Animal A Day!

Poliocephalus rufopectus The New Zealand Grebe, or Weweia, is a small, dark waterbird found only on it's namesake islands. These Grebe are wonderful swimmers, and are very well adapted to the water. They have movable webbed toes that are great for paddling, along with slim necks that allow them to dive underwater efficiently and find food. They feed on aquatic invertebrates, and can stay underwater for about half a minute. New Zealand Grebes live near freshwater lakes, and do their nesting year round beside them. 2-3 eggs are laid at the time, and the offspring are precocial. After 2 months the chicks are completely independent from their parents. Wierdly, the New Zealand Grebes went extinct from the South Island during the 1960s, and no one really knows why. Their population is currently stable, and the birds are protected. Monitoring and other measures are being taken to make sure the mysterious disappearance 50 years ago does not repeat itself. IUCN Status : Vulnera...

Bucephala albeola (male) It's been absolutely pouring all day, and all this water is making me think of Ducks. So lets learn about one today, shall we? The Bufflehead is a Duck that is found in the lake, ponds, and oceans in and around North America. They migrate seasonally, spending winters further south and their summers breeding in more inland areas of Canada and Alaska. Sometimes they end up in far away places during these migrations-- birds have been found in Japan and in Western Europe! (female) Buffleheads feed on a variety of different aquatic plants and animals-- it all depends on their location. Ducks that live near lakes and ponds consume more insects, while ocean-dwelling ducks consume mollusks and crustaceans. Buffleheads are relatively unique among Ducks in that they remain monogamous for several years. They nest in trees, utilizing old cavities that were often created by Northern Flickers or Pileated Woodpeckers. Around 10 Ducklings are born each seaso...

Chen canagica The Emperor Goose is an interesting looking. It sports grey feathers over most of its body, but has a bright white head and neck... only it's not the front of the neck (like you see in other birds), the white patch actually goes down the back side! Emperor Geese are also unusual (for Geese) in that they don't live in very large flocks. They tend to stick to small family groups. They do migrate though, breeding further north and wintering further south... though they don't go very far overall-- the species is found only in Alaska and parts of Russia. The Aleutian Islands are a popular spot for wintering birds, which makes them especially vulnerable. Because they all move to the same spots, an catastrophic events could spell doom for the Geese. They are currently listed as "Near Threatened," and a hunting ban has been put into place. Emperor Geese feed on grasses and other plants, and they breed out on the open tun...

Lophodytes cucullatus (male) The Hooded Merganser is a small species of duck that can be found in North America, living in wetlands that are near forested areas. They are migratory, moving north in order to breed (with large population around the Great Lakes) and south in order to avoid the cold winters. You can easily identify the Hooded Mergansers, as "hood" barely describe the extravagance of their head feathers. Males have very large crests that are a stark black and white pattern. Females also have these crowns, though theirs are a cinnamon brown. Hooded Mergansers are particularly interesting when it comes to their breeding and child-rearing habits. Some females will actually lay their eggs int he nests of other females. Though brood parasitism like this is seen in other species, the Mergansers are notable because they only lay their eggs in the nests of their own kind. A single female will lay around a dozen eggs, but some clutches wil...

Netta rufina  (male) The name "Pochard" refers to about half a dozen different species of diving duck, including today's animal, the Red-crested Pochard. They dive and dabble in order to find food, with meals consisting of aquatic plants and the occasional insect. The males of this species are hard to miss, and are the inspiration for the common name. They have very large, orange heads, bright red bills, and dark chests (females are a pale brown, with a darker crest and white face). Most Red-crested Pochards migrate long distances each year, moving between breeding and wintering sites (some in South and Central Europe are year-round residents). They breed in Europe and Central Asia around April and May, and then molt during the remainder of the summer, leaving them flightless for around four weeks. During the autumn they fly south to Africa or South Asia, arriving around October and staying until the following spring. Red-crested Pochards a...

