Birds
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
The Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, is a striking bird species native to the savannas and woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa. Known for its impressive size, distinctive black plumage, and striking red throat patch, this ground-dwelling hornbill is a fascinating sight to behold. Abyssinian Ground Hornbills are primarily carnivorous, feeding on a varied diet of insects, small mammals, reptiles, and even other birds. They are also known for their unique breeding behaviors, with pairs forming strong bonds and engaging in cooperative breeding efforts to raise their chicks. Unfortunately, habitat loss and hunting pose significant threats to the survival of Abyssinian Ground Hornbills in the wild.
Range/Habitat:
Abyssinian ground hornbills are large, primarily terrestrial birds that live in savannas, grasslands, and scrub across north-central Africa from Senegal and Guinea on the western coast to Ethiopia on the eastern coast.
Size:
Similar in size to a wild turkey, Abyssinian hornbills are large birds about 40 inches (102 centimeters) long and weighing up to 8 to 11 pounds (4 to 5 kilograms).
- Abyssinian ground hornbills can fly but prefer to walk. They can travel long distances on the ground. They even prefer to escape predators on foot rather than by flying.
- Abyssinian ground hornbills have long ‘eyelashes’, which are actually modified feathers. They help protect their eyes from dirt and injury.
- Abyssinian ground hornbills have a large bony part above their beak. This is called a casque and is a spongy structure made of keratin, which is the same material as hair and nails. This casque acts as an echo chamber, amplifying their calls to make them sound louder. They use these loud calls to attract a mate.
Abyssinian Ground Hornbills face significant conservation challenges due to habitat loss, degradation, and hunting throughout their range in sub-Saharan Africa. Deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urbanization have resulted in the fragmentation of their natural habitats, making it increasingly difficult for these birds to find suitable nesting sites and forage for food. Additionally, Abyssinian Ground Hornbills are often hunted for their meat, feathers, and traditional medicinal uses, further contributing to their decline in the wild. Conservation efforts aimed at protecting Abyssinian Ground Hornbills include habitat preservation, community education and engagement, and anti-poaching measures.
Australian Rainbow Lorikeet
Rainbow lorikeets are known for the amazingly colorful plumage. Feathers are green, blue, black, red and yellow. Color variations depend on the subspecies. Their legs are gray and their bill and iris are red. Juveniles are duller in color with brown/black bills and iris. Females are slightly smaller than males with a shorter beak.
Range/Habitat:
Rainbow lorikeets are native to Australia, Indonesia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. It has been introduced to Hong Kong and Singapore. They can be found in a wide range of habitats including rainforest, woodlands and urban areas.
Size:
Length: 10 in. Weight: 3.5-5.5 oz.
- These birds are known to mob individuals when trying to get food from them.
- This species is also known as the coconut lorikeet.
IUCN lists as a species of least concern. They have a very large range of habitat and while their numbers are decreasing it is not at a rapid pace. This is a heavily traded species, and their population is suspected to be declining due to overexploitation.
Conservation Action:
Listed under CITES Appendix II and under the Convention of Migratory Species Appendix II.
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagles go through four maturation stages. Each stage takes one year. The first stage occurs when they hatch, they have dark eyes, pink skin, and flesh colored talons. Within the first 18-22 days their skin turns bluish in color and their legs turn yellow. Within the first year, they will develop white feathers and their beaks and eyes will turn dark brown. In the second stage, their eyes turn grayish brown and their feathers become more mottled white. In the third stage, their eyes and beak turns yellow. During the fourth and final stage, their body feathers are mostly dark/brown while their head and tail remain white. Their adult plumage is achieved in their fifth year of life. Females are larger than males. They can live up to 28 years in the wild.
Habitat/Range:
These birds are native to North America and prefer areas near large bodies of water. They are very skittish and will avoid areas where humans are present.
Size:
Length: 31-37in. Wingspan: 70-90in. Weight: 9.5lbs.
- Bald Eagles can go several days without eating. They will even store food in their crop for later digestion.
- They have a 6 foot wing span and are mostly scavengers.
Least Concern. Negatively impacted by hunting, habitat destruction, and insecticides such as DDT, Bald Eagles were an endangered species in the 1940s, however thanks to the Bald Eagle Protection Act which made it illegal to kill or even own a feather from an eagle as well as the ban of certain insecticides these birds have made a comeback. Huge conservation success story.
Conservation Action:
Protected under the Migratory Bird Act. Some areas have habitat conservation plans in action.
Bar-Headed Goose
Bar-headed geese have grey bodies with wings tipped in black. Their legs and bill are yellow to orange and the bill has a black tip. Their name comes from their distinctive black and white neck that has two black u-shaped marks on the back of the head. Juveniles are duller in color and lack the bars on the back of the head. Males are usually larger than females.
