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syam's aviary., Kunnamkulam (2025)

26/09/2025

Carolina Parakeet
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The Carolina Parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis) is a poignant example of a species driven to extinction in modern times. It was the only native parakeet species in the eastern United States and was once numerous, ranging from New York to Florida and west to Colorado.

Key Facts and Description

Status: Extinct (Officially declared in 1939, though likely gone decades earlier).

Last Sighting (Wild): Confirmed sighting in Okeechobee County, Florida, in 1920. Unconfirmed reports persisted into the 1930s.

Last Individual (Captivity): "Incass," the last known survivor, died at the Cincinnati Zoo on February 21, 1918, in the same cage that had housed the last Passenger Pigeon, Martha.

Appearance: They were distinctively brightly colored, primarily green with a yellow head and a contrasting orange-red face and beak.

Behavior: They were highly social and traveled in large, noisy flocks, often roosting together in hollow trees. They were known for their distinct, high-pitched calls.

Causes of Extinction

The rapid decline of the Carolina Parakeet was a multi-faceted tragedy primarily caused by human activity:

Habitat Destruction: Extensive deforestation across the eastern United and central United States in the 18th and 19th centuries destroyed the vast tracts of bottomland forest and cypress swamps the birds relied on for nesting and foraging.

Persecution by Farmers: The parakeets fed on native seeds and fruits, but they developed a preference for cultivated crops, particularly apples, peaches, and corn. Farmers viewed them as a major agricultural pest and systematically shot, trapped, and poisoned entire flocks.

The Fatal Flocking Behavior (Vulnerability): Their highly social behavior, a survival advantage against predators, became their downfall against humans. When a bird was shot, the rest of the flock would often circle and return to the fallen bird, making them easy targets for hunters who could then eliminate dozens of individuals in a single volley.
Feather Trade: Their brightly colored feathers made them desirable for the millinery (hat-making) trade, leading to widespread collection for fashion accessories.

Ecological Role and Legacy

The Carolina Parakeet is believed to have played a crucial ecological role in the dispersal of seeds, particularly those of the cocklebur and other plants. Its extinction highlights the catastrophic impact of unchecked human expansion and resource exploitation on North American wildlife during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The bird's disappearance serves as a critical historical lesson regarding the consequences of killing a species considered a pest without understanding its ecological importance or vulnerability.

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25/09/2025

Passenger Pigeons

The Passenger Pigeon, a bird once so numerous that it could darken the skies for days, is a haunting symbol of human impact on nature. Its story is a tragic lesson in how a species, no matter how abundant, can be driven to extinction by unchecked human activity. This documentary note chronicles the rise and fall of this magnificent bird, a story that serves as a powerful cautionary tale for our time.

The Era of Abundance

In the 19th century, the Passenger Pigeon ( Ectopistes migratorius) was the most common bird in North America. Its population was estimated to be in the billions, possibly accounting for 25 to 40 percent of the total bird population of the United States. John James Audubon, the renowned naturalist, described a flock he witnessed in 1813 that took three days to pass overhead, a spectacle that he called "a torrent of living creatures." These flocks were so dense that they broke tree limbs under their sheer weight.
The birds' nomadic lifestyle was driven by the search for food, primarily acorns and beechnuts. They would form massive nesting colonies, sometimes covering hundreds of square miles. The sheer scale of these colonies was a sight to behold, a testament to the power of nature's bounty.

The Path to Extinction

The extinction of the Passenger Pigeon was a rapid and devastating event, driven by a combination of factors:
Market Hunting: The greatest driver of their decline was commercial hunting. With the expansion of the railroad and the telegraph, hunters could track nesting colonies and ship the slaughtered birds to urban markets in the East. They were a cheap source of food for the working class, and an industry arose around their harvest. Hunters used a variety of cruel methods, including nets, guns, and even setting fire to trees to force the birds out of their roosts. The scale of this slaughter was immense, with millions of birds killed in a single year.
Habitat Destruction: The vast forests of eastern North America, which were the pigeons' primary habitat and food source, were being cleared for agriculture and timber. This destroyed the nesting grounds and the very sustenance the birds depended on. The combination of habitat loss and hunting was a one-two punch that the species could not survive.

