, on
rocky ledges, cliffs, or trees. In
some places eagles have used
the same rocky ledges for
hundreds of years. Nests in
trees are often reused and
expanded every year.
~ FOOD & HUNTING
The golden eagle preys
mainly on small animals, es-
pecially the mountain hare.
It scavenges the remains of
larger animals, such as deer.
Other prey includes young
foxes, mink, lizards, snakes,
and game birds such as red
grouse and ptarmigan.
Most prey is caught on the
ground, but the golden eagle
will catch some birds in mid-
air. Its sharp eyesight en-
abies it to see small prey
from some distance away.
When courting, the male
flies quickly through the air,
diving and soaring repeatedly.
The first egg is usually laid -in
March.
Incubation begins before a
second egg is laid, so the first
chick hatches three or four
days before the second. The
second chick usually starves or
is killed by the older chick.
Above: Golden
eagles typically
lay two brown,
blotchy eggs
which are
incubated for
over six weeks.
Left: Although
two eggs may
hatch, the
11 chick that
f hatches first is
~ usually the
~ only survivor.
~
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The golden eagle is difficult
to catch a glimpse of in the
wild. Not only does it
inhabit remote regions, but
its numbers are few.
Spotting one i often a
matter of being in the right
place at the right time. In
winter, it is possible to pot
the bird in the southwestern
United States and in Mexico,
where some eagles migrate
to e cape the harsh winters
further north.
In spring and ummer the
golden eagle can be seen
soaring on the air currents
produced by the sun-
warmed ground below.
At a distance, the golden
eagle sometimes looks li ke a
common buzzard. However,
an adult eagle is larger than
a buzzard, and its wings are
folded more parallel to its
body. When soaring, the
golden eagle holds its wings
in a characteristic V-shape.
Right: After a
,----------0 ~ EAGLE & MAN
successful hunt,
an eagle tears
up its prey into
manageable
pieces. If there
are chicks to
feed, the eagle
will carry part
of its kill back
to the nest.
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The golden eagle was once
widespread throughout the
Great Plains. Its numbers have
declined due to persecution
from hunters and farmers.
The eagle's habitat is now
threatened as well. Reforesta-
tion is reducing the open areas
over which the eagle hunts.
Insecticides (DDT, dieldrin)
have adversely affected the
eagle's breeding success.
Despite bans on these chemi-
cals, poisoning remains the
greatest threat to the eagle
today.
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD
ORDER
Apodiforrnes
FAMilY
Trochilidae
GENUS Est: SPECIES
Archilochus colubris
This strikingly beautiful bird is one of the best-known
hummingbirds. It gets its name from the male IS magnificent
blood red throat plumage.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
length: 4 in.
Wingspan: 5 in.
Weight: 1/100 oz.
BREEDING
Breeding season: March-July.
No. of broods: 1, sometimes 2.
Eggs: 2 per clutch.
Incubation: 16 days.
Fledging period: 22-24 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habitat: Woods, orchards, and
gardens. Forest in winter.
Diet: Nectar and insects.
Call: Short, high-pitched squeaks.
lifespan: 5 years.
RELATED SPECIES
320 different species throughout
the two American continents.
Range of the ruby-throated hummingbird.
DISTRIBUTION
Breeds in eastern North America and winters in Central
America and the West Indies.
CONSERVATION
Its plumage and minute size made the hummingbird a
natural target for collectors in the nineteenth century.
However, it survived well and is in no immediate danger.
It is common in its normal range.
THE HUMMINGBIRD'S FLIGHT
The ability of the hummingbird to fly backwards
and upside down and to hover is very unusual.
Few other birds can do any of these things, and
none as successfully as the hummingbird.
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The hummingbird is able to rotate
the main parts of its wing in all
directions. By positioning its body
almost vertically and tracing a
figure-eight with the tips of its
wings, it produces lift and hovers.
WF DM NC 15
The tiny ruby-throated hummingbird
looks like a jewel flashing in the sun.
Bright 'light on its feathers produces
a brilliant metallic sheen.
In shadow, without this effect, its
plumag.e looks quite dull.

Despite its tiny size, the ruby-
throated hummingbird
migrates more than 1,850
miles from the eastern United
States, crossing 600 miles of
the Gulf of Mexico, to spend
the winter in Central America.
The ruby-throat's return to
its breeding, grounds is timed
according to location. The
birds that live in the southern
part of the United States
begin their return migration
as early as February. The birds
that live further north time
their return to coincide with
the flowering of their food
plants.

Like many migrating birds, the
male ruby-throated humming-
bird arrives at the breeding area
before the female. There, he
establishes his territory. When
the female appears, the male
makes a courtship gesture by
flying back and forth in a
perfect arc.
Two eggs are laid sometime
between March and July in a
nest situated high up in a tree.
The female makes the nest with
lichen and other soft plants.
FOOD &: FEEDI NG
The hummingbird's agility in
flight lets it flit from flower to
flower like an insect. Although
it tends to feed from red
flowers, at least thirty-one
different plants have flowers
which attract the ruby-t hroated
hummingbird. They include
honeysuckle, petunias, nastur-
She incubates the eggs for 16
days until they hatch, and
then feeds the young on
nectar and small insects. The
male takes no part in the
rearing of the young and may
go off to find another mate.
Young are fledged in three
to four weeks, and some birds
go on to raise a second brood.
Right: A mother feeds her young.
She makes their nest from leafy
material held together with
spiders' webs.
tiums, and lilacs.
