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Galliformes and other animals for South America
JOrnitho: Hello! I'm back with ideas for some new species for South America. I found in my computer an archive with some ideas for fauna and flora that I had some time ago and decided to show there to ask your opinion about them. The first is about a descendant of the domestic chicken. [more]Copper jacumitan (Jacumita cuprinus) Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae Habitat: Savannas and woodlands of Central South America. During the Holocene, the man introduced many species in other continents. The jacumitan is a descendant of domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) that are introduced in South America. It replaced the birds in the family Cracidae, which are extinct in the Neocene, in some areas. In a matter of fact, the name jacumitan is the junction of the words jacu, the popular name in Brazil for guans of the Genus Penelope, and the tupi word mitã (mitan) that means new, this way the name means “new guan”. The copper jacumitan is the type species of this genus and lives in the savannas and woodlands of Central South America. The copper jacumitan is sexually dysmorphic. The male measure 190 cm, due to the long tail, it has a bright coppery brown upperbody plumage and reddish-brown feathers below. They also have metallic dark green feathers on the tail and wings. Only males have a bright red naked skin on the face, with two wattles that conceal the sides of its head. This characteristic is shared by all males of the genus Jacumita. The males of the genus also have crests formed by white feathers with black tips. During courtship and panic moments, they rise the crests. The females have 75 cm of length and are cryptic brown and adapted to camouflage, its naked skin on the face is pale pink and don’t have flesh wattles. The young males are similar to the females until they reach 9 weeks, at this time the wattle begin to develop. Both sexes have long orange colored legs and grey beak. The males have spurs that they use in fights for dominance. The neck is long and slim. Copper jacumitans can fly, but prefer to run from the predators flying only as last resort. These birds are omnivorous and feed on insects, seeds, and fruits. Its forage for food by scratching the ground, usually near herbivores this way there is other animals observing for the presence of predators. Often the male sits on a high perch, to serve as a lookout for his group. He sounds an alarm call if predators are nearby. At night it will sleep perched on branches. Copper jacumitans are polygamous; the male will have a harem with 5 to 12 females and will guards the area where his females are nesting, and attack other males that enter his territory. To initiate courting, the males will dance in a circle around or near a female, raising their crests and lowering the wing which is closest to the hen. Then, he will vocalize and when she responds to his call, the male will mount her and proceed with the mating. The females make their nest in the ground, laying 6 to 14 red eggs which are incubated for 22 days. Chicks are precocious, leaving the nest shortly they are born. They fledge in about 4 to 5 weeks, and at 13 weeks old are chased out of the group by their mother, at which point the young males start to form a harem and the females join an existing one. Sexual maturity is reached at 6 months and the lifespan of this species is of 13 years, however is common for males to die early due to predation. Other species in the genus Jacumita are: Golden jacumitan (Jacumita aurea) Living in the forests of the Atlantic coast of South America, the males of this species has 200 cm of length, from beak to tail, while the females have 83 cm. The plumage of the male have a bright golden-yellow plumage in the upperparts, being scarlet in the chest and belly. They have dark metallic green wing feathers and tail while the female is cryptic brown. Red jacumitan (Jacumita amazonica) Living in the "terra firme" forests of the Amazon , the males of this species has 185 cm of length, from beak to tail, while females have 70 cm. The plumage of male is bright orange-red in the upperparts, while their chest and belly is yellow. The males also have dark metallic blue wing feathers and tail while the female is cryptic brown. Andean jacumitan (Jacumita andina) Living in the highland forests in the slopes of the Andes, the males of this species has 170 cm of length, from beak to tail, while females have 68 cm. The plumage of the males is white in the upperparts and yellowish-red in the belly and chest. The males also have dark metallic blue wing feathers and tail while the female is cryptic brown. This other one is about a descendant of the californian quail: Common austral grouse (Tetraoinus australis) Order: Galliformes Family: Odontophoridae Habitat: Forests of Southern South America During the Holocene, the man introduced many exotic species different habitats, the ancestor of the austral grouse was one of these species. Their ancestor was not a true grouse, but the Californian quail, due to evolutionary convergence they acquired characteristics similar to the true grouses of North America. Living in the forests of Southern South America, the male austral grouse are 55 cm long and the female have 44 cm of length. The male have a dark grey body plumage, black-and-white bridled head pattern, black back and a greyish-blue belly. They have a curving crest or plume, made of six feathers that droops forward (long and black in males /short and brown in females) and long forked blackish tail with white undertail coverts. Females and immature birds are mainly