Kitabı oku: «Western Bird Guide», sayfa 6

TURKEY VULTURE

325. Cathartes aura septentrionalis. 30 inches

The plumage of this bird is darkish brown, the naked head being red. It is very common in the southern and central portion of its range, where it may be seen about the streets and dooryards picking up any refuse that may be edible. It is a graceful bird upon the wing, and can readily be identified at a distance by the upturned ends of the wings.

WHITE-TAILED KITE

328. Elanus leucurus. 16 inches

This species may be recognized by its light bluish gray mantle, black shoulders and white tail. It is a very active and graceful bird, feeding upon insects and reptiles, and small birds and mammals.

Nest.– Is usually made of sticks, weeds and leaves, placed well up in oaks or in willows beside the rivers. The eggs are creamy white, profusely blotched and spotted with reddish brown (1.65 × 1.25).

SWALLOW-TAIL KITE

327. Elanoides forficatus. 24 inches

This most beautiful Kite can never be mistaken for any other; its whole head, neck and under parts are snowy white, while the back, wings and tail are a glossy blue black, the tail being long and deeply forked; feet short, but stout; bill black, with cere and feet bluish gray.

Nest.– As a rule is placed in the tallest trees, live oaks or pines, and is made of twigs which it picks from the ground while in flight, lining the nest with rootlets and moss; two, or rarely three eggs, bluish white, spotted with brown (1.80 × 1.50).

WESTERN GOSHAWK

334a. Astur atricapillus striatulus. 22 inches

This is one of the largest, strongest, and most audacious of the American hawks, frequently carrying off grouse and poultry, the latter often in the presence of the owner. It is a handsome bird, in the adult stage, and as graceful in flight as in appearance. Adults, above, bluish gray, darkest on the crown; a white line over the eye; below, white streaked with blackish brown; tail with four black bands, and very long.

Nest.– Is usually placed in the tallest trees in deep forests, and is made of sticks, lined with twigs, leaves and grass; three or four eggs, bluish white, usually unmarked (2.30 × 1.70).

MARSH HAWK

331. Circus hudsonius. 19 inches

The adults of this species are very light colored; bluish gray above and white beneath. Young birds of the first two years are brown, much lighter on the under parts. In both the old and young they have a large white patch at the base of the tail. Nest is made in and on swampy ground; four to seven eggs; white (1.80 × 1.40).

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK

332. Accipiter velox. 12 inches

This little hawk is one of the most active of the family, and from this fact it gets its name (Velox), meaning swift. It is often seen in woods, orchards or even in large cities, in which latter place it does good service in catching English sparrows. They also eat a great many mice and meadow moles. It is one of the most daring as well as beautiful of the small hawks.

Nest.– It is a rude and very frail platform of twigs and leaves placed in the crotch of a tree, usually at about fifteen feet from the ground, sometimes higher. Three white eggs, blotched with brown.

COOPER HAWK

333. Accipiter cooperi. 16 inches

The markings of this bird are the same as the preceding and its larger size is the only difference. Also like the last this is a very destructive species to the small birds and chickens. Their nests are placed in taller trees at higher elevation from the ground than the former, and built in the same manner. Three bluish white eggs unmarked or faintly specked with brown (1.90 × 1.45).

HARRIS HAWK

335. Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi. 20 inches

This is a peculiar dark colored species; black under parts; lighter on the back; shoulders, thigh and under-wing coverts reddish brown; tail coverts, base and end of tail white. Bare space in front of eye, except for stiff hair like bristles, yellow, as is also the cere.

Nest.– Are made of twigs and weeds and placed usually in low trees. The three or four eggs are a dull white in color, faintly specked with a few spots of brownish (2.10 × 1.65).

Range.– Southern California, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico.

WESTERN RED-TAIL

337b. Buteo borealis calurus. 21 inches

This bird varies greatly in its coloration; from the same as the eastern form to a sooty color above and below, with the dark red tail crossed by several bands, where the eastern bird has only one broad band.

Nest.– Placed for choice in evergreen trees at heights from the ground varying from 30 to 50 feet. Two to four eggs, white, usually spotted and blotched with different shades of brown (2.35 × 1.80).

RED-BELLIED HAWK

339b. Buteo lineatus elegans. 19 inches

These birds are darker in color than the Red-shouldered Hawk of the East, and in their habits very much resemble the Red-tail; for food they prefer the large variety of small rodents and rarely disturb poultry or birds. The under parts are a bright reddish brown, without bars. They may be found covering the same territory as the Red-tail on the Pacific Coast west of the Rockies from British Columbia south to Lower California.

