• Interesting Facts about Amphibians (3)
• Interesting Facts about Birds (22)
• Interesting Facts about Fishes (9)
• Interesting Facts about Mammals (48)
• Interesting Facts about Reptiles (16)

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Great Horned Owl

DESCRIPTION: The great horned owl is a large owlwith ear tufts and barred feathers on the underside of its body. It has abright white patch at the throat, which expands during vocalization. SIZE:   Approximately 45-63 cm; wingspan up to 1.5 m. Females usually are larger than males WEIGHT: Approximately 0.9-1.8 kg FUN FACTS: Greathorned owls may be active during the day or night, but are mostly nocturnal.During the day they only cover about 1 square mile, so it is rare to spot themin daylight.          Less than 3% of all bird species areactive at night, half of those are owls. Most owls have unique, comb likefeathers that allow for silent flight. The leading edge is "fringed"so that the feathers, when moving, do not make noise when rubbing together. Itis rare for the prey to hear an owl swooping in. Great horned owls have the mostidentifiable call, which sounds like: 'who-who-who-who'! If discovered during the day by smallbirds, it is not uncommon for the smaller birds to mob and chase away the owl. It is a myth that owls can turn theirhead all the way around. Owls have 14 neck vertebrae, allowing them to movetheir head 270 degrees. Although these birds have excellenteyesight, they are also capable of catching prey using only their sense ofhearing. They have binocular vision and a hooked beak so as not to interferewith their vision. Owls' eyes look forward in a fixed position and cannot movefrom side to side, as the human eye can. In order to see peripherally, the owlmust turn its entire head. Researchers learn about the diet ofowls by looking at castings, or pellets of indigestible material such as bonesand fur that are regurgitated. Owls are considered good luck in somecultures, but in others, they are feared as a sign of approaching death. Great horned owls are one of theprimary predators for skunks in North America.They have an opposable outer toe, which increases their ability to catch prey. Theseowls do not build their own nest; rather they utilize an old nest of a hawk,eagle, or any other large bird species.

Grey Turaco

DESCRIPTION: Medium-sized gray bird with a long tailand tall crest feathers. This species has a short, dark bill and dark eyes. Thebody is slightly counter-shaded and the legs are gray. The tail is long andmeasures about the same length as the body. SIZE: From beak to tip of tail 47.5-50 cm WEIGHT: Less than .45 kg FUN FACTS These gray birds are characterized by avery distinct "G'way" call, giving them their nickname, grey go-awaybird. They use this call to warn the other birds in their flock of impendingdanger. Turacos are the only birds to possesstrue green and red pigmentation. When you look at most birds, the color thatyou perceive is a function of the feather structure and refracted light. Thegreen pigments are produced by substances that are rare to other birds. The redcolors are produced by pigments (porphyrin) that are unique to the animalkingdom. (In fact, if you stirred a glass of water with a turaco feather, thewater would turn color.) Turacos possess semi-zygodactyl feet (3toes in front and one toe to the side). The toe that points outward can berotated to the front or back. These birds have a beautiful set ofcrest feathers that can reach a height of about 5 cm during periods ofexcitement. Turacos live in large flocks of up to30 individuals. They are monogamous in breeding. During courtship, the maleturaco will feed the female. Together, they build their nest, with female andmale taking turns incubating the eggs. Once the eggs have hatched, other flockmembers help the female care for the chicks. Chicks can fly at 4 weeks of age.They may leave the nest at 6 weeks of age (or decide to stay with the flock). Theyuse their long tails to maintain balance and their feet are well adapted forgripping branches. These birds seem to enjoy running along horizontal branches,rather than hopping or flying.

Gulls

DESCRIPTION: In general, gulls are robust, longwinged birds that have bills that are stout and hooked and fully webbed feetexcept for the hind toes. Unlike terns, which are found in similar habitats,gulls have broader wings and squared-off or rounded tails. Many gull speciesexhibit different colorations due to seasonal changes or maturity level and itis often very difficult to identify a given gull's species. Bill and legcoloration are excellent distinguishing characteristics to use identifyinggulls FUN FACTS: Some gulls follow behind plows toconsume upturned grubs while others are known to drop hard-shelled mollusksonto rocks to break them open. Manyspecies of gulls are kleptoparasitic and steal prey from other birds of the sameor different species. Kelp gulls have been seen to mob penguins in order totake their food, and also harass and rob other birds of their catches.

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