GREAT TITMOUSE

ORDER
Posseriformes
FAMILY
Poridoe
GENUS fit SPECIES
Porus major
The great titmouse is the largest of the European titmice. Highly
agile, this lively bird entertains bird-watchers with its acrobatic
antics as it searches for insects and other food.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 5-6 in.
Weight: About ~ oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: Early spring.
No. of broods: 1, rarely 2.
Eggs: Up to 12. White with
reddish spots.
Incubation: 13-14 days.
Fledging period: 16-22 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable, forming flocks of
6 or more. Often flocks with other
titmice.
Diet: Insects, seeds, and nuts.
Lifespan: Average 2-3 years, but
few chicks reach adulthood.
RELATED SPECIES
Relatives include the blue titmouse,
Porus caeruleus, in Europe and the
black-capped chickadee, P. otri-
capillus, in North America.
FEATURES OF THE GREAT TIT
Flight: A se-
quence of rapid
wingbeats and
short glides gives
the great titmouse
its "bouncing"
flight.
Range of the great titmouse.
DISTRIBUTION
Found throughout Europe and Asia, from Great Britain and
Portugal to Japan and Malaysia, except above the timberline
in mountain areas and in desert regions and Arctic tundra.
Also found in northwestern Africa.
CONSERVATION
The great titmouse is common throughout its range and is
not in any danger of extinction.
Plumage: Its brightly colored
plumage makes the great titmouse
easy to recognize. But in its wood-
land home, sunlight coming
through the trees makes the blue,
green, yellow, and black
Eggs and nest: The tightly woven
nest has an open top. Up to 12
white eggs are camouflaged with
Male: Coloring
is brighter and
black chest stripe
is broader than
on the female.
reddish flecks.
MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200451 PACKET 45
The great titmouse, or great tit, is one of the most
beautiful birds in Europe. A relative of the black-capped
chickadee, it is easily recognized by its colorful yellow
and black plumage. At home in all types of woodlands,
the great titmouse is also frequently found in gardens,
where it readily moves into birdhouses and
picks up nuts and seeds from bird feeders.
~ H A B I T S
The great titmouse usually lives
in woods but can also be found
in marshes, hedgerows, parks,
and gardens. It is very sociable,
and in winter it often searches
for food in small flocks. Some-
times it is joined by the blue
tit and other woodland birds.
Feeding in flocks is a safety
Right: The
great titmouse
has a range of
songs.
Center: Even
after they leave
the nest, young
great tits may
be fed by their
parents for
several days.
measure. If one bird spots a
predator, it warns the others.
At the start of the breeding
season, the male great tit-
mouse becomes aggressive
and fiercely defends his ter-
ritory. As soon as the eggs
hatch, however, the birds live
together again in harmony.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The great titmouse eats mainly
insects and their larvae, which
it collects from the leaves and
twigs of trees. At times it ham-
mers at bark with its short beak
to find food in the cracks. In
winter insects are scarce, so the
great titmouse eats nuts and
seeds, especially acorns.
The great tit is always on the
left: The great titmouse's varied
diet includes buds, seeds, spiders,
and caterpillars.
DID YOU KNOW?
In its search for food, the
great tit has learned how
to pierce the top of a milk
bottle to get at the cream.
In the 1 700s, French kings
kept great tits in cages and
trained them to do tricks.
To get food for their hun-
gry chicks, great tits may leave
move, flitting from branch to
branch in its search for food.
Because this bird is heavier
than other titmouse species, it
keeps to the lower, stronger
branches. When foraging in a
flock, each bird keeps an eye
on its companions. As soon as
one bird finds food, the others
fly down to share it.
Right: The great titmouse feeds
on insects that it finds on tree
trunks and low branches.
the nest 1,000 times a day.
Only one in six chicks sur-
vives the first year. Only one
in 12 lives to two years.
It is rare for a bird that feeds
its chicks to lay as many eggs
as the great tit does. Usually
only birds whose young feed
themselves lay so many eggs.
The blue, green, yellow, and
black feathers of the great tit-
mouse make it easy to identi-
fy. But this bird can also be
recognized by its noisy call.
More than 50 calls have been
identified, but the great tit' s
most common call sounds like
~ BREEDING
In early spring the male great
t it chooses a territory and de-
fends it against rival males. To
attract a female, he displays his
black throat patch. After mat-
ing, the female builds the nest
il'1 a tree hole or similar cavity.
The male helps by gathering
materials. The nest is lined
"teacher, teacher, teacher."
The great tit will nest in a
birdhouse if there is no suit-
able natural site nearby. It will
also vi sit a bird feeder filled
with nuts and can be seen
cracking open nuts as large
as a hazelnut.
with a soft, warm layer of
moss, hair, and plant down.
The female lays up to 12
eggs at a rate of one egg per
day. While she is laying and
then incubating the eggs, her
mate brings her food.
The eggs hatch after 1 3 to
14 days. Within three or four
days, the parents must spend
all their time feeding the chicks.
Because feeding their young is
so exhausting, great tits pro-
duce more than one brood
only if there is a good food
supply. The fledglings leave
the nest after 1 6 to 22 days.
left: When competing for a mate,
the male great titmouse frightens
rivals with a threat display.
COMMON SWIFT
ORDER
Apodifofmes
FAMILY
Apodidoe
GROUP 2: BIRDS
GENUS &: SPECIES
Apus opus
The common swift spends almost its entire life in the air.
This bird lives up to its name as its long crescent-shaped wings
take it to high speeds to catch flying insects.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: About 6 ~ in.
Wingspan: 16-19 in.
Weight: 1-2 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 4 years.
Breeding season: May to July.
No. of broods: 1 .
Eggs: 2-3, white.
Incubation: About 3 weeks.
Fledging period: 5-8 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Call: Noisy. Utters shrill screams
and screeches.
Habits: Sociable. Spends most of
its time flying.
Diet: Insects caught in flight.
Lifespan: 21 years recorded, but
a longer lifespan is likely.
RELATED SPECIES
There are more than 80 species
of swift, including the familiar
chimney swift, Choetura pelogico,
of North America.
Summer range of the common swift. Winter range.
DISTRIBUTION
Breeds in northwest Africa and most of Europe except in the
far north. To the east its breeding area reaches from Afghan-
istan in the south to southern Siberia in the north.
CONSERVATION
The common swift has suffered from loss of breeding sites in
many parts of Europe, although pairs can increasingly be
found in less polluted urban areas.
IDENTIFYING THE COMMO
Wings: Long
Flight: The swift is
a fast and adept flier.
It wheels and swoops
as it funnels insects
into its gaping
. mouth.
and sickle-shaped.
The common swift
alter the speed of its left
and right wings
independently, enabling it
to turn sharply and
powerfully.
MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Plumage:
Overall dark
gray-brown,
with ash gray
chin and fore-
head.
ciaws: Tiny but
very strong, on
short feet. Able
to cling to very
small cracks in a
cliff or wall.
PRINTED IN U.S.A
THROAT POUCH
The swift stores insects in an
expanding throat pouch to take
them back to its nestlings.
FLOCKING SWIFTS
Swifts can be seen racing noisily
over roofs as they prepare for a
night's flying.
0160200431 PACKET 43
The common swift spends the winter in Africa,
and it can be seen in Europe and parts of Asia from May
to July. Although not related, the swift is sometimes
compared to the swallow family because of its agility
in flight and its habit of nesting on buildings.

The common swift feeds in
flight and spends most of its
nights in the air. It even drinks
and bathes without alighting
on the ground, landing only to
nest or to rest on high perch-
ing places. At dusk, noisy flocks
utter shrill screams as they circle
upward for a night in the air.
With its long, pointed, stiff
wing feathers, the swift is well
adapted for flight. It hardly uses
its tiny legs and feet. But it has
strong, sharp claws that enable
it to cling to vertical rock faces
or walls. In this way the bird
can rest on its migratory flights
between Africa and Europe.
The common swift's flight
combines short glides with very
fast wingbeats. The bird can
move one wing faster than the
other. This ability serves as an
important means of steering,
since the tail is too short to be
an efficient rudder on its own.
The common swift has an
average cruising speed of about
25 miles per hour, which is
much faster than that of swal-
lows and martins. As a result,
the swift can nest in towns and
cities, even though flying in-
sects are scarce there. The swift
simply travels widely over the
surrounding countryside to find
its airborne prey.
Not only are swifts frequently
more numerous in cities than
swallows, but as a group they
are now probably more numer-
ous than they were when Eu-
rope was largely covered by
forests. One reason is that
buildings provide many more
nesting sites than the cliffs
where they formerly nested.
Above: The swift often flits
around old buildings looking
for a place to nest.

In August the common swift
leaves Europe to spend the
winter in Africa. It returns in
April and breeds from May to
July. The short breeding period
is time for only one brood.
Although the young start the
long flight to Africa soon after
leaving the nest, common
swifts are less likely than many
other bird species to die in
their first year.

Common swifts mate in flight,
after which they build a nest
on a flat surface, either in a
crevice on a cliff, in a hole in a
wall, or under roof eaves. The
nest is a shallow cup of plant
materials and feathers that the
birds cement with sticky saliva
from their special glands.
The female lays two or three
left: Even with tiny claws, the
swift can cling easily to a cliff
when it needs to rest.
DID YOU KNOW?
The swift's short legs and
small feet hamper it from tak-
ing flight from flat ground.
It cannot raise its body high
enough to open its wings.
The spinetailed swift from
eastern Asia is thought to be
the fastest swift. It can fly
FOOD & FEEDING
The common swift feeds on
flying insects, catching most of
them in the air at high speeds.
It stretches open its tiny bill,
which acts as a funnel to draw
in the insects. It can store the
insects it catches in a throat
pouch to take back to the nest
to feed its young.
Below: The fledgling may spend
several weeks in the nest before it
is fully independent.
eggs, which both adults incu-
bate. The young are often left
uncovered while the parents
seek food, but they can survive
low temperatures by becom-
ing sluggish to save energy.
The fledging period depends
on the supply of food. In bad
weather the young may not fly
until they are eight weeks old.
When the young leave the nest
they must be self-sufficient and
able to fly for long stretches, as
they will be migrating soon.
almost 200 miles per hour.
The African palm swift uses
saliva to glue feathers to a
palm leaf, then glues one or
two eggs to this vertical pad.
The parents incubate the eggs
by clinging to the vertical
surface with their claws.
""CARD 123]
ROCK PTARMIGAN


ORDER
Galliformes
FAMILY
Phasianidae
The rock ptarmigan is a member of the grouse family that gets
its name from its rocky habitat in the Arctic. This bird
is well adapted to the cold regions where it lives.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 13-15 in.
Wingspan: 21-24 in.
Weight: 16-20 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: May to July.
No. of broods: 1 .
Eggs: Usually 5-10.
Incubation: 24-26 days.
Fledging period: About 10 days.
LIFESTYLE
Call: Various croaks and clucks.
Habit: Solitary. Male mates with
one, sometimes two, females.
Diet: Low-growing vegetation,
according to season.
Lifespan: Average 4-5 years.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 2 other species in the
genus Lagopus: the willow
ptarmigan, L. lagopus, and the
white-tailed ptarmigan, L. leucurus.
Range of the rock ptarmigan.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in northern Alaska, northern Canada, Iceland, Spits-
bergen, Scandinavia, and across Siberia to the Bering Sea,
northern and central Kurils, and Japan. Also found in Scot-
land, the Pyrenees, and the Alps.
CONSERVATION
Given its harsh habitat, the rock ptarmigan is little affected
by humans. Its numbers fluctuate but are stable.
FEATURES OF THE ROCK PTARMIGAN
Flight: In spring the male makes
display flights. His black tail patch and
white wings are clearly
Summer plumage: Mottled, gray-
brown upper parts act as camou-
flage against dull vegetation.
Lower parts stay white.
Red eyebrow-shaped
patch is brighter on I
male.
IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILEw PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Eggs: Relatively
large. Rusty
yellow, densely
speckled with dark
spots.
Winter plumage: White
with black edge to tail. Black
face patch on male. Dense
feathers provide insulation
as well as camouflage when
habitat is covered by snow.
Feet: Large and covered with
feathers. On soft snow they spread
the bird's weight so it does not
sink in. The feathers also keep
the feet warm.
0160200491 PACKET 49
The plumage of the rock ptarmigan changes radically
two times a year. In winter its white feathers blend
with the snow covering the ground. In summer,
when the snow melts, the rock ptarmigan's back
turns gray-brown and merges well with rocks
in the surrounding landscape.
~ HABITAT
The rock ptarmigan breeds
mainly on tundra and rocky
mountainsides above the tree
line. In these places the vege-
tation is low, including many
sedges and lichen. The only
taller plants are shrubs that
may grow in the shelter of
gullies or ravines.
In winter the rock ptarmigan
often moves closer to the tree
line, where tall shrubs project
above the snow and offer it
more protection. The bird usu-
ally moves only short distances
between its summer and win-
ter grounds. But rock ptarmi-
gans that breed in particularly
harsh areas may travel quite far
Right: To help it survive, the rock
ptarmigan chick is fairly mature
when it hatches.
south. The female is more like-
ly to move to a protected envi-
ronment in winter, while the
male may remain in a cold and
bleak habitat.
In winter the rock ptarmigan
seeks shelter at night among
rocks or in ravines. It may also
dig a shallow depression in the
snow and lie there with only its
head visible.
