" CARD 31

GRAY HERON
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~ ORDER
"11IIIIIIII Ciconiiformes
GENUS &: SPECIES
Ardea cinerea
Whether motionless at the water's edge or wading through the
shallows, the gray heron is quite distinctive. Even in flight,
silhouetted against the sky, the bird is unmistakable.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Up to 38 in. Head and
neck longer than body.
Wingspan: Up to 6 ft.
Weight: About 3 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Some birds
mature at 1 year, most at 2 years.
No. of broods: 1 .
Breeding season: March to July.
Eggs: Pale blue, 4-5.
Incubation period: 26 days.
Fledging period: About 50 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable, nesting in
colonies. Male defends own
territory during mating.
Diet: Fish, aquatic insects, frogs,
birds, small mammals.
Lifespan: Oldest bird recorded,
25 years 4 months.
RELATED SPECIES
Ardea herodias, the North Ameri-
can great blue heron.
Range of the gray heron.
DISTRIBUTION
Across Europe and Asia to Japan, including the Mediterra-
nean, India, and northern China; as well as in southeastern
Africa and Indonesia. Northern birds migrate.
CONSERVATION
Harassed and killed by fishermen and fish farmers, the gray
heron's population has decreased in many countries. It is now
fully protected by law and increasing in some areas.
THE GRAY HERON'S PLUMAGE
When the heron hunts wet and slippery
prey, its plumage sometimes becomes
soiled. A patch of crumbly feathers called
powder down is located on the breast and
rump. The claw on the third toe is shaped
for combing this powder through the
plumage to clean away dirt and slime.
Adult
MCMXCI IMP BVIIMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILpM
Adult male and
female herons look
alike (below) with
striking gray, black,
and white plumage.
They are dull-colored
in winter.
PRINTED IN U.S.A
Juvenile Immature bird
(above) under 2
years has a small-
er crest and fewer
black markings. In
their first winter,
young herons are
brown.
0160200131 PACKET 13
The gray heron may appear slow
and awkward, but this impression is quickly
dispelled when a fish, frog, or small bird comes
within its reach. The heron's reactions are
lightning-fast as it spears its prey with a swift
thrust of its pointed bill.
~ HABITAT
Gray herons feed around the
edges of slow-moving streams
and rivers, and near shallow
lakes and sheltered seashores.
They hunt for frogs, mice, and
insects in wet fields and
marshes. Many that live near
urban areas steal goldfish out
of ponds. Gray herons can
also be found along canals.
Their breeding colonies,
called heronries, are often
situated among clumps of tall
trees near the water. In some
areas, the herons favor reed
beds, bushes, and cliffs.
~ BREEDING
To attract a mate, the male
calls repeatedly during the day
and sometimes at night. When
a female approaches, he gets
her attention by pointing his
beak at the sky, lowering his
head, and clapping his bill
repeatedly.
DID YOU KNOW?
The largest heron in the
world is the aptly named
Goliath heron, in Africa. It
stands nearly 5 feet tall.
Herons occasionally swim
to capture prey. They can
easily take off in flight from
the water.
The heron swallows fish
BIRDWATCH
When resting, a heron sits with
its head hunched between its
shoulders. The bird can be dif-
ficult to see because it is so still
and silent. When it detects an
intruder, it stretches its neck in
alarm and flies away.
The female nests in the
treetops, and if another male
approaches, her mate will
defend the territory by ruffling
his feathers and snapping his
beak at the intruder, who
almost always retreats.
Nesting starts early in the
Left: Herons
use the same
saucer-shaped
nest year after
year, with the
female adding
fresh grass and
ferns for the
clutch of four
to five pale
blue eggs.
Right: Gray
heron chicks
are blackish-
brown in color
and are often
very noisy.
headfirst so that the spines
and fins do not stick in its
throat.
In some parts of Europe,
herons often die during harsh
winters. Herons elsewhere,
especially in northern Europe,
migrate south to the Sahara
Desert.
In flig ht, the heron's neck is
folded down agai nst its chest,
but its long legs, big feet, and
huge, flappi ng wi ngs are
easily visible.
Dist urbing herons can
interfere with thei r breeding.
year to allow enough time for
the young herons to mature
and become self-sufficient
before winter arrives. Most
eggs are laid at the end of
March. Both parents incubate
the eggs.
The parents share the task
of feeding the newly hatched
chicks with regurgitated food.
When food is scarce, the
older, larger chicks are fed
first, and the smaller chicks
are often left to starve. Some-
times as many as half the
young gray herons die.
~ FOOD & HUNTING
The gray heron hunts with
both speed and stealth.
Whether slowly stalking its
prey at the water's edge or
wading belly deep in the
water, the heron waits pa-
tiently for unsuspecting fish
to approach. It then strikes
quickly, catching prey with
its long, pOinted bill.
Besides fish, the gray heron
also eats aquatic insects, small
mammals and birds, frogs,
grass snakes, and crabs.
Herons will travel up to 20
miles from their heronry in
search for good hunting.
Below: Often the prey is still
alive and wriggling when the
heron gulps it down.
GREAT BUSTARD
ORDER
Gruiformes
FAMILY
Otididae
GROUP 2: BIRDS
GENUS &: SPECIES
Otis tarda
The great bustard is a shy bird that feeds mainly on seeds and
insecu. Although it -is a powerful flyer, -its strong-Iegs -and-broad-
feet have become well adopted for running on the ground.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 30-40 in.
Wingspan: Male, up to 8 ft.
Female smaller.
Weight: Male, up to 35 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Female, 3-4
years. Male, 5-6 years.
No. of broods: 1 .
Breeding season: April to August.
Eggs: 2-3, pale gray or green with
gray and brown blotches.
Incubation period: 25-28 days.
Fledging period: 28-35 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Shy; not sociable during the
breeding season.
Call: Low barking noise.
Diet: Mainly seeds and insects.
lifespan: Not known.
RELATED SPECIES
The little bustard, Tetrax tetrax,
and the Kori, Ardeotis kori.
Range of the great bustard.
DISTRIBUTION
Some regions of Europe and central Asia, including Spain
and parts of France and eastern Europe, through central Asia
to southeastern Siberia and Manchuria.
