Grey Wagtails Constantly Flanking Their Tail

The grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) is a small, elegant bird known for its distinctive tail-flanking behavior. This behavior, where the bird constantly flicks its long tail up and down, has intrigued bird watchers and ornithologists alike. Grey wagtails are found across Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa. 

 

Grey wagtails are easily identifiable by their slender bodies, long tails, and striking coloration. Tail flanking is a defining characteristic of grey wagtails. This behavior involves rhythmic, continuous flicking of their tail, a motion that is believed to serve multiple purposes. It is most commonly observed when the bird is perched or foraging. Compared to other wagtail species, grey wagtails exhibit the most pronounced and frequent tail flanking.  

 

The tail flanking behavior of grey wagtails has evolved over time as an adaptive trait. This behavior likely serves to signal health and vitality to potential mates and deter predators by indicating alertness. Studies of related species suggest that tail flanking may have initially evolved as a mechanism for maintaining balance while navigating through dense vegetation and uneven terrain. 

 

Several factors can trigger tail flanking in grey wagtails. Environmental stimuli such as the presence of predators or the need to communicate with other wagtails can prompt this behavior. Additionally, social interactions during breeding season, territorial disputes, or signaling the presence of food can cause increased tail flanking activity. Observing grey wagtails in their natural habitat requires patience and the right tools. A good pair of binoculars, a field guide for identification, and a quiet approach are essential. 

 

Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for observation, as birds are most active during these periods. Ideal locations include riverbanks, streams, and other water bodies where grey wagtails are known to forage and nest. Tail flanking plays a crucial role in the communication of grey wagtails. This behavior can signal a variety of messages to other birds, from warnings of nearby predators to courtship displays during the breeding season. It also helps maintain social cohesion within flocks, as the visual signals can be seen from a distance. 

 

Grey wagtails exhibit different behaviors depending on the season. During the breeding season, they are more territorial and their tail flanking is often associated with courtship and nesting activities. In contrast, during migration and winter, they form flocks and their behavior shifts towards foraging and survival in diverse environments. For instance, studies in urban areas show how these birds adjust their foraging and nesting habits in response to human activities. 

 

These examples highlight the resilience and adaptability of grey wagtails. Tail flanking is believed to play a role in predator deterrence. By constantly moving their tails, grey wagtails may signal their alertness to potential predators, reducing the likelihood of an attack. Research has shown that predators are less likely to approach birds exhibiting such vigilant behaviors.

 

 

Great Egret (Ardea alba)

The Great Egret (Ardea alba) is a member of the heron family Ardeidae in the genus Ardea. The Ardeidae, who are closer cousins of pelicans and belong to the Pelecaniformes, are often grouped with storks in the Ciconiiformes. The great egret is the largest of the white herons. It is a solitary and territorial feeder that hunts in water up to 30 cm deep, which is deeper than other herons. There, it frequently crouches slightly and stretches its neck to the side, holding the head horizontally, maybe to balance glare. Moreover, hunting Great egrets are masters of the wait-and-watch strategy, freezing motionless for long intervals and then stalking slowly and deliberately. Source

Himalayan cutia (Cutia nipalensis)

The Himalayan cutia, “Cutia nipalensis,” is a bird species in Leiothrichidae.The amazing species inhabit the Himalayan region, found in north India along with the Himalayas: Nepal, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Burma, adjacent south China, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and peninsular Malaysia. Witnessing this rare gem is a rally-like dream come true, showing off the various colors and patterns it possesses. This is one of the birds that has been listed in the book, 100 Birds to See Before You Die! Source

Common Potoo

The common potoo, is one of seven species of bird within the genus Nyctibius. It is notable for its large, yellow eyes and comically wide mouth. Potoos are nocturnal and are related to nightjars and frogmouths. They lack the characteristic bristles around the mouths of true nightjars. It has a haunting melancholic song, dropping in both pitch and volume. When seized, this bird produces a squeaky sound, not unlike that of a crow. This call greatly differs from that of much deeper and more dramatic northern potoo. Common potoos are 34–38 cm long with mottled red-brown, white, black, and grey cryptic plumage. This disruptive coloration allows the potoo to camouflage into branches. The sexes appear similar, and cannot be distinguished upon observation. 