~ ADAPTATIONS
The rock ptarmigan is well
adapted to living in its snow-
covered habitat. Its large, feath-
ered feet help it to move easily
across snow. Its winter plum-
age is white with a black edge
on the tail. The male also has a
black face patch.
The female molts (sheds its
feathers) earlier in spring than
Left: Some white remains on the
rock ptarmigan's wing tips and
underparts in summer.
DID YOU KNOW?
It was said that rock ptarmi-
gan chicks flew so early that
bits of shell still stuck to them.
In fact, they cannot fly until
they are 10 days old.
The rock ptarmigan popu-
lation seems to have a six- to
ten-year cycle. It increases,
the male to provide camou-
flage as she incubates her eggs
on the rocky ground. In spring
the bird's wings and belly stay
white, but its upper parts turn
a mottled gray-brown that is
paler on the female. Above
each eye is a red patch, which
is brighter on the male in the
breeding season.
Right: The male starts to lose his
white coloring later in spring
than the female.
then plummets. A successful
reproduction period then re-
stores the numbers.
In popular mountain resort
areas, skiers are a danger to
this bird. Frightened into the
air, it may fly into ski-lift wires
and be killed.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
In winter the rock ptarmigan
may scratch through snow to
find vegetation to eat. But usu-
ally it seeks out places where
the wind has blown off the
snow and exposed plants. In
this season it eats evergreen
herbs and other low-growing
~ BREEDING
In May and June the rock ptar-
migan moves to higher eleva-
tions to breed. The male goes
first to establish a territory. He
chooses a lookout point from
which he can see other birds
approaching. From this point
he chases other males away or
displays to a female.
At the sight of another male,
the bird takes to the air with a
call that sounds like a human
belch. He then spreads his tail
and, with his eye comb erect
and body rocking, chases the
other male away. Rival males
try to hit each other with their
wings and to grasp their oppo-
nent's bill. This struggle can re-
Left: Both the mother and her
offspring are well camouflaged
against their tundra habitat.
vegetation, buds and twigs of
willows and birches, and leaves
of evergreen shrubs.
In spring new plant growth
provides fresh food. By sum-
mer, leaves and flowers are
available, followed in early fall
by berries and seeds.
suit in torn neck feathers and
eye combs.
The male attracts the female
with displays in flight and on
the ground. He usually mates
with only one female but in
some places may mate with
two. The female builds a sim-
ple nest-little more than a de-
pression in the ground-and
incubates the eggs without
help from the male.
The clutch is usually five to
ten eggs. The eggs hatch after
about three and a half weeks.
The chicks are well developed
at hatching, which is necessary
for survival in their bleak sur-
roundings. They leave the nest
almost immediately, but they
are not fully independent for
about 10 weeks.
BLACK SWAN
, , ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
... ORDER
~ Anseriformes
... FAMILY
~ Anatidae
GENUS fit SPECIES
Cygnus atratus
The black swan is the only swan native to Australia. It is also found in
New Zealand, where it was introduced in 1864. The black swan is
now a familiar sight in wildfowl collections throughout the world.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Male, 3-4 ft. Female, slightly
smaller .
Wingspan: 5-6 ft.
Weight: 12-13 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 3-4 years.
Breeding season: Varies with location.
February to August in most areas.
No. of eggs: 4-10, usually 5 or 6.
Incubation period: About 6 weeks.
Fledging period: About 3 months.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable.
Diet: Various plants, including duck-
weed, sedges, and grass.
Lifespan: Up to 1 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The black swan is 1 of 6 swan
species, which include the black-
necked swan, Cygnus melanocory-
phus, and mute swan, C. alar.
Range of the black swan.
DISTRIBUTION
Found throughout most of Australia, where it is native. Intro-
duced to New Zealand in 1864 and now found widely on both
North and South islands.
CONSERVATION
The black swan was hunted by European colonists in the past,
but it has now regained most of its range. It is protected, but
limited control for crop protection is allowed.
FEATURES OF THE BLACK SWAN
Plumage: Uniformly black feathers
with curly tips on the back. The bird's
white Wil)gtips are IDnst clearly vi.s-
ible in flight.
Male
MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Bill : Large
orange-red bill
with white band
near the tip.
Nest: Built from grasses and twigs.
Stationary nests measure about 3 feet
across, but floating nests are usually
much larger.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Eggs: About 5
or 6 pale green
eggs are laid at
intervals of 12
to 24 hours.
0160200471 PACKET 47
The hot, dry climate of Australia may not seem to be
an ideal habitat for swans. Yet the black swan is an
adaptable bird, capable of adjusting to the unpredictable
nature of its environment. It is a strong flier and can cover
great distances in search of fresh water and food.
Although it is a nomadic bird, the black swan will stay
in one place if there is a good food supply.
~ H A B I T A T
The black swan is a nomadic
bird and a powerful flier. It
is one of the most adaptable
of waterfowl and takes to al-
most every kind of wetland
habitat. But it prefers habi-
tats where the water is less
than three feet deep, since
that is the maximum depth
at which it can feed.
During the breeding season
the black swan is commonly
found on and around shallow
lakes. At other times this bird
frequents isolated billabongs
(small, stagnant pools), shel-
tered bays, or saltwater coast-
allagoons.
The black swan ranges wide-
ly across Australia. In its trav-
els it makes use of temporary
habitats such as lakes and
flooded agricultural land. But
the swan will remain in one
place in areas where food and
nest sites are plentiful.
~ BREEDING
The black swan's breeding sea-
son usually coincides with the
rainy season. In northeastern
Queensland it may breed as
early as February, while in west-
ern Australia it may not lay its
eggs until August. During peri-
ods of extended drought, the
bird may not breed at all.
The black swan constructs a
large nest, usually on dry land
but always near water. Some-
times, however, it will nest in
swamps and on rafts of float-
ing debris.
Unlike other swans, the black
swan is tolerant of neighbors.
On small islands whole colonies
Left: Courting black swans swim
together, craning their necks into a
heart shape.
DID YOU KNOW?
During the breeding season
it is not unusual to see a nest
of cygnets adrift on a lake. Al-
though the nest is usually an-
chored to vegetation at first,
it often breaks free.
Black swans usually travel at
night, flying in single file and
at high altitude. As they fly,
of black swans may nest side
by side, with all the nests evenly
spaced apart.
The first pale green egg is laid
just after the nest is begun, and
another four or five eggs are
laid soon after. The adult birds
take turns sitting on the eggs
during the six-week incubation
period. Since incubation begins
when the clutch is almost com-
plete, the light gray cygnets
(young) usually hatch over a
two- or three-day period.
When the first cygnets hatch,
they quickly take to the water
under the wing of a parent.
The other adult stays on the
nest until the remaining eggs
hatch. Then the family unites
in the water.
their trumpeting calls can be
heard clearly.