Nest.– Is made of twigs lined with rootlets and leaves and feathers. They lay from two to four eggs of a white color spotted and blotched all over with a light shade of brown and lilac (2.15 × 1.75).

ZONE-TAILED HAWK

340. Buteo abbreviatus. 19 inches

This whole bird is black, with the exception of the tail, which has three wide bands of white and the ends of the tail feathers tipped with white. Like others of the Buteo family they feed almost entirely on the small rodents, which they find in abundance in the marsh and prairie, or in the low brush. Eggs, two to four, white, faintly spotted with light chestnut (2.15 × 1.75).

SWAINSON HAWK

342. Buteo swainsoni. 20 inches

Their plumage is extremely variable, having all of the intergradations from a sooty blackish to the typical bluish gray above, and white below, with breast a rich chestnut color. Their habits are nearly as variable as their plumage. In some localities they nest wholly in trees; in others upon the ground or on rocky ledges. They seem to prefer, though, the low open lands covered with sage bush, where their food consists almost wholly of the small rodents; squirrels; mice and grasshoppers, the latter being eaten in large numbers.

Nest.– Is made similar to others of the family, laying two to four white eggs, splashed and spotted with various shades of brown, usually more about the larger end (2.20 × 1.70).

Range.– Western North America, from the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean, and Hudson Bay to southern California.

MEXICAN GOSHAWK

346. Asturina plagiata. 17 inches

Found in the southern borders of the United States and Mexico. These are graceful and active birds, feeding largely on small rodents.

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK

347a. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis. 21 inches

These are large, heavily built birds of prey, specially characterized by the completely feathered legs to the feet; in the normal plumage has a whitish head, neck, breast and tail, the former being streaked and the latter barred with blackish; remainder of upper and under parts, blackish brown. Eyes brown. In the dark phase they are blackish brown, more or less mixed with rusty, the tail remaining the same as in the light plumage.

Nest.– Is made of sticks and smaller twigs, lined with leaves and moss, placed in trees or more often on ledges. They lay three or four bluish white eggs, boldly blotched with different shades of brown, oftener about the larger end (2.25 × 1.75).

FERRUGINOUS ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK

348. Archibuteo ferrugineus. 23 inches

These are very much more of a reddish brown color than the last, on the back; head and breast is whiter, with fewer markings. Legs the same, feathered to the feet. It is much more abundant than the last and is a western bird wholly, breeding on the ledges, where its eggs are laid.

GOLDEN EAGLE

349. Aquila chrysætos. 35 inches

These may be distinguished from the Bald Eagle in all plumages by the completely feathered tarsus. Plumage blackish brown, adults having the lanceolate feathers on the neck of a golden brown color, and the tail more or less mixed with white.

Nest.– These are made up of large sticks, lined with smaller ones and moss, leaves and weeds, building quite a bulky affair. Their two or three eggs are very handsome, being white, speckled and spotted with shades of brown, and clouded with gray and lilac. They vary greatly in their markings (2.90 × 2.50).

Range.– West of the Mississippi, being most abundant in the Rockies and along the Pacific coast ranges.

BALD EAGLE

352. Haliætus leucocephalus. 34 inches

In the adult birds, the white head and tail will always identify them, but in the first and second year they are a brownish black, the second year showing traces of the white on head and tail. They are found throughout the United States. Their food consists largely of fish.

GRAY GYRFALCON

354. Falco rusticolus. 23 inches

These are birds of the Arctic regions and are rarely taken in the United States even in winter.

Nest.– They build upon the ledges of high cliffs, laying three or four eggs of a buffy color, marked with fine spots and blotches of shades of brown.

PRAIRIE FALCON

355. Falco mexicanus. 18 inches

This is quite an abundant species in some localities, and like the Duck Hawk in many ways is one of the most graceful, fearless and swiftest of the Falcons. A blackish patch on the sides of the throat; upper parts brownish with darker markings; under parts white, streaked with brown, much heavier on the flanks. Throat, clear white.

Nest.– Is generally placed on rocky ledges and cliffs, and sometimes in trees. Their nests are made of sticks lined with weeds and grass; three or four eggs of a reddish buff color, thickly blotched and sprinkled all over with reddish brown (2.05 × 1.60).

Range.– West of the Mississippi and from Dakota and Washington south to Mexico. Their food is mostly rodents secured on the prairies.