The eyes can appear as giant black dots with a small yellow ring, or as giant yellow irises with small pupils due to voluntary pupil constriction. The potoo has two or three slits in the eyelid so that it can see when the eyelids are closed; these notches are always open. The upper and lower eyelids can be moved independently and rotated so that the bird may adjust its field of vision. The common potoo has an unusually wide mouth with a tooth in its upper mandible for foraging purposes. common potoo is found in Trinidad & Tobago and every mainland South American country except Chile, though it has been recorded in that country as a vagrant. There it ranges from the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean. N. g. panamensis is found from eastern Nicaragua south through Costa Rica and Panama and west of the Andes from northwestern Venezuela through Colombia and Ecuador into northwestern Peru.

The common potoo is a resident breeder in open woodlands and savannah. It avoids cooler montane regions; it is rarely observed over 1,900 m above mean sea level even in the hottest parts of its range. It tends to avoid arid regions but was recorded in the dry Caribbean plain of Colombia in April 1999. It has many populations in the gallery forest-type environment around the Uruguayan-Brazilian border. A bit further south, where the amount of wood-versus grassland is somewhat lower, it is decidedly rare, and due west, in the Entre Ríos Province of Argentina with its abundant riparian forest, it is likewise not common.

The birds at the southern end of their range may migrate short distances northwards in winter. The potoo sits with its eyes open and its bill horizontal while awake, but if disturbed, assumes an alert “freezing” posture (flexibility). This entails sticking its beak vertically up in the air, closing its eyelids (through which it can still see via slits), and remaining still. If disturbed by larger animals, it may break its camouflage and try to chase the threat away. 

If disturbed by a human being, its behaviors can be quite variable - quickly flying away, intimidation via beak-opening, or remaining still even when being touched. Common potoos are monogamous. After mating, the female lays a single white egg with lilac spots directly into the depression in a tree limb. Parents normally care for one egg at a time. The male and female alternate brooding the egg while the other forages for insects. They divide brooding time evenly.

Carolina Wren

The Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) is a common species of wren that is a resident in the eastern half of the United States of America, the extreme south of Ontario, Canada, and the extreme northeast of Mexico. Severe winters restrict the northern limits of their range while favorable weather conditions lead to a northward extension of their breeding range. Their preferred habitat is in dense cover in forest, farm edges and suburban areas. This wren is the state bird of South Carolina.

There are seven recognized subspecies across the range of these wrens and they differ slightly in song and appearance. The birds are generally inconspicuous, avoiding the open for extended periods of time.

Carolina Wren is about 12.5 to 14 cm long, with a 29 cm of wingspan and a weight of about 18 to 23 g. Carolina wren is a fairly large wren; the second largest in the United States species after the cactus wren. Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 5.4 to 6.4 cm; the tail is 4.5 to 5.6 cm.  The sexual dimorphism is slight with males being larger than their mates.

There are several differences among the subspecies. For T. l. ludovicianus, the crown is rich brown that appears more chestnut-colored on its rump and uppertail-coverts. Shoulders and greater coverts are a rich brown, with a series of small white dots on the lesser primary coverts. The secondary coverts are rich brown with a darker brown barring on both webs; the bars on the primaries are on the outerwebs only, but darker and more noticeable. The rectrices are brown with 18 to 20 bars that span across the tail. 

The white supercilious streak borders thinly with a black above and below, and extends above and beyond its shoulders. The ear coverts are speckled gray and grayish-black. Its chin and throat are grey that becomes buff on its chest, flank and belly, though the latter two are of a warmer color. 

The underwing coverts sport a grayish buff color. Its iris is reddish-brown, the upper mandible is lemon-colored and paler at the base and lower mandible. The legs are flesh-colored. Survival rates differ by region, as roughly 90 percent of the Carolina wrens died within 10 years. The easiest species to confuse with the Carolina wren is Bewick's wren, which differs in being smaller but with a longer tail, grayer-brown above and whiter below. 

The Carolina and white-browed wrens differ from the house wren in being larger, with a decidedly longer bill and hind toe; their culmen has a notch behind the tip. Carolina wrens adapt to various habitats. Natural habitats include various types of woodland such as oak hardwoods and mixed oak-pine woodlands, ash and elm woods, hickory-oak woodlands with a healthy amount of tangled undergrowth. The preferred habitats are riparian forest, brushy edges, swamps, overgrown farmland, and suburban yards with abundant thick shrubs and trees, and parks.

