Bird of Day 90: Pied Oystercatcher

Haematopus longirostris

The Pied Oystercatcher is a wading bird native to Australia and found commonly around the coastline. Other species of Oystercatchers include the Eurasian Oystercatcher, the American Oystercatcher and the African Black Oystercatcher.

This Australian species is easily recognized by the characteristic 5–8 cm long orange-red beak, slender pink legs and black and white plumage.

Pied Oystercatchers frequent sandy coastlines, where they feed mainly on bivalve molluscs, which are prised apart with their specially adapted bill. The name "oystercatcher" is something of a misnomer for this species, because they seldom eat oysters, which are found mainly on rocky coastlines. The techniques they use to break open the shells of the molluscs vary greatly and are thought to be learned behaviour. Pied Oystercatchers also take other invertebrates.

Haematopus longirostris nest in shallow scrapes made in open areas near the shore and produce 2–3 eggs in a typical clutch. Each couple protects its nesting area and often uses the same area year after year. Like the gulls they share the shore with, Pied Oystercatchers will band together to mob a perceived threat.

A nice bit of paired Pied Oystercatcher footage here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lNlDEKvDyY

[All text: Ref (128)]

Bird of Day 89: Varied Tit

Cyanistes varius (although some refer to this bird as Poecile varius)

This lovely 12-14cm long bird occurs in eastern Asia in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and locally in northeastern China (southern Liaoning) and extreme southeastern Russia (southern Kurile Islands). Its habitat consists of open mixed forests, often at mountain slopes and river valleys.

The Varied Tit weighs just 16-18g and has a wing length of 6-7.8cm. It eats a mixed diet consisting of seeds and insects, namely caterpillars.

Its call consists of tiny tones which sounds like tzu….tzu….tzu….
Recommended footage of this pretty bird here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG0uoT6ySr0&NR=1

[All text: Ref (127)]

Bird of Day 88 :Yellow-tailed Thornbill

Acanthiza chrysorrhoa

Also known as the Yellow-rumped Thornbill.

The species has a wide distribution across western, southern and eastern Australia as well as Tasmania; it is absent from the north coast of Western Australia, parts of central Australia, northern Queensland and central and northern Northern Territory. The species inhabits a wide range of habitats, including open forest and woodland, grasslands, savannah as scrubland.

The Yellow-tailed Thornbill is the largest species of thornbill, 9.5–12cm long and weighing 9g. It is insectivorous; major prey items include ants, beetles and bugs. Other items eaten include spiders, flies and seeds. The species usually forages in small groups of between 3-12 individuals, and may join mixed species-flocks with other small insectivorous passerines such as the Speckled Warbler, Weebill and other species of thornbill.

Nesting usually occurs as a pair, but sometimes one to three helpers will assist the breeding pair. The nest is a messy dome-shaped structure made of dried grass and other vegetation hidden low down among dense foliage or shrubs, or sometimes in vines or mistletoe. Atop the dome is a cup-shaped depression which serves as a false nest, while the real nest is inside with a concealed entrance.

The Yellow-tailed Thornbill has a distinctive song described as "twittering, musical, sweet, high pitched": http://birdsinbackyards.net/images/audio/acanthiza-chrysorrhoa.mp3. The species is also reported to be an accomplished mimic of other birds, in particular mimicking the alarm calls of the Noisy Miner.

[All text: Ref [(126)]

Bird of Day 87: White-rumped Shama

Copsychus malabaricus

These birds are native to South and Southeast Asia, but have been introduced to Kaua'i, Hawai'i and to O'ahu. They are popular cage bird, with some escapee birds establishing themselves in Taiwan and other countries.

In Asia, their habitat is dense undergrowth especially in bamboo forests. In Hawaii, they are common in valley forests or on the ridges of the southern Ko'olaus, and tend to nest in undergrowth or low trees of lowland broadleaf forests.

