Falcons (/ˈfɒlkən, ˈfɔːl-, ˈfæl-/) are birds of prey in the genus Falco, which includes about 40 species. Some small species of falcons with long, narrow wings are called hobbies,[7] and some that hover while hunting are called kestrels.[7][8] Falcons are widely distributed on all continents of the world except Antarctica, though closely related raptors did occur there in the Eocene.[9]
Username: Lotfor Published on 2024-11-10 09:59:35 ID NUMBER: 125031
Kingfishers are a family, the Alcedinidae, of small to medium-sized, brightly coloured birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species living in the tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Oceania, but also can be found in Europe and the Americas. They can be found in deep forests near calm ponds and small rivers. The family contains 118 species and is divided into three subfamilies and 19 genera. All kingfishers have large heads, long, sharp, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. Most species have bright plumage with only small differences between the sexes. Most species are tropical in distribution, and a slight majority are found only in forests.
The rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri), also known as the ring-necked parakeet, ringneck parrot (in aviculture) or the Kramer parrot, is a medium-sized parrot in the genus Psittacula, of the family Psittacidae. It has disjunct native ranges in Africa and the Indian Subcontinent,[2] and is now introduced into many other parts of the world where feral populations have established themselves and are bred for the exotic pet trade.
The rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri), also known as the ring-necked parakeet, ringneck parrot (in aviculture) or the Kramer parrot, is a medium-sized parrot in the genus Psittacula, of the family Psittacidae. It has disjunct native ranges in Africa and the Indian Subcontinent,[2] and is now introduced into many other parts of the world where feral populations have established themselves and are bred for the exotic pet trade.
Ostriches are large flightless birds. Two living species are recognised, the common ostrich, native to large areas of sub-Saharan Africa, and the Somali ostrich, native to the Horn of Africa.
The cockatiel (/ˌkɒkəˈtiːl/;[2] Nymphicus hollandicus), also known as the weero/weiro[3][4] or quarrion,[5][6] is a medium-sized[7] parrot that is a member of its own branch of the cockatoo family endemic to Australia. They are prized as household exotic bird[8] pets and companion parrots throughout the world and are relatively easy to breed compared to other parrots. As a caged bird, cockatiels are second in popularity only to the budgerigar.
The cockatiel (/ˌkɒkəˈtiːl/;[2] Nymphicus hollandicus), also known as the weero/weiro[3][4] or quarrion,[5][6] is a medium-sized[7] parrot that is a member of its own branch of the cockatoo family endemic to Australia. They are prized as household exotic bird[8] pets and companion parrots throughout the world and are relatively easy to breed compared to other parrots. As a caged bird, cockatiels are second in popularity only to the budgerigar.
A vulture is a bird of prey that scavenges on carrion. There are 23 extant species of vulture (including condors).[2] Old World vultures include 16 living species native to Europe, Africa, and Asia; New World vultures are restricted to North and South America and consist of seven identified species, all belonging to the Cathartidae family.[2][3] A particular characteristic of many vultures is a bald, unfeathered head. This bare skin is thought to keep the head clean when feeding, and also plays an important role in thermoregulation.
Cranes are a type of large bird with long legs and necks in the biological family Gruidae of the order Gruiformes. The family has 15 species placed in four genera which are Antigone, Balearica, Leucogeranus, and Grus.[1] They are large birds with long necks and legs, a tapering form, and long secondary feathers on the wing that project over the tail. Most species have muted gray or white plumages, marked with black, and red bare patches on the face, but the crowned cranes of the genus Balearica have vibrantly-coloured wings and golden "crowns" of feathers. Cranes fly with their necks extended outwards instead of bent into an S-shape and their long legs outstretched.
Penguins are a group of aquatic flightless birds from the family Spheniscidae (/sfɪˈnɪsɪdiː, -daɪ/) of the order Sphenisciformes (/sfɪˈnɪsəfɔːrmiːz/).[4] They live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere: only one species, the Galápagos penguin, is found north of the Equator. Highly adapted for life in the ocean water, penguins have countershaded dark and white plumage and flippers for swimming. Most penguins feed on krill, fish, squid and other forms of sea life which they catch with their bills and swallow whole while swimming. A penguin has a spiny tongue and powerful jaws to grip slippery prey
Hummingbirds are birds native to the Americas and comprise the biological family Trochilidae. With approximately 366 species and 113 genera,[1] they occur from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, but most species are found in Central and South America.[2] As of 2024, 21 hummingbird species are listed as endangered or critically endangered, with numerous species declining in population.[3]
Hornbills are birds found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia of the family Bucerotidae. They are characterized by a long, down-curved bill which is frequently brightly coloured and sometimes has a horny casque on the upper mandible. Hornbills have a two-lobed kidney. They are the only birds in which the first and second neck vertebrae (the atlas and axis respectively) are fused together; this probably provides a more stable platform for carrying the bill.[1] The family is omnivorous, feeding on fruit and small animals. They are monogamous breeders nesting in natural cavities in trees and sometimes cliffs. A number of mainly insular species of hornbill with small ranges are threatened with extinction, mainly in Southeast Asia.