greyish-brown with a light-brown belly. Both sexes have a black bill and relatively long grey legs. Their diet consists mainly of seeds and leaves, but they also eat some berries and insects. In some regions their main source of food are the seeds of trees of the Genus Araucaria. These birds are not elegant fliers, however they sleep perched in branches. Given a choice, they will normally escape on foot. During the courtship, the male austral grouse do displays on a lek, each male have a “personal space”. The males strut around their chose space, doing a display. The display consists of the male posturing himself with the head near the ground. Then, they start to move it from right to left showing their crests, simultaneously they raising the tail feathers, showing their withe undertail coverts. After that, they will raise their heads abruptly and whilst make a highly distinctive mating call. When another male invade the personal space of other, a fight happens, in this case the male will try to take of the crest of the rival, this way they will not be capable to display for the females. The female usually lays approximately 12 spotted eggs. The nest is a shallow scrape lined with vegetation on the ground. Incubation lasts from 21–25 days, usually performed by the female and rarely by the male. The chicks are precocial, leaving the nest with their parents within hours of hatching. The male stay with the female until the young leave, with 3 months. The young reach sexual maturity with 1 year, with this age the young males acquire the coloration of an adult male. Their lifespan is of 27 years. In the forests of Tierra del Fuego another species lives, the Black boreal grouse (Tetraoinus nigrus). Their main difference to the other species is that the males have an all-black plumage, with only a faint shade of blue in the chest and brown undertail coverts. The females are similar to that of the common austral grouse. The males have 52 cm and the females 41 cm.[/more] I also have in this archive some names for possible species that I never developed bayond some few facts. Maybe someone could help me make their descriptions.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Hi and glad to see you again! I am sorry for the accident that I deleted your post. It is due to malfunction of my VPN - now, as Ukraine (my residence) blocks any sites of .RU domain due to the war, I can get access here via VPN only. Your species are good and I rush to add them to the catalogue!
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Hi and glad to see you again! I am sorry for the accident that I deleted your post. It is due to malfunction of my VPN - now, as Ukraine (my residence) blocks any sites of .RU domain due to the war, I can get access here via VPN only. No problem! I'm happy for returning to the forum. I'm full of new ideas! Another idea that I had for a Galliforme of South America: Andean mountain-cock (Montanogallus andinus) Order: Galliformes Family: Odontophoridae Habitat: Slopes of the Central Andes During the Holocene the man introduced many species. In South America the Californian quail was one of these species. In the Neocene these birds gave rise to two new Genus: Tetraoinus, the austral grouse, and the Montanogallus, the mountain-cock. The Andean mountain-cock is one of the representatives of this Genus. Living in the slopes of Central Andes, the Andean mountain-cock is a snowcock-like bird, both sexes have 63 cm of length and a light brown tail. The male has a dark brown plumage, a white chest, a golden scaled belly and a black head. They also have a short curving crest, made of six feathers; the crest is nonexistent in females. Females and immature birds are mainly brown with a grey belly and white chest. Legs and beaks are grey in both sexes. This species lives in higher altitudes. During winter, they descend to lower altitudes and move around in convoy. When approached from below on a hill slope, they move up, stopping every now and then to look at the intruder, but when alarmed they fly away. The flight is swift and will often make a whistling call in flight. They feed on seeds, bulbs, grass shoots and invertebrates. During the feeding, keep sentries and while resting in the middle of the day, one or more of adult birds stay in high boulders and keep a watch, warning the flocks on the approach of danger with loud prolonged whistles. Their nest is a scrape, sparsely lined and sheltered under a stone or bush usually on the leeward side of a bare hill, and avoiding ground with vegetation. About 6 to 10 spotted eggs are laid. The male stands sentinel while the female incubate them for 27-28 days. Both parent birds accompany the brood and adults perform distraction displays when the young are threatened, while the chicks crouch or hide between stones. Often, families group together, into multifamily "communal broods" which include at least two females, multiple males and many offspring. Males associated with families are not always the genetic fathers. The younger reach sexual maturity with 2 years. Their lifespan is of 27 years. In the Andean Altiplano lives the White-headed mountain-cock (Montanogallus leucocephalus). Their biggest difference when compared to the Andean mountain-cock is the white head of the males. They have 58 cm of length. Another species, the Blue-chested mountain-cock (Montanogallus cyanopectus), lives in the slopes of the Andes in the extreme south of South America. The main characteristic of this species is the grey-blue plumage in the chest of males. They have 60 cm of length. The females of all species are similar, except that the female blue-chested mountain-cock have a bluish-grey chest .
