Edition List and Essays Bald
Eagle From ancient times to the present, the eagle has been used as a symbol of strength, power, empire, military might, courage, nobility, freedom, and immortality. In 1782 the United States Congress adopted the spread-winged bald eagle as the central motif of the Seal of the United States. It brandishes both the arrows of war and the olive branch of peace to represent the nation's strength and liberty. The bald eagle is most certainly built for its stately flight, weighing only eleven pounds, having an eight-foot wing span, and approximately seven thousand feathers. Its keen vision makes its dive bomb descent accurate, and just before impact, the feet shoot forward to snatch the prey, which consists of fish, mammals, and even carrion. A spectacular aspect of the bald eagles' courtship is sky-dancing. At a high altitude, the male swoops above the female and descends with his talons outstretched. At the last moment, the female flips on her back, still soaring, and clasps talons with the male. Their gliding embrace spirals gently earthward and then, only feet from the ground, they release and soar again! A few days or weeks of sky-dancing are followed by the more arduous task of nest-building. They use their nest for many years and mate for life. Although species of eagles are found on every continent except Antarctica, the bald eagle is found only in North America and breeds in the southern United States and northern Mexico. This North American bird has almost faced extinction, but the ban on DDT, repopulation techniques, and efforts to preserve its habitat have helped re-build and stabilize the population. To reproduce, the eagle needs large wilderness areas as it is very territorial during nesting. Like all living creatures, it needs clean air and water, and a clean unspoiled environment to survive. Great
Blue Heron The great blue heron has an established population, ranging north to Alaska, and as far south as Central America. Standing four feet tall, this majestic bird has a seven-foot wing span. Its plumage flows over chest and back accenting a black crest. During flight, the neck draws over the back in a 's' shape while the feet trail behind, acting as rudders. The heron frequents shallow waters along the edges, of ponds, ocean bays, or small streams. There it finds a preferred diet of frogs, minnows, and insects. Gracefully wading or poised, statue-like, the moment of stillness is suddenly punctuated by the lightening quick thrust of the heron’s beak catching its prey. Pelican's
Repose The brown pelican, a large water bird, whose ancient ancestors were flying while dinosaurs roamed, has a unique appearance. His distinctive twelve inch bill has a pouch for catching fish that holds two gallons. Standing fifteen inches tall, the pelican has a five foot wing span, yet only weighs seven pounds since its strong bones are hollow. At first its plumage is brown with a white belly. By the second year, it is gray with a darker belly, and in adulthood the belly turns black and the head white. Until fall, a brown strip is along its back and then after molting a white head with a golden crown signifies readiness for mating.The brown strip reappears after nesting. Roseate
Spoonbill The Roseate Spoonbill is found only in the Western Hemisphere: Florida, Texas and Louisiana; Central and South America. All spoonbills have long spatulate or spoon-shaped bills, but the Roseate is the only one mistaken for another long-legged wader, the flamingo because of its distinctive plumage. Locally called "pinks" or "pink curlews", the mature birds - both male and female - also have red streaks from wing to back, a bald greenish head, and a bright orange tail. A spoonbill's main foraging strategy is an instinctive sense of touch. As it wades through murky pools or shallows, it swings its partly-open bill from side to side through the water. Sense receptors on the bill's underside signal contact with small fish, insects or crustaceans. The bill instantly closes and lifts for swallowing. Mating when three years old, the Roseates need secluded island hideouts for their connubial activites. The male collects sticks and the female builds a deep, well-constructed nest in association with heron and ibis colonies or rookeries in mangroves, salt marshes, and freshwater estuaries. Both parents take turns brooding, keeping, vigil, finding food, and feeding their young. Prior to 1900, hundreds of thousands of Roseate, Soonbills called the U.S. home, but by the 1920's there were a few hundred; their meat was eaten, and their exotic plumage appeared on ladies' hats and feather fans. Extinction north of the Rio Grande seemed imminent. Thanks to sanctuary efforts by the National Audubon Society, and its continued collaborative efforts with Fish and Wildlife, and Park Services, as well as efforts to reduce pollution, the truce between man and bird is today being precariously maintained. Sandhill
Crane Fossile records indicate that cranes were flying 54 million years ago during the Cenozoic Era, long before monkeys, apes, or humans appeared. Now, there are fourteen crane species existing worldwide. Two of them, the whooping crane and the sandhill crane, are found in North America. Although not as perilously close to extinction as the whooping crane, the sandhill cranes have dwindled as the prairies, fields and marshes disappear. Of the four sandhill subspecies, the non-migratory Florida crane is the most rare. This long-legged wader can grow to 45" in length with a rust-stained grey body and bare red crown. In flight, its long neck is extended, while its stilt-like legs trail and its wings intermittently glide. Sandhills exhibit the spectacular crane habit od "dancing", an activity which is practiced year-round, but is most predominant during courtship. In a dramatic exception to most acian courtship patterns, the females participate as avidly as the males. Wings half-open, they leap 6 to 8 feet in the air as they bounce, circle, skip, gracefully whirl, and bow. The monogamous sandhill mates for life and separates from the flock anly during the breeding season to build nests of aquatic vegetation. The incubation period for its two olive-buff eggs is about 30 days. The brownish downy chicks can run about shortly after hatching, and have been seen "dancing" when only a few days old. They are able to make short flights at two and a half months. Although 10 different calls have been identified, the most distinctive is a harsh vibrant trumpetlike "gar-00-000" which, like the honk of geese, can still be heard after the birds have flown out of sight. The trachea of the fully grown sandhill crane is lengthened and coiled upon itself, resembling a French horn. The resonant call emanates from this convoluted windpipe in the hollow keel of the breastbone. |
