Download ZOOL 407 Bird Order Notes Part 2

ORDER CHARADRIIFORMES (SHOREBIRDS, SEABIRDS)
Family Scolopacidae (Snipes, Sandpipers, Phalaropes)
Physical Description
- waders with relatively long wings and short tail
- great variety of bill shapes and sizes; generally bill is at least the length of head
- plumage generally cryptic with mottled browns and greys above
Distribution
- most species breed in N. Hemisphere; most species migratory
Habitat
- breed in variable wetlands and grasslands, mainly in tundra, boreal and
temperate zones; winter along coasts, estuaries, and other wetlands
Feeding
- mollusks, crustaceans, aquatic worms and flies, some plant material
Nesting
- nests in tussocks or on dry ground
e.g. Greater Yellowlegs
food: fish, insects, mollusks, worms; skims surface of water
habitat: muskeg, tundra, wetland boundaries
development: precocial
ORDER CHARADRIIFORMES (SHOREBIRDS, SEABIRDS)
Family Charadriidae (Plovers)
Physical Description
- small to medium-sized plumpish shorebirds with rounded heads and large eyes
- bill is pigeon-like, differing from other waders
- medium to long legs; colour may be black, flesh-coloured, or reds and yellows
- many species have bold colour patterns; but plumage is disruptive, allowing
them to blend in when they stand still
Distribution
- worldwide except for permanently frozen areas; most species migratory
Habitat
- coastal, marshland, inland water, rivers, grassland to mountains and tundra
regions
Feeding
- wide range of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates
- most don’t wade in water to same extent as other shorebirds; typically forage by
walking in damp areas or at waters edge
- generally feed by running in short bursts and darting at prey
Nesting
- simple scrape on bare or open ground
- nesting habitat includes beaches, grasslands, tundra, gravel shorelines, deserts
e.g. Killdeer
food: insects
habitat: fields, meadows, mudflats
nesting: little or no vegetation on soft substrate with camouflage often far from
water; female uses distraction displays
development: precocial
ORDER CHARADRIIFORMES (SHOREBIRDS, SEABIRDS)
Family Laridae (Gulls, Terns)
Physical Description
- range in size
- larger species have robust, slightly hooked bills; smaller species have slender,
forceps-like bills
- most species, plumage is white on underside, grey or darker colouring on back
and uppersides of wings
- bills and legs generally red or bright yellow
- gulls take 2, 3, or 4 years to reach first full breeding plumage
- can be very difficult to identify because of similarity among species and
variation among years within species: look at eye, bill, leg colour, overall
plumage
Distribution
- worldwide, but few in tropics
Habitat
- generally associated with marine areas but many species nest inland
Feeding
- fish, crustaceans, mollusks, worms; also vegetable material, carrion, refuse
Nesting
- typically a cup of vegetation, seaweed, etc; often on a cliff ledge or on the
ground
e.g. Bonaparte’s Gull
food: insects, aquatic invertebrates and vertebrates, worms
habitat: open coniferous woodlands near ponds or lakes
nesting: abandoned tree nests; on ground; twigs lined with grass/moss
development: semiprecocial
ORDER CHARADRIIFORMES (SHOREBIRDS, SEABIRDS)
Family Recurvirostridae (Avocets, Stilts)
Physical Description
- long slender bills; may be straight or curved upwards
- long legs; adapted for feeding in deep water
- stilts have characteristic black bills and bright pink legs; avocets have black
bills and blue-grey legs and feet
Distribution
- breed in northern Hemisphere, winter in tropics or Southern Hemisphere
Habitat
- breed beside shallow water bodies
Feeding
- primarily aquatic invertebrates and small vertebrates in relatively deep water
- avocet usually forages by sweeping bill back and forth beneath water surface in
scything motion, also may seize prey directly in water and probe for prey
- stilts probe for prey
Nesting
- nest is a scrape, sometimes lined, usually on bare ground or short vegetation
near water
e.g. American Avocet
food: insects, crustaceans, vegetative material
habitat: marshes, mudflats, ponds, estuaries
nesting: cup nest among tufts of vegetation on gravel or sand; loose colonies
of 15-20 pairs
development: precocial
ORDER CICONIIFORMES (HERONS, BITTERNS, VULTURES)
Family Ardeidae (Herons, Bitterns)
Physical Description
- long billed, long-legged wading birds
- short tails, and long broad wings
- highly specialized for capture of live, usually aquatic prey
- fly with neck curved into shoulder (drawn back) and legs extended back
- most bitterns have brown, heavily streaked plumage allowing camouflage
Distribution
- worldwide
Habitat
- all herons breed near fresh or salt waters, including marshlands, wetlands,
reedbeds, and marshy grasslands
Feeding
- prey stalked with variety of techniques, but always ending with rapid stab to
catch the animal
- prey includes fish, amphibians, small mammals, birds, and insects
Nesting
- most bitterns are solitary nesters, while many herons nest colonially
- bittern nest is platform of sticks and plant material on ground; may be over
water
- heron nests usually a platform of sticks and twigs in tree
e.g. Great Blue Heron
food: fish, amphibians, small mammals
habitat: marshes, borders of streams, lakes
nesting: colonial nesters; in trees; nest is twigs, reeds, grasses
development: semialtricial
ORDER CICONIIFORMES (HERONS, BITTERNS, VULTURES)
Family Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
Physical Description
- head and upper neck are bare of feathers; usually highly coloured
- larger species have ruff of fluffy or lance-shaped feathers around base of neck
- toes are long and claws are only slightly curved, not well adapted for grasping
prey
- circle in thermals; Turkey Vultures have teetering motion to wings while in
flight
Distribution
- New World: southern Canada to tip of South America
Habitat
- mainly open habitats, but some forests
Feeding
- carrion eater; bill hooked for tearing carrion
- some (including Turkey Vultures) have highly developed sense of smell that is
used to find carrion and which is highly unusual in birds
Nesting
- no nest per se, although Turkey Vultures may nest in a cave or hollow stump
e.g. Turkey Vulture
food: carrion
habitat: open habitats in lowlands and mountains
nesting: no nest
development: semialtricial
ORDER GRUIFORMES (CRANES, RAILS, COOTS)
Family Gruidae (Cranes)
Physical Description
- long bills, necks, and legs
- plumage is white or shades of grey, with bright red bare skin or elaborate
plumage on head
- have long, elaborate, secondaries overhanging tail that are ruffled, curled, and
raised in display
- fly with neck and legs extended and circle in thermals like raptors
Distribution
- all continents except South America and Antarctica
Habitat
- shallow wetlands in breeding season; grasslands and agricultural lands in nonbreeding season
Feeding
- insects, small fish and other small animals
Nesting
- platform in shallow water or in short grass
e.g. Sandhill Crane
food: aquatic invertebrates, insects, worms, small mammals, eggs and juvenile
birds, vegetative material
habitat: wetlands, bogs
nesting: large pile of sticks, reeds, grass near water and undisturbed habitat
development: precocial
ORDER GRUIFORMES (CRANES, RAILS, COOTS)
Family Rallidae (Rails, Coots)
Physical Description
- marsh birds with short wings and tails
- very secretive
- plumage is mostly drab brown, grey and rufous; sometimes with pale spots and
flashes; a few species show bright and contrasting colours
Distribution
- All continents except Antarctica, plus many oceanic islands and archipelagos
Habitat
- generally damp forest, scrub, meadow and marshland
Feeding
- aquatic invertebrates, insects, plant material including seeds
Nesting
- nest is platform or saucer-shaped of plant material on ground (most rails) or
over water (sora, coots)
e.g. Sora
food: mostly seeds, also snails and other invertebrates
habitat: usually breeds in freshwater marshes
nesting: nest is basket of dead aquatic vegetation supported over water by
surrounding stems; built up to 6” above water
development: precocial
ORDER FALCONIFORMES (EAGLES, HAWKS, FALCONS)
Family Accipitridae (Eagles, Hawks, Accipiters)
Physical Description
- largest bird of prey family
- diurnal
- broad-winged
- strong feet for grasping and killing prey
- strong hooked bills
- female is often larger than male (reversed sexual size dimorphism)
- many species highly specialized in feeding resulting in diverse appearances
- many have elaborate aerial displays
Distribution
- worldwide
Habitat
- very diverse habitat associations within this family related to feeding
specializations
Feeding
- high diversity in diets among species: includes fish, carrion, mammals, birds,
insects
Nesting
- all build own nest of sticks or similar material, usually on trees or cliffs
Eagles
- very large with feathered legs
- several years to mature plumage
- feed mainly on live prey but also carrion
e.g. Golden Eagle
food: jackrabbits, ground squirrels, other mammals
habitat: open habitats (mountains, prairie)
nesting: sticks, branches, leaves to form large nest; in large tree, cliff
development: semialtricial
Buteos
- soaring hawks
- broad round wings and broad, fan-shaped tails
- soar with wings in a shallow V called a dihedral
e.g. Red-tailed Hawk
food: primarily rodents but also amphibians and fish
habitat: woodland and open country with scattered trees
nesting: bulky, large twig nest lined with evergreen sprigs, leaves; often uses
old raptor nests
development: semialtricial
Harriers
- likes marshes, fields
- flies close to the ground, hunting slowly
- feeds primarily on small mammals and birds
- owl-like face with ears specialized to locate prey in thick vegetation
e.g. Northern Harrier
food: primarily small mammals but also birds, snakes, amphibians
habitat: open fields, grasslands, meadows, marsh
nesting: grass, sticks on slightly elevated ground or in thick veg
development: semialtricial
Accipiters
- long tails, and short, rounded wings for greater agility in wooded habitats
- flight is flap-flap-glide
- many feed largely or entirely on birds; birds are hunted in flight
- North American species very similar in appearance
e.g. Northern Goshawk
food: squirrels, hares, grouse, woodpeckers, med-large songbirds
habitat: mixed or coniferous mature forest
nesting: closed canopy stands with open understory; large twig nest
development: semialtricial
Osprey
- worldwide distribution
- associated with fresh or coastal waters
- hover near water and dives to catch fish
e.g. Osprey
food: fish, crustaceans
habitat: along rivers, lakes, coastlines
nesting: trees, poles; large stick nest but can include other materials (scat,
rubbish, sod) usually near water
development: semialtricial
ORDER FALCONIFORMES (EAGLES, HAWKS, FALCONS)
Family Falconidae (Falcons)
Physical Description
- notched top bill (tooth) used to kill prey by severing spinal column at neck
- wings are long narrow, pointed, and bent back at wrist; distinguishes them from
Accipitridae
- tails are relatively short
- highly accomplished fliers; very agile; adapted for exceptionally fast flight
Distribution
- all continents except Antarctica
Habitat
- mainly in open or fairly open habitats
Feeding
- often kill prey, particularly birds, in full flight
- kestrels hover for small mammals and insects on the ground
Nesting
- most do not build own nest but nest in tree holes, on cliffs, on ground, in other
birds nests
e.g. Merlin
food: primarily birds; often taken in flight
habitat: open habitats, woodland, urban areas
nesting: old crow, magpie nests; sometimes in dense conifers; also tree cavity
development: semialtricial
ORDER STRIGIFORMES (OWLS)
Family Strigidae (Typical Owls)
Physical Description
- nocturnal birds of prey
- thick, soft feathers adapted for silent flight
- eyes relatively large and fixed in head; head can move to follow objects
- acute hearing; ears on sides of facial discs triangulate sound
- regurgitate pellets of fur and bone from prey items (below nest or roost site)
- slight sexual dimorphism: female usually larger
Distribution
- worldwide except Antarctica
Habitat
- chiefly woodlands and forests; some grasslands, deserts and tundra
Feeding
- diet mostly small ground-living rodents, also birds, insects
- most hunt at night and roost during the day
Nesting
- chiefly holes or abandoned nests of other species
e.g. Boreal Owl
food: rodents, birds, amphibians, insects
habitat: mixed, coniferous, boreal/sub-boreal, bogs
nesting: natural cavity or old woodpecker cavity
development: semialtricial
ORDER CAPRIMULGIFORMES (NIGHTJARS,
FROGMOUTHS)
Family Caprimulgidae (Nightjars)
Physical Description
- large heads, small bills, very large gapes
- wings usually long and tapered
- tail typically long and wide
- plumage generally concealment pattern of browns, greys, and black with
patches of white on tail, wings and head
- white bar across wing primaries closer to tip
- Common Poorwill is unique as a bird that undergoes a form of hibernation,
becoming torpid and with a much reduced body temperature for weeks or
months
Distribution
- throughout tropical and temperate world
- temperate species mostly migrate to tropics for winter
Habitat
- mostly forest edge to savanna and desert; a few woodland dwellers
Feeding
- primarily insectivorous
- forage in flight and mostly at night; wide mouth helps them snare flying insects
- may have echolocation abilities
Nesting
- nest on the ground with no nesting material
e.g. Common Nighthawk
food: hunts insects by skimming silently low to the ground
habitat: usually semiarid habitat, scrub, brush, prairie, rocky canyon, open
woodland; strictly nocturnal (often heard rather than seen)
nesting: eggs laid on gravel or flat rock usually near shrub; if disturbed on nest
adult hisses like a snake
development: semiprecocial
ORDER COLUMBIFORMES (PIGEONS, DOVES)
Family Columbibae (Pigeons, Doves)
Physical Description
- plump, stocky bodies with small head and short, stout bill
- plumage generally dull tones, greys and browns
- some with iridescent markings or crests on head
- larger species usually called pigeons, smaller species called doves
- strong, fast fliers
Distribution
- widespread except Antarctica and high northern latitudes
Habitat
- mostly woodland or forest; also open country
- some associated with urban environments
Feeding
- primarily vegetative material, including grain, seeds, fruit
- most have strong, muscular gizzard and consume grit to help break down seeds
in gizzard
- adult pigeons unusual among birds in producing a milk secreted from their crop
and fed to nestlings; has chemical composition similar to mammalian milk;
Nesting
- majority build simple twig nests on branches of trees; a few nest in holes, on
ground or in crevices or caves
- in urban areas use building ledges, bridges, etc
