Magpie
| Magpie | ||||||||||||
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Magpie ( Phalacrocorax varius ) |
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| Phalacrocorax varius | ||||||||||||
| ( Gmelin , 1789) |
The magpie ( Phalacrocorax varius ) is a species of bird from the genus Phalacrocorax within the cormorant family . The species inhabits the coasts and larger bodies of water inland in Australia and New Zealand . It breeds in colonies and feeds primarily on fish . The IUCN lists the species as "not endangered (least concern) ".
Appearance
Magpie shots reach a head-trunk length of 65 to 85 centimeters and a wingspan of a maximum of 130 centimeters. The weight is between 1300 and 2200 grams. The species has a sexual dimorphism , the males are larger and heavier than the females. Adult birds show a black color from the forehead over the top of the head, the neck and the back to the tail feathers . The sides of the head, like the throat, neck, chest and belly, are white feathered. The beak is light gray to ivory in color and becomes a little darker towards the head. The beak of female magpie shags is narrower and shorter than that of males. The base of the beak is framed by bare skin, which is colored red especially during the breeding season. In front of the eye, which is surrounded by a bare, blue bulge of skin, lies a patch of bare, bright yellow skin. The iris is dark blue in color. Young birds are already very similar to adult birds, but the black plumage areas of adult birds are dark brown in color in young birds.
Possible confusion with other species
There are four other species of cormorant in the distribution area of the Elsterscharbe, with which the Elsterscharbe can be confused. This includes weißkehlige color morph of the Australian pygmy cormorant , which is found in Australia and New Zealand, occurring in southern Australia black-faced cormorant that occurring in New Zealand rough-faced shag and in the region of Stewart Iceland -based bronze shag .
The Australian dwarf shark is significantly smaller than the magpie and has a strikingly short beak and a longer tail. In the black-faced punt, the featherless facial skin is dark, the top of the head is black feathered up to the eyes, so the face appears overall darker than in the parrot. The warthog and the black and white color morph of the Stewart's scar have black feathered heads, only the chin and throat are white. They also behave somewhat differently than the magpie shots and do not spread their wings to dry when they are resting.
distribution and habitat
Magpie shots are common in the waters of Australia and New Zealand . The species lives mainly marine, but also colonizes estuaries, the lower reaches of rivers as well as wetlands and larger lakes inland.
food
Fish make up the main component of the diet of this species, accounting for around 90 percent. In addition, the magpie eats mainly crabs , and rarely other invertebrates such as mussels and squids . Like all cormorants, the species prefers to hunt its prey by diving, following and catching it while swimming underwater. The species prefers shallow waters and often hunts near mangroves and other fish-rich structures on the coast.
Since the plumage of the magpie shots absorbs water, it has to be dried after a dive. Like most cormorants, the species spreads its wings and lets the sun or wind dry its plumage.
Breeding behavior
The start of the breeding season varies greatly and is dependent on local conditions. The southern populations begin breeding in the spring, while the birds of the northern populations can breed year-round. In the northern range, the start of brood depends on the food supply and the start of the rainy season . The species breeds in colonies of a few hundred to several thousand breeding pairs, often in mixed colonies with other cormorants, spectacled pelicans and yellow-billed spoonbills . The nest is preferably made in trees and bushes, and rarely on the ground on islands. It is made of sticks, algae and grass and is padded with feathers. Usually three eggs are laid, but the clutch size varies between one and five eggs. The incubation period is about 30 days. The naked after hatching chicks grow after a few days, a down dress , brown on the skid and is colored white on the belly. The young birds fledge about 60 days after hatching, but are fed by their parents for about another 80 days. On average, 25 percent of the young birds in a brood fledge.
Migratory behavior
The species is a resident bird , only after the breeding season there is dismigration of young birds and short evasive migrations when there is a lack of water or food.
Systematics
As with all cormorants, the exact systematic position of the species is disputed. Some scientists place the species in the genus Hypoleucos , but this view is not widely accepted. There are currently two subspecies .
- Phalacrocorax varius varius ( Gmelin , 1789) - New Zealand . The black back feathers have a slightly bluish sheen.
- Phalacrocorax varius hypoleucos ( Brandt , 1837) - Australia . The black back feathers have a slightly greenish sheen.
Hazard and protection
The IUCN lists the species as "not endangered (least concern) ". The species has a wide range and mainly eats fish that are not economically interesting for humans and therefore not overfished. Their habitat is only threatened by destruction in small parts, as Australia and New Zealand do not have a high population density.
literature
- Josep del Hoyo , Andrew Elliot, Jordi Sargatal : Handbook of the birds of the world. Volume 1: Ostrich to Ducks. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona 1992, ISBN 84-87334-10-5 .
- PJ Higgins (Ed.): Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds. Volume 1: Ratites to Ducks. Oxford University Press, Oxford 1990, ISBN 0195530683 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Phalacrocorax varius in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2010. Posted by: BirdLife International, 2009. Accessed March 16, 2011th
- ↑ Higgins, p. 819.
- ↑ Higgins, p. 819.
