World Bird Sanctuary

Freeloading vulture relatives!

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:49:00 +0000

Have you ever had a group of relatives drop in unannounced looking for a free meal? That's what's been happening at the World Bird Sanctuary lately! If you're walking along the upper trail and see a huge bird swooping right over your head, it's likely the wild relatives of our resident Turkey Vultures coming in to check out what they perceive to be a "free" meal in our birds' enclosure. Of course, they can't really get to the meal because of the protective netting, but they can hope, can't they?

This vulture family reunion was captured by Gay Schroer!

Chikara would like my full attention!

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:01:00 +0000

Here's a video of our beautiful trumpeter hornbill, Chikara, who would really like me to put the camera down and give her a grape or a cuddle. Preferably in that order!

Adopt a bunny spotlight: Cadbury

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 11:44:00 +0000

Cadbury's Story

Species: Mini Rex Hybrid Rabbit
Received: 6/9/2000

Cadbury was donated to our Milwaukee Care for Critters program in Wisconsin. After participating in that program for about a year, he came to live at World Bird Sanctuary's Office of Wildlife Learning Nature Center in Valley Park, Missouri.

Here at the Nature Center, he lives happily with his Guinea Pig in an open top enclosure where thousands of children (and adults) come in contact with him every year. Unlike our raptors, Cadbury is pettable, making him a great addition to our Nature Center experience.

Cadbury was named for his resemblance to the Cadbury bunny (look at him head on with the nose twitching). Your adoption donation will help purchase the rabbit pellets, produce, and alfalfa he loves so well.

To adopt Cadbury, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $50, and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: CADBURY. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents Receive:

*A personal visit with the bunny you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
your personal visit.
* Certificate of Adoption
* Color photo of the bunny you've adopted
* Sponsorship Card
* One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
* Life History and Natural History of the bunny
* 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
* Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
* Discounts on WBS Special Events
* WBS Decal

Adopt A Bird spotlights are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.

Our baby thickbill has fledged!

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 12:19:00 +0000

Look what we have! A new baby Thickbill Parrot! He (or she) was hatched in one of the nestboxes in the Thickbill free flight enclosure on our upper trail--right in full view of the public. We are especially excited about this new addition to our flock because of this species' endangered status.

Thickbill parrots are the only remaining parrot indigenous to the United States and are considered Rare and Endangered. It is estimated that there now remains only 1000-4000 Thick-billed parrots in the wild, mostly found only in the Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico. Status is ENDANGERED. Attempts to reestablish a population in Arizona during the 1980s was unsuccessful due to the birds’ inability to elude a well established population of predator species.

The World Bird Sanctuary is fortunate to have a well established flock of these rare birds, who reside in a free flight enclosure where they are able to live in a flock as they would in the wild. It is hoped that someday our flock, as well as those from other zoos, will be the nucleus of a reestablished wild population.

Our new baby last week, trying to decide if he really wants to venture out into this scary new world.

Our youngster has fledged and is flying with the rest of the flock. Note his white beak as opposed to the black beak of the adults.

Our new baby is flying independently the full length of the enclosure, along with the rest of the flock

The next time you visit WBS, be sure to walk down the upper trail to the Thickbill enclosure and see if you can spot our new addition. Look for his white beak!

Today's post was written and photographed by Gay Schroer.

Beak of the Week!

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:17:00 +0000

Woo Hoo Christi!!! In no time at all you correctly guessed last week's beak: the harris hawk. You were closely followed by anonymous and anonymous from Tennessee (I'm from there too) who also got it right. Christi, I enjoyed your blog post on the Renaissance Festival by the way, and wanted to share that I'm pretty sure the raven you saw was Mischief, my FAVORITE raven in the whole world. Congratulations and great job!

Speaking of birds who stand out among their peers, this week's beak is about as cute as it gets:

You should hear me talk! Or maybe you already have...

Is that a peanut I see in your hand?

If you've heard that opposable toes make you smarter, you heard right.

Good luck, happy guessing, and I'll see you here next week!

You're a superstar!

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:08:00 +0000

Nemo (the African grey parrot) and Susan (the human) go through a practice routine before breakfast:

Nemo spent his summer performing at the Milwaukee County Zoo this year and I know he wowed a lot of people.

Who is Buddy's hero?

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:54:00 +0000

Susan. Without a doubt.

Buddy the amazon parrot is one of the best talkers at WBS. He's no slouch as a singer, either.

