Posts Tagged With: birds

FEATHERY FRIDAY # 41

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

FEATHERY FRIDAY# 41

We’re off to the rainforest of Central and South America today to meet the little parakeet that could. These brightly colored birds are so adorable. Are you ready to meet them?

MEET THE MONK PARAKEET!

   Range/Habitat: Central-South America/ rainforests, grasslands, suburbs

   Diet: Herbivore: seeds, fruits, berries

   Length/Weight: 11 ½”/ 4 oz

  Conservation Status: common

 

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Monk parakeets are also known as the Quaker parrot.
  • They have long green tails and gray/white faces.
  • Monk parakeets are highly intelligent and social.
  • They build colonies of nests.
  • Monk parakeets build their nests next to or on top of each other, creating one large structure.
  • They have been introduced in many other places, where they are expanding their numbers.

Monk parakeets are adorable! They now live in the US as far as the Northeast. While they are cute, they can out-compete native birds for space and food. It’s very important for bird owners to know it is never a good idea to release their pets into the wild, because they can take over. Monk parakeets are now banned in many states because of this problem.

   

Categories: adventure, Animals, birds, Children, education, Environment, nature, rainforests, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

FEATHERY FRIDAY # 41

Posted on July 20, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

FEATHERY FRIDAY# 41

Today’s feathery friend lives all over the world in the Southern Hemisphere, so we chose to jet over to New Zealand to find them. Grab your beach blankets and sunglasses and let’s take a picnic out to meet this bird!

MEET THE KELP GULL!

   Range/Habitat: South America-South Africa-New Zealand-Australia/

oceans-coastlines

   Diet: Omnivore: invertebrates, birds, fish

   Length/Weight: 21 ½-26”/2- 3 ½ lbs

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Kelp gulls are large coastal birds.
  • They have black backs and wings and a white body and head.
  • Kelp gulls are also known as the Dominican gull.
  • They are one of the most widespread gulls in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • Both the female and males take care of the chicks.

We think Kelp gulls are great. They are so fancy in their black and white feathers.  Do our readers ever talk to gulls at the beach?

 

 

Categories: Animals, birds, Children, education, Environment, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 41

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WEDNESDAY# 41

We’re taking the submarine today, because we’re off in search of one the ocean’s top predators. There’s plenty of room everyone, so hop in and let’s see if we can find this fish with a mammal’s name! You ready?

MEET THE TIGER SHARK!

   Range/Habitat: Tropical-sub tropical oceans worldwide/ coastal-

open waters

   Diet: Carnivore: fish, invertebrates, mammals, birds

   Length/Weight: 18-25 ft/ 1,900 lbs plus

   Conservation Status: near threatened

 

Fun Facts:

  • Tiger sharks are considered to be an aggressive shark.
  • Tiger sharks have stripes that may disappear when they are adults.
  • They are nocturnal hunters.
  • Tiger sharks have large tails used for speed!
  • They have large blunt heads.
  • Tiger sharks are known to go into brackish water (a mix of fresh and salt water) habitats, such as estuaries and river mouths.
  • They are known to eat almost eat anything.

 

We sure are glad we have the sub to watch these mighty predators. People are always so afraid of sharks, but they really aren’t terrible animals. Sharks are beautiful & powerful animals. They’re a very very important part of the ocean ecosystem, so let’s keep them there!

 

Categories: Animals, Children, education, Environment, fish, nature, oceans, science, sharks, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

MAMMAL MONDAY # 41

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

MAMMAL MONDAY # 41

We’re off to South Africa desert today to meet a very special member of the canid family! Be on the lookout for a pair of BIG ears! Ssssshhh… we don’t want to scare them!

MEET THE BAT EARED FOX!

   Range/Habitat: Eastern-South Africa/ desert-scrub

   Diet: Omnivore: insects, termites, dung beetles

   Length/Weight: 18-26”/ 4 ½-10 lbs

   Conservation Status: common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Bat eared foxes have HUGE ears, over 5” long!
  • Bat eared foxes have more teeth than any other mammal, up to 48!
  • They are nocturnal (active at night).
  • Bat eared foxes locate their prey by sound.
  • They live in family groups of 2-5 individuals.
  • Bat eared foxes live in dens underground.

Aren’t these foxes so cute with their giant ears? And we thought only Ellie had big ears! Can you imagine being able to hear bugs? That is crazy!

  

 

 

Categories: africa, Animals, Children, education, Environment, mammals, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

FEATHERY FRIDAY # 40

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

FEATHERY FRIDAY# 40

Yesterday we met a cute little rainforest bird, but today we’re going to meet a big raptor! We’re taking a hike in the woods to see if we can find this handsome feathered friend!

MEET THE RED KITE!

   Range/Habitat: Europe-West Asia-North Africa/ forests-woodlands

   Diet: Carnivore: small mammals, carrion

   Length/Weight: 24-26”/ 27-36 lbs

   Conservation Status: Near threatened

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Red kites are agile fliers.
  • They have a wide wing span and forked tails.
  • Red kites often tilt side to side while they fly.
  • Red kites have pale grey heads.
  • They are diurnal (active during the day).
  • Red kites are primarily scavengers.
  • Mother red kites have their chicks play “dead” to avoid predators like fox.

These handsome birds were almost extinct in parts of the UK. They have had their numbers grow after a group of dedicated people have worked to save them. That’s good, because the skies are more beautiful when there are red kites flying!

  

Categories: Animals, birds, Children, education, entertainment, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 40

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY# 40

We’re heading back to the rainforests of Central America to meet a cute little bird with a long name! Better get your climbing gear on because these birds like the canopy! Let’s do this!