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho OK, this one is good too! Adding to the catalogue!
JOrnitho: I found in my archive the description of a Charadriiforme family that evolved to partially fill the niche of storm petrels, feeding of small pellagic prey in the ocean surface. Do you think that this creature could exist? They would hunt in association with predators that hunt underwater, taking opportunity in the way that they force the prey to surface to have easy access to food. I can post it there, if anyone want to give it a look. I also have another animal for South America, this time a duck: Common forest duck (Sylvanas sulamericana) Order: Anseriformes Family: Antidae Habitat: Lakes, rivers and marshes of forests and woodlands of tropical South America The Ice Age that occurred during the transition of Holocene to Neocene forced some species to migrate to southern regions. Certain species, even with the end of the ice age, remained in their new localities giving rise to new animals. The genus Sylvanas, the forest ducks is one of these cases. This genus originated from mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) x northern pintail (Anas acuta) hybrids which migrated to southern regions to avoid the Ice Age. When these ducks reached these new areas, they interacted with local birds of the same Genus. This resulted in new hybridization with these species, resulting in the genus Sylvanas having genes from them. These animals have genes of the domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) that went feral, the Mexican duck (Anas diazi) and the white-cheeked teal (Anas bahamensis). The type species of this new genus is the common forest duck which lives in lakes, rivers and marshes of forests and woodlands of tropical South America. The common forest duck has 60 of length and a wingspan of 93 cm. All members of the genus Sylvanas are sexually dysmorphic. The males of common forest ducks have a glossy bottle-green head and a cinnamon breast, throat and cheeks. The males also have a long tail, a characteristic inherited from the pintails. This characteristic is present in all members of the Genus. Their wings are greyish brown, and a white belly. The females are mottled, with each individual feather showing sharp contrast from buff to very dark brown. They also have white feathers on their cheeks and throat. Both sexes have iridescent violet feathers in the speculum and white feathers in the tail. The beak is reddish orange with a grey base, the colors are more bright in the males. The legs and webbed feet are orange. Young males are similar to the females, except for a pale brown breast, throat and cheeks. They acquire adult plumage with 3 years, with this age they reach sexual maturity. These birds are omnivorous, eating from plant material to invertebrates, such as molluscs, insects and crustaceans. Common forest ducks usually form pairs until the female lays eggs at the start of the nesting season. At this time she is left by the male who joins up with other males to wait for the molting period, which begins in the rainy season. During the brief time before this, however, the males are still sexually potent and some of them either remain on standby to sire replacement clutches (for female ducks that have lost or abandoned their previous clutch) or forcibly mate with females that appear to be isolated or unattached. A characteristic that differs this Genus of their ancestors is that they build floating nests hidden in the aquatic vegetation of lakes, calm rivers and other freshwater reservoirs. Egg clutches number 8 to 14 creamy white eggs. The eggs are laid on alternate days, and incubation begins when the clutch is almost complete. Incubation takes 28 days and fledging takes 50 days. The ducklings are precocial and fully capable of swimming as soon as they hatch. The lifespan of these birds is of 16 years. Others species of the genus Sylvanas: Masked forest duck (Sylvanas andina) Living in freshwater reservoirs of forests in the foothills of the Andes, this bird has 56 cm of length and a wingspan of 87 cm. The male of this species has grey flanks and back, a white underbelly and a green head. The head is glossy bottle-green with a black strip around the eyes. The female has plumage similar to that of the common forest duck, with the exception