The Birds World

Nicolae Sfetcu
Nicolae SfetcuFreelancer à MultiMedia

Birds are among the most extensively studied of all animal groups. Hundreds of academic journals and thousands of scientists are devoted to bird research, while amateur enthusiasts (called birdwatchers or, more commonly, birders) probably number in the millions. Birds are categorised as a biological class, Aves. The earliest known species of this class is Archaeopteryx lithographica, from the Late Jurassic period. According to the most recent consensus, Aves and a sister group, the order Crocodilia, together form a group of unnamed rank, the Archosauria. Phylogenetically, Aves is usually defined as all descendants of the most recent common ancestor of modern birds (or of a specific modern bird species like Passer domesticus), and Archaeopteryx. Modern phylogenies place birds in the dinosaur clade Theropoda. Modern birds are divided into two superorders, the Paleognathae (mostly flightless birds like ostriches), and the wildly diverse Neognathae, containing all other birds.

The Birds World
The Birds World
Nicolae Sfetcu
Published by: Nicolae Sfetcu
Copyright 2014 Nicolae Sfetcu
NICOLAE SFETCU: THE BIRDS WORLD
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The book is made by organizing Telework articles (main sources: my own articles, Wikipedia
under the CC BY-SA 3.0 license adapted by Nicolae Sfetcu, and other sources). Text license:
CC BY-SA 3.0
The information in this book (licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License) is from
2006 and has not been updated.
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Table of Contents
• Birds
o Alektorophobia
o Avian incubation
o Bird abatement
o Bird anatomy
▪ Bird skeleton
o Bird bath
o Bird feeding
▪ Bird food
▪ Bird feeder
o Bird flight
▪ Wing clipping
o Bird intelligence
▪ Language of the birds
o Nidification
• Aviculture
o Domesticated birds
▪ Australian Spotted
▪ Barbary Dove
▪ Budgerigar
▪ Cayuga Duck
▪ Chicken
▪ Cockatiel
▪ Cockatoo
▪ Common Pheasant
▪ Crested Guineafowl
▪ Domestic Canary
▪ Domesticated duck
▪ Domesticated goose
▪ Domesticated turkey
▪ Homing pigeon
▪ Indian Runner Duck
▪ Khaki Campbell
▪ Ostrich
▪ Pekin duck
▪ Quail
▪ Rock Pigeon
▪ Zebra Finch
o African Grey Parrot
o Bird-safe
o British finches
o Caique
o Carrier pigeon
o Citron-crested Cockatoo
o Companion parrot
o Conure
o Cyanoramphus
o Hawaiian Goose
o Hill Myna
o Kākāriki
o Lilian's Lovebird
o Long-billed Vulture
o Moluccan Cockatoo
o Parrotlet
▪ Khaki Campbell
o Pigeon racing
o Pink Pigeon
o Red-and-green Macaw
o Rose-ringed Parakeet
o Rosy-faced Lovebird
o Senegal Parrot
o Softbill
o Spix's Macaw
o Sun Parakeet
o Umbrella Cockatoo
• Bird migration flyways
o Flyway
o Atlantic Flyway
o Central Flyway
o East Asian - Australasian
Flyway
o Mississippi Flyway
o Pacific Flyway
• Bird topography
o Beak
o Supercilium
• Birds by classification
o Extinct birds
▪ (Probably) Extinct birds
▪ Late Quaternary prehistoric
birds
▪ Malaconotidae
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▪ Paleornithology
▪ Fossil birds
▪ Neornithes
▪ Aves incertae
sedis
o Suborders of birds
▪ Corvida
▪ Artamidae
▪ Artamus
▪ Cracticus
▪ Gymnorhina
▪ Currawong
▪ Atrichornithidae
▪ Callaeidae
▪ Campephagidae
▪ Cinclosomatidae
▪ Psophodes
▪ Climacteridae
▪ Corcorachidae
▪ Corvidae
▪ Aphelocoma
▪ Cissa
▪ Corvus
▪ Raven
▪ Crypsirina
▪ Cyanocitta
▪ Cyanocorax
▪ Cyanolyca
▪ Cyanopica
▪ Garrulus
▪ Nucifraga
▪ Perisoreus
▪ Pica
▪ Podoces
▪ Pyrrhocorax
▪ Urocissa
▪ Dicruridae
▪ Drongos
▪ Monarchinae
▪ Lamprolia
▪ Rhipidurinae
▪ Tersiphone
▪ Icteridae
▪ Irenidae
▪ Tchagra
▪ Maluridae
▪ Meliphagoidea
▪ Meliphagidae
▪ Acanthorhync
hus
▪ Anthochaera
▪ Manorina
▪ Moho
▪ Philemon
▪ Phylidonyris
▪ Menuridae
▪ Neosittidae
▪ Oriolidae
▪ Orthonychidae
▪ Pachycephalidae
▪ Pitohui
▪ Paradisaeidae
▪ Pardalotidae
▪ Pardalote
▪ Petroicidae
▪ Pityriaseidae
▪ Pomatostomidae
▪ Prionopidae
▪ Ptilonorhynchidae
▪ Turnagridae
▪ Vangidae
▪ Vireonidae
▪ Passeri
▪ Passerida
▪ Aegithalidae
▪ Aegithinidae
▪ Alaudidae
▪ Alauda
▪ Chersophilus
▪ Eremophila
▪ Lullula
▪ Melanocorypha
▪ Buphagidae
▪ Cardinalidae
▪ Grosbeak
▪ Certhiidae
▪ Chaetopidae
▪ Cinclidae
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▪ Laniidae
▪ Cisticolidae
▪ Coerebidae
▪ Dicaeidae
▪ Drepanididae
▪ Melamprosops
▪ Psittirostra
▪ Vestiaria
▪ Emberizidae
▪ Ammodramus
▪ Calamospiza
▪ Calcarius
▪ Chondestes
▪ Emberiza
▪ Geospizini
▪ Juncos
▪ Passerculus
▪ Passerella
▪ Pipilo
▪ Pooecetes
▪ Seedeater
▪ Spizella
▪ Zonotrichia
▪ Estrildidae
▪ Padda
▪ Fringillidae
▪ Carduelis
▪ Carpodacus
▪ Coccothraustes
▪ Eophona
▪ Euphoniinae
▪ Chloropho
nia
▪ Euphonia
▪ Fringilla
▪ Leucosticte
▪ Loxia
▪ Pinicola
▪ Pyrrhula
▪ Rhodopechys
▪ Serinus
▪ Hirundinidae
▪ Pseudochelidoni
nae
▪ Leafbirds
▪ Melanocharitidae
▪ Mimidae
▪ Motacillidae
▪ Muscicapidae
▪ Ficedula
▪ Saxicolinae
▪ Cercotrichas
▪ Cochoa
▪ Copsychus
▪ Cossypha
▪ Enicurus
▪ Erithacus
▪ Luscinia
▪ Oenanthe
▪ Phoenicurus
▪ Saxicola
▪ Sheppardia
▪ Nectariniidae
▪ Nuthatches
▪ Old World babblers
▪ Paradoxornithidae
▪ Paramythiidae
▪ Paridae
▪ Pseudopodoces
▪ Parulidae
▪ Dendroica
▪ Seiurus
▪ Vermivora
▪ Passeridae
▪ Peucedramidae
▪ Picathartidae
▪ Platysteiridae
▪ Ploceidae
▪ Polioptilidae
▪ Promeropidae
▪ Prunellidae
▪ Ptilogonatidae
▪ Pycnonotidae
▪ Regulidae
▪ Remizidae
▪ Rhabdornithidae
▪ Sturnidae
▪ Acridotheres
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▪ Hypocoliidae
▪ Aplonis
▪ Gracula
▪ Sturnus
▪ Sylviidae
▪ Acrocephalus
▪ Bradypterus
▪ Chamaea
▪ Hippolais
▪ Locustella
▪ Orthotomus
▪ Phylloscopus
▪ Sylvia
▪ Thraupidae
▪ Cyanerpes
▪ Habia
▪ Piranga
▪ Ramphocelus
▪ Spindalis
▪ Tangara
▪ Thraupis
▪ Troglodytidae
▪ Campylorhynchu
s
▪ Troglodytes
▪ Turdidae
▪ Alethes
▪ Bluebirds
▪ Catharus
thrushes
▪ Myadestes
▪ Rock thrushes
▪ Zoothera
▪ Viduidae
▪ Waxwings
▪ Zosteropidae
▪ Zosterops
▪ Tyranni
▪ Acanthisittidae
▪ Conopophagidae
▪ Cotingidae
▪ Cephalopterus
▪ Procnias
▪ Rupicola
▪ Calyptomena
▪ Formicariidae
▪ Furnariidae
▪ Furnarius
▪ Pseudocolaptes
▪ Xenops
▪ Philepittidae
▪ Pipridae
▪ Chiroxiphia
▪ Manacus
▪ Pitta
▪ Rhinocryptidae
▪ Thamnophilidae
▪ Tyrannidae
▪ Aphanotriccus
▪ Attila
▪ Contopus
▪ Empidonax
▪ Lathrotriccus
▪ Myiarchus
▪ Myiozetetes
▪ Sayornis
▪ Tityra
▪ Tyrannus
o Parvorders of birds
o Superfamilies of birds
▪ Anatoidea
o Bird families
▪ Bird families - A
▪ Accipitridae
▪ Aegothelidae
▪ Aepyornithidae
▪ Alcedinidae
▪ Alcidae
▪ Anhingidae
▪ Apterygidae
▪ Bird families - B
▪ Bucerotidae
▪ Bird families - C
▪ Caprimulgidae
▪ Casuariidae
▪ Cathartidae
▪ Charadriidae
▪ Chionididae
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▪ Eurylaimidae
▪ Columbidae
▪ Bird families - D
▪ Dendrocolaptida
e
▪ Dinornithidae
▪ Dromadidae
▪ Dromornithidae
▪ Bird families - E
▪ Bird families - F
▪ Falconidae
▪ Fregatidae
▪ Bird families - G
▪ Gastornithidae
▪ Bird families - H
▪ Haematopodidae
▪ Hydrobatidae
▪ Bird families - I
▪ Ibidorhynchidae
▪ Bird families - L
▪ Bird families - M
▪ Mesitornithidae
▪ Bird families - N
▪ Bird families - O
▪ Bird families - P
▪ Pedionomidae
▪ Phaethontidae
▪ Phalacrocoracida
e
▪ Phasianidae
▪ Phorusrhacidae
▪ Picidae
▪ Plotopteridae
▪ Pluvianellidae
▪ Podicipedidae
▪ Presbyornithidae
▪ Psittacidae
▪ Pteroclididae
▪ Bird families - R
▪ Rallidae
▪ Raphidae
▪ Rostratulidae
▪ Bird families - S
▪ Scolopacidae
▪ Sylviornithidae
▪ Bird families - T
▪ Teratornithidae
▪ Tetraonidae
▪ Threskiornithidae
▪ Trochilidae
▪ Tytonidae
▪ Bird families - V
▪ Bird families - W
o Subfamilies of birds
▪ Bucorvinae
▪ Anatinae
▪ Anserinae
▪ Buteoninae
▪ Chordeilinae
▪ Mancallinae
▪ Merginae
▪ Palaeeudyptinae
▪ Phaethornithinae
▪ Tadorninae
▪ Vanellinae
o Tribes of birds
▪ Nestorini
▪ Platycercini
o Passeriformes
o Carinatae
• Birds by geography
o Endemism in birds
o Birds of Africa
o Birds of Asia
o Birds of Australia
▪ List of Australian, New
Zealand and Antarctic birds
▪ List of Australian birds
o Birds of Europe
• Birds of prey
o Eagles
o Falconry
o Falcon
o Harrier
o Kites
o Old World vulture
o Owls
o Macaw
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▪ Spheniscidae
▪ Strigidae
▪ Sulidae
o True hawks
• Birdwatching
• Bird diseases
o Angel Wing
o Avian adenovirus
o Avian flu
▪ Transmission and
infection of H5N1
o Bumblefoot
o Gallid herpesvirus 1
o Scaly leg
• Famous birds
• Feathers
o Plumage
• Fictional birds
o Fictional ducks
• Flightless birds
o Struthioniformes
• Heraldic birds
o American Robin
o Andean Condor
o Blue Jay
o Caladrius
o Canada Goose
o Canary
o Cassowary
o Condor
o Double-headed eagle
o Duck
o Emu
o Goose
o Heron
o Ibis
o
▪ Kingfisher
o KookaburraMartlet
o Osprey
o Partridge
o Peafowl
o Pelican
o Pheasant
o Puffin
o RoosterSecretary Bird
o Snipe
o Spotted Eagle Owl
o Stork
o Swan
o Toucan
o Vulture
• Oology
o Egg
o Ornithology
• Poultry
• Seabird
o Albatrosses
o Gannets
o Gulls
▪ Larus
o Pterodroma
o Shearwaters
o Skuas
o Terns
• Shorebirds
o Recurvirostridae
▪ Recurvirostra
• Swifts
• License
o GNU Free Documentation
License
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Contents
The Birds World ....................................................................................................................................................1
Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................................................3
Contents....................................................................................................................................................................9
Birds........................................................................................................................................................................ 62
High-level taxonomy ............................................................................................................................... 62
Bird orders.................................................................................................................................................. 62
Evolution...................................................................................................................................................... 63
Bird anatomy.............................................................................................................................................. 65
Birds and humans..................................................................................................................................... 66
Trivia ............................................................................................................................................................. 67
References................................................................................................................................................... 68
Alektorophobia .............................................................................................................................................. 69
Notable alektorophobes......................................................................................................................... 69
Avian incubation............................................................................................................................................ 70
Derived meanings..................................................................................................................................... 70
Reference..................................................................................................................................................... 70
Bird abatement............................................................................................................................................... 71
Problems...................................................................................................................................................... 71
Solutions ...................................................................................................................................................... 72
Bird anatomy .................................................................................................................................................. 73
