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).

New Habitats of White-bellied black woodpecker, khulak in Korean, (dryocopus javenis) Korean Endemic Species, are confirmed.

Ornithologists at the Central Committee of the DPRK Nature Conservation Union conducted a nationwide survey of habitats of white-bellied black woodpecker.

Living only in Korea and northern part of China, white-bellied black woodpecker is a rare bird which is under protection in the world.

Belonging to Picidae, the bird is bigger than woodpecker. Its breast, belly, rump and the tip of wings are white and other parts black.

The male bird has red tuft on the head.

In this course, new habitats of the bird were confirmed in the extensive woods of Rinsan, Phyongsan and Jangphung Counties

and Pakyon area of Kaesong City through which runs the range of Mt. Myolak.

White-bellied Black Woodpecker, the biggest and most beautiful of the woodpeckers, is a rare bird which lives only in Korea.

Eating insects in trees including chestnut tree, it is a very useful bird protecting woods.

The government is taking necessary steps to protect and multiply the bird. As part of campaigns to raise public awareness,

the science film “White-bellied black woodpecker” has been televised repeatedly and experts go among residents and students

to tell them how to protect the bird in various ways.

Meanwhile, the government designated reserves at newly-discovered areas and saw to it that felling of tall trees is prohibited there.

The Red-and-blue lory, Eos histrio is an arboreal parrot endemic to Indonesia.
It is classed as endangered, as it is hunted for the pet trade and has lost much
of its habitat due to habitat destruction. The Red-and-blue Lory is now confined
to the Talaud Islands off northern Sulawesi, Indonesia. Further populations,
some apparently introduced, disappeared during the 20th century from Sangihe,
Siau and Tagulandang. The population is estimated at only 5,000-10,000 birds.
It is thought to be in rapid decline.

Canaries can be the easiest pet birds to have. Even the smallest apartment has room for one. They are simple to care for and do not require much attention. Canaries are solitary in nature, so a lone male is perfectly content by himself and will sing whether you are there or not. It can be your only pet, or part of a household menagerie.

These birds are a type of finch that is native to the Canary Islands, after which they are named. The wild canary, which still exists, is brownish green and looks like a sparrow. Captive bred for 500 years, the yellow mutation has long been the most popular. Today, canaries are available in many colors and a range of sizes, shapes, and patterns

Like dogs, many breeds of canaries have been developed. These breeds are classified as either song, type, or color canaries. The German (or Hartz Mountain) Roller is the classic song canary and was the most popular breed in the world for many years. The American Singer is a newer song breed that was developed in the United States. The Waterslager is a song breed from Belgium that is now spreading world-wide. Type breeds are less common as pets, but are popular with hobbyists who exhibit them at shows. Some of these birds are large or unusually shaped, although many do not sing much. Type canaries include crested and frilled breeds. Colorbred canaries are becoming popular since they include a striking red-orange.

Canaries were the most common cage birds in the world for many years. Although not difficult to breed, they require a special diet and lighting to reproduce and are not as prolific as budgies or some finches. For that reason, they tend to be more expensive. Usually somewhat aloof in nature, most do not typically bond to people, although some people have tamed their pet canaries. However, this characteristic makes a canary more suitable for someone who does not want to spend a lot of quality time with their bird.

As with any pet, it is best to buy a canary directly from a breeder. For referrals, contact a local bird club, veterinarian, or pet shop that only sells supplies. A good breeder should band their birds in order to identify them and prevent inbreeding. They should also provide you with care instructions and a food sample. It is a good idea to get your own book on canary care for reference.

It is difficult to determine the sex of a canary, especially if less than a year old. Even experienced breeders get fooled. Adult male canaries usually sing, but some hens sing and so do young birds of either gender. Canaries usually hatch in the spring and become mature in the fall or winter, but are not old enough to breed until the following spring.

If a songbird is what you want, get a mature male and ask for a guarantee that he will sing within two weeks. Do not put any other bird in the same cage, not even a female canary. Never clip their wings, they need to fly for exercise. The normal untamed canary should not be let out, so get as large a cage as you can. A daily check of food and water is best, although they can be left alone for an occasional weekend trip. Let your canary sleep after sunset, either move him to a dark room in the evening or cover the cage with a blackout sheet. In the summer when the days are long, it is natural for them to molt (replace all their feathers) and they do not sing for a few weeks during this process.

A well cared for pet canary may live for 10 years or longer. Their song and beauty can provide a bit of cheerful nature in our homes. As our lives become increasingly urban, a canary can be a soothing pet for anyone!