of a pale grey stripe around the eyes. Both sexes have iridescent blue feathers in the speculum and a white tail. Crowned forest duck (Sylvanas coronata) Living in freshwater reservoirs of the island of Great Antigua, these birds have 35 cm of length and a wingspan of 47 cm. They are poor flyers, but compensate by flapping their wings into the water as well as using their feet to swim fast, in a similar way to the modern steamer ducks. The male of this species have a glossy bottle-green crown and nape. They also have grey flanks and backs. The female is similar to the female of the common forest duck. Both sexes have iridescent blueish green feathers in the speculum and a brown tail. Northern forest duck (Sylvanas septentrionalis) Living in the freshwater reservoirs of tropical North America, the birds have 58 cm of length and a wingspan of 89 cm. The male of this species has a glossy bottle-green head and a dark grey collar that demarcates the head from the cinnamon breast, grey wings, and a white belly. The female is similar to that of the common forest duck. Both sexes have green feathers in the speculum and a brown tail, which is longer in the males.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho I can post it there, if anyone want to give it a look. Sure, why not? I also have another animal for South America, this time a duck: Very good, adding that to the catalogue! And once again, thank you for your participation!
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Very good, adding that to the catalogue! And once again, thank you for your participation! It's a pleasure for me to be able to help! I really appreciate the project. It was by reading it that I decided to become a biologist. Here is the description of the family of seabirds and some genera that is part of it: Common vesper bird (Hesperides aurora) During the Holocene, human interference caused the extinction of many species. After the extinction of the man, the surviving species continued their evolution giving rise to new ones. The common vesper bird is one of them, a member of the Hesperidae Family that was part of the Charadriiformes. Their closest relatives are the gulls and terns. This species lives in the tropical and temperate areas of the Southern Atlantic Ocean, nesting in islands. Its common name means “bird of the afternoon” and their binomial name is formed by the words Hesperides, the Greek nymphs of the afternoon and Aurora, the Roman goddess of dawn. These names are related to an adaptation presented by adults during the nesting season. To feed their young, one of the parents will leave the nest at the first hours of the dawn and will return at the last hours of dusk, then the other parent will go search for food, returning in the dawn. This way they avoid predators that can find the nest and kleptoparasitism by other birds. Morphologically, the common vesper bird is similar to the modern storm petrels (Genera Hydrobatidae and Oceanitidae); they have a larger head, thicker neck and strong long legs. Their wings are long, slender and pointed, this way they soar over the sea. This is a case of convergent evolution. Their bills are small, but strong. Their slightly curved tip helps in the capture of prey. This species has 21 cm of body length and a wingspan of 48 cm. Most of their plumage is dark grey, with the exception of the wings that are white and a crescent shaped white mark that extends from one side of their head to the other. Their tail is white and the males develop an elongated streamer. The bill is red and the feet are orange. The precocial chick is yellowish with brown markings and the bill is pale yellow. The eyes are large, allowing them to hunt during the night. Both males and females have large outgrowths in the base of the upper jaw. These structures contain salt-removing glands inside and allow these birds drinking salt water without any harm to their health. This characteristic allows these birds to spend most of their lives in the ocean, only returning during the nesting season. This species had evolved to partially fill the niche of the storm petrels. They feed on plankton, fishes, crustaceans and molluscs. Usually, these birds will catch their prey directly from the surface by hovering above it and then taking small morsels. However, they can seldom swim over it and more