Studies of less familiar birds 132. Spur-winged Plover
|
|
- Esther Jefferson
- 5 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 Studies of less familiar birds 132. Spur-winged Plover By 1. J. Ferguson-Lees Photographs by D. A. P. Cooke, Harold Piatt, Eric Hosking and Use Makatsch (Plates 9-12) THE SPUR-WINGED PLOVER Hop lop terns spinosus is one of a number of round-winged plovers with much black and white in the plumage (notably on the wings and tail), which are now generally united in the genus Vanellus. Most of this group differ from other plovers in having crests and at least rudimentary wing-spurs, while some also have facial wattles. Apart from the Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, the majority are African, though some are found exclusively in southern Asia. The Spur-wing's main range is from southern Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Israel and Egypt southwards through eastern Africa to the Equator and westwards across tropical Africa south of the Sahara to Senegal. Along with the Palm Dove Streptopelia senegalensis, Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina and Ashy-headed Bunting Emberi^a cinerea, however, it has also recently been found nesting regularly in south-east Europe. Current editions of the Field Guide say that this species occurs in north-east Greece and European Turkey, 'where it may breed'. This last statement, first published in 1954, was based on the fact that there had been occasional records of Spur-winged Plovers in the south-east Balkans since way back in the nineteenth century. Most had been in spring and were probably migrants which had overshot their range but continued... 47
2 BRITISH BIRDS over the years they included enough in the summer (and odd ones through to October) to raise a suspicion of nesting. The nearest places where breeding is known to have taken place are Asiatic Turkey (doubtless regularly, though there seems only one authenticated record as long ago as 1913) and Cyprus (intermittently, but now usually shot). Then suspicion grew into near certainty in the 1950's when there was a scattering of observations in the extreme north-east of Greece (Thrace), chiefly at Porto Lago and on the delta of the Evros, where Watson (1961) collected four Spur-winged Plovers with enlarged gonads and saw three or four others in late March and early April Finally, on 4th May i960 this same ornithologist found a nest with four eggs at Porto Lago; only eight days later Bauer (i960) located an incomplete clutch of two eggs in the estuary of the Gallikos on the Gulf of Salonika well over a hundred miles further west; and soon afterwards, still in May i960, Raines (1962) recorded another nest with four eggs at Porto Lago (exact date not published, but during the i4th-22nd). That year saw a total of three or four pairs at Porto Lago (Austin, Raines), four pairs some 40 miles to the west on the delta of the Nestos (Raines) and the birds at Gallikos (Bauer). The next year, 1961, Raines and his companions found only two pairs on the Nestos delta owing to flooding, but no less than eight at Porto Lago and five on the Evros delta: three nests were found at Porto Lago and one of these is that which appears on plates 9 and 10 (see also plate 12a). In 1961, too, Makatsch (1962) located the species in another part of the Gulf of Salonika, where plates 1 ib and 12b were taken, and since then the bird has gone from strength to strength. In 1962, for example, there were at least 19 pairs on the Nestos delta (Helversen 1962) and there are now two clearly established breeding zones, one between the deltas of the Nestos and the Evros (including Porto Lago and several other sites) and the other in the Gulf of Salonika (the estuaries of the rivers Gallikos, Axios and Aliakmon). In Africa, and perhaps the Middle East, the species is resident, but it is proving a summer-visitor to Europe, mainly during March-August. Is this a new colonisation or have these birds been overlooked in the past? Certainly more ornithologists have been visiting Greece in recent years, but this is a very conspicuous species with strikingly contrasted black and white head and under-parts and much black in the wings and tail in flight; it is also even more noisy and demonstrative PLATE 9. Spur-winged Plovers Hoplopterus spinosus at nest, Greece, May This wader has bred in Greece since i960 and these are among the first European photos. The lower bird is settling on the eggs and the feathers oyer the brood patches are erect (pages 47-51) (photos: Harold Piatt and D, A. P. Cooke)
3 SPUR-WINGED PLOVER STUDIES in the breeding season than the Lapwing. Odd pairs may well have bred in Greece in the past, but these concentrations in Thrace and Macedonia are surely a development of the last decade and the evident build-up in numbers supports this. Also, whereas Bannerman and Bannerman (1958) believed the species to be 'an increasingly rare visitor to Cyprus', the activities of the Cyprus Ornithological Society since 1957 have shown that in recent years 'small numbers occur regularly around inland waters' between March and May (Bulletin 15, 1964: 2j). At the same time a pair and a single bird at Lake Mandra near Burgas in Bulgaria provided the first records for the present boundaries of that country (Hanzak 1962, Donchev 1964); these evidently did not breed, however, because the British expedition there that year (Mountfort and Ferguson-Lees 1961) could find no trace of them in late May and early June. If collectors of eggs and skins will give these birds a chance and I have included localities here only because they have all already appeared in print there seems no reason why this strikingly handsome species should not build up a reasonable population in what is left of suitable habitats in the Balkans. Three habitats are shown on plate 