The first black swans were
shipped to Europe during the
middle of the 18th century.
In England these birds were
at first considered unlucky,
possibly because of their all-
black plumage.
~ BLACK SWAN & MAN
The black swan was once com-
mon throughout Australia. But
colonists hunted it for food and
depleted the population in the
south. The large black bird was
an easy target, especially during
its flightless molting period.
In more remote areas black
swans continued to prosper, as
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The black swan feeds exclu-
sively on plants, including al-
gae and duckweed. It eats
insects or invertebrates only
by accident.
This water bird feeds mainly
while it is swimming. It sub-
merges its head and neck to
reach plants growing beneath
Left: The black swan secretes a
waterproofing oil from its bill,
which it applies to its feathers
when preening.
did those that were introduced
in New Zealand. After receiving
legal protection, the black swan
rapidly increased its numbers.
The population has now grown
so much that its numbers are
controlled in some areas to limit
the damage that large flocks
can do to crops.
Above: A few
hours after
hatching, the
fluffy gray
cygnets take to
the water.
Left: The black
swan prefers to
feed in shallow
water, where
food is more
accessible.
the surface. In deeper water,
it willI/upend," extending
its reach by plunging its long
neck deep into the water and
pointing its tail skyward. It
also wades in the shallows,
nibbling at whatever plants
come within range of its long
neck and powerful red bill.
The black swan is frequently
seen grazing inland, far from
water, as it has a taste for cer-
tain grain crops.
"' CARD 125 I
GREATER RHEA
" GROUP 2: BIRDS


ORDER
Rheiformes
FAMILY
Rheidae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Rhea americana
The greater rhea is a large South American bird that resembles a
small ostrich. The rhea cannot fly, but its powerful legs enable
it to move with great speed across the pampas.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Height: Up to 5 ft. Male slightly
larger than female.
Length of beak: 3-5 in.
Weight: 44-55 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2-3 years.
Breeding season: September to
December.
No. of broods: 1 .
Eggs: 13-30. Ivory or golden
yellow; shiny.
Incubation: 25-40 days, by male.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable. Lives in flocks of
up to 50 birds.
Diet: Grasses and herbs; insects
and other small animals.
Call: Deep, loud "nan-du" call.
RELATED SPECIES
Also from South America, the lesser
rhea, Pterocnemia pennata, is the
only other species in the family
Rheidae.
Range of the greater rhea.
DISTRIBUTION
Inhabits grassy plains in South America, from northeastern Brazil to
central Argentina. Prefers damp areas near rivers or swamps.
CONSERVATION
The greater rhea is hunted for its eggs and for its feathers, which
are used to make feather dusters. The main threat to the bird is
from ranchers, who are fencing off the pampas to provide pas-
ture for cattle and sheep.
FEATURES OF THE GREATER RHEA
Plumage: Grayish brown; useless
for flight. Soft and fluffy on upper
parts and wings. Feathers on thighs
and rump are much shorter and
more compact.
INr: WII nl IFF FAr:T FII pM
Beak: Up to 5
inches long.
Used to bite
PRINTFD IN lJSA
RHEA AND OSTRICH
COMPARED
At a maximum height of 5 feet,
the South American rhea is
much smaller than the African
ostrich, which measures up
to 8 feet.
Feet: 3 large, widely spaced toes give
the bird a sure footing when it runs.
us P 6001 12054 PACKET Fi4
The greater rhea is the largest bird in the Americas.
Although it is a flightless bird, the rhea's wings are large
and well developed. The wings are usually folded over
the bird's body like a cloak. During the breeding season,
the rhea uses its wings in an elaborate courtship ritual.
The wings also help this bird make sudden, sharp changes
in direction when running away from a predator.
~ HABITS
The greater rhea inhabits the
grassy plains of South America
known as the pampas. It pre-
fers areas with tall vegetation
near swamps or rivers.
Greater rheas usually live in
flocks of 20 to 30 birds. Dur-
ing the breeding season, the
flocks separate into smaller
groups made up of 5 to 10
hens (females) and headed
by one cock (male). The cock
leads the hens to his territory,
which he vigorously defends
from rival males.
The greater rhea has excel -
lent hearing and vision. With
its long neck and legs it can
easily see over the tall grass of
the pampas to spot intruders.
The rhea has few enemies,
and it can usually sprint to
safety if it becomes aware of
danger. Its powerful legs and
large, widely spaced toes let it
take long, bounding strides,
each of which may span up to
six and a half feet. If pursued,
the bird takes off at a run with
its neck stretched out in f ront.
To confuse its pursuer, the rhea
utters a series of loud calls. In
addition it keeps swerving and
changing direction, which it is
able to do by spreading out
one wing and then the other
as it runs.
Right: Although the rhea has large
wings, its soft, fluffy feathers are use-
less for flight.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The greater rhea feeds mainly
on herbs and grasses, such as
alfalfa and clover. It also eats
insects and other small ani-
mals, which it catches with
a darting lunge of its long,
curved neck. The rhea gets
most of its water from vege-
tation. It needs to drink only
during dry periods when the
Left: Rhea chicks grow quickly. At
five or six months old, they are the
same size as their parents.
DID YOU KNOW?
During the breeding season,
a rhea cock in a zoo may chase
I his keeper from the cage, just
as a wild bird would chase a
I
rival from his territory.
Flocks of rheas may mingle
with herds of bush deer, which
benefit from the rhea's ability
to detect predators from afar.
plants contain little moisture.
In some regions the rhea is
considered a pest because it
competes with sheep for food.
But some ranchers find the
rhea helpful because it eats
burrs that get tangled in the
sheep's wool . This saves ranch-
ers the trouble of untangling
the sheeps' coats.
Right: The rhea feeds on a variety of
plants but also eats animals such as
insects, snails, and lizards.
One rhea egg is equal in vol-
ume to 12 chicken eggs and is
highly valued as food.
The rhea is also called the
nandu, after the sound of its
loud call.
Argentinian ranchers often
use dogs to keep aggressive
male rheas at bay.
The greater rhea breeds from
September to December, de-
pending on its location. Dur-
ing this time the cocks fight
often, biting and kicking each
other with their necks inter-
twined. After establishing a
breeding flock of hens and
driving rivals from his territo-
ry, the cock begins his court-
ship display. He runs around,
abruptly changing direction,
while his thick feathers billow
out and his neck swings from
side to side. As he does this,
he keeps on uttering his loud
"nan-du" call .
After mat ing with the hens,
the cock finds a dry, sheltered
nest site and lines a shallow
Left: The rhea's
large beak can
serve as a weap-
on. During the
breeding season,
the male may use
it to inflict pain-
ful bites on his
rivals. He may
even snap at
humans that
intrude on his
territory.
hole with vegetation. The cock
watches over the hens as they
lay their eggs. If a hen lays out-
side the nest, the cock uses his
beak to roll the eggs into it.