Carolina wrens sing year round and at any point during the daytime, with the exception of performing during the most harsh weather conditions. Males alone sing, and have a repertoire of at least twenty different phrase patterns and on average, thirty two. One of these patterns is repeated for several minutes, and although the male's song can be repeated up to twelve times, the general number of songs range from three to five times in repetition. 

While singing, the tail of the birds is pointed downward. Some general vocalizations have been transcribed as teakettle-teakettle-teakettle and cheery-cheery-cheery. Various descriptions of the teakettle song include whee-udel, whee-udel, whee-udel, che-wortel, che-wortel and túrtee-túrtee-túrtee and familiar names and phrases such as sweet heart, sweet heart, come to me, come to me, sweet William, and Richelieu, Richelieu. Males are capable of increasing their repertoire through song learning, but due to their sedentary nature and territorial defense habits, the song learning must occur within the first three months of life. Their songs can be confused with the Kentucky warbler. 

The song patterns are similar, but the warbler's songs are described as richer, with more ringing and a hurried pace. Carolina wrens spend the majority of their time on or near the ground searching for food, or in tangles of vegetation and vines. They also probe bark crevices on lower tree levels, or pick up leaf-litter in order to search for prey. Their diet consists of invertebrates, such as beetles, true bugs, grasshoppers, katydids, spiders, ants, bees, and wasps. Small lizards and tree frogs also make up the carnivorous portion of their diet. 

Vegetable matter, such as fruit pulp and various seeds, makes up a small percentage of their diet. In the northern portion of their range, they frequent bird feeders. Carolina wrens are both genetically and socially monogamous and will usually mate for life. Mate changing is rare,[15] and there has been one possible observation of polygamy. During the winter season, males are more responsible for guarding the territory. Females vary in succeeding to maintain winter territories without a mate. 

Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) Song

The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a bird in the genus Cardinalis; it is also known colloquially as the redbird, common cardinal, red cardinal, or just cardinal (which was its name prior to 1985). It can be found in southeastern Canada, through the eastern United States from Maine to Minnesota to Texas, New Mexico, southern Arizona, southern California, and south through Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. 

It is also an introduced species in a few locations such as Bermuda and Hawaii. Its habitat includes woodlands, gardens, shrublands, and wetlands. 

The northern cardinal is a mid-sized songbird with a body length of 21–23 cm (8.3–9.1 in). It has a distinctive crest on the head and a mask on the face which is black in the male and gray in the female. The male is a vibrant red, while the female is a reddish olive color. The northern cardinal is mainly granivorous, but also feeds on insects and fruit. 

The male behaves territorially, marking out his territory with song. During courtship, the male feeds seed to the female beak-to-beak. A clutch of three to four eggs is laid, and two to four clutches are produced each year. It was once prized as a pet, but its sale as a cage bird was banned in the United States by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

White-browed wagtail

The white-browed wagtail or large pied wagtail (Motacilla maderaspatensis) is a medium-sized bird and is the largest member of the wagtail family. They are conspicuously patterned with black above and white below, a prominent white brow, shoulder stripe, and outer tail feathers. White-browed wagtails are native to South Asia, common near small water bodies, and have adapted to urban environments where they often nest on rooftops. The specific name is derived from the Indian city of Madras (now Chennai).

What is CORACIIFORMES?

 

CORACIIFORMES is a morphologically heterogeneous group of colorful birds, with large heads, short necks, short legs, and, mostly, large bills. They comprise the kookaburras and kingfishers, todies, motmots, bee-eaters, and rollers. These birds are widely distributed, occurring on all continents except Antarctica. However, most species are occurring in Asia and Africa. In total, about 145 to 157 species in about 29-40 genera. So far, nine families recognized here, listed below.

(1) ALCEDINIDAE - River kingfishers; about 22 to 24 species in two to four genera: Alcedo and Ceyx (sometimes Ispidina or Myioceyx also recognized); mostly distributed in Africa, Asia, Indonesia, Philippines, Melanesia, New Guinea, and Australia. Two species of Alcedo in the HANZAB region.

(2) HALCYONIDAE – (Tree or wood) kingfishers; 56-61 species in 8-12 genera; distributed in Africa, Asia, Indonesia, Papuasia, Micronesia, Polynesia, and Australia & New Zealand. Eight non-vagrant species in four genera in the HANZAB region.

(3) CERYLIDAE: Water (or belted) kingfishers; nine species in three genera: Chloroceryle, Megaceryle, and Ceryle; distributed in Africa, s. and e. Asia, and New World.