The White-rumped Shama is typically 23-28cm in length. This specimen featured in this stamp is male, where the female is more of a greyish-brown and shorter in length. They feed on insects in the wild but in captivity feed on boiled and dried legumes with egg yolk and raw meat.

The White-rumped Shama is shy and somewhat crepuscular* but very territorial. The voice of this species is rich and melodious which made them popular as cage birds. It is loud and clear, with a variety of phrases, and often mimics other birds. They also make a Tck call in alarm or when foraging. One of the first recordings of a bird song that was ever made was of this species. This recording was made in 1889 from a captive individual using an Edison wax cylinder by Ludwig Koch in Germany. Song, including the Tck call : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImcO-cCuDnw

[All text above: Ref (124)]

* Crepuscular is a term used to describe some animals that are primarily active during twilight, that is at dawn and at dusk. The word is derived from the Latin word crepusculum, meaning "twilight." [Text: Ref (125)]

Bird of Day 86: Lovely Wren

Malurus amabilis

Also known as Lovely Fairywren.

This pretty bird is endemic to Australia and is also found in lowland New Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

Like other fairywrens, it is notable for its marked sexual dimorphism, males adopting a highly visible breeding plumage of brilliant iridescent blue and chestnut contrasting with black and grey-brown. The brightly coloured crown and ear tufts are prominently featured in breeding displays. The female has smokey blue upperparts and tail, with turquoise ear tufts, and dark grey wings, and white below.

The nest is built by the female and she also incubates and feeds the young.

[All text: Ref (123)]

Bird of Day 85: Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

One of the best known birds of prey, this bird is present in Eurasia, North America, and parts of Africa. The highest density of nesting Golden Eagles in the world lies in southern Alameda County, California.

Golden Eagles use their agility and speed combined with extremely powerful talons to snatch up prey including rabbits, marmots, ground squirrels, and large mammals such as fox, wild and domestic cats, mountain goats, ibex, and young deer. They will also eat carrion if prey is scarce, as well as reptiles. Birds, including large species up to the size of swans and cranes as well as ravens and Greater Black-backed Gulls have all been recorded as prey. They have even been known to attack and kill fully grown roe deer.

Golden Eagles maintain territories that may be as large as 155 sq km. They are monogamous and may remain together for several years or possibly for life. Golden Eagles nest in high places including cliffs, trees, or human structures such as telephone poles. They build huge nests to which they may return for several breeding years.

Golden Eagles have been used in falconry since the Middle Ages. In Asia, they were used in teams to hunt such animals as deer, antelope and wolves, while their use was reserved for Emperors in Europe. The Golden Eagle is used extensively in heraldry and is a sacred bird in many cultures.

[All text: Ref (122)]

Bird of Day 84: Laughing Kookaburra

Dacelo novaeguineae

Kookaburras are large to very large (total length 28–42cm) terrestrial kingfishers native to Australia and New Guinea. The name Kookaburra was loaned from the Wiradjuri word guuguubarra, which is onomatopoeic of its call.

The Laughing Kookaburra - native to eastern Australia and introduced to southwest Australia - shares its genus with the three other Kookaburras. Of these other three, only the Blue-winged Kookaburra inhabits Australia (northern).

Kookaburras are carnivorous. They will eat lizards, snakes, insects, mice, other small birds, and raw meat. In the wild, kookaburras are known to eat the young of other birds and snakes, and insects and small reptiles and even other small birds, such as finches if they are lucky enough to catch them.

They are territorial, and often live with the partly grown chicks of the previous season. The Laughing Kookaburra sing as a chorus to mark their territory, described as good-natured, but rather hysterical, merriment.

Although the kookaburra is restricted to a relatively small part of the world, the distinctive sound it makes has found its way onto many "jungle sound" soundtracks, used in movies and television as well as certain major theme park attractions, no matter where in the world the action is set.

The Dreamtime story of the Kookaburra can be read here: http://www.dreamtime.auz.net/default.asp?PageID=62

[All text: Ref (121)]

Bird of Day 83: Great White Pelican

Pelecanus onocrotalus

Also known as the Eastern White Pelican or White Pelican.