The cock incubates the eggs
for up to 40 days, stretching
out his neck and hissing vio-
lently to protect them from
intruders. There may be up to
60 eggs in a nest, but up to
30 is more common. Since
the cock cannot incubate all
the eggs, a high percentage
do not hatch.
The cock tends the chicks
for six months, until they are
fully grown and independent.
They reach sexual maturity at
two or three years old.
RED-BILLED QUELEA

ORDER
Posseriformes
FAMILY
P/oceidoe
GENUS &: SPECIES
Que/eo que/eo
The African red-billed quelea is one of the most numerous birds,
with a population of about a hundred billion. It is often described
as a feathered locust because of the damage it does to crops.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 5 in.
Weight: oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: Beginning of
the rainy season. Varies according
to the region.
Eggs: 2-4, pale blue.
Incubation period: 12 days.
Fledging period: 2 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Lives in large flocks.
Diet: The seeds of wild grasses and
cultivated crops.
Lifespan: 2-3 years.
RELATED SPECIES
There are more than 140 species
of weaver and sparrow in the P/o-
ceidoe family. The genus Que/eo in-
cludes the red-headed and cardi -
nal queleas, Q. erythrops and Q.
cardinolis, both confined to Africa.
Range of the red-billed queJea.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in most parts of central and southern Africa south of the
Sahara Desert.
CONSERVATION
In regions where the red-billed quelea raids crops/ it is consid-
ered a pest, and attempts have been made to control it. Its
population has declined recently, but the cause is unknown.
FEATURES OF THE RED-BILLED QUELEA
NONBREEDING PLUMAGE
Outside the breeding season, the
male's brown plumage is similar
to that of the female. He is distin-
guished only by his red beak.
Male: Develops a
black face mask and
a red ti nge to his
chest and head
plumage during the
breeding season.
Bill : Short and
conical. Ideal
for stripping
and crushing
seeds.
1/\1 II c: 11
Eggs: 2-4, pale blue. In-
cubated by the female
for 12 days.
Female: Brownish
yellow plumage
similar to that of a
sparrow.
The red-billed quelea is a highly social bird that
prefers to live and breed in colonies. When large
numbers of these sparrow-size weaver finches take
to the air as a flock, they can easily be mistaken for
clouds of rippling smoke. As they jostle for perches
in a crowded tree, individual birds in the flock
can be seen making quick, darting flights.
~ HABITS
Red-billed queleas inhabit the
grasslands of Africa south of the
Sahara. They fly, feed, and roost
in enormous flocks that frequent-
ly swoop low over water. The
lowest-flying birds drink while
in flight. Like other weaverbirds,
the red-billed quelea is very so-
ciable and lives close to people.
It often devastates cultivated
lands when searching for food.
The quelea has the short, stout
bill of a seedeater. Its crop (the
pouched enlargement of its gul-
let) can hold so much that, when
full, the seeds can be identified
through the taut skin.
Right: The red-billed que/eo builds
its oval nest out of grass among
acacia bushes.
~ BREEDING
Outside the breeding season
the male and the female que-
lea both have brownish yellow
plumage. In the breeding sea-
son the male develops the main
feature of his courtship colora-
tion-a black mask around the
face. The female's bill changes
from red to yellow-brown at the
height of the season.
During courtship the male
builds part of a nest, where he
perches and displays himself to
Left: During the breeding season
the male develops a red tinge on his
crown and chest plumage.
a female. The oval-shaped nest
is completed after mating.
The female lays two to four
pale blue eggs that she incu-
bates for 12 days. When the
chicks have hatched, both par-
ents bring them food. For a few
days the young are fed with
caterpillars and adult insects;
then they are given seeds. At
two weeks of age the chicks
leave the nest. At four weeks
they are entirely independent.
Right: The quelea has a short con-
ical bill that is ideal for its diet
of seeds.
Left: Flocks are
silent most of
the year, but
the birds chat-
ter constantly
throughout
the breeding
season.
DID YOU KNOW?
e The red-billed quelea often ing colonies are so densely
travels 30 to 40 miles each day packed that one small tree
in search of food. Sometimes may hold as many as 500
it migrates vast distances to nests. Up to 6,000 nests have
find a food supply. been seen in larger trees.
e The red-billed quelea is also e Branches sometimes break
commonly known as the red- under the weight of a tightly
billed dioch. packed flock of red-billed
L.-e_T_h_e_r_e_d_-b_i_"e_d_q_U_e_l_ea_'_s _n_es_t_- _ q_U_e_le_a_s_ro_o_'ting tOgeth:.J
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
The red-billed quelea's natural
diet is wild grass seed. At dawn
the flock leaves the roost to
find a good feeding area. The
birds settle together over a
large area of land to eat.
As the day grows hotter, the
red-billed quelea flies off to
roost in a shady place close to
water. There it rests, preens,
and drinks. When the day
cools, the quelea resumes its
search for food before roosting
for the night. If the supply of
grass seed becomes depleted,
the quelea feeds on crops of
wheat, corn, and rice. Thou-
sands of queleas often con-
verge on fields, stripping the
crops bare in a few days.
"'" CARD 127 I
EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK
\ ( ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
.. ORDER
~ Falconiformes
FAMILY
Accipitridae
.. GENUS & SPECIES
~ Accipiter nisus
The Eurasian spa"owhawk almost disappeared from parts of
Europe in the 1960s due to the deadly effects of pesticides. Today,
this bird of prey is widespread throughout the region.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 12-16 in.
Wingspan: About 2 ft .
Weight: Male, 3-7 oz. Female,
6-12 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2 years,
occasionally 1 .
Breeding season: Spring and
early summer.
No. of broods: 1 .
Eggs: 4 to 6, bluish white
speckled with brown.
Incubation: About 5 weeks.
Fledging period: About 4 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Range of the Eurasian sparrowhawk.
DISTRIBUTION
Habit: Solitary except during
breeding season.
Diet: Small birds in flight.
Call: Loud chattering.
Lifespan: 12 years recorded.
Found in coniferous and deciduous woodland, farmland
with groves, and plantations. Breeds throughout Europe
and across Asia to the Pacific; also in northern Africa.
CONSERVATION
RELATED SPECIES
There are about 50 species of the
genus Accipiter in the world.
The Eurasian sparrowhawk was almost wiped out in Great
Britain and parts of Europe by pesticides in the 1960s, but
subsequent protection has enabled its numbers to increase.
FEATURES OF THE EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK
Flight: Great skill in the air.
Darts out of cover at great
speed to kill prey. Flies low over
the ground in open country,
skimming over hedges.
Male: Smaller than female.
Dark gray upper parts;
reddish brown below.
Talons: Large middle talon.
Extremely sharp for
piercing prey.
