Category Amazing Birds

       The bold pattern and colours design of the plumage makes the Gouldian finch a piece of art.

       The species was first discovered by the English naturalist and explorer John Gould in 1844. He named the bird in honour of his wife.

      Gouldian finches acquire a length of 125-140 mm and their crowns may be red, yellow low or black.

       They feed primarily on seeds like other finches. An average Gouldian finch eats almost four grams of food a day, which is 30% of their body weight.

       It inhabits grasslands, scrubs and open woodlands in Australia, usually close to water where it forages in large flocks which it often number several hundred birds.

       The number of Gouldian finches is dwindling mainly due to poaching. This species also suffers high rates of predation. Nowadays, it is hard to find them. They are bred in captivity and probably, that is the only way to preserve the species. Gouldian finches are classified as endangered.

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          Have you heard of the famous poem ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ by Coleridge and the curse of the Albatross? An albatross is a large seabird found commonly in live Southern Ocean and the North pacific. There’s another bird which looks like an albatross – the southern giant petrel.

          The southern giant petrel is also known as Antarctic giant petrel, giant fulmar, stinker and stinkpot. People often confuse this bird with the albatross for its large size and habit of following ships. Unlike an albatross, the bird has shorter wings and looks hunchbacked while flying. It also likes to feed on shorelines where it scavengers for carrion such as carcasses of penguins and seals. The bird attacks smaller birds, particularly chicks and hunts at sea for fish and squid. It is a large bird with a length between 86 to 100 centimetres and a wingspan of 185 to 205 centimetres.

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          The Bohemian waxwing is a medium sized bird. Measuring between 19 and 23 centimetres in length, the bird has a wingspan of 32 to 35 centimetres.

          The bird is commonly found in the northern forests of Europe, Asia and North America. It is a passerine bird, meaning a perching bird that has a very distinct arrangement of toes, enabling it to sit comfortably on tree twigs.

          The bird likes to build its home in coniferous forests, usually near water. Although the movements of the bird are not predictable, a Bohemian waxwing has the ability to travel considerable distances to wintering areas.

          They live on berries and fruits. They have a particular linking for rowanberries. Their population is large; and therefore, the International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies them as being of least concern.

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          The blue-and-yellow macaws are popular pets. People are interested in them primarily due to their striking colours. These birds love to bond with humans too. Parrots are unique in terms of their behavioural features and appearance.

         Some species are of vibrant colours. Bright red, yellow, blue and green are abundantly splashed on their bodies!

          Macaws are the giants of the parrot world. The blue-and-yellow macaw, also known as the blue-and-gold macaw, is a large South American parrot. It has a blue back, a light orange breast and a green crown.

          They can reach a length of 76 to 86 centimetres and weigh0.900 to 1.5 kilograms. This bird, in fact, is one of the biggest species of the family.

          Generally, the blue-and-yellow macaw is found in forests near water bodies. However, they are also found in some deciduous forests far from water, and in savannahs.

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          A capuchin bird’s song is an interesting feature. It is very difficult to describe its odd song accurately. Some say it is akin to the sound of a chainsaw from a distance.

          However, some others have reported that the sound of the bird is like the mooing of a cow and it is thus called ‘calfbird’.

          Some animals and birds get their names from their appearance. Have you seen a Capuchin monk, with a brown cloak and hood? The capuchin bird looks like such as monk!

          Capuchin birds are large birds usually found in humid forests of South America. They prefer to stay deep inside the forest. Adult birds typically weigh between 340 and 420 grams.

          They have the ability to dive from heights to reach for fruits that are otherwise impossible to get.

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          The Egyptian vulture does not look much like a vulture. It has a peculiar feather cover over its head. The adult birds are generally white in colour with a yellow bill and a leathery patch on their faces.

          The young birds are often brown, with a strange combination of white and grey feathers. The Egyptian vultures are silent birds, seen in small groups in the premises of villages and towns. Adding to their shabby image, these birds are commonly seen near garbage dumps which happen to be their usual roosting sites. The search for food would cover large areas, flying high in the air. They can be seen perching on ruins, high roofs and tombs.

          They build nests atop buildings, tall trees or cliffs where the females lay white eggs. These birds can be seen in large numbers throughout India except in the Northeast. They are also common in South-western Europe and North Africa.

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