(4) MEROPIDAE: Bee-eaters; 24 to 26 species in three genera: Nyctyornis, Meropogon, Merops; distributed Africa, s. and e.  Asia, Indonesia, Melanesia, New Guinea, and Aust. One species, Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus, in HANZAB region.

(5) CORACIIDAE: Rollers; around twelve species in two genera: Coracias & Eurystomus; distributed Africa, s. and e. Asia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, and Aust. One species, Dollarbird Eurystomus Orientalis, breeds HANZAB region; another species vagrant.

(6) BRACHYPTERACIIDAE: Ground-rollers; about five species in three genera, which are Atelornis, Brachypteracias, Uratelornis, mostly endemic to the African country Madagascar.

(7) LEPTOSOMIDAE: Monotypic Cuckoo-roller Leptosomus discolor, endemic to Comoro.

(8) TODIDAE: Todies; about 5 species in monotypic genera Todus; widely distributed Caribbean islands of Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.

(9) MOMOTIDAE: Motmots; 8 or 9 species in six genera: Aspatha, Baryphthengus, Electron, Eumomota, Hylomanes, and Momotus. These species are widely distributed in Neotropics from Mexico to Argentina.

Taxonomy of this and related groups are somewhat controversial. Monophyly of the Coraciiformes has been variously questioned and supported, and further study required. Maybe polyphyletic (BWP), have been split into as many as six orders. Recent views tend to identify one order, but the treatment of sub-ordinal taxa varies.

Conventionally, all kingfishers have been treated as a single-family, Alcedinidae, with three subfamilies here, these subfamilies elevated to familial level. The division into three families supported by DNA-DNA hybridization and chromosome studies, but this view has been challenged since these three groups are also considered as monophyletic with respect to their nearest relatives within Coraciiformes.

The most closely related groups are Trogoniformes (trogons), Upupiformes (hoopoes), and Bucerotiformes (hornbills). These, too, have also been classified as families within the Coraciiformes. Other distantly allied groups include Galbuliformes (jacamars and puffbirds) and Piciformes (toucans, barbets, honeyguides, and woodpeckers).

Moreover, Coraciiformes are a diverse group, with few anatomical characters that apply to all families. Palate desmognathous. Feet vary; usually have three toes directed forward and a hallux, but inner front toe reduced or missing in some Alcedinidae. The outer toe reversible in Leptosomidae; forward toes often fused or partly fused. Basi pterygoid process absent or rudimentary Hypotarsus complex.  Syrinx tracheobronchial.

Plumage bright, mainly iridescent or pigmentary greens and blues. Infrequently different variations in plumage between ages or sexes. Not well represented in HANZAB region; four families recorded, with 12 non-vagrant species in seven genera. Extralimital families not considered further here. The Coraciiformes occur in most habitats of arid to semi-arid zones to tropical rainforests and mangroves.

Kingfishers, rollers, and bee-eaters all require habitats with at least a few trees, from which to hunt. All breed within hollows in branches or trunks of trees, or in tunnels excavated into banks of earth or termitaria (both arboreal and terrestrial).

In HANZAB region, some species (e.g. Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae) may benefit from partial clearance of wooded habitats, though most are adversely affected by the removal of hollow-bearing trees; others (e.g. Azure Kingfisher Alcedo azurea) adversely affected by removal or degradation of vegetation surrounding wetlands.

Generalized predators of arthropods and small vertebrates. Most are sit-and-wait predators; most hunt by sallying. With few exceptions, normally kingfishers do not pursue prey, contrasting bee-eaters, which do. Both kingfishers and bee-eaters regurgitate pellets of indigestible material, such as insect sclerites. In kingfishers, bee-eaters, and rollers, hatching of broods always staggered, with up to the 1-week difference between oldest and youngest nestlings.

Nestlings squabble for food brought by parents, and nestlings soon learn to move toward the entrance of the nest when they perceive the parent entering with food. If two or more nestlings, the eldest (unless replete) typically takes a protuberant position when the food arrives.

However, when the food is scarce, only older nestlings are fed and others starve and die. Just before fledging, to encourage young to leave nest adults may starve them for one to two days. Parents stay near fledglings, calling and bringing food in response to the begging of the young.

Worldwide, 11 species considered threatened. Overall, the major threatening process is the clearance of habitat, though several species are adversely affected by the introduction of predators, particularly the Common Myna Acridotheres tristis. Given the great similarities between Halcyonidae and Alcedinidae in social organization and behavior and most aspects of internal structure.