DUCK HAWK

356a. Falco peregrinus anatum. 17 inches

A most beautiful species, with a black patch, or moustache, on side of the throat from the bill; head and upper parts bluish gray with darker markings; under parts white, tinged with huffy on the lower part, and lightly barred with black, with the throat pure white. Their food consists mostly of ducks, which they always take while on the wing. It breeds abundantly on the Pacific coast and in some parts of Dakota on the rocky ledges.

Nest.– They are not home builders as a general thing, but lay their three or four eggs on the gravel or bare rocks of ledges or cliffs. The eggs are a reddish buff color, completely blotched and dotted with reddish brown. These are the darkest, brightest and the most beautiful of the Falcon eggs (2.05 × 1.55).

PIGEON HAWK

357. Falco columbarius. 12 inches

A small Falcon, similar to the Sharp-shinned Hawk, but a much darker and stouter built bird. It is a daring little fellow, and will attack birds much larger than itself. It feeds on small birds and mice.

APLOMADO FALCON

359. Falco fusco-cœrulescens. 14 inches

Found in some of the more southerly states, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and Central America. In habits it is very much the same as the following, getting its supply of food, consisting of small birds and insects, on the plains covered with the cactus and yucca, in which they build their nest of twigs, lining it with roots and grass, in which they lay three or four eggs, creamy white, strongly marked with shades of brown (1.75 × 1.30).

DESERT SPARROW HAWK

360a. Falco sparverius phalæna. 11 inches

This is next to the smallest of the Falcons, the Eastern form being a trifle smaller. They cannot be mistaken for any other species, because of their bright color and markings as illustrated. Their flight will almost of a certainty identify them at a long distance, a few rapid wing beats, then a short sail, alternately. Their food consists of grasshoppers, mice and an occasional small bird.

Nest.– Is built in the cavity of some tree, either in the woods or open field. The eggs are placed on the decayed wood without any lining.

AUDUBON CARACARA

362. Polyborus cheriway. 22 inches

A strongly marked bird; black wings, back and under parts with neck pure white, excepting on the lower part, with many short bar-like markings. Upper part of head black, with feathers elongated, making a slight crest.

Nest.– Is a bulky affair, shabbily built of sticks, weeds and grass, piled into a promiscuous heap, generally located in bushes or low trees. Two or three eggs; brownish buff, with spots and patches of shades of brown nearly covering the under color. They vary very much in the coloration and markings from light to dark.

Range.– Southern borders of the United States.

AMERICAN OSPREY; FISH HAWK

364. Pandion haliætus carolinensis. 23 inches

Probably no fisherman in the United States is so well known as is this bird. It is one of the pleasantest sights along the coast to watch a number of these great birds as they soar at an elevation above the water, watching for a fish to come near the surface, when, with folded wings, the bird speeds downward and plunges into the water, rarely missing his prey. Three or four creamy white eggs, with spots of brown of different shades (2.40 × 1.80).

BARN OWL – Family Aluconidæ

365. Aluco pratincola. 18 inches

This is one of the lightest colored of the owls; it has a long peculiarly hooded face, from which it gets the name of “Monkey-faced Owl.” Its plumage is yellowish buff, with black spots over the breast and under parts.

Nest.– In most any situation out of sight, such as hollows in old trees, or in ledges, in barns or bell towers. It lays from four to six white eggs (1.70 × 1.30).

Range.– North America, but most common in the Gulf States and on the western coast.

LONG-EARED OWL – Family Strigidæ

366. Asio wilsonianus. 15 inches

This species has unusually long ear tufts, from which it is given its name; the face is brown, the under parts white and buff, with streaks and bars of brownish black; back is brown, with almost black markings; wings and tail brown; barred with black.

Nest.– Usually in trees, frequently using a crow’s nest instead of building for themselves. They are in great disfavor with the crows. They lay from four to seven pure white eggs (1.55 × 1.35).

SHORT-EARED OWL

367. Asio flammeus. 16 inches

About the same size as the preceding, but readily identified from it by the short ear tufts and rounded head, and also lighter color. It is streaked on under parts and not barred. Tail is barred. Their flight is perfectly silent, which aids them in securing their prey of field mice and moles, which they usually get without stopping in their flight, just swooping down, and extending their long legs, armed with wicked little sharp claws, and it is all over with the little rodent, he being carried to a nearby stump and devoured, fur, bones and all.

Nest.– Is usually built upon the ground in marshy places, sometimes of grass and weeds, under some bush or near or under some log or stump. Four to seven pure white eggs (1.55 × 1.25).

SPOTTED OWL

369. Strix occidentalis. 20 inches

This is very similar to the Barred Owl of the Eastern and Southern States, but spotted, instead of barred, on the back of the head and neck, and much more extensively barred on the under parts.