Range/Habitat:
Bar-headed geese breed mainly in Mongolia, western China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan but also in northern India. They winter in Tibet, northern India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Myanmar. They prefer mountain grasslands and crop fields at high elevations. They utilize freshwater streams, marshes and lakes. This species has been introduced to Canada and Europe.
Size:
Body length: 2.25-2.5 feet. Wingspan: 4.5-5 feet. Weight: 4.5-6.5lbs.
- When migrating, these geese have been recoded to fly as high as 9,000m when cross the Himalaya Mountains.
- Bar-headed geese have two warning calls, one for when a bird of prey is near, and the other for when a predator on land is near.
- Bar-headed geese seem to have a high tolerance to plants that would be poisonous to other animals, including lily-of-the-valley.
- They can survive at high altitudes because they have a higher density of capillaries that are spaced closer together this allows them to deliver more oxygen to their muscles, in particular their flight muscles. In addition to their capillaries they also have hemoglobin in their blood that is more efficient at taking in oxygen.
IUCN lists them as a species of least concern. However, at one time it was listed as near threatened. Threats this species have faced and still faces are: hunting, egg collection, death due to power-lines and other infrastructure, disease such as Avian Flu and habitat destruction. These geese also feed on local crops around their roosting areas which causes tension with farmers.
Conservation Action:
In Kyrgyzstan has hand-raised and released young bar-headed geese to increase their population.
ENDANGERED
Grey Crowned Crane
The crane has grey plumage which contrasts against its black and white wings. They have a yellow crest of feathers on top of its head and a red patch that hangs from the neck. The yellow feathers on their head or crown offer camouflage in the tall grasses. Males are larger than females. Juveniles have gray plumage and a dark crest. They live up to 22 years in the wild and 25 years in captivity.
Habitat/Range:
They can be found in Eastern and Southern Africa and live in wetlands and open grasslands.
Size:
Height: 3 feet. Weight: 7-9lbs.
- The grey crowned crane is the national symbol of Uganda.
- They have been known to forage on grain and other crops from agricultural lands.
Endangered. They are threatened by loss or degradation of suitable wetlands due to damming, drainage, and deforestation as well as being preyed upon by domestic dogs. Live birds and eggs are also taken from the wild. They are the National bird of Uganda. International trade of this animal is very closely monitored.
Conservation Actions:
Captive breeding populations and wetland conservation projects have been established in Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
Grey Peacock Pheasant
Peacock-pheasants are named for the peacock-like eyespots on their feathers. This species is grey in color with iridescent eyespots dotting its body. Males are larger with more defined eyespots.
Range/Habitat:
The grey peacock-pheasant is native to southeastern Asia. It inhabits forests with lots of undergrowth to hide in.
Size: Length:
19 – 30 in. Weight: 1 – 2 lbs.
IUCN lists as a species of least concern. They are suspected to be declining due to habitat loss, hunting, and sold for gamebirds and for feathers.
Conservation Action:
Grey peacock-pheasants are protected by the Indian Wildlife Protection Act as well as being placed on CITES Appendix II.
ENDANGERED
Madagascar Teal
The two sexes are very similar in appearance and the entire plumage is a uniform light reddish-brown. The throat and chin are buff colored and the bill is pinkish-grey. The wing has a black patch known as the speculum or mirror, which is bordered with white.
Range/Habitat:
The Madagascar teal lives on the west coast and far northeast of Madagascar. They inhabit wetlands, estuaries and flooded mangrove forests.
Size:
1.3-1.5 feet
IUCN lists as an endangered species. Habitat loss is the major threat facing these birds. Wetlands are turned into rice fields and mangrove forests are cut down for timber and prawn pond construction.
Conservation Actions:
A captive breeding program, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, initiated in 1993 has been successful and sheds light on the biology and behavior of these ducks.
VULNERABLE
Marbled Teal Duck
The marbled teal duck is brown in color speckled with cream giving it a marbled appearance. It has a dark eye patch and stripe on the head that extends to a slight crest. It has a long neck and wings.
Range/Habitat:
There are three populations of marbled teal ducks scattered throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. They prefer brackish wetlands but can also be found in freshwater and man-made wetlands.
Size:
Length: 15.5-16.5 in.
This duck is more closely related to diving ducks than to other teals.
IUCN lists as a vulnerable species. They face several threats including habitat loss, pollution, lead poisoning and hunting/egg collecting.
Conservation Actions:
The Marbled Tea Duck is legally protected in Bulgaria, Israel, Morocco, Spain, Russia, Tunisia, and Turkey. Awareness-raising efforts and the designation of several breeding areas as protected have also helped to conserve this species.
