Beautiful Birds

 Scarlet Macaw

Scientific Classification

Scientific Name - Ara macao

Domain              - Eukaryota

Kingdom           - Animalia

Phylum              - Chordata

Class                  - Aves

Order                 - Psittaciformes

Family               - Psittacidae

Genus                - Ara

Species              - A.macao

You might be wondering why they sport all those flashy colorful feathers rather than trying to blend in to their background. The fact is, they are using all those colors as a strategy to stay safe. They are trying to trick their predators. Scarlet Macaw s have a type of coloration known as " disruptive coloration. "

The Scarlet Macaw is a large yellow, red and blue Neotropical parrot native to humid evergreen forests of the Americas. The Scarlet Macaw can be found from southern Mexico to Peru, as well as Bolivia, eastern Brazil and the island of Trinidad. They prefer to spend their time in tall, deciduous trees in forests and near rivers, usually in large, noisy groups.

Macaws are largest parrots in the world. The body of the Scarlet Macaw from beak to tail can be as long as 33 inches. This beautiful macaw has a creamy white, almost featherless face, with bright red plumage covering most of it's body, wings and long tail. Brilliant blue and yellow feathers also adorn the lower wings. Typical average life span is between 40 to 50 years in the wild. In captivity Scarlet Macaw can live up to 75 years. The Scarlet Macaw are usually seen in pairs or a small family which may join a large flock of up to 30 birds.

Scarlet Macaw are important seed predators of large tree fruits in the ecosystem in which they live. They may influence the generation of forest tree species.

 

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 Keel-billed Toucan

Scientific Classification

Scientific Name -  Ramphastos sulfuratus

Domain               - Eukaryota

Kingdom             - Animalia

Phylum                - Chordata

Class                    - Aves

Order                   - Piciformes

Family                 - Ramphastidae

Genus                  - Ramphastos

Species                - R.sulfuratus

The Keel Billed Toucan, also known as sulfur - breasted toucan, Keel Toucan, or Rainbow-Billed Toucan, is a colourful Latin American member of the Toucan family. The Keel Billed Toucan is a very sociable bird, so they are mainly seen flying in flocks or grouped together on the branches of trees.

These unique birds are found in tropical and sub-tropical rainforests from southern Mexico to Venezuela and Colombia. Males of this species measure 19 - 20 inches ( 48 - 51 cm ) in length and weigh up to 17.6 ounces ( 500 gm ). Females are smaller and have shorter bills. Keel Bills are very social and are seldom solitary, preferring to be in groups of up to 15 birds. Like most birds, they hatch with their eyes closed and with no feathers on their body. After 8 - 9 weeks, the young have strong and developed bills and are ready to leave the nest. Keel Billed Toucans have a lifespan of about 15 - 20 years.

The Keel Billed Toucan is the national bird in Belize. In their native regions, Toucans are sometimes associated with evil spirits and are thought to be the incarnation of a demon. Their population numbers are going down, but they are not listed as endangered yet. Another threat to the Keel Billed Toucans are other predators, such as snakes, hawks and eagles.

The toucan family includes 50 species, 11 of which are globally threatened or Near Threatened with extinction. Deforestation in the Amazon basin for cattle ranching and soy production is of particular concern for the species, and other threats include hunting and illegal wildlife trade.

So we can protect this birds. If we stop hunting Keel-Billed Toucan birds and take care these birds, their population can be grown-up.

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 Verdin

Scientific Classification

Scientific Name -  Auriparus flaviceps

Domain               - Eukaryota

Kingdom             - Animalia

Phylum               - Chordata

Class                    - Aves

Order                  - Passeriformes

Family                 - Remizidae

Genus                  - Auriparus

Species               - A.flaviceps

The Verdin is a species of penduline tit. It is the only species of the genus Auriparus and the only representative of the old world family Remizidae to be found in North America.

The Verdin is a small but though bird of the dry hot deserts of western Mexico and the southwestern United States. Their nests are seen more often than the birds themselves, as the large globe-shaped structures seem out of balance for such a small bird. It is among the smallest of North American songbirds. The Verdin is a small bird, at 4.5in ( 11cm ) in length. It is gray overall, and adults have a bright yellow head and rufous shoulder patch. The longest living Verdin  is recorded at 5 years 7 months. But data suggests that the average lifespan rarely exceeds more than 3 years.