The Birds' Biology: Ironically, the very social nature that made the pigeons so spectacular also made them vulnerable. They nested and foraged in large colonies, a behavior that was crucial for their survival and breeding success. The disturbance of these colonies by hunters and logging activities prevented them from breeding effectively. Their low reproductive rate (one egg per nest) meant they could not rebound from the massive population losses.

The Last Pigeon

The decline was swift and dramatic. The last confirmed wild Passenger Pigeon was shot in 1900. The last captive bird, a female named Martha, died at the Cincinnati Zoo on September 1, 1914. Her death marked the end of an era, and the final chapter of a tragic story.
Legacy and Lessons
The story of the Passenger Pigeon is a powerful and enduring legacy. It stands as a stark reminder of several key lessons:
Vulnerability of Abundance: No species, no matter how numerous, is immune to extinction.
The Power of Human Greed: The unchecked commercial exploitation of a natural resource can have devastating consequences.
Interconnectedness of Ecosystems: The loss of one species can have a cascading effect on an entire ecosystem.
The Passenger Pigeon's extinction was a pivotal moment in the conservation movement. It spurred the creation of the first wildlife protection laws and raised public awareness about the fragility of nature. The ghost of the Passenger Pigeon continues to haunt us, a solemn promise that we must learn from the past to protect the future.

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$The Great Auk (Pinguinus\ impennis) The Great Auk was a large, flightless seabird belonging to the family Alcidae (auks,...$

24/09/2025

The Great Auk (Pinguinus\ impennis)

The Great Auk was a large, flightless seabird belonging to the family Alcidae (auks, murres, and puffins). It was the only modern species in the genus Pinguinus. While it bore a striking resemblance to penguins with its black and white plumage, it was not closely related. The name "penguin" was actually first used by European sailors to describe the Great Auk, and the name was later transferred to the Southern Hemisphere birds.

Physical Characteristics Size:
Standing about 75 to 85 cm (30 to 33 inches) tall and weighing around 5 kg (11 pounds), the Great Auk was the largest member of the alcid family to survive into the modern era.

Appearance:
It had a black back and a white belly. Its beak was heavy, hooked, and black, with grooves on the surface. During the summer, a distinctive white patch was present over each eye. In winter, these patches were replaced by a white band that stretched between the eyes.

Wings: Its wings were stunted, only about 15 cm (6 inches) long, making the bird flightless.

Mobility:
While clumsy and awkward on land, the Great Auk was an excellent swimmer, using its powerful, paddle-like wings to propel itself underwater in pursuit of prey. Habitat and Range The Great Auk was native to the North Atlantic region. It bred on remote, rocky islands with easy access to the ocean and a plentiful food supply. These breeding colonies were found along the coasts of North America (including Newfoundland and Labrador) and Europe (including Iceland, Greenland, the British Isles, and Norway).
During the winter, the birds would migrate south, venturing as far as northern Spain and parts of the northeastern United States. Behavior and Diet Social Structure: The Great Auk formed large, dense breeding colonies. It is believed that pairs mated for life.

Breeding:
The female laid a single egg on the bare ground. Both parents cared for the egg and the chick.

Diet:
The bird was a skilled pursuit hunter, with its diet consisting mainly of fish, such as Atlantic menhaden and capelin, as well as crustaceans.

Lack of Fear:
The Great Auk had very few natural predators and consequently lacked an innate fear of humans, a trait that made it incredibly vulnerable to exploitation. Extinction The extinction of the Great Auk is a well-documented and tragic example of human-caused extinction.

Overhunting:
The primary cause of its demise was excessive hunting. Sailors and fishermen targeted the birds for their meat, eggs, fat, and oil. The bird's down and feathers were also highly valued for pillows and other goods.

Vulnerability:
The Great Auk’s flightlessness and awkwardness on land made it easy prey. Its tendency to nest in dense, accessible colonies further compounded its vulnerability, allowing hunters to slaughter them in large numbers.