It breeds from southeastern Europe through Asia and in Africa in swamps and shallow lakes. Its short strong legs, webbed feet, pouched bill and long wings provide for excellent adaptation to aquatic life.

Great White Pelicans are large birds with mass of 10kg, 160cm long and with a 280cm wingspan. Males are larger than females, and have a long beak that grows in a downwards arc, as opposed to the shorter, straighter beak of the female.

The diet of the Great White Pelican consists mainly of fish. Each pelican needs about 1.4kg of fish every day. Great White Pelicans also eat crustaceans, tadpoles and even turtles. They readily accept handouts from humans, and a number of unusual items have been recorded in their diet.

Large numbers of these pelicans breed together in colonies. The female lays 2 to 4 eggs. Nest location varies with some populations making stick nests in trees and others, such as those in Africa, nesting exclusively in scrapes on the ground lined with grass, sticks, feathers and other material. The young are cared for by both parents.

[All text: Ref (120)]

Bird of Day 82: Flame Robin

Petroica phoenicea

This 12-14cm bird is a small passerine bird native Australian, moderately common resident of the coolest parts of south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania.

In spring and summer, the Flame Robin is often found in wet eucalypt forest in hilly or mountainous areas, particularly the tops and slopes, to an elevation of 1800m. It generally prefers areas with more clearings and less understory. Flame Robins often become more abundant in areas recently burnt by bushfires, but move away once the undergrowth regrows. They may also move into logged or cleared areas in forests.

The Flame Robin is predominantly insectivorous, pouncing on prey from a perch in a tree, or foraging on the ground. A territorial bird, the Flame Robin employs song and plumage displays to mark out and defend its territory.

Within its range, it is generally migratory, moving from alpine and subalpine regions to lowlands in winter, although the breeding and non-breeding ranges overlap. There is some evidence that male birds migrate several days before females.

This bird impresses as nervous and twitchy, flicking its wings alternately when still. The Flame Robin's flight is fast, with a markedly undulating character.

[All text: Ref (119)]

Bird of Day 81: Red-crowned Crane

Grus japonensis

Also called Japanese Crane or Manchurian Crane.

This large crane is the second rarest crane in the world and is listed as Endangered. It stands at 140-150cm in height and typically weighs 7.7-10kg. The red patch of skin of the adult bird becomes bright red when the crane is angry or excited.

In spring and summer, the Red-crowned Crane breeds in Siberia and occasionally in northeastern Mongolia. Normally the crane lays 2 eggs, with only one surviving. Later, in the fall, it migrates in flocks to Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, and other countries in East Asia to spend the winter.

In Japan, this crane is known as the tancho and is said to live for 1000 years. In China, the Red-crowned Crane is often featured in myths and legends. In Taoism, the Red-crowned Crane is a symbol of longevity and immortality. In art and literature, immortals are often depicted riding on cranes. A mortal who attains immortality is similarly carried off by a crane. Reflecting this association, Red-crowned Cranes are called xian he, or fairy cranes. The Red-crowned Crane is also a symbol of nobility. Depictions of the crane have been found in Shang Dynasty tombs and Zhou Dynasty ceremonial bronzeware. A common theme in later Chinese art is the reclusive scholar who cultivates bamboo and keeps cranes.

[All text: Ref (118)]

Bird of Day 80: Barn Owl

Tyto alba

Known by many other names, including Common Barn Owl, White Owl, Silver Owl, Ghost Owl, Dobby Owl, Straw Owl and Delicate Owl.

This bird is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. T. alba is found almost anywhere in the world except polar and desert regions, Asia north of the Alpide belt, most of Indonesia, and the Pacific islands. The Barn Owl inhabits open country such as farmland or grassland with some interspersed woodland.

Measuring 25-45cm in overall length with a wingspan of 75-110cm, the light face with its heart shape and the black eyes give the flying bird an odd and startling appearance.

