Kinds of Birds

A very beautiful bird, more upright in stance than the India Blue. The overall coloration of metallic green feathers tipped with black, give the appearance of scales. The crest of this species stands nearly erect compared to the broad crest of its Indian relative; bare skin of blue and yellow beneath the eye, dark bluish-green metallic feathers on the remainder of the head and neck. The wing coverts are dark green and blue, with the flight feathers chestnut. The tail is similar to the India Blue, but is somewhat darker at the base and has a golden sheen throughout the train. There is slight variation between the subspecies: muticus is the brightest green of the three with bright iridescent blue and green wing coverts; spificer is much duller and there is more blue in the plumage than muticus and imperator; imperator is similar to muticus, but can be distinguished by having darker flanks, abdomen and secondaries and much lighter facial skin.

The birds-of-paradise are members of the family Paradisaeidae of the order Passeriformes.

The majority of species in this family are found on the island of New Guinea and its satellites,

with a few species occurring in the Moluccas of Indonesia and eastern Australia. The family

has forty species in 13 genera. The members of this family are perhaps best known for the plumage

of the males of most species, in particular highly elongated and elaborate feathers extending

from the beak, wings or head. For the most part they are confined to dense rainforest habitat.

The diet of all species is dominated by fruit and to a lesser extent arthropods.

The birds-of-paradise have a variety of breeding systems, ranging from monogamy to lek based polygamy.

The family is of cultural importance to the inhabitants of New Guinea.

The trade in skins and feathers of the birds-of-paradise has been going on for two thousand years,

and the birds have been of considerable interest to western collectors, ornithologists and

writers as well. A number of species are threatened by hunting and habitat loss.

Birds of paradise are generally crow-like in general body-form, and, indeed are the brother

group to the corvids (crows and jays). Birds-of-paradise range in size from the King Bird-of-paradise

at 50 g (1.8 oz) and 15 cm (5.9 in) to the Curl-crested Manucode at 44 cm (17 in) and 430 g (15 oz).

The male Black Sicklebill, with its long tail, is the longest species at 110 cm (43 in).

In all the males are larger and longer than the female, the differences ranging from slight to extreme.

The wings are rounded and in some species structurally modified on the males in order to make sound.

There is considerable variation in the family with regard to bill shape. Bills may be long and decurved,

as in the sicklebills and riflebirds, or small and slim like the Astrapias. As with body size

on average bill size varies with sex, although species where the females have larger bills than

the male are more common, particularly in the insect eating species.

Plumage variation between the sexes is closely related to breeding system. The manucodes and Paradise-crow,

which are socially monogamous, are sexually monomorphic. So are the two species of Paradigalla,

which are polygamous. All these species have generally black plumage with varying amounts of green and blue iridescence.

The centre of bird-of-paradise diversity is the large island of New Guinea; all but two

genera are found in New Guinea. The two that are not are the monotypic genera Lycocorax and

Semiptera, both of which are endemic to the Moluccas, to the west of New Guinea. Of the

riflebirds in the genus Ptiloris, two are endemic to the coastal forests of eastern Australia,

one occurs in both Australia and New Guinea, and one is only found in New Guinea. The only

other genus to have a species outside New Guinea is Manucodia, one representative of which is

found in the extreme north of Queensland. The remaining species are restricted to New Guinea

and some of the surrounding islands. Many species have highly restricted ranges, particularly

a number of species with restricted habitat types such as mid-montane forest (like the Black Sicklebill)

or island endemics (like the Wilson's Bird-of-paradise).

The majority of birds-of-paradise live in tropical forests, including rainforest, swamps and moss forest.

Several species have been recorded in coastal mangroves. The southernmost species, the Paradise Riflebird

of Australia, lives in sub-tropical and temperate wet forests. As a group the manucodes are the most

plastic in their habitat requirements, with in particular the Glossy-mantled Manucode inhabiting both

forest and open savanna woodland. Mid-montane habitats are the most commonly occupied habitat,

with thirty of the forty species occurring in the 1000–2000 m altitudinal band.