Read More - The Melodious Baltimore Oriole Song

Reference – Jeff Davies @ NZ Birds Online

ROLLER in Spain

 Roller Coracius garrulus, from mid-April to Sep in the Roller winters of Spain in the Afrotropical region. It is a lowland species, favoring open, sunny habitats (steppes and meadows) with scattered, mature trees. It breeds in sandy banks, in walls, and in nest-holes of the Green Woodpecker, although it will also accept suitable nest-boxes. It avoids intensively cultivated areas.

Birds hunt from open perches on trees, posts, and overhead wires overlooking sparsely vegetated ground which provides little cover for prey. In the province of Lleida there are fewer than 100 pairs of Rollers, although this represents the great majority of the Catalan population of the 133 species. It appears that parts of Aragón, especially the southern part of Huesca, were colonized by the neighboring population in Lleida around the year 1980 and that the species is still spreading in some parts of the Ebro valley.

1)   Ballobar-Candasnos-Ontiñena: the best areas to search are just to the north of the junction of the Candasnos-Ontiñena road with that of Ballobar, mainly to the west of the road, as well as the pseudosteppe a few kilometers to the east of the village of Candasnos, on the higher ground on either side of the N-II. The species also occurs on either side of the N-II between Bar Ventorrillo and Ventas del Rey, to the west of Fraga.

2)      Balaguer Drylands: Rollers inhabit areas bordering the River Farfanya between Castelló de Farfanya and Menàrguens. From Balaguer head towards Menàrguens on the C-12 (LV-9224) and just after the first entrance to the village of Menàrguens turn right onto a wide track following the course of the River Farfanya, signposted to Castelló de Farfanya. Pay attention to the clumps of trees here and there along the river’s edge. The first 4kms are the best.

3)      Alfés Drylands: several pairs of Rollers can be found in the area immediately to the east of the village of Alfés on both sides of the River Set, to the north of the road between Alfés and Aspa. The species may also be encountered to the east of the LV-7021 between Aspa and Artesa de Lleida. Rollers also occur further south, between Alcanó and Sarroca - the best area is along the track that runs southwest from the edge of Alcanó village towards Sarroca.

4)      Belianes Drylands: the area to the east of the LP-2015 between Preixana and Sant Martí de Maldà is currently a very good one for Rollers, but its future as such looks bleak because of plans to irrigate the remaining drylands.

5)      5) Aiguamolls Natural Park: some of the 6-7 pairs of Rollers breeding in the park can normally be seen from the path that leads to the hide at Vilaüt and at the Closes de Mornau, as well as at the Cortalet meadows. Rollers are also present in the area between Berbegal and Barbastro, in the province of Huesca.

Mississippi Kite Bird

 Identification

The Mississippi kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) is a member of the family Accipitridae, a group of diurnal birds of prey. Adult Mississippi kites are falcon-shaped with light gray underparts, a dark gray dorsal surface, and a black unbarred tail. They have orange-red legs and feet, with a pale pearly-gray head, red eyes, gray bill, and black wings tipped with a broad white patch on each rear edge that is visible in flight.

Adult kites are about 13 to 14 inches (34 to 36 cm) long, have a wingspan of about 3 feet (0.9 m), and weigh 8 to 11 ounces (227 to 312 g). The male Mississippi Kite bird is lighter gray and smaller than the female. However, immature kites have heavy brown streaks below, and a notched black tail that is somewhat banded on the ventral surface.

The Juvenile kites are covered with a fluffy white down that contrasts with their black eyes and bill. Mississippi kite birds are graceful in flight, often appearing to float in the air but not uncommon to see several circling in the same area.

Distribution and Habitat

Mississippi kites’ nest found in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, southeastern Colorado, southern Kansas, and the eastern states from southern Missouri to South Carolina. The southern Great Plains is considered a stronghold for the species. Mississippi kites nest primarily along with riparian areas and in mesquite thickets and tree plantings such as shelterbelts, windbreaks, farm woodlots, urban parks, and urban residential woodlots.

Kites frequently use large windbreaks that are surrounded by native vegetation and have few nearby roads and homes. Shelterbelts planted in native grassland habitats likely have resulted in the westward expansion of the kite’s range. Kites usually perch in the open on bare branches or on television antennas. This bird is one of the United States' most elegant raptors, 6 to 7 pairs in sight of one another in a grove of tall trees.