The Barn Owl has a high metabolism rate compared to other owls of the same size. It feeds primarily on small vertebrates, particularly rodents, making it a valuable wildlife animal to farmers. Habitation in barns is encouraged by providing access to cavities, such as attics, which the Barn Owl likes to breed in. They do not build a nest in the strict sense, rather just scrape together some debris in the cavity. Away from human activity, the Barn Owl nests in tree hollows, occasionally nesting in mine shafts and caves.

Contrary to popular belief, it does not hoot (such calls are made by typical owls, like the Tawny Owl or other Strix). It instead produces the characteristic shree scream, ear-shattering at close range. Males in courtship give a shrill twitter. It can hiss like a snake to scare away intruders, and when captured or cornered, it throws itself on its back and flails with sharp-taloned feet, making for an effective defense. Also given in such situations is a rasp and a clicking snap, produced by the bill or possibly the tongue.

[All text: Ref (117)]

Bird of Day 79: Little (Australasian) Grebe

Tachybaptus novaehollandiae

More accurately known as the Australasian Grebe, similar to the Little Grebe of Europe.

This tiny waterbird, at 25-27cm is one of the smallest members of the grebe family. It is common on fresh water lakes and rivers in greater Australia, New Zealand and on nearby Pacific islands.

The yellow spot below the eye in the bird featured here indicates this Grebe is in its breeding plumage. In the non-breeding season this spot becomes whiter and the rest of the plumage becomes duller. Interestingly, this occurs for both sexes.

The Australasian Grebe is an excellent swimmer and diver, and usually dives immediately when alarmed and swims away under water.

[All text: Ref (116)]

Bird of Day 78: Great Bustard

Otis tarda

This huge bird breeds in southern and central Europe as well as temperate Asia. The Asian birds move south in winter. The Great Bustard's habitat is open grassland, although it can be found on undisturbed cultivation.

The male Great Bustard is possibly the heaviest flying animal. An adult male typically is 90–110cm long with a 2.1–2.5m wingspan and usually weighs from 10 to 16kg. The heaviest known bird was about 21kg. The female is typically 30% smaller.

It has a stately slow walk, and tends to run when disturbed rather than fly. It is gregarious, especially in winter. This species is omnivorous, taking seeds, insects and other small creatures, including frogs and beetles.

Both sexes are usually silent. Otis tarda is listed as Vulnerable.

The Great Bustard is the national bird of Hungary and referred to in many Hungarian proverbs; Rather a sparrow today than a bustard tomorrow.

[All text except proverb: Ref (114)]
[Proverb: Ref (115)]

Bird of Day 77: Eastern Spot-billed Duck

Anas zonorhyncha

This duck is widely distributed in Eastern Asia from southeast Siberia, Japan and Korea south to China. Winters in southern China, Taiwan and the Philippines. The northernmost populations are migratory and spend the winter in south and east China. It lives in various types of wetlands, at the coast and inland, prefering shallow water with vegetation.

Eastern Spot-billed Duck is 58-63cm in height, slightly bigger than a Mallard Duck. On the end of its black bill is a yellow tip, hence its name.

The breeding season is variable and usually involves single pairs but sometimes the birds form loose small colonies. Nests are made in a pad of vegetation on the ground or in trees, and always near water. The Eastern Spot-billed Duck lays 7-9 eggs.

[All text: Ref (113)]

Bird of Day 76: Zebra Finch

Taeniopygia guttata

This gregarious little bird (10cm) is common in Central Australia and ranges over most of the continent, avoiding only the cool moist south and the tropical far north. It also can be found natively in Indonesia and Timor-Leste. The bird has been introduced to Puerto Rico, Portugal, Brazil, and the U.S. They are also popular cage-birds.

