Ornithology 2009-2010

1. Ornithology 2009-2010 Practice Powerpoint

2. Galliformes; Phasianidae; Bonasa umbellus (Ruffed Grouse) • How does the male attract females or establish territory? The male uses a “drumming” display—it beats its wings against the air at an increasing tempo. • Describe its habitat. Mixed and deciduous forests with scattered clearings

3. Passeriformes; Emberizidiae; Chondestes grammacus (Lark Sparrow) • Describe this bird’s habitat. Open areas, grasslands • What type of feet does this bird have? A—perching bird.

4. A C D B • Identify the largest native North American bird. A • Anseriformes; Anatidae; Cygnus buccinator (Trumpeter Swan) • What does its call sound like? Hollow nasal honking…apparently like old car horns

5. Falconiformes; Accipitridae; Accipiter cooperii (Cooper’s Hawk) • What does this bird eat? What are some adaptations that can tell you this? Songbirds, often at feeders, and small mammals. Hooked beak for tearing flesh, large curved talons and powerful feet. • Where does this bird nest? What color are its eggs? Nests high (25-60 ft) in dense woodland.Bluish eggs.

6. Podicipediformes; Podicipedidae; Podiceps grisegena (Red-necked Grebe) • What unique substance do members of this order ingest and feed to their young? While preening, they ingest feathers that remain in the stomach (function unknown), and feed them to their young. • What characteristic does the genus name represent? The location of its legs near its vent, making the bird awkward on land. • Bonus: What sort of plant is the one in the left picture in?  Duckweed, but this is irrelevant.

7. A B • Strigiformes; Strigidae • Which bird is more common, especially in the Southern US? Give its common name. B—Great Horned Owl • When does the bird on the left hunt? How does it locate its prey? At night, mainly using hearing. • What adaptations allow the bird on the left to exhibit the behavior in the above questions? Asymmetrical ear openings (for better location of prey), good night vision, talons, beak, serrated feathers for silent flight.

8. Gaviiformes; Gaviidae; Gavia immer (Common Loon) • What does this bird eat? Fish, crustaceans • How does it get food? The loon dives underwater, propelling itself with its feet.

9. A B • What is the common name of Bird A? Common Raven • What does Bird A’s call sound like? Most common: gurgling croak • What is Bird B’s range? Most of US and Southern Canada

10. Pelicaniformes; Fregatidae; Fregata magnificens (Magnificent Frigatebird) • What behavior does this bird exhibit that is likened to piracy? Chases other seabirds, forcing them to disgorge meals, then catches food before it hits the water. • What is special about the male’s reddish patch? It is a pouch inflated like a balloon during mating season.

11. Which of the birds does not belong to the same order as the others? To which order does the oddball belong? Bird A—belongs in Gruiformes; the rest are Ciconiiformes. • To which family does E belong? Cathartidae • What gives A its common name? Whooping Crane—its loud bugle-like call. • What gives E its common name? Turkey Vulture—the reddish head and dark feathers resemble the Wild Turkey • How does B react when approached? American Bittern—Freezes with its neck stretched upward, and sways slightly like a reed. B A C D E

12. Passeriformes; Mimidae; Mimus polyglottis (Northern Mockingbird!) • What gives this bird its common name? Imitates other birds and other sounds, repeating a short unit 3ish times. • What do its eggs look like? What does its nest look like? Eggs greenish or bluish with brown splotches. Nest is an open cup made of twigs and lined with grass, trash, leaves. (Not a Stantiozand)

13. Anseriformes; Anatidae; Lophodytes cucullatus (Hooded Merganser) • Where does this bird nest? In a tree cavity or nest box. • What type of feet does this bird have? How do you know? D, webbed feet allow better propulsion while swimming

14. Falconiformes; Falconidae; Falco perigrinus (Peregrine Falcon!!!) • When can the bird reach maximum speed? What is significant about this speed? Maximum speed, around 200 mph, while diving for prey…which makes the peregrine the fastest animal on earth! • This bird gained endangered species status after what? What biological phenomenon led to this problem? DDT reduced its population significantly, due to biological magnification (accumulation of DDT in higher trophic levels). • Where does this bird nest? On edges of cliffs and buildings. Nests are shallow scrapes. This bird is found on all continents except Antarctica.

15. Procellariiformes; Diomedeidae; Phoebastria immutablis (Laysan Albatross) • Where is this bird found? Pacific islands, Hawaii. • Describe this family’s flight. Albatrosses fly for miles without flapping their wings. A sheet of tendon locks the wing when extended, keeping the wing up without much exertion.

16. B A • Both: Passeriformes. Bird A: Fringillidiae; Carduelis tristis (American Goldfinch). Bird B: Cardinalidae; Passerina cyanea • Describe bird A’s bill shape. What does this tell you about its diet? Conical, suited for cracking seeds (note the bird feeder…) • Describe bird A’s flight pattern. Bouncy, undulating flight—rapid wingbeats, then pull wings close to body. • What does bird B’s song sound like? Warbling phrases in groups of two.

17. Piciformes; Picidae; Melanerpes aurifrons (Golden-fronted Woodpecker) • In which US state(s) is this bird found? Texas • What does this bird eat? What adaptations does it have to suit its lifestyle? Insects, fruits, seeds. It uses its bill to hammer for insects, extracting them using a long barbed tongue.