The Toco Toucan is only at home in the tropical rain forest of South America, living no where else in the world, yet it is known and loved by nearly everyone on every continent. The Toucan has been made popular in television and advertising, its huge over sized bill, with its bright array of colors
The view of an albatross in flight is more than spectacular, looking like a gliding plane. The Albatross is a feathered giant, with a wing span that is longer than any other bird alive, up to 12 feet across. There are about twenty five species of Albatross, with the wandering albatross being the largest of
Skua’s are sometimes called Avian pirates because they are so very aggressive and live at sea. This nick name is more than well earned. The Skua steals a great deal of its food from terns, puffins, and other birds that are carrying fish or other food items back to their nests and young. The Arctic
The Blue Footed Booby, is named, quite appropriately, for his huge blue feet. The males take great pride in them, and during the mating rituals, will show off their feet by doing a strut that is high stepping and designed to show the blue feet to the prospective mate. The more blue their feet are,
Azure-Winged Magpies live in a variety of temperate locations including Japan, China, Portugal, and Western Europe, keeping themselves to gardens, hedges, wooded areas and local parks. In these locations the magpie can enjoy their traditional seeds and fruit but also some other small creatures like tree frogs. They are currently not on the endangered species
This pigeon is among the largest of all Pigeons. Typically living in New Guinea lowland forests, they have received their name thanks to a crown of feathers propped on top of the bird’s head, which also makes for a lovely creature. Crowned Pigeon The Crowned Pigeon grows to what could be considered a young turkey’s
The cactus wren is the largest wren in the US, being about 9 inches long. Both sexes have a dull rust colored head and a back which is streaked with color. They have a very spotted breast and tan colored sides and belly. Their wings are black and white barred. They have a very long
The anhinga is a water living bird that lacks an oil gland for waterproofing its feathers such as most birds that live in water do. When it goes swimming the feathers are well doused with water. This is not all bad as it helps the bird dive well and chase under water prey with feathers
Loons are aquatic birds that are native to North America and Europe. A loon is just about the size of a small duck, and that is what it looks like when swimming. The loon’s feathers are black-and-white, with grey on the head and a white belly and a very pointed spear shaped bill. Loon Swimming
The Double crested cormorant is a large dark colored water bird, which is frequently seen sitting in groups on drifting logs, downed trees or any other available perch from Virginia to Florida, and points south of that. It is about 30 inches long and has a massive wingspan of about 50 inches, or some 4
Kookaburras are extremely large kingfisher type birds which are native to Australia. The name kookaburra is the call that the bird actually makes hence its name. The call they give is very unmistakable and very loud. It echoes and some say it sounds very much like human laughter of the hysterical variety, and some people
The Sparrow is native to nearly every country in the world. It has followed humankind and has been introduced either on purpose, or accidentally, to most countries and areas world wide. In the US, it is called the English sparrow, which helps to keep it separate from the native variety. During the latter part of
A great many birds will move to the Arctic in the summer to breed there, but not many will live there year around. The Snowy Owl is one which will live in the tundra for the full year. They stay in the arctic for all year round unless the food becomes hard to find and
The Osprey is also known by other names. It is sometimes called a seahawk, a fish eagle or a fishhawk. This fish eating bird of prey is from medium to large, and is present on all the continents except for Antarctica, though in South America it is considered a migrant and does not breed there.
A mallard is what is known as a dabbling duck. They are remarkably lovely in coloration and can weigh about 3 to 5 pounds, while the female weighs a bit less although she is about the same size. The male is superb with a deep green head, black tail feathers and a yellow bill which
