HAMERKOP

'\
~ ~ i ~ ~ ~ ~ r m e s ~
FAMILY
Scopidae
The hamericop is a wading bird that is widespread throughout
Africa. Using twigs and mud, it builds an enormous chambered
nest that can measure more than six feet across.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: About 2 feet. The male is
slightly larger than the female.
Wingspan: 3 ft.
Weight: About 1 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2-3 years.
Breeding season: Varies
according to locality.
Eggs: 3-6, white.
Incubation: 1 month.
Fledging: 7 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Usually seen singly or in
pairs. Sometimes small flocks.
Diet: Small fish, amphibians, and
insects.
RElATED SPECIES
The hamerkop is the only member
of the family Scopidae.
Range of the hamerkop.
DISTRIBUTION
The hamerkop is found throughout Africa, south of the
Sahara Desert.
CONSERVATION
The hamerkop is not in danger of extinction at present.
FEATURES OFTHf HAMERKOP
Flight: Alternately flaps
slowly and glides.
Plumage in flight:
Orange-brown with
li ghter tail and wi ngtips.
MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Eggs: 3 to 6, white.
Incubated by both parents.
Hatch after 30 days.
Bill: Bl ack, heavy like a
heron's but hooked at
the ti p.
Feeding: Eats small fish,
and insects. Waits
in shallows or on bank
and scoops up prey in
its bill. May also swoop
on prey from air.
0160200461 PACKET 46
Although the hamerkop is the only member of the
family Scopidae, it resembles a stork in flight, and it
has a bill similar to that of a heron. Its name is the
Afrikaans word for "hammerhead" and refers
to the bird's distinctive brown crest.

Usually seen singly or in pairs,
the hamerkop may also gather
in small flocks. This bird has a
habit of calling shrilly just be-
fore rainfall. During courtship
it leaps and hops around its in-
tended mate in a ritual that is
described by some observers
as comical. Most active in day-
time, this bird is usually seen
in shallow water or in flight.
When flying, the hamerkop
resembles a stork but moves
more slowly.
Below: The hamerkop has a loud,
raucous cry.
Left: An adult
hamerkop
searches for
prey beneath
the mirror-calm
surface ofa
lake in Kenya.
Right: The
hamerkop is
thought to pair
for life. It rein-
forces this bond
with comical-
looking court-
ship acts.
FOOD & HUNTING
The hamerkop prefers a habi-
tat with tree cover near rivers,
marshes, and estuaries. It pa-
trols the banks or shallows on
its long legs, using its keen eye-
sight to spot the movements
of frogs, insects, and small fish.

The hamerkop builds a huge
dome-shaped nest with an
entrance tunnel and a small
nursery room inside. Both part-
ners build the nest, usually in a
tree or on a cliff. The walls are
a foot thick, and the roof is
over twice as thick.
The pair works closely on
the nest, which takes about
six weeks to build. One bird
passes a stick through the
Then it scoops up the prey in
its flattened bill. Sometimes
the hamerkop flies slowly over
the water, searching out prey
before spooning it up.
Below: Clean shallows yield fish,
frogs, and insects.
structure, while the other pulls
it from the opposite side. Once
most of the sticks are in place,
one bird coats the nest with
mud. Finally, a lining of grass
is added. Such a nest is highly
prized by other birds such as
owls, who evict the hamerkop
if they can.
Right: Built by both adults, the
dome-shaped nest is a fortress of
sticks and mud.
The hamerkop probably pairs
for life. Its breeding season
varies according to locality.
Both parents incubate the
eggs and feed their three to six
chicks. When they hatch, the
chicks are covered in grayish
DID YOU KNOW?
Since the chicks are at
little risk from predators
it is not clear why the ha-
merkop builds such a
large and protective nest.
A hamerkop's nest can
bear a man's weight.
Some African tribes be-
lieve the hamerkop has
magical powers. Others
see it as an evil omen and
l
leave their huts if it sits
on a roof or flies above.
down. After a month, they are
fully feathered. They are ready
to leave the nest 20 days later
and disperse soon afterward.
The parents usually return to
the same nest the following
year to rear another brood.
"' CARD 132 I
FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK
' ( ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
~
ORDER
Anseriformes
FAMILY
Anatidae
~ GENUS & SPECIES
~ Dendroeygna bie%r
The fulvous whistling-duck is a long-legged and long-necked bird.
This gooselike duck gets its name from the loud and somewhat
shrill whistling call it makes when it is flying.
SJ KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 17-21 in.
Wing length: 8-9 in.
Weight: 20-30 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: Varies depending
on location.
No. of eggs: 8-1 6, pale buff.
Incubation period: 4 weeks.
Fledging period: 8-12 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable, freshwater dab-
bling duck.
Diet: Aquatic vegetation, insects,
and invertebrates.
Lifespan: Usually 3 years. In cap-
tivity, up to 20 years.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 8 other species, including
the Indian whistling-duck, Dendro-
cygna javanica, and the white-faced
whistling-duck, D. viduata.
I
Body: The head shape is very
distinctive with a steep fore-
head and a wedge-shaped
gray bill . The general coloring
is brownish yellow with
streaks of white and black.
MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Range of the fulvous whistling-duck.
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread in southern parts of North America. Also found in
South America, Africa, central Asia, and Southeast Asia.
CONSERVATION
Despite its adaptability and mobility, the fulvous whistling-duck
suffers from continuing habitat loss and local persecution. It has
become rare in India and in some other parts of its range.
PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200511 PACKET 51
The fulvous whistling-duck is one of nine species
of whistling-duck that can be found throughout
the tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
This duck is among the most widespread of all
birds, and it is the only species of waterfowl
to breed in all four hemispheres.
~ HABITS
The fulvous whistling-duck is a
very sociable duck that flocks
with its own kind and readily
associates with other waterfowl
species. It is found on four con-
tinents and inhabits a variety
of freshwater habitats from
marshes to lakes at altitudes up
to 5,000 feet. Most often it lives
in the lowlands on open waters
with dense fringe vegetation,
DID YOU KNOW?
The fulvous whistling-duck
is also known as the large
whistling teal. Another name
is the Mexican or Texan
squealer-because it squeals
when it takes to the air.
Although its range spans
but it will readily take advan-
tage of fresh feeding grounds
or more suitable nesting sites.
The fulvous whistling-duck
produces loud, often harsh
and metallic whistling calls
when feeding and flying. A
slow but able flyer, it is easily
recognized in the air by its
long neck, hunched shoulders,
and trailing feet.
four continents, the fulvous
whistling-duck is remarkably
uniform in size and color.
