Prairie runner
| Prairie runner | ||||||||
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Prairie runner ( Bartramia longicauda ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||
| Bartramia | ||||||||
| Lesson , 1831 | ||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||
| Bartramia longicauda | ||||||||
| ( Bechstein , 1812) |
The prairie runner ( Bartramia longicauda ) is a North American species from the family of snipe birds. Genus and species are monotypical . In Europe, the prairie runner is a rare exception who is observed relatively regularly, especially in Great Britain and Ireland. The scientific name of the monotypical genus honors the American naturalist William Bartram .
Appearance
The prairie runner reaches a body length between 26 and 32 centimeters and weighs between 98 and 226 grams. In relation to the body size, the head looks small. The straight and thin beak is about head length and slightly bent downwards towards the tip. The eyes are big and dark. The face is light beige and like the cream-colored throat without any markings. The sides of the neck and the nape of the neck are finely dashed in brown, the front breast has teardrop-shaped spots. The belly and the underside of the tail are pale cream in color. The back and the wing covers are brown with dark bands and cream-colored feathers. The tail is banded in dark brown and white.
Prairie runners are agile fliers and are characterized by powerful wing beats. Prairie runners who have just landed often hold their wings upright after landing.
Distribution area and habitat
The breeding area of the prairie runner extends from northwest Alaska, the Yukon and British Columbia in a southerly direction to Oregon and from there over the Great Plains and the Great Lakes to West Virginia and Maryland . The wintering areas are found in South America and extend from southern Brazil to southern Argentina and Chile . The migration from the breeding areas begins in August / September. The first overwintering birds arrive in the South American pampas at the end of September. Latecomers are observed in North America until November. The homecoming begins at the beginning of March. As a rule, prairie runners reach their breeding area again in April or in the north of the distribution area in May.
The prairie breeders on short-grass grassland, in prairies and on grassy bogs. Johnsgard points out that the Prairie Elder, like the American common woodcock, is an indicator species for prairie landscapes. It places high demands on its breeding habitat, which must be at least 150 acres .
During the migration period , the prairie runner occurs in savannahs and on open fields as well as on pampas and can often be seen on airfields and golf courses.
Way of life
The prairie runner is active during the day and at dusk. Similar to a plover , it runs very quickly for short distances, then suddenly stops and begins to peck. The diet consists mainly of insects. Grasshoppers, crickets and weevils as well as various beetle larvae play an essential role. It also eats spiders, snails and earthworms. Most of the prey is collected on the surface of the earth.
Plains runners are usually already mated when they arrive in their breeding areas. The nest is a hollow in the ground that is padded with dry plant material. The clutch usually consists of four eggs. These have a cream-colored to pinkish-beige skin. The breeding season is 24 days and both parent birds breed. The young birds are kept for 32 to 34 days.
supporting documents
literature
- Hans-Günther Bauer, Einhard Bezzel and Wolfgang Fiedler (eds.): The compendium of birds in Central Europe: Everything about biology, endangerment and protection. Volume 1: Nonpasseriformes - non-sparrow birds. Aula-Verlag Wiebelsheim, Wiesbaden 2005, ISBN 3-89104-647-2 .
- Peter Colston , Philip Burton: Limicolen - All European wader species, identifiers, flight images, biology, distribution. BlV Verlagsgesellschaft, Munich 1989, ISBN 3-405-13647-4
Web links
- BirdLife factsheet
- Bartramia longicauda inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Threatened Species . Listed by: BirdLife International, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2014.