12. In Greece and the Middle East this is a bird of sand, mud or marsh near open water, often with a low growth of Salhornia, Juncus and other vegetation, but elsewhere it also breeds in young crops. It is sometimes stated to be a freshwater species, but at least in these northern parts of its range it seems to be more associated with a low salinity. In Greece Raines found it occupying a brackish zone between the saline Avocet Recurpirostra avosetta and the freshwater Lapwing and it appeared to be occupying a similar niche in Jordan where in 1963 we found some eight pairs at the large saline oasis of Azraq. The nest is a simple scrape in mud or sand, usually rather scantily lined with pieces of grass, rush, wood, shell, dung or other materials from near-by, but such nests as that on plate 11b and two of those reported by Raines show that, as in the case of the Lapwing, these accumulations may sometimes be more substantial. As with most other plovers the normal clutch is four, but both three and five have been recorded and the species may possibly be doublebrooded (e.g. Bannerman and Bannerman 1958): the eggs (best seen on plate 9) are not unlike those of the Lapwing, yellowish-brown or stone to greenish, thickly spotted and blotched with black or dark brown, but they are noticeably smaller: Bauer quoted E. Hartert's PLATE I 2. Nesting areas of Spur-winged Plovers tioplopterus spinosus. Top, that of plates 9-10 in north-east Greece {photo; Harold Platl and D. A. P. Cooke). Centre, that of plate 1 ib, also Greece but further west (photo: Use Makatsch). Bottom, that of plate 11a, a muddy islet in a Jordan marsh {photo: Eric Hashing)
4 BRITISH BIRDS Die Vogel der Paldarktischen Fauna ( ) to the effect that 30 eggs averaged x , while The Handbook'!: average for 100 Lapwing eggs is x There was a gap of two days between the laying of the third and fourth eggs in the Jordan nest on plates 1 ib and 12c and, like the Lapwing, this species may regularly lay on alternate days. The literature on the Spur-winged Plover has increased to a significant extent since the discovery of the breeding population in Greece. Apart from the papers already mentioned, Helversen (1963) published a short study of behaviour and breeding biology (illustrated with sketches and photographs) which suggested significant differences from the Lapwing, in which case there might have been grounds for the retention of the genus Hoplopterus. However, Stiefel (1964) has pointed out that each supposedly characteristic posture or action described by Helversen has a parallel in the more familiar species. The male Spur-winged Plover takes a larger share in incubation than does the male Lapwing, as one might expect with a species which nests in hotter climates, and Crossley (1964) has recently drawn attention to the wetting of the under-parts before the change-over as a means of correcting for either humidity or temperature. Another method of apparent cooling is shown on plate 10a where the bird concerned is balancing on its tarsi so that its body is clear of the eggs, thus casting a shadow and allowing a slight draught; this was a regular attitude at this particular nest at mid-day when the sun was hottest. The characteristic gait and striking plumage of the Spur-winged Plover are commented on in the captions to plates 10 and n. The colours and field-characters in general speak for themselves in these photographs, but it should be added that the species is slightly smaller than a Lapwing and that in flight the undersides of the wings show a striking contrast between black primaries and white coverts. The species is particularly noisy when approached on its breeding grounds and its main call is a loud ^ic-^ac-^ac. REFERENCES BANNERMAN, D. A. and W. M. (1958): Birds of Cyprus. Edinburgh and London. pp BAUER, W. (1960): 'Der Spornkicbitz {Hoplopterus spinosus) Brutvogel in Europa'. Die Vogelmelt, 81: CROSSLEY, R. (1964): 'Spur-winged Plovers wetting their feathers before incubating'. Brit. Birds, 57: DONCHEV, S. (1964): ['On the distribution of some new and rare birds in Bulgaria'.] /. Zool. Inst. Bulgarian Acad. Sci., 15. [In Bulgarian.] HANZAK, J. (1962): 'Der Spornkiebitz {Hoplopterus spinosus L.) erstrnalig in Bulgarien'. /. Ortt., 103: HELVERSEN, O. V. (1962): 'Zur Verbreitung des Spornkiebitzes in Nordost-Griechenland'. /. Orn., 103:
5 SPUR-WINGED PLOVER STUDIES (1963): 'Beobachtungen zum Verhalten und zur Brutbiologie des Spornkiebitzes (Hoplcpterus spinosus)'. J. Orn., 104: MAKATSCH, W. (1962): 'Einige Beobachtungen am Brutplatz des Spornkiebitzes (Hoplopferus spinosus)''. J. Orn., 103: MOUNTFORT, G., and FERGUSON-LEES, I. J. (1961): 'Observations on the birds of Bulgaria'. Ibis, 103a: RAINES, R. J. (1962): 'The distribution of birds in northeast Greece in summer'. Ibis, 104: STIEFEL, A. (1964): 'Vergleichende Betrachtungen zu Verhaltensahnlichkeiten von Kiebitz (Vanellus vanellus) und Spomkiebitz (Hoplopferus spinosus)'. J. Orn., 105: WATSON, G. E. (1961): 'Aegean bird notes, including two breeding records new to Europe'. /. Orn., 102:
6 M ' : 'fl:v' : k*'--: M W&
7 PLATE I o. Spur-winged Plovers Hoplopterus spinosus, Greece, May Above, the bird is balancing on its tarsi over the nest in the mid-day heat so that the eggs are in shadow and exposed to a slight draught (page 50). Below, approaching the nest and eggs with characteristic gait {photos: Harold Piatt and D. A. P. Cooke)
8 PLATE I I. Above, Spur-winged Plover Hoplopterus spinosus, Jordan, April 1963 (photo: Eric Hosking). Below, another Greek nest, May 1961 (photo: Use Makafsch). All these plates show the simple but striking pattern of black, white and sandybrown, the drooping scapulars and the longish legs of this Lapwing-like species
9
(340) PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIES OF SOME LESS FAMILIAR BIRDS. LIX. NIGHT HERON.