CONSERVATION J
Numbers are declining, especially in Spain and areas of
central Europe, but as yet no conseryation measures have
been taken. Aboveground power lines are a major threat.
FEATURES OF THE GREAT BUSTARD
Camouflage: This female is showing the
white chest and mottled brown feathers
that normally conceal the great bustard in
its dry grassland habitat.
MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Mating display: The male sinks his
head into his shoulders and puffs out
his throat, thrusting out his stiff cheek
feathers.
PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200151 PACKET 15
The great bustard is similar in size
to a turkey. Although it is plain colored
compared to other birds, its dull brown and gray
feathers serve to camouflage it among the
tall grasses of its habitat. Even the chicks and eggs
have protective coloration.
~ HABITS
The great bustard is wary by
nature and lives in open, tree-
less country where it can see
for long distances with its keen
eyesight. In spite of its large
size, the great bustard can fly
well, although it rarely flies
higher than 300 feet above the
ground. When the bird is on
the ground, it is well camou-
flaged in the grass by its mot-
tled feathers.
In flight the great bustard
looks, from a distance, similar
to a goose. It stretches its head
and neck in front of its body
and beats its wings strongly.
Unlike the goose, however, the
bustard's rump sags in the air
as it flies.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The great bustard eats both
plants and animals. It feeds
primarily on seeds and small
insects, although it eats crops
such as peas, cabbages, and
grains. Most food is found on
grassy plains and in cultivated
grain fields.
Above left:
If danger
threatens, the
great bustard
hides in the
grass.
left: Mating
begins with a
display by the
male to attract
the female. The
male fluffs up
his white tail
and lowers his
head to his
throat, making
his cheek
feathers stand
out.
DID YOU KNOW?
The great bustard is one of
the largest flying birds in the
world.
The bustard blends in well
with its surroundings and
can hide in the grass, un-
seen by predators.
Most of the 24 species of
bustard live in Africa, where
the farmers regard them as
beneficial in controlling the
pests that destroy their
crops.
The Australian bustard
eats small snakes. It picks
one up with its beak and
stuns it by banging it
against its feet before swal-
lowing it whole.
The bustard feeds during the
day. Several birds often gather
in a small group and forage
together, keeping alert for
predators. The great bustards
run very quickly to escape and
take cover in tall grass if they
are disturbed.
~ BREEDING
The female makes a simple
nest either by trampling a
patch of grass or by scraping a
shallow depression in the
ground. She lays two or three
eggs that are pale gray or
green in color and have brown
and gray blotches. The female
incubates the eggs until they
hatch 25 to 28 days later.
The chicks are nidifugous-
that is, they leave the nest
shortly after birth, although
they are still fed and protected
by a parent. The female feeds
~ GREAT BUSTARD & MAN
The principal threat to the
great bustard's survival is
man, although it has many
predators in common with
most other ground-nesting
birds. Foxes kill both adults
and chicks; crows take eggs.
The great bustard's popu-
larity as a game bird endan-
gers its survival; one bird
makes a substantial meal for
insects to each chick when it
is first born and then slowly
begins feeding it plant
matter. Chicks can fly and
search for food at five weeks.
Inset: The drab
color of the egg
makes it less
noticeable to
predators.
Right: Young
chicks, like their
parents, also
have camouflag-
ing coloration.
a number of people.
The great bustard popula-
tion has declined as a result of
habitat loss-most notably in
Spain and ,parts of central
Europe.
Below: The great bustard's
white underparts are clearly
visible in flight but are less
noticeable on the ground.
"'" CARD 33
OXPECKER
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Because it feeds on blood-sucking ticks which burrow into
animals' skins, the oxpecker is a welcome companion for many
large mammals in Africa.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Wingspan: About 11 in.
Length: 8 in.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: Start of rainy
season, depending on location.
No. of broods: Up to 3 per season.
Eggs: 1-5 per clutch (usually 2-3).
Incubation: 12 days.
Fledging period: 30 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Gregarious; may be 12
birds on one host.
Diet: Ticks and bloodsucking flies
taken from the hides of wild and
domesticated animals.
Lifespan: 4-7 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Yellow billed oxpecker Buphagu5
africanu5, larger than red billed B.
erythrorhynchu5, and range more
to west.
FEATURES OF THE OXPECKER
Although a group of
birds helps build the
nest, only one pair will
actually mate.
MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Range of the ox peeker.
DISTRIBUTION
Found on the eastern side of the Rift Valley, from Ethiopia,
through Sudan, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Sout h Africa to
Natal, and across to Namibia.
CONSERVATION
Common where game herds are numerous; becoming rare
in agricultural areas where farmers remove ticks from
livestock with chemicals.
The nest is
usually built in a
hole in a tree, but
rock cavities are
also used.
Three eggs is the average si ze of a
clutch, but there can be up to five.
Wi th thei r communal breeding
system, oxpeckers can raise up to
three broods per year.
PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200091 PACKET 9
Armed with a pointed beak and sharp,
curved claws, the oxpecker is well-equipped
for its life scavenging parasites from the backs
of large, thick-skinned animals. It rids its host
of unwelcome pests and provides
early warning of danger by calling
loudly when alarmed.
The oxpecker's breeding
season varies from country
to country, but always
begins with seasonal rains.
Once a hole is chosen, a
group of up to five birds fills
it with a mass of grass and
plant fibers, and then lines it
with hair and fur. Only two
birds from the group mate
and incubate the eggs. The
clutch varies from one to five
eggs, which are pinkish
white and spotted with
brown and purple.
Incubation lasts for 12 days.
Parent birds relieve each other
every hour during the day-
time, with the female incu-
bating the nest by night.
When the chicks hatch, all
members of the group share
the work of feeding them.
Chicks continue to be fed
after they have left the nest
(approximately 30 days after
hatching) and for as long as 3
months after that. Oxpeckers
can rear as many as three
broods per season.
Oxpeckers are common
throughout the African sa-
vanna, living wherever large
mammals gather. They prefer
wide grassy plains.