Final Years:
By the mid-19th century, the population had dwindled to a few isolated colonies. With its increasing rarity, the value of specimens and eggs for collectors and museums skyrocketed, which drove the final nail into the species' coffin.

Last Sighting:
The last known breeding pair was killed on July 3, 1844, on the island of Eldey, off the coast of Iceland. The last confirmed sighting of a live individual was in 1852. The Great Auk's extinction serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of human exploitation of vulnerable species.

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23/09/2025

Noisy Miner

Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala)
The noisy miner is a medium-sized, gray-brown honeyeater native to eastern and southeastern Australia. While a member of the honeyeater family, it's known for its aggressive and noisy behavior. It's often found in woodlands, forests, and suburban areas where it can find food and nesting sites.

Physical Characteristics & Vocalization
Noisy miners are approximately 25-27 cm long and have a predominantly gray body with a blackish crown and ear patch. They have a distinctive yellow-orange patch of bare skin behind their eye and a bright yellow bill and feet. Their loud, repetitive, and varied calls are their most notable feature, giving them their common name. Calls can range from a soft 'pweep-pweep' to a sharp 'p'ch'wew!' when agitated.

Behavior & Social Structure 🐦‍🤝‍🐦
Noisy miners are highly social birds that live in colonies, often with over 100 individuals. They exhibit a complex cooperative breeding system where multiple birds, including non-breeding males, help with feeding and defending the young. They're well-known for their aggressive mobbing behavior, where they gang up on and harass other bird species, especially smaller honeyeaters and raptors, to protect their territory and food sources. This behavior often leads to a decline in biodiversity in areas with high noisy miner populations.

Diet & Habitat 🌿
Their diet primarily consists of nectar, but they also eat insects, small fruits, and lerps (a sugary secretion from psyllid insects). They forage in the canopy and undergrowth, often in large, noisy groups. Noisy miners thrive in modified environments and are frequently seen in parks, gardens, and along roadsides, as they prefer fragmented habitats over dense, continuous forests.

Ecological Impact 🌳
Due to their aggressive nature and adaptability, noisy miners can negatively impact local ecosystems. Their territorial behavior can exclude other native bird species, leading to a reduction in avian diversity in urban and suburban areas. Conservation efforts sometimes focus on restoring habitats to favor a wider range of species and reduce the dominance of the noisy miner.

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22/09/2025

The Weka

Introduction:

In the lush, ancient landscapes of New Zealand, where evolution took a unique and fascinating turn, exists a bird unlike any other. It is a creature of cunning, courage, and a curious audacity that has made it a character of both admiration and exasperation for those who share its world. This is the story of the weka, a flightless bird whose feisty personality and remarkable adaptability are a testament to the resilience of a species shaped by a land without predators.

A Flightless Enigma:

The weka, also known as the "Māori hen" or "woodhen," belongs to the rail family, a group of birds typically known for their secretive nature and their ability to fly. The weka, however, has long since given up its aerial ambitions. Instead, it has evolved into a robust, stout-bodied bird with powerful legs and a long, tapered beak. Its reduced wings are now a decorative feature, a remnant of a flying ancestor. This physical transformation is a direct result of New Zealand's unique ecological history, a world where the primary predators were other birds of prey, not ground-dwelling mammals.

A Life on the Ground:

Weka are masters of their terrestrial domain. They inhabit a wide range of habitats, from dense native forests and sub-alpine grasslands to coastal areas and even the fringes of human settlements. Their days are spent scurrying through undergrowth, flicking leaf litter with their beaks and probing the ground for food. They are opportunistic omnivores, with a diet that includes invertebrates, fruits, seeds, and even small vertebrates like lizards and mice. Their powerful beaks are not just for foraging; they can be used like a hammer to break open eggs or smash hard food items.

The Bold and the Beautiful:

What truly sets the weka apart is its personality. Known for its notoriously curious and bold nature, the weka is a cunning thief, earning a reputation for pilfering everything from food scraps and gardening tools to shiny objects and even personal items. They have been known to raid campsites and gardens, and their brazen behavior often leads to memorable—and sometimes frustrating—encounters with humans. This inquisitive character, while charming to some, has also made them a subject of concern in some areas, particularly where they have been introduced to islands with vulnerable native species.