Flying from flower to flower,
the hummingbird pollinates
the plants it feeds on. Because
it can hover for long periods
of time, the hummingbird can
effectively suck out all the
nectar it needs from a flower
with its long, fine bill. AI-
though nectar is its main
food, providing essential high-
energy sugars, hummingbirds
will also eat some insects and
spiders. The hummingbird is
not attracted to regular bird
feeders, but it will feed on
red-colored sugarwater
offered from a drip tube.
hummingbird's
long beak is
ideal for feeding
on nectar.
left: The
flowers'stamen
touches the
bird's head,
depositing
pol/en that is
then carried to
L!...:.. _____ .;;......;::_-=-""--_ __ _______________ .....I the next plant.
DID YOU KNOW?
The ruby-throated hum-
mingbird has the smallest
number of feathers ever
counted on any bird.
Ruby-throated humming-
birds have been caught by
dragonflies and praying
mantises, trapped in spiders'
webs, snatched by frogs, and
stuck on thistles.
Before migrating, the ruby-
throated hummingbird stores
a layer of fat equal to half its
body weight.
Victorians often decorated
their living rooms with a case
of stuffed hummingbirds.
During courtship, the ruby-
throated hummingbird's
wings beat up to 200 times
per second, as opposed to its
usual wing beat of 90 times
per second.
The hummingbird needs to
eat twice its body weight in
food everyday.
Each hummingbird species
makes a different humming
sound, depending on the
speed of its wing beats.
""" CARD 3
SNOW GOOSE
~ ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
~
ORDER
Anseriformes
FAMILY
Anatidae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Chen caeru/escens
Flying in perfect V-formations at altitudes of up to 20,000 feet,
huge numbers of snow geese leave their chilly arctic breeding
grounds every fall for warmer southern climes.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 25-30 in.
Wingspan: 50-65 in.
Weight: Lesser, 5-6 lb. Greater,
6-7 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2-3 years.
Breeding season: From mid-June.
No. of broods: 1 .
Eggs: 4-5, creamy white.
Incubation: 22-23 days.
Fledging period: About 40 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable and migratory.
Diet: Grass, grain, berries, water
plants, and insects.
Lifespan: Typically 3 years. Captive
birds, 15-20 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The snow goose is one of 15
species of true geese and brants.
Similar in appearaJ;l ce to the
smaller Ross's Goose (Chen rossii) .
SNOW GOOSE VARIETIES
Range of snow goose. Winter migration routes.
DISTRIBUTION
Breeds in northeastern Siberia, Arctic North America, and
Greenland. Migrates mainly to California and Mexico, but
also to eastern coast of North America, Japan, and China.
CONSERVATION
Although one of the most numerous of all goose species,
increased exploitation of the Arctic by man could threaten its
mass breeding sites.
The wide variation in size and color of
snow geese presented bird experts
with a puzzle for many years. The
greater snow goose A. c. at/anticus
(left) , is larger than the lesser (below)
and breeds in Canada and Greenland.
(0MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Once thought to be a separate species, the
blue goose (left) is a color variety of the
lesser snow goose. Much of its plumage
is gray, tinged with blue on the back and
wing.
0160200041 PACKET 4
With its dazzling white plumage, the snow goose
is aptly named and is one of the easiest of all geese
to identify. However, there are three types of snow
goose, one of which is actually a dark,
gray-colored bird known as the blue goose.
The white and blue goose occasionally interbreed.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The snow goose's diet varies
considerably throughout the
year according to the availabil -
ity of food in its different
summer and winter habitats. It
feeds mainly on grass, wheat,
rice, and other vegetation,
~ HABITS
The snow goose is one of the
few species that are able to
survive in the harsh environ-
ment of the Arctic region. Its
breeding season coincides with
the brief Arctic summer. The
snow goose raises its young in
a land virtually free from com-
petitors, predators, and human
disturbance.
From June to August, the
snow goose inhabits the Arctic
tundra of northeastern Siberia,
North America, and Green-
although it eats insects as
well. It is a good swimmer but
prefers to feed on land, where
its relatively short, serrated-
edged bill makes it well-suited
to grazing on the short tundra
vegetation.
land. It generally settles into
low, sheltered ground near
the water.
AI most as soon as the new-
borns can fly at the end of
summer, the geese migrate
south. Most geese will cross
the Bering Sea and head for
the northwest coast of the
United States, before moving
south to California anti the
Gulf of Mexico. Migrating
flocks can be so dense that
they block out the sun.
Left: The
sociable snow
geese form huge
colonies. This
colony has
made the long
journey from the
Arctic to New
Mexico for the
winter.
Below: A snow
goose uses its
serrated bill to
sever the tough
lakeside reeds.
~ BREEDING
- - - - - , . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ - ~ - - - - - - , Left: These
Unlike most geese, which are
extremely aggressive and
antisocial during the breed-
ing season, snow geese nest
together in huge colonies. In
the more popular breeding
grounds, colonies number-
ing nearly 200,000 pairs are
not uncommon.
Snow geese pair for life,
although trios of a male and
two females and, rarely, two
males and a female, some-
times occur. Paired birds
migrate together, and as
soon as they reach their
breeding grounds, they
begin nest building. Both
birds work together to build
their nest, which is set in a
hollow on the ground of the
open Arctic plane, or tundra.
The female incubates the
eggs for 22-23 days while the
male stands guard. Protected
by both parents, the goslings
soon become self-sufficient. In
little more than a month, they
are ready to migrate south.
Right: Having
been given a
fairly safe start
in life, these
goslings will
grow rapidly
and will soon
be ready to
migrate.
snow geese are
paired for life.
They sit in the
grassy nest that
they have built
together for this
year's brood.