Feeding during the morning
and late afternoon, the
oxpecker rests during the heat
of the day, riding passively on
its host. At night, large groups
gather to roost with other
species of starling on trees,
cliffs, or buildings. When the
wet season approaches, these
communal roosts break up as
the birds depart to nest.
Left: Perched on a buffalo's
muzzle, an oxpecker pauses
during feeding.
Left and right :
Oxpeckers hunt
ticks on a
variety of
animals with
different skin
types by
adapting their
feeding
technique.
~ SPECI AL ADAPTATION
The oxpecker is sometimes
described as a "sentinel" for
t he large animals on which it
feeds. It makes a fierce hissing
sound when it is alarmed.
Oxpeckers also have a
variety of calls simi lar t o other
birds of the starling family, in-
cluding shrill whist les and
barking sounds.
Above: When
alarmed,
oxpeckers
climb up their
host's back
and give alarm
calls.
Left: Guarding
the nest site.
Right: A tick,
the oxpecker's
insect prey.
DID YOU KNOW?
Although rhinos, gi raffes,
zebras, and warthogs are all
happy to carry oxpeckers,
waterbuck, hartebeest,
steen buck, and elephants will
not tolerate them.
The oxpecker is also known
as the tickbird.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The oxpecker feeds mainly on
ticks caught on the backs of
host animals. Its bill is flat-
tened on the sides, and is very
sharp at the tip. The bird
pushes it through the fur of its
host, moving the tip in a nib-
bling action, until it catches a
tick. It even searches the host
animal's ears and nostrils.
The oxpecker will some-
times catch flies by "hawking"
(jumping and catching them
in mid-air). It will also feed on
dead skin and raw flesh in
wounds and sores. Rhinos are
particularly prone to open
sores, especially just behind
their front legs where they
cannot groom the skin by
rolling. The oxpecker helps
keep these wounds clean. But
sometimes the oxpecker will
hurt the rhino with its ex-
tremely sharp bill.
Oxpeckers drink from the
same waterholes as their
hosts.
"""CARD 34
GOLDEN PHEASANT
, , ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~
ORDER
Galliformes
FAMILY
Phasianidae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Chrys%phus pictus
The golden pheasant is one of the most brilliantly feathered of all
the ruffed pheasants. A native of China, it has also been introduced
as a game bird in other parts of the world.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Male, 3-4 ft., Female,
slightly smaller.
Wing length: About 2 ft.
Weight: 1-2 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Female, 1 year.
Male, 2 years.
Breeding season: April to May.
Clutch: 5-12 buff-colored eggs.
Incubation period: 22 days.
Fledging period: 12-14 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Shy, territorial. Ground
dweller.
Diet: Berries, seeds, flowers,
shoots, and insects.
Call: Roar, growl, or purr.
Lifespan: Up to 8 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Closest relative is Lady Amherst's
pheasant, Chrys%phus amherstiae.
Range of t he golden pheasant.
DISTRIBUTION
Native to central China, f rom the edge of t he Tibetan plateau
in the northwest, east to Hubei, and south t o Hunan and Gui-
zhou. Introduced as a game bird in other parts of the world.
CONSERVATION
Native Chinese population believed to be stable. Wild popu-
lations have developed from introduced breeds in other
countries.
IDENTIFYING THE GOLDEN PHEASANT
Hen (female): Speckled brown
plumage; smaller than the male.
I.
MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200191 PACKET 19
The male golden pheasant sports
such beautiful plumage that it has
become a popular exhibit in
zoos and aviaries throughout
the world. But the bird is shy and retiring
by nature, so much of its life in the
wild remains a mystery even today.
HABITAT
The golden pheasant is native
to the mountains of central
China. It lives at high altitudes
in the rocky foothills among
bamboo scrub. The pheasant
avoids thick woodland, wet-
lands, or open country. As
agriculture spreads into its
habitat, the bird also inhabits
tea plantations or the edges
of terraced fields.
Many of the birds that were
imported to England escaped
BIRDWATCH
In areas where the golden
pheasant has been intro-
duced as a game bird, many
wild populations have de-
veloped.
The male pheasant can be
from captivity and bred so
successfully that the gold-
en pheasant is now recog-
nized as a naturalized British
bird. Where it has been
introduced, the golden
' pheasant favors a different
habitat from its native one.
It usually chooses dense
forest plantations and may
be found in mixed wood-
land. It moves into more
open areas to feed.
spotted by his brilliant red or
golden plumage. The reddish
brown, speckled female is
harder to identify. She looks
like the common pheasant
but has a more reddish back.
FOOD &: FEEDING
In China, the golden pheasant
feeds on the leaves and shoots
of various shrubs-especially
those of low-growing bam-
boos-and on the flowers of the
rhododendron. It also feeds on
beetles and spiders. The bird
forages by day, roosting at
night high in the bough of a
tree, where it is safe from
predators. The golden pheas-
ant tends to feed in the same
home range all year. But those
birds that inhabit the higher
mountain ridges often make
daily migrations to lower
feeding grounds.
Little is known about the
feeding habits of populations
outside China. They probably
have much the same kind of
diet as their Chinese counter-
parts and feed on new shoots,
berries, and seeds.
left: Two males display their
colorful plumage.

The golden pheasant lives
alone for most of the year. But
during spring the male begins
crowing loudly in an attempt
to attract a mate to his terri-
tory. His call is harsh and grat-
ing. If a female responds, the
courtship dance begins. The
male stands still with his head
close to the female' s so he can
display his ruff (neck feathers).
At the same time, he drops
one wing and tilts his body to
show off his golden rump and
lush tail. If the male's display
works, the pair mate.
Little is known about the
bird's nesting habits. It is possi-
ble that the wild golden pheas-
ant builds its nest in the weeds
of a bamboo grove. In captiv-
ity, the female usually lays her
eggs in a secluded hollow
among thick vegetation.
Below: There can be as many as
a dozen chicks in the nest.
GOLDEN PHEASANT &: MAN
In China, the golden' pheasant
is hunted with snares, for both
its meat and its colorful plu-
mage. In the past, many birds
were captured by collectors for
export to zoos and aviaries.