Zebra Finches inhabit a wide range of grasslands and forests, usually close to water. This ground-dweller prefers to eat grass seeds. Wild birds are adaptable and varied in their nesting habits, with nests being found in cavities, scrub, low trees, bushes, on the ground, in termite hills, rabbit burrows, nests of other birds, and in the cracks, crevices, and ledges of human structures. Outside of the breeding time, brood nests are constructed for sleeping in.

Zebra Finches are loud and boisterous singers. A significant amount of research and discourse surrounds the mechanisms of song of the Zebra Finch. Their call can be a loud beep, meep, oi! or a-ha!, sounding something like a toy trumpet or the buttons on a phone being pushed. Their song is a few small beeps, leading up to a rhythmic song of varying complexity in males. Each male's song is different, although birds of the same bloodline will exhibit similarities, and all finches will overlay their own uniqueness onto a common rhythmic framework. Sons generally learn the song of their father with little variation. Songs may change during puberty, but afterwards they are locked in for the life of the bird.

[All text: Ref (112)]

Bird of Day 75: Whooping Cranes

Grus americana

The Whooping Crane, the tallest North American bird, is an endangered crane species named for its whooping sound and call.

The species stands nearly 1.5m with a wingspan of 2.3m. Males weigh on average 7.0kg , while females weigh about 6.0kg.

The Whooping Crane's lifespan is estimated to be 22 to 24 years in the wild. There is an estimate of only 400+ left in the wild. The only known remaining nesting location is Whooping Crane Summer Range in Wood Buffalo National Park in Alberta, Canada and the surrounding area.

One attempt to establish other breeding populations of this bird in captivity was to train isolated young Whooping Cranes to follow an ultralight aircraft, a method of re-establishing migration routes. See this photo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:09-01-17_WhoopingCranes.jpg

The call: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM_GeD8w0QI


[All text: Ref (111)]

Bird of Day 74: Congo Peafowl

Afropavo congensis

The male, featured here on the right, is a large bird of up to 70 cm in length. The female is smaller. The Congo Peafowl is endemic to lowland rainforests of Congo River Basin in the central part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

These birds eat mostly fruits and invertebrates. The male has a similar display to other peacocks, fanning its tail in this case, while other peacocks fan their upper tail coverts. The male Congo Peafowl is monogamous, though information from the wild is needed.

Very little is known about this species and due to ongoing habitat loss, small population size and in some areas hunting, Afropavo congensis conservation status is listed as Vulnerable.

[All text: Ref (110)]

Bird of Day 73: Asian Paradise-flycatcher

Terpsiphone paradisi

Also known as the Common Flycatcher.

Asian Paradise-flycatchers inhabit thick forests and well-wooded habitats from Turkestan to Manchuria, all over India and Sri Lanka to the Malay Archipelago on the islands of Sumba and Alor. They are migratory and spend the winter season in tropical Asia.

The adult bird is 19-22cm long. The bird featured here is a male of the species. The female has a rufous back and grey underparts. Male Asian Paradise-flycatchers change the colour of their plumage in the first few years of their lives. As adult they develop up to 24 cm long tail feathers. Their rufous plumage moults into white with the central pair of tail feathers growing up to 30 cm long streamers that droop.

Terpsiphone paradisi makes a neat cup nest made with twigs and spider webs on the end of a low branch: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Asian_Paradise_Flycatcher_(Terpsiphone_paradisi)-_male_at_nest_W_IMG_9261.jpg
Both male and female incubate the eggs.

Asian Paradise-flycatchers are noisy birds uttering sharp skreek calls. They have short legs and sit very upright whilst perched.

[All text: Ref (109)]

Bird of Day 72: Hooded dotterel

Thinornis rubricollis

Also known as the Hooded Plover or Hoody.

This Australian bird averages 21cm (adult) in length and weighs 95g. It lives on sandy beaches between Jervis Bay, New South Wales and the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, as well as in Tasmania and between Esperance and Perth in south-west Western Australia.They are not abundant.