(340) PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIES OF SOME LESS FAMILIAR BIRDS. LIX. NIGHT HERON. Photographed by C. C. DONCASTER, H. A. PATRICK, V. G. ROBSON AND G. K. YEATES. (Plates 53-59). THE Night Heron {Nycticordx nycticorax)
More informationPHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIES OF SOME LESS FAMILIAR BIRDS XCVII. YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING
PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIES OF SOME LESS FAMILIAR BIRDS XCVII. YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING Photographs by ERIC HOSKING (Plates 25-32) Text by I. J. FERGUSON-LEES OF THE THIRTY species of true buntings (Emberiza)
More informationPHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIES OF SOME LESS FAMILIAR BIRDS LXVI. HOOPOE
PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIES OF SOME LESS FAMILIAR BIRDS LXVI. HOOPOE (Plates 47-51) Photographed by C. C. DONCASTER THE Hoopoe (Upupa epops) has already appeared in our series (vol. xlii, plates 15-17), but Mr.
More information376 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. xu.
(375) STUDIES OF SOME SPECIES RARELY PHOTOGRAPHED. XVI. THE FLAMINGO. Photographed by W. E. HIGHAM, T. W. B, JEANS, H. A. PATRICK AND G. K. YEATES. (Plates 61-69.) WE particularly welcome the opportunity
More informationFlight patterns of the European bustards
Flight patterns of the European bustards By Vhilip J. Stead THE BUSTARDS, as a family, are terrestial birds and spend the major part of their time on the ground, but both the Great Bustard Otis tarda and
More informationOBSERVATIONS ON SWALLOWS AND HOUSE- MARTINS AT THE NEST. BY
(140) OBSERVATIONS ON SWALLOWS AND HOUSE- MARTINS AT THE NEST. BY R. E. MOREAU AND W. M. MOREAU. RECENT studies of the parental care by African Hinindinidae and Swifts have suggested that, in addition
More information( 142 ) NOTES ON THE GREAT NORTHERN DIVER.
( 142 ) NOTES ON THE GREAT NORTHERN DIVER. BY ERIC B. DUNXOP. THE Great Northern Diver (Gavia immer) is best known in the British Isles as a winter-visitor, though in the Orkneys I have frequently seen
More informationON THE BREEDING-HABITS OF THE GLAUCOUS GULL AS OBSERVED ON HEAR ISLAND AND IN THE SPITSBERGEN ARCHIPELAGO.*
( 2 ) ON THE BREEDING-HABITS OF THE GLAUCOUS GULL AS OBSERVED ON HEAR ISLAND AND IN THE SPITSBERGEN ARCHIPELAGO.* BY A. H. PAGET WILKES, B.A., M.B.O.U. ALTHOUGH the Glaucous Gull (Lams hyperboreus) is
More informationSOME PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIES OF THE PINK-FOOTED GOOSE
SOME PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIES OF THE PINK-FOOTED GOOSE Photographed by ARNOLD BENINGTON, NIALL RANKIN and G. K. YEATES (Plates 9-16) THE Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) breeds in east Greenland {between
More informationBreeding Activity Peak Period Range Duration (days) Laying May May 2 to 26. Incubation Early May to mid June Early May to mid June 30 to 34
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus 1. INTRODUCTION s have a circumpolar distribution, breeding in Fennoscandia, Arctic Russia, Alaska, northern Canada and northeast Greenland. They are highly nomadic and may migrate
More informationFor further information on the biology and ecology of this species, Clarke (1995) provides a comprehensive account.
Circus aeruginosus 1. INTRODUCTION The marsh harrier (western marsh harrier) is increasing as a breeding species in Great Britain (Gibbons et al., 1993; Underhill-Day, 1998; Holling & RBBP, 2008) with
More informationKey concepts of Article 7(4): Version 2008
Species no. 25: Goosander Mergus merganser Distribution: Holarctic, with a wide breeding range across Eurasia and North America in forested tundra between 50 N and the Arctic Circle. The wintering range
More informationWriting: Lesson 23. Today the students will practice planning for informative/explanatory prompts in response to text they read.
Top Score Writing Grade 4 Lesson 23 Writing: Lesson 23 Today the students will practice planning for informative/explanatory prompts in response to text they read. The following passages will be used in
More informationMultiple broods from a hole in the wall: breeding Red-and-yellow Barbets Trachyphonus erythrocephalus in southeast Sudan
Scopus 29: 11 15, December 2009 Multiple broods from a hole in the wall: breeding Red-and-yellow Barbets Trachyphonus erythrocephalus in southeast Sudan Marc de Bont Summary Nesting and breeding behaviour
More informationKey concepts of Article 7(4): Version 2008
Species no. 62: Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans Distribution: The Yellow-legged Gull inhabits the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions, the Atlantic coasts of the Iberian Peninsula and South Western
More informationAnalysis of Nest Record Cards for the Buzzard
Bird Study ISSN: 0006-3657 (Print) 1944-6705 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tbis20 Analysis of Nest Record Cards for the Buzzard C.R. Tubbs To cite this article: C.R. Tubbs (1972)
More informationText: Elly Vogelaar Photos: Aviculture Europa
Text: Elly Vogelaar Photos: Aviculture Europa After visiting Willy and Kris Borgers (see our article: Chicken Run) we were welcomed at the house of Achilles De Reys and his wife Jeannine, also club members
More information(170) COURTSHIP AND DISPLAY OF THE SLAVONIAN GREBE.
