Bird journal

[Preety_India]

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[Preety_India]

 

There are more than 9,000 different types of birds in the animal kingdom. Out of these, about 400 species of birds are called ‘Birds of Prey‘ meaning they hunt prey with their feet or feast on the flesh of dead animals. Birds of prey are also called ‘Raptors‘ derived from the Latin word ‘rapere‘ meaning to “to seize“. Raptors kill their prey with their sharp talons and hooked beaks. Often they are also known as ‘Diurnal birds of prey‘ (i.e., day hunters).

 

         

 

 

Edited October 19, 2021 by Preety_India

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Order Accipitriformes / Diurnal Birds of Prey

This bird order contains species that live mainly as birds of prey, such as hawks, eagles and ospreys. Interestingly, all birds in this order are native to North America. Note that Falcons are not a part of Accipitriformes although it is one of the birds of prey. Now, Falcons belong to its own order Falconiformes and according to DNA studies published in 2008, falcons are closely related to parrots and passerines!

Characteristics of Accipitriformes

One can always recognize a representative of this order by several traits:

 

Birds in this order are diurnal (i.e., they are active during the day).

These birds are usually medium to large-sized.

They have a sharp, hooked beak with visible nostrils.

These birds are known for their firm legs with massive sharp claws suitable for holding the prey and even tearing it apart.

Almost all Accipitriformes birds are carnivorous – they eat the meat of other animals.

These birds typically have prominent, round eyes and hunt mainly by sight;

These flying hunters have powerful and broad wings.

 

Accipitriformes Bird Examples

 

 

Secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius)

 

 

California condor (Gymnogyps californianus)

 

 

Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus)

 

 

 

Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

 

 

 

 

Bateleur Eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus)

 

 

 

 

Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)

 

 

Pacific Baza (Aviceda subcristat)

 

 

Osprey (Pandion Haliaetus)

 

 

 

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

 

 

 

Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus)

 

 

 

 

                  

 

 

 

Edited October 19, 2021 by Preety_India

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The Resplendent Quetzal

 

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Wilson’s Bird-of-Paradise

 

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 Black-capped Chickadee

Black-capped chickadees obtain their name from the black feathers that cover their heads, creating the illusion that they are wearing a cap.

Order Passeriformes

Family Paridae

Genus Poecile

Species Poecile atricapillus

 

The name “chickadee” is descended from the common calls of several species.

The black cap extends to just below their eyes. The black-capped chickadee is a small bird whose adults grow to 5 inches tall.

When feeding, these tiny birds are very active. Their small size and strong feet come in handy when looking for food

These frequent backyard birds can walk on twigs and edges or hang up-side-down to pick prey. Chickadees are omnivorous and are known to store their food in penchants.

These intelligent birds have a good memory, given their ability to recall the different locations they store their food.

Black-capped Chickadees have the ability to lower their body temperature to survive the cold in the winter months. However, the similar-looking species Caroline Chickadees do not have this characteristic, causing them a high mortality rate during the winter months.

 

     

 

Edited October 20, 2021 by Preety_India

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Wild Turkey

 

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Brown-headed Cowbirds

 

 

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Baltimore Orioles