Female whistling-ducks
may lay their eggs together
in "dump nests." One nest
may contain over 100 eggs.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
Early and late in the day, the ful-
vous whistling-duck feeds in
small groups. It dabbles, reach-
ing with its bill to the bottom of
the water, and upends to eat
seeds, leaves, and stems as well
as various crustaceans and water
invertebrates. It finds most of its
Left: The ful-
vous whistling-
duck prefers to
live in groups
rather than on
its own. In the
early evening
the birds gath-
er in the shal-
lows to feed,
calling to each
other with their
distinctive
whistling song.
food at the shallow edges of
lakes and slow-flowing rivers.
At home on land, the fulvous
whistling-duck stands and walks
like a small goose. It grazes and
pokes about bankside vegeta-
tion. It also feeds on nearby
crops, annoying farmers.
Right: Both
parents build
the nest from
the surround-
ing vegetation.
After gathering
the materials,
they trample
the grasses
down to form
the nest shape.
Left: The ful-
vous whistling-
duck is related
to the goose
family. Its ele-
gant neck and
its long legs
make it look
more like a
goose than
a duck.
~ BREEDING
Untike most ducks, fulvous
whistling-ducks form a strong
pair bond when they are about
a year old; this usually lasts for
life. Within the duck's range, the
breeding season varies so that
the ducklings hatch when food
is most abundant.
The fulvous whistling-duck
often nests in colonies close to
the water. The nest is made of
aquatic vegetation, trampled
down by both parents.
Whistling-ducks are renowned
for the large number of eggs
that they lay, and the fulvous
whistling-duck is no exception.
Clutches of up to 1 6 eggs are
not uncommon and take more
than two weeks to lay. The par-
ents take turns incubating the
eggs for a month. Soon after
the ducklings hatch, they are
led to the water, where they
swim in perfectly straight lines.
Young ducks mature slowly and
often remain near their parents
until the next breeding season.
Above: Most
families of ful-
vous whistling-
ducks are larger
than the one
shown here,
numbering up
to 16 chicks.
The young
usually stay
close to their
mother for
about a year.
~ FUlVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK & MAN
The fulvous whistling-duck has
suffered a worldwide decline in
numbers due to increasing pol-
lution of its habitats. In some
parts of India the duck is now
rare, and the increasing aridity
of sub-Saharan Africa has also
led to a population decline.
With the use of safer chemicals,
however, the duck population
has been slowly rising.
Some farmers consider this
duck a pest and actively de-
stroy it. It is also hunted, but
its slow flight is unchallenging,
and its flesh tastes bad.
""CARD 133 I
TODY
,, __________________________________ __
ORDER
Coraciiformes
FAMILY
Todidae
GENUS
Todus
Todies are small, brilliantly colored birds that are native to the larger
islands of the Caribbean. The five species of tody are closely related
to the South American motmots, another colorful family of birds.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 4-5 in.
Weight: oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 -2 years.
No. of broods: 1 per year.
Breeding season: May and June.
Eggs: White, round; usually 2-4
per clutch.
Incubation period: 20 days.
Fledging period: 3 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Range of the tody.
DISTRIBUTION
Call: Harsh, chattering sound.
Habit: Territorial. Lives in pairs.
Diet: Bees, wasps, dragonflies,
beetles, butterflies, and other in-
sects; also young lizards and small
animals.
Lifespan: Unknown.
Found in forests and wooded mountains on the four largest
islands of the Caribbean: Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and
Hispaniola.
RELATED SPECIES
CONSERVATION
The 5 species of tody are closely re-
lated to the motmots of South and
Central America.
Conservation measures do not seem to be necessary at the
present time.
THE FIVE SPECIES OF TODY
Narrow-billed
lody: Has a
rose pink color
on the breast
and a longer,
narrower bill .
Cuban lody: This species has a
white breast and a patch of
pink on its flanks.
Legs: The front three toes
are fused together. The
legs are protected by horny
scales, like those of the kingfisher.
Puerto Rican lody: Distinguished
by a band of yellow on its flanks.
Jamaican 10 .
Known locally as
"robin redbreast."
Has a slight hint
of green on its
breast feathers.
MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Broad-billed
lody: Has a
faint pink-and-
yellow coloring
and a shorter,
fatter bill than
other species.
0160200531 PACKET 53
All five species of tody are a striking iridescent green
with a bright red throat. The main difference between
the species is the color of their underparts, which may be
white or pale gray with flashes of yellow on the belly and
pink on the flanks. But despite their distinctive coloring,
todies are easy to overlook because of their tiny size.
~ H A B I T S
A tody spends much of the day
perched in a tree with its bill
pointed upward. Occasionally it
swoops out of the tree to feed
on passing insects.
A tody has a harsh, chatter-
ing call. In flight, it makes a
buzzing sound with its wings.
It has a special flight feather
that produces a whirring noise
when it flies. Both male and
female make this noise during
the mating season.
Although it may live alone,
a tody usually lives with a
mate. The pair keeps to a
small, well-defined territory,
which the male defends by
rattling his pointed bill to
chase away any other birds.
Todies live in forests and
wooded mountains, often be-
side streams. They are called
by many different names, de-
pending on the species and
its location. For example, the
Jamaican tody (Todus todus)
is called "robin redbreast" in
Jamaica because it has a red
throat. Cubans call the Cu-
ban tody (T. multicolor) the
barranco-rio, which means
"river gorge," because it of-
ten digs its nesting cavity in
a steep riverbank.
Right: A tody perches on a branch,
waiting to swoop down on a pass-
ing insect.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
Todies eat flying insects such
as bees, wasps, dragonflies,
beetles, and butterflies. They
also feed on young lizards and
other small animals, swooping
down to the ground to catch
their prey.
A tody usually plucks insects
from the undersides of leaves.
It may also perch on a branch
close to the ground and scan
the air, looking for prey. A
tody will dart out at a passing
left: A tody has a long beak that
is specially adapted for plucking
insects from the air.
insect, catch it with its long
bill, and then return to the
perch to consume its catch.
The upper part of a tody's
bill has a serrated edge for
crushing hard-bodied insects
before they are eaten. When
it feeds on a large-winged
insect like a butterfly, a tody
swallows the body whole
after tearing off the insect's
wings by beating it against
a branch.
Right: After catching its prey, a
tody returns to its branch before
swallowing the insect.
At the start of the breeding
season, a pair of todies digs a
tiny nest burrow, usually in a
banked site near a stream or
road. The burrow is in soft,
moist earth about 12 to 18
inches above the base of the
bank. Both sexes work on the
burrow, using their feet and
long bills to dig a narrow tun-
nel about a foot long. The en-
trance is just wide enough for
the birds to squeeze through.
After a sharp turn near the en-
trance, the tunnel opens into a
round nesting chamber about
the size of a man's fist.
The female lays two to four
DID YOU KNOW?