Migrations – Mississippi Kite birds migrate in the fall to their wintering grounds in central and southern tropical South America. A long-distance migrant, in flocks; every so often seen in very large concentrations in Texas and Mexico. In a 2006 report, more than 10,000 birds migrate at Fuerte Esperanza Argentina. Also, in 2004 nearly 9,8000 individuals fall migrate to Corpus Christi Texas.

Food Habits

Mississippi kites are primarily insectivorous. Their preference for insects that are harmful to crops, such as cicadas and grasshoppers, makes them economically beneficial. Most insects are captured by kites in flight. Kites supplement their diets with lizards, frogs, small turtles, rodents, small rabbits, and occasionally, small birds.

General Biology, Reproduction, and Behavior

Most Mississippi kites probably wintering Argentina and Brazil. They often migrate in groups of 20 to 30, and usually arrive at their nesting sites in mid to late April or early May. Their southward migration generally begins in early September, a few weeks after the young have fledged. Mississippi kites usually start nesting soon after their arrival in spring.

They form pair bonds before arriving at nest sites and display little territorial behavior. Kites either repair old nests or construct new ones. Nests usually are concentrated in colonies. Many nests occur in elm, cottonwood, willow, hackberry, oak, and mesquite trees.

Most nests, except for those constructed in elm and cotton-wood trees, are usually less than 20feet (6 m) above the ground. Nests vary in size, ranging from 10 to 18inches (25 to 46 cm) long and 10 to 14inches (25 to 36 cm) wide. They usually are composed of small twigs and lined with leaves.

In late May or, early June, kites lay two dull white to pale bluish-white eggs about1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm) long and almost oval in shape. Both parents incubate the eggs and feed the young. They usually lay only 1 clutch per year, which hatches after an incubation period of about 29 to 32 days. The young can fly and leave the nest 28 to 35 days after hatching.

About half the nesting kites successfully raise young. Major mortality factors include strong winds, usually associated with summer thunderstorms, that blow out nestlings and destroy nests, and egg and nestling predators, including great horned owls and raccoons. Mississippi kites produce younger in urban than in rural areas; the greater success has been related to lower predation. These kites usually live about 8 years and prefer to make a nest at deciduous trees.

Damage

Some Mississippi kites create problems by diving at and frightening people who venture near their nests. The diving behavior is initiated to protect the nest and young but occurs at less than 20% of the nests. Diving increases as incubation progresses and is most prevalent after hatching. Often both parents dive and emit shrill cries when the nest is threatened. These alarm calls often attract other kites, which also harass the intruder.

Although kites may swoop within inches of an individual, only 3% of 903dives recorded at one golf course resulted in the birds actually hitting humans. These attacks, however, can be serious if elderly individuals or children riding bicycles are frightened and fall. After the young leave their nests, the diving behavior stops.

Legal Status

Mississippi kites are fully protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918) and state regulations. It is illegal to take, possess, transport, sell, or purchase kites or their parts without a permit. These regulations also protect the kite’s eggs and nests, even nests that have been abandoned after the breeding season.

A special permit may be issued by this Fish and Wildlife Service that authorizes the permit holder to take, transport, and temporarily possess juvenile kites for relocation to alternate nest sites and to remove the nest.

Damage Prevention and Control Methods

Exclusion and Habitat Modification - Preventing access of the adult kites to the nesting areas, which should deter subsequent diving, is difficult and not practical in most situations. If the nest can be removed in compliance with the US Fish and Wildlife Service permit, further nesting at that site maybe deterred by removing one of the branches that supported the nest or by fencing out the nest area with hardware cloth.

Nest Avoidance - Avoiding the area around Mississippi kite nests, from incubation through fledging (mid-June through mid-August), is one of the best methods to prevent kites from diving at people. To reduce conflicts at golf courses or parks, people can be encouraged to stay away from a nest by placing yellow-plastic tape that says “Do Not Enter” in a 50-yard (50-m) radius around the nest.

If the nesting area cannot be avoided, wearing a hat should prevent the rare occurrence of a kite strike but will not prevent diving. Place protective netting in the kites’ path of flight to prevent them from diving in certain areas. Frightening People who are attacked by kites should wave their arms or other objects to frighten the offending birds. You may encourage kites to nest elsewhere by placing a life-sized kite effigy in a previously used nest or in a human-made nest before kites arrive in the spring.

