Bird Beaks Bird Feet You Can Tell a Lot About What a the Feet of a Bird Can Tell Us Bird Eats by Its Beak Type! About Where the Bird Lives And

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Bird Beaks Bird Feet You Can Tell a Lot About What a the Feet of a Bird Can Tell Us Bird Eats by Its Beak Type! About Where the Bird Lives And Bird Beaks Bird Feet You can tell a lot about what a The feet of a bird can tell us bird eats by its beak type! about where the bird lives and How many types can you find? what it eats! How many types can you find? Junior Bird List For the Laguna de Santa Rosa List of most common birds found on City reclamation ponds, marshes and farms EAGLES, KITES, FALCONS & HAWKS WOODPECKERS Aerial Marsh Osprey Northern Flicker Oak Woodland Pond White-tailed Kite Nuttall’s Woodpecker Streamside Grassland SONGBIRDS Red-shouldered Hawk Summer Winter Black Phoebe Red-tailed Hawk Fall Permanent Scrub Jay American Kestrel American Crow GROUSE, TURKEY & QUAIL GREBES Violet-green Swallow California Quail Pied-billed Grebe Cliff Swallow RAILS & CRANES PELICANS & CORMORANTS Marsh Wren American Coot American White Pelican SHOREBIRDS & GULLS Western Bluebird Double-crested Cormorant Killdeer American Robin HERONS, EGRETS & VULTURES Black-necked Stilt European Starling Great Blue Heron American Avocet Yellow-rumped Warbler Great Egret Mew Gull California Towhee Snowy Egret Ring-billed Gull Golden-crowned Sparrow Turkey Vulture DOVES White-crowned Sparrow SWANS, GEESE & DUCKS Rock Dove Red-winged Blackbird Canada Goose Mourning Dove Western Meadowlark Mallard SWIFTS & HUMMINGBIRDS House Finch Northern Shoveler Anna’s Hummingbird Goldfinch Bufflehead KINGFISHERS Northern Mockingbird Ruddy Duck Belted Kingfisher Common Yellowthroat .
Recommended publications
  • Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (Or Psittacine Circovirus, PCV)
    Psittacine beak and feather disease (or psittacine circovirus, PCV) Published by The recent diagnosis of psittacine beak and feather disease in wild Biosecurity Unit parrots is a cause of concern to the Department of Conservation. It Department of Conservation was diagnosed in a wild eastern rosella in the Wellington region in PO Box 12–416 Wellington, New Zealand August 2003. This disease is caused by a highly infectious virus and April 2004 affects the skin, feathers and immune system of parrots. There is po- tential for the disease to be transmitted to other wild parrots, in par- ticular New Zealand’s native species, such as the endangered kakapo and kaka. The potential impact of this disease on these spe- cies is unknown as it has affected parrot species in other countries in unpredictable patterns. However, the disease, also known as psit- tacine circovirus (PCV), could decimate the already depleted populations of our treasured native parrots and it therefore repre- sents a significant threat to biodiversity. What is psittacine beak and What happens if birds are feather disease? infected with this disease? Psittacine beak and feather disease Three forms of the disease exist: per- (also known as psittacine circovirus, acute (very sudden onset), acute (sud- PCV) is a highly infectious viral dis- den onset) and chronic (long term). ease of parrots that can cause high ju- The peracute form affects neonatal venile mortality, or long-term immu- (baby) parrots and causes septicae- Parrot infected with psittacine nological suppression, feather abnor- mia, pneumonia, enteritis (inflam- beak and feather disease. Photograph: Mary Wagner malities and (in cockatoos) beak rot.