In displaying to a female, a
male tody droops his wings
and fluffs his feathers so he
looks twice his usual size.
A chick is fed an average of
'40 times a day.
A tody's eggs are very large
for such a small bird. Each
egg weighs up to 39 percent
round, translucent white eggs
on the bare floor of the nesting
chamber. Both parents take
turns incubating the eggs,
which hatch after 20 days.
The chicks are born naked,
pink, and blind, but their eyes
open after about a week. They
are fed insects by both parents.
In feeding their young, breed-
ing parents accept help from
other pairs of birds. The chicks
fledge in about three weeks
but stay close to their parents
for a few weeks more until they
can catch their own food. The
young birds lack the red throat
patch of the adult todies.
of an adult's body weight.
After todies breed, their
burrows are often taken
over by animals like mice.
Todies are easy to tame
but difficult to keep. One
bird in the Bronx Zoo ate
almost half its weight in
food every day.
"" CARD 1 34 I
TYRANT FLYCATCHER
, , ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
... ORDER .... FAMILY
~ Passeriformes ~ Tyrannidae
GENERA
Tyrannus, Conopias, Pitangus, etc.
Tyrant flycatchers are a large family of perching birds with a range
that spans the Americas. Although they differ in habit and
appearance, all of the species share a taste for insects.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 2-20 in. Male usually lon-
ger than female.
Weight: ~ - 3 oz. Male usually heavi -
er than female.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year in most
species.
No. of broods: Usually 1 .
Breeding season: Spring and early
summer.
Eggs: 2-8, usually 3-4. White,
often mottled brown.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Territorial.
Diet: Insects, berries, and tropical
fruits. Larger species also eat small
fish, lizards, and snakes.
Call: Whistled or warbled notes.
RELATED SPECIES
There are over 300 species of
tyrant flycatcher. All of them are
found in the Western Hemisphere.
Range of tyrant flycatchers.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in open country, scrub, woodlands, and rainforests from
Canada south to Tierra del Fuego; also in the West Indies and
Galapagos Islands. Migratory species live farthest north.
CONSERVATION
Conservation measures do not seem to be necessary at this
time, although some tropical species may be declining due
to habitat destruction.
FEATURES OF TYRANT FLYCATCHERS
Eggs: Most
species lay from
2 to 8 eggs.
Usually white,
often mottled
brown.
Tail: Long. Allows rapid changes of
direction when chasing
prey in the air.
.9 MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A .
Chasing flight: -r
Highlyaggres-
sive in breeding
season. Will
chase much
larger birds from
its territory.
Crest: Shows
only at times of
stress or
agg ression.
EASTERN KINGBIRD
(Tyrannus tyrannus)
This common tyrant flycatcher
species nests in southern Canada
and much of the United States.
Bee: The eastern
kingbird's fa-
vorite prey. For
this reason, the
kingbird is also
known by the
names "beebird"
and "bee martin."
0160200481 PACKET 48
Over 300 species of tyrant flycatcher have been recorded
and named to date, but there are probably even more
living in the remote parts of the South American
rainforests. Some species have very long forked
tails, and a few are brightly colored. But the
most common species of tyrant flycatcher are
drab brownish gray or a dull olive color.
~ H A B I T S
Tyrant flycatchers live in habi-
tats that vary from evergreen
forests in northern Canada to
rainforests in South America.
They are found in great num-
bers, although some species
have a very restricted distribu-
tion. A few species live on the
ground, but most tyrant fly-
catchers are tree-dwellers.
Some species pair for life and
are territorial year-round. Other
birds form flocks of up to several
hundred mixed species when
not breeding.
The birds that breed in North
America usually migrate to Cen-
tral and South America in late
summer. Some species change
their habits when they are in
their winter ranges. For exam-
ple, the eastern kingbird, which
breeds in southern Canada and
the United States, attacks birds
that enter its breeding territory,
even large species such as crows
and hawks. But when wintering
in the Amazon basin, the east-
ern kingbird loses its aggressive
tendencies, and it joins other
tyrant flycatcher species in huge,
nomadic flocks.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
Most species of tyrant flycatcher
feed on flying insects. They of-
ten wait on a branch and then
quickly fly out to catch passing
prey. Species that catch prey in
the air usually have long forked
tails that enable them to sud-
denly change direction in flight.
By contrast, the shrike-tyrant of
the Andes swoops down from
high branches to snatch insects
and lizards on the ground.
Species such as the ground-
tyrant have narrow bills that are
adapted for picking insects out
Left: The sulphur-bellied flycatcher
is a migratory species that winters
in South America.
DID YOU KNOW?
Many species of tyrant fly-
catcher are named for the
sounds they make, including
the eastern phoebe and the
great kiskadee.
Large flocks made up of
many different species of
tyrant flycatcher inhabit rain-
forests in the eastern Andes
and the Amazon basin.
of minute crevices in leaves and
twigs. Many pygmy-tyrants have
spoon-shaped bills to help them
scoop up prey from the under-
sides of leaves.
Most species also eat berries
or tropical fruits, and larger
species eat lizards, small mam-
mals, and birds as well. The
greater kiskadee takes almost
any prey that is small enough
to eat. It prefers fish and tad-
poles, however, and it swoops
down and plucks them out of
shallow water.
Right: The thick bill of the boat-
billed flycatcher lets it pluck prey
from under leaves.
The short-tailed pygmy-
tyrant is the smallest tyrant
flycatcher in the world. At
2 inches long and weighing
;.4 ounce, it is about the same
size as some hummingbirds.
Over 1 0 percent of all the
land bird species in South
America belong to the tyrant
flycatcher family.
The breeding habits of tyrant
flycatchers vary with the spe-
cies. Some tropical species pair
for life and live in a permanent
territory, while others have more
than one mate. Migratory spe-
cies pair when they return to
northern breeding grounds.
The female usually builds the
nest, which may be a woven
cup, hanging sphere, or simple
structure in a hollow. The male
protects her while she incubates
Left: Tyrant flycatchers' nests
range from basic constructions
to skillfully woven cups.
Left: The flam-
boyant crest
and bright
plumage of the
royal flycatcher
are unusual
among tyrant
flycatchers. The
most common
species are
much more
drably colored.
the eggs. A clutch can have up
to eight eggs but usually con-
tains three or four. The white
eggs, often mottled with red-
dish brown, hatch in 14 to 20
days. Both sexes usually feed
the young.
Most young soon find their
own territory and breed during
the next season. But the young
of some tropical species stay
with their parents until the fol-
lowing year. The young of the
white-bearded flycatcher stay
for several years, helping to rear
subsequent broods.