GREAT GRAY OWL

370. Scotiaptex nebulosa. 27 inches

This owl in appearance is the largest of the family, but it is mostly in feathers, which are long and very fluffy. They do not weigh nearly as much as either the Horned or Snowy Owls. The plumage is dark gray above, mottled with white, and below is white with heavy streaks of brown. The facial disc is very large, and the eyes are small and yellow, while in the Barred Owl of similar appearance the face is much smaller, the eyes are larger and are bluish black in color.

Nest.– Is made of sticks and twigs, lined with leaves and moss. Two to four eggs; pure white (2.15 × 1.70).

Range.– In winter they are found quite abundantly in Minnesota and North Dakota, and occasionally in northern California and Oregon.

RICHARDSON OWL

371. Cryptoglaux funerea richardsoni. 10 inches

This bird is dark grayish and white, without ear tufts. Back and wings brownish, spotted with white; facial disc very light, with faint gray lines, and under parts light gray with brown streaks.

SAW-WHET OWL

372. Cryptoglaux acadica. 8 inches

This species is similar to the preceding, but is smaller and more of a brownish color all over. It has no ear tufts. They are very quiet little birds, nocturnal in their habits, and cannot see well in the strong light, a fact that has allowed them to be captured by hand from their roosting places in the trees.

Nest.– They will usually select the hole of a woodpecker, in which to lay their four white eggs. Their eggs are laid and the young are hatched and out of the nests before the breeding time for woodpeckers, so that the same home may be occupied later by another family (1.20 × 1.00).

Range.– North America, breeding in the northern part of the United States and British Columbia, and wintering to southern California.

SCREECH OWL

373. Otus asio asio. 10 inches

These may be found in two color phases, the red or gray with black and white markings. It is frequently called the “Little Horned Owl,” because of its ear tufts. They are easily tamed and become great pets, and about a barn are as good as a cat for catching mice.

FLAMULATED SCREECH OWL

374. Otus flammeolus. 9 inches

This is a trifle smaller than the two preceding, has shorter ear tufts, and the plumage is much streaked and edged with rusty. The toes are unfeathered to the base. The number of eggs and nesting habits are practically the same as the preceding, as are also the five or six sub-species between this and the last, all of which occur in the southwestern part of the United States.

WESTERN HORNED OWL

375a. Bubo virginianus pallescens. 22 inches

These large birds are the most fierce and destructive of the family. They are powerfully built, and their size and strength allow them to attack and secure some of the larger animals, such as skunks, woodchucks, rabbits, grouse and poultry. They seem to be especially fond of skunks, and more than half of them that are killed will have unmistakable evidence of their recent and close association with this animal.

Nest.– Is usually in some large deserted nest, or in hollow cavities of large trees. Three or four white eggs, almost round (2.20 × 1.85).

SNOWY OWL

376. Nyctea nyctea. 25 inches

Like the Horned Owls they are strong, fearless and rapacious birds, feeding upon hares, squirrels and smaller mammals, as well as Grouse, Ptarmigan and many of the smaller birds. They are locally abundant in the far north, preferring low marshy land to the more heavily timbered districts.

Nest.– Placed on the ground, on mossy hummocks on the dry portions of marshes, made of moss with a few feathers. Three to eight eggs, pure white, and the shell very smooth (2.25 × 1.75).

Range.– Arctic Regions of North America, and in winter casually as far south as California.

HAWK OWL

377a. Surnia ulula caparoch. 15 inches

This owl, mottled and barred, gray and black, might readily be taken for a Hawk, because of his hawk-like appearance, and long rounded tail. They are very active birds especially in the day time, and they do most of their hunting in daylight rather than at night. Their food consists of small rodents and many small birds.

Nest.– In hollow trees or upon the ground. Four to eight white eggs (1.50 × 1.20).

BURROWING OWL

378. Speotyto cunicularia hypogæa. 10 inches

These birds are wholly different in plumage, form and habits from any other American Owls. Easily identified by their long, slender and scantily feathered legs. They are brownish above, spotted with white, and under parts are white spotted with brown. Tail dark brown, with five white bars across it. They are an abundant and useful species west of the Mississippi. They live in the same regions as the Prairie Dogs are found, and use the deserted burrows of these animals, or take them by force, for they are more than a match for these curious animals.

Nest.– Generally in quite large communities in burrows in the ground, usually lining them with grass and feathers. They may often be seen sitting at the opening of their burrows during the day time. Six to ten white eggs are laid (1.25 × 1.00).