Bill: Short, but hooked and
sharp for tearing up prey.
Eggs: 4 to 6, bluish
white speckled with
brown. Incubated'for
33-35 days by
female.
Female: Larger than male. Grayish
brown plumage. Brown and white
bars on underparts.
MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200461 PACKET 46
Like all other rap tors, or birds of prey,
the Eurasian sparrowhawk is a master of the air.
It hunts fast-moving small birds, often launching surprise
attacks. Although other rap tors have stronger legs,
the sparrowhawk's slim legs and long talons
enable it to snatch prey easily in the air.
~ H A B I T S
The Eurasian sparrowhawk is
one of Europe's most common
raptors, or birds of prey. In all
species of raptor the female is
heavier, but the weight differ-
ence is most noticeable in spe-
cies like the sparrowhawk that
feed on fast-moving prey.
Like all birds of prey, the spar-
rowhawk is an excellent aerial
hunter. Its long tail acts like a
rudder, and its short, rounded
wings give it extra maneuver-
ability when flying between
trees in dense woodland.
The sparrowhawk has strong,
slim legs and a long middle
talon to make seizing and killing
prey easier. Its sharp, hooked bill
is well suited to plucking feath-
ers and ripping flesh.
Right: The chick depends on its
parents even up to four weeks
after it is fledged.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
The Eurasian sparrowhawk eats
mainly small birds such as the
sparrow, starling, chaffinch, and
thrush. It hides in a tree or bush
and darts out quickly to snatch
the victim in its talons, often kill-
ing it with the impact.
In open country the sparrow-
hawk stays close to cover, flying
low over the ground, skimming
over fences and hedges and
left: The Eurasian sparrowhawk
has large, forward-facing eyes that
enable it to spot prey easily.
I ~ BIRDWATCH
The Eurasian sparrowhawk's
I
chattering call is easy to rec-
ognize. The bird can be readi-
ly spotted in open country,
where it flies low in search of
prey. But in wooded areas, it is
DID YOU KNOW?
About 70 percent of male
sparrowhawks die in their first
year. Some are killed acciden-
tally by females, since they
are small enough to be mis-
taken for prey.
A female sparrowhawk can
be mistaken for a male gos-
then pouncing on any prey.
The female usually catches
the larger birds, such as wood-
pigeons, and forces them to the
ground. The male tends to take
smaller birds, such as tits, often
snatching them out of the air.
The sparrowhawk always
plucks feathers from its dead
prey before eating it. It plucks
large birds on the ground, but
usually carries small prey to a
favorite tree stump or branch
for plucking.
more difficult t o see, since it is
camouflaged by the leaves. In
spring the male sparrowhawk
can be seen performing his
aerial courtship displays high
above the t reetops.
hawk, but a sparrowhawk has
a longer tail with a square
end, and its wings are shorter
than a goshawk's.
In some European countries
it is legal to kill sparrowhawks
because they are mistakenly
believed to kill game.
Breeding occurs in spring and
early summer so that the spar-
rowhawk chicks will hatch when
there are plenty of small birds
to hunt.
The male establishes his terri-
tory and encourages a mate
to enter. His courtship displays
consist of a series of quick soar-
ing and falling movements high
above the treetops.
The female constructs the
Above: The Eur-
asian sparrow-
hawk perches
on a tree stump
to pluck its prey.
left: The bird's
sharp, hooked
bill is small, but
it is extremely
effective for
tearing flesh.
nest, and the male helps collect
some of the materials. The nest
is made of both green and dry
twigs and set in the branches of
a conifer close to the trunk.
The female lays four to six blu-
ish white eggs speckled with
brown. She incubates them un-
til they hatch, about five weeks
later. The chicks are fledged at
four weeks but may stay in the
nest for another four weeks.
""'CARD 128 I
VILLAGE WEAVER
,, ___________ ______________________
... ORDER ... FAMILY ... GENUS &: SPECIES
'11IIIIIIII Passeriformes "'11IIIIIIII Ploceidae "'11IIIIIIII Ploceus cucullatus
The village weaver is little larger than a sparrow, but its noisy
colonies make it easy to locate. The trees in which it breeds are
filled with nests, each a masterpiece of construction.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 6-7 in.
Wing length: 3-4 in.
BREEDING
Breeding season: Varies depend-
ing on region.
No. of broods: 1-3 per female
each season.
Eggs: 2-3. White, pink, blue, or
green. Plain or marked with red-
dish brown.
Incubation: 2 weeks.
Fledging period: About 3 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Colonial. Bold and noisy.
Diet: Seeds and grain.
RELATED SPECIES
The village weaver is one of 100
species of typical weavers that form
the subfamily Ploceinae. A few oc-
cur in southern Asia, and the re-
mainder are African.
Range of the village weaver.
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, except in the far south and
the arid northeast. Introduced in the West Indies, where it is
now a major agricultural pest on some islands.
CONSERVATION
The village weaver is common and abundant, especially near
human settlements. It is regarded as a pest in some areas be-
cause it damages crops.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VILLAGE WEAVER
Female: May
have up to 3
mates in a sin-
gle season.
Eggs: Color
varies from
white to pink,
blue, or green.
I P
Frame: Made
of palm leaves
and grass. The
nest is con-
structed
around the
frame.
PI
Nest: Often grouped
with others in a single large
tree. One tree may have
hundreds of nests.
Male: Does not breed until
second year, so it is out-
numbered by females.
P T
The vii/age weaver has bright red eyes, and the male
is distinguished by its bold yellow-and-black plumage.
It is a familiar bird in much of Africa. It is called
vii/age weaver because it is usually found near
human settlements. At times, however, this bird incurs
the wrath of farmers because it raids their crops.
~ HABITAT
The village weaver is one of
Africa's most abundant and
widespread birds. It is probably
the best known of the weavers,
ranging from the edge of the
Sahara to the grasslands of
southern Africa. This bird is
found in woodland savannas,
grasslands, cultivated lands with
scattered trees, and gardens
at altitudes over 8,000 feet. It
shuns dense tropical forest and
keeps to marshy or wooded
areas in very arid regions. It likes
water, so it appears in the dry
parts of eastern Africa only dur-
ing the summer rains.
As its name implies, the vil-
lage weaver often lives near vil-
lages, especially in western and
central Africa. An entire colony
may even nest in a large village
tree. The birds feed on crops
and visit local dumps.
~ BEHAVIOR
The village weaver is a noisy,
aggressive bird. Its life centers
on its breeding colonies, where
the birds crowd together and
often engage in disputes as they
build and repair their nests. In
central Africa these colonies of-
ten occur next to or even com-
bined with colonies of Vieillot's
black weaver, Ploceus nigem-
mus. Mating between the two
species, with the production of
hybrids, has been recorded.
The village weaver is very
vocal in the breeding season,
DID YOU KNOW?