Adopt a Bird Spotlight: Max (Tawny Eagle)

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:38:00 +0000

Max's Story

Species: Tawny Eagle
Hatched: 2002

Max was hatched by a pair of tawny eagles that WBS has on loan in Florida. Max was brought to St. Louis, along with his brother Diablo, to become a part of the World Bird Sanctuary's education team. Max is a very calm bird who has participated in many education programs throughout the Midwest.

This beautiful bird, native to Africa, Asia, and India, can be seen sunning himself most days in the weathering area at WBS headquarters in Valley Park, Missouri. Your adoption donation helps keep Max on display so that those who have never seen a Tawny Eagle in its native habitat can learn about this majestic and beautiful species.

To adopt Max, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $150, and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: MAX. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents Receive:

*A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
your personal visit.
* Certificate of Adoption
* Color photo of the bird you've adopted
* Sponsorship Card
* One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
* Life History and Natural History of the bird
* 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
* Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
* Discounts on WBS Special Events
* WBS Decal

Natural History

tawny eagle
Aquila rapax

Description medium to large bird with a variably tawny head and upper body; hooked bill and fully feathered legs; rounded tail and long wings

Sex: the females are larger than the males; the females may be darker and more streaked

Age: immature birds are paler then the adults

Length: 24-28”

Wingspan: 5.4-6.1’

Weight: 4.29-5.5 lbs.

Habitat: desert, semi-desert, steppes, open savannah; not found in forests or deserts

Status: common resident but locally threatened

Range: Rumania east through the south Russian, south Siberian and Kirghi steppes east through Transbaikalia to Mongolia; south through Arabia, India and in most of Africa

Behavior: nest between March and July on a large stick platform in trees, usually Acacia; usually lay 2 eggs that are white, plain or blotchy with rusty red and gray; the incubation period is 42-44 days with one chick usually killing the other; only the northern populations are migratory; can be found in concentrations where food is plentiful

Diet: mostly fresh carrion; mammals up to rabbit size, small to medium rodents, lizards, snakes, seasonal insects, birds up to the size of a guinea fowl; often pirates food from other raptors; kills prey on the ground

Vocalization: hoarse, sharp barking “kyow”; rather silent except in nuptial display or aggression

√ Also known as the steppes eagle

Adopt A Bird spotlights are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.

Owl thrives in postion of authority

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:07:00 +0000

Our new boss runs a tight ship. Here you see Sid at work monitoring staff phone calls:

At first this avian surveillance was resented by, well, everyone, but productivity is up! up! up! Way to go Sid.

Just how delicious is a rat tail anyway?

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 11:03:00 +0000

As promised, Lee the seriema purrs over his rat tail:

In the wild, seriemas eat snakes and small lizards. They usually kill their prey by slamming it on the ground a few times and then...down the hatch. The rat tails seem to have a similar appeal and are the seriema treat of choice. And, well, YUM!

Seriemas: Loudest. Birds. Ever.

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:47:00 +0000

Though I cannot adequately capture the earsplitting call of a seriema (we wear protective ear gear), I can at least give you an idea of the pitch:

Ouch. But useful for keeping in touch across long distances! Tune in tomorrow for another seriema vocalization, The Rat Tail Purr!

Beak of the Week!

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:08:00 +0000

In no time at all a new anonymous solved last week's riddle of the tawny eagle. Great detective work!

This week's beak makes its home in the western United States. Unlike many raptors, these birds live and hunt in groups. They like to "stack" themselves on tall cacti and as many as four birds can be seen standing one on top of the other like a totem pole!

This eye is always on the lookout for small mammals, such as rats and rabbits, as well as birds, reptiles and even insects:

These feet are currently endangered in New Mexico, Arizona and Southern California due to human encroachment and habitat destruction:

Good luck, happy guessing, and I'll be back next week with the answer!

Adopt a Bird Spotlight: Nemo (Congo African Grey Parrot)

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:50:00 +0000

Nemo's Story

Species: African Grey Parrot
Hatched: 11/2/2003

Nemo was hatched by a local breeder and aquired by World Bird Sanctuary in May 2004 to become a member of our Care For Critters program. From May until September 2005, he was a part of the Milwaukee County Zoo Bird Fair where he returned for a repeat performance this year.