    [Show full text]
  • Beak and Feather Disease Viru
    Fact sheet Beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) is the causative agent of psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD), an endemic disease in Australia’s wild parrot populations. Descriptions of parrots with feather loss consistent with the disease date back to the late 1800s (Ashby 1907). The virus is believed to have originated in Australia sometime following the separation of the continent from Gondwanaland, with spread to other parts of the world with modern movement of parrots as pet and aviary species . It has the potential to impact on several endangered Australian and non-Australian parrot populations and is listed as a key threatening process by the Australian government. Of late, the virus also has been identified in various non-psittacine species . Beak and feather disease virus is a 14 to 16 nm non-enveloped icosahedral DNA virus belonging to the family Circoviridae. Formerly, it was believed that the circoviruses recovered from a diverse range of psittacines were all antigenically similar. Doubt was cast on this theory when a virus that appeared to be serologically and genetically different was isolated from cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) (Shearer et al. 2008). More recent research appears to indicate that psittacine circoviruses can be divided into two species and multiple viral strains. Based on work by Varsani et al. (2011), BFDV contains 14 strains, while budgerigar circovirus (BCV), a newly defined species to date only found in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulates), contains three strains. However, it is likely that this number will continue to increase as shown by the discovery of two new distinct BFDV lineages in orange-bellied parrots (Neophema chrysogaster) (Peters et al.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Shorebird Profiles
    List of Shorebird Profiles Pacific Central Atlantic Species Page Flyway Flyway Flyway American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) •513 American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) •••499 Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) •488 Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) •••501 Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani)•490 Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis) •511 Dowitcher (Limnodromus spp.)•••485 Dunlin (Calidris alpina)•••483 Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemestica)••475 Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)•••492 Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) ••503 Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa)••505 Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva) •497 Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa)••473 Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)•••479 Sanderling (Calidris alba)•••477 Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)••494 Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia)•••507 Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda)•509 Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) •••481 Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) ••515 All illustrations in these profiles are copyrighted © George C. West, and used with permission. To view his work go to http://www.birchwoodstudio.com. S H O R E B I R D S M 472 I Explore the World with Shorebirds! S A T R ER G S RO CHOOLS P Red Knot (Calidris canutus) Description The Red Knot is a chunky, medium sized shorebird that measures about 10 inches from bill to tail. When in its breeding plumage, the edges of its head and the underside of its neck and belly are orangish. The bird’s upper body is streaked a dark brown. It has a brownish gray tail and yellow green legs and feet. In the winter, the Red Knot carries a plain, grayish plumage that has very few distinctive features. Call Its call is a low, two-note whistle that sometimes includes a churring “knot” sound that is what inspired its name.
    [Show full text]
  • Seabird Protection & Avoidance Tips
    Seabird Protection & Avoidance Tips Seabirds live in a variety of habitats in and around shallow water and coastal environments. They represent a vital part of marine ecology and are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. In fact, most of the 312 species of seabirds you may encounter while fishing are likely to be protected by law, with some classified as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. NOAA Depending on the geographic region, fishermen in the U.S. can FISHERIES observe species of Albatross, Cormorants, Gannet, Loons, Pelicans, Puffins, Sea Gulls, Storm-Petrels, Shearwaters, and SERVICE Terns, among others. Office of Sustainable Fisheries Be Aware of Seabird Behavior Seabirds feed on smaller fish that most anglers use for bait, so they typically won’t challenge a fisherman for his catch, however, the seabird’s hunting methods still put them in danger of getting hooked or entangled in a fisherman’s line. Many seabirds feed on krill, fish, squid or other prey items at the ocean's surface, while some, such as Cormorants, are known to dive to depths of more than 100 ft below the waves to catch a fish. In another technique, seabirds in flight will “plunge dive” into the water in pursuit of a fast-moving fish. Brown Pelicans, for example, can make vertical dives from more than 70 feet above the water when chasing their prey. Young seabirds, especially young pelicans, are particularly susceptible to being ensnared by fishing line. What If I Accidentally Hook a Seabird? HOW CAN I HELP SEABIRDS? In the unfortunate event of a hooked seabird, don't cut or break the line.
    [Show full text]
  • Beak Evolution in Some Dinosaurs Likely Associated with Diet, Not Flight, Study Shows 2 December 2013
    Beak evolution in some dinosaurs likely associated with diet, not flight, study shows 2 December 2013 played an important role in stabilizing the skeletal structure during feeding, making the skull less susceptible to bending and deformation. Lead author Dr Stephan Lautenschlager of Bristol's School of Earth Sciences said: "It has classically been assumed that beaks evolved to replace teeth and thus save weight, as a requirement for the evolution of flight. Our results, however, indicate that keratin beaks were in fact beneficial to enhance the stability of the skull during biting and feeding." Credit: Copyright: Dr. Stephan Lautenschlager Beaks are a typical hallmark of modern birds and can be found in a huge variety of forms and shapes. However, it is less well known that keratin- covered beaks had already evolved in different groups of dinosaurs during the Cretaceous Period. Employing high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT scanning) and computer Credit: Copyright: Dr. Stephan Lautenschlager simulations, Dr Stephan Lautenschlager and Dr Emily Rayfield of the University of Bristol with Dr Perle Altangerel (National University of Ulaanbaatar) and Professor Lawrence Witmer Co-author Dr Emily Rayfield, Reader of (Ohio University) used digital models to take a Palaeobiology at Bristol said: "Using Finite Element closer look at these dinosaur beaks. Analysis, a computer modelling technique routinely used in engineering, we were able to deduce very The focus of the study was the skull of accurately how bite and muscle forces affected the Erlikosaurus andrewsi, a 3-4m (10-13ft) large skull of Erlikosaurus during the feeding process. herbivorous dinosaur called a therizinosaur, which This further allowed us to identify the importance of lived more than 90 million years ago during the soft-tissue structures, such as the keratinous beak, Cretaceous Period in what is now Mongolia, and which are normally not preserved in fossils." which shows evidence that part of its snout was covered by a keratinous beak.