The male village weaver
varies in coloring. In southem
Africa his head may be gold
flecked with black. In Angola
his head and nape are all
Right: A male
vii/age weaver
begins to build
a nest in be-
tween two
other nests by
making a frame
of grass and
palm leaves.
chattering harshly. But once in
a while the whole colony sud-
denly falls silent. The village
weaver utters repeated "chuck-
chuck" notes when bringing
nesting materials to the colony.
Its alarm call is a sharp "zip."
Like most weavers and spar-
rows, the village weaver has a
thick conical bill for crushing
seeds and grain. It forages for
food both on the ground and
in trees. In some places the
bird is a pest, feeding on crops.
It also eats flower juices.
black. In West Africa a chest-
nut band may separate his
black crown and yellow nape.
A colony may all rise into
the airfor no obvious reason.
Left: Many
African farmers
consider the vil-
lage weaver a
pest because it
often raids their
grain fields in
search of food.
The village weaver's breeding
season varies across its range. In
humid equatorial regions, breed-
ing occurs all year, but other
areas have distinct seasons. In
Nigeria, for example, breeding
occurs from June to August,
while south of the equator in
Angola the season runs from
January to March.
During the breeding season,
the male is a bold yellow, chest-
nut, and black, but normally his
plumage is subdued, like the fe-
male's. He starts to build a nest,
often on a branch overhanging
water. First he constructs a frame
out of long grasses or palm leaf
strips, which he obtains by peck-
ing a hole in a frond, gripping
the torn rim in his beak, and fly-
ing away. The male then weaves
a thick ball- or kidney-shaped
Far left: The
plumage of the
breeding male
vii/age weaver
can be a strik-
ing blend of
black, yellow,
and chestnut.
But outside the
nesting season,
the male's col-
oring is more in
keeping with
the female's
subdued hues.
Left; The
female vii/age
weaver is not
as showy as
her male
counterpart.
nest around the framework.
The nest's entrance is under-
neath, and the male hangs up-
side down next to it, beating his
wings and chattering to attract a
female. His mate completes the
nest by lining it with seed heads
and other soft material.
After mating, the male takes
little further interest in the nest.
He may start another nest and
attract another mate. Most vil-
lage weavers are polygamous:
males have up to five mates
and females up to three each
season. In many colonies fe-
males outnumber males.
Incubation and the rearing
of young are left to the female.
She lays two or three eggs and
incubates them for about two
weeks. Three weeks later, the
young are ready to fly.
EURASIAN WOODCOCK
ORDER
Charadriiformes
FAMILY
Scolopacidae
GENUS & SPECIES
Scolopax rusticola
CARD 129
The Eurasian woodcock is a member of the sandpiper family that
has taken to living in forests and damp heathland. It uses its
long bill to probe the ground for earthworms.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 1 3-14 in.
Bill length: 2 ~ - 3 in.
Weight: 1 0-11 oz.
Wingspan: About 2 ft.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Female, 1 year.
Male, 2 years.
Breeding season: Late March to
early April.
No. of broods: 1 .
Eggs: Usually 4.
Incubation: 3 - 3 ~ weeks.
Fledging period: 2-3 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Solitary except during the
breeding season.
Diet: Mainly earthworms and
ground-dwelling insects.
RELATED SPECIES
Belongs to the sandpiper family.
Related to the American wood-
cock, Scolopax minor, and com-
mon snipe, Galfinago gallinago.
Range of the Eurasian woodcock.
DISTRIBUTION
Lives in Great Britain, non-Mediterranean Europe, and east to
Japan, except in the extreme north. Northern birds winter in
western Europe, the Mediterranean, and southern Asia.
CONSERVATION
Although it is hunted across most of its range, the woodcock is
successful probably because of its camouflaging plumage. Its
main threat is habitat destruction.
FEATURES OF THE EURASIAN WOODCOCK
Flight: As the bird rises from
covering vegetation, the flapping
of its wings sounds like a piece of
stiff paper being torn in half.
Eggs: Well camouflaged
with chestnut blotches to
blend in with leaf debris.
Young: The female woodcock is
one of the few birds that carries
her young against her body 1 f
when flying from danger. r
Ci Mr.MXC:1 IMP BV/ IMP INC: WI LDI IFF FAC: T RINT A.
Eyes: Set far back
on the head to allow
vision while bill is
buried in ground.
Bill: Size varies but
usually long
and effective for
probing. Some
woodcocks
have abnormally
short bills.
1 2 4 1 A 4
The Eurasian woodcock is so well camouflaged that it can
be almost invisible when on the ground. The bird's body
and wing plumage is dark brown, mottled with yellow,
cream, and black. Underneath, the plumage is light brown
with dark brown bars. The crown of the head is patterned
with dark and light stripes. The woodcock's chicks
and its eggs are also well camouflaged.
~ HABITS
The Eurasian woodcock is a
solitary bird that lives in for-
ests and damp heathland. Its
rounded wings and squat,
dumpy body make it easy to
spot in flight. It flies with its
long, straight bill pointed down-
ward, except when it is calling.
The woodcock is hunted
The Eurasian woodcock is not
easy to find because it is so
well camouflaged. If it is dis-
turbed it will rise straight up
from the ground and flyaway
quickly, whirring its wings.
both for sport and for food,
but its camouflaging plumage
helps to protect it from hunt-
ers. It conceals itself on the
ground in dense cover and re-
mains perfectly still. Then, just
before it is stepped on, it flies
straight up into the air, beat-
ing its wings rapidly.
This bird is easier to spot
when it is flying, especially
during spring, when the
male makes regular circular
display flights over the breed-
ing area at dawn and dusk. J
~ BREEDING
The male Eurasian woodcock
displays in spring. At dawn and
dusk he flies low in a circle over
the breeding area and sings. His
display flight, called roding, lasts
about 20 minutes while he looks
for females on the ground. The
same circular route is repeated
day after day, and several males
may display over the same area.
The male also displays on the
ground, strutting around each
Left: The Eurasian woodcock is a
solitary bird except during the
mating season in spring.
DID YOU KNOW?
The woodcock is among
the few birds that carry their
young when in danger. The
female presses a chick to her
body with bill and feet and
flies with it to safety.
If the nest is threatened,
the female woodcock will
fake injury in order to divert
female with his chest feathers
fluffed out and wings droop-
ing down.
After mating, the male stays
with the female until she lays
the eggs, but he takes no part
in incubation or rearing the
chicks. Four yellowish eggs
with brown blotches are laid in
a scrape (hole in the ground)
lined with moss and leaves.
The eggs are incubated for 20
to 24 days. The chicks fly at
two to three weeks and are in-
dependent at five to six weeks.
a predator from her chicks.
The woodcock can see well
at dusk. Its eyes are set far
back on the head so it can see
even with its bill buried in soil.
