The Great Birding Expedition
Jasmine Huiya Sun
Introduction
I, Jasmine Huiya Sun, journeyed to birding paradise: a haven for finding all manner of birds: THE ZOO...And thus started my big birding expedition.
Chilean Flamingo
The family is Phoenicopteridae. The genus is Phoenicopterus, and the full binomial name is Phoenicopterus chilensis.
- The Chilean flamingo is native to South America.
- They are related to the Caribbean flamingo, though this species has a lighter feather color.
Caribbean Flamingo
The family is Phoenicopteridae, the genus is Phoenicopterus, and the full binomial name is Phoenicopterus ruber.
- It is the only flamingo species to naturally inhabit North America.
- It is mostly called the American Flamingo, as the species' presence in the Galapagos cause the "Caribbean" aspect to be incorrect.
Ostrich
The family is Struthionidae. The genus is Struthio, and the full binomial name is Struthio camelus. Note: the top picture is mine and the bottom picture is clearer picture from the internet.
- The ostrich is native to Africa.
- It is Earth's currently largest bird species.
- Contrary to popular belief, ostriches do not bury their heads in sand.
Lesser Bird of Paradise
The family of the species is Paradisaeidae, the genus is Paradisaea, and the full binomial name is Paradisaea minor.
- It is closely related to the 'Greater Bird of Paradise' though they are considered different species due to major differences in appearance and (minor) differences in size.
Great Argus Pheasant
The family is Phasianidae, the genus is Argusianus, and the full binomial name is Argusianus argus.
- The dots on a male Argus pheasant's feathers are used during courtship to attract a female.
- "Feathers are also used for insulation, flight, and in some cases to help a bird hunt and evade predators." (National Geographic)
Greater Roadrunner
The family is Cuculidae, the genus is Geococcyx, and the full binomial name is Geococcyx californianus. Note: top picture is mine, bottom picture is clearer picture from the Internet.
- Roadrunners can run speeds of up to 32 kilometers per hour.
- The name "roadrunner" comes from the bird's habit of racing up roads in front of moving vehicles then suddenly darting into safety in the brush.
- Their diet is mostly insects, fruits, and seeds but they can eat small reptiles, small birds, their eggs, carrion, or even small mammals.
Steller's Sea Eagle
The family is Accipitridae, the genus is Haliaeetus, and the full binomial name is Haliaeetus pelagicus. Note: the top picture is mine, the bottom picture is a clearer picture from the Internet.
- The bird breeds on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia.
Harpy Eagle
The family is Accipitridae, the genus is Harpia, and the full binomial name is Harpia harpyja. Note: the top picture is mine, bottom picture is clearer picture from the Internet.
- The harpy eagle lives mostly in tropical rainforests.
- The harpy eagle is listed as a vulnerable species due to habitat loss and destruction.
King Vulture
The family is Cathartidae, the genus is Sarcoramphus, and the full binomial name is Sarcoramphus papa. Note: top picture is mine, bottom picture is clearer picture from the Internet.
- The species population is decreasing in number due to habitat loss.
Andean Condor
The family is Cathartidae, the genus is Vultur, and the full binomial name is Vultur gryphus. Note: top picture is mine, bottom picture is clearer picture from the Internet.
- It feeds primarily on large carcasses (such as deer and cattle).
Palm Nut Vulture
The family is Accipitridae, the genus is Gypohierax, and the full binomial name is Gypohierax angolensis. Note: top picture is mine, bottom picture is clearer picture from the Internet.
- It breeds in forests and savannahs across sub-Saharan Africa.
- It feeds mainly on the fruit of the oil-palm tree though it can eat crabs, molluscs, locusts, fish, and domestic poultry.
Trumpeter Hornbill
The family is Bucerotidae, the genus is Bycanistes, and the full binomial name is Bycanistes bucinator.
African Penguin
The family is Spheniscidae, the genus is Spheniscus, and the full binomial name is Spheniscus demersus.
- The African penguin lives in South Africa. (Duh.)
Bald Eagle
The family is Accipitridae, the genus is Haliaeetus, and the full binomial name is Haliaeetus leucocephalus. Note: top picture is mine, bottom picture is clearer picture from the Internet.
- The bald eagle is the national bird for the United States of America and is featured on the national seal.
- It lives in North America.
Northern Aplomado Falcon
The family is Falconidae, the genus is Falco, and the full binomial name is Falco femoralis. Note: top picture is mine, bottom picture is clearer picture from the Internet.
- This bird species mostly lives in South America, though not in the deep interior Amazon basin.
- Its habitat is dry grasslands, savannahs, and marshes.