Despite these pressures, the
golden pheasant remains
plentiful, although the actual
number of wild native birds is
not known for certain.
Thousands of golden pheas-
ants are kept throughout the
world as ornamental birds.
The female incubates and
cares for the young. During
incubation the camouflage
of her speckled brown plu-
mage is especially important
to hide her from predators.
Below: The female (left) and
young golden pheasant are
plainer than the male.
DID YOU KNOW?
When displaying his plu-
mage, the male golden
pheasant utters a loud hiss.
The golden pheasant will
mate with related species.
The young that result from
the golden pheasant's mat-
The young pheasants
fly within two weeks of
hatching but remain close
to their mother until they
are fully grown at about
four months of age.
Above: Two cocks fight for a
female during the breeding
season.
ing with Lady Amherst 's
pheasant, its closest rel -
ative, are fertile (capable of
producing offspri ng) . Mat-
ing with the silver pheasant
produces fertile males but
sterile females.
CARD 35 J
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON
GROUP 2: BIRDS
.. ORDER
"IIIIIIII Ciconiiformes
FAMILY
Ardeidae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Nycticorax nycticorax
The black-crowned night heron feeds mainly
at dawn and dusk on fish and insects, but it also
fishes during the day when it has young to feed.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Height: 23-26 in.
Weight: About 21-25 oz .
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2-3 years.
No. of broods: 1-2.
Breeding season: April to
September.
Eggs: 3-5, pale blue-green.
Incubation period: 21-26 days.
Nesting period: 6-7 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable. Nests, roosts, and
breeds in colonies.
Diet: Fish, aquatic insects, frogs.
Lifespan: 1 6 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Yellow-crowned night heron
Nycticorax violaceus (North and
South America), the Nankeen
night heron N. caledonicus
(Australia), and the white-backed
night heron N. leuconotus (Central
and South Africa).
Range of the black-crowned night heron.
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread throughout North and South America, Eurasia,
and Africa.
CONSERVATION
The black-crowned night heron is common throughout
its range and is in no direct danger of extinction.
FEATURES OF THE BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON
Legs: Long,
typical of a wading
bird. The green
legs and feet turn
, yellow Of re.d in
the breeding
MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Nest: Loosely
in a bush or high
in a tree.
Eggs: Three to
five, blue-green in
color.
Social behavior: A breeding pair of
blaCK-crowned night herons
clisplays by rubbing bills
, and by niol!iling each/
.r
PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200181 PACKET 18
The black-crowned night heron
has a thick bill, short legs, and a black
and green back. It has a narrow
white band across its forehead and above
its large, red eyes. Several slender, white
plumes grow from the black crest on
the adult heron's head.
~ HABITAT
The black-crowned night her-
on is found in wetland habi-
tats throughout the world. It
prefers areas of dense vegeta-
tion such as the overgrown
banks of rivers, ponds, and
streams, as well as swamps
and marshes. The heron can
also be found near coastal
marshes, tidal creeks, and
coastal lagoons .
The night heron spends the
day roosting in bushes or
trees. Several hundred birds
~ FOOD & FEEDING
When the night heron must
feed its young, it searches for
food throughout the night. At
other times the night heron is
most active at dawn and dusk.
The night heron feeds mainly
on fish, frogs, and aquatic
insects and their larvae. It
hunts for prey by wa.lking
slowly through the water, or
often roost together, pre-
ferring trees with dense cover,
such as the tropical man-
grove. The night heron also
shares roosting and feeding
grounds with the Squacco
heron, since the Squacco
roosts at night and feeds
during the day.
Black-crowned night herons
found in northern regions such
as North America and Asia mi-
grate south in the winter.
~ BREEDING
The male establishes his own
territory within the breeding
colony. If another bird enters
his territory, he defends it by
thrusting his neck forward,
arching his head, fluffing his
head, neck, and breast feath-
ers, and making a hissing
sound to frighten off the
intruder.
The male greets his mate
very differently, however,
with affectionate bill rub-
bing and feather nibbling.
The male gathers twigs and
sticks for the female to weave
Left: This young night heron does
not yet have any head plumes.
by diving or swimming. The
night heron is sociable and
often feeds in a group with
other herons.
The night heron also feeds
on land, where it preys on
small mammals, birds, and
spiders. It sometimes eats the
eggs and young of other
herons in the same colony.
Right and
below: The
night heron
is very easily
distinguished
by its full,
squat figure,
even during
flight.
into the nest. The rather
flimsy and messy platform
nest is usually built in a bush
or reed bed close to the
water. Or it may be built in
a tree as high as 150 feet
above the ground.
The female lays three to
five blue-green eggs at 48-
hour intervals. Both parents
incubate the eggs which
hatch three to four weeks
later. Because the eggs are
laid at different times, some
chicks hatch earlier than
others. Those chicks that are
first to hatch have a greater
chance of survival if food is
scarce.
DID YOU KNOW?
The night heron's green
legs and feet turn a bright
yellow or red in the breeding
season.
When it feeds, the night
heron holds its head under its
outstretched wing. This
provides shade for its eyes so
that the bird can spot fish
The chicks are dark brown
with paler spots and under-
parts. They feed mainly on
fish, which is fed to them
by both parents. The chicks
leave the nest three weeks
after hatching to climb
among the branches of
more clearly.
The largest colony of night
herons ever recorded was in
Virginia. It contained more
than 1,200 pairs.
The heron sometimes lures
fish by dropping food scraps,
or even feathers, on the
surface of the water.
nearby trees, but they
return to the nest to feed.
They cannot fly well until
they are six weeks old.
Below: Chicks hatch at two-day
intervals, simplifying feeding for
the parents.
"" CARD 36 ]
OVENBIRD
~ ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
ORDER
Passeriformes
GENUS &: SPECIES
Furnarius rufus
The ovenbird gets its name from the unusual nest it builds.
This odd-looking structure, made from mud and strengthened with
fibers and grass, is shaped like an old-fashioned baking oven.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 7-8 in.
Weight: Up to 2 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Not known.
No. of broods: 1 per year.
Breeding season: Late winter; nest
building during wettest months of
the year.
