Welcome to Gaia! ::

Bird Fact Files

I want the Aviary to be a true bird lover's hang out. What bird forum is complete without a collection of information about birds? This thread will be The Aviary's library of bird species fact files.

Rules

1. Don't just post random stuff; follow the form we provide.

2. You must use legitimate information. Don't just post random BS and expect us to believe you. Remember, I'm going into Ornithology.

3. Do not post direct quotes without citing where you got it from.

4. You may post an unfinished fact sheet, but if you don't finish it within two days, it will be deleted.

Corvus Corax
Common Raven

images

range map

IUCN Red List Status: Lower Risk/Least Concern

Taxonomy
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Corvus
Species: Corvus corax

Characteristics
Colouration: overall glossy black, with irridescent highlights in some places.
Wingspan: 1.2—1.5 meters
Length: 53—69 cm
Mass: 689—1625g
Weight: 2.6 lbs
Habitat: Varied; they prefer wooded areas, though.
Diet: Mainly carnivores/scavengers. Foods include small birds, mammals, insects, carrion, seeds, and fruit.
Other: Featured in many cultures' mythology. From the Trickster of Native American legends to Hugin and Munin of Norse mythology, ravens play an important role in cultures around the world.

Sources
Berg, Rachel. “Corvus Corax.” Animal Diversity Web. 17 May 2006. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Corvus_corax.html

International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. “Corvus corax.” IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 17 May 2006. http://www.redlist.org/search/details.php?species=51177&tab=summ

Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. “Common Raven.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 17 May 2006. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Raven

“Raven.” The Raven’s Aviary—The Corvidae Family. 17 May 2006. http://www.shades-of-night.com/aviary/corvidae.html

Falco sparverius
American Kestrel (also, "Sparrow Hawk")

images (up to 3; keep them no larger than 400x400)

range map:
"American Kestrels are widely distributed across the Americas. Their breeding range extends from central and western Alaska across northern Canada to Nova Scotia, and south throughout North America, into central Mexico, the Baja, and the Caribbean. They are local breeders in Central America and are widely distributed throughout South America" (Wikipedia)

IUCN Red List Status: Lower Risk/least concern

Taxonomy
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Falco
Species: sparverius

Characteristics

Colouration: Rust colored back and chest, with black spots. Grey-blue crown and wings. Two distinct black "tear" markings on either side of the face, one directly below the eye. The male has a black band on the lower portion of the tail feathers, and the females tend to have markings slightly lighter in color.

Wingspan (metric): (Male) 51-56 cm, (Female) 53-61 cm

Length (Body length; metric): (Male) 20-25 cm, (Female) 23-28 cm

Mass: (Male) ~111 grams, (Female) ~120 grams
Weight: (Male) 3.9 oz, (Female) 4.2 oz.
Habitat: "American Kestrels are found in a variety of habitats including parks, suburbs, open fields, forest edges and openings, alpine zones, grasslands, marshes, open areas on mountainsides, prairies, plains, deserts with giant cacti, and freeway and highway corridors.

In addition to requiring open space for hunting, American Kestrels seem to need perches for hunting from, cavities for nesting (either natural or man-made), and a sufficient food supply." (Wikipedia)

Diet: Insects and also small rodents, lizards and birds.
Other: (anything else of interest)

Sources
"American Kestrel." Wikipedia. 22 AUG 2006. 24 Aug 2006 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Kestrel.