BI RDWATCH
The snow goose is one of the
easi est geese to identify. It i
enti rely white except f or its
black wing tips, pink legs, and
a black-bordered crimson bill.
Because they travel in such
large flocks, they are easily
DID YOU KNOW?
All 1 5 species of true geese
inhabit the Northern hemi-
sphere.
Snow geese fly in V-
formation to reduce wind
drag and the ri sk of coll ision.
A pure white snow goose
may breed with a blue snow
vi ible on thei r migration
routes.
The best places to observe
the snow goose in wi nter are
in national wi ldlife refuges on
the east, west, and Gulf
coasts.
goose, producing offspring of
varying shades.
The snow goose is the noisiest
of all geese; it has a shrill honk
that can be heard long before it
flies into view.
Lesser snow geese may be the
most abundant of all wild geese.
CARD 4
_ 2:
... ORDER ... FAMILY ... GENUS & SPECIES
Falconiformes Accipitridae Haliaetus vocifer
Sharply eyeing the water from its overhead perch, the predatory
African fish eagle will swoop down to the surface to catch a fish
that may weigh as much as the eagle itself.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Wingspan: Males, 6 ft.
Females, 8 ft.
Weight: Males, 5 lb. Females, 7 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 4-5 years.
Breeding season: Usually in dry
season when water levels are low.
Eggs: 1-3; white, sometimes with a
few red marks.
Incubation period: 42-45 days.
Fledging period: 70-75 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habits: Noisy; mates for life.
Diet: Mainly fish, but also
waterfowl and carrion.
Lifespan: 12-15 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Related species include the bald
eagle, the Madagascar sea eagle
and the European white-tailed sea
eagle.
Range of the fish eagle.
DISTRIBUTION
The African fish eagle is found throughout southern Africa
f rom the southern edge of the Sahara to the Cape.
CONSERVATION
Still common in much of Africa, the birds have benefited
from the construction of reservoirs. They are affected in other
places by chemical pollution of rivers and lakes, which
poisons the fish they feed on.
HOW THE AFRICAN FISH EAGLE CATCHES FISH
Spying a fish from its perch, the fish eagle
will swoop down to the water's surface in
a smooth glide, grasp its victim, and rise
up again without slowing its pace.
Occasionally, the fish eagle will hover over
the water and then drop vertically on its
victim as a falcon would.
If the eagle's catch weighs more than 4
lb., it will be dragged along the water's
surface and eaten on the shore. Larger
fish are too heavy to lift, so the eagle
drags them ashore, paddling across the
water with its wings.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
0160200081 PACKET 8
Its distinctive black, brown, and white plumage
and loud ringing call make the fish eagle one of
Africa's most recognizable birds. Experts think that
the birds pair for life and maintain their close
bond by calling to each other constantly in
a variety of high and low notes.
HABITAT
African fish eagles are always
found near lakes, reservoirs, or
rivers. They also hunt along the
coast, particularly in river
mouths and lagoons where the
water surface is fairly sheltered.
Where food is abundant and
there are plenty of large trees
suitable for nesting, fish eagles
may be found every few hun-
dred yards along the shoreline.
Right: Wings outspread, a fish
eagle soars high in the air.
FOOD & HUNTING
Fish are the eagle's main prey,
and it hunts from a perch
overlooking the water. It may
make short foraging flights,
but it rarely travels more than
50 yards from the shore.
A fish eagle's feet have long
claws, and the spiky under-
sides of its toes can hold wrig-
Right: The fish
eagle's hooked
beak makes
short work of
prey.
Below: A
young fish
eagle takes its
prey to the
shore to eat.
gling prey securely. The eagle
needs about 3 pounds of fish
a day. In addition to fish, it
will also eat waterfowl, terra-
pins, and baby crocodiles.
Fish eagles also eat carrion,
and will force other fish-eating
birds such as herons to give
up their food.
I DID YOU KNOW?
Where breeding territories
are crowded, adult fish
eagles may spend so much
time defending their patch
that they often have no time
to breed.
One fish eagle nest is
known to have been used
regularly for 21 years.
Once they have found a
good hunting area, fish
eagles often do not have to
hunt for more than 15
minutes a day.

At the start of breeding
season, males and females
increasingly call to one
another, and they sometimes
link claws while flying in
midair. After displaying this
mating behavior, the pair
nests in a tall tree.
Most pairs have one or two
nest sites that they use regu-
larly. Older nests are very
large-up to 6 feet across and
4 feet deep-and can be
quickly prepared for use.
The eggs are usually laid
when the seasonal rains have
stopped. The female does
most of the incubating, but
Right: Adult
birds call to
each other
constantly.
Below: Fish
eagles lay two
to three eggs in
their large,
bulky nests.
Below right:
Both parents
share the task
of feeding
youngsters.
the male will sometimes
incubate the eggs while she
hunts for herself. Because the
eggs hatch at intervals of 2-3
days, the eldest chick often
kills the younger one.
By the end of 8 weeks, the
young can feed themselves,
and they begin to forage
outside the nest 14 days later.
Still, they are unable to fend
for themselves for another 2
months. They will then be
chased away from their
parents' nest. When they
reach breeding age, the birds
will have to establish their own
territories.
EMPEROR PENGUIN
ORDER
Sphenisciformes
FAMILY
Spheniscidae
GENUS & SPECIES
Aptenodytes forsteri
The emperor penguin is not just the largest seabird, it is also the '
hardiest. Living on the Antarctic ice pack, it endures below-zero
temperatures and hurricane-force winds.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 45 in.
Weight: 45-90 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 3-6 years.
Breeding season: March-
December.
No. of broods: 1 .
Incubation: 64 days.