Eggs: White, 3-5 per clutch.
Incubation period: Up to 20 days.
Fledging period: Up to 18 days.
LIFESTYLE
Call: Musical notes and trills.
Habit: Rather shy. Lives in pairs
year-round; pairs often mate for
life.
Diet: Ground-dwelling insects,
worms, and grubs.
RELATED SPECIES
Over 200 species in the same
family, including spinetails,
shaketails, and leafscrapers.
THE OVENBIRD'S NEST
Range of the ovenbird.
DISTRIBUTION
Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina, in open
country and flood plains. Common near human settlements.
CONSERVATION
Although populations have been affected by land clearances
in some areas of the ovenbird's natural habitat, conservation
measures do not appear to be necessary as this species has
adapted well to man's intrusion on its habitat.
The ovenbird's nest is built out of
moist clay strengthened with grass
even under the eave of a roof. When the
finished nest has been baked hard by
finally being washed away by the rain.
The ovenbird builds a new nest every
year-often on top of an old nest-and
its old nest is used as a home by
insects or other birds.
and fibers. It may be built
in a tree, on top of a
fence post, or
MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
the sun, it will be strong
enough to survive for
2-3 years before
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
The nest provides warmth and
security for the brood of 3-5 chicks,
which fledge in 18 days.
0160200111 PACKET 11
In South America, the ovenbird is
called el hornero, "the house builder,"
and belongs to one of the largest families of birds.
The ovenbird can be recognized by
its distinctive song and is seen
in settlements and on the
edges of towns.
Ovenbirds live in pairs
throughout the year, and
many stay with the same
mate for life. Although rather
wary by nature, the ovenbird
has adapted to living near hu-
man populations, and pairs
of ovenbirds have become a
familiar sight. Theywill build
their nests on fence posts and
under the eaves of houses
when a suitable tree cannot
be found.
The ovenbird has drab, dull-
colored feathers, or plumage,
chestnut-brown back, head,
and wings, and a pale cream-
colored chest. The ovenbird is
active by day. At night, it
roosts in a tree.
The ovenbird's feet are well
adapted for grasping the slen-
der twigs and grass it uses to
build its nest. Each foot has
four toes in the front and one
in back. The bird walks slowly,
often holding one foot up in
the air between steps.
~ BREEDING
Very little is known about the
breeding and nesting habits of
the ovenbird, since it is difficult
to examine its nest without de-
stroying it in the process.
Still, it is known that during
the wet winter months, the
male and female work togeth-
er to build the nest. After se-
lecting a suitable nest site,
Below: A species related to the
ovenbird is the North American
Seiurus aurocapillus, a member
of the wood warbler family.
usually in a tree or on a fence
post, they begin building their
hollowed-out nest with clay,
strengthening it with grass
and plant fibers.
When the clay has been
baked hard by the sun, the
birds continue to add clay
and plant fibers to the edges
of the nest and build up the
walls until it has a dome-
shaped roof. The birds finish
the nest by constructing a
narrow, curving entrance
chamber. The female lines
the inner nesting chamber
with grass and feathers.
After mating, the female
lays three to five white eggs.
Because of the warmth
trapped inside the clay nest,
the eggs hatch very quickly,
after approximately 20 days.
The chicks grow their feath-
ers, or fledge, in 18 days and
remain with their parents for
up to three months.
left: A suitable nesting tree isn't
always available to homeless
ovenbirds. This Brazilian pair is
making use of a sturdy fence.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
The ovenbird pecks at the
ground in search for food in
the same manner as many
bird species. It tends to stay
within the same small area
when it forages.
The ovenbird spends much
of its day searching for the
ground-dwelling insects, in-
vertebrates, larvae, and spi-
ders that make up the largest
proportion of its diet. During
feeding, the bird hides
among the scrub and grass.
Top: Remarkably adaptable, the
ovenbird will often build its mud
and straw nest close to human
populations.
Inset: Although it sings a tuneful
song, the ovenbird has rather
dull-colored plumage.
DID YOU KNOW?
The ovenbird's nest is
made from between 1,500
and 2,000 separate lumps
of clay. It w e i g ~ s 7-12
pounds.
The warm conditions in-
side a nest are inviting to a
number of insects, including
a species of bedbug.
Other members of the
ovenbird family are known
by the colorful names of
plainsrunner, castlebuilder,
leafgleaner, and thistletail.
'" CARD 37
SUPERB L VREBIRD

ORDER
Passeriformes
FAMILY
Menuridae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Menura novaehollandiae
The superb Iyrebird's name comes from the resemblance
of its tail feathers to the shape of the lyre,
an ancient Greek musical instrument.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Male, 31 -39 in., including
tail. Female, 29-34 in.
Weight: Up to 2 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Male, 3-9 years.
Female earlier.
Breeding season: May to
October.
No. of broods: 1; 1 egg.
Incubation: 50 days.
Fledging period: 6-7 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Call: Loud, high-pitched shriek.
Diet: Insects, worms, and other
invertebrates that live in the soil
and under the bark of rotting logs.
Lifespan: Up to 15 years.
RELATED SPECIES
There is only one other species of
Iyrebird, Albert's Iyrebird, Menura
alberti.
FEATURES OF THE
MALE SUPERB L YREBIRD
Mating display: Using his strong feet, the
male builds a mound of earth 3 to 5 feet in
diameter. He may build as many as 20
mounds. His tail feathers lie forward, ,
Range of the superb Iyrebird.
DISTRIBUTION
Native only to Australia, from southeastern Queensland south
to southern Victoria. Introduced in 1934 to temperate
rainforest in Tasmania, where it still survives.
CONSERVATION
The superb Iyrebird is now a protected species. The main
threat to its survival is the destruction of its forest habitat.
across his back, as he builds the mounds. __ :::::'

MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILpM PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200171 PACKET 17
The superb Iyrebird isa large,
chicken-sized bird. The male's spectacular tail,
which he uses in his dramatic courtship display,
consists of 16 feathers that when
spread, resemble a lyre.