rarely dive, submerging for some seconds, but to no more than 50 cm below the surface. It will also track groups of predatory fish and other birds, waiting for their prey to be driven to the sea's surface. As the chicks grow, they are fed increasingly larger quantities of fish and crustaceans by their parents, generally partly digested and regurgitated. The common vesper bird forms pairs when they are at sea. The males initiate an aerial courtship display of flying in large circles, alternating between gliding, short periods of rapid wing-beating, and low flight within a few meters of the water, while making sharp cackling calls. Initially flying in small groups, birds then pair off to repeat the display in pairs before bonding. After bonding, the pair will arrive on the island where they nest and the male will offer fish to the female. Nesting takes place in loose colonies on oceanic islands. A monogamous and philopatric species, the pair will return to the same nesting place. The common vesper bird makes their nests in crevices between or under rocks, or burrows in the soil. When they make their own burrow, they loosen the earth with their bills and kick out the debris with their feet. The construction of the nest occurs at night. It usually lays a clutch of one pale purple egg with reddish-brown spots. It is incubated by both sexes for 43 to 47 days. The chicks eventually fledge in about 10 to 15 weeks after hatching and leave the nest at night with this age. The juvenile reach sexual maturity with 4 years. Their lifespan is 23 years. The Family Hesperidae is divided into two Genus: Hesperides and Erytheia. The species that form the Genus Hesperides are: Antarctic vesper bird (Hesperides australis) Living in the Antarctic Ocean, this species has 18 cm of length and a wingspan of 43 cm. The Antarctic vesper bird is white, with pale grey plumage in their wings and a black patch around and behind their eyes. The central feather of the breeding males is very short compared to the other species of the Genus. This species built their nests away from the ocean, being one of the few seabirds of Antarctic that nests away from the sea. This is an attempt to avoid most of the predators that stay close to the large nesting colonies of the other seabirds. However, this characteristic forces the parents to make long travels to reach the sea to find food for the chick. In the winter, this species migrates to more warm areas in the Indian ocean. New Azora vesper bird (Hesperides atlantica) Being endemic to the island of New Azora, this is the smallest representative of the Genus, with only 14 cm in length and a wingspan of 32 cm. The plumage of this species is mostly dark brown, except for the white rump and head. Northern vesper bird (Hesperides borealis) Living in the North Atlantic Ocean, this species has 19 length and 41 cm of wingspan. It has a pale brown to grey back, rump and wings with black flight feathers. It is white below and has a white face with a black eye mask. The species that form the Genus Erytheia are: Pacific vesper bird (Erytheia pacifica) Living in the tropical and temperate areas of the Northern Pacific Ocean, this species has 21 cm of length and 43 cm of wingspan. Most of their plumage is pale grey which is contrasting with darker grey on the upper wings and the rump. They also gave a distinct white head, and prominent dark eye patch. Californian vesper bird (Erytheia californiana) This species is endemic to California. The smallest of the genus, this bird has 14 cm of length and 38 cm of wingspan. Its plumage is dark grey and white, and it has a dark grey head with prominent white feathers on the cheeks and throat. There is a white speckling on forehead along with a prominent dark eye patch. Its underside is mostly white, which turned dark grey at underwings. Solitary vesper bird (Erytheia solitaria) Living in the South Pacific Ocean, this species has 20 cm of length and 42 cm of wingspan. Their plumage is similar to the Pacific vesper bird, except for the absence of dark grey in the rump that is replaced by white.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho It was by reading it that I decided to become a biologist. Wow! Delighted to hear that! Here is the description of the family of seabirds and some genera that is part of it: Good! Adding them to the catalogue.