Nemo has a very sweet, happy-go-lucky personality and is a favorite of all who work with him. True to the African grey's reputation of being one of the most intelligent of the psitticines, Nemo learns very quickly. He has a vocabulary that increases almost daily and learns new behaviors in an incredibly short period of time. He learned to wave in less than week!

Nemo loves unusual sounds and whistles, and his favorite foods are grapes, bananas, and peanuts (treats).

To adopt Nemo, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $100, and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: NEMO. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents Receive:

*A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
your personal visit.
* Certificate of Adoption
* Color photo of the bird you've adopted
* Sponsorship Card
* One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
* Life History and Natural History of the bird
* 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
* Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
* Discounts on WBS Special Events
* WBS Decal

Natural History

Congo African grey parrot
Psittacus erithacus erithacus

Description medium sized parrot; dark grey wings; pale grey rump; featherless rim of skin around the eyes is whitish to light grey; head and neck feathers have paler margins giving a scalloped appearance; short red tail feathers; black beak

Sex: reliable only via endoscopy or DNA sexing

Age: 50-70+ years

Length: 12-14”

Wingspan: approximately 28”

Weight: 14-23 oz.

Habitat: rainforests, cultivated land, mangroves, wooded savannas, and gardens

Status: listed as “NT” (near threatened) in large part due to trapping for the pet trade; in the U.S. importation is prohibited under the U.S. Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992

Range: lowland forests of central Africa, Guinea Island, Kenya & Tanzania

Behavior: form lifelong monogamous bonds; nests in tree hollows and cavities; during breeding season the male feeds his mate and both sing soft monotonous notes; the female will sleep in the nest cavity while the male guards it; female lays 3-5 eggs at intervals of 2-5 days; female incubates the eggs; male feeds the incubating female; incubation lasts 30 days; males feeds both the female and young; young fledge at 12 weeks after which both parents feed young;

Diet: in the wild, a variety of fruits & vegetables; in captivity quality pelleted diet, a variety of vegetables, fruits, and occasionally nuts

Vocalization: screams less than most parrots; considered the best mimic of all parrots;

√ Considered by many to be the most intelligent of all birds. Some individuals have been documented as having a 500-800 word vocabulary, and amazing cognitive abilities.

√ Like most parrots, African Greys are high maintenance pets, requiring a great deal of personal attention if they are to remain happy and healthy. When not given enough attention, they develop a host of health and personality problems.

Adopt A Bird spotlights are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.

Wow Little Guy!

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:47:00 +0000

I managed to get one "Wow" out of Little Guy yesterday. She was busy with the whole bath thing. At the end of the video, if you listen carefully, you can hear Othello the crow in the mew next door telling himself to "go to your perch" over and over.

Adopt a Snake spotlight (Monty the Ball Python)

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:31:00 +0000

Monty's Story

Species: Ball Python (sometimes known as Royal Python)

Acquired: 11/20/2000

Aquired from a private individual, Monty is a very easy going snake. He is comfortable around people and easy to handle, unlike many others of his species. Ball pythons curl up in a tight ball when they are frightened, tense or uneasy--a trait which gave the species its name. Monty rarely, if ever, does this.

Monty is a good eater, consuming 4-6 mice per week!

Like all tropical snakes, Monty needs his environment kept between 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit, and needs to be misted regularly to maintain the humidity in his enclosure. Ball pythons are egg layers.

To adopt Monty, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $50, and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: MONTY PYTHON. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the snake of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird (and snake) Parents Receive:

*A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
your personal visit.
* Certificate of Adoption
* Color photo of the snake you've adopted
* Sponsorship Card
* One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
* Life History and Natural History of the snake
* 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
* Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
* Discounts on WBS Special Events
* WBS Decal

Natural History

ball python (royal python)
Python regius

Description non-venomous python species; smallest of the African pythons; color pattern typically black with light brown-green side and dorsal blotches; belly is white or cream that may or may not have scattered black markings; stocky build; head relatively small; scales are smooth;

Sex: both sexes have anal spurs on either side of the vent; males have larger spurs; sexual maturity reached at 12-18 months for male, 24-36 months for female; second factor for sexual maturity is weight (32 oz. for males) (53 oz. for females)

Age: 20-40 years; oldest captive specimen was 48 years; wild caught specimens have great difficulty adapting to captivity and often refuse to feed and are subject to parasitic infections

Length: generally 3-4 feet; rarely 5-6 foot individuals

Weight:

Habitat: grasslands, savannahs and sparsely wooded areas; prefers mammal burrows and other underground hiding places where it aestivates during dry seasons

Status:

Range: Africa

Behavior: curls into a ball when stressed or frightened, with head and neck tucked into the middle so tightly that it can be literally rolled around; reproduction is oviparous with anywhere from 3-11 large eggs being laid (more commonly 4-6); incubated by the female underground; hatch after 90 days; young grow about a foot a year for the first three years

Diet: small mammals and rodents; occasionally birds

√ The name Royal Python is based in part on the story that Cleopatra supposedly wore the snake around her wrist
√ Revered by the Igbo people of southern Nigeria. If a Ball Python is accidentally killed they will guild a coffin for the snake’s remains and give it a short funeral

Adopt A Bird spotlights are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.

More wet animals

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:29:00 +0000

The eagle owl chicks have reminded me (not very politely) that they, too, take regular baths:

Corvid beauty tips

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 15:14:00 +0000

Sometimes when I am chatting with the corvids, I ask how they get their feathers so glossy and shiny. Surely they spend a fortune on product! They all look a little bit sorry for me as they explain that their beauty is natural. All they need is a bath.

I've never known birds that take as much pleasure in bathing as crows and ravens. The moment I've refilled the water bowls, they dive right in! After their bath, they spend hours preening and grooming their feathers until they gleam.

Here you seen Einstein the pied crow and Little Guy the white naped raven just after bathing:

And the results:

Wow!

Oh Niles you shine in my firmament

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 11:56:00 +0000

I've never met a human who didn't love Niles to distraction. Niles, our African southern ground hornbill, has recently returned from entertaining the people at the Stone Zoo in Boston. For the next few months he'll be maxing and relaxing at the Sanctuary's Education Training Center. He appreciates the downtime, but doesn't shy away from paparazzi or petting.

Beak of the Week!

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:56:00 +0000

Last week's fish-loving beak of the week was correctly identified by anonymous as a pelican. I don't know if this is the same anonymous who won the B.O.W. of the week before, but if so, you are on a roll! Either way, excellent guess. The beak of the American White Pelican belongs to Scoop, or, as he likes to be called, His Majesty. Scoop is an awesome guy.

This week's beak is native to Africa as well as India, Russia, Siberia, portions of the middle east, and more! The sound that comes out of this particular beak is hoarse, sharp barking “kyow” and boy do I hear it a lot at the ETC. Sometimes he talks with his mouth full. Here's a rare picture of his beak closed:

In the wild, these beautiful eyes search the desert, semi-desert, steppes, and open savannah for food:

These powerful talons often pirate food from other raptors. They kill their prey on the ground as opposed to in the air:

This week's bird is extra difficult, in my opinion, so I'll give you a little cheat. The scientific name for this bird is Aquila rapax. How well do you know your Latin?

Good luck, happy guessing, and I'll see you here next week!

Adopt a Bird Spotlight: Chrys (Long Crested Eagle)

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 12:56:00 +0000

Chrys's Story

Species: Long Crested Eagle
Received: 12/9/87

Chrys was captured in the wild in his native Africa to be sold on the U.S. black market pet trade. When the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service discovered and confiscated him, they found that his beautiful, distinctive crest had been cut off to disguise him. He was eventually turned over to the World Bird Sanctuary, and is still with us.

When he first arrived, Chrys was not at all accustomed to people. However, with a lot of patience and training on the part of his handlers, he began going to programs and became comfortable around large crowds. Even though Chrys has a very nice disposition, he is still a little wary of sudden movements in his vicinity, and definitely has a mind of his own. He is a prime example of the consequences of habitat loss and the evils of the black market pet trade.

To adopt Chrys, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $150, and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: CHRYS. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the snake of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird (and snake) Parents Receive:

*A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
your personal visit.
* Certificate of Adoption
* Color photo of the snake you've adopted
* Sponsorship Card
* One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
* Life History and Natural History of the snake
* 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
* Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
* Discounts on WBS Special Events
* WBS Decal

Natural History

long crested eagle
Lophaetus occipitalis

Description small for an eagle; very dark brown or black body; white patches at the wing joints; long, broad wings with white underwing coverts spotted with black; broad tail with a white base; grayish white tarsi; fully feathered legs with slender talons; long crest; golden to reddish brown eyes; yellow cere and feet

Sex: they are alike except the female is slightly larger

Age: juveniles have whiter tips to their neck feathers, a less prominent crest, and a more mottled appearance in general; their eyes are a dark olive-brown and their feet and cere a pale ochre-yellow

Length: 21-22”

Wingspan: 3.7-4.2’

Weight: 2.9 lbs.