In Victoria, the highest densities of Hooded Plovers occur on beaches with large amounts of beach-washed seaweed. Densities are lowest on narrow, steep beaches, where there are few or no dunes, and where human activities are most intensive. In the south-west, they also occur on inland salt lakes. Thinornis rubricollis is listed as Endangered in Victoria and NSW. They Vulnerable or Not Present in other states and Secure in WA and Tasmania.

The Hooded Plover is non-migratory.
It eats insects, sandhoppers, small bivalves and soldier crabs. The nest is a shallow scrape in beach sand or fine gravel above the high-tide mark. This nest may be encircled or lined with pebbles, seaweed and other beach debris.

The call of the Hooded Plover is quiet and piping. It also has a chook-chook call.

[All text: Ref (108)]

Bird of Day 71: Grey Partridge

Perdix perdix

Also known as English Partridge, Hungarian Partridge, or Hun.

The Grey Partridge breeds on farmland across most of Europe into western Asia, and has been introduced widely into North America. They are quite common in some areas of southern Canada and the northern United States. It is a game bird, introduced to many parts of the world for shooting.

The Grey Partridge is rotund and 28-32cm long. These birds eat seeds and when young, insects for essential protein supply. They are a non-migratory terrestrial species, and form flocks outside the breeding season. Hens lay up to twenty eggs in a ground nest.

The song is a harsh kieerr-ik, and when disturbed, like most of the gamebirds, it flies a short distance on rounded wings, often calling rick rick rick as it rises.

[All text: Ref (107)]

Bird of Day 70: Crimson Rosella

Platycercus elegans

Australian natives, Crimson Rosellas occur in northern Queensland, in southern Queensland down to south-eastern South Australia and on Kangaroo Island. They have been introduced to Norfolk Island and New Zealand. The habitat of this vibrant and swift bird is tall eucalypt and wet forests.

Crimson Rosellas are normally encountered in small flocks and are easily attracted to garden seed trays. Once familiar with humans, they will accept hand held food. Natural foods include seeds of eucalypts, grasses and shrubs, as well as insects and some tree blossoms.

The nest is a tree hollow, located high in a tree, and lined with wood shavings and dust. The female alone incubates the white eggs, but both sexes care for the young. The chicks remain dependent on their parents for a further 35 days after leaving the nest.

Crimson Rosellas are not only red, but can be yellow or orange. Yellow and red birds produce orange offspring.

Platycercus elegans has a range of calls, the commonest being a two-syllabled cussik-cussik: http://birdsinbackyards.net/images/audio/platycercus-elegans.mp3 It also has a range of harsh screeches and metallic whistles.

[All text: Ref (106)]

Bird of Day 69: Lesser Cuckoo

Cuculus poliocephalus


French: Petit Coucou
German: Gackelkuckuck
Spanish: Cuco Chico
Other common names: Small/Little Cuckoo
(103)

The Lesser Cuckoo occurs in North Afghanistan, North Pakistan and Kashmir E through Himalayan foothills to Khasi and Naga Hills, Bangladesh and N Myanmar, and across China to Ussuriland, Korea and Japan. This cuckoo winters in peninsular India, Sri Lanka and East Africa.(103)

This bird has a slender body, long tail and strong legs. It feeds on insects and fruit. It is a vocal bird, with persistent and loud calls (104).
Click here for the Lesser Cuckoo's call: http://www.xeno-canto.org/XCspeciesprofiles.php?species_nr2=5803.00 A lovely bit of footage of a perched Lesser Cuckoo is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOB-g2Btczw

Cuculus poliocephalus is a brood parasite, that is, they lay a single egg in the nests of various passerine* hosts. The female cuckoo in each case replaces one of the host’s eggs with one of her own. The cuckoo egg hatches earlier than the host’s, and the chick grows faster; in most cases the cuckoo chick evicts the eggs or young of the host species. Cuculus species lay coloured eggs to match those of their passerine hosts. Female cuckoos specialise in a particular host species (generally the species that raised them) and lay eggs that closely resemble the eggs of that host.
(104)

* a bird of the order Passeriformes, which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds or, less accurately, as songbirds, the passerines form one of the most diverse terrestrial vertebrate orders: with over 5,000 identified species. (105)

Bird of Day 68: Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

This bird is a large wading bird common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North and Central America as well as the West Indies and the Galápagos Islands.