JOrnitho: Another description of an animal for South America, this time a visitor that comes from Antarctic during winter: Antarctic swamphen (Austroporphyrio vorax) Order:Gruiformes Family:Rallidae Habitat: Lakes and swamps of Anartica, migrating to New Zealand and Southern South America during the winter In the Neocene, the Tectonic movements changed the position of the continents. Antarctica was now in a more northern position, this way this continent isn’t anymore a frozen land. In this new environment, the Antarctic swamphen appeared. This species is a descendant of the Australasian swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus). Its ancestors come from New Zealand to Antarctica. The Antarctic swamphen lives in the lakes and swamps of this continent, migrating to New Zealand and Southern South America during the winter. The Antarctic swamphen is a robust bird with 59 cm of length and a wingspan of 92 cm. The upperparts are greyish blue while the throat and underparts are white. The wings are brownish green. The beak and frontal shield are bright red and the feet are pale red. The wings are strong, allowing them to do their migration across the sea. These birds are ravenous omnivores, feeding on nearly anything that they can catch. They eat plant materials, invertebrates, fishes, carrion, eggs and young of other birds. Antarctic swamphens are frequent visitors at nesting colonies of sea birds, where they will eat eggs and unguarded young. These animals also patrol the coast in search of beached animals and algae. They are aggressive, attacking anything that tries to approach their territory or try to take their food. While eating carrion, these birds will fight for the carcass against birds of prey. These birds live in familiar groups, during the migration the family fly together and call each other. The courtship display of this bird occurs when the pair is formed for the first time and is repeated each year after they return to Antarctica. This display entails the male standing in a slightly bent forward position, with the neck outstretched, and holding the wings at an almost right angle to the body and bent at the wrist, so that the primaries are angled down. If the female approves, she will do the same display. After that, both birds will strut and make a deep bow as they approach each other. The nest is floating and built within the dense vegetation along shallow margins of lakes and marshes. The female lays 5 to 10 eggs, which both parents incubate for 25 days. During this period, the siblings defend the territory from others Antarctic swamphen. When the eggs hatches, the older siblings will help take care of the young. These birds are already capable to fly with 28 days. During this time, the family will occasionally visit colonies of sea birds and attack chicks that are alone. When the climate starts to turn colder, they move to the coast. When the first snowfall, these birds leave Antarctica to their wintering areas in New Zealand and Southern South America, stopping at islets along the way. This species reaches sexual maturity with 4 years, at this age the young leave the parents to form their own families. The lifespan of the Antarctic swamphen is 24.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho And another good species! Adding it to the catalogue! You do not have to use hidden text instrument when you add only one description in the post. It is reasonable when the post takes two or more screens to scroll.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: You do not have to use hidden text instrument when you add only one description in the post. It is reasonable when the post takes two or more screens to scroll Ok! I'll do that. I have two more descriptions, both were about Cotingas: Rose screaming anambe (Vociferornis roseoventer) Order: Passeriformes Family: Cotingidae Habitat: Tropical forests of Northern and Northeastern South America. The human actions in the Holocene caused many impacts in the ecosystems. Because of these actions, many species went extinct in the Neocene. However some species survived and give raise to descendants, one of these descendants is the rose screaming anambe (in Brazil, the word anambe was a common name used to birds of the Family Cotingidae). A descendant of the Genus Lipaugus, the rose screaming anambe lives in the tropical forests of Northern and Northeastern South America. These birds are sexually dysmorphic, with males being large and more colorful than the females. They have 68 cm of length and a wingspan of 100 cm, while females have 62 cm of length and a wingspan of 96 cm. The males have throat, underparts and wings magenta-colored. The head and back are dark grey, while the tail is yellow. The females are mostly dull grey, with rufous in the throat and underparts. The young males are similar to the females until reaching sexual maturity with 3 years. The beak and legs are dark grey. Rose screaming anambes feed mostly on fruits and berries, however flower, insects, spiders and small amphibians are eaten opportunistically. This bird never leaves the canopy, with all food being obtained there. These birds are solitary, forming pairs for a brief period after mating. The nesting season occurs