Fledging period: 40-80 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable, living in colonies
of 500 to 20,000 pairs.
Diet: Fish, squid, and crustaceans.
Lifespan: 20 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The emperor penguin's closest
relative is the king penguin,
Aptenodytes patagonico, which
looks similar, but is smaller,
measuring only 35 in. and
weighing 25-45 lb.
CJ' '
Range of the emperor penguin.
DISTRIBUTION
It is the most southerly breeding penguin which rarely strays
outside the Antarctic.
CONSERVATION
The emperor penguin has few natural enemies and a
habitat few other animals can. Despite numbering over
150,000 pairs, increased fishing and pollution of the polar
seas could seriously threaten the bird's long-term survival.
UNDERWATER ADAPTATIONS OF THE EMPEROR PENGUIN
Unable to fly and ungainly on land, the emperor
penguin is most at home on and under the water.
Its smooth, seal-like body enables it to slip easily
through the water in pursuit of prey.
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Underwater propulsion is provided by
powerful strokes of the penguin's
paddle-like wi ngs, while the feet and
tail are used to steer.
0160200061 PACKET 6
The sight of emperor penguins waddling over
the ice, flapping their specially adapted wings,
is quite comic. These birds have exchanged a
'mastery of land and air for grace and agility in the
water, together with an ability to survive
in of the world's harshest
and most demanding environments.

The emperor penguin is
found only on the Antarctic
ice pack and in the sur-
rounding oceans. Although
the emperor penguin is a
marine bird and feeds
exclusively at sea, its breed-
ing sites, called rookeries, are
usually situated on the solid
ice under the shelter of an
ice cliff, often many miles
inland.
Although the emperor
penguin breeds in winter, it
must choose a site where the
ice will not melt before the
young have fledged in sum-
mer.
Below: Inland rookeries may
contain up to 6,000 birds.
PREDATORS &: PREY
There are more than 300,000
emperor penguins in Antarc-
tica. Due to their remote
habitat, they have few preda-
tors. The only predators which
occasionally kill adult penguins
in and around the water are
leopard seals and killer whales.
One third of all the young fall
prey to the giant petrel.
Emperor penguins them-
selves prey on fish, squid, and
shrimp. Although they are not
fast swimmers-reaching only
3-5 miles per hour-penguins
are agile and quite adept at
catching their prey.
Below: Penguin pairs take turns
incubating the egg.
Il:!I SPECIAL ADAPTATIONS
The emperor penguin is
specially adapted to survive in
some of the most inhospitable
condit ions on earth. The pen-
guin has thick plumage with 2
dozen feathers per square inch.
They are short and stiff with a
downy base. The cl osely
overl apped feathers are highly
effective at trapping a layer of
warm, insulat ing air.
The emperor penguin's
body shape is also a heat-
s.aving adaptat ion; it is
blubbery and carried low to
the ground, so less cold ai r can
circulate around it.
The emperor penguin's nasal
passages even minimize heat
loss when it breat hes out.
DID YOU KNOW?
The emperor penguin can
dive to a depth of 870 feet
and can stay underwater for
18 minutes.
During the breeding sea-
son, males may not feed
from March until July, a total
of 11 0-11 5 days wit hout
food.

The breeding season begins in
March and a single egg is laid
between May and July. No
suitable nest-building material
is available in the Antarctic, so
the parents support the egg
on their feet to protect it from
the cold. When the parents
pass the egg from one to the
other, they take part in a
ritual display, dropping t heir
bills onto their chests and
calling.
After the female lays the
egg, she returns to the sea to
feed, leaving the male to
incubate the egg. He incu-
bates the egg for 40-50 days,
shielding it from the icy tem-
peratures (which may fall as
Unlike flying birds, the
emperor penguin does not have
light, air-filled bones. Its heavier
bones make it less buoyant in
water, which allows it t o dive
below the surface with ease.
On smooth, icy slopes, the
emperor penguin li es on its
belly and toboggans across it.
low as -40
0
F) with a fold of skin
that extends from his belly.
Large groups of incubating
males huddle together for
warmth.
The female returns just as the
egg is about to hatch. She
incubates the egg for the last
few days before it hatches, and
then broods the chick for 40
days. This allows the exhausted
male, who by this time has lost
nearly half his body weight, to
to the sea to feed .
Below left: A two-week-old chick
feeds from its mother.
Below: Fed by both parents, the
chick grows quickly.
BLUE TITMOUSE
ORDER
Posseriformes
FAMILY
Poridoe
GENUS & SPECIES
Porus caeruleus
Known for their acrobatic skills, blue tits are tough, inquisitive,
and highly successful inhabitants of the temperate woodlands.
KEY FACTS
41 SIZES
!i Length: 4
1
/2 in.
Weight: 1/3 oz.
IVI BREEDING
rJtg Breeding season: April-June.
Clutch size: Usually 7-13.
Eggs: White; tan or brown speckles.
Broods: 1.
Incubation: 1 3-14 days.
Fledging period: 2-3 weeks.
IVI LIFESTYLE
rJtg Habit: Social and inquisitive; forms
loose flocks in winter.
Diet: Insects and spiders in spring
and summer. Also seeds, fruit, grain,
and nuts.
Lifespan: Oldest known 15 years.
Ivl RELATED SPECIES
There are 46 species in the titmouse
family, found in forests and woods
throughout Asia, Europe, Africa, and
North America.
FEATURES OF THE BLUE TIT
Range of the blue titmouse.
DISTRIBUTION
Common in woodland throughout the British Isles and
Europe from southern Scandinavia, east to Moscow, and
south to North Africa.