Verdins are important members of many ecosystems. They play a vital role in controlling pests, acting as pollinators and maintaining island ecology.

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Bohemian Waxwing

Scientific Classification

Scientific Name - Bombycilla garrulus

Domain                - Eukaryota

Kingdom              - Animalia

Phylum                 - Chordata

Class                     - Aves

Order                    - Passeriformes

Family                  - Bombycillidae

Genus                   - Bombycilla

Species                 - B.garrulus

The English name " waxwing " refers to the bright red tips of  the secondary feathers on it's wings, which look like drops of sealing wax, while " Bohemian " follows Gessner's usage, and may refer to the Romani, alluding to the bird's wanderings, or to it's presumed origin from Bohemia.

Bohemian Waxwings breed in open evergreen and mixed forests frequently near lakes, ponds, or streams in northern North America and Eurasia. During the nonbreeding season they roam through open woodlands, urban areas, roadsides, and parks, stopping wherever they find fruit. The Bohemian Waxwing is a medium sized bird about 7.5 - 8.5 inches in length. It has a grayish-brown body, a crest of feathers on it's head, and a black mask around it's eyes. It has white and yellow edges on it's wings and a waxy yellow tip on it's tail. The cricks leave the nest when they are around 15 - 17 years old. The lifespan of the Bohemian Waxwing is around five years.

Bohemian Waxwings are not dangerous at all. They do not bother humans, but rather live close to and coexist with humans.

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 Atlantic Puffin

Scientific Classification

Scientific Name - Fratercula arctica

Domain               - Eukaryota

Kingdom             - Animalia

Phylum                - Chordata

Class                     - Aves

Order                   - Charadriiformes

Family                 - Alcidae

Genus                  - Fratercula

Species               - F.arctica

The Atlantic Puffin, also known as the common puffin, is a species of seabird in the auk family. It is the only puffin native to the Atlantic Ocean; two related species, the turfled puffin and the horned puffin is found in the northwestern Pacific. Atlantic puffins, Fratercula arctica, are pelagic sea birds that have a large range mainly in the North Atlantic Ocean with a global population estimated too be about 5,700,000 - 6,000,000 individuals.

Atlantic puffin are found exclusively in the North Atlantic Ocean; in North America, they nest from Labrador/Newfoundland to the Northwestern United States. In Europe, they nest south to the Brittany coast of France, Northwards to Iceland, Greenland, and Northern Russia. Puffins are 29 - 34cm in length with a wingspan of 21 - 24 inches. Puffins are nicknamed parrots of the sea, because of their colorful triangular shaped beaks. Entering mating season in spring, the puffin's beak is red with an inner section of yellow; the corners of the beak are blue. Puffins often live 20 years or more. The oldest known puffin lived to be 36 years.

Puffins do not often show any fear towards humans and approaching them very closely seems to be easy. But this doesn't mean that they want to be touched or that they enjoy our company. Touching a puffin is actually very harmful to them as their feathers have special properties that deflect water. Puffins are important predators of small fish and marine invertebrates in the areas in which they live.

Atlantic Puffin

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Peacock

Scientific Classification

Scientific Name - Pavo cristatus

Domain               - Eukaryota

Kingdom             - Animalia

phylum                - Chordata 

Class                    - Aves

Order                  - Galliformes

Family                - phasiandae

Genus                 - Pavo

Species               - P.cristatus

The Indian peafowl, also known as the common peafowl. and blue peafowl, is a peafowl species native to the Indian subcontinent. It has been introduced to many other countries. These tail feathers, or coverts, spread out in a distinctive train that is more than 60 percent of the bird's total body length and boast colorful " eye " makings of blue, gold, red, and other hues. The large train is used in mating rituals and courtship displays. 