(170) COURTSHIP AND DISPLAY OF THE SLAVONIAN GREBE. BY ERIC J. HOSKING, F.R.P.S., M.B.O.U. (Plates 4 and 5.) DURING the nesting season of 1939 I was staying in Scotland and had the opportunity of witnessing
More informationNOTES ON THE SPRING TERRITORY OF THE BLACKBIRD
(47) NOTES ON THE SPRING TERRITORY OF THE BLACKBIRD BY DAVID LACK AND WILLIAM LIGHT. INTRODUCTION. THIS study was made on the Dartington Hall estate, South Devon, in 1940, when the abnormal cold weather
More informationBREEDING ECOLOGY OF THE LITTLE TERN, STERNA ALBIFRONS PALLAS, 1764 IN SINGAPORE
NATURE IN SINGAPORE 2008 1: 69 73 Date of Publication: 10 September 2008 National University of Singapore BREEDING ECOLOGY OF THE LITTLE TERN, STERNA ALBIFRONS PALLAS, 1764 IN SINGAPORE J. W. K. Cheah*
More informationName. Period. Student Activity: Dichotomous Key. 1a. 1b. 2a. 2b. 3a. 3b. 4a. 4b. 5a. 5b. 6a. 6b. 7a. 7b. 8a.
Name Period Student Activity: Dichotomous Key 1a. 1b. Question Identify/Go to 2a. 2b. 3a. 3b. 4a. 4b. 5a. 5b. 6a. 6b. 7a. 7b. 8a. 8b. Name Period CLASSIFICATION KEY FOR FISHES OF UTAH LAKE Examine the
More informationLength: mm. Figure 2b - Male Copris elphenor, side view. Figure 2c - Female Copris elphenor, side view
20-25 mm. Copris elphenor is native to southern and east Africa. In Australia it is established near Biloela, QLD (figure 2 a), but is suitable for much of eastern Qld and possibly northern parts of NSW.
More information112 Marsh Harrier. MARSH HARRIER (Circus aeruginosus)
SIMILAR SPECIES Males Montagu s Harrier and Hen Harrier are pale lack brown colour on wings and body; females and juveniles Montagu s Harrier and Hen Harrier have white rumps and lack pale patch on head
More informationAnas clypeata (Northern Shoveler)
Anas clypeata (Northern Shoveler) Family: Anatidae (Ducks and Geese) Order: Anseriformes (Waterfowl) Class: Aves (Birds) Fig. 1. Northern shoveler, Anas clypeata. [http://www.ducks.org/hunting/waterfowl-id/northern-shoveler,
More informationComparing Life Cycles
Image from Wikimedia Commons Pre-Visit Activity Grade Two Comparing Life Cycles Specific Learning Outcomes 2-1-01: Use appropriate vocabulary related to the investigations of growth and changes in animals.
More informationImmature Plumages of the Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca
Chancellor, R. D. & B.-U. Meyburg eds. 2004 Raptors Worldwide WWGBP/MME Immature Plumages of the Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca William S. Clark ABSTRACT The Eastern Imperial Eagles, Aquila heliaca,
More informationVolume 7,1997 British Columbia Birds Page 3 THE BREEDING BIOLOGY OF A BRITISH COLUMBIA AMERICAN AVOCET COLONY
Volume 7,1997 British Columbia Birds Page 3 THE BREEDING BIOLOGY OF A BRITISH COLUMBIA AMERICAN AVOCET COLONY Jason Weir 3048 Quail Crescent Kelowna, B.C. V1V 2A1 Abstract -- Breeding biology data were
More informationCrotophaga major (Greater Ani)
Crotophaga major (Greater Ani) Family: Cuculidae (Cuckoos and Anis) Order: Cuculiformes (Cuckoos, Anis and Turacos) Class: Aves (Birds) Fig. 1. Greater ani, Crotophaga major. [http://www.birdforum.net/opus/greater_ani,
More information( 162 ) SOME BREEDING-HABITS OF THE LAPWING.
( 162 ) SOME BREEDING-HABITS OF THE LAPWING. BY R. H. BROWN. THESE notes on certain breeding-habits of the Lapwing (Vanettus vanellus) are based on observations made during the past three years in Cumberland,
More informationWriting: Lesson 31. Today the students will be learning how to write more advanced middle paragraphs using a variety of elaborative techniques.
Top Score Writing Grade 4 Lesson 31 Writing: Lesson 31 Today the students will be learning how to write more advanced middle paragraphs using a variety of elaborative techniques. The following passages
More informationAnhinga anhinga (Anhinga or Snake-bird)
Anhinga anhinga (Anhinga or Snake-bird) Family Anhingidae (Anhingas and Darters) Order: Pelecaniformes (Pelicans and Allied Waterbirds) Class: Aves (Birds) Fig. 1. Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga. [http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/anhinga_anhinga/,
More informationFEATURED PHOTO NOTES ON PLUMAGE MATURATION IN THE RED-TAILED TROPICBIRD
FEATURED PHOTO NOTES ON PLUMAGE MATURATION IN THE RED-TAILED TROPICBIRD Ron Levalley, Mad River Biologists, 920 Samoa Blvd., Suite 210, Arcata, California 95521; ron@madriverbio.com PETER PYLE, The Institute
More informationBreeding White Storks( Ciconia ciconia at Chessington World of Adventures Paul Wexler
Breeding White Storks(Ciconia ciconia) at Chessington World of Adventures Paul Wexler The White Stork belongs to the genus Ciconia of which there are seven other species incorporated predominantly throughout
More informationEIDER JOURNEY It s Summer Time for Eiders On the Breeding Ground
The only location where Steller s eiders are still known to regularly nest in North America is in the vicinity of Barrow, Alaska (Figure 1). Figure 1. Current and historic Steller s eider nesting habitat.