The Woolly-necked Stork, Ciconia episcopus, is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae.

It is a widespread tropical species which breeds in Africa, and also in Asia from India to Indonesia.
It is a resident breeder in wetlands with trees. The large stick nest is built in a forest tree,
and 2-5 eggs form the typical clutch. This stork is usually silent, but indulges in mutual
bill-clattering when adults meet at the nest.

The Woolly-necked Stork is a broad winged soaring bird, which relies on moving between thermals
of hot air for sustained long distance flight. Like all storks, it flies with its neck outstretched.

The Woolly-necked Stork is a large bird, typically 85cm tall. It is all black except for the woolly
white neck and white lower belly. The upperparts are glossed dark green, and the breast and belly
have a purple hue. Juvenile birds are duller versions of the adult.

African birds, C. e. microscelis, have the head mainly black, but the nominate Asian race, C. e. episcopus,
has the head mainly white except for a darker area around the eyes. Eastern Indonesian birds belong to a third form, C. e. neglecta.

The Woolly-necked Stork walks slowly and steadily on the ground seeking its prey,
which like that of most of its relatives, consists of amphibians, small reptiles and large insects.
African birds are attracted to bush fires.

The bird derives its scientific species name from the black and white vestments formerly worn by clerics.

The Woolly-necked Stork is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.

The Ostrich, Struthio camelus, is a large flightless bird native to Africa.

It is the only living species of its family, Struthionidae and its genus, Struthio.

Ostriches share the order Struthioniformes with the kiwis, emus, and other ratites.

It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run

at maximum speeds of about 70 km/h (45 mph), the top land speed of any bird.

The Ostrich is the largest living species of bird and lays the largest egg of any

living bird (extinct elephant birds of Madagascar and the giant moa of New Zealand laid larger eggs).

The diet of the Ostrich mainly consists of plant matter, though it also eats insects.

It lives in nomadic groups which contain between five and fifty birds. When threatened,

the Ostrich will either hide itself by lying flat against the ground, or will run away.

If cornered, it can attack with a kick from its powerful legs. Mating patterns differ

by geographical region, but territorial males fight for a harem of two to seven females.

These fight usually last just minutes, but they can easily cause death through slamming their heads into opponents.

The Ostrich is farmed around the world, particularly for its feathers, which are decorative

and are also used as feather dusters. Its skin is used for leather products and its meat marketed commercially.

Cacatua moluccensis, the Moluccan Cockatoo, is one of 21 species of bird in the Cacatuidae family. 

Moluccan Cockatoos, also known as the Salmon-Crested Cockatoo, are native to south Moluccas in eastern Indonesia. 

Their habitat is primarily lowland forest up to 3,300 feet.

The highest population densities occur in primary forest, however the species is also found at lower density in secondary forest.

It is the largest of the white cockatoos and unlike many species; the female is generally larger than the males. 

It has white-pink feathers with a definite peachy tint, a slight yellow on the under-wing and underside of the tail feathers.

Along with the Psittacidae family, also known as the True Parrots and the ones you’re likely to imagine when someone says

the word “parrot” Cockatoos make up the order Psittaciformes. Moluccan are the reach 18-22 inches in length at maturity. 

They are on the CITES endangered species list due to deforestation and the pet trade.

Moluccan Cockatoos, like other cockatoos and parrots have a curved beak shape and a zygodactyl foot,

a foot that has two forward toes and two backwards toes. However you can always tell a cockatoo by their crest,

a collection of feathers on their head that they can raise or lower.

Moluccan Cockatoo's can be great pets.  If you are considering the Moluccan Cockatoo as a pet you should read

what we suggest as far as Cockatoo training so they do not bite or scream uncontrollably.

Unlike parrots they also have a gall bladder.  Their coloring, predominately white, is caused by the lack

of the Dyck texture feather, a unique feather composition specific to parrots which enables them to have vibrant blue and green feathers. 

Moluccan Cockatoos live forty or more years in captivity and reach sexual maturity around two to three years of age. 