The blue peacock can be found in India and Sri Lanka. The green peacock can be found from Myanmar to Java. The Congo peacock can be found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As well as it is found in moist and dry-deciduous forests, but can adopt to live in cultivated regions and around human habitations and is usually found where water is available. They weigh in between 2.7 - 6kg and have a wingspan of 1.4 - 1.6m. They vary widely in length from 0.86 - 2.12m. This species has long, strong, grayish - brown legs equipped for running away in to brush for safety. The upper body is brownish with pale motting. The primaries, secondaries and tail are dark brown. The lower heck is metalic green and the breast feathers are dark brown glossed with green. The remaining underparts are whitish. Peacocks are most elegant birds with beautiful feathers. Lifespan of wild peacocks is 20 years while some breeds can live for 40 - 50 years. 

Peafowl, and peacocks especially, are known to be aggressive, fiercely territorial birds. Peahens who have laid eggs will attack anyone who gets too close to their nest, and peacocks who prefer to keep a harem of peahens to themselves when mating will attack other males when they feel encroached upon.

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 American Flamingo

Scientific Classification

Scientific Name  - Phoenicopterus ruber

Domain                - Eukaryota

Kingdom              - Animalia

Phylum                - Chordata

Class                     - Aves

Order                   - Phoenicopteriformes

Family                 - Phoenicopteridae

Genus                  - Phoenicopterus

Species                -P.ruber

The American flamingo is a large species of flamingo closely related to the greater flamingo and chilean flamingo native to the Neotropics. It was formerly considered conspecific with the greater flamingo, but that treatment is now widely viewed as incorrect due to a lack of evidence. It is also known as the Carribbean flamingo, although it is also present in the Galapagos islands. It is the only flamingo that naturally inhabits North America.

The American flamingo is native to Mexico, the Carribbean, and the northernmost tip of South America. It is also occasionally seen in Florida and along the Gulf Coast as a vargant. The American flamingo doesn't breed in the United States. An average adult is 5 feet ( 1.5m ) tall and weighs 4 -8 pounds ( 1.8 - 3.6kg ). The American flamingo has a wingspan of about 5 feet. As well as American flamingo has pink feathers and black - tipped wings. It has a very long neck, long pink legs and webbed pink feet with three toes. It has a large hooked bill with a black tip that is curved down. Flamingos are generally long lived, surviving for an average of 20 to 30 years, though some have lived up to 50 years.

With wild - caught flamingos, these are several reports of bacterial diseases and septicamia occurring in birds in quarantime. Bacterial isolates from these cases included Salmonella typhimuruim, E.coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomona spp. Asperigillosis has also been documented in quarantined flamingos. Flamingos help to ecosystem. Flamingos feed in shallow bodies of water, and often use their large feet to stir organisms from the bottom up into the water column. This activity likely contributes to sufficient oxygenation and mixing of organic material within these bodies of water, and aids in avoiding anoxic conditions.

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Southern Cassowary

Scientific Classification 

Scientific Name  -  Casuarius casuarius

Domain                - Eukaryota

Kingdom              - Animalia

Phylum                - Chordata

Class                     - Aves

Order                   - Casuariiformes

Family                 - Casuariidae

Genus                  - Casuarius

Species                - C.casuarius

The  Southern Cassowary, also known as double-wattled cassowary, Australian cassowary or two-wattled cassowary, is a large fightless black bird. It is one of the three living species of cassowary, alongside the dwarf cassowary and the  Southern Cassowary. In total, there are an estimated 20,000 to 50,000 cassowaries in the wild, but the true figure might be higher. Australia's cassowary population is estimated to be about 4,000 individuals. 

Cassowaries are one of the closet living species to  dinosaurs and one of the key visual features of this stocky bird that proves it, is the casque on it's head. The  Southern Cassowary is an extremely important species in far North Queensland's tropical rainforests. It is the rainforest gardener, a ' keystone species ' that maintains the balance and diversity of it's rainforest home though it's role as a seed disperser.

As tall as a person, with a high helmet on it's head, a vivid blue neck and long drooping red wattles. The  Southern Cassowary is found only in the tropical rainforests of north-east Queensland, Papua New Guinea and some surrounding islands. The  Southern Cassowary is the largest, reaching 5.8 feet ( 170cm )in height. Males weigh up to 121 pounds ( 55kg ) and females reach about 167 pounds ( 76kg ). They have two wattles, a sagging, jiggling, colorful piece of red skin below the chin on the front of the neck. The cassowary is Australia's heaviest bird weighing up to 76kg. Life span of approximately 30 years in the wild and between 18 to 50 years in captivity.

