Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)

Family: Anatidae

Habitat: Found in freshwater lakes, marshes, and rivers with slow-moving waters with emergent vegetation; occasionally in brackish waters (A.O.U. 1998).

Distribution: Breeding range extends from Alaska south to northern British Columbia, southwestern Mackenzie, northwestern Alberta, western and central Montana, and southern Saskatchewan (local breeder within this range); formerly bred as far south as the mid-Western United States. Wintering range extends from southern Alaska south to California; also in Arizona, New Mexico, and east to Colorado and Minnesota (A.O.U. 1998). The Trumpeter Swan has been introduced and established in many additional locations.

Field Marks: Black bill with no yellow spot (as in Tundra Swan). Black at base of bill extends to encompass the eye (compare closely with Tundra Swan).

Nest Habits: Nest built of aquatic vegetation, is often placed on muskrat houses or beaver lodges; also may be placed along shoreline.

Eggs: 2-13, usually 4-6; 111 millimeter; creamy-white in color.

Incubation: Females incubate the eggs; both sexes care for the young. Incubation lasts approximately 33-37 days; young are capable of flight when they are about 91-119 days old.

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Family: Anatidae

Habitat: Open lakes, ponds, and marshes, in freshwater habitats. In winter, may also be found in brackish habitats.

Distribution: An Old World species, introduced into the U.S., where breeding has been documented in southwestern British Columbia, southern Saskatchewan, Montana, the Great Lakes region, New York, New England, and additional locations south of this range (A.O.U. 1998). Some records may be the result of birds that have escaped from captivity.

Field Marks: Black knob on orange bill and the S-shaped neck are good field marks for adult birds. On the water, wings are often carried higher than in other North American swans. Dusky gray juvenile plumage begins to turn white by mid-winter.

Nest Habits: Breeds on the ground near water, where it builds its nest from cattails, reeds, and other aquatic vegetation.

Eggs: 4-8, sometimes as many as 10; 113 millimeter; gray or blue-green in color.

Incubation: Both sexes incubate the eggs and care for the young. Incubation lasts approximately 36 days; young are capable of flight when they are about 115-155 days old.

Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor)

Family: Anatidae

Habitat: Shallow marshes, lagoons, or flooded fields, in both freshwater and brackish habitats (A.O.U. 1998).

Distribution: Breeding range extends from South America, Central America, and Mexico north to southeastern California, central and eastern Texas, southwestern Louisiana, and more locally in central and southern Florida. Northernmost individuals withdraw to the Gulf coast and Florida locales during the winter (A.O.U. 1998). Vagrants have appeared at many locations further north.

Field Marks: Long neck. Orange-brown body color; back is darker with orange-brown feather edges. Note the white rump (compare with Black-bellied Whistling-Duck).

Nest Habits: Nest, of grasses and/or sedges, is usually placed in dense thicket of vegetation (e.g., cattails) at the edge of a marsh or pond.

Eggs: 6-16, usually 12-13, sometimes more; 53 millimeter; buff-white in color.

Incubation: Both sexes incubate the eggs and care for the young; incubation lasts approximately 24-26 days and young are capable of flight when they are about 55-63 days old.

Maybe You Should Get Yourself a Macaw

One of the biggest and brightest parrots is the macaw. The largest macaws are so big that their beaks are longer than a man's hand. These vibrant, powerful birds are not a good choice for the beginning bird fancier. However, if you are a new bird owner and really want to own a macaw, there are some smaller varieties, such as the Hahn's macaw, that are a good choice for less experienced bird lovers.

If someone asks you to describe a macaw, you probably think of the popular blue and gold. This striking bird has beautiful blue and yellow feathers and is surprisingly inexpensive compared to most other macaw varieties. The blue and gold is almost three feet (91 cm) long from head to tail.

While these birds are usually fairly laid back and gentle, they will often go through a nippy, moody stage in their adolescence. In addition, a mature blue and gold macaw that has gone to nest can be extremely dangerous. Birds that were once sweet and affectionate to their owners will not hesitate to attack and can literally bite right through a person's hand. For this reason, people with young children may want to think twice about buying one of these large macaws.

Another macaw that is a popular pet is the Green Wing. This bird is actually one of the largest macaws and has vibrant green, blue and red coloring. Green Wings are known for their steady, gentle nature, but adolescent birds may go through a shy, nippy stage. You will need to be careful not to stress your bird with sudden changes during this time. If talking ability is important to you, you will want to choose a Green Wing, since this macaw is more likely to talk than other varieties.

The Scarlet macaw is probably the perfect pet for people who love colorful birds. This vibrant bird has bright red, yellow and blue feathers. However, despite its beauty, the Scarlet macaw is not a popular pet bird, because it is prone to being a nippy, moody parrot.

The Hyacinth macaw, the largest parrot in the world, is a beautiful blue bird with yellow accents. Mature birds are 42 inches (106 cm) long and are so powerful that they can literally take any bird cage that is welded together apart with their beaks. Despite its strength and size, this breathtaking macaw is quite good natured and would make an excellent pet. However, because this macaw is on the endangered list, a baby Hyacinth is a bit hard to find and quite expensive.

Finally, if you would love to own a macaw, but are concerned about owning such a large bird, you may want to consider one of the mini macaws. The Hahn's macaw is a petite twelve inch (30 cm) bird with a mostly green body. There are some touches of red, blue and yellow color, but the Hahn's is not very colorful. However, it is an intelligent, playful bird and acts much like the larger macaws do. Other mini macaws that are readily available as pets are the noble, severe and yellow collared macaws.

White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)

Family: Threskiornithidae

Habitat: Found in fresh-water marshes, swamps, lakes, and flooded fields (A.O.U. 1998).

Distribution: Breeding range extends from northern California, eastern Oregon, southern Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota south to Mexico, Texas, and southern Louisiana; generally winters from central California, southwestern Arizona, and coastal areas in Texas and Louisiana south into Mexico and Central America (A.O.U. 1998).

Field Marks: In breeding plumage, overall chestnut color is glossed with dark green or purple. Breeding birds are told from Glossy Ibis most readily by white border to the base of bill which extends behind eye; also, note reddish lores and legs, and compare eye color and bill color. Immatures and non-breeding season adults are difficult to separate from Glossy Ibis.

Nest Habits: Breeds in colonies, usually in association with other herons. Nest is placed in bulrushes or reeds (or up to 6 feet high in shrub or tree), and consists of a cup of dead aquatic vegetation that is lined with grasses.

Eggs: 2-7, usually 3-4; 52 millimeter; greenish-blue in color.

Incubation: Both parents incubate the eggs and care for the young. Incubation usually lasts about 21-22 days, and young are able to fly when they are approximately 28 days old.