From head-to-tail it measures 91–140 cm; wingspan: 167–201 cm and weight: 2–3.6 kg. The heron's stride is around 22 cm, almost in a straight line.

Herons locate their food by sight and usually swallow it whole. Herons have been known to choke on prey that is too large. This species usually breeds in colonies, in trees close to lakes or other wetlands. Great Blue Herons build a bulky stick nest, and the female lays three to six pale blue eggs. Both parents feed the young at the nest by regurgitating food.

The voice of Ardea herodias is a harsh croak. The heron is most vocal during the breeding season, but will call occasionally at any time of the year in territorial disputes or if disturbed.

[All text: Ref (102)]

Bird of Day 67: Crested Kingfisher

Megaceryle lugubris

The Crested Kingfisher is resident of the Himalayas and foothills of North East India, Bangladesh, northern Indochina, and south and east China.

For a Kingfisher it is very large - 41cm in length. It is black and white with evenly barred wings and tail. The Crested Kingfisher lacks a a supercilium* and has a spotted breast, which is sometimes mixed with rufous**.

Megaceryle lugubris is mainly found in mountain rivers and larger rivers in foothills.

[All text: Ref (98)]

* a plumage feature present on the heads of many bird species. It is a stripe which starts above the bird's loral area***, continuing above the eye, and finishing somewhere towards the rear of the bird's head. It is distinct from the eyestripe which is a line which runs across the lores, and continues behind the eye. (99)

** a colour that may be described as reddish-brown or brownish-red, as of rust or oxidised iron (100).

*** the space between the eye and bill (101)

Bird of Day 66: Demoiselle Crane

Anthropoides virgo

The Demoiselle Crane breeds in central Asia, with a few found in Cyprus and eastern Turkey, even far as western and Northern Pakistan. The crane migrates to Africa and South Asia in winter.

This crane measures 85-100cm long with a 155-180cm wingspan. It has a loud trumpeting call. Like other cranes it has a dancing display, elegant and balletic.

Demoiselle Cranes have to take one of the toughest migrations in the world. In late August through September, they gather in flocks of up to 400 individuals and prepare for their flight to their winter range. During their migratory flight south, Demoiselles fly like all cranes, with their head and neck straight forward and their feet and legs straight behind, reaching altitudes of 16,000-26,000 feet. Along their arduous journey they have to cross the Himalayan mountains to get to their over wintering grounds in India, many die from fatigue, hunger and predation from birds such as eagles.

In Khichan, Rajasthan in India, villagers feed the Cranes on their migration and these large congregations have become an annual spectacle.

[All text: Ref (97)]

Bird of Day 65: Japanese White-eye

Zosterops japonicus

Also known as mejiro, meaning white-eye in Japanese.

The Japanese White-eye's native range includes much of east Asia, including Japan, China, Vietnam,Taiwan, and the Philippines. It has been intentionally introduced to other parts of the world as a pet and as pest control, with mixed results.

This very active little bird is about 10.2-11.4cm in size and feeds on both insects and nectar. When building nests, they often steal material from the nests of other birds.

Zosterops japonicus is depicted in Japanese art on numerous occasions, and historically was kept as a cage bird. Find an example of the White-eye in Japanese art here: http://cache2.allpostersimages.com/p/LRG/51/5142/DRPEG00Z/posters/hiroshige-ando-a-japanese-white-eye-on-a-persimmon-branch.jpg

[All text: Ref (96)]

Bird of Day 64: Steller's Sea Eagle

Haliaeetus pelagicus

One of the largest of all raptors, Steller's Sea Eagle lives in coastal northeastern Asia and feeds mainly on fish. The typical size range is 85-105cm long with a wingspan of 195-230cm. It is the heaviest eagle in the world: females at 6.8-9kg, while males are considerably lighter with a weight range of 4.9-6kg.