during the end of the dry season. Males gather in large leks and vocalize to attract the females. Their song is extraordinarily loud, reaching even greater distances than that of the fiery fruitcrow. Nests are built in trees or treeferns, high above the ground. The female lay two white eggs and is the solely responsible for incubate them, the male will leave her after the eggs are laid. The incubation lasts for 27 days. The chicks fledge with 30 days. The lifespan of this species is of 20 years. Other species in the Genus Vociferonis: Bare-throated screaming anambe (Vociferornis nudicollis) Living in the forests at the foothills of the Andes, the males of this species have 57 cm of length and a wingspan of 95 cm, while females have 50 cm and a wingspan of 87 cm. Males of this species have a characteristic bare red patch of skin around its eyes and beak and on its throat. Their plumage is similar to that of the magenta screaming anambe. Females of bare-throated screaming anambe have plumage similar to that of the other species. Fiery fruitcrow (Calidornithes vociferans) Order: Passeriformes Family: Cotingidae Habitat: Moist subtropical and tropical forests of South America. The human actions in the Holocene caused many impacts in the ecosystems. Because of these actions, many species went extinct in the Neocene. However some species survived and gave rise to descendants, one of these descendants is the fiery fruitcrow. This animal is a descendant of the birds in the family Cotinga. It lives in moist subtropical and tropical forests of South America. Fiery fruitcrows are large passerines; the males can reach 40 cm o length with wingspan of 65 cm. while females have 34 cm with wingspan of 60 cm. Males are more colorful than the females, they have bright reddish orange feathers covering their body with exception of the belly, tail and primaries feathers that are black, they also have a bright yellow beak. The females have olive plumage with yellowish green underparts and their beak is grey. Both sexes have grey legs and feet. The young males are similar to the females until reaching sexual maturity, which occurs with 2 years. The diet of these birds is largely composed of fruits, the fruits of large seeds are swallowed whole and the seed are regurgitated while the small are expelled in the feces. Fiery fruitcrows will occasionally eat insects. This species lives mostly on the canopy of the forests, rarely coming to low levels. They are polygamous, during breeding season the males form loose leks and start vocalizing to attract the females, the sound produced is loud and can be hear for kilometers. Nests are built high in trees, far above the ground. The female lays two creamy colored eggs, which are incubated only by her for 27 days. Only the female cares for the chicks, feeding them with invertebrates and regurgitated fruits. The young fledge usually 23 days after hatching. The lifespan of this species is of 14 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Thanks for new species, added them to the catalogue.
JOrnitho: I have some more descriptions to post. This time it's of a dove and a monkey. Wandering dove (Zenaida erranta) Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae Habitat: In constant migration, from the forests of Tierra del Fuego to the Southern Amazonian rainforest A descendant of the eared dove (Zenaida auriculata), the wandering dove is a nomadic and gregarious species, constantly migrating in search of food, shelter and nesting grounds. They form enormous flocks with millions of individuals, in constant migration from the forests of Tierra del Fuego to the Southern Amazonian rainforest. The wandering dove is 20 cm long with a long wedge-shaped tail. Adult males have mainly olive-brown upperpart plumage, with black spots on the wings. The head has a reddish-brown crown and on the sides of the neck and the upper mantle they have iridescent display feathers of the colors violet or golden-green, depending on the angle of the light. The underparts are vinous, and the tail is tipped with cinnamon. The female is duller than the male, lacking the iridescent feathers .The immature birds are greyish-brown, very dull, with pale barring. In both sexes the bill is black and the legs dark red. Their diet consists of seeds, fruits and shoots. Their nomadic journey occurs as follows: Taking as a starting point the nesting areas in the forests of Southern South America, they will fly to north after the young are fledged. When the wandering doves reach the plains of Central South America, the enormous flock separates into small groups that will stay for a time in the plains. In the lasts days of autumn they will continue to migrate north. These small groups will congregate again when they reach their Amazonian nesting sites. After nesting here, they will fly back to the south, staying for a time in the plains and going to the Southern nesting sites when the conditions are favorable. They form immense breeding colonies and realize cooperative breeding, with the young receiving care not only from their parents, but also of others group members. Courtship took place at the nesting colony, on a branch or perch. The male, with a flourish of the wings, vocalize while