Woodcocks are the only
members of the sandPi:J er
family that live in woodland
rather than by water.
Above: The de-
tailed camou-
flage markings
of its plumage
help the Eur-
asian wood-
cock survive
even though it
is hunted for
sport.
Left: The
woodcock for-
ages in damp
ground, where
its sensitive bill
can probe for
the earthworms,
insects, and
larvae that are
its main diet.
Above: Even at
one day old, the
woodcock chick
is camouflaged
and blends in
with the under-
growth and
leaves in its
habitat. In this
way the chick is
well protected
from daytime
predators.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
The Eurasian woodcock's main
food is earthworms, but it also
eats beetles, earwigs, caterpil-
lars, spiders, and centipedes.
The woodcock feeds mainly
at dusk on damp ground. It
probes soft soil with its long,
slender bill, which it buries al-
most completely when it de-
tects food. The bird then twists
the tips of the bill outward to
grasp its victim. If the prey is
very small, the woodcock may
swallow it before removing its
bill from the soil.
During bad weather the
woodcock sometimes probes
for freshwater mollusks near
tidal rivers.
"' CARD 130 I
ROYAL ALBATROSS

.. ORDER
'1IIIIIIII Procellariiformes
FAMILY
Diomedeidae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Diomedea epomophora
The royal albatross and its relative the wandering albatross
are the largest of all seabirds. For years biologists failed to
recognize that these ocean birds were separate species.
____
SIZES
Length: ft.
Wingspan: 1 0-11 ft.
Weight: Up to 27 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 6-10 years.
Egg-laying: November or Decem-
ber in the southern summer.
Egg: 1, large and white.
Incubation: 2-3 months.
Fledging period: About 8 months.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Solitary. Usually seen flying
over the sea. Breeds in low-density
colonies.
Diet: Fish, squid, crustaceans.
Lifespan: Up to 58 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The wandering albatross, Diome-
dea exulans; the Amsterdam alba-
tross, D. amsterdamensis; and the
royal albatrosses are known collec-
tively as the "great" albatrosses.
Range of royal albatrosses.
DISTRIBUTION
Breed on Chatham, Campbell, and Auckland islands in the
South Pacific and on South Island, New Zealand. Nonbreeders
range widely over the southern oceans.
CONSERVATION
In 1940 there were an estimated 19,000 pairs of royal alba-
trosses. The population is vulnerable to the effects of pollution
and overfishing because of its low birth rate.
FEATURES OF ROYAL ALBATROSSES
Bill: Hooked and
powerful. Ideal
for catching and
tearing apart fish
and squid.
Egg: White. Large size and
long incubation months)
allow chick to develop.
Wings: Large surface area of wings
compensate for the bird's great
Plumage: There are 2 races of royal albatross: the north-
ern race, [)fomedea epomophora sanfordi, and the south-
ern race, D. e. epemophora. Sanfordl: shown here, has a
compl etely black upper wing. Epomophora has mucl:! more
white on the leading edge of the upper wing.
body wei ght. Long, narrow
wings are ideal for soaring
in updrafts and gliding on
ocean currents.
MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200471 PACKET 47
Propelled by the wind, a royal albatross can glide
for hours over the sea on its long, narrow wings.
An immature bird will roam widely for years across
the southern oceans. But a mature adult rarely strays
far from its breeding site on islands in the South Pacific.
Only when gathering food for its young does the
mature bird make a long flight over the sea.
~ HABITS
Stretching its huge wings out
stiffly, a royal albratross can
glide for hours without a sin-
gle wingbeat. This bird rides
the wind with ease, gliding at
speeds of up to 60 miles per
hour. Flying in this way allows
a royal albatross to cover vast
stretches of ocean without
using much energy.
Problems arise, however,
when the wind slows. A royal
albatross must then alternate
short glides with tiring bursts
of flapping. If conditions are
too calm, the bird must rest
on the sea until the wind picks
up. Its long wings and heavy
body are then a drawback:
the albatross needs a long run
to become airborne.
An adult royal albatross is
most commonly seen when
hunting for food for its young
near breeding sites in New
Zealand and on islands in the
South Pacific.
Immature birds appear to
spend their first six years cir-
cling the southern oceans.
They are regularly seen off the
South American coast as far
north as Peru and southern
Brazil. Later they tend to re-
turn to the breeding region,
lingering around their old
nesting sites before settling
down to breed.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
Royal albatrosses feed on fish,
squid, krill, and other crus-
taceans. They take food from
the ocean's surface, some-
times dipping below the sur-
face to grasp a fish. The bird's
sharp hooked bill is ideal for
holding fish and tearing flesh.
Because some sea animals,
including squid, move to the
surface of the water at night,
royal albatrosses often feed in
Left: Like other albatrosses, royal
albatrosses have distinctive tube
nostrils on their bills.
DID YOU KNOW?
The low birth rate of royal
albatrosses is balanced by long
life and low mortality. Only
about 3 out of 100 birds die
each year.
The two-and-a-half month
incubation period of royal al-
batrosses is one of the longest
among birds.
the dark. They sometimes cir-
cle trawlers in order to snatch
discarded fish and refuse, but
they scavenge less often than
wandering albatrosses.
During the breeding season,
an adult albatross often flies
hundreds of miles over the sea
to gather food for its nestling.
When the parent returns, it
regurgitates half-digested
food for the chick.
Right: Rarely together at the nest,
male and female take turns incu-
bating their egg.
Unlike most birds, royal al-
batrosses may court at sea and
arrive at breeding grounds
already paired.
If disturbed, a young chick
may spit an oily, smelly sub-
stance at intruders. This by-
product of its fish diet is also
used to waterproof feathers.
~ BREEDING
In October many breeding
adults return to the colonies
where they mated two years
earlier. These colonies are on
islands in the South Pacific and
off New Zealand. The male
usually arrives first to prepare
a new nest site or restore an
old one.
An unpaired adult searches for
a mate. The pairs of birds then
engage in striking courtship ritu-
als, facing each other with their
bills pointed upward and wings
spread. Old pairs perform simi-
lar displays.
Left: The chick's fat reserves and
down help it fight cold in the nest
for eight months.
Left: Royal
albatrosses
conserve ener-
gybygJiding
on air currents
over water.
Their webbed
feet act as sta-
bilizers in flight
and as air
brakes when
landing.
The nest is about 30 inches
wide and filled with wet mud
and grass. The male and female
take turns incubating the egg
for about a week at a time.
After hatching, the chick is
brooded for four to five weeks.
Then both parents fly out to
find food. As sea trips become
longer, feeding visits are less
frequent. After eight months at
the nest site, the parents leave
their young. They retire to the
sea for several months of rest,
which they need after more
than a year's breeding effort.
Royal albatrosses are therefore
among the few birds that
breed only every two years.