Steller's Sea Eagle builds several large platform nests (aeries) high up on trees and rock. Usually only one chicks survives and at the age of ten weeks, the young bird learns to fly. They reach sexual maturity at around four to five years. Full adult plumage in the Steller's Sea Eagle only appears at age eight to ten years.

[All text above: Ref (94)]

This bird is named after the German botanist, zoologist, physician and explorer Georg Wilhelm Steller. Steller has several animals and plants name after him, including Steller's Jay, Steller's sea cow and Cryptochiton stelleri
(Gumboot chiton). [This text: Ref (95)]

Bird of Day 63: Mute Swan

Cygnus olor

The Mute Swan is native to much of Europe and Asia, and (as a rare winter visitor) the far north of Africa. It is also an introduced species in North America, Australasia and southern Africa. It is less vocal than other swan species and thus its name.

Measuring 125 to 170cm in length, with a 200 to 240cm wingspan, this large swan is wholly white in plumage with an orange bill bordered with black. Males (known as cobs) are larger than females and have a larger knob on their bill.

Cygnus olor is monogamous and often reuse the same nest each year, restoring or rebuilding it as needed. Male and female swans share the care of the nest, and once the cygnets are fledged it is not uncommon to see whole families looking for food.

Reference to the Mute Swan is rich in cultural history. The phrase swan song refers to this swan and to the legend that it is utterly silent until the last moment of its life, and then sings one achingly beautiful song just before dying.

[All text: Ref (93)]

Bird of Day 62: Purple-naped Sunbird

Hypogramma hypogrammicum (formerly Nectarina hypogrammica)

The Purple-naped Sunbird is found in Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. (91)

Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. (91) The Purple-naped Sunbird eats nectar from flowers (92).

Sunbirds are active diurnal birds that generally occur in pairs or occasionally in small family groups (92). A few species occasionally gather in larger groups, and sunbird will join with other birds to mob potential predators, although sunbirds will also aggressively target other species, even if they are not predators, when defending their territories (92). A few species of sunbirds have lekking* behaviour (92). The nests of sunbirds are generally purse-shaped, enclosed and suspended from thin branches (92)

*Refer to Bird of Day 24

Bird of Day 61: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Picoides minor (previously Dendrocopos minor)

The range of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is the Palearctic* region. It is a little bird which spends most if its time in the tops of tall trees in woods ands parks. The Woodpecker featured here is the male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker; the female has a white crown.

The note of Picoides minor is a repeated keek, loud for such a small bird, and its vibrating rattle can with experience be distinguished from that of the larger species (Greater Spotted Woodpecker).

[All text: Ref (89)]

* The Palearctic (or Palaearctic) is one of the eight ecozones dividing the Earth's surface. Physically, the Palearctic is the largest ecozone. It includes the terrestrial ecoregions of Europe, Asia north of the Himalaya foothills, northern Africa, and the northern and central parts of the Arabian Peninsula. (90)

Bird of Day 60: Grey Heron

Ardea cinerea

The Grey Heron is native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It is resident in the milder south and west, but many birds retreat in winter from the ice in colder regions.

It is a large bird, standing 90–100cm tall, with a 175–195cm wingspan and a weight of 1–2kg. It feeds in shallow water, catching fish, frogs, and insects with its long bill. Herons will also take small mammals, reptiles and occasionally warbler nestlings, plovers, young and adult snipes, takes ducklings and tern chicks and other small birds. It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim.

The call of the Grey Heron is a loud croaking fraaank. This species breeds in colonies in trees close to lakes, the seashore or other wetlands, although it will also nest in reedbeds. It builds a bulky stick nest.

The Australian White-faced Heron is often incorrectly called Grey Heron.

[All text: Ref (88)]