The greatest average distance that kites ranged from their nest while performing aggressive behavior was 35 yards (32m) in one study. Decoys should therefore be placed in all potential nest trees within at least 50yards of the area to be protected. Repellents No chemical bird repellents (for example, sticky pastes, sprays) currently registered by EPA have prevented kites from nesting in an area.

Toxicants - No chemical toxicants are currently registered by EPA for Mississippi kite control. However, other kite birds are less aggressive and restrict to the shrill cries of scream. The Mississippi Kite bird normally very frightening to the unsuspecting victim, and normally does not result in any physical harm.

Trapping or Shooting - Trapping or shooting Mississippi kites is seldom warranted. Permits for such activities are required by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the local state wildlife agency. These permits likely will not be granted in most cases.

Nest Removal - Removal of the adult kite’s eggs, young, and nest will typically terminate diving behavior. However, this practice is not legal without a special permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Eggs and young that are removed from an offending kite’s nest habitually are transferred to another kite’s nest located outside the problem area.

Hence, choose to foster kite nests that have eggs or young at the same developmental stage as in the problem nest. Usually, no more than one chick is added to a nest. Furthermore, material may need to be wired to the foster nest to enlarge it. Occasionally, eggs or young may be incubated and/or reared by humans.

Some kites, whose eggs or young have been removed, may re-nest nearby and continue their aggressive behavior. In most instances, the severity of the diving behavior does not warrant removal of the nest, eggs, or young.

Economics of Damage and Control - Few tangible costs can be associated with the harassment of humans by the diving behavior of Mississippi kites. Also, preventing the diving behavior is usually a matter of avoiding the nesting area or frightening the birds when they are diving.

Reference - William F. Andelt Extension Wildlife Specialist Department of Fishery and Wildlife Biology Colorado State University-Fort Collins, Colorado 80523

Crested Francolin Afrikaans

The Crested Francolin (Dendroperdix sephaena) distribution extends over most of the savannas of eastern Africa south of the Sahara. In southern Africa, it occurs from northeastern Namibia, across northern and eastern Botswana, into Zimbabwe. Mostly it is found in African countries, Angola, Botswana, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

In Zimbabwe, Crested Francolin is largely absent from the northeastern and central regions. It falls outside the major francolin clades, grouping with an assemblage of primarily Indo-Malaysian perdicines. Its closest affinity with the African francolins is with the Coqui Francolin Fcoqui and the red-winged group.

Kirk’s Francolin, considered a subspecies of Crested Francolin, has been accorded specific status in the past. It differs from the nominate race by having a streaked lower abdomen, and replaces the nominate race in the low-lying areas of southern Mozambique from the Save River north-wards, extending through Tanzania to Somalia.

It occurs in pairs when breeding and in family parties of up to seven birds at other times. It is conspicuous and highly vocal, frequently seen along roadsides, and is easily distinguished from other francolins by its bantam-like build, with a cocked tail.

Habitat:

It generally inhabits woodlands with a dense scrub component. It favors areas with bush encroachment in savannas and tolerates poor grass cover. The vegetation analysis clearly shows its preference for woodlands; there is a marked avoidance of Miombo and the semi-arid Central and southern Kalahari. It is commonest in Acacia woodland compared to broadleaved woodland, and found densities of 48 birds / 100 ha in Acacia woodland, and 7.4 birds/100 ha in broadleaved woodland, in a central Transvaal study area.

Densities in northern Botswana were close to 1 bird/10 ha in a variety of Acacia-dominated habitats but differed widely in broadleaved 1 bird/8 ha in secondary broad-leaved riverine woodland, 1 bird/12 ha in Mopane scrub and tall Okavango riparian woodland, 1 bird/150 ha in tall miombo-like and Baikiaea woodlands, and 1 bird/250 ha in tall Mopane woodlands). In Zimbabwe, it is associated with thickets below 800 m, but it occurs up to 900 m in the drier west.

Movements:

There are no previous reports of seasonal movements, which suggest that the seasonal fluctuations in reporting rates, particularly marked in Zone6, are probably due to seasonal variations inconspicuousness.

Breeding:

The crested Francolin egg-laying process in both Zimbabwe and the Transvaal spans October till May, mainly October–March in both regions. The atlas data probably represent mainly sightings of chicks. A trend of earlier and more restricted breeding seasons with increasing latitude is suggested by the models. The breeding record speaks in February–May in Zones 1 and 5 (northeastern Namibia, northern Botswana, and Zimbabwe), December–February in Zone 6 (Transvaal), and November–February in Zone 7 (KwaZulu-Natal and Swaziland). It is suggested that the peak breeding months might be as late as March-May in Zimbabwe.