The superb Iyrebird lives sing-
ly, in pairs, or in small family
groups during the summer. In
the fall and winter each male
becomes territorial and de-
fends his territory by singing,
displaying his feathers, and
chasing away intruders. At this
time of the year the female
lives in a nesting territory,
which usually overlaps the
territories of several males.
DID YOU KNOW?
The voice box of the superb
Iyrebird is controlled by three
muscles, instead of the four
found in most birds. This
gives the Iyrebird a wide vo-
cal range.
The first known Iyrebirds
were collected in 1797 in
Australia.
A park ranger reported
hearing a power saw in an
Australian national pa(k.
When he moved closer to
investigate, the ranger found
only a superb Iyrebird mim-
icking the sound of the saw.
During the mating season a
male superb Iyrebird may
spend half t he day trying t o
attract females by displaying
his feathers.
The male molts (sheds) his
tail feathers every year.
The superb Iyrebird is
difficult to see in the wild. It
stays hidden during the day
and roosts high in the trees
at night. In some parks the
bird has become used to
visitors and is quite easy to
spot. The superb Iyrebird
usually runs or walks on the
ground. Sometimes it es-
capes from danger by glid-
ing down from a branch.

The male superb Iyrebird
mates with several females
after he has attracted them
with an elaborate mating
display. He plays no part in
nest-building, incubation of
the egg, or rearing of the
young.
The female builds a large,
dome-shaped nest of twigs,
bark, moss, and ferns, and
she lines it with feathers and
small roots.
Throughout the incubation
period, the female leaves the
single egg for three to six
hours each morning. As a
result, incubation is much
longer than it would nor-
mally be for a perching bird:
the egg does not hatch for
almost two months.
The newly hatched chick is
thinly covered with black
Above right:
The female
superb Iyrebird
is smaller and
less striking
than the male.
Left: The nest
is built several
months before
the breeding
season begins.
down. The mother broods
(protects) it for 10 days, after
which it can maintain its own
body temperature. During
the chick's time in the nest
(about 47 days), its weight
increases approximately 12
times. It leaves the nest
during spring, but it still
depends on its mother for
some food for another eight
months before becoming
self -sufficient.
CHARACTERISTICS
The superb Iyrebird is un-
matched among birds, both
in its ability to mimic sounds
and in its variety of sOl1gs.
The typical Iyrebird sOng
lasts approximately five to six
seconds. Most of the song
consists of accurately mim-
icked calls of other bird
species, including those of
the kookaburra and the
whipbird. A male superb
FOOD &: FEEDING
The superb Iyrebird spends
much of the day feeding. It
long
claws to rake the ground for
soil-dwelling insects, such as
earthworms, spiders, fly and
beetle larvae, millipedes, and
other invertebrates.
The Iyrebird has exception-
ally powerful claws. It scratches
up the earth with them to re-
move even fairly large objects.
It also uses its claws to rip away
the bark of rotting logs to ex-
pose any insects underneath.
Left: The male superb Iyrebird
throws its feathers over its head
and makes a series of calls. Some
calls mimic other birds and even
other sounds, such as the
barking of a dog.
Iyrebird can mimic the calls of
as many as 16 different bird
species.
When the male is trying to
attract a mate, his song is
quieter. Females can also sing
and mimic sounds, but they
rarely do.
Below: The male's call may be
audible up to half Q mile away
on a clear day.
" CARD 38 1
RAZORBILL

ORDER
Charadriiformes
FAMILY
A/cidae
GENUS & SPECIES
A/co torda
The razor bill is a short-winged diving bird that is awkward
on land and in the air. It is more at home bobbing on the sea
or diving beneath the surface to catch fish with its hooked bill.
__________________________
SIZES
Length: 1 ft.
Wingspan: About 2 ft.
Weight: 1-2 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 3-5 years.
Breeding season: Return to the
breeding colony in February;
eggs laid in May.
No. of eggs: 1 .
Incubation period: 35 days.
Fledging period: 10-18 days,
followed by several weeks on the
water under parental care.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Feeds alone or in small
groups during autumn and
winter. Gathers in breeding
colonies in spring and summer.
RELATED SPECIES
Razorbills belong to the auk
family, which includes the
Atlantic puffin, common
guillemot, and little auk.
Range of the razorbill.
DISTRIBUTION
North Atlantic and Arctic oceans, feeding at sea and
breeding on rocky coasts.
CONSERVATION
Razorbills are vulnerable to oil pollution; overfishing of its
food has also contributed to its decline. Because of its low
reproductive rate, a razorbill population takes many years
to recover from a setback.
FEATURES OF THE RAZORBlll
Diving: The razorbill is well adapted
to life on and under the water. It
dives to depths of 20 feet or more
and can stay submerged for nearly
a minute.
Winter
plumage: Throat
and upper chest
turn white.
MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILET'" PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Diet: Razorbills
eat sand eels
(shown), worms,
and mollusks.
0160200231 PACKET 23
The razorbill is one of the largest auks,
a stocky relative of the puffin and the
guillemot. Although barely able to fly
and clumsy on land, it is an excellent
swimmer and diver, and it uses its short
wings to glide gracefully underwater.
HABITS
Totally dependent upon the
sea for its food, the razorbill
spends much of the year far
from land, bobbing on the
ocean swells and diving for
fish. It returns to the shore in
spring only to lay its eggs and
rear its chicks. Once the young
are independent they and
their parents return to the sea.
Like other auks, the razorbill
is adapted to life in the water.
Auks are considered the North-
ern Hemisphere's equivalent of
penguins (which are found
only in the Southern Hemi-
sphere).
The razorbill is most like the
penguin of all the auks. While
it is an expert diver and swim-
mer, it is clumsy on land and
has an awkward, waddling,
upright gait. This is because
its feet are not well adapted
for walking, but rather are set
back on its body to act as
rudders while it flies and
when it swims underwater.
FOOD &: HUNTING
In autumn and winter the
razorbill feeds on small fish
from the surface waters of the
Atlantic. In spring and summer
it feeds in shallow water near
its coastal nesting sites and
often eats worms and mollusks
as well as sand eels.