CONSERVATION
The total breeding population has probably declined in the
last 40 years because of the loss of woodlands. There are,
however, 4 million breeding pairs in the British Isles alone.
Adult male and femal e blue tits have simil ar coloring,
although the male may be slightly brighter. Markings and
col orings of juveniles are similar to adults, but duller.
Nests, built in holes in trees from
moss and grass, are lined wi th
feathers.
MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
The female lays seven to thirteen
eggs at the rate of one a day.
Incubation, which takes two weeks,
is delayed until the clutch is almost
complete.
0160200091 PACKET 9
The blue tit's characteristic plumage
of bright blue and yellow-and its habit of
visiting backyards to feed on nuts and scraps put
out for it-make it one of the most endearing
and best-known of the
birds of Europe.
~ HABITAT
Blue tits are found in most of
the broad-leaved woodlands
throughout a large area of
Europe. They are far less
common in conifer forests.
During spring and summer,
blue tits tend to be found in
woodlands made up of older
trees which have holes large
enough for nests. In fall and
winter, they can be found in
woods of all ages, often
~ BREEDING
Blue tits usually start looking
for nesting sites in February.
Ideal sites are small holes or
narrow cracks in trees or
other structures, 3-50 feet
from the ground.
Males and females seek
nesting sites together. When
the male finds a suitable
place, he displays by flutter-
ing his wings and calling to
his mate. The female may
reject several sites before
deciding on the one she
wants. She builds the nest
alone, using moss and other
material which she shapes by
pushing it out to the edge of
the cavity with her breast.
She lines the cup-shaped
structure with soft feathers
or pieces of hair.
grouping together with other
species of titmice, forming
large, loose flocks which
forage for insects. Their
greater numbers give them
extra protection from aerial
predators, such as sparrow-
hawks.
Right: In fall and winter, blue
tits may be seen in woodland
busily searching for scarce
insects.
Blue tits lay seven to thir-
teen eggs. During laying and
through the incubation peri-
od, the male defends the area
around the nest site from
Left: The eggs
take 13-14
days to hatch.
It will be 2-3
weeks before
the chicks are
ready to leave
the nest.
Right: At 9
days old, the
chicks have
some covering
on their bodies
and feed
greedily. Both
parents bring
them food.
other blue tits, protecting the
available food supply. He also
brings food to the female so
she can concentrate on laying
and sitting on the eggs.
The eggs hatch at a time
of year when food is most
abundant. Hatchlings stay in
the nest for two to three
weeks. Their parents feed
~ FOOD & FEEDING
During the summer, blue tits
live mainly on insects picked
from foliage. The abundant
caterpillar population which
appears on oak trees in late
spring and summer is the
usual diet for chicks. People
who feed birds in winter
should stop at this time so
that birds will search for
natural supplies.
In autumn, elderberries,
beech-mast, and hawthorn
berries are all sources of
food. Seeds are the main
winter food.
When searching for scarce
food in winter, blue tits will
probe and pry the bark of
trees, searching for insects
hidden underneath. Their
strong, stubby beaks are well
suited for this task.
them a diet made up mostly
of caterpillars, and they
remove the young birds'
droppings regularly to keep
the nest clean.
[@ NATUREWATCH
The boldness of blue tits
allows birdwatchers to watch
them at close range. Winter
is the best time to attract
them with bags of nuts.
Blue tits should not be fed
in the summer because the
nestlings may find adult food
indigestible.
A nesting box should have
a very small entrance hole to
keep out predators.
DID YOU KNOW?
In a single winter day, more
than 200 blue t i t ~ may feed
at a nut bag hung in a
backyard.
Females and their young
are in danger from weasels
which can squeeze through
holes measuring only an inch
across.
Blue tits have been known
to fly through an open
window to tear off strips of
wallpaper for nest lining.
Blue tits have been remark-
ably successful in intelligence
tests in which they pulled out
a series of pegs and opened
matchboxes to obtain food.
During the cold winter,
some blue tits will roost in
street lights to keep warm.
FAIRY WREN
_________________________________ G_R_O_U_P_2_:_8_IR_D_S __
ORDER
Passeriformes
FAMilY
Maluridae
". GENUS
Malurus
The fairy wren is found throughout Australia and is
one of that country's most popular birds. The male is easily
recognized by his brightly colored plumage.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
l1iJ length: 4-5 in.
Weight: '/4-'/3 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: Varies by region.
No. of broods: 1-2.
Eggs: 2-4, white with red-brown
or dark brown spots.
Incubation: 13-16 days.
Fledging period: 9-11 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Forages ground vegetation;
lives in family groups.
Diet: Insects.
lifespan: Up to 10 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Experts' opinions vary on how
many species there are, but there
are thought to be 9-1 3.
Range of the fairy wren.
DISTRIBUTION
The fairy wrens are widespread across Austral ia, Tasmania,
and New Guinea. They are found in most types of habitat.
CONSERVATION
The fairy wren has been adversely affected by habitat
change. The blue-breasted wren has lost much of its
shrubland habitat in Western Australia to wheat or sheep
farming.
Nest: The dome-shaped nest is made
from grass stems, leaves, roots, and
bark, interwoven with spiders' webs. It
/is' lined with fine grass and feathers.
The long tail of the fairy wren
MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FI LETM PRINTED IN U.SA
must bend in the confined nest space,
. d it may eventually stay in a bent
position.
After having fought to protect its
territory, the victorious bird puffs
itself up and flies in a straight path
back to the nest.
us P 6001 12012 PACKET 12
Species of fairy wren can be found
in almost every type of habitat throughout
Australia and New Guinea, including rainforests,
scrubland, swamps and desert plains. All the
species are similar in shape, but the male
displays a rich variety of blue, violet, red,
black, and white patterns in his plumage.