e.g. Rock Pigeon (domesticated)
food: grain, green leaves, inverts
habitat: cities, towns, rural areas, always near human habitations
nesting: building ledge, under eaves, under bridges, rarely on cliff ledge
development: altricial
ORDER GALLIFORMES (TURKEYS, GROUSE, QUAILS,
PHEASANTS, PTARMIGANS)
Family Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, Ptarmigan)
Physical Description
- ground-dwellers
- nearly all are heavy, rotund birds with short legs and rounded wings
- short, strong bills with feathered nostrils
- mostly sedentary; flight is brief but strong and dependent on glycogen-burning
sprint muscles
- ptarmigan change plumage (dark - spring/summer/fall ,white - winter)
- males perform elaborate courtship displays
Distribution
- widespread, absent only from Antarctica, some oceanic islands, and southern
half of South America
Habitat
- pheasants and quail in varied habitats
- grouse and ptarmigan mostly in forest and tundra
Nesting
- on ground, usually just a scrape, may be lined with grass
Feeding
- varied diet, primarily vegetation (seeds, shoots, leaves, buds, twigs)
- chicks primarily insectivorous
e.g. Ruffed Grouse
food: 80% vegetation (buds, leaves, flowers, seeds, fruit); 20% insects
habitat: deciduous and mixed forest; common in aspen
nesting: concealed at base of tree, under branches of fallen tree or next to log
development: precocial
ORDER APODIFORMES (HUMMINGBIRDS, SWIFTS)
Family Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
Physical Description
- very small
- long needle-like bills and long extendable tube-like tongues used for sipping
nectar; bills vary in length and shape according to flowers used for feeding
- very agile in flight; able to hover both forwards and backwards
- feet and legs very small; used only for perching
- plumage bright and glittering, generally green, often with brilliant iridescent
patches on head, throat, breast; males often more brilliant
Distribution
- throughout Americas (New World) from southern tip of South America to
boreal region of Canada
- number of species greatest at lower latitudes
- many species migratory
Habitat
- habitat must include nectar-producing flowers
Nesting
- small cup nests astride horizontal twig or stalk
- constructed from moss, lichen, spider silk, plant down
Feeding
- sip nectar while hovering
- also may consume small insects
- typically consumes over half its body-weight in food in a day
- can become torpid at night to conserve energy
e.g. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
food: nectar, insects, spiders, tree sap
habitat: deciduous or mixed woodland, open areas with scattered trees, gardens
nesting: small cup nest of lichen and spider silk lined with plant down
development: altricial
ORDER CORACIIFORMES (KINGFISHERS)
Family Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
Physical Description
- large-headed, short-necked, stout-bodied, short-legged
- bill straight, strong and long; flattened side to side in fish-eating species
- plumage often colourful, but muted
Distribution
- widespread except for high latitudes
Habitat
- varied, frequently includes waterside habitats along rivers and lakes
Nesting
- nests in earthen holes, also in tree holes
- uses strong bill and feet to dig nest burrows in stream/river banks
Feeding
- aquatic insects and fish
- will hover over water or watch from low perches, then plunge headfirst to
capture fish
- terrestrial arthropods and small vertebrates
e.g. Belted Kingfisher
food: fish, aquatic inverts, amphibians, reptiles, insects, young birds, mice
habitat: watercourses, both freshwater and marine
nesting: horizontal burrow in vertical bank near water excavated by both sexes
development: altricial
ORDER PICIFORMES (WOODPECKERS)
Family Picidae (Woodpeckers)
Physical Description
- small-medium sized with stocky build
- sharp chisel-like bill used for excavating wood for nesting and foraging; also
used communication via drumming
- long tongue wraps around top of skull; adapted for extracting prey from deep
cracks and crevices
- feet are zygodactyl, adapted for grasping bark while climbing
- tail feathers are stiff and used as prop against tree
Distribution
- America, Africa, Eurasia
Habitat
- primarily forests, also grasslands, open woodlands
Nesting
- excavates tree cavity for nesting
- in most species, new cavity excavated each breeding season
- occasionally reuse old woodpecker cavities of same or different species
- species vary in ability to excavate in hard wood with little decay; some require
softer, more decayed wood
Feeding
- insects, spiders, seeds, sap
- play important role in controlling numbers of bark- and wood-boring insects
- sapsuckers drill holes (sapwells) in horizontal rows
e.g. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
food: sap, cambium, fruit, berries, insects; guards sapwells
habitat: mixed forest
nesting: excavates in live or dead aspen with heartrot fungus
development: altricial