More information(98) FIELD NOTES ON THE CORSICAN CITRIL FINCH. BY JOHN ARMITAGE. (Plates 3 and 4.)
(98) FIELD NOTES ON THE CORSICAN CITRIL FINCH. BY JOHN ARMITAGE. (Plates 3 and 4.) DURING the spring of 1937 my wife and I had many opportunities of observing the breeding habits of the Corsican Citril
More informationAGGRESSIVE DISPLAY OF THE CORN-CRAKE.
163 AGGRESSIVE DISPLAY OF THE CORN-CRAKE. BY A. G. MASON THE accompanying photographs of the aggressive display of the Corn-Crake (Crex crex) were obtained by calling a bird up to a mirror. The technique
More informationSupplement A: Phenomena Information Packet (1 of 6)
Supplement A: Phenomena Information Packet (1 of 6) Fit of Continents Three hundred years ago, a man named Abraham Ortelium noticed that maps of the world showed continents that seemed like they would
More informationTHE JAPANESE CRANE. endangered species L ARCHE PHOTOGRAPHIQUE CHARACTERISTICS
L ARCHE PHOTOGRAPHIQUE ACTIONS FOR BIODIVERSITY CHARACTERISTICS I n Japan, it is a star. The Japanese crane appears on the reverse of 1000-yen notes, and it is the origami (paper-folding) figure that is
More information4 Many species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish 940L. Source 1 Habitats
Source 1 Habitats 1 American Alligators can be found in fresh water environments like rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps and marshes. They also like to live in areas that are brackish, which means the water
More informationThe identification of a hybrid Canvasback Common Pochard:
The identification of a hybrid Canvasback Common Pochard: implications for the identification of vagrant Canvasbacks Keith Vinicombe 74. Adult male hybrid Canvasback Aythya valisineria Common Pochard A.
More informationNOTES ON NEST-SITES OF THE OYSTER-CATCHER AND THE LONG-EARED OWL AS A HOLE BREEDER
(334) NOTES ON NEST-SITES OF THE OYSTER-CATCHER AND THE LONG-EARED OWL AS A HOLE BREEDER BY FB. HAVERSCHMIDT. (Plates 44-46). THE OYSTER-CATCHER. THE Oyster-catcher (Hcematopus ostralegus) is a bird that
More informationA record of a first year dark plumage Augur Buzzard moulting into normal plumage.
A record of a first year dark plumage Augur Buzzard moulting into normal plumage. Simon Thomsett The Peregrine Fund, 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise Idaho, 83709, USA Also: Dept. of Ornithology, National
More informationBirds in history The Wheatear
Birds in history The Wheatear The Wheatear is a starling - sized bird that is common in this area. I have seen several recently on a walk up Holcombe Hill. They are inquisitive birds and will often sit
More information(82) FIELD NOTES ON THE LITTLE GREBE.
(82) FIELD NOTES ON THE LITTLE GREBE. BY P. H. TRAHAIR HARTLEY. THE following observations on the Little Grebe (Podiceps r. ruficollis) were made at Fetcham Pond, near Leatherhead, in Surrey, during the
More informationSOME CALLS AND DISPLAYS OF THE PICAZTJRO PIGEON. By DEREK GOODWIN
418 Vol. 66 SOME CALLS AND DISPLAYS OF THE PICAZTJRO PIGEON By DEREK GOODWIN For the past two years I have made occasional observations at the London Zoo on a captive Picazuro Pigeon (Columba picazuro)
More informationScholarship 2012 Biology
93101Q 931012 S Scholarship 2012 Biology 2.00 pm Saturday 10 November 2012 Time allowed: Three hours Total marks: 24 QUESTION BOOKLET There are THREE questions in this booklet. Answer ALL questions. Write
More informationCo-operative breeding by Long-tailed Tits
Co-operative breeding by Long-tailed Tits v N. W. Glen and C. M. Perrins For most of this century, ornithologists have tended to believe that the majority of birds breed monogamously, with either the pair
More informationA. a. ambigua Central America A. a. guayaquilensis - Ecuador beak is smaller with more greenish underside of flight and tail feathers..
Buffon s macaw Central and South America Ara ambigua Also known as Great green macaw. A. a. ambigua Central America A. a. guayaquilensis - Ecuador beak is smaller with more greenish underside of flight
More informationSOME EAST AFRICAN BUTTERFLIES 41
SOME EAST AFRICAN BUTTERFLIES 41 In this article only those trees and plants which are conspicuous by their flowers, leaves, or habit of growth have been mentioned, and no account has been taken of cultivated
More informationDarwin and the Family Tree of Animals
Darwin and the Family Tree of Animals Note: These links do not work. Use the links within the outline to access the images in the popup windows. This text is the same as the scrolling text in the popup
More information(261) THE INCUBATION PERIOD OF THE OYSTER-CATCHER
(261) THE INCUBATION PERIOD OF THE OYSTER-CATCHER BY J. KEIGHLEY AND E. J. M. BUXTON. IN 1939 one of us studied a number of pairs of Oyster-catchers (Hmmatopus ostralegus occidentalis) breeding on Skokholm,
More informationSeven Nests of Rufescent Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma lineatum)
Seven Nests of Rufescent Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma lineatum) Steven Furino and Mario Garcia Quesada Little is known about the nesting or breeding behaviour of Rufescent Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma lineatum). Observations
More informationNortheast Florida Threatened and Endangered Animals
Northeast Florida Threatened and Endangered Animals Sea Turtles (Endangered and Threatened) Sea turtles live in the ocean and make their nests mostly along Florida s coastlines. Sea turtles are very good
More informationTHE CONDOR. OBSERVATIONS ON BEHAVIOR AND POPULATIONS OF OYSTER-CATCHERS IN LOWER CALIFORNIA By KARL W. KENYON
THE CONDOR VOLUME 51 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 1949 NUMBER 5 OBSERVATIONS ON BEHAVIOR AND POPULATIONS OF OYSTER-CATCHERS IN LOWER CALIFORNIA By KARL W. KENYON The following observations of oyster-catchers were
More informationFrom an old APASOP 1915 and some notes from the Polish Breeder s Club. Clear differences highlighted in red. Shape of male
From an old APASOP 1915 and some notes from the Polish Breeder s Club. Clear differences highlighted in red. Crevecoeurs Weights: cock- 8lbs / Hen 7lbs The Crevecoeurs is one of the oldest of the French
More informationThe birds of London. Reading Practice
Reading Practice The birds of London There are more than two hundred different species and sub-species of birds in the London area, ranging from the magpie to the greenfinch, but perhaps the most ubiquitous
More informationSOUTHERN AFRICAN SHOW POULTRY ORGANISATION BREED STANDARDS RHODE ISLAND
SOUTHERN AFRICAN SHOW POULTRY ORGANISATION BREED STANDARDS RHODE ISLAND ORIGIN: CLASSIFICATION: EGG COLOUR: MASSES: LARGE FOWL: Cock: Hen: Cockerel: Pullet: BANTAMS: Male: Female: American Heavy breed:
More informationthe Greek words for Love + Bird = Lovebird.Lovebirds can be classified as aggressive birds to other birds as well as their own species.
LOVEBIRDS - belong to the genus Agapornis. Agapornis = Agape + Ornis, the Greek words for Love + Bird = Lovebird.Lovebirds can be classified as aggressive birds to other birds as well as their own species.
More informationPROBABLE NON-BREEDERS AMONG FEMALE BLUE GROUSE
Condor, 81:78-82 0 The Cooper Ornithological Society 1979 PROBABLE NON-BREEDERS AMONG FEMALE BLUE GROUSE SUSAN J. HANNON AND FRED C. ZWICKEL Parallel studies on increasing (Zwickel 1972) and decreasing
More information468 TYRRELL, Nesting of Turkey Vulture
468 TYRRELL, Nesting of Turkey Vulture [Auk [July NESTING OF THE TURKEY VULTURE BY Y/. BRYANT TYRRELL Plates 16-17 ON the afternoon of January 16, 1932, while walking along the Patapsco River in the Patapsco
More informationStudies of less familiar birds 106. Lesser Grey Shrike By I. J. Ferguson-Lees
Studies of less familiar birds 106. Lesser Grey Shrike By I. J. Ferguson-Lees Photographs by Eric Hoskitig and K. Koffan (Plates 50-54) WHEN THE FIRST VOLUME of The Handbook was published in 1938, only
More informationINTERBREEDING OF GLAUCOUS-WINGED AND HERRING GULLS IN THE COOK INLET REGION, ALASKA. By FRANCIS S. L. WILLIAMSON and LEONARD J.
24 Vol. 65 INTERBREEDING OF GLAUCOUS-WINGED AND HERRING GULLS IN THE COOK INLET REGION, ALASKA By FRANCIS S. L. WILLIAMSON and LEONARD J. PEYTON In the course of field studies of birds about the Cook Inlet
More informationAedes Wtegomyial eretinus Edwards 1921
Mosquito Systematics Vol. 14(Z) 1982 81 Aedes Wtegomyial eretinus Edwards 1921 (Diptera: Culicidae) John Lane Department of Entomology London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Keppel Street, London
More informationBald Eagles in the Yukon. Wildlife in our backyard
Bald Eagles in the Yukon Wildlife in our backyard The Bald Eagle at a glance Both male and female adult Bald Eagles have a dark brown body and wings with a white head, neck and tail. They have a yellow
More informationDid you know that Snowy Plovers (Charadrius alexandrines char-ad-ree-us alex-an-dreen-us):
Did you know that Snowy Plovers (Charadrius alexandrines char-ad-ree-us alex-an-dreen-us): 2 - are listed as a threatened species in the state of Florida? As of 2006, Florida had only an estimated 225
More informationNature stories for young readers STER OUR EGGS TERY
Nature stories for young readers MY MYS TERY FOUR MYS STER TERY Y OF OF THE THE F FOUR OUR EGGS EGGS Nature stories for young readers MYSTER TERY OF THE FOUR EGGS VIDYA AND RAJARAM SHARMA A PARTNERSHIP
More informationBreeding Activity Peak Period Range Duration (days) Egg laying Late May to early June Mid-May to mid-july 3 to 10
Pernis apivorus 1. INTRODUCTION The honey-buzzard (European honey buzzard) was traditionally regarded as breeding mainly in southern and southwest England, but breeding pairs have been found increasingly
More informationKey concepts of Article 7(4): Version 2008
Species no. 32: Rock Partridge Alectoris graeca Distribution: This European endemic partridge inhabits both low-altitude rocky steppes and mountainous open heaths and grasslands. It occurs in the Alps,
More informationBrevdueNord.dk. The moult and side issues Author: Verheecke Marc - Foto Degrave Martin.