~ H A B I T S
The fairy wren lives on the
ground in the undergrowth of
low-lying vegetation. It has
short, rounded wings that are
not particularly well adapted
to flying. Instead, it prefers to
hop across the ground on its
long legs. Its tail is nearly the
same length as its body, and
the bird carries it cocked at an
angle most of the time.
The family bond is particu-
larly strong among fairy
wrens and, although it is not
unusual to see solitary pairs,
the birds most often live in
small groups. They defend
communal territories ranging
in size from one to seven
acres. Each group usually has
a breeding pair and several
adult, non-breeding offspring.
Most young birds stay in their
parents' territory the first year
after hatching.
After the breeding season is
over, most male fairy wrens
lose their bright blue feathers
and grow brown- and cream-
colored feathers similar to
those of the females. An adult
male over four years of age,
however, retains its blue col-
oration throughout the year.
~ BREEDING
The different species of fairy
wren breed at various times of
the year, depending on cli-
mate and conditions in each
region. In drier habitats,
breeding season falls during
the rainy season, when food
becomes more abundant.
The nest is an enclosed,
dome-shaped structure ap-
proximately five inches high.
It is usually built in a bush or
in a clump of grass. Here, the
female lays and incubates her
clutch of two to four eggs.
She will leave the nest for
Left: The fairy wren prefers to
hop about in the thick under-
growth rather than fly.
Below: The contrast in color
between the brilliant blue male
and the female is striking.
short periods of time to forage
for food with her mate. The
young often leave the nest
less than two weeks after
hatching, well before their
tails are fully grown. Since
they cannot fly properly, they
stay hidden in the foliage.
Though only one pair in
each territory will breed, they
can rear two to three broods
each season as the other birds
in the group help to care for
them. Once the young of the
first brood have left the nest,
the non-breeding adults feed
and take care of them, leaving
the dominant female to lay
another clutch. If the nest is
threatened, each bird will play
a part in helping to ward off
the intruder.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
The fairy wren is an insectivore
and feeds on a variety of in-
sects. Some species forage
among the treetops, but most
feed on the ground among
low-growing vegetation. The
splendid wren, Ma/urus sp/en-
dens, will hop several yards
straight up in the air to snatch
a flying insect before diving
back down into cover. This is
called its "towering flight. II
DID YOU KNOW?
Campbell's fairy wren (Ma/u-
(US combe/h) of New Guinea is
the only fairy wren species
found outside Australia.
In spite of his bright colors,
the male fairy wren is difficult
to spot in the wild. He usually
keeps to the undergrowth and
is much more cautious than
the dull-colored female. The
male is often the first to leave
a clearing if an intruder
approaches.
Young fairy wrens often help
to feed the nestlings of a
Another species, the su-
perb wren, M. cyaneus, has
adapted to living in gardens
throughout suburban areas of
southeastern Australia. It
forages for insects but also
regularly eats from bird
feeders.
Below: Foraging in low
vegetation, the fairy wren uses
its thin beak to catch insects.
brood hatched later in the
same season.
Most male fairy wrens
lose their brightly colored
feathers after the breeding
season and are sometimes
incorrectly identified as
females.
Different species of fairy
wren differ in their respons-
es to humans. Though M.
cyaneus is regularly seen in
city suburbs and parks, it
avoids any contact with
human beings.
ECLECTUS PARROT
ORDER
Psittaciformes
FAMILY
Psittaeidae
GENUS & SPECIES
fcleetus rorotus
The brilliant plumage of the eclectus parrot provides it with
excellent camouflage from predators in its rainforest habitat.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 14 in.
Wingspan: Up to 28 in.
Weight: Up to 16 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 3 years.
No. of broods: 1, possibly more.
Breeding season: Varies accord-
ing to location and climate; may be
almost continuous.
Eggs: White, 2 per clutch.
Incubation period: 26 days.
Fledging period: About 85 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable, roosting in large
groups of up to 80 birds.
Diet: Treetop seeds, nuts, fruits,
flowers, and leaves.
Lifespan: Probably 40- 50 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Includes the African gray parrot,
Psittacus erithacus.
Range of the ec\ectus parrot.
DISTRIBUTION
New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and other islands. On some
islands the birds may originally have been introduced as pets.
Also Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia.
CONSERVATION
Populations have been affected by hunting and land clearing,
but in many areas of the eclectus parrot's natural habitat, no
conservation measures are yet in force.
IDENTIFYING THE ECLECTUS PARROT
MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
The contrasting colors of the male and
female parrots' plumage are thought to
help them survive in their natural forest
habitat where they may be in danger
from birds of prey.
Males spend much time seeking food in
the treetops where their bright green
plumage blends in well with the foliage.
By contrast. females incubating in dark
nest holes are less conspicuous as their
red and blue feathers merge with the
shadows.
At six weeks. the female chick (left) is
more colorful than the male chick
(right) who is still a grayish color.
Female chick Male chick
0160200031 PACKET 3a
Strikingly beautiful birds, eclectus parrots live in the
lowland rainforests of Pacific islands such as New
Guinea. These parrots are thought to have been intro-
duced to some islands by forest-dwelling natives who
kept them as pets.
~ HABITS
Eclectus parrots are noisy,
sociable birds that gather in
large flocks of up to eighty.
They fly very well and can
climb trees with ease, using
their beaks and feet to grip
the branches.
The male is a stocky,
medium-sized bird with
bright, glossy green feathers
highlighted with red flashes
on its sides and underneath
its wings. The female is
slightly smaller and has a
bright red head, throat, and
wings which contrast with
her brilliant blue chest and
purple underwings.