Habitat: mostly seen in moist savannahs and riverine strips through drier country; cleared forests that are now cultivated; wherever large trees and open country are mixed; prefers inhabited areas to uninhabited bush

Status: not globally threatened

Range: sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to the Cape

Behavior: nests in large, leafy trees; build large stick nests, the deep central cup lined with green leaves; lay 1-2 eggs; dull white with cloudy brown, gray, and lilac marks; only the female incubates; fully feathered at 28 days; fledge at 55 days; parents feed for 2 weeks after it leaves the nest; generally only 1 chick survives; does most of it’s hunting from a tree or telegraph pole during the early morning and dusk hours

Diet: small mammals caught on the ground; lizards and small snakes; small rodents and occasionally young poultry

Vocalization: a loud clear ringing “keeee-eh” or “keeee-ee-af”; “kik-kik-kik-kik-keeee”; calls frequently

Hello (again) Othello

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:58:00 +0000

Othello the crow has returned home to the sanctuary and would like to say hi to his fans:

Owl seeks promotion

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:14:00 +0000

A certain European barn owl (one of this season's hatches) has clearly decided that self-promotion is the best route for the ambitious owl. As you can see, he's found a great vantage point for supervising office activity. How is he as a boss? Tough. Really tough.

Behold...

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:39:00 +0000

The rumors you've heard are true. Niles is home from Boston!

Behind the scenes: summer cleaning part two

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 11:22:00 +0000

Every summer at the sanctuary's lower (non-public) site, we do a massive cleaning of the facilities. In addition to cleaning the buildings themselves, our breeder birds get their yearly check-up and grooming session. Breeder birds are a special set at WBS. They are not acclimated to humans and we minimize our contact with them. Once a year, at the end of breeding season, they are caught, weighed, manicured, and sprayed for insects. This process is moderately stressful for the bird, but necessary for maintaining good health. A bird with overgrown talons or beak can suffer from a variety of problems, some of which are life-threatening, so we take care to maintain good grooming. Likewise, a bird's weight is recorded to be sure that she or he hasn't lost or gained substantially, another indicator of illness. While all of our birds are carefully monitored for additional indications of illness, this is our opportunity to get up close and tend to their needs.

In this video, you see Mariner, our sea eagle, getting his yearly makeover. In the beginning, you can see that we put a towel over his head. This helps to keep him calm and under control while his feet are examined. Check out that wingspan and the size of those feet! He's in great health.

Another native New Zealander

noreply@blogger.com (World Bird Sanctuary) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 11:16:00 +0000

Another amazing bird from New Zealand, courtesy of Gay Schroer:

Natural History

Weka
Gallirallus australis

Description flightless member of the rail family; endemic to New Zealand; about the size of a chicken; rich brown mottled with black and grey; sturdy legs with long unwebbed toes; short pointed tail is constantly being flicked;

Sex: male larger then female

Age:

Length: approx. 20 inches

Wingspan: short stubby wings; flightless

Weight: male 2.25 lbs.; female 1.5 lbs

Habitat: forests, sub-alpine grassland, sand dunes, rocky shores and modified semi-urban areas

Status: vulnerable; conservation efforts have been problematic for this species; they thrive where conditions are favorable; however, have been very susceptible to predation by introduced mammals, habitat destruction, and poisons baits meant to control introduced species of pests

Range: four subspecies inhabit both the North and South Islands of New Zealand

Behavior: breeding season varies; when conditions are favorable can raise up to four broods in a year; nests on ground under thick vegetation; nests are built by forming grass or similar material into a bowl; female lays three creamy to pinkish eggs blotched with brown and mauve; both birds incubate; chicks hatch after a month; fed by both parents until fully grown between six to twelve weeks

Diet: omnivorous; 30% animal foods such as earthworms, larvae, beetles, ants, frogs, spiders, rats, mice, small birds; 70% plant foods include leaves, grass, berries and seeds

Vocalization: shrill far carrying double note “coo-eet”; normally heard in early evening

√ Folklore abounds with tales of Weka stealing shiny items and bags of sugar
√ Used by the Maori as food, perfume, oil to treat inflammations, and feathers used for clothing