The razorbill floats on the
surface of the water like a
duck, upending to feed. It
dives to depths of 20 feet or
more and sometimes stays
submerged for nearly a
minute. It catches fish in its
sharp, hooked bill and
swallows them underwater. If
it is feeding its young it
Left: Sand eels
are part of the
bird's diet.
Right: Razor-
bills nest on cliff
ledges.
Below left: The
birds must have
all their plum-
age to support
them in flight.
Below right:
A razorbill
protects its
chick.
BREEDING
Razorbills breed in large
colonies, each pair occupying
a crevice on a cliff or rocky
shore. They form stable pairs
that nest on the same sites
each spring and part when
the colony scatters in autumn.
In late winter each pair
broods a single egg, laid
directly on the bare rock.
surfaces, holding several fish
in its bill, and flies back to
the nesting ledge.
At these times the razor-
bill is vulnerable to attack,
particularly by seagulls that
steal its catch. In turn, the
razorbill also steals food from
other auks.
Both parents feed the chick.
After about 18 days the chick
is only one-fourth grown and
still unable to fly. It leaves the
ledge at night and goes down
to the sea, followed closely by
the adult male, who continues
to feed and care for it for sev-
eral weeks until the young can
hunt for itself.
DID YOU KNOW?
Razorbills have difficulty
diving for fish in rough,
choppy seas. During stormy
weather many birds, weak-
ened by hunger, are beaten
to death by ocean waves.
Razorbill eggs vary widely
in color. They may be
brown, cream, white, or
turquoise, with brown or
black blotches. This vari-
ation may help parents
recognize their own eggs.
The razorbill is the closest
living relative of the extinct
great auk, a large, flightless
bird once common on
North Atlantic islands.
Razorbill breeding colo-
nies can be huge: a colony
off the coast of England was
estimated at about 45,000
pairs of birds.
, SPECIAL

The razorbill's short wings
are a compromise for
both flying and swim-
ming. The large wings of
many soaring birds are too
bulky for use underwater.
Conversely, the flipperlike
wings of penguins are too
small for flight.
Although the short
wings of the razorbill work
well underwater, they are
just big enough to support
it in the air. The loss of
even a single wing feather
makes flying difficult. A
razorbill does not molt and
replace its flight feathers
one by one, like most
birds. Instead, it molts
them all at once after
breeding season, and is
flightless for some 45 days.
EUROPEAN COOT
ORDER
Gruiformes
"' FAMILY
~ Rallidae
... GENUS & SPECIES
"11IIIIIIII Fulica atra
European coots gather in huge flocks on large freshwater lakes and
along the coasts of Europe during winter. The species IS high-pitched
cry sounds like the word 1/ coot. "
KEY FACTS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
SIZES
Length: 14-16 in.
Wingspan: 28-32 in.
Weight: 20-30 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1-2 years.
Breeding season: Eggs laid March
to May.
No. of broods: 1 .
Eggs: 6-10.
Incubation: 21 -24 days.
Fledging period: B weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Feeds in groups, but
territorial and aggressive.
Diet: Aquatic plants, small fish,
amphibians, and water insects.
Call: Sharp, loud, brief call.
Lifespan: Oldest known, 18 years.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 9 closely related
species-B in North and South
America, the other in Africa.
Range of the European coot.
DISTRIBUTION
Pri mary range is western and eastern Europe. Also found in
North Afri ca and Asi a. Some found in Java, New Guinea, and
Australia. Birds in far northern areas migrate south in October
and return north to breed in April.
CONSERVATION
This species' s numbers appear t o be increasing in many
count ries.
FEATURES OF if HE EUROPEAN COOT
Nest: Built from debris ana lant
material. Usually floating, but always
anchored to reeds or branches on
shore. The female hatches the eggs,
but because broods often hatch over
several days, the male may care for
the first hatchlings on a speci ally
built, floating platform. In time of
fl ood, the parents build high walls
around the nest.
" MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Feet: Each toe joint is
individually lobed, allowing the
coot to spread its feet only on
the downstroke while it is
Upstroke: As
the coot pulls
its feet up, the
lobes collapse,
reducing water
resi stance.
Downstroke:
Lobes spread
out on the
downstroke,
gi ving maxi-
mum thrust.
0160200171 PACKET 17
The European coot is an aquatic bird
that swims and dives well, using its specially adapted
toes. Although it feeds in a group with other coots,
the coot is territorial and aggressive, and splashing
fights between coots are frequent during
the summer breeding season.
The European coot is found in
ponds, slow-moving rivers,
flooded gravel pits, reservoirs,
and marshes, as well as in
lakes in urban parks. Still, the
coot usually breeds only in
areas that provide dense cover
for its nest. Because it does not
breed in winter, the need for
cover is less important.
Flocks of coots gather on
large inland lakes when
smaller lakes freeze. During
especially cold weather the
coot can even be found in
coastal areas.
FOOD &: FEEDING
The European coot eats a wide
variety of food during the
summer, including freshwater
plants, algae, aquatic insects,
tadpoles, newts, and some
small fish. It may also eat
grain, seeds, and other birds'
eggs and chicks .
The coot eats vegetation
growing just below the surface
of lakes and ponds by upend-
ing itself like a duck. Still, it
dives completely underwater
for much of its food.
In winter, when the birds
flock in large numbers, a coot
BEHAVIOR
The European coot aggres-
sively defends its breeding
territory during mating season.
When a coot is challenged, it
raises its wings and lowers its
head, showing off its bill and
shield (the white marking on its
head) so that it appears large
may occasionally steal its
food from others. But usually
the coot eats mostly aquatic
plant material, always return-
ing to the surface before eat-
ing it. Still, it may not get
the chance to eat it, since a
stronger coot is often wait-
ing to snatch the food.
A coot can become very
tame when it lives among
people and may even take
food from their hands.
Right: The coot dives down to
the lake bed to feed on fresh-
water plants.
and threatening to its rival.
When a group of coots is
threatened by a bird of prey,
they frantically fly across the
water's surface, flinging up
spray with their feet and
wings to ward off the at-
tacker.
BREEDING
Both the male and female
build the nest among vege-
tation along the water's
edge. It is often in danger
of becoming flooded dur-
ing periods of heavy rain-
fall. During a drought the
receding waterline leaves
the nest in reach of land
predators such as foxes and
hedgehogs, which steal the
eggs.
The female lays six to nine
eggs between March and
May. If eggs are stolen or
lost, she may lay replace-
Left: The coot is a common sight
on ponds and lakes throughout
its range.

The American coot is very southern Canada to Cen-
similar in appearance t o t he t ral Ameri ca. Coots are al -
European coot, except that so found in t he Andes in
I
it is sl ightly smaller and does Columbia and Ecuador.
not have a white shi e ld on The American coot winters
its forehead . in t he sout hern part of its
The American coot nests in range, including Everglades I
a vast area t hat extends from National Park in Fl orida.
ments. Both parents incubate
the eggs and feed the nest-
lings, which leave the nest
Right: Chicks
are fed by both
parents.
Below: The
coot's nest is
anchored
securely to the
shore.
within three to four days. The
chicks do not become fully
independent for eight weeks .
DID YOU KNOW? I
During breeding season a
male coot drives away much
I
larger birds, including geese I
and swans.
The coot attempts to at-
tract a mate by puffing out
its head feathers and point-
ing its bill downward. Often
this occurs on water, and the
bird's head becomes entirely
submerged.
The aggressive coot may
slash at its rival's breast with
its sharp claws .
I A chick's red head feathers
! Iater turn white. ____ ----'
MUTE SWAN
"""
ORDER FAMILY
Anseriformes Anatidae
"" CARD 40
GROUP 2: BIRDS ~ , ~
GENUS &: SPECIES ,-\(
Cygnus olor
The mute swan was introduced into many countries in Europe in the
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. It is considered a bird
of royalty in Britain but is commonly found in the wild.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 60 in.
Wingspan: 75 in.
Weight: Male 22 lb., female 26 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2-3 years.
Breeding season: March to June.
No. of broods: 1 .
Eggs: 5-8. Pale greenish white.
Incubation: 36 days.
Fledging period: 3-4 months.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Pair for life, but if one dies,
survivor will find another partner.
Diet: Mainly submerged aquatic
vegetation, grass, and grain.
Lifespan: Can live to 50, but very
few live beyond 7 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The trumpeter swan is the heaviest
flying bird in North America.
HOW SWANS FEED
Mute swans feed in water by reaching
down with their long necks to get to
vegetation which is often inaccessibl e to
other aquatic wildfowl.
In deeper water
swans will upend
themselves to
reach down to
depths of nearly a
yard.
MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WI LDLIFE FACT FILETM
v
Range of the mute swan.
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Scattered
across northern Europe, eastward to Mongolia. Introduced,
feral, or domesticated in the western part of its range.
CONSERVATION
Approximately 5,000-6,000 pairs in Great Britain. Most
swans are the property of the British monarch, and are
protected as such.
PRINTED IN U.SA
Swans can keep
their heads
submerged for a
full 10 seconds
and will swallow
c(mtinuously
throughout this
time.
us P 6001 12010 PACKET 10
The unmistakable figure of the graceful
mute swan is a common sight in many lakes/
rivers/ and other freshwater areas within its range.
It was once mistakenly believed that the swan
never made a sound-hence its name.
HABITS
Swans are extremely territo-
rial. By raising his wings and
back feathers and lowering
his head, the male alerts
intruders that he is prepared
to defend his territory.
Like all wildfowl, swans
shed, or molt, all their wing
feathers at once. Since swan's
cannot fly at this stage, a
female with young will molt
before her mate does, so
that he can protect the
young swans from danger.
In England, Ireland, and
France, most mute swans
rarely move far from anyone
area. Some may move from
their breeding territories to
form small winter flocks on
nearby waters.
In Scandinavia, Germany,
and Poland, swans are largely
migratory, breeding on inland
lakes and then wintering
along the Baltic coast when
their breeding lakes are fro-
zen. The severity of winter
weather conditions dictates
how far they travel.
Below: A pair of mute swans
with their large brood of
cygnets in a typical habitat.
There has been a significant
decline in the swan population
where fishing is popular; the
birds swallow discarded lead
fishing weights and die from
lead poisoning.
Many swans die when they
fly into power lines. Noticeably

Mute swans mate in March
and April. They nest on the
ground near water. The male
brings sticks and reeds to the
female who uses them to
build the nest.
Five to eight eggs are laid at
48-hour intervals. Incubation,
which is done mainly by the
female, begins after the last
egg has been laid, and the
young hatch 34-38 days later.
2:- The young, called cygnets,
leave the nest early but stay
with their parents into winter.
They get their adult plumage
at one year.
visible markers attached to
t he wires are helpful in pre-
venting the deaths of many
swans.
Swans have few natural
enemies, but many nests,
eggs, and young have been
destroyed by people.
o
o
Above: Males
defending their
territories.
Right: Swan in
flight.
CD

LLl
FOOD &: FEEDING
Mute swans are mainly her-
bivorous and feed on aquatic
plants and roots. They will
also eat grass, herbs, and
grains, as well as some small
fish, frogs, and insects.
Cygnets (young swans)
feed on pieces of vegetation
picked by their parents.
Swans stretch their long
necks into the water to feed .
They have powerful gizzards,
which allow them to grind up
plant material, and they also
i ingest grains of soil, which
help to further break down
the food before it is absorbed
i into the bloodstream.
u:i
Below: Female
on her large
nest. o __ ______ ______________
BIRDWATCH
Swans can be seen o n any
good-sized area of shallow,
open water withi n the ir range.
Lakes, reservoirs, marshes, and
larger rivers are all places
where they live. A large body
of water is essential, both to
Mute swans are not mute-
they can make a vari ety of
hissing, g runting, and snort-
ing sounds.
The male swan is called a
cob and the female a pen.
provide adequate feeding
grounds and to allow
enough space for the swan
to take off into flig ht.
During the breedi ng
season, swans seek undis- J
turbed places to bui ld nests.
A male mute swan can be
distinguished from a female
by a black knob of ski n at the
base of his bil l.
A swan may eat up t o 10
pounds of vegetation daily.