TUESDAY LAB 4-10-12

Pigeons, Doves, Hummingbirds, Kingfishers, & Waxwings

Pigeons

Order: Columbiformes

Family: Columbidae

—  Young pigeons are called squabs

—  Produce crop milk for young

—  They usually produce 1-2 eggs in each brood

—  Pigeons size ranges greatly among different species

—  Nest are usually found on cliff like structures, such as the side of a building

—  Pigeons have a cere (white fleshy covering on the top of its beak)

—  Pigeons suck up water (straw-like beak)

—  Inhabit everywhere in the world EXCEPT: Antarctica, deserts and arctic islands.

—  They live in a variety of habitats ranging from lightly wooded areas to the city.

ROCK PIGEON

—  http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pigeonwatch/resources/cool-facts-about-pigeons

v  Distinct features:

v  Bright red eye

v  White cere covering top of beak

v  Grey plumage

v  Teal color on the back of its neck

v  Black banded wings

v  Orange legs

Doves

Order: Columbiformes

Family: Columbidae

—  One of the most abundant and widely distributed birds in North America. They are also found in northern Mexico and southern Canada.

—  These birds are often shot for sport (#1 game bird)

—  They are monogamous

—  Produces up to 6 broods annually

·         Almost always with two eggs

·         Main diet is seeds

·         Its habitat is open and semi-open areas, such as urban areas, farms, prairie, grassland, and lightly wooded forests.

·         They are highly adapted to cities.

·         Associated with parasites such as tapeworms, mites and lice.

·         A universal symbol of peace.

Mourning Dove

—  http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mourning_Dove/id

v  Distinct features:

v  Dull grey plumage

v  Red legs

v  Black feather tips at the posterior end

v  Black beak

v  Black patch on cheek

v  White undercarriage

Hummingbirds

Order: Apodiformes

Family: Trochilidae

—  Smallest birds

—  They can beat their wings 12-80 beats/second

—  Are the only birds that can fly backwards

—  Eat mainly nectar from flowers and when needed insects

—  High metabolic rate so at night they must go into torpor

—  They are found in both North America and South America

—  Build small cup like nests

—  Bright plumages

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

—  http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/ruby-throated_hummingbird/id

v  Distinct features:

v  Red throat

v  Long straw-like beak

v  Small body size

v  Yellow that goes over the eye and down the back

v  Brown wings

v  Black eye

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformess

Family: Halcyonidae

—  Little sexual dimorphism

—  Nest in cavities in the side of banks in the ground

—  They are distributed among the world's tropics and temperate regions

—  All have large heads, long, sharp, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails.

—  6 species are found in the Americas

—  They inhabit rivers, lakes, and forests

—  Plumage is very brightly colored

—  Their long beaks are used to hunt fish.

—  Diet consists of fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects and small mammals.

Belted Kingfisher

—  http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Belted_Kingfisher/id

v  Distinct features:

v  Long slender black beak

v  White banded wings

v  White patch in front of eye

v  White chin strap

v  Tuft on top of head

v  Brown band on sides of belly

v  White on undercarriage

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Bombycillidae

—  During mating they will rub their beaks together in an affectionate way pass items back and forth between each other

—  They are strong flyers

—  Often feed in large flocks

—  Diet is berries, fruits, and insects

—  Live along the edge of forest near water sources

—  Under their wings is a distinct red feathers

—  Their feathers are either orange  or yellow depending on their diet

—  Live in north America and Canada

Cedar Waxwing

—  http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cedar_Waxwing/id

v  Distinct features:

v  Brownish grey all over plumage

v  Black face mask

v  Black beak

v  Red under wing tips

v  Yellow undercarraisge

v  A yellow or orange tail depending on the diet

v  Black legs