Anas querquedula The Garganey is a species of dabbling duck that has a massive range covering nearly the entire Eastern Hemisphere (at one point or another). Their unusual name comes from an Anglicized version of an Italian word which is derived from the Latin gargala -- "Tracheal Artery." The male Garganey is identified by the thick white line that runs over each eye, as well as by their brown neck and chest, and grey plumage elsewhere. Females are less distinctive, and look very similar to the female  Common Teals, which are a close relative (share the same genus). They have brown bodies, but darker face markings than the Teals. During the breeding season you'll find these ducks in Europe and western Asia. They build their nests on the ground, near water, and lay as many as 14 eggs at the time. Incubation takes about three weeks and the young will fully fledge after 40 days. The ducks don't stay at their breeding sites for long, since when win...

Somateria spectabilis (male) Take a look at the male King Eider in its breeding plumage. What a gorgeous duck! Their blue, yellow, and green face, contrasted with the stark white chest and black body, makes for a truly spectacular looking bird. Of course, they don't look as brilliant all year-- outside of the June and July breeding season the colors dull significantly. And of course, like many other ducks, the females are significantly less dramatic looking-- their feathers are reddish brown, barred with black and white. But those brown barred colors certainly help around breeding time, as the females are left alone to incubate their eggs. They nest on the ground and press their bodies low to stay hidden. They rarely even get up to feed during that three week incubation period! King Eiders are highly gregarious birds, and can form flocks that number into the tens of thousands. They breed on the tundras of the Northern Hemisphere, and spend their summers on the Arcti...

Anser cygnoides The Swan Goose is a very large Goose that breeds in China, Russia, and Mongolia, with some small populations also being found in surrounding countries. They breed in wetland areas of the steppe and taiga, and during the winter they migrate to more coastal areas. Though they are waterfowl, these Geese  aren't often found in the water-- they graze on dry land. They feed on sedges and berries, typically at night, with their diet shifting each season to accommodate what is available. Swan Geese are the ancestors of two different Domesticated species-- the Chinese Goose and the African Goose. Most other Geese trace their lines back to the Greylag Goose which is native to most of Europe and Asia. Swan Geese are the second largest Geese in their genus, just behind the Greylag. Unfortunately, Swan Geese are listed as Vulnerable . Though their domestic descendants can be found around the world, they themselves are threatened by unsustainable hunt...

Gallinula chloropus Meet the Common Moorhen, a very distinctive looking bird that has black plumage, a bright red and yellow beak, and gigantic  feet. Those feet are used to walk across floating vegetation and mud. They aren't webbed, like the feet of many other waterbirds, but the Common Moorhens can swim pretty well nonetheless. These birds are the most widely distributed members of the entire Rail Family, and can be found on every continent save Antarctica! There are currently twelve different subspecies , which all differ slightly by size and plumage. One very distinct thing about the Common Moorhens is their breeding behavior . While most of their relatives have the males fight over the females, it is the female Moohens that fight over the males! After mating, both parents will incubate and care for the young, and newly hatched offspring are precocial , feeding themselves after only a few days. The species as a whole is not at threat for extinction, but some local po...

Male Polysticta stelleri Hey look! Another Steller's animal! I think we're almost through all of them... Sea Cow, Sea Eagle, Sea Lion... and now an Eider. Eiders are Sea Ducks, and there are four different species (Steller's Eider actually belongs to a separate genus from the other three). Today's animal is actually the smallest of the Eiders, measuring only around 18in in length. Males and females have  different coloration - Males have white heads, light coloring on their sides and wings, and black barring. Females are more uniformly dark brown. Steller's Eiders live in the Arctic, and are actually less tied to sea than others of their type. They tend to nest on the tundra near smaller bodies of water, and travel in very large flocks that can easily number into the thousands. Steller's Eiders are a migratory species. They breed further north in the summer, and then travel as far as 2,000miles to their southern wintering and molting grou...