Respiratory system.................................................................................................................................. 73
Circulatory system................................................................................................................................... 74
Digestive system....................................................................................................................................... 74
Skeletal system.......................................................................................................................................... 74
Muscular system....................................................................................................................................... 75
Head............................................................................................................................................................... 75
Reproduction.............................................................................................................................................. 75
References................................................................................................................................................... 76
Bird skeleton................................................................................................................................................... 77
Skull ............................................................................................................................................................... 77
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Neck, back, and tail .................................................................................................................................. 77
Chest.............................................................................................................................................................. 78
Wings............................................................................................................................................................. 78
Hips................................................................................................................................................................ 78
Legs................................................................................................................................................................ 78
See also......................................................................................................................................................... 78
Bird bath........................................................................................................................................................... 79
Design and construction........................................................................................................................ 79
Maintenance............................................................................................................................................... 80
Welcoming larger birds.......................................................................................................................... 80
See also......................................................................................................................................................... 80
Bird feeding..................................................................................................................................................... 81
Bird food........................................................................................................................................................... 83
Bird seeds.................................................................................................................................................... 83
Non-seed birdfood ................................................................................................................................... 83
Commercial bird food............................................................................................................................. 83
References................................................................................................................................................... 83
Bird feeder ....................................................................................................................................................... 84
See also......................................................................................................................................................... 84
Bird flight.......................................................................................................................................................... 85
Evolution and purpose of bird flight................................................................................................. 85
Basic mechanics of bird flight.............................................................................................................. 85
The wing....................................................................................................................................................... 86
Wing shape and flight ............................................................................................................................. 86
Hovering....................................................................................................................................................... 87
Take-off and landing ............................................................................................................................... 88
Adaptations for flight.............................................................................................................................. 88
References................................................................................................................................................... 88
Wing clipping.................................................................................................................................................. 90
Bird intelligence............................................................................................................................................. 91
Indications of intelligence in bird species....................................................................................... 92
References................................................................................................................................................... 95
Language of the birds .................................................................................................................................. 96
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History .......................................................................................................................................................... 96
References................................................................................................................................................... 98
Nidification ...................................................................................................................................................... 99
References.................................................................................................................................................102
Aviculture............................................................................................................................................................103
Types of aviculture.................................................................................................................................103
Avicultural societies..............................................................................................................................103
Avicultural publications.......................................................................................................................103
Domesticated birds.....................................................................................................................................104
Australian Spotted ......................................................................................................................................105
Barbary Dove ................................................................................................................................................106
References.................................................................................................................................................107
Budgerigar .....................................................................................................................................................108
Etymology..................................................................................................................................................108
Characteristics.........................................................................................................................................109
Habitat and behaviour..........................................................................................................................111
Budgerigars in captivity.......................................................................................................................112
"Context speaking" budgerigars.......................................................................................................113
References.................................................................................................................................................113
Cayuga Duck..................................................................................................................................................114
References.................................................................................................................................................114
Chicken............................................................................................................................................................115
General biology and habitat ...............................................................................................................116
Courting......................................................................................................................................................117
Going broody............................................................................................................................................117
Artificial incubation...............................................................................................................................117
Chickens as pets......................................................................................................................................118
Chickens in agriculture.........................................................................................................................119
Issues with mass production .............................................................................................................120
Chicken diseases.....................................................................................................................................120
Chickens in religion ...............................................................................................................................121
History ........................................................................................................................................................122
A selection of chicken breeds.............................................................................................................124
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Famous chickens.....................................................................................................................................124
Chicken as symbol..................................................................................................................................126
Published Sources..................................................................................................................................127
Cockatiel..........................................................................................................................................................128
Description................................................................................................................................................128
Biology........................................................................................................................................................129
Cockatiels as Pets....................................................................................................................................129
References.................................................................................................................................................130
Cockatoo .........................................................................................................................................................131
Cockatoos as endangered or vulnerable species........................................................................131
Systematics ...............................................................................................................................................132
References.................................................................................................................................................133
Common Pheasant......................................................................................................................................134
References.................................................................................................................................................135
Crested Guineafowl ....................................................................................................................................136
References.................................................................................................................................................136
Domestic Canary..........................................................................................................................................137
History ........................................................................................................................................................137
Varieties .....................................................................................................................................................137
Keeping Canaries....................................................................................................................................138
Trivia ...........................................................................................................................................................139
See also.......................................................................................................................................................140
References.................................................................................................................................................140
Domesticated duck .....................................................................................................................................141
Breeds.........................................................................................................................................................141
Gender differences.................................................................................................................................142
Farming ......................................................................................................................................................142
As pets and ornamentals .....................................................................................................................142
See also.......................................................................................................................................................143
Domesticated goose ...................................................................................................................................144
Geese in cooking .....................................................................................................................................144
Geese in fiction and myth....................................................................................................................145
Domesticated turkey..................................................................................................................................146
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History ........................................................................................................................................................146
Availability and Commercial Production ......................................................................................147
Breeding.....................................................................................................................................................147
Butchering.................................................................................................................................................148
Turkeys as food.......................................................................................................................................149
Turkeys in culture..................................................................................................................................150
Turkey dung for fuel..............................................................................................................................151
References.................................................................................................................................................151
Homing pigeon.............................................................................................................................................152
Navigation .................................................................................................................................................152
History ........................................................................................................................................................152
References.................................................................................................................................................153
Indian Runner Duck ...................................................................................................................................154
Khaki Campbell ............................................................................................................................................155
History ........................................................................................................................................................155
References.................................................................................................................................................155
Ostrich .............................................................................................................................................................156
Description................................................................................................................................................156
Systematics and distribution .............................................................................................................157
Evolution....................................................................................................................................................158
Behavior.....................................................................................................................................................158
Reproduction............................................................................................................................................159
Ostriches and humans ..........................................................................................................................160
References.................................................................................................................................................160
Sources .......................................................................................................................................................161
Pekin duck......................................................................................................................................................162
Trivia ...........................................................................................................................................................162
References.................................................................................................................................................162
Quail..................................................................................................................................................................163
Species list.................................................................................................................................................163
References.................................................................................................................................................163
Rock Pigeon...................................................................................................................................................164
Nest and Nestling....................................................................................................................................165
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Domestication..........................................................................................................................................165
Feral pigeons in cities...........................................................................................................................166
See also.......................................................................................................................................................167
References.................................................................................................................................................168
Zebra Finch....................................................................................................................................................169
Song and other vocalizations.............................................................................................................170
Food and care...........................................................................................................................................170
Zebra Finch breeding............................................................................................................................171
Domestication..........................................................................................................................................172
References.................................................................................................................................................172
African Grey Parrot.....................................................................................................................................173
Subspecies.................................................................................................................................................173
Mimicry and intelligence.....................................................................................................................173
African Grey Parrots as Pets...............................................................................................................174
References.................................................................................................................................................175
Bird-safe..........................................................................................................................................................176
Household dangers................................................................................................................................176
Cage Safety................................................................................................................................................176
Toxic foods for birds .............................................................................................................................177
Toxic plants for birds............................................................................................................................177
Toxicity of overheated non-stick surfaces....................................................................................177
Introducing your bird to strangers..................................................................................................177
British finches...............................................................................................................................................179
History ........................................................................................................................................................179
Species ........................................................................................................................................................179
Mules and Hybrids .................................................................................................................................180
Other British birds .................................................................................................................................180
See also.......................................................................................................................................................181
Caique ..............................................................................................................................................................182
Species ........................................................................................................................................................182
Aviculture ..................................................................................................................................................183
Sexing..........................................................................................................................................................183
Carrier pigeon...............................................................................................................................................184
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Citron-crested Cockatoo...........................................................................................................................185
The Citron-crested Cockatoo as an endangered bird...............................................................185
The Citron-crested Cockatoo as pets ..............................................................................................185
Companion parrot.......................................................................................................................................187
Conure .............................................................................................................................................................188
Description................................................................................................................................................188
Conure Species ........................................................................................................................................188
Scientific Classification.........................................................................................................................191
Cyanoramphus .............................................................................................................................................193
References.................................................................................................................................................193
Hawaiian Goose............................................................................................................................................195
References.................................................................................................................................................195
Hill Myna.........................................................................................................................................................196
References.................................................................................................................................................196
Kkriki................................................................................................................................................................197
Aviculture ..................................................................................................................................................197
References.................................................................................................................................................197
Lilian's Lovebird..........................................................................................................................................199
References.................................................................................................................................................199
Long-billed Vulture.....................................................................................................................................200
Captive breeding programmes..........................................................................................................200
References.................................................................................................................................................201
Moluccan Cockatoo.....................................................................................................................................202
Endangered status in the wild...........................................................................................................202
Aviculture ..................................................................................................................................................202
References.................................................................................................................................................203
Parrotlet..........................................................................................................................................................204
General........................................................................................................................................................204
Speech/Learning.....................................................................................................................................204
Aviculture ..................................................................................................................................................204
Genera.........................................................................................................................................................205
Pigeon racing.................................................................................................................................................206
Pink Pigeon....................................................................................................................................................208
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Description................................................................................................................................................208
Phylogeny..................................................................................................................................................209
Range...........................................................................................................................................................209
Habitat ........................................................................................................................................................209
Habits..........................................................................................................................................................209
Demography and Longevity ...............................................................................................................210
References.................................................................................................................................................210
Red-and-green Macaw ..............................................................................................................................211
Red-and-green Macaws as pets.........................................................................................................211
Rose-ringed Parakeet ................................................................................................................................212
Phylogeny and distribution................................................................................................................212
Diet...............................................................................................................................................................213
Size ...............................................................................................................................................................213
Feral Rose-ringed Parakeets..............................................................................................................213
Rose-ringed Parakeets as pets ..........................................................................................................213
References.................................................................................................................................................214
Rosy-faced Lovebird ..................................................................................................................................215
Peach-faced Lovebirds as Pets ..........................................................................................................215
References.................................................................................................................................................216
Senegal Parrot ..............................................................................................................................................217
Senegal Parrots as pets ........................................................................................................................218
References.................................................................................................................................................218
Softbill..............................................................................................................................................................219
Spix's Macaw.................................................................................................................................................220
References.................................................................................................................................................220
Further reading.......................................................................................................................................221
Sun Parakeet .................................................................................................................................................222
References.................................................................................................................................................222
Umbrella Cockatoo .....................................................................................................................................223
Feathers......................................................................................................................................................223
Umbrella Cockatoo as a vulnerable species.................................................................................224
Umbrella Cockatoo as pet birds........................................................................................................224
References.................................................................................................................................................224
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Bird migration flyways ..................................................................................................................................225
Long-distance land bird migration..................................................................................................225
Broad-winged long distance migrants ...........................................................................................226
Short-distance land bird migration.................................................................................................227
Wildfowl and waders............................................................................................................................227
Seabirds......................................................................................................................................................228
The tropics ................................................................................................................................................229
Australasia.................................................................................................................................................229
Study techniques ....................................................................................................................................230
Migration conditioning.........................................................................................................................230
References.................................................................................................................................................230
Flyway..............................................................................................................................................................231
See also.......................................................................................................................................................231
Atlantic Flyway.............................................................................................................................................232
Central Flyway..............................................................................................................................................233
East Asian - Australasian Flyway ..........................................................................................................234
Mississippi Flyway......................................................................................................................................235
Pacific Flyway...............................................................................................................................................236
Bird topography ...............................................................................................................................................237
Beak..................................................................................................................................................................238
Anatomy.....................................................................................................................................................238
Billing ..........................................................................................................................................................239
See also.......................................................................................................................................................239
References.................................................................................................................................................239
Supercilium....................................................................................................................................................240
Birds by classification.....................................................................................................................................241
Paleognathae............................................................................................................................................241
Neognathae...............................................................................................................................................241
See also.......................................................................................................................................................246
Extinct birds.......................................................................................................................................................247
Extinct bird species................................................................................................................................248
Psittaciformes..........................................................................................................................................256
See also.......................................................................................................................................................264
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(Probably) Extinct birds...........................................................................................................................265
Struthioniformes.....................................................................................................................................265
Tinamiformes...........................................................................................................................................266
Anseriformes............................................................................................................................................266
Galliformes................................................................................................................................................266
Charadriiformes......................................................................................................................................267
Gruiformes ................................................................................................................................................267
Ciconiiformes ...........................................................................................................................................268
Pelecaniformes........................................................................................................................................269
Pteroclidiformes .....................................................................................................................................269
Columbiformes........................................................................................................................................269
Psittaciformes..........................................................................................................................................270
Cuculiformes.............................................................................................................................................271
Falconiformes ..........................................................................................................................................272
Strigiformes ..............................................................................................................................................272
Caprimulgiformes...................................................................................................................................273
Apodiformes.............................................................................................................................................274
Coraciiformes...........................................................................................................................................274
Piciformes..................................................................................................................................................275
Passeriformes ..........................................................................................................................................275
See also.......................................................................................................................................................282
Late Quaternary prehistoric birds........................................................................................................283
Late Quaternary avian extinctions...................................................................................................284
Taxonomic list of Late Quaternary prehistoric birds...............................................................284
Struthioniformes.....................................................................................................................................284
Anseriformes............................................................................................................................................285
Galliformes................................................................................................................................................287
Charadriiformes......................................................................................................................................287
Gruiformes ................................................................................................................................................288
Ciconiiformes ...........................................................................................................................................290
Pelecaniformes........................................................................................................................................290
Procellariiformes....................................................................................................................................291
Sphenisciformes......................................................................................................................................291
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Columbiformes........................................................................................................................................291
Psittaciformes..........................................................................................................................................292
Cuculiformes.............................................................................................................................................292
Falconiformes ..........................................................................................................................................293
Caprimulgiformes...................................................................................................................................293
Apodiformes.............................................................................................................................................294
Strigiformes ..............................................................................................................................................294
Passeriformes ..........................................................................................................................................295
References.................................................................................................................................................297
See also.......................................................................................................................................................297
Paleornithology............................................................................................................................................299
See also.......................................................................................................................................................299
Fossil birds.....................................................................................................................................................300
Taxonomic List of Fossil Prehistoric Birds...................................................................................301
†"Proto-birds"..........................................................................................................................................301
†Basal Aves ...............................................................................................................................................302
†Basal Pygostylia....................................................................................................................................302
†Enantiornithes.......................................................................................................................................303
†Basal Ornithurae ..................................................................................................................................304
†Hesperornithes .....................................................................................................................................305
†Ichthyornithes.......................................................................................................................................305
Neornithes......................................................................................................................................................306
Neornithes.................................................................................................................................................306
Passeriformes ..........................................................................................................................................336
Aves incertae sedis .....................................................................................................................................339
Aves incertae sedis .................................................................................................................................339
Ichnotaxa ...................................................................................................................................................340
References.................................................................................................................................................341
See also.......................................................................................................................................................341
Suborders of birds...........................................................................................................................................342
Corvida ............................................................................................................................................................343
Families ......................................................................................................................................................343
See also.......................................................................................................................................................343
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Artamidae.......................................................................................................................................................345
Species of Artamidae.............................................................................................................................345
Artamus...........................................................................................................................................................347
Species of Artamus.................................................................................................................................347
Cracticus .........................................................................................................................................................348
Species ........................................................................................................................................................348
Gymnorhina...................................................................................................................................................349
Description................................................................................................................................................349
Behaviour ..................................................................................................................................................350
Popular culture........................................................................................................................................351
References.................................................................................................................................................351
Currawong .....................................................................................................................................................353
Species ........................................................................................................................................................353
Ecology .......................................................................................................................................................354
Classification ............................................................................................................................................354
Atrichornithidae ..........................................................................................................................................355
Species of Atrichornithidae ................................................................................................................355
Callaeidae .......................................................................................................................................................356
References.................................................................................................................................................356
Campephagidae............................................................................................................................................357
Species of Campephagidae..................................................................................................................358
References.................................................................................................................................................359
Cinclosomatidae...........................................................................................................................................360
Species of Cinclosomatidae.................................................................................................................360
Psophodes......................................................................................................................................................361
References.................................................................................................................................................361
Climacteridae................................................................................................................................................362
Species of Climacteridae......................................................................................................................362
Corcorachidae..........................................................................................................................................362
Species of Corcoracidae .......................................................................................................................363
Corvidae..........................................................................................................................................................364
Systematics, taxonomy and evolution............................................................................................364
Typical size and appearance ..............................................................................................................366
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Social interaction....................................................................................................................................366
Food and foraging habits.....................................................................................................................366
Migration ...................................................................................................................................................367
Reproduction............................................................................................................................................367
Nest predation.........................................................................................................................................368
Myths...........................................................................................................................................................368
Corvid intelligence .................................................................................................................................368
Threatened species................................................................................................................................370
Songs/calls:...............................................................................................................................................370
Citations .....................................................................................................................................................370
Aphelocoma...................................................................................................................................................372
Species ........................................................................................................................................................372
Appearance...............................................................................................................................................372
Behavior.....................................................................................................................................................373
References.................................................................................................................................................373
Cissa..................................................................................................................................................................374
Corvus..............................................................................................................................................................375
Systematics ...............................................................................................................................................375
Species ........................................................................................................................................................376
Behavior.....................................................................................................................................................378
Mythology and folklore ........................................................................................................................380
Gods and goddesses associated or identified with crows and ravens...............................381
Interesting Crow Facts .........................................................................................................................381
See also.......................................................................................................................................................381
References.................................................................................................................................................381
Raven................................................................................................................................................................382
Crypsirina.......................................................................................................................................................383
Species ........................................................................................................................................................383
References.................................................................................................................................................383
Cyanocitta.......................................................................................................................................................384
Cyanocorax ....................................................................................................................................................385
Cyanolyca .......................................................................................................................................................386
Cyanopica.......................................................................................................................................................387
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Garrulus ..........................................................................................................................................................388
Nucifraga ........................................................................................................................................................389
Reference...................................................................................................................................................389
Perisoreus ......................................................................................................................................................390
Species ........................................................................................................................................................390
Pica....................................................................................................................................................................391
References.................................................................................................................................................391
Podoces ...........................................................................................................................................................392
Species list.................................................................................................................................................392
Pyrrhocorax...................................................................................................................................................393
Urocissa...........................................................................................................................................................394
Dicruridae ......................................................................................................................................................395
Subfamilies of Dicruridae....................................................................................................................395
Drongos...........................................................................................................................................................396
Species of Dicruriniae...........................................................................................................................396
Trivia ...........................................................................................................................................................397
Monarchinae .................................................................................................................................................398
Species of Monarchinae........................................................................................................................398
Lamprolia .......................................................................................................................................................401
Species ........................................................................................................................................................401
Rhipidurinae .................................................................................................................................................402
Species ........................................................................................................................................................402
Tersiphone.....................................................................................................................................................404
Species ........................................................................................................................................................404
Icteridae..........................................................................................................................................................405
Species ........................................................................................................................................................405
Irenidae...........................................................................................................................................................406
Laniidae...........................................................................................................................................................407
Species of Laniidae.................................................................................................................................407
Malaconotidae ..............................................................................................................................................409
List of species in taxonomic order...................................................................................................409
Tchagra............................................................................................................................................................411
References.................................................................................................................................................412
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Maluridae .......................................................................................................................................................413
Species of Maluridae (part of the super-family Meliphagoidea)..........................................413
Meliphagoidea ..............................................................................................................................................415
Families ......................................................................................................................................................415
Meliphagidae.................................................................................................................................................416
Species of Meliphagidae (Part of the Meliphagoidea superfamily).....................................417
Acanthorhynchus ........................................................................................................................................420
Anthochaera..................................................................................................................................................421
See also.......................................................................................................................................................421
Manorina.........................................................................................................................................................422
Species ........................................................................................................................................................422
Moho.................................................................................................................................................................423
Taxonomy..................................................................................................................................................423
References.................................................................................................................................................423
Philemon.........................................................................................................................................................424
Phylidonyris ..................................................................................................................................................425
Menuridae......................................................................................................................................................426
Mimicry ......................................................................................................................................................426
Lifestyle and classification..................................................................................................................428
Lyrebirds as emblems...........................................................................................................................428
Painting by John Gould.........................................................................................................................429
References.................................................................................................................................................429
Neosittidae.....................................................................................................................................................431
Species ........................................................................................................................................................431
Oriolidae .........................................................................................................................................................432
Species ........................................................................................................................................................432
Orthonychidae..............................................................................................................................................433
References.................................................................................................................................................433
Pachycephalidae..........................................................................................................................................435
Species of Pachycephalidae................................................................................................................435
Pitohui .............................................................................................................................................................437
Species ........................................................................................................................................................437
References.................................................................................................................................................437
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Paradisaeidae................................................................................................................................................439
Use by humans.........................................................................................................................................439
Species of Paradisaeidae......................................................................................................................440
Trivia ...........................................................................................................................................................442
References.................................................................................................................................................442
Pardalotidae..................................................................................................................................................443
Species of Pardalotidae (part of the super-family Meliphagoidea) ....................................443
Further reading.......................................................................................................................................445
Pardalote ........................................................................................................................................................446
Species ........................................................................................................................................................446
Petroicidae.....................................................................................................................................................447
Partial species list of Petroicidae (Part of the super-family Meliphagoidea)..................448
References.................................................................................................................................................448
Pityriaseidae..................................................................................................................................................449
References.................................................................................................................................................449
Pomatostomidae..........................................................................................................................................450
Species of Pomatostomidae................................................................................................................450
Prionopidae...................................................................................................................................................451
Ptilonorhynchidae.......................................................................................................................................452
Species of Ptilonorhynchidae in taxonomic order.....................................................................453
Turnagridae...................................................................................................................................................454
Species of Turnagridae.........................................................................................................................454
Vangidae .........................................................................................................................................................455
Species list.................................................................................................................................................455
References.................................................................................................................................................456
Vireonidae......................................................................................................................................................457
Species ........................................................................................................................................................457
Passeri .............................................................................................................................................................459
Families ......................................................................................................................................................460
See also.......................................................................................................................................................461
Passerida ........................................................................................................................................................462
Families ......................................................................................................................................................462
See also.......................................................................................................................................................463
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Aegithalidae...................................................................................................................................................464
Aegithinidae ..................................................................................................................................................465
Species of Aegithinidae ........................................................................................................................465
Alaudidae........................................................................................................................................................466
Species list.................................................................................................................................................466
See also.......................................................................................................................................................468
Reference...................................................................................................................................................469
Alauda..............................................................................................................................................................470
Species ........................................................................................................................................................470
Chersophilus .................................................................................................................................................471
References.................................................................................................................................................471
Eremophila ....................................................................................................................................................472
Lullula..............................................................................................................................................................473
References.................................................................................................................................................473
Melanocorypha.............................................................................................................................................474
Species ........................................................................................................................................................474
Buphagidae....................................................................................................................................................475
Cardinalidae ..................................................................................................................................................476
Species list.................................................................................................................................................476
Grosbeak.........................................................................................................................................................478
Certhiidae.......................................................................................................................................................480
Typical treecreepers..............................................................................................................................480
Other birds with creeper or treecreeper in their name ..........................................................481
References.................................................................................................................................................481
Chaetopidae...................................................................................................................................................482
Cinclidae..........................................................................................................................................................483
Species ........................................................................................................................................................483
Cisticolidae.....................................................................................................................................................484
Species list in taxonomic order.........................................................................................................484
Coerebidae.....................................................................................................................................................488
References.................................................................................................................................................488
Dicaeidae ........................................................................................................................................................489
Species ........................................................................................................................................................489
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