Interspecific relationships:

In the drier savannas of the Transvaal and Zimbabwe, it is often sympatric with Coqui, Shelley’s F. shelleyi, Swainson’s F. swainsonii, and Natal F.natalensis Francolins. However, the Crested Francolin usually favors denser stands of scrub and thicket than Coqui, Shelley’s, and Swainson’s Francolins and drier sites than the Natal Francolin.

Historical Distribution and Conservation:

Although it might fluctuate locally in population size and distribution according to changes in habitat quality, there is no evidence of any long-term extensive distributional changes. The Crested Francolin is apparently not threatened any-where in its range, except locally where the bush is cleared and it as meriting monitoring. Read More - Greater Blue Eared Starling The Gorgeous Mystery Bird

 

The brown rock chat (Oenanthe fusca) or Indian chat,

The brown rock chat (Oenanthe fusca) or Indian chat, is a bird species of the family Muscicapidae. It is found mainly in northern and central India. It is often found on old buildings and rocky areas. It resembles a female Indian robin but lacks the reddish vent and differs in posture and behaviour apart from being larger. In flight it bears some resemblance to thrushes and redstarts. It feeds on insects, captured mainly on the ground. It was formerly placed as the sole species in the genus Cercomela but is now included with the wheatears in the genus Oenanthe. 

Brown Rock Chat at Rohtas Fort Jehlum City

The white wagtail (Motacilla alba)

The white wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small passerine bird in the family Motacillidae, which also includes pipits and longclaws. The species breeds in much of Europe and Asia and parts of North Africa. It has a toehold in Alaska as a scarce breeder. It is a resident in the mildest parts of its range but otherwise migrates to Africa. In Ireland and Great Britain, the darker subspecies, the pied wagtail or water wagtail (M. a. yarrellii) predominates. In total, there are between 9 and 11 subspecies. The white wagtail is an insectivorous bird of the open country, often near habitation and water. It prefers bare areas for feeding, where it can see and pursue its prey. In urban areas, it has adapted to foraging on paved areas such as car parks. It nests in crevices in stone walls and similar natural and man-made structures. It is the national bird of Latvia and has featured on the stamps of several countries. Though it is 'of least concern', there are several threats against it, like being kept as pets and being used as food.

The black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

The black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) is a widely distributed very long-legged wader in the avocet and stilt family (Recurvirostridae). The scientific name H. himantopus was formerly applied to a single, almost cosmopolitan species. It is now normally applied to the form that is widespread in Eurasia and Africa and which was formerly regarded as the nominate subspecies of Himantopus himantopus sensu lato. 

The scientific name Himantopus comes from the Greek meaning "strap foot" or "thong foot". Most sources today accept 2–4 species. It is sometimes called pied stilt, but that name is now reserved for the Australian species, Himantopus leucocephalus. Adults are 33–36 cm (13–14 in) long. They have long pink legs, a long thin black bill and are blackish above and white below, with a white head and neck with a varying amount of black. Males have a black back, often with greenish gloss. Females' backs have a brown hue, contrasting with the black remiges. 

In the populations that have the top of the head normally white at least in winter, females tend to have less black on head and neck all year round, while males often have much black, particularly in summer. This difference is not clear-cut, however, and males usually get all-white heads in winter. Immature birds are grey instead of black and have a markedly sandy hue on the wings, with light feather fringes appearing as a whitish line in flight.

Grey-headed swamphen

Grey-headed swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) is a species of swamphen occurring from the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent to southern China and northern Thailand. It used to be considered a subspecies of the purple swamphen, but was elevated to full species status in 2015; today the purple swamphen is considered a superspecies and each of its six races are designated full species.

The male has an elaborate courtship display, holding water weeds in his bill and bowing to the female with loud chuckles.

The grey-headed swamphen was introduced to North America in the late 1990s due to avicultural escapes in the Pembroke Pines, Florida area. State wildlife biologists attempted to eradicate the birds, but they have multiplied and can now be found in many areas of southern Florida. Ornithological authorities consider it likely that the swamphen will become an established part of Florida's avifauna. It was added to the American Birding Association checklist in February 2013.