Aix sponsa Wood Ducks are known as one of the prettiest of all the ducks, and in in my opinion is takes the top prize out of the North American species. They are found throughout the continent, with some populations remaining sedentary and some migrating between the north and south. If you're looking at the Wood Duck and thinking how similar it is tot he Mandarin Duck, you're definately on to something. Those are the only two living species that share the genus Aix ! As with many birds, only the male Wood Ducks posses the bright colors. They have iridescent green and purple crested heads, with additional bold patterning throughout the body. Females are grayish-brown, though they also sport a crest. During the breeding season Males will perform different diving and preening gestures to attract a mate. Once they are paired up they build nests in cavities or in man-made nest boxes. The rise of nest boxes may have c...

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me... Seven Swans a'swimming... Cygnus melancoryphus Ah yes, another day another bird. Did you know that if you were to actually buy all these gifts (the real versions in the song, not the animal equivalents like Dragonflies) you would shell out the most money for the Swans? The Swans in the song are probably not the Swans we're talking about today. I'd place bets on the Mute Swan, which is widespread in Europe and Asia. But I've already written about that particular species, so today we'll learn about it's different, South American cousin. Black-necked Swans are named for their black necks that contrast with an otherwise white body. They also sport bright red knobs at the base of the bill that enlarge (on males) during the breeding season. The Black-necked Swan is interesting in that it is both the largest native Waterfowl in South America, and also the smallest of all the Swans. They also hav...

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me... six Geese a'laying... Neochen jubata Do not fear bird people! After yesterday's Dragonfly we return to the world of feathered friends. Allow me to introduce you to the Orinoco Goose, a small species of Goose found in the northern, rainforested areas of South America. The are the only true forest Goose . I find Orinoco Geese to be rather lovely in appearance . The contrast between the cream neck, the pink legs, and the chestnut and black wings creates a pleasing color composition (using my Art History degree!). Unlike many of our other Christmas birds so far, both male and female Orinoco Geese display the same plumage, though the males are slightly larger. Once upon a time the Orinoco Goose was one of the most populous waterfowl species along the Orinoco River. Unfortunately, hunting and deforestation has caused their numbers to decline and they are now rare in many parts of their original r...

Cygnus olor Mute Swans are some of the most common Swans in the entire world. They are found across Europe and Asia, and have even been imported to North America , where they have also become widespread in many areas near larger bodies of water. The common name comes from the fact that Mute Swans aren't especially vocal . They can make hisses, whistles, and snorts, but they aren't very loud due to the orientation of their trachea. Most of their communication comes from visual displays. Mute Swans are monogamous , and tend to have the same mate for life, but this is not always the case. Swan divorce has been observed, and widowed Swans will choose new mates. In the cases of "remarriage" the younger Swan will almost always join the territory of the older Swan. Both mates help to incubate the eggs and defend the nest. Because they are so widespread Mute Swans aren't in any real population danger. They do, however, pose slight threats to other species, espec...

Chauna torguata  from the Milwaukee County Zoo The Crested, or Southern, Screamer is a large Goose-sized bird native to southern South America. They can be found near tropical and subtropical aquatic areas. Though they live close to water, and are able to swim, they spend a lot of their time on land. They don't even have webbed feet ! Crested Screamers get their name because boy, are they loud! Their vocalizations can be heard more than 2 miles (3.2km) away! But keep in mind, they aren't the prettiest sounding birds. Their vocalizations includes booming trumpeting noises and gutteral drumming . A pair of Crested Screamers will typically remain together monogamously for a few breeding seasons. Sometimes the pair bond will even last for a lifetime. (Which is about 15 years) The couple will build a huge nest in an area near water. This nest may be used multiple times over the years, and is vigorously defended. Up to seven eggs are laid, and the hatchlings leave the nest an...