A Species in Flux:

The conservation status of the weka is complex and varies across its range. There are four recognized subspecies, each with its own story of survival. The western weka is relatively common, while the North Island and Stewart Island subspecies are considered "at risk" or "nationally vulnerable." The buff weka, once common in the eastern South Island, is now extinct in its native range but thrives on the Chatham Islands, where it was introduced long ago. The weka's decline in some areas is due to a combination of factors, including habitat loss, predation by introduced mammals like stoats, ferrets, and dogs, and the impact of climate events such as droughts.

Cultural Significance and Enduring Legacy:

For the Māori, the weka has long been a significant resource, valued for its meat, feathers, and oil. Its feisty and inquisitive nature is also a source of admiration in Māori folklore. As a symbol of New Zealand's unique and fragile ecosystem, the weka serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between native species and the challenges they face in a rapidly changing world. Despite its sometimes mischievous reputation, the weka remains an iconic and beloved figure in New Zealand's natural history, a testament to the character and resilience of a bird that chose the path of the earth.

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20/09/2025

Alagoas curassow

The Alagoas curassow (Mitu~mitu) is a glossy-black, pheasant-like bird that was once native to the forests of northeastern Brazil, specifically the states of Pernambuco and Alagoas. It is now classified as Extinct in the Wild (EW) by the IUCN. Extinction in the Wild The last wild Alagoas curassow was reportedly seen and killed in 1984, although some reports suggest it may have been as late as 1987 or 1988. The primary causes of its extinction were deforestation and hunting. The destruction of its habitat was particularly severe due to the clearing of forests for sugarcane plantations, a program that intensified in the 1970s. The species was also heavily hunted. Conservation and Reintroduction Efforts Despite its extinction in the wild, the Alagoas curassow has survived due to a successful captive breeding program. The entire population has been in captivity since 1977. The current captive population numbers over 100 purebred individuals, with some of these birds being hybrids with the razor-billed curassow (Mitu~tuberosum). The captive population descends from as few as three individuals—one male and two females—captured in 1979. In 2019, a reintroduction effort began, with three pairs of Alagoas curassows being released into a protected area of the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. This marks the first time a creature declared extinct in the wild has been reintroduced in Latin America. Researchers are monitoring the released birds to determine if they can successfully find food, reproduce, and survive in the wild. The long-term plan is to release more pairs into the wild to establish a self-sustaining population.

19/09/2025

Sira barbet

The Sira barbet (Capito fitzpatricki) is a bird in the family Capitonidae, commonly known as the New World barbets. It's found in the Cerros del Sira mountain range in east-central Peru.

Physical Characteristics and Habitat

The Sira barbet is approximately 19.5 to 20 cm long and weighs between 70 and 79 g. The adult male has a crimson crown and nape, a broad white band across its shoulders, and a black "mask" around its eyes. The rest of its upperparts are black. It's distinguished from its close relative, the scarlet-banded barbet (Capito wallacei), by its slightly larger size and differences in the color and pattern of its flanks, lower back, and breast.

This species is a non-migratory resident of the subtropical and tropical moist montane forests of the Cerros del Sira range. It primarily inhabits the highest stratum of tall montane forests, typically found between 950 and 1,250 meters in elevation, though it has been observed as high as 1,700 meters. The species forages in the forest canopy and subcanopy, either in pairs, small single-species groups, or mixed-species flocks.

Diet and Conservation Status

The Sira barbet is an arboreal bird that primarily feeds on a variety of fruits, including small berries and fleshy fruits. It also consumes small numbers of insects, especially during breeding season when protein is needed for chicks.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed the Sira barbet as Near Threatened. This is due to its very small known range and a population that is thought to be small. While its habitat is relatively intact, threats like deforestation and climate change pose long-term risks to the species. The Sira barbet was first scientifically described in 2012.

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18/09/2025

Kea (scientific name: Nestor notabilis)

The Kea is a large species of parrot found in the alpine regions of the South Island of New Zealand. Known for its intelligence, curiosity, and mischievous behavior, the Kea holds the distinction of being the world's only alpine parrot.