~ FOOD Iii FEEDING
Like most other parrots,
eclectus parrots are vegetari-
ans. At sunrise, they leave
their roosts in pairs or small
groups and feed in the tops
of tall trees. They eat a wide
range of buds, blossoms,
seeds, nuts, berries, fruit,
and nectar.
When kept in captivity,
eclectus parrots will eat large
I amounts of green vegetables
in addition to fruit and nuts.
The birds are strong flyers
and will travel far from their
roosting sites in search of
food. Large numbers will con-
gregate on fruit-bearing trees.
Above left:
Both male and
female eclectus
parrots have
strong, curved
beaks adapted
for climbing
and cracking
nuts and hard
seeds.
Right: The
male's bright
coloration helps
him to blend
with the lighter
parts of the
forest (see back
cover). He feeds
the female
when she is in-
cubating eggs.
DID YOU KNOW?
Newly-hatched eclectus
parrot chicks are covered with
short, thick bristles which are
replaced with fluffy, gray
down after two or three days.
Male and female eclectus
parrots are so different in
color that they were at one
time thought to have been
two completely different
species.
~ BREEDING
The eclectus parrot has no
regular breeding season. Dur-
ing courtship, the male pur-
sues one female and attempts
to get her attention by mak-
ing excited squawking calls.
When the female is ready to
mate, she selects a nest site in
a hole high up in a tall tree
trunk. The entrance is usually
about three inches across. She
chews up pieces of wood with
Of the over 300 members
of the parrot family, only a
third are actually called
parrots. Other members are
commonly known as para-
keets, macaws, cockatoos,
and lorikeets.
Parrots have two claws
facing forward and two faci ng
backward; this gives them a
good grip for climbing trees.
which to line the nest and
makes a soft bed for the eggs.
The female lays two eggs
and incubates them without
the help of the male. The
male visits the nest at regular
intervals during incubation
and feeds the female with
regurgitated food. The eggs
hatch after 26 days, and the
young fledge (grow feathers)
and learn to fly at 12 weeks.
"" CARD 9 ]
ATLANTIC PUFFIN
~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
ORDER
Charadriiformes
FAMILY
Alcidae
GENUS &- SPECIES
Fratercula arctica
Looking like a relative of the penguin, or a marine version of the
parrot, the squat Atlantic puffin is, in fact, related to neither
family: it is a species of auk.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Wing length: 6-7 in.
Weight: Males, 12-1 7 oz. Females,
11-12 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 4-5 years.
Breeding season: Return to
breeding cliffs March-April to mate
and lay eggs.
Eggs: 1.
Incubation: 39 days.
Fledging: About 6 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Stay single or in pairs
during the winter months, but
congregate in colonies during
breeding season.
Diet: Sand eels in summer. Also
whitebait or larval fish of many
species.
RELATED SPECIES
Puffins belong to the auk family
which includes the razorbill.
THE PUFFIN'S BEAK &: NEST
Range of the Atlantic puffin.
DISTRIBUTION
North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.
CONSERVATION
Chemical and oil pollution of the sea in the 1960s is thought
to have killed many puffins, and traditional colonies were
deserted as numbers declined. Their situation has worsened
due t o overfishing of their food supply. Conservationists are
working to limit the large amount of commercial fishing.
Nest: The nest at
the end of a six-foot-Iong tunnel. Both
birds dig out the nest, or they may take
over an old rabbit den.
Winter colors
Beak: During the breeding season, the
puffin's beak is brightly colored (far
left). This color disappears during the
winter, when the bill becomes small
and gray.
MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200071 PACKET 7
The puffin's best-known feature-its colorful beak-
is used to attract mates. After breeding season ends,
it changes to a dull gray color and becomes
smaller in size. The puffin is also known as
the sea parrot, and, although it looks awkward
on land, it is perfectly adapted to
its environment.
c
o
Atlantic puffins live in the cold
waters of the Arctic, often
hundreds of miles from land.
They are most often seen
singly or in pairs.
and gather in huge groups to
In spring, they come ashore
breed. Although they prefer to ~
dig their burrows in steep, ~
grassy slopes, they may tunnel ~
under boulder debris at the S

foot of steep cliffs. ;';}
DID YOU KNOW?
The puffin can swim and
fly very fast, but because its
legs are placed so far back on
its stubby body, it often crash-
es while landing in strong
winds.
As it preens, the puffin takes
oil from a gland near its tail
and applies it to its feathers to
keep them waterproof.
~ BREEDING
Returning to their breeding
colonies in March and April,
puffins gather in dense groups
offshore. Here the pairs rub bills
and coo to each other before
mating and going ashore to lay
the eggs.
Sometimes a pair must dig a
burrow in which to place the
single egg, but they prefer to
use an abandoned rabbit bur-
row if possible. Puffins tend to
pair for life, although they do
not stay together year-round.
Males often bring presents of
grass or feathers to their mate.
The egg is laid in a chamber
at the end of a six-foot-Iong
tunnel and is incubated in turn
by both parents. When the
chick hatches, the parents also
~ FOOD &: HUNTING
Puffins are inquisitive and During the summer, there is a
like to investigate one constant stream of puffins
another's burrows, which
flying back and forth be-
can lead to fights. tween their burrows on the
On the , sland of St. Kilda,
cliffs and the fishing grounds.
puffins were once used in Breeding success may
making porridge. depend on how far the
The Atlantic puffin makes puffins have to fly to find
soft growling or purring food for themselves and their
noises.