    [Show full text]
  • Evaluating and Treating the Gastrointestinal System
    CHAPTER 14 Evaluating and Treating the Gastrointestinal System STACEY GELIS, BS c, BVS c (Hons), MACVS c ( Avian Health) The avian gastrointestinal tract (GIT) has undergone a multitude of changes during evolution to become a unique anatomical and physiological structure when compared to other animal orders. On the one hand it has evolved to take advantage of the physical and chemi- cal characteristics of a wide variety of food types.1 On the other hand, it has had to do so within the limitations of the requirements for flight.2 To this end, birds have evolved a lightweight beak and muscular ventriculus, which replaces the heavy bone, muscular and dental structure characteristic of reptiles and mammals. The ventriculus and small intestine are the heaviest struc- tures within the gastrointestinal tract and are located near the bird’s centre of gravity within the abdomen. Greg J. Harrison Greg J. The overall length of the GIT is also less than that of a comparable mammal, another weight-saving flight adap- tation. Interestingly, these characteristics are still shared with the flightless species such as ratites and penguins. In addition, the actual digestive process needs to be rapid to support the high metabolic rate typical of flighted birds.3 Gastrointestinal adaptations to the wide range of ecolog- ical niches that birds occupy mean that birds can take advantage of a huge variety of foodstuffs. The GIT hence shows the greatest degree of diversity of all the organ systems between different avian taxa. However, the pres- sures of convergent evolution have also meant that many distantly related species have developed a similar gastrointestinal anatomy to take advantage of particular food niches.3,4 Examples of these will be presented in the discussion of each section of the GIT.
    [Show full text]
  • Our Museum Dinosaurs
    Our Museum Dinosaurs Coelophysis Tyrannosaurus Means: ‘hollow form’ Means: ‘tyrant lizard’ Say it: seel-oh-FIE-sis Say it: tie-ran-oh-SORE-us Where found: USA Where found: USA, Canada Type: Theropod Type: Theropod Length: 3m Length: 12m Height: 2m Height: 3.6m Weight: 27kg Weight: 8,300kg How it moved: walked on two legs, may have run How it moved: swiftly on two legs Teeth: 60 saw-edged, bone-crushing, pointed Teeth: small and sharp teeth in immensely strong jaws Type of feeder: CARNIVORE Type of feeder: CARNIVORE + SCAVENGER Food: small reptiles and insects Food: all other animals When it lived: 225-220 million years ago When it lived: 68-66 million years ago In the museum In the museum Models of Coelophysis Full size replica of its skull REAL fossil footprints Polacanthus Edmontosaurus Means: ‘many prickles’ Means: ‘Edmonton lizard’ Say it: pole-a-CAN-thus Say it: ed-mon-toe-SORE-us Where found: England Where found: North America Type: Ankylosaur Type: Hadrosaur Length: 5m Length: 13m Height: 1m Height: 3.5m Weight: 2 tonnes Weight: 3,400kg How it moved: walked on four legs How it moved: on two or four legs Teeth: small Teeth: horny beak, 200 grinding cheek teeth Type of feeder: HERBIVORE Type of feeder: HERBIVORE Food: plants Food: pine needles, seeds, twigs and leaves When it lived: 130-125 million years ago When it lived: 73-66 million years ago In the museum In the museum Partial skeleton of A REAL Edmontosaurus skeleton Polacanthus (in rock) Fossil Edmontosaurus skin imprint Hypsilophodon Dracoraptor Means: ‘high-crested tooth’ Means: ‘dragon robber’ Say it: hip-sih-LOW-foh-don Say it: DRAY-co-RAP-tor Where found: Isle of Wight, England Where found: Wales Type: Ornithiscian (orn-i-thi-SHE-an) Type: Theropod Length: around 3m Length: 1.8m Height: around 1m Height: 0.8m (80cm) Weight: around 25kg Weight: 20kg How it moved: walked or ran on two legs How it moved: swiftly on two legs Teeth: small pointed serrated teeth Teeth: horny beak, c.