Radjah Shelduck
This medium sized duck has a white head, neck and belly with a dark back and chest band. In flight, visibly white shoulder patches may be seen as well as green and russet patches on the wings. It has a light colored bill, feet and eyes.
Range/Habitat:
The radjah shelduck is native to Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea but has been introduced to Singapore. It prefers brackish water but can also be found in freshwater (in Australia at least).
Size:
Length: 16-24in. Weight: 2.2lbs.
Also known as the Burdekin Duck.
IUCN lists as a species of least concern, but their population trend is decreasing likely due to hunting and habitat loss.
Roseate Spoonbill
As its name implies, the roseate spoonbill has light to dark pink wings and tail. Their legs and irises are red. The upper back and neck are white but yellow to green tints may be seen. Their most distinctive feature is their large, spoon shaped bill.
Range/Habitat:
Roseate spoonbills can be found from southern Georgia south through the Caribbean and South America to Argentina. They inhabit wetland areas marshes, mangrove swamps and mud flats. These habitats may be marine, brackish or freshwater.
Size:
Weight: 2.3 lbs.
Their bill is 32” long.
IUCN lists as a species of least concern. Previously, they were hunted for their feathers and meat during the 1800s, they also suffered disturbances due to shared habitat with egrets which are greatly hunted. Now their main threat is habitat loss due to coastal dwellings. Pollution and climate change also have an effect on their numbers.
Conservation Action:
It is protected under the Migratory Bird Act.
Ruddy Shelduck
Ruddy shelducks have a rusty orange plumage with the head being a little lighter than the rest of the body. The bill, feet, rump, tail, primary and secondary feathers are black. Males also have a black band around the neck that is absent or broken in breeding birds. These ducks also have white or buff colored coverts on their wings and a whitish face that is more prominent in females. Females are often smaller than males.
Range/Habitat:
Ruddy shelducks breeds in south-eastern Europe, east through southern and central Asia to Mongolia and western China, with separate populations in northwest Africa and Ethiopia. They will migrate south for winter flying down into south and southeastern Asia as well as eastern Africa. These birds can be found in a variety of habitats including freshwater/salty/brackish lakes, streams, slow-moving rivers, freshwater pools, flooded grasslands and marshes.
Size:
Body length: 2 feet. Weight: 2-3.5lbs.
In many Buddhist countries, the ruddy shelduck is considered a sacred bird.
IUCN lists as a species of least concern. In some areas of its range, it is threatened by hunting, pollution, and habitat loss. Wetlands in many areas are being drained for agriculture, industrial development, salt extraction and sand mining. However, in Western Europe, the shelduck is considered an invasive species. Captive birds have gotten into the wild and are threatening native waterfowl due to their aggressive territoriality and interbreeding.
Conservation Actions:
The ruddy shelduck is protected under Appendix II of the Convention of Migratory Species and the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement,
VULNERABLE
Scheepmaker's Crowned Pigeon
The most prominent feature of these pigeons is the blue-gray lacy feathers adorning their heads. The rest of the body is mainly blue-gray with a maroon breast and belly. It has a black “mask,” red eyes and purplish legs and feet.
Range/Habitat:
Scheepmaker's crowned pigeons are native to southern New Guinea. They inhabit dry and flooded lowland forests.
Size:
Length: Male - 26 ¾ - 28 ¾ in. Female – 26 – 27.5 in. Weight: 5 lbs.
Also known as Southern Crowned Pigeon.
IUCN lists as a vulnerable species. This species faces many threats. The largest may be from hunting and trapping. Their meat and feathers are sold and both young and adult birds are sold for the pet trade. It also is faced with habitat loss and has gone extinct in several areas it used to inhabit.
Conservation Actions:
The Scheepmaker's Crowned Pigeon is protected by law in Papua New Guinea.
VULNERABLE
Stanley Crane
(Blue Crane)
This crane is blue in color but can appear gray at a distance. They are also quite small but has a large head, thick neck, and very long wings which trail behind the bird and many confuse their wings for their tail feathers because of this. They produce loud honking calls.
Habitat/Range:
They mostly live in southern or South Africa and breed in dry grasslands at high elevations.
Size:
Length: 3 feet.
The Blue Crane is the national bird of South Africa.
Vulnerable. They are at risk due to purposeful and accidental poisoning in areas where they and other animals are seen as pests due to farming. The most significant threats are death due to power-lines, wetlands drying out, and the removal of grasslands and planting of trees for plantations.
Conservation Actions:
Some habitat protection has been established, and more ecologically sensitive chemicals are being used by agricultural workers to reduce the risk of poisoning cranes. A Crane Working Group has been organized in Namibia to facilitate education and conservation.
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