When breeding, they generally lay one to four white eggs every two to three days.

The young hatch in 28 days and become independent in 12 to 14 weeks.  Surgical sexing is recommended to determine

gender since the eye color is not always an accurate way to determine sex.

Moluccan Cockatoos are known for their cuddliness and affectionate disposition.  They’re also known to be very demanding

of their owner’s time.  This demand for attention can result in a difficult bird with many behavior problems.

Socialization, training, and an educated owner are required for successful Moluccan ownership.  

Behaviors such as screeching, biting and feather plucking are often observed and are usually due to something missing in the bird’s environment.

Another common problem with Moluccan Cockatoos is that they emit a white powder which causes respiratory distress

and allergic symptoms in many individuals.  Common behavior problems stem from jealousy because they bond to their owners. 

They also become aggressive if they’re bored, ill, or frightened.

Minimum cage requirements are two feet long by three feet high and two feet wide. 

They require a significant amount of time outside of their cage, toys and training to keep them occupied. 

An optimal Moluccan Cockatoo diet is based on organic pellets, fresh fruits and veggies, and seeds and nuts as treats.

Due to the high maintenance of the Moluccan Cockatoo and the long lifespan it is recommended that potential owners

seriously consider whether they have the appropriate time and resources to properly care for a Cockatoo.  

Common illnesses are Proventricular Dilatation Disease, obesity, and Pisttacine Beak and feather disease. 

Moluccan's exhibiting the following symptoms must be taken to the avian veterinarian immediately; Beak swelling,

fluffed, plucked, or soiled feathers, sitting on floor of habitat, wheezing or coughing, runny or discolored stools, 

favoring one foot, eye or nasal discharge, lethargy, or loss of appetite.  

Eagles are warm-blooded animals, have wings and bodies shrouded in fur midrib.

For birds, eagles breed by laying eggs that have hard shells made in the nest.

She keep her child until able to fly.

Eagle is a predator. Feeds primarily on small mammals like mice, squirrels and

chickens. There are some who catch the fish eagle as their main food. Part eagle

is not toothed but has a strong bent to tear the flesh of prey. This bird also

has a pair of strong legs and sharp claws for gripping prey and sharp power of

vision to hunt their prey from a distance.

Eagle has good respiratory system and is able to equip the amount of oxygen is

much needed when flying. Eagle heart consists of four chambers like a human.

Top chambers known as atria, while the lower chamber are recognized as the ventricles.

Gracula religiosa (otherwise known as the Common Hill Myna, Common Grackle, or the Talking Myna)

is native to eastern India, southern China, Indochina, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Phillippines.

This species however has been introduced and successfully established in other areas, particularily

Florida, Hawaii, Japan, and Puerto Rico (Feare, 1999).

The Hill myna is found either on hills between 300 and 2000 m. high or at sea level (Feare, 1999).

It prefers areas where rainfall and humidity are both high, therefore inhabiting most of the jungles,

evergreen, and wet deciduous forests in its range. The myna is common at forest edges,

clearings or thinned areas, and cultivated areas such as coffee plantations (Feare, 1999).

The Hill myna averages 27-30 cm in length. It has a glossy black appearance with feathers that vary

in undertone. The crown, nape, and breast has a purple glow while the rest of the body is tinted with

green and the tail is polished turquoise. The wings are black with a white patch on primaries 3-9.

The face consists of a red bill that fades into a yellow hooked tip and fleshy wattles, or flaps of

bare skin, that extend out to the middle of the nape (Feare, 1984).

The breeding season for the Hill myna varies slightly depending on range, but most breed in April-July.

A monogamous pair searches for a small hole in a tree at the forest edge. Both sexes fill the hole with

twigs, leaves, and feathers (Feare, 1999) and the female produces ~2 eggs that are blue with brownish

spottings. The female spends more time incubating than the male, however, both parents tend the young

equally when they hatch. The young fledge after a month and soon after the parents begin a new clutch.

The Hill myna averages 2-3 broods annually (Anonymous, 2000).