    [Show full text]
  • Hummingbirds in Your Backyard
    Hummingbirds in Your Backyard It is a delight to observe hummingbirds feeding from garden flowers. With striking colors, amazing speed and the ability to hover in mid- air, these very active birds are always a sight to see. General Information about Hummingbirds Hummingbirds, named for the sound their wings make in flight, are very interesting creatures. Like insects, they buzz around at great speeds, darting from flower to flower to drink the sugar- rich nectar. Specialized for feeding from tube- If you see a hummingbird in Florida, it is likely the shaped flowers, hummingbirds also play a great Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). ecological role in the pollination of many spe- Notice the ruby-colored throat of the male (above). cies of plants. In West-Central Florida, it is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colu- bird’s throat feathers. Females and juveniles bris) that makes an occasional appearance. lack this color, but males and females share the same shining emerald green plumage on their The Ruby-throated Hummingbird heads and backs. This species of hummingbird is found through- Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Garden out the Eastern United States and it has the largest breeding range of any hummingbird. In In more northern and western states, humming- West-Central Florida, this species is an occa- birds can be seen by the hundreds at special- sional year-round resident, but is most often ized hummingbird feeders. Floridians are seen during migrations in the spring and fall. known to bring these feeders home in hopes of Thousands of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds mi- seeing the same spectacle in their own yard.
    [Show full text]
  • The Hummingbird As Warrior: Evolution of a Fierce and Furious Beak - the New York Times 2/11/19, 1019 AM
    The Hummingbird as Warrior: Evolution of a Fierce and Furious Beak - The New York Times 2/11/19, 1019 AM SCIENCETAKE The Hummingbird as Warrior: Evolution of a Fierce and Furious Beak Winsomely captured in poems and song, the birds are yielding new secrets about their astounding beaks and penchant for violence. By James Gorman Feb. 5, 2019 If you want to know what makes hummingbirds tick, it’s best to avoid most poetry about them. Bird-beam of the summer day, — Whither on your sunny way? Whither? Probably off to have a bloodcurdling fight, that’s whither. John Vance Cheney wrote that verse, but let’s not point fingers. He has plenty of poetic company, all seduced by the color, beauty and teeny tininess of the hummingbird but failed to notice the ferocity burning in its rapidly beating heart. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/05/science/hummingbirds-science-t…03edit_sc_20190205&ref=headline&te=1&login=email&auth=login-email Page 1 of 12 The Hummingbird as Warrior: Evolution of a Fierce and Furious Beak - The New York Times 2/11/19, 1019 AM The Aztecs weren’t fooled. Their god of war, Huitzilopochtli, was a hummingbird. The Aztecs loved war, and they loved the beauty of the birds as well. It seems they didn’t find any contradiction in the marriage of beauty and bloodthirsty aggression. Scientists understood that aggression was a deep and pervasive part of hummingbird life. But they, too, have had their blind spots. The seemingly perfect match of nectar-bearing flowers to slender nectar-sipping beaks clearly showed that hummingbirds were shaped by co-evolution.
    [Show full text]
  • High Concentrations of European Storm Petrel (Hydrobates Pelagicus Ssp
    High concentrations of European Storm Petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus ssp. melitensis) at tuna farms in the Western Mediterranean Sea Pere JOSA, Lucía SOLIÑO and Jaume SOLÉ Josa, P, Soliño, L. and Solé, J. 2021. High concentrations of European Storm Petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus ssp. melitensis) at tuna farms in the Western Mediterranean SHNB Sea. Boll. Soc. Hist. Nat. Balears, 64: 23-37. ISSN 0212-260X. e-ISSN 2444-8192. Palma (Illes Balears). Offshore fish farms are attracting points for several species of seabirds. In 2015, high concentrations of European storm petrels (Hydrobates pelagicus, Linnaeus 1758) were spotted nearby an offshore fish farm devoted to fattening of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus, Linnaeus 1758), located 2.5 miles off l’Ametlla de Mar in Sant Jordi Gulf (Catalonia, NE Iberian Peninsula). During 6 years, censuses at the tuna SOCIETAT D’HISTÒRIA cages were undertaken to study storm petrel abundances, as well as their NATURAL DE LES BALEARS autoecology, phenology, behavior and interaction with other seabirds. Storm petrel numbers peaked in spring and summer, accounting for more than 100 individuals, with their maximum recorded in May. It must be noted the great density registered in 2020 with 455 individuals observed, which represent the highest number ever recorded in Catalonia. These figures are extraordinary at Catalonian coasts, where references of big flocks of this species are scarce. Important aggregations of storm petrel associated with tuna farms were previously described in Malta and in the Southeast of the Iberian Peninsula. However, these farms are located relatively near their breeding colonies whilst in the case of individuals studied in l’Ametlla de Mar the nearest colonies known are Columbretes and Balearic Islands, which are much further from the fish farm than in the formerly mentioned cases.