Physical Characteristics:

Size and Appearance: The Kea is a large parrot, measuring around 48 cm (19 inches) in length and weighing between 800-1000 grams. Its plumage is predominantly olive-green with a bright orange-red underside and a distinctive blue-black crown. It has a long, narrow, curved upper beak, which is well-suited for its varied diet.

Vocalizations: The Kea's name is onomatopoeic, derived from its loud, high-pitched call, "kee-aa." It also produces a variety of other calls, including trills, whistles, and squawks.

Habitat and Behavior:

Habitat: Keas are found in the high-altitude forests and alpine grasslands of the South Island of New Zealand. They are highly mobile and can travel long distances in search of food.
Intelligence and Curiosity: Keas are renowned for their exceptional intelligence. They are highly curious and known to investigate and manipulate objects with their beaks and feet. This curiosity often leads to them being a nuisance to humans, as they may damage cars, tents, and other items.
Social Structure: Keas are social birds, often seen in small flocks. They are known to engage in playful behavior, such as wrestling and chasing each other.

Diet:

Omnivorous Diet: The Kea has a highly adaptable, omnivorous diet. Its natural diet includes a wide range of foods, such as fruits, berries, nectar, roots, and insects.
Unique Foraging: Keas have also adapted to a unique foraging behavior, which has unfortunately led to conflict with humans. They have been observed preying on sheep, using their powerful beaks to tear into the animals' wool and flesh to reach the fat deposits underneath.

Conservation Status:

Threats: The Kea population has faced several threats over the years, including a bounty on them from the New Zealand government in the past due to their predation on sheep. While the bounty has been lifted, the Kea still faces threats from habitat loss, predation by introduced species like stoats, and human-wildlife conflict.

Conservation Efforts: The Kea is now a protected species in New Zealand. Conservation efforts are in place to monitor the population, protect their habitat, and raise awareness about the importance of coexisting with these unique birds. The Kea Conservation Trust is a key organization working to protect the species.

Cultural Significance:

Cultural Icon: The Kea is a cultural icon of New Zealand, representing the country's unique and often quirky nature. Its intelligence and mischievous personality have made it a beloved and well-known symbol of the New Zealand wilderness.

Scientific Interest: The Kea is a subject of great scientific interest due to its intelligence and unique behavioral adaptations. It is a valuable species for studying animal cognition and the evolution of intelligence.

In conclusion, the Kea is a truly remarkable bird, a testament to the unique biodiversity of New Zealand. Its intelligence, adaptability, and playful nature make it a fascinating and important part of the country's natural heritage.

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17/09/2025

Lilac-Breasted Roller

The lilac-breasted roller (Coracias caudatus) is a captivating bird known for its stunning, multi-colored plumage. It is a member of the roller family, which gets its name from the acrobatic "rolling" flight displays male rollers perform during courtship.

Habitat and Distribution

The lilac-breasted roller is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula. It thrives in various habitats, including savannas, woodlands, and shrublands, where it can be found perched on high vantage points like trees or telephone wires.

Physical Characteristics

The bird's most striking feature is its vibrant coloration. The head is a greenish-blue, the back is brown, and the throat and upper breast are a distinctive lilac color, giving the bird its name. The wings are a brilliant mix of turquoise and deep blue, while the underside is a dark, purplish-blue. Its tail feathers are elongated and forked, a feature visible during flight. The birds are roughly the size of a pigeon, measuring about 14 inches (37 cm) in length, including the tail streamers.

Diet and Behavior

Lilac-breasted rollers are carnivorous, primarily feeding on insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, and crickets. They are also known to eat scorpions, lizards, small rodents, and even snails. They are "perch-and-pounce" predators, meaning they sit and watch for prey from a high perch before swooping down to catch it. They are generally solitary or found in pairs, but they are not migratory.

Conservation Status

Currently, the lilac-breasted roller is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Its population is considered stable and widespread, and it is not facing any immediate threats. Due to its vibrant appearance, it is a popular subject for wildlife photographers and is a well-known symbol of African wildlife.

