birds

Day #10 (1/17/2014) Greater Rhea

      We headed to the grasslands of Brazil to meet a relative of the ostrich. We were very excited, but we are getting tired and are ready to head back to HQs. Edmond’s oat and hay stew is yummy, but not after 3 nights. Hahaha! We found one last guide to take us out to meet a large flightless bird! We also saw a giant anteater out on the grasslands! We love anteaters and the Common Rhea!

• Their range and habitat: East-Southeast South America/ desert, grassland
• Their length/weight: 3-5 ft/33-66 lbs   Their status: near threatened
• They are omnivores (seeds, plants, fruits, lizards)

• Greater Rheas are large flightless birds.
• They have 3 toes.
• They live in groups.
• Greater rheas are grey/brown in coloration. The males are darker.
• Males do an impressive wing display during mating season.
• Male greater rheas take charge of the incubation of the egg.

What a wonderful afternoon! We watched a flock eat and rest and peck around! We even saw a male flapping his wings at some ladies. Breeding season must be coming soon! Too bad we will miss it. We’re packing up camp and have to run to catch the E&E plane back to HQs! Look for our new feature- University of E&E and Science Word of the Week on Sunday!

-Ellie and Edmond

Day #5 (1/10/14) – Meeting the Egyptian Goose

      We had a great time watching surfing hippos! We headed back to camp to find a local bird. We decided to stay in our safari vehicle to watch these birds as they are known to be aggressive. Do you have goose where you live? We have the Canadian variety and they can get very cheeky! We were so glad we packed our binoculars and snacks. An afternoon of bird watching can make an elephant and horse very tired.

Their range and habitat: lakes, rivers and ponds in Africa-South of the Sahara

Their length/weight: 25-29”/ 5 ½ lb  Their status: Common

They are omnivores (they eat seeds, plants, grasses, bugs).

• Egyptian Geese are the relative of the common ducks.
• Egyptian geese have bright orange long legs.
• Egyptian geese have dark coloration around the eye, with a bright orange spot.
• The males and females look the same, but the geese due vary some in color in different areas.
• They are very aggressive and territorial. Females can be extra territorial when they have eggs and chicks.

We had such fun watching the Egyptian geese play around, eat and make a raucous. Geese are funny birds. We’re packing our bags after this trip and heading back to HQs for the weekend! Check out the blog on Sunday- as our new feature- Science Word of the Week starts!

-Ellie and Edmond

FEATHERY FRIDAY #88

 It’s Feathery Friday and we’re going to Central America to meet a bird who is great flier! Let’s grab our binoculars and our backpacks and go to find these flocks!

MEET THE BLACK SWIFT!

   Range/Habitat: Western North America-Central America/forest-

   woodland

   Diet: carnivore: insects

   Length/Weight: 7-8”/ 1 5/8 oz

   Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

•          Black swifts have long pointed wings.
•          They spend most of their time flying.
•          Black swifts are fast fliers.
•          Black swifts often fly in large flocks.
•          They have sooty black feathers.

Black swifts are so fun to watch when they fly in their large flocks. They are amazing aerial acrobats!  

FEATHERY FRIDAY #87

 We’re going to meet a lovely little duck today! These guys live in North America, so we’ll be taking a road trip to Michigan to see if we can find this bird! Grab your binoculars, cameras and your best bird watching eyes!

MEET THE GREEN WINGED TEAL!

   Range/Habitat: Green winged teal/ wetlands, forests, lakes

   Diet: omnivore: plants, mollusks, insects

   Length/Weight: 13 ½-15”/ 13 oz

   Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

•          Green winged teals are small ducks.
•          Both male and females have a green patch on their wing.
•          Male green winged teals are more brightly colored.
•          Green winged teals nest on the ground.
•          Green winged teals are dabbler ducks. They feed by submersing their heads in the water.

Green winged teals are gorgeous ducks. We like to watch them feed, because their bums stick out of the water! Hahahaha!

FEATHERY FRIDAY #85

It’s FRIIIIIIDAY and we’re off to some famous islands in the Pacific Ocean! Grab your gear and your adventurous spirit! We’re of the Galapagos Islands today!

MEET THE GALAPAGOS HAWK!

   Range/Habitat: Galapagos Islands/ mountains, grasslands, forests  

   Diet: carnivore: mammals, birds, lizards

   Length/Weight: 22”/ 23-30 oz

   Conservation Status: vulnerable

Fun Facts:

•          Galapagos hawks are diurnal.
•          Female Galapagos hawks are larger than the males.
•          They have large talons.
•          Galapagos hawks catch their prey from the air.
•          Both the female and male take care of the young.

Galapagos hawks are gorgeous birds of prey! They are a vulnerable species as are other creatures on the islands. Several conservation groups are working to protect this amazing and historical place!

CREEPY ANIMALS WEEK- DAY #5

It’s the last day of our Creepy Animals Week and we hope you had a great time meeting these animals! Today we are meeting a local animal. We’ll need our night vision goggles and hiking boots to go on this adventure through the woods at night! No need to be afraid, these birds are big but not scary! Whooooo do you think it will be?

MEET THE GREAT HORNED OWL!!

   Range/Habitat: North America-South America/wood, fields, suburbs,

   swamps

   Diet: Carnivore: small mammals, birds

   Length/Weight: 18-20″/ 2- 5 1/2 lbs

   Conservation Status: Common

Fun Facts:

• Great horned owls have feathery tufts on their heads.
• They are the most abundant owl in the Americas.
• Great horned owls have no sense of smell. They are one of the only predators of skunks!
• Great horned owls are nocturnal.
• Male great horned owls are smaller than the females.
• Great horned owls form monogamous pairs.
• Great horned owls have amazing calls!

Great horned owls are one of most favorite owls! They have the best call ever! Every time we hear it, it gives us the chills and makes us want to tell spooky stories around a campfire! Who’s bringing the marshmallows?

FEATHERY FRIDAY #84

We are super excited for today’s Feathery Friday! We’re heading to the land down under to meet today’s bird! So grab some snacks, binoculars and your passport and let’s head out on today’s birding adventure!

MEET THE AUSTRALIAN PRATINCOLE!

   Range/Habitat: Australia-Southeast Asia/ grasslands, ponds

   Diet: Carnivore: insects

   Length/Weight: 8 ½-9 ½”/ 2 1/8-2 ½ oz

   Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

•          Australian pratincoles have long legs and wings.
•          They are a cinnamon color.
•          Australian practincoles have a red and black bill.  
•          Australian practincoles are very fast runners.
•          They spend most of their time on the ground, but form flying flocks also to feed.

Australian practincole are really cute little birds! They are just another great bird that calls Australia home!