Ornithology

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ORDER PODICIPEDIFORMES

You must know the order, family, common name, habitat, and habits and be able to identify by sight each species. There is 1 species on the list.  In addition, you will be expected to learn the vocalization for any species labeled with a  symbol. You can get extra credit for learning the vocalizations of any species labeled .

 

Birds on this list: 1
Order Podicipediformes          Grebes    Family Podicipedidae          Grebes
Characteristics for family and order: DISTRIBUTION: worldwide  DESCRIPTION: Head and/or bill – Most chisel-like bill, except pied-billed grebe Legs and/or feet – legs far back on body --facilitates swimming, makes walking on land difficult, Lobate feet with flattened nails   Body – Small – medium-sized waterbirds   Tail - tail reduced    Plumage - dense, satiny plumage; feathers waterproof due to oily secretions, similar between males and females HABITAT: Breed on fresh water ponds, swamps, and marshes. Some species winter on salt water. HABITS: foot-propelled diving waterbirds (carry young on back), eat own feathers! The feathers trap fish bones which are digested or regurgitated. Can sink below surface by expelling air from the body and feathers (by muscular action) FOOD: aquatic, diving fish eaters; BREEDING: Usually solitary, sometimes nest in loose colonies. Some species perform spectacular courtship dances. Floating nests,
	Pied-billed Grebe	Podilymbus podiceps