amitsoneji : photos : Amazing Aves- powered by SmugMug

Enjoy the beautiful wings of flight.
Some of these colored beauties were spotted at the local zoo while the rest were spotted in their natural environment.

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amitsoneji > Northern Cardninal (Photography at North Carolina,USA):
The brilliantly colored Northern Cardinal has the record for popularity as a state bird: in the United States, it holds that title in seven states. This common bird is a winter fixture at snow-covered bird feeders throughout the Northeast, but it only spread to New York and New England in the mid-20th century.

Description:
Medium-sized songbird.
Large crest on head.
Heavy, conical red bill.
Face surrounded by black.
Male entirely brilliant red.
Female grayish-tan with red tail and wings.
Size: 21-23 cm (8-9 in)
Wingspan: 25-31 cm (10-12 in)
Weight: 42-48 g (1.48-1.69 ounces)

Conservation Status:
Population density and range increased over the last 200 years, largely as a response to habitat changes made by people. The cardinal benefits from park-like urban habitats and the presence of bird feeders. However, it is listed as a species of special concern in California and may disappear there because of habitat loss.

Cool Facts
>> Population density and range of the Northern Cardinal has increased over the last 200 years, largely as a response to habitat changes made by people. However, it is listed as a species of special concern in California and may disappear there because of habitat loss.
>> The female Northern Cardinal sings, often from the nest. The song may give the male information about when to bring food to the nest. A mated pair shares song phrases, but the female may sing a longer and slightly more complex song than the male.
>> The male cardinal fiercely defends its breeding territory from other males. When a male sees its reflection in glass surfaces, it frequently will spend hours fighting the imaginary intruder.
>> Brighter red males hold territories with denser vegetation, feed at higher rates, and have greater reproductive success than duller males

amitsoneji > Ringed Bill Gull (Photographed in Charlotte,NC,USA):
A familiar parking lot gull, the Ring-billed Gull breeds primarily inland in North America. It can be found along the coasts, but many of these "seagulls" never see anything except fresh water all their lives.

Description:
Medium-sized gull.
Yellow bill with black ring near the tip.
Head and underparts white.
Back light gray.
Wingtips black with white spots.
Legs yellow.
Size: 43-54 cm (17-21 in)
Wingspan: 105-117 cm (41-46 in)
Weight: 300-700 g (10.59-24.71 ounces)

Conservation Status:
Hunting for the millinery trade nearly extirpated it from parts of range in 1800s. Now common and widespread, and is expanding its breeding range.

Cool Facts :
>> Young Ring-billed Gulls tested at only two days of age showed a preference for magnetic bearings that would take them in the appropriate direction for their fall migration.
>> Many, if not most, Ring-billed Gulls return to breed at the colony where they hatched. Once they have bred, they are likely to return to the same breeding spot each year, often nesting within a few meters of the last year's nest site. Many individuals return to the same wintering sites each winter too.
>> Although it is considered a typical large white-headed gull, the Ring-billed Gull has been known to hybridize only with smaller, black-headed species, such as Franklin's, Black-headed, and Laughing gulls.

amitsoneji > Curl-crested Aracari (Photographed at Riverbanks Zoo,SC,USA):
The Curl-crested Aracari (Pteroglossus beauharnaesii), also Curly-crested Aracari, is a species of bird in the Ramphastidae family, the Toucans. It is found in Amazonian Peru, Bolivia and Brazil; also the Amazon River border of southern Colombia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

Description:
The Curl Crested Aracari is a very curious looking bird, thanks to the extraordinary feathers on the crown, which are curled up like gift wrap ribbon. They are very glossy and have the look and feel of plastic or patten leather. Further, the whitish yellow facial feathers have black tips that are larger than the surrounding feather shaft.

Aviculture:
Outdoor flights should be at least 4' x 8' x 4' for aracaris (Even larger flights should be used if possible!).
Aracaris are quite docile compared to the larger toucans, and can more readily be housed with small birds in a planted aviary, though again not with finch sized birds.
Aracaris are frugivorous birds, whose primary diet is fruit. In the wild they consume fruits from as many as 100 species of plants and trees. They also consume a variety of insects for protein, especially during their nesting cycle.
They MUST be fed FRESH fruit every day! The fruit diet should also be supplemented with a low iron protein source (such as Mazuri Low Iron Softbill diet by Purina Mills).
Toucans are not as difficult to breed as often thought and must be housed alone in pairs, preferably following the size enclosures mentioned above under housing. While they will breed in boxes, with a concave bottom, they are far more likely to breed if they are provided with a "natural" nest, constructed from a palm tree log. Logs allow these birds to continually dig their nest chamber deeper, which helps them cement the pair bond.

Camera: Canon (Canon Eos Digital Rebel) |

More details: exif |

Original size: 2048px x 3072px |

Current: 200px x 300px |

Other sizes: Small · M · L |

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