MEET THE VIOLACEOUS TROGAN!

   Range/Habitat: Southeast Mexico-Central South America/ rainforest

   Diet: Omnivore: insects, fruits, invertebrates

   Length/Weight: 9-10”/ 1 5/8-2 3/8 oz

   Conservation Status: Common

 

 

 

Fun Facts

  • Violaceous trogans live in the canopy (near the top) of the trees.
  • Male violaceous trogans have beautiful blue heads with a yellow breast.
  • Female violaceous trogans are mostly gray.
  • Violaceous trogans have striped tails.
  • They nest in old trees or in ant or termite mounds.

These little birds are so cute and those males are so brightly colored. They must attract a lady bird!

    

 

Categories: Animals, birds, Children, education, Environment, nature, rainforests, science, Uncategorized, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

AMERICAN ANIMALS WEEK DAY # 5

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

AMERICAN ANIMALS WEEK DAY #5

It’s the last day of our celebration of American Animals week! We’ve packed up the RV and headed to the woods of the Northeast to find our national bird! These majestic birds now fly over most of our country after almost being lost. Bring your binoculars and your best bird watching skills and let’s do this!

MEET THE BALD EAGLE!

   Range/Habitat: North America/ woodlands, near marshes or bodies of water

   Diet: Carnivore: fish, small birds, carrion

   Length/Weight: 28-38”/ 6 ½- 14 lbs

   Conservation Status: least concern

 

 

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Bald Eagles have been the National Bird since 1782.
  • They have a wingspan of up to 8 ¼ feet.
  • Bald Eagles mate for life. They reinforce their pair bonds with spectacular flights that they do together.
  • Pairs build their large nests and raise their chicks together.
  • They are the only eagle native to North America.
  • Bald Eagles have excellent eyesight.
  • They can live for up to 28 years!
  • Bald eagles don’t develop their white feathers until around the age of 5!

We just love Bald Eagles and think they make a fine national bird! They are so regal. Unfortunately we almost lost these birds to pollution and habitat loss and they were near extinction in the mid 1900s. After much human effort to save them they are now living in almost every state! YAY!!!

  

 

Categories: american, Animals, birds, Children, education, Environment, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

FEATHERY FRIDAY # 39

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

FEATHERY FRIDAY# 39

We’re off to Africa today to find a colorful and most famous bird! We all know these pinkies! Have you guessed it by now? That’s right; it’s time to meet a flamingo! Grab your wellies again, we’re going wading!

MEET THE LESSER FLAMINGO!

   Range/Habitat: West-Central-Southern Africa/ wetlands, lakes

   Diet: Herbivore: blue-green algae

   Length/Weight: up to 3 ¼ ft/ up to 4 ½ lbs

   Conservation Status: Near threatened

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Lesser flamingos are the smallest of all flamingos.
  • They are light to dark pink in coloration.
  • Lesser flamingos have long dark beaks.
  • They feed at dusk and dark.
  • Lesser flamingos live in large colonies. There have been flocks of up to 1 million birds.
  • You can see hundreds are of flamingos move together in elaborate courtship rituals.
  • Lesser flamingos build mud mounds to lay their one egg on.
  • They can live up to 50 years.

We just love flamingos! They’re long legs and bright pink feathers make them one of the most iconic birds on the planet! And yes they do sleep on one leg; it helps them conserve body heat! Hhhmm… we might practice being flamingos, but that is hard with four legs!

     

 

Categories: Animals, birds, Children, education, Environment, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

FEATHERY FRIDAY # 38

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

FEATHERY FRIDAY# 38

It’s time to jet off to the wetlands of Sub-Saharan Africa to meet a most regal bird! These beauties wade in the water to catch a meal, so we must too! Do you have your waders? Let’s do this!

MEET THE SACRED IBIS!

   Range/Habitat: Africa-South of the Sahara/ wetlands, swamps

   Diet: Carnivores: insects, fish, frogs

   Length/Weight: 26-35”/ 3 ¼ lb

   Conservation Status: Common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Sacred Ibis have white bodies with shiny, black featherless heads.
  • They are wading birds and have partially webbed feet.
  • Sacred ibis live in flocks.
  • Both the male and female Sacred Ibis take care of the eggs and chicks.
  • They can live up to 20 years.
  • Sacred Ibis were worshipped in Ancient Egypt!
  • They are an ancient species. They’ve been around the planet for about 60 million years!

Wow, these birds have been around a looooong time and they were worshipped at one time! We wonder if they’re stuck up. We think they’re great either way!

     

Categories: africa, Animals, birds, education, Environment, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY #38

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY# 38

Man, we couldn’t decide where to go today, because the bird we found lives all over the place! So we’re off to Europe to meet this wading bird! Grab your wellies and night vision goggles and let’s head out to meet today’s bird!

MEET THE BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERON!

   Range/Habitat: North-South America-Africa-Asia-Europe/wetlands-rivers

   Diet: Carnivore: fish, frogs, crustaceans

   Length/Weight: 23-26”/18-29 oz

   Conservation Status: Common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Black crowned night herons are also known simply as Night Herons in Eurasia.
  • They feed at night and dusk.
  • Black crowned night herons wade in shallow waters and ambush their prey.
  • They have excellent vision in dim light.
  • Black crowned night herons rest in trees during the day.

 

We just love these little stocky herons! We could watch wading birds all day and night! It is so fun to see them catch their prey! Do you have a favorite wading bird?

 

Categories: Animals, birds, Children, education, Environment, nature, rivers, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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