Albatrosses, of the biological family Diomedeidae, are large seabirds related to the procellariids, storm petrels, and diving petrels in the order Procellariiformes (the tubenoses). They range widely in the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific. They are absent from the North Atlantic, although fossil remains of short-tailed albatross show they once lived there up to the Pleistocene,[2] and occasional vagrants are found. Great albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, with wingspans reaching up to 2.5–3.5 metres (8.2–11.5 ft) and bodies over 1 metre (3.3 ft) in length.[3] The albatrosses are usually regarded as falling into four genera, but disagreement exists over the number of species.
Cuckoos are birds in the Cuculidae (/kjuːˈkjuːlɪdiː/ kew-KEW-lih-dee) family, the sole taxon in the order Cuculiformes (/kjuːˈkjuːlɪfɔːrmiːz/ kew-KEW-lih-for-meez).[1][2][3] The cuckoo family includes the common or European cuckoo, roadrunners, koels, malkohas, couas, coucals, and anis. The coucals and anis are sometimes separated as distinct families, the Centropodidae and Crotophagidae, respectively. The cuckoo order Cuculiformes is one of three that make up the Otidimorphae, the other two being the turacos and the bustards. The family Cuculidae contains 150 species, which are divided into 33 genera.
The oilbird (Steatornis caripensis), locally known as the guácharo, is a bird species found in the northern areas of South America including the Caribbean island of Trinidad. It is the only species in the genus Steatornis, the family Steatornithidae, and the order Steatornithiformes. Nesting in colonies in caves, oilbirds are nocturnal feeders on the fruits of the oil palm and tropical laurels. They are the only nocturnal flying fruit-eating birds in the world (the kākāpō, also nocturnal, is flightless). They forage at night, with specially adapted eyesight. However, they navigate by echolocation in the same way as bats, one of the few birds to do so. They produce a high-pitched clicking sound of around 2 kHz that is audible to humans.
The emu (/ˈiːmjuː/; Dromaius novaehollandiae) is a species of flightless bird endemic to Australia, where it is the tallest native bird. It is the only extant member of the genus Dromaius and the third-tallest living bird after its African ratite relatives, the common ostrich and Somali ostrich. The emu's native ranges cover most of the Australian mainland. The Tasmanian, Kangaroo Island and King Island subspecies became extinct after the European settlement of Australia in 1788.
Falcons (/ˈfɒlkən, ˈfɔːl-, ˈfæl-/) are birds of prey in the genus Falco, which includes about 40 species. Some small species of falcons with long, narrow wings are called hobbies,[7] and some that hover while hunting are called kestrels.[7][8] Falcons are widely distributed on all continents of the world except Antarctica, though closely related raptors did occur there in the Eocene.[9]
The drongos are a family, Dicruridae, of passerine birds of the Old World tropics. The 28 species in the family are placed in a single genus, Dicrurus.
A cockatoo is any of the 21 species of parrots belonging to the family Cacatuidae, the only family in the superfamily Cacatuoidea. Along with the Psittacoidea (true parrots) and the Strigopoidea (large New Zealand parrots), they make up the order Psittaciformes. The family has a mainly Australasian distribution, ranging from the Philippines and the eastern Indonesian islands of Wallacea to New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Australia.
The Prairie Falcon is a bird of prey that inhabits the arid regions of North and Central America.
They typically measure about 14 to 20 inches in length and weigh between 1.5 and 3.3 pounds. Exhibiting earth-toned plumage, this raptor bears a dominant beige-pale body that contrasts with the darker axillaries. The beak, impressively robust, reveals a muted yellow hue.
Prairie falcons tend to eat whatever is available, such as ground squirrels and prairie dogs. Still, they may also catch smaller birds or reptiles. Moreover, the prairie falcon hunts using a high-speed dive or "stoop" to catch prey in mid-air.
This bird is territorial, especially during its breeding season from March to July, and breeding pairs return to the same nesting site year after year5, usually on cliff faces.
The Grey Falcon is a vulnerable bird species; the scientific community considers it one of Australia's rarest birds of prey.
The Grey Falcon is notable for its light-grey plumage, which gives the bird its name. Their wingtips and tail feathers often feature a darker shade of grey. Their beak is blue-grey that lightens at the base, while their feet are a vivid yellow. A small bird, the Grey Falcon usually measures 14-17 inches in length and weighs from 1.2 to 1.6 pounds.
Thanks to its pale grey feathers, this bird can blend into its habitat, primarily in arid and semi-arid regions. Grey falcons live in open habitats with sparse vegetation.
The Grey Falcon is a highly skilled hunter known for its skill and speed. Its diet is diverse and ranges from mammals to reptiles. However, it is particularly noteworthy for its hunting of other birds.