_____ ~ ___ ___' hungry chick.
share the task of catching its
food.
Predatory gulls are the
biggest threat to the safety
of young puffins. Once the
puffin is ready to leave its
parents, it must reach the
sea without being detected
by gulls. It does this by
leaving its burrow at night
and making its way to the
water. It cannot fly at this
stage, so it travels by
swimming.
The following year, the
young puffin will return to
the colony. It does not breed
until it is 4-5 years old.
Below: A parent brings food back
to its single chick. Both parents
share this task.
Puffin colonies can be found
on and near rocky cliffs. One
site is on the remote North
Atlantic island of St. Kilda in
the Scottish Outer Hebri des.
The puffin's favorite food is
the sand eel, which it
catches by diving down into
the water with great speed .
Its wings enable it to swim
to great depths.
Below: Puffin's beak and mouth
have backward-pointing spikes
which can hold several eels.
Earl y in the breeding
season, it is possible to see
fl ocks of excited puffi ns flying
at high speeds as t hey appear
t o dive at the cliffs.
" CARD 10
GREATER FLAMINGO
GENUS & SPECIES
Wading along the edges of shallow, salty lakes,
the greater flamingo ducks its head as it fishes for tiny
invertebrates with its boomerang-shaped beak.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Height: 4-5 ft.
Wingspan: 55-65 in.
Weight: 6-7 lb.
BREEDING
Nest site: Open, muddy ground.
Breeding season: April-August.
Sexual maturity: 2-3 years.
Clutch size: 1, off-white color.
Incubation: 28-31 days.
Fledging period: 70-75 days.
LIFESTYLE
Diet: Small invertebrates-insects,
crustaceans, mollusks, worms.
Call: Gooselike, grating call.
Lifespan: Average 20 years in wild.
Up to 50 years in captivity.
RELATED SPECIES
Include the lesser flamingo, Puna
flamingo, and Andean flamingo.
HOW FLAMINGOS
FEED
When it is feeding, a flamingo
submerges its bill upside down
underwater. It then opens its bill slightly
and draws back its tongue, sucking in
water through a coarse filter of bony
plates which keeps out large particles.
The flamingo then closes its bill and
uses its tongue to force out the water
through another, finer filter which traps
particles of food.
MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILEn ..
Range of the greater flamingo.
DISTRIBUTION
Southern Europe, southwestern Asia, Africa, West Indies, and
Galapagos Islands.
CONSERVATION
Habitat destruction and disturbance, especially by low-flying
aircraft, are the main threats. Most colonies are stable, but are
now always seen in the same place each year.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Right: Striding
across the
surface of the
lake, a greater
flamingo builds
up the nec-
essary speed
for takeoff.
left: Once they
~ are airborn,
I flamingos fly
~ strongly, with
~ slow, lazy
'---_________________________________ ---" a: wingbeats.
The graceful, pink flamingos fly in
loose flocks, in long, single lines,
or in V-formation.
Their pink color comes from chemicals
called carotenoids which are contained
in the algae they eat.
~ H A B I T A T
The greater flamingo is par-
ticular about its choice of
habitat. It needs shallow, very
salty lagoons and lakes in
which to feed and breed
successfu IIy. .
The flamingo dislikes distur-
bance, particularly at breed-
ing times, and will often seek
out larger expanses of water
DID YOU KNOW?
What appear to be the
flamingo's knees are actually
its ankles, which bend
backward when it sits down.
In ancient Rome, flamingo
tongues were regarded as a
delicacy. As recently as 30
years ago, flamingos and their
for solitude.
In winter, the northernmost
colonies of greater flamingos
in Asia will migrate south to
the warmer coastal areas of
Iran and India. Most other
colonies will overwinter if the
weather stays mild. But these
birds will move on if the
weather turns bad.
eggs were eaten by people in
parts of southern Europe and
the Caribbean.
Many children came to
know flamingos as the
croquet mallets in Lewis
Carroll's famous story, Alice in
Wonderland.
~ BREEDING
The greater flamingo nests in
colonies that often contain
thousands of birds. Male and
female birds build the nest
together. The nest is a mound
of mud, 12-20 inches in
diameter, and, despite the
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tf
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The flamingo filters food from
the water, much like the blue
whale. It uses its specially
adapted bill to capture and
filter its food-a combination
of protozoa and algae as well
as crustaceans, mollusks, and
insects.
circular trench the birds con-
struct around it, the nest and
egg are often destroyed by a
rise in water level.
A single white egg is incu-
bated alternately by both
parents for four weeks. The
Left: An
American
flamingo turns
an egg during
incubation.
Right: A chick
begins to feed
itself at about
30 days.
Far right:
Flamingos
gather in
thousands.
Its long legs enable the
flamingo to wade through
deep water and mud in
search of food, and its long
neck allows it to reach food at
some depth. It can also swim
easily and will partially sub-
merge itself in order to feed.
chick is fed on regurgitated
liquid called crop-milk. It
begins to feed itself after a
month, although the parents
continue to feed it as well.
About this time the chick joins
other young birds in a group
called a creche, taking 1 0
weeks to fledge (grow feath-
ers). Young birds are grayish
brown in color and gradually
become white and pink. They
attain their full adult plumage
at three to four years of age.
~
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~ SPECIAL ADAPTATIONS
The flamingo is found in
extremely alkaline soda and
salt lagoons. The chemical
makeup of the water is so
strong that it would remove
the skin from a person' s legs
in seconds. To feed in such
water, the flamingo has
developed especi ally tough
skin on its legs. If the soda is
too concentrated, it can
crystallize around the fla-
mingo's legs, and the bird will
become immobilized.