The Nene is a smallish Goose endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. It is also the state bird of Hawaii. There were once five Goose species found only on those islands, and unfortunately the Nene is the only one left. Branta sandvicensis Though the Nene is rare, it has much more in common with other North American Geese than you may think. Scientist have now uncovered the fact that Nene and Canadian Geese evolved from a same common ancestor, and that the Nene (and other Hawaiian Goose species) branched off from their relatives when a flock landed on the islands around 500,00 years ago! Nene are opportunistic feeders that will eat just about any type of vegetation. They have a long breeding season, and mate on land, which is unusual among Geese. Females do the incubation work, while males guard the nest. While the young birds are precocial and grow quickly, they remain with their parents until the next breeding season. The introduction of new mammal species, hunting, and ...

I did my yearly venture to the Wisconsin State Fair this past weekend, and through the masses of Beef Cattle, Dairy Goats, and Pigs, I stumbled upon an unusual breed of Duck that I hadn’t encountered before- Indian Runner Ducks! (Unfortunately they were roped off while I was there and could not get any good pictures. Alas.) Indian Runner Ducks These strange looking birds resemble bowling pins more than regular ducks. They stand upright, like Penguins do, and they conveniently were once referred to as “ Penguin Ducks !” They are a hardy, but high-strung breed, and are excellent foragers . The name “Indian Runner Duck” is a bit confusing, as there is no evidence that these birds actually came from India itself. Rather, it is believed that they originated in the East Indies , on the islands of Bali, Java, and Lombok. “Penguin Ducks” were brought to England by the 1830’s, and may have been in the Netherlands even earlier, due to the trade conducted by the Dutch East In...

Chelychelynechen quassus Moa-nalo refers to four species found within three different genera. All of whom were once found on the Hawaiian, all are now extinct, and all were gigantic ducks . Moa-nalo (that is both the singular and plural form) could stand as tall as 3 ft (.9m)! At some point millions of years ago, the ancestors of these unusual birds arrived on the Hawaiian Islands. There, like many other island bird species that are lacking predators, they lost their ability to fly and instead became stocky ground foragers. Interestingly, the Moa-nalo were strict vegetarians, unlike many other ducks. (We know this thanks to studying beak shapes and  fossilized dung .) The Moa-nalo were left in peace, wandering around and doing their thing until about 1,200 years ago, when humans first arrived on the island. In a story that parallels that of the fated Dodo of Mauritius, these large flightless Hawaiian birds were unaccustomed to people and because easy pre...

Cygnus atratus Before stumbling upon this species I had always thought that black swans were just a color variation. But not so!   Their is actually an entire, unique species of bird that can be found in Australia, as well as in introduced populations in New Zealand and North America. Despite the name, the  Black Swan is not completely black; they actually have white flight feathers that are not visible when the wings are folded down. They also have bright red bills. Black Swans have the longest neck  of any swan, are also one of the largest of all the waterfowl species, with a wingspan of up to 2m! Black Swan in Flight Black Swans mate for life, and actually perform a courting behavior called a " Triumph Ceremony " that helps to strengthen the bond of the pair. These dances are also used to threaten outsiders and mark territories. Females lay 5-6 eggs at a time, and they are incubated and cared for by both parents. Cygnets are precocial and greyish-br...

I apologize for the absurdly late post today, got a bit sidetracked with some other stuff. But one of those projects was a short trip to the zoo! In 40 degree weather! Not a whole lot was outside in that kind of climate, but there were loads and loads of Mallard Ducks. More Mallards than I've probably ever seen in one place, so tonight we're gonna dive into the wonderful world of ducks! Mallards are the most widespread of all ducks, and are found in freshwater areas across the Northern Hemisphere, and have been introduced to many other locations. Mallards have become so widespread that some localized  populations  have changed enough to be considered their own separate species. Some Northern Mallard populations are migratory, while others remain in their location year round. Mallards can fly at speeds of up to 40mph. Did you know that the Mallard is the  ancestor  of all the domestic ducks we have today, save the Muscovy Duck ? When you...