The Red-footed Falcon soars freely across Europe and Asia. This raptor is relatively small, measuring 28-34 cm in length, but it has red feet and 'trousers' that stand out from the rest of its body. The male falcon has a blue-grey coat, while the females and juveniles have a browner shade.
These types of falcons maneuver mid-air to catch their prey adeptly, feeding mainly on beetles and grasshoppers. However, they also hunt small mammals, birds, and amphibians. Red-footed Falcons also hunt in teams.
They prefer open spaces such as marshes, heaths, and farmlands and often occupy abandoned nests of rooks and crows.
Both parents take responsibility for raising their young from egg to flight, and they are naturally monogamous.
The Sooty Falcon is a prey bird inhabiting North Africa and the Middle East. They exhibit a streamlined body with an overall grey-blue color. Even more striking is its sleek, curved yellow beak. The adults are approximately 13-16 inches long and weigh around 0.5 pounds, lending them a moderate build.
This type of falcon undertakes remarkable long-distance migrations. An adult Sooty Falcon traveled over 3400 miles from UAE to Madagascar in 13 days1.
The Sooty Falcon is a skilled hunter, using its swift and agile flight to catch prey in mid-air. Its diet consists mainly of small birds and flying insects, although it prefers dragonflies. Interestingly, it likes to hunt at dawn or dusk.
The Aplomado Falcon is a slender bird, typically measuring 13 to 17 inches long and weighing 9 to 14 ounces. Its plumage is distinct: a gray-blue upper body and wings contrast against a creamy underside streaked with thin, dark bands. The falcon's beak, a pointed tool, is a stark yellow-orange.
The bird lives in the Americas, ranging from the southwestern parts of the United States through Central and South America, including Southern Mexico and Northern Argentina.
Aplomado Falcons prefer wide-open spaces, sparse vegetation of grasslands and savannas, far-reaching marshes, semi-arid regions, and forest clearings.
While hunting, a small group or pair of falcons work together to flush out prey from its hiding place, with others waiting to swoop in for the kill.
Aplomado Falcons are not picky eaters, preying on small birds, insects, mammals, or reptiles.
The bird's call is a quick, high-pitched note followed by a longer, lower-pitched note.
Observing a Brown Falcon can be an exciting experience. As its name portrays, it has a predominantly brown plumage, with hues ranging from shoulder to dusk. Its beak is sturdy, hooked, and light grey, an attribute that marks its predatory lifestyle.
These types of falcons span between 18-24 inches in length, typically weighing from 1.1 to 2.7 pounds. They can thrive in habitats such as open woodlands, grasslands, arid regions, and urban areas. It feeds on mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and occasionally scavenges carrion.
When hunting, the Brown Falcon perches high above the ground, scanning for potential prey. It swoops quickly once it spots a target, sometimes going on a mid-air chase.
The Amur Falcon, a small bird of prey, weighs about 4.2 to 7.8 ounces with a wingspan measuring 32 to 40 inches. Distinctive in appearance, they sport slate-grey plumage on their upperparts while their underparts exhibit a stunning orange color.
Amur Falcons are known widely for having the longest migration route on an open sea of all birds of prey2; for around 9,000 miles,, they travel between their breeding grounds in southeast Russia and northern China and the coasts of eastern or southern Africa.
The Saker Falcon is a large bird of prey found in Eastern Europe and Asia. Its light-to-dark distinguishes it contrasted plumage, varying from a sandy brown to ruddy hues. It's home to dark stripes under its eyes, and its beak's grey-blue color adds a striking note.
Typically, adult Saker Falcons range from 18 to 23 inches in length, with a weight between 1.5 to 3 pounds, making it one of the larger raptor species.
It eats rodents, birds, and larger animals like hares, foxes and nests in various locations during the breeding season.
Unfortunately, IUCN classifies them as endangered falcon species due to offtake for falconry, reduction of prey, and power line electrocution.
The Gyrfalcon is the largest member of the falcon family and is found in the Arctic. It has adapted to the harsh and cold environment with its thick plumage and fast metabolic rate.
Its feathers range from a striking white to jet black, often with flecks of lighter colors. The sturdy beak complements the plumage with its yellow or blue-gray hue. On average, this bird measures 20 to 25 inches in length. At the same time, its weight oscillates between 2 and 4.5 pounds, affirming its formidable presence in the skies.
The bird is a high-speed aerial hunter who mainly feeds on birds and small mammals.
Our last type of falcon is a territorial and solitary creature, occupying the same nesting sites year after year. Its territory spans 9,000 square kilometers.
Falcons (/ˈfɒlkən, ˈfɔːl-, ˈfæl-/) are birds of prey in the genus Falco, which includes about 40 species. Some small species of falcons with long, narrow wings are called hobbies,[7] and some that hover while hunting are called kestrels.[7][8] Falcons are widely distributed on all continents of the world except Antarctica, though closely related raptors did occur there in the Eocene.[9]