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12/09/2025

Crab-Plover

The Crab-plover is a unique and fascinating coastal bird, a wader with several highly unusual behaviors and physical traits that set it apart from other shorebirds. It is the only member of its genus, Dromas, and its family, Dromadidae, making it an evolutionary enigma.

Physical Appearance and Diet

The Crab-plover is a medium-sized bird, instantly recognizable by its striking black-and-white plumage. It has a long neck, long grey legs, and a massive, heavy black bill that is disproportionately large for its head. This powerful bill is a specialized tool for its diet, which consists mainly of crabs 🦀, but also includes other crustaceans and mollusks. They use their bills to stab and break open the hard shells of their prey.

Crab-plovers are highly social and often feed in large flocks on sandy beaches, mudflats, and coral reefs. They are particularly active at dusk and dawn, and even at night, to take advantage of low tides.

Unique Nesting Behavior

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Crab-plover is its breeding biology, which is unlike any other wader. Instead of nesting in open depressions on the ground, they are burrow-nesters.

* Colonial Burrows: Crab-plovers nest in large, dense colonies, sometimes with up to 1,500 pairs. They dig deep burrows—often a meter or more in length—into sandy banks or dunes. These burrows provide a stable, protected environment for their eggs and chicks.

* Low Incubation Effort: The bird's nesting strategy relies on the unique microclimate of the burrow. The stable temperature and high humidity inside the burrow, insulated from the hot ambient air, means the birds do not need to incubate their eggs constantly. This allows both parents to spend more time foraging for food to feed their single chick.

* Altricial Chicks: Unlike the chicks of most other waders, which can walk and feed themselves shortly after hatching, Crab-plover chicks are altricial, meaning they are born helpless. They remain in the burrow for an extended period, relying entirely on their parents to bring them food, primarily live crabs.

Range and Conservation

The Crab-plover is a coastal resident of the Indian Ocean, with a breeding range that extends from East Africa to the coasts of Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. After the breeding season, they disperse, with some birds migrating to locations as far as India, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar. The species is currently classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN, but its highly localized breeding sites make it vulnerable to habitat disturbance and human activity. Conservation efforts focus on protecting these key coastal breeding colonies.

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$Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus\ ostralegus)General Characteristics:The Eurasian oystercatcher is a large and conspic...$

11/09/2025

Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus\ ostralegus)

General Characteristics:

The Eurasian oystercatcher is a large and conspicuous wader known for its striking black-and-white plumage, long straight orange-red bill, and pink legs. It is a large bird, typically measuring 40–45 cm in length with a wingspan of 80–85 cm. The sexes have similar plumage, though the female's bill is slightly longer than the male's. Juveniles are browner with a duller bill and a white neck collar. The species has a loud, distinctive piping call.

Habitat and Distribution:

This is the most widespread species in its family, with a breeding range that spans across Europe and Asia. It can be found in a variety of coastal habitats, including beaches, mudflats, estuaries, and rocky shores. Some populations have also moved inland, breeding on riverbanks, lakes, and even roofs in urban or industrial areas. The oystercatcher is a migratory bird, with many populations wintering in Southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia.

Diet and Foraging:

Despite its name, the Eurasian oystercatcher's diet is varied and not limited to oysters. Its diet primarily consists of bivalves, such as mussels and cockles, as well as limpets, marine worms, and other invertebrates. Its strong, blade-like bill is a specialized tool for either prying open shells or hammering through them to access the soft meat inside. Birds with broader bill tips tend to hammer, while those with more pointed tips are better at probing for worms. Inland populations primarily feed on earthworms and insects. Individual birds often specialize in one feeding technique, which they learn from their parents.

Breeding and Social Behavior:

Eurasian oystercatchers are typically monogamous, with pair bonds often lasting for many years. They are highly territorial during the breeding season. The nest is a simple scrape on the ground, often on pebbles or gravel. Females lay 2 to 4 buffish-yellow eggs with dark blotches. Both parents share incubation duties, which last for 24–27 days. The chicks are precocial and nidifugous, meaning they are well-developed and leave the nest shortly after hatching. They are brooded and fed by their parents for several months until they fledge and become independent.

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syam's aviary.

26/09/2025

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