Although cassowaries should not be considered dangerous, they can cause serious injuries. Seven attacks against humans resulted in serious injuries ( puncture wounds, lacerations, broken bone ) and subsequently one death, caused by cassowaries kicking or jumping on victims. 

Cassowaries play an important role in maintain  the diversity of rainforest trees. Cassowaries are one of only a few frugivores ( fruit eaters ) that can disperse large rainforest fruits, and the only species that can carry large seeded fruits over long distances.

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 Blue Jay

Scientific Classification

Scientific Name - Cyanocitta cristata

Domain               - Eukaryota

Kingdom             - Animalia

Phylum               - Chordata

Class                    - Aves

Order                  - passeriformes

Family                - Corvidae

Genus                 - Cyanocitta

Species               - C.cristata

The Blue Jay is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae, native to eastern North America. Blue Jays relate to everything from strength to confidence to communication, depending on the context in which you see them. For some, these birds have the reputation of being loud, aggressive, and mean. Native American lore says that seeing a blue jay near by ensures good luck for whoever crosses it's path. Blue jay's symbolism can vary somewhat. to some, they are thought to be good omens that  symbolize happiness and peace. 

It lives in most of the eastern and central unites States, some eastern populations may be migratory. Resident populations are also in Newfoundland, Canada; breeding populations are found across southern Canada. It breeds in both deciduous and coniferous forests, and is common in residential areas. The oldest blue jay studied by researchers in the wild lived to be 17 years and 6 months old, most blue jays live to about 7 years old. Adult blue jays measure 10 - 12 inches ( 25 - 30cm ) with a  wingspan of 13 - 17 inches ( 34 - 43cm ). The average adult blue jay weighs 70 - 100g. Males are slightly larger than females.

Blue jays have a reputation for being aggressive but this just a manifestation of their territorial behavior. Blue jays are not inherently mean but they  are fierce protectors of their nests and food sources. Blue jays are one of those bird species that we have unfair preconceptions about. There might be one major reason why blue jays attack you. You may come close to their bird feeders. We are too large for them. That's why they form a mob and attack us.

Blue jays are common, but their populations have declined by an estimated 0.6% per year for a cumulative decline of about 27%  between 1986 and 2019 according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Partners in flight estimates a global breeding population of 17 million.

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 Common Ostrich

Scientific Classification

Scientific Name - Struthio camelus

Domain              - Eukaryota

Kingdom           - Animalia

Phylum              - Chordata                      

Class                  - Aves

Order                 - Struthioniformes

Family               - Struthionidae

Genus                - Struthio

Species              - S.camelus

The common ostrich. or simply ostrich, is a species of fightless bird native to certain large areas if Africa and is the largest living bird species. It is one of two extant species of ostriches, the only living members of the genus Struthio in the ratite order of birds. The other is the somali ostrich, which was recognized as a distant species by Bird Life International in 2014 having been previously considered a distinctive subspecies of ostrich.

common ostriches formerly occupied Africa north and south of the Sahara, East Africa, Africa south of the rainforest belt, and much of Asia minor. Today common ostriches prefer open land and are native to the savannas and Sahel of Africa, both north and south of the equatorial forest zone. The ostrich is the largest and heaviest living bird. Males are typically larger than females, weighing 220 to 287 pounds and measuring 6.9 to 9 feet in height. Meanwhile, females weigh 198 to 242 pounds and range in height from 5.7 to 6.2 feet. In the wild, ostriches live 30 to 40 years. But in captivity, ostriches have been known to live until their 70.

But the ostrich has one weakness that can nullify all it's strengths. It think that if if can't see you, you can't see it. When trainers at an ostrich farm approach the ostrich, it reacts to them as if they are predators. If cornered or threatened, ostriches could be quite dangerous. Ostriches are seemingly gentle and shy land-dwelling birds. Notwithstanding, their attack on humans and other animals could be quite dangerous, especially when cornered, startled, or threatened. 

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 Harpy Eagle

Scientific Classification 

Scientific Name - Harpia harpyja 

Domain               - Eukaryota

Kingdom            - Animalia                      

Phylum               - Chordata

Class                   - Aves

Order                  - Accipitriformes

Family                - Accipitridae

Genus                 - Harpia 

Species               - H.harpyja

The harpy eagle is a neotropical species of eagle. It is also called the American harpy eagle to distinguish it from the Papuan eagle, which is sometimes known as the New Guinea harpy eagle or Papuan harpy eagle. It is the largest and most powerful raptor found throughout it's range, and among the largest extant species of eagles in the world. In Brazil, the harpy eagle is also known as royal-hawk. The harpy eagle is found primarily in South America, in countries like Brazil, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru and Northeast Argentina. The specie is also found in areas of Mexico and Central America, though the populations are far smaller. The female harpy eagle is considerably larger than male, weighing around 6 to 9 kg. One exceptional female weighed 12.3 kg. The male weighs around 4.4 to 4.8 kg, which makes it more than 35% smaller than the female by body mass. In terms of length, harpy eagles measure around 86.5 to 107 cm, which makes them the second longest eagle in the world. It's pretty marginal though, as the largest eagle are all similarly sized. The bird's  lifespan is believed to be 25-35 years. Unlike other eagles the harpy eagle has a strongly hooked beak and powerful talons which are longer than a grizzly bear's claws which makes them capable of puncturing a human skull with else. But harpy eagles don't commonly attack humans.

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 Golden Pheasant

Scientific Classification

Scientific Name - Chrysolophus pictus

Domain             - Eukaryota

Kingdom           - Animalia

Phylum              - Chordata   

Class                 - Aves

Order                - Galliformes

Family              - Phasianidae

Genus               - Chrysolophus

Species             - C.pictus

The golden pheasant, also known as the Chinese pheasant, and rainbow pheasant, is a gamebird of the order Galliformes and the family Phasionidae. The genus name is from ancient greek khrusolophus "with golden crest ", and picture is latin for " painted " from pingere, "to paint ".These birds naturally live in China, specially central China. Outside of their native range, these pheasants also live in various zoos, gardens, and farms, Because they were such popular pets, feral populations also live in numerous locations across the globe. The golden pheasant is a colorful bird native to forests in mountainous areas of China. The adult male is unmistakable with it's golden chest and rump and bright red body. The legs and bills of both sexes are yellow. The adult male in 90 - 105cm ( 35 -41 in ) in length, it's tail accounting for two - thirds of the total length. A number of mutations have occured of the golden pheasant, such as the dark throated, salmon, and yellow golden. In the wild, golden pheasant can live more than 5 years, although most won't make it to the age of 3. In captivity, some individuals have been known to live for more than 20 years. Males and females often form monogamous pairs, meaning that they mate only with each other for their entire lives.  

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 Brown Gerygone

Scientific Classification

Scientific Name - Gerygone mouki

Domain               - Eukaryota

Kingdom             - Animalia

Phylum                - Chordata

Class                     -  Aves

Order                   - Passeriformes

Family                 - Acanthizidae

Genus                  - Gerygone

Species                - G.mouki

  Brown Gerygone, previously known as the brown warbler, is a small passerine bird native to eastern coastal Australia. The upper parts of the Brown Gerygone, are a deep olive-grey or olive-brown, while it's face and under parts are a much paler grey, cream or washed-out brown. The tail feathers are dark and may be white-tipped. It is approximately 10cm in length. The unobtrusive yet incessant twittering of the  Brown Gerygone is among the characteristic sounds of the rainforests of eastern Australia. The bird is abundant in these forests, where it lives year-sound. Singly, in pairs, or in loose three or four out of breeding, it feeds quietly but energetically through the inner and outer foliage of the trees, at two-20 meters above the ground. The birds frequently join foraging groups of other species to wander. Like all Australian gerygones, the brown gleans it's insect food from leaves and branches but occasionally darts out like a flycatcher to capture insects on the wing, or takes them in fight while hovering with rapid wing beats about the outer foliage. While feeding it has a tendency  to shake it's wings and flicks it's tail.

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