near a female. The male then grip tightly to the branch and vigorously flap his wings up and down. When the male is close to the female, he will press against her on the perch with his head held high and pointing at her. If receptive, the female press back against the male. When ready to mate, the pair preens each other. As both sexes took care of the nest, the pairs were monogamous for the duration of the nesting. The wandering dove has two different nesting areas, one in the forests of Southern South America and another in the Southern region of the Amazonian rainforest. It builds a small stick nest several meters up in a tree and lays two white eggs. These hatch in 13–15 days with another 9 days to fledging. This species programs its reproduction to coincide with the fruiting of trees, in Southern South America they arrive in their nesting grounds when the trees of the Family Nothofagaceae have fruits, while in their Amazonian nesting areas they arrive when the first fruits starts to appear. If the fruits take time to appear there will be a high mortality of young. The young reach sexual maturity with 10 months. Their lifespan is 10 years. Black-headed jurupixuna (Jurupixuna nigrocephala) Order: Primates Family: Cebidae Habitat: Woodlands and forests of Central and Northeastern South America During the Holocene, the humans used to collect many animals from their original habitats to have them as pets. The common squirrel-monkey (Saimiri sciureus) was one of these animals, it was transported to many places, such as the Atlantic forests of South America. In these places, the monkeys escaped or are set free and have adapted to the new environment. Then, during the Neocene, this species give rise to the Genus Jurupixuna. The word jurupixina is one of the names used by the indigenous populations of Brazil to name its ancestor. The type species of this genus is the black-faced jurupixuna which live in the woodlands and forests of Central and Northeastern South America. Black-faced jurupixunas have a head and body length of 40 cm with a tail of 90 cm. The fur is yellow-orange with a white underbelly. The head is dark colored. Jurupixinas mostly walk quadrupedally and spend most of their time in the trees, but will occasionally descend to the ground when there are congregations of herbivore animals. When walking through the trees, it uses the long tail for balance. They will also make bipedal hops, climbing and descending supports with the body upright, and leaps. These animals eat fruits, leaves, seeds and flowers. They will also eat insects, small vertebrates and eggs. All species of jurupixunas use tools to get food. Upon seeing psittacids eating palm nuts, cracking them open with their beaks, these monkeys will select a few of the ripest fruits, nip off the tip of the fruit and drink down the juice, then seemingly discard the rest of the fruit with the nut inside. When these discarded fruits have hardened and become slightly brittle, the jurupixunas will gather them up again and take them to a large flat boulder where they have previously gathered a few river stones from up to a mile away. They will then use these stones to crack open the fruit to get to the nut inside. Other use of tools is the use of twigs to take ants and termites. Young monkeys will watch this process to learn from the older, more experienced adults. These animals are diurnal, sleeping during the night in trees. When resting, they generally prefer the highest branches. They form two type of group: one with a dominant male, several females and the offspring; other formed by young males expelled from their groups. The dominant male is the only one that reproduces, defending his group from the attack of young males that try to usurp his position. The females have a hierarchy with the youngest females occupying the highest ranks. Higher-ranking females are more reproductively successful than lower-ranking ones. The mating season occurs during the end of the rainy season, the babies are born after a gestation of 10 months. Infanticide is common among these monkeys. Most infanticidal jurupixunas are males that have recently immigrated to a group and driven out the prior male. These males only kill infants that are not their own. The young are weaned after 1 year and young males are expelled from the group with 3 years. Black-headed jurupixunas reach sexual maturity with 5 years and have a lifespan of 15 years. Other species in the Genus Jurupixuna: Gracile jurupixuna (Jurupixuna gracilis) Living in the forests of Southeastern South America, this species has 46 cm of length and a tail of 95 cm. The gracile jurupixuna have orange-olive fur and a white underbelly and face. Amazon jurupixuna (Jurupixuna amazonica) Living in the forests of Amazon basin, this species have 50 cm of length and a tail of 100 cm. Amazon jurupixunas have orange-olive fur and a grey underbelly and face.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good animals! Also added to the catalogue.
JOrnitho: I some more descriptions. These are about more two bird species: Paradise false-cuckoo (Pseudococcyzus cirrhoventer) Order: Passeriformes Family: Pseudococcyzidae Habitat: Atlantic forests of South America During the Holocene, humