Sunday 5 October 2014

BIRDS OF PREY.



BLACK KITE.
( Milvus Migrans ) is a medium sized bird of prey. It is thought to be the worlds most abundant species of accipitridae. Black Kites are opportunistic hunters and are more likely to scavenge. They spend a lot of time soaring and gliding in thermals in search of food. Easy to identify in flight due to their angled wings and distinctive forked tail.
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BROWN WOOD OWL.
( Strix Leptogrammica ) is about 45 - 57cm tall. This species is very nocturnal. It feeds mainly on small mammels, birds and reptiles. It nests in a hole in a tree or on a forked trunk, lays two eggs.

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FERRUGINOUS PYGMY OWL.
(Glaucidium Brasillianum ) is a small owl that breeds in South - Central Arizona in the United States, South through Mexico and Central America, to South America into Bolivia and Argentina. This species are active during dawn and dusk, but often hunts by day. It hunts a variety of birds, lizards and insects.

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GREAT GREY OWL.
( Strix Nebulosa ) is a very large owl, it is distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. There wingspan can exceed 60 inches. These birds wait, listen and watch for prey, then swoop down. They have excellent hearing. Small rodents and voles are their most important food source.

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HARRIS HAWK.
( Parabuteo Unicinctus ) is a medium - large bird, that breeds from the southwestern United States south to Chile and central Argentina. The Harris Hawk hunts in packs consisting of family groups, while most other raptors hunt alone.
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LANNER FALCON.
( Falco Biarmicus ) is a medium sized bird of prey that breeds in Africa, southeast Europe and just into Asia. Sexes are similar. The Lanner  Falcon is a bird of open country and savanna. It usually hunts by horizontal pursuit, rather than the Peregrine Falcons swoop from a height, and takes mainly bird prey in flight. It lays 3 - 4 eggs on a cliff ledge nest, or occasionally in an old stick nest in a tree.

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RUPPELL`S GRIFFON VULTURE.
( Gyps Rueppelli ) is a large vulture that occurs throughout the Sahel region of central Africa. Ruppells vulture is considered to be the highest - flying bird, with confirmed evidence of a flight at an altitude of 37,000 feet above sea level. Adult birds have a wingspan of seven and a half to eight and a half feet and a weight that ranges from 14 to 16 pounds. Both genders look alike.

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SNOWY OWL.
( Bubo Scandiacus ) the Snowy Owl is typically found in the northern circumpolar region. This species of owl nests on the ground, building a scrape on top of a mound or boulder. A site with good visibility is chosen. ( a scrape is a small hollow ). Breeding occurs in May to June, eggs range from 3 to 11 eggs, which are laid singly, approximately every other day over the course of several days. They hatch approximately five weeks after laying, the young are cared for by both parents.

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SPOTTED EAGLE OWL.
( Bubo Africanus ) is a medium - sized species of owl, one of the smallest of the eagle owls. It`s prey consists of small mammels, birds, insects, frogs and reptiles. It often swallows quite large prey whole, with much head - jerking. Prey to large to swallow, it will tear in the normal rapture fashion. Spotted Eagle - Owls mate for life.
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TURKEY VULTURE.
( Cathartes Aura ) the Turkey Vulture is a scavenger and feeds almost exclusively on carrion. It finds its food using its keen eyes and good sense of smell. It roosts in large community groups. It nests in caves, hollow trees or thickets. Each year it generally raises two chicks, which it feeds by regurgitation. It has very few natural predators, in the United States the vulture receives legal protection.

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1 comment:

  1. I like most birds, but there is just something extra special about owls. They are beautiful and majestic birds. I have a couple that hang around this area and I love listening to them at night. That kite is a great looking bird as well. You can keep all of those vultures. I know they serve a purpose in Nature, but they are danged ugly birds. Even their cousins the buzzards ain’t no better looking. Hehe Great photos, Les!

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