    [Show full text]
  • Basic Avian Anatomy
    Basic Avian Anatomy Peter S. Sakas DVM, MS Niles Animal Hospital and Bird Medical Center 7278 N. Milwaukee Ave. Niles, IL 60714 (847)-647-9325 FAX (847)-647-8498 Introduction Everyone is familiar with the anatomy of mammals and may also have some knowledge of a few avian anatomical characteristics. The purpose of this discussion is to provide a deeper insight into avian anatomy and provide some comparisons to mammalian features. An understanding of avian anatomy is essential for avian practitioners. Sources of information for this discussion include the fine work of Dr. Howard Evans and Dr. Robert Clipsham. Feathers Feathers are unique to birds. Birds grow feathers in and around eight well- defined feather tracts or pterylae; they are not haphazardly arranged. Feathers compromise from 10-20% of a bird’s body weight. Each feather can be raised by a separate skin muscle (‘raising their hackles’ or fanning tail).Feathers are outgrowths of the feather follicles of the skin and are the counterpart to hairs and hair follicles in mammals. Feathers provide many functions for birds, attracts mate or deceives predator, heat control, flight, aerodynamic streamlining and water buoyancy. Feathers are not really “bird hairs” but are probably modified scales passed down from their reptilian ancestors. Feathers can be grouped into three categories: 1) Contour feathers or penna – These feathers cover the body, wings and tail, and are the feathers most obviously visible on the bird. 2) Down feathers or plumules – These tiny, soft down feathers are found associated with contour feathers and/or the spaces between them. 3) Tufted bristle feathers or filoplumes- Feathers which are modified and appear as ‘eyelashes and nose hairs.’ Contour Feathers The contour feather consists of a shaft with a vane.
    [Show full text]
  • ORCHIDS and HUMMINGBIRDS: SEX in the FAST LANE Part 1 of Orchids and Their Pollinators CAROL SIEGEL
    ORCHIDS AND HUMMINGBIRDS: SEX IN THE FAST LANE Part 1 of Orchids and Their Pollinators CAROL SIEGEL ART BULLY, ALL SWAGGER, hummingbirds are ing flowers locked together in a mutually beneficial tiny bundles of ego and attitude with no humili- dance. Pty or fear. The smallest warm-blooded avian crea- Hummingbirds (Trochilidae) are the predominant tures, they hover like a helicopter, consume energy like avian orchid pollinator. Birds are late-comers to the a jet plane, and glitter in the sunlight like a precious pollination game and only pollinate three percent of jewel. It is fitting that this most magnificent evolution- orchids. Nonetheless, with an estimated 35,000 orchid ary miracle should be a pollinator for the equally mag- species, there are probably hundreds and hundreds of nificent evolutionary miracle that is the orchid. orchids that rely on hummingbirds for pollination. Most orchids that are hummingbird- pollinated are from high- elevation ecosystems in the tropical New World where insects are rare or unable to operate because of the cold. They are particularly common in the Andean regions where hummingbirds reach their greatest diversity. Hummingbirds are found only in the Americas with at least 330 species from Alaska to the tip of South America. The greatest numbers are found in the tropics with fewer than 20 species normally found in the United States and Canada. Hummingbirds seem particularly attracted to many species of the genera Elleanthus, Cochlioda, and Comparettia. Some species of Masdevallia, Epidendrum, Encyclia, Cattleya, Sobralia, and Laelia have also adapted to hummingbirds. In addition, the highly-specialized little birds are attracted to certain species of Ada, Scaphyglottis (syn.
    [Show full text]