"' CARD 135 I
EURASIAN AVOCET
, , ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
ORDER
Charadriiformes
FAMILY
RecUlvirostridae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Recurvirostra avosetta
The Eurasian avocet is a graceful wading bird with a unique upturned
bill. While most waders probe the mud for food, the avocet uses its
curved, sensitive bill to skim the water for plants and tiny animals.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 16-18 in. Male larger than
female.
Length of bill: About 3 in.
Wingspan: 2 ~ ft.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2 years, some-
times 3.
Breeding season: April to May.
No. of broods: 1 .
Eggs: Usually 3 or 4.
Incubation: 23-25 days.
Fledging period: 5-6 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable outside the breed-
ing season.
Diet: Insects, worms, small crus-
taceans, and plants.
Call: Loud protective yelp.
RELATED SPECIES
Related to the American avocet,
Recurvirostra americana, Australian
avocet, R. novaehollandiae, and
Chilean avocet, R. andina.
Range of the Eurasian avocet.
DISTRIBUTION
Found on salt marshes and lagoons in widely scattered areas
from Great Britain east to central Asia and China, and in much
of Africa south of the Sahara Desert.
CONSERVATION
Numbers have dropped in most populations due to loss of
habitat from drainage.
FEATURES OF THE EURASIAN AVOCET
Flight: Long legs
trail out behind
body. Snowy
white underside
with black
wingtips.
Bill: Long, thin,
and upcurved.
Avocet sweeps
bill from side to
side, sifting
small creatures
and plants from
the water to eat.
Eggs: Usually 3 or 4, yellowish
with black blotches. Parents
take turns incubating them for
23-25 days.
Legs: Blue-gray. Long legs are ideal
for wading quietly through water
while searching for food.
MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200491 PACKET 49
The Eurasian avocet is a sociable bird that forms flocks
of various sizes, ranging from six individuals to as
many as several hundred. This bird lives and feeds
in salt marshes and lagoons. It engages in an
elaborate courtship and mating ceremony that
usually takes place in shallow water.

Of the four species of avocet,
the Eurasian avocet has the
widest distribution. It is found
from Great Britain to Africa
and the Far East. The avocet
migrates from the coldest
parts of its range to warmer
climates in winter, moving to
Spain, Africa, and the Far East.
In warmer areas, the bird does
not migrate.
The Eurasian avocet is socia-
ble for most of the year. It
forms flocks of 6 to 30 birds,
and flocks of several hundred
Right: The
plumage of the
adult Eurasian
avocet has a
bold black-
and-white
pattern.
birds are occasionally seen on
wintering grounds. Once pair
bonds have been formed at
the beginning of the breeding
season, the bird becomes
aggressive toward intruders.
The Eurasian avocet performs
an unusual hostile ritual known
as grouping. Pairs of avocets
gather in a circle with heads
down and bills pointing inward.
Sometimes this confrontation
is only a threatening display,
but fighting can break out
between males.
FOOD &: FEEDING
The Eurasian avocet is a large
long-legged wader. It lives in
coastal salt marshes but will
feed around inland lakes and
estuaries that are less salty. It
eats mostly insects, worms,
and small crustaceans that live
in briny waters.
The Eurasian avocet uses its
curved, sensitive bill to locate
Left: The juvenile Eurasian avocet
is easily identified by its pale brown
plumage.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Eurasian avocet was
once called the "yelper"
because of the loud yelps it
utters if an intruder gets too
close to its nest and young.
The British Royal Society for
the Protection of Birds uses
the avocet as its logo.
food. It opens its bill slightly
and sweeps it from side to side
as it skims the water surface, fil-
tering out food.
The Eurasian avocet also up-
ends like a duck to search for
food in deeper water. A young
avocet picks for food, however,
until the distinctive curve of its
bill develops fully.
Right: The avocet often feeds at the
water's edge, probing the sand
with its long bill.
The Eurasian avocet is most
active at dawn and dusk but
sometimes searches for food
on moonlit nights.
When there are floods dur-
ing the nesting season, the
avocet builds its nest higher
to raise it above the water.
BIRDWATCH
The Eurasian avocet can be
easily identified by the black-
and-white stripes on its body
and wings. In flight, when
observed from below, the
avocet is all white except for
its black wingtips.

The Eurasian avocet's courtship
and mating usually take place
in shallow water. The female
leans forward, stretching her
neck so her head is just above
the water's surface. The male
wades back and forth behind
her, preening and gradually
drawing closer until he brushes
by her tail. He then extends a
wing over her back, and the
two birds mate. After mating,
male and female run side by
side for several yards.
Many avocets find mates
before they reach the breeding
grounds in April and May. A
pair stakes out a territory on a
sandbank or in thick grass and
Left: Although vulnerable on the
ground, the eggs' speckled mark-
ings help to conceal them.
The Eurasian avocet's long,
upturned bill is highly distinc-
tive. When it feeds, the bird
sweeps the water from side
to side with its bill .
The avocet's loud protective
yelp is an easy call to recognize.
defends it vigorously. Because
sites near food are limited, Eur-
asian avocets often breed in
dense colonies.
To make the nest, male and
female take turns scraping out
a hollow in the ground, which
they fill with dead plant matter.
After the female has laid her
eggs, the partners share the
incubation, which lasts 23 to
25 days. Soon after hatching,
the three or four downy young
are active, and they are able to
feed themselves.
Either parent leads the chicks
to water to feed, guiding them
with calls and body postures.
The chicks are fully fledged at
five or six weeks, but some de-
pend on their parents for a
longer period of time.
PIED WAGTAIL
... ORDER
"'11IIIIIIII Passeriformes
FAMILY
Motacillidae
","CARD 136 I
GROUP 2: BIRDS
GENUS & SPECIES
Motacilla alba
With its attractive appearance and appetite for insects, the '
pied wagtail is a welcome visitor in gardens throughout its range.
This bird will build its nest almost anywhere.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: About 7 in.
Weight: Up to 1 oz.
Wingspan: 10-12 in.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Breeding season: April to August
(mainly late April to May).
Broods: 2-3.
Eggs: 5-6.
Incubation period: About 2 weeks.
Fledging period: About 2 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Territorial or flocking.
Diet: Insects.
Lifespan: Oldest banded bird, 9
years, 11 months.
RELATED SPECIES
The 9 species in the genus
Motacilla include the gray wagtail,
Motacilla cinerea, and the yellow,
or blue-headed, wagtail, M. flava.
Range of the pied wagtail.
DISTRIBUTION
This species breeds throughout Europe and Asia, in western
Alaska, and in much of Africa. It winters in the southern and
western parts of the breeding range and in the tropics.
CONSERVATION
There are millions of pied wagtails throughout Europe and
Asia, so the species is in no danger. The population may
drop following a harsh winter.
FEATURES OF THE PIED WAGTAil
Courtship flight: During breeding
season, two or more males may
compete by chasing a female. They
use a dancing flight with bounding
movements, accompanied by a
distinctive call.