BrevdueNord.dk This article are shown with permission from: http://www.pipa.be/ The moult and side issues Author: Verheecke Marc - Foto Degrave Martin Last week I had a visit from my veterinarian. He did
More information426 Common Chaffinch. Put your logo here. COMMON CHAFFINCH (Fringilla coelebs) IDENTIFICATION
Summer. Adult. Male (01-VI). COMMON CHAFFINCH (Fringilla coelebs) IDENTIFICATION 14-16 cm. Male with head and neck grey; breast and cheeks pinkish, duller in winter. Female and juveniles brownish. Both
More informationObservations on the breeding biology of the Swallow Hirundo rustica transitiva in Gaza Strip, Palestine Prof. Mousa M. Al Safadi * الملخص ABSTRACT
Observations on the breeding biology of the Swallow Hirundo rustica transitiva in Gaza Strip, Palestine Prof. Mousa M. Al Safadi * الملخص ملاحظات بيولوجية على طاي ر السنونو Hirundo rustica transitiva في
More informationWaterfowl Along the Road
Waterfowl Along the Road Grade Level Third to Sixth Subject Areas Identification & Classification Bird Watching Content Standards Duration 20 minute Visitor Center Investigation Field Trip: 45 minutes
More informationUnusual 2nd W Common Gull Larus canus at Helsingborg
Unusual 2nd W Common Gull Larus canus at Helsingborg View PDF at high zoom for optimal picture resolution On 22 nd of March 2015, 3 rd CY Common Gull Larus canus with black markings in tail and to a lesser
More information46 White Stork. Put your logo here AGEING. WHITE STORK (Ciconia ciconia) IDENTIFICATION SIMILAR SPECIES SEXING MOULT. Write your website here
AGEING 3 types of age can be recognized: Juvenile with brown tinge on black scapulars and wing coverts; grey brown bill, sometimes with reddish base; dull red legs. 2nd year only in birds whith retained
More informationBREWER'S DUCK A Hybrid with a History
Correction to the publication Bastaards/Hybrids in Aviculture Europe, December 2008 BREWER'S DUCK A Hybrid with a History By Jörn Lehmhus The duck seen below, labelled as a hybrid Mallard x Teal in the
More information(162) NESTING OF THE PINTAIL IN KENT AND SUSSEX.
(162) NESTING OF THE PINTAIL IN KENT AND SUSSEX. BY N. F, TICEHURST, O.B.E., M.A., F.R.C.S. KNG. ALTHOUGH for a considerable time I have had almost conclusive evidence that the Pintail {Anas a. acuta)
More informationIn the summers of 1977 and 1978, at Gibraltar Point, Lincolnshire, I
Development and behaviour of Little Tern chicks Stephen Davies In the summers of 1977 and 1978, at Gibraltar Point, Lincolnshire, I made observations on 15 nests of Little Terns Sterna albifrons on a shingle
More information447 Ortolan Bunting. Put your logo here SIMILAR SPECIES. ORTOLAN BUNTING (Emberiza hortulana) IDENTIFICATION. Write your website here
SIMILAR SPECIES Adult birds are unmistakable due to their head pattern with a moustachial stripe. Juveniles recalls to the Cirl Bunting ones, which have dark bill and greenish lesser coverts; juveniles
More informationSnake-eyed Lizard (distribution map)
Snake-eyed Lizard Ophisops elegans (Menetries, 1832) ssp. macrodactylus Berthold, 1932 Ophiops elegans Menetr.: Kovatscheff, 1917: 176; Ophisops elegans ehrenbergi Wiegmann [sic!]: Muller, 1933: 6; Beskov
More informationThe Oysterbed Site Image Log
Sunday, 23 May 2010. The Black-headed Gulls were still bringing nesting material to South Island. The Oystercatchers are changing over on incubation duty. The bird on the right is relieving its partner
More informationYou are about to go on a journey of discovery around the park to find out more about how different animals are suited to their environment.
Name: Adaptation Trail Welcome to Marwell Wildlife! You are about to go on a journey of discovery around the park to find out more about how different animals are suited to their environment. First, let
More informationSEA BIRDS AND THEIR EGGS,
THE ORNITHOLOGISTS AND OOLOGISTS SEMI-ANNUAL. 33 It is said that this species nests upon the ground in the moss that grows in damp places, and to form the same with dry leaves, fibres of bark, pine needles,
More informationSexing of eastern white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) based on biometric measurements
Sexing of eastern white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) based on biometric measurements Piotr Ćwiertnia 1, Adam Wysocki 2, Kamila Kamińska 1, Zbigniew Kwieciński 1, Honorata Kwiecińska 1 1 Poznań Zoological
More informationThe female Mallard s call is a loud quack-quack similar to that given by farmyard ducks. The call of the male is a softer, low-pitched rhab-rhab.
Introduction This bird often waddles ashore from park lakes in cities to take food from the hands of visitors often faces a long and hazardous journey to the water soon after it hatches may re-nest up
More informationPART 6 Rearing and Selection
PART 6 Rearing and Selection By: Mick Bassett Rearing Young birds, to develop fully, need all that the adults do but more of it! Plenty of room to exercise, lots of fresh air, balanced diet, etc. They
More informationIdentification of gulls in the field can be both difficult and challenging.
Identification of adult gulls in Finnmark WWW.BIOFORSK.NO/FUGLETURISME Information sheet for the project «Bird tourism in central and eastern Finnmark», a project part of «The natural heritage as a value
More informationEgyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) research & monitoring Breeding Season Report- Beypazarı, Turkey
Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) research & monitoring - 2011 Breeding Season Report- Beypazarı, Turkey October 2011 1 Cover photograph: Egyptian vulture landing in Beypazarı dump site, photographed
More information( 365 ) "BRITISH DIVING DUCKS."*
( 365 ) "BRITISH DIVING DUCKS."* MB. MILLAIS, who has already published a fine work on the British Surface-feeding Ducks, has contrived to give us in the first volume devoted to the Diving group not only
More informationPuddle Ducks Order Anseriformes Family Anatinae Subfamily Anatini
Puddle Ducks Order Anseriformes Family Anatinae Subfamily Anatini Puddle ducks or dabbling ducks include our most common and recognizable ducks. While the diving ducks frequent large deep bodies of water,
More informationParrots, Budgerigars and Cockatiels
Full of advice for caring for your pet Your guide to Parrots, Budgerigars and Cockatiels Jollyes, only the best for you and your pets www.jollyes.co.uk Are you ready? The parrot family consists of Parakeets,
More information102 Honey Buzzard. HONEY BUZZARD (Pernis apivorus) IDENTIFICATION SIMILAR SPECIES
Javier Blasco-Zumeta & Gerd-Michael Heinze Female (04-IX). Booted Eagle HONEY BUZZARD (Pernis apivorus) IDENTIFICATION 51-58 cm. Brown upperparts; pale underparts, with dark mottled; dark brown upperwing
More informationProcnias averano (Bearded Bellbird)
Procnias averano (Bearded Bellbird) Family: Cotingidae (Bellbirds and Cotingas) Order: Passeriformes (Perching Birds) Class: Aves (Birds) Fig. 1. Bearded bellbird, Procnias averano. [http://www.oiseaux.net/photos/steve.garvie/bearded.bellbird.5.html
More informationThe behaviour of a pair of House Sparrows while rearing young
The behaviour of a pair of House Sparrows while rearing young By David C. Seel INTRODUCTION IN 1959 OBSERVATIONS were made on the behaviour of a pair of House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) rearing their
More information(102) THE BREEDING OF THE LITTLE RINGED PLOVER IN ENGLAND IN 1944
(102) THE BREEDING OF THE LITTLE RINGED PLOVER IN ENGLAND IN 1944 BY M. D. ENGLAND, E. O. HOHN, E. G. PEDLER AND B. W. TUCKER. (Plates 1-4). IN 1938 a pair of Little Ringed Plovers (Charadrius dubius curonicus)
More informationSpecies Fact Sheets. Order: Gruiformes Family: Cariamidae Scientific Name: Cariama cristata Common Name: Red-legged seriema
Order: Gruiformes Family: Cariamidae Scientific Name: Cariama cristata Common Name: Red-legged seriema AZA Management: Green Yellow Red None Photo (Male): Red-legged seriemas are identical in plumage although
More information1928 I NICHOLSON, Habits of the Limpkin in Florida. 305
1928 I NICHOLSON, Habits of the Limpkin in Florida. 305 Vol. XLV] HABITS OF THE LIMPKIN IN FLORIDA. BY DONALD J. NICHOLSON. Plate XI. I HAD been searching for the nests of the wary Limpkin for many years
More informationNational Geographic. Young Explorer. September issue 2014
National Geographic Young Explorer September issue 2014 Seeing Stars Where can you see the stars? When can you see the stars? In the sky? At night? Seeing Stars There are also stars in the sea. What are
More informationDouble-crested Cormorant with aberrant pale plumage
Double-crested Cormorant with aberrant pale plumage Jean Iron Introduction A Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) with a strikingly pale plumage was reported by Darlene Deemert in Barrie, Ontario,
More information370 LOOMIS, The Galapagos Albatross.
370 LOOMIS, The Galapagos Albatross. Auk [zuly immaculate;...wing about 380 mm." The color of the facial disks is not mentioned. Knight in his 'Birds of Maine,' prefers to treat such birds as "extremely
More informationOBSERVATIONS ON THE CATTLE EGRET IN COLOMBIA
July, 1959 265 OBSERVATIONS ON THE CATTLE EGRET IN COLOMBIA By F. C. LEHMANN V. In a recent publication (Lehmann, Nov. Colombianas, no. 3, 1957: 107) I mentioned that African Cattle Egrets (Bulbulcus ibis
More information