Asia Reference Libraries

Page 12 of about 141 Articles
2006-03-31 16:32:31

The Redwing (Turdus iliacus) is a member of the thrush family Turdidae found throughout northern Europe and Asia. It is strongly migratory, with many northern birds moving south during the winter. It is a very rare breeder in Great Britain and Ireland, but winters in large numbers in these countries. Migrating birds and wintering birds often form large flocks, often with fieldfares. It...

Lesser Grey Shrike
2006-03-23 11:33:50

The Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor) is a member of the shrike family Laniidae. This species breeds throughout southeastern Europe and into Asia where it prefers dry open lowlands, often seen on telephone wires It is similar in appearance to the Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor) and the Southern Grey Shrike (L. meridionalis). Slightly smaller than the Great Grey Shrike, this bird has a...

Mandarin Duck
2006-03-09 11:10:52

The Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) is a medium-sized perching duck closely related to the North American Wood Duck. It is 41-49 cm long with a 65-75 cm wingspan. Adult males are striking and unmistakable with their red bill, large white crescent above the eye and reddish face and "whiskers". The breast is purple with two vertical white bars and the flanks ruddy with two orange "sails" at...

Lesser White-fronted Goose
2006-03-07 14:33:15

The Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus) is a close relative to the larger White-fronted Goose (A. albifrons). During times of breeding it is widely distributed throughout northernmost Asia, but is less common in Europe. This migratory bird spends its winters further south in Europe and is a very rare vagrant to Great Britain. Very few difference are noted between the two...

Marsh Harrier
2006-03-01 11:47:36

Marsh Harriers are birds of prey in the harrier subfamily Circus. They are medium-sized raptors and the largest and broadest-winged of all harriers. All breed in dense reedbeds. Most authorities recognize three separate but closely related species: Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) Eastern Marsh Harrier (C. spilonotus Swamp Harrier (C. approximans) They were once thought...

2006-02-28 20:23:40

The Shikra (Accipiter badius) is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is a widespread resident breeder throughout south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. New nests are built in trees each year. Clutches contain anywhere from three to seven eggs. This bird is a small raptor (26-30cm) with short broad wings and a long tail, both adaptations to fast maneuvering. The normal flight of...

Black Eagle
2006-02-27 13:08:59

The Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malayensis) is a bird of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae. It is the sole member of the genus Ictinaetus. This bird's breeding habitat is in southern Asia from India and Sri Lanka to south east Asia. It prefers mountain woodlands, and builds a stick nest in a tree into which it lays 1-2 eggs. Black Eagle is a large raptor at about 70-80cm in length....

Booted Eagle
2006-02-26 15:50:59

The Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) is a large bird of prey that belongs to the family Accipitridae. It is about 47 cm in length and has a wingspan of 120cm. This migratory eagle breeds in southern Europe, north Africa and across Asia and winters in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia. One to two eggs are laid in a tree or crag nest. It typically prefers wooded, often hilly, country with...

Carrion Crow
2006-02-24 15:45:31

The Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) can be distinguished from the Common Raven by its size (48"“52 cm in length) and from the Hooded Crow by its black plumage. There is frequent confusion between it and the Rook. The beak is stouter and in consequence looks shorter, and whereas in the adult Rook the nostrils are bare, those of the crow are covered with bristle-like feathers, in both adults and...

Whiskered Tern
2006-02-22 13:23:05

The Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybridus) is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae and is the largest of all marsh terns. This bird has a number of geographical races, differing mainly in size and minor plumage details. C. h. hybridus breeds in the warmer parts of Europe and Asia. The smaller-billed and darker C. h. delalandii is found in east and south Africa, and the paler C. h. javanicus...

Word of the Day
The word 'saggar' may come from 'safeguard'.