MCMXCI IMP BVIIMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Eggs: 5 to 6 eggs per clutch.
White, gray, or bluish white,
speckled with brown or gray . .. J,;,;: ...,' .,.........,
Plumage: Black
back, rump,
crown, and bib.
White forehead,
cheeks, under-
parts, and wing
markings.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
THE PIED WAGTAIL'S NEST
Built in a hole or crevice almost
anywhere, from twigs, grass
stems, roots, and leaves.
0160200471 PACKET 47
The pied wagtail is widespread throughout Eurasia
and Africa. This bird is often found near water. It is a
subspecies of the white wagtail, and both birds share the
constant bobbing tail movement that gives them their
name. In appearance the two birds are basically similar,
but the pied wagtail has a black back.
~ H A B I T A T
The pied wagtail often lives
near water. It also likes open
spaces or areas with low shrubs
and bushes such as parks, gar-
dens, and roadsides. And some-
times it even lives in buildings.
Individual birds often stake
out feeding territories, especial-
ly in winter when food is scarce.
An adult male will defend his
territory from intruders, some-
times with the help of a young-
er male. Its territorial behavior
is more common during the
breeding season. At other times
the pied wagtail roosts commu-
nally in sites that include marsh-
land, shrubs, the insides of
roofs, and greenhouses.
Right: The pied wagtail feeds on
insects, which it catches on the
ground or in flight.
In winter the wagtail likes
warm buildings such as hospi-
tals or factories. Even when
cold, it does not huddle with
other birds for warmth.
Some pied wagtails migrate
to the warmer parts of their
breeding range until winter is
over. But others will risk starva-
tion rather than attempt a diffi-
cult migration.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
The pied wagtail feeds on in-
sects that it picks up from the
ground or catches in the air.
Sometimes it darts at its prey,
snatching it from the ground.
At other times it plucks insects
from the water while hovering
or while walking on floating
vegetation.
During the winter, if it has
Left: The pied wagtail's black head
plumage and long tail make it easy
to spot.
DID YOU KNOW?
The pied wagtail will some-
times pick insects from the
backs of pigs.
In many parts of Great Brit-
ain, the pied wagtail is known
as the water wagtail, because
it lives near streams, ponds,
and reservoirs.
not migrated to a warmer cli-
mate, the pied wagtail will wait
by the sides of rivers, lakes, and
puddles, and pick out insects as
they wash up.
The wagtail usually eats its
prey live and whole. But it may
beat larger insects to death on
a rock or on the ground before
swallowing them.
Right: A beakful of insects is fre-
quently a clue that the wagtail's
nest is nearby.
At the Casablanca airport in
Morocco, one roost contained
6,000 to 7,000 pied wagtails.
The pied wagtail is highly
aggressive in defending its ter-
ritory. It often attacks its reflec-
tion in a window, which can
result in injury.
BIRDWATCH
With its long tail and black-
and-white plumage, the pied
wagtail is easy to recognize.
Whenever it is on the ground,
its tail bobs up and down al-
most constantly. It is often
seen running around on the
~ BREEDING
The pied wagtail's breeding sea-
son lasts from April to August.
The height of the season is from
late April to mid-May. The birds
form new pairs each year.
The male first establishes a ter-
ritory and then courts a mate.
Many males may compete for
the same female. Each male
throws back his head to display
his black throat patch, and the
female chooses the winner. The
pair spends a few days together
before mating.
Pied wagtails build their nests
in holes or crevices in cliffs, build-
ings, bushes, or garbage dumps.
Some nests are built in holes in
the ground or in the abandoned
Left: The pied wagtail can nest
almost anywhere, but it likes to be
indoors in winter.
ground, picking up insects.
During the breeding sea-
son, the male's courtship
flight is marked by distinctive
bounding movements, ac-
companied by the bird's easy-
to-recognize "chizzick" call.
nests of other birds. Both sexes
build the cup-shaped nest out of
twigs, grass stems, roots, moss,
and leaves and lined with hair,
wool, and feathers.
The female has two or three
broods each season and lays five
or six eggs in each one. The
smooth, glossy eggs are white,
gray, or bluish white, with gray
or brown speckles.
Both sexes incubate the eggs
for about two weeks. The female
broods the chicks (covers them
with her wings) for the first five
days. Both parents feed them.
The chicks leave the nest about
two weeks after hatching. Both
parents follow the first chick on
its maiden flight. Then one par-
ent returns to the nest to urge
the other chicks to follow.
SMEW
ORDER
Anseriformes
FAMILY
Anatidae
~ GENUS & SPECIES
'11IIIIIIII Mergus albellus
GROUP 2: BIRDS
The smew is one of the smallest mergansers, a group of birds
whose bills are edged with rows of tiny, sharp teeth. These teeth
help it grip the slippery fish that are its main food in winter.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 19-20 in.
Wingspan: 21-27 in.
Weight: 1-2 lb. Male heavier than
female.
BREEDING
Breeding season: May to June.
No. of broods: 1 .
Eggs: 7-9; creamy yellowish color.
Incubation: About 4 weeks.
Fledging period: 10 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Lives mainly in small flocks
except in breeding season.
Diet: Aquatic insects in summer,
saltwater and freshwater fish
in winter.
Call: Displaying female gives a hiss-
ing whistle. Male has a grating cry.
RELATED SPECIES
The smew is a merganser and, like
other sea ducks, belongs to the
tribe Mergini, which has 1 8 species
in 7 genera.
FEATURES OF THE SMEW
Breeding areas of the smew. Winter range.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in northern Europe and Asia. Breeds from Finland east
to the Bering Sea and south to Turkistan. Winters in parts of
Europe, the Mediterranean, Iran, India, China, and Japan.
CONSERVATION
The smew is threatened by the loss of its wetland habitat, but it
is helped by its ability to use small areas of water and to adapt
to man-made envi ronments. -
Flight: Reveals
g ray-and-wh ite
bands on wings
of male.
Eggs: 7 to 9 per clutch.
Creamy yellowish color.
Female: Less striking than the male.
Has gray plumage with white Qreast
and dark chestnut cap.
MCMXCVI IMP BV/IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Male: White plumage with fine bl ack
lines and black patches
on eyes. Gray bars
running along
back, wi ngs,
and tail.
US P 6001 12054 PACKET 54
The male smew is elegantly patterned in black and white
with bars of gray on its back, wings, and tail. This bird
hunts both saltwater and freshwater fish. It prefers to feed
in slow-moving water and in recent years has begun to
frequent reservoirs and other man-made environments.
Because of this adaptability, the smew may have suffered less
than other birds from the destruction of wetland habitats.
~ HABITAT
Water and mature trees are es-
sential to the smew. This duck
avoids fast-flowing water and
frequents shallow lakes or slow-
moving rivers and streams with
wooded shores. It uses a tree
cavity for its nest site.
The smew is a sociable bird
that is often seen in small groups
with other ducks, particularly
the goldeneye. It moves from
one area to another, searching
for a better feeding or resting
spot. Because it needs only a
short run before taking flight,
the smew can take advantage
of small bodies of water that
are unsuitable for other species.
The smew spends the sum-
mer south of the Arctic tree line
in northern Europe and Asia. In
winter it moves south to avoid
completely frozen water. It can
swim and feed beneath surface
ice provided there is an unfro-
zen area where it can gain ac-
cess to the water. It may aiso be
found on the sea in winter, but
it stays in sheltered waters.
Right: Female and young smews
are often called " redheads " be-
cause of their coloring.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The smew has a short bill with
backward-sloping teeth that
meet when the bill is closed.
The sawlike serrations, as well
as the sl ight hook at the bill's
tip, help the smew hold on to
slippery fish.
The smew feeds during the
day in water that is less than
1 3 feet deep. It dips its head
underwater to look for prey
and then dives, swimming just
below the surface. It stays sub-
merged briefly, for only 15 to
20 seconds. Smews often feed
Left: The male smew5 white plum-
age provides camouflage in its
Arctic breeding grounds.
DID YOU KNOW?
The male smew's black-and-
white plumage has earned
him the name white nun.
Ducklings of tree-nesting spe-
cies such as the smew have
strong claws that help them
climb to the nest. Lightweight
and covered with down, they
are rarely hurt if they fal l.
in a flock, with all the birds div-
ing together.
In winter the smew lives on
small freshwater or saltwater
fish such as salmon, eel, min-
now, roach, trout, and plaice,
as well as shrimp. In the Volga
delta in the U.S.S.R., it lives on
small carp.
In summer the smew eats
mainly aquatic insects, such
as water beetles, dragonflies,
and caddis flies, and insect
larvae. It also eats mollusks,
crustaceans, frogs, and plants.
Right: The smew's short serrated
bill is used for catching insects as
well as fish.
When the female leaves to
feed, she covers her eggs with
down to keep them warm.
Smews are not popular with
hunters because their flesh is
flavored by the fish they eat in
the winter.
The male's mating call sounds
like a wristwatch being wound.
The male smew has white
I
plumage and fine black mark-
ings. The gray bars on its
wings are most visible in flight.
The female can be mistaken
for a smaller grebe, w ith her
dark gray back and lighter
gray underparts. She has a
~ BREEDING
Most smews form pairs for the
spring migration, which is in
late February and March. The
birds may perform a communal
courtship display when the flock
gathers to roost. The male smew
circles the female while raising
his white crest, curving his head
backward, and puffing out his
breast. The female replies with a
hissing whistle.
Upon arriving at the breeding
ground, the pair picks a nest site
close to water. It is usually a hole
in a tree, but the pair may use a
nesting box if one is available.
chestnut brown cap, white
cheeks, and the same black
eye patch as the male.
The smew is found in north-
ern areas of Europe and Asia. A
small number winter in west-
ern Europe, and thei r number
increases in severe winters.
The birds build the nest from
plant material, then the female
lines it with down. During May
she lays seven to nine eggs and
incubates them for a month.
The female alone is responsi-
ble for the ducklings. After a day
or two she leaves the nest and
calls to the ducklings to follow.
They jump or fall to the ground
and then follow her to the wa-
ter, where they learn to feed by
pecking at anything they find.
The mother guards them care-
fully, calling if any wander too
far or if she spots danger.
AFRICAN GRAY PARROT
_________________________________ G_R_O_U_P_2_:_B_I_RD_S __
ORDER
Psittaciformes
FAMILY
Psittacidae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Psittacus erithracus
The African gray parrot is a popular pet because of its ability to "talk"
and mimic everyday sounds. In its native habitat, it uses noisy shrieks
and squawks to communicate with the members of its flock.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 1 3 in.
Wingspan: Up to 28 in.
Weight: Up to 1 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2-4 years.
Breeding season: Varies with loca-
tion and climate.
Eggs: 3-4 per clutch.
Incubation period: 1 month.
Fledging period: Up to months.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable. Lives in pairs; roosts
and feeds in flocks.
Diet: Seeds, nuts, fruits, flowers,
and leaves.
Lifespan: 50-80 years in captivity.
Less in the wild.
RELATED SPECIES
The African gray parrot is the only
species in this genus. Another Afri-
can group is the genus Poicephalus,
which has 8 species.
Bill : The upper
half is hinged to
the skull to give
it mobility and
leverage. It fits
neatly over the
small lower
half. It is also
usee! as a tbird
foot when the
bird is climbing.
MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

\
Range of the African gray parrot.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in lowland tropical and subtropical forests and wood-
lands in central and western Africa.
CONSERVATION
Populations have been reduced by the destruction of habitats
and the sale of young birds as pets. But conservation measures
are not considered necessary at present.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
White,
round, and
glossy. Usually
3 or 4 per
clutch.
feet: Adapted
for climbing
anD maAipTIlat-
ing f'ood inte
the beak. The 2
outer toes point
baekward and
fhe 2 inlier toes
pOint forward,
enabling them
to grip in
..... oppOSition.
0160200481 PACKET 48
Although it lacks the bright green plumage of its
South American relatives, the African gray parrot is still
an attractive bird. It has soft gray feathers over most of its
body, black wingtips, white cheek patches, and vivid red
tail feathers. In captivity, this parrot is a playful pet
that needs a great deal of human affection.
~ HABITS
The African gray parrot is a
noisy bird that lives and feeds
over a small area. It roosts in
large flocks but spends much
of the day in smaller groups of
20 to 30 birds. It usually pairs
for life, reinforcing the bond by
mutual preening and feeding.
It is a strong flier but lacks
the strength and endurance
needed for long flights. An ex-
cellent climber, it uses its bill
and feet to grip branches.
When threatened by a pred-
ator such as a black sparrow-
hawk, the whole flock falls
silent. All the parrots then
rapidly flyaway while scream-
ing harshly.
In captivity the African gray
parrot is playful and inquisitive,
but it becomes easily bored
unless given plenty of human
affection, toys, and exercise.
The bird becomes aggressive
and destructive when it be-
comes bored and will often
tear out its own feathers.
Top left: With its strong grasping
feet, the African gray parrot is well
suited to life in the trees.
Right: African gray parrots roost
communally, often using the same
site for years.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The African gray parrot eats
fruit, seeds, nuts, and berries
but prefers red fruits. It tests
food with its tongue before
eating and discards any items
it does not like.
The parrot's bill is hinged,
providing extra leverage for
cracking open nuts and seeds.
At sunrise, the bird leaves
the roost with the rest of the
flock and feeds in the tree-
tops. Large numbers of birds
often concentrate on a tree
with newly ripe fruit.
Right: When eating, the parrot
balances on one foot and uses its
other foot to hold its food.
The nest is often in a cavity high
in the trunk of a tall tree. The
female lays up to four eggs at
three-day intervals. While she in-
cubates them for a month, the
male gives her regurgitated food.
The female broods the chicks
DID YOU KNOW?
Tame African gray par-
rots can mimic household
sounds such as a creaking
door, a dog's bark, a tele-
phone's ring, or a cough.
They can also whistle com-
plete tunes.
An African gray parrot
sometime imitates human
actions. For example, it
will wave one foot in the
air to imitate its owner's
hand movements.
Parrots show signs of be-
ing left- or right-handed.
The first written account
of a parrot in captivity is
dated about 400 B.C.
Left: The
African gray
parrot spends
most of its life
in trees, so it
does not need
to fly far. As a
result, this bird
has become a
strong flier over
short distances.
for two to three months. The
male feeds the chicks directly or
gives food to the female, who
then feeds them herself. They
fledge in about two and a half
months and remain with their
parents for four or five months.
~ AFRICAN GRAY PARROT & MAN
The African gray parrot is prized
as a pet because it can talk. It
was once thought that parrots
in captivity simply mimic hu-
man voices. But research sug-
gests that parrots can be
trained to use language as
a means of communication.
In the wild, parrots use a wide
range of calls to communicate.
If they cannot "talk" to mem-
bers of their own species, they
may transfer the desire to com-
municate to human keepers.
IMPERIAL EAGLE
, , ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ORDER
Falconiformes
... FAMILY
~ Accipitridae
... GENUS & SPECIES
~ Aquila heliaca
The imperial eagle is one of the world ~ most powerful birds of
prey. With its strong, viselike talons, it is capable of striking
a fully grown hare dead in its tracks.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 2-3 ft.
Wingspan: 6-7 ft .
Weight: 5-9 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 4-5 years.
Breeding season: March to May
(main race); January to July (Span-
ish race).
No. of broods: 1 .
Eggs: 2 or 3.
Incubation: 6 weeks.
Fledging period: 9-11 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Usually lives in pairs. Hunts
by day.
Diet: Small live mammals and
birds; larger dead animals.
Lifespan: 15-20 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The genus Aquila includes the
golden eagle, the wedge-tailed
eagle of Australia, and the steppe
eagle of eastern Asia.
FEATURES OF THE
IMPERIAL EAGLE
Flight: Glides and soars when migrat-
ing. Swoops quickly from heights
when hunting.
Range of the imperial eagle.
DISTRIBUTION
The main race, Aquila heliaca heliaea, occurs in southeast Eu-
rope and Asia. An isolated race, A. h. adalberti, is found in
southwest Spain and Portugal.
CONSERVATION
Although the imperial eagle is protected throughout its range,
the Eurasian population is scattered and decreasing.
Eggs: 2 or 3 per clutch. Chalky white
with brown speckles. Incubated by
both parents; hatch after 6 weeks.
Bill: Hooked and powerfuL Used
to tear apart freshly killed prey or
to cut open carrion.
Pl umage: Dark brown with lighter
bars on tail, crown of head, and
wings. Simi lar in both sexes, but
yellow or pale brown in juvenile.
Talons: Large, sharp, and strong.
Used for snatching and kill ing prey.
MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200531 PACKET 53
The imperial eagle has been persecuted for centuries
by farmers and hunters. Although it is now protected
throughout its range, it is becoming increasingly rare
in much of Europe. This majestic bird is an imposing
sight as it soars on air currents for hours at a time.
It is equally impressive when tumbling from the sky
during its spectacular courtship display flight.
~ H A B I T A T
The imperial eagle is a predator
of the open steppes and low-
lying plains. It prefers grassy or
marshy terrain with scattered
trees that it can use for perch-
ing and nesting.
Breeding pairs generally in-
habit territories that are spaced
at regular intervals, and each
pair hunts over a range of at
least four square miles. In areas
where prey is hard to find, the
eagle must cover more ground
each day, so the territories tend
to be spaced at wider intervals.
During the last 50 years, the
spread of agriculture in Europe
has created serious problems
for resident imperial eagles. A
great deal of the wild, open
country that the imperial eagle
favors has been transformed
into treeless farmland. Prey
animals have become scarce
in these areas, and imperial
eagles even scarcer.
A shortage of suitable nesting
trees can also be a problem for
the imperial eagle, especially
on the central Asian steppes,
where tall trees strong enough
to support an eagle's nest are
rare. As a result, the birds are
thinly scattered throughout
this region even though prey
is abundant.
~ BREEDING
The imperial eagle pairs for life
and uses the same nest site for
years. In the breeding season, it
engages in a spectacular display
flight, circling and diving in the
air, then gripping its mate's tal-
ons as the two birds tumble to-
ward the ground.
The nest is made of sticks and
built by both birds in an isolated
tall tree. Male and female take
turns incubating the two or
three eggs. The egg laid first
Left: As it nears maturity, the
young imperial eagle's plumage
changes from light to dark brown.
DID YOU KNOW?
Each year, a breeding pair
adds more sticks to its nest
until the branch that supports
it collapses under the weight.
The same nest site may be
used by several imperial ea-
gle pairs in succession for de-
cades or even centuries.
Considering its size, the
imperial eagle often preys
hatches first, and the chick from
that egg is larger than the oth-
ers. Among birds of prey, the
largest chick is often the only
one that survives, but healthy
broods of two imperial eagle
fledglings are common.
The imperial eagle breeds
at four years of age or over. Its
breeding rate is too slow to off-
set losses from hunting and food
shortages, and populations are
dwindling in many areas.
Right: The parent birds bring car-
rion or freshly killed prey to the nest
to feed their young.
on surprisingly small ani-
mals such as insects, frogs,
and lizards.
In some parts of eastern
Europe, farmers set out poi-
soned bait that contains
strychnine for wolves and
foxes that prey on their live-
stock. This illegal bait kills
many imperial eagles.
In winter many imperial eagles
from eastern Europe and Asia
migrate south to North Africa,
the Arabian Peninsula, the Mid-
dle East, and northern India.
The imperial eagle's broad
wings are adapted to exploit
updrafts and thermals (rising
currents of warm air). During
its long migration, it saves en-
~ FOOD &: HUNTING
Like all eagles, the imperial ea-
gle feeds mainly on live ani-
mals, but it also eats carrion
(dead animal flesh). It usually
watches for prey from a high
perch, then swoops down to
snatch its victim, which it kills
with its powerful talons.
The imperial eagle preys pri-
marily on young hares as well
as rodents like voles, ground
squirrels, and marmots, but it
also takes larger animals weigh-
ing 10 pounds or more. In ad-
dition, the eagle eats songbirds
Left: From its high perch, the impe-
rial eagle scans the ground for
mammal prey.
ergy by hanging in the air for
hours, barely moving its body
as it circles upward on one
thermal, glides across to anoth-
er, and spirals up again.
By avoiding expanses of cool
water and following thermals
on its long journey, the eagle
is able to cover thousands of
miles with very little effort.
and the young of ducks, geese,
crows, and flamingos.
Imperial eagles often hunt in
pairs: one bird flushes out the
prey and the other catches it.
This may be a deliberate tactic,
or it may be unplanned, with
one bird taking advantage of
the other bird's failure to catch
its prey.
During harsh winters, when
live prey is more difficult to
find, the eagle may become
a scavenger. Using its heavy
hooked bill, it cuts open and
devours the remains of ani-
mals that have died of cold
or starvation.
""CARD 140 I
GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN
_________________________________
,. ORDER
Galliformes
FAMILY
Phasianidae
,. GENUS &: SPECIES
Tympanuchus cupido
The greater prairie-chicken lives in the central United States.
It is well known for the courtship display of the male, who puffs
out his neck and utters loud, booming calls.
KEY FACTS

SIZES
Length: Body, 16-18 in. Male usu-
ally larger than female.
Tail: 4 in.
BREEDING
Breeding season: April to June.
No. of eggs: 10-14.
Incubation period: 23-26 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable.
Diet: Vegetation, including grains,
nuts, buds, and leaves. Also insects
such as grasshoppers.
Range of the greater prairie-chicken.
Call: Male utters booming sound
when mating.

DISTRIBUTION
RELATED SPECIES
There are 2 other grouse species in
the genus Tympanuchus: the lesser
prairie-chicken, T. pallidicinctus, a
paler bird of the short-grass prai-
rie, and the sharp-tailed grouse, T.
phasianellus, which is found on the
northern plains.
Found in the central United States, in certain parts of Michigan,
Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and as far south as south-
ern Texas.
CONSERVATION
The greater prairie-chicken population has diminished consider-
ably, particularly over the last 50 years. The decline is the result
of habitat destruction and hunting.
FEATURES OF THE GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN
Plumage: Male and female almost identical. Feathers are
mainly brown, with a yellowish barred pattern for camou-
flage. Tail is short and fairly rounded with whitish feathers
underneath. The male's tail has only dark feathers; the
female's has a barred pattern.
Male: Has a yellow comb over the
eyes and air sacs on the neck that
inflate during courtship. Ten black
feathers hanging from the neck can
be erected to form a crest.
Eggs: Laid ina nest in the ground.
Clutch contains 10 to 14 pale
eggs, speckled with brown.
MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Female: Smaller
than the male,
but with similar
plumage. Like the
male, she has 10
neck feathers, but
they are much
shorter and cannot
be erected.
0160200471 PACKET 47
The greater prairie-chicken is a member of the grouse
family that was once common throughout the open
prairies of the United States and Canada. These
uncultivated grasslands provided long grass in which
the bird could nest, and they supplied an abundance of
seeds and grains for it to eat. But now that most of the
prairies are farmed, the bird's numbers are declining.
~ H A B I T A T
The greater prairie-chicken can
adapt to a changing environ-
ment. But it is also a highly ter-
ritorial bird. The male occupies
his territory year-round, but
some females migrate south
in severe winter weather.
Populations of the greater
prairie-chicken have declined
for many reasons. Because
most of its prairie habitat is
now devoted to farming, the
bird has lost the long grass that
it needs for nesting and feed-
ing. The greater prairie-chicken
is also affected by the aerial
spraying of pesticides. Since it
is unable to fly, it cannot take
to the air to escape from the
poisonous spray. Yet another
threat to the species is hunting.
As a result of these threats, in
Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, Arkansas,
and parts of Texas, the greater
prairie-chicken is suffering from
a loss of suitable habitat and an
insufficient number of healthy
females. The bird has complete-
ly disappeared from the eastern
United States and Canada, and
it is now on the federal list of
threatened species.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The greater prairie-chicken
eats grains, nuts, and plants
that it finds in the cultivated
grasslands of the Midwest and
South. Its staple diet includes
corn, wheat, sorghum, and
rice. It also eats grasshoppers,
locusts, and other insects. The
young prairie-chicken eats in-
sects almost exclusively for
the first few days of its life.
In spring the greater prairie-
chicken lives in areas of short
grass, where it feeds on green
vegetation, including fresh
left: During courtship the greater
prairie-chicken male inflates his
yellow air sacs.
DID YOU KNOW?
The female greater prairie-
chicken uses a decoy display
to protect her chicks. She
lowers her head, droops her
wings, and gives a low call.
The greater prairie-chicken
is so fond of open grassland
that one was found living at
an airfield in Michigan.
buds from poplar, elm, pine,
apple, and birch trees. It also
eats hazelnuts and acorns,
which it swallows whole. In
the northern part of its range,
it feeds mainly on corn. The
bird's diet varies in the breed-
ing season, when it eats soy-
beans, sedges, flower heads,
and leafy grasses.
In some areas, particularly
South Dakota, the greater
prairie-chicken must compete
for food with pheasants that
have been introduced there.
Right: A male's "boom" is like the
sound produced by blowing across
the top of a bottle.
When courting, males try to
occupy the middle of the dis-
play area because females fa-
vor males nearest the center.
One subspecies called Att-
water's prairie-chicken lives
only on the Texas coast. An-
other, the heath hen, has
been extinct since the 1930s.
In spring the female selects a
mate. A group of males gather
at a lek (a communal display
ground) and begin a courtship
display. The male erects his neck
feathers and fans out his tail.
This display is accompanied by
foot stamping and a booming
call, which is produced from
the bird's inflated air sacs. There
is much fighting between rival
males. The fighting is not seri-
ous, but it helps to establish
the dominant males.
left: Males gather at a "booming
ground, " or lek, to court females.
left: The fe-
male greater
prairie-chicken
resembles the
male. The main
difference can
be seen during
the mating sea-
son, when the
male reveals his
flamboyant dis-
play feathers.
After mat ing, the male re-
sumes his booming, and the
female returns to the nest
scrape (a depression in the
ground) to lay her eggs. She
lays a total of 10 to 14 eggs,
one each day. The palely col-
ored eggs are lightly speckled
with brown. The female in-
cubates the eggs almost con-
stantly for 23 to 26 days. The
male takes no part in incubat-
ing or in rearing the young.
The chicks, which are pale yel -
low, remain with their mother
for at least six to eight weeks.