Author: Matt Davis

Bird Fact Sheet: Secretarybird

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The Secretarybird or Secretary Bird(Sagittarius serpentarius) is a terrestrial bird of prey that can be found in savannah habitats throughout much of Africa. The Secretarybird gets its name from its elongated head plumes, which resemble writing quills. 

Physical Characteristics

Adult Secretarybirds have long pink legs, long black crest feathers, bare orange faces, hooked bills and long central tail feathers. They are gray above, and white below with black flight feathers,  abdomen, and thighs.

Juveniles are similar to adults, but have shorter tails and crests,  with grey barring on white underwing-coverts and undertail-coverts. Juveniles also have paler faces.

Length 1.1-1.5 m(3’7.3”-4’11.1”)
Wingspan
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Bird Fact Sheet: Magpie Goose

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The Magpie Goose(Anseranas semipalmata) is a goose-like bird that is placed in its own family Anseranatidae. Unlike true geese Magpie Geese have partially webbed feet. The Magpie Goose lives in Australia.

There is a protuberance on the heads of Magpie Geese that is variable in size, but smaller in females.

Physical Characteristics

The Magpie Goose has a black neck and head. The wings are mostly black as well. The legs and feet are orange. Magpie Geese have partially webbed feet. There is a Protuberance on the heads of Magpie Geese that is variable in size, but smaller in females. The … Continue

Birds Of The Americas: Scarlet Ibis

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The Scarlet Ibis(Eudocimus ruber) is a wading bird that can be found in the Americas. 

Physical Characteristics

During the breeding season the Scarlet Ibis is red throughout most of its body,  except its beak, some of its flight feathers, and its eyes are black. 

A non-breeding adult is pink or reddish.  A juvenile Scarlet Ibis is a mix of gray, brown, and white.

The Scarlet Ibis has a long, narrow, decurved bill. 

Length56-71 cm(1’10.1”-2’3.10”)
Wingspan94 cm-1.1 m(3’1”-3’7.3”)
Weight 505-770 gm(1.11-1.7 lbs.)
*Males are larger than females.

Range

The Scarlet Ibis is a year round resident in the countries … Continue

Parrots Of The World: Golden Parakeet

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The Golden Parakeet(Guaruba guarouba), also known as the Golden Conure, or the Queen of Bavaria Conure is a new world parrot that is found in South America.

Physical Characteristics

Adult Golden Parakeets are mostly bright yellow throughout, with green feathers on their wings. There is bare white skin around a Golden Parakeet’s eyes.

Juvenile Golden Parakeets are yellow and streaked with green on their heads, breasts, and backs. 

Length34-35 cm(1’1.4’-1’1.8”)
Weight 154-300 grams(5.4-10.6 oz.)

Range 

The Golden Parakeet is endemic to Brazil.

Habitat

Golden Parakeets inhabit humid lowland rainforests, varzéa forests, and grasslands with scattered trees.

Breeding

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Bird Fact Sheet: African Fish Eagle

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The African Fish Eagle(Haliaeetus vocifer), also known as the African Sea Eagle  is a bird of prey that is classified in the order Accipitriformes, and the family Accipitridae. The African Fish Eagle has been nicknamed the “voice of Africa” because its loud, distinctive call can be heard for miles. 

Physical Characteristics

An Adult African Fish Eagle has a white head, and white breast. Its back is black, and its belly, thighs, and “shoulders” are chestnut in color. An Adult’s irises are yellow-brown to hazel, its cere is yellow, and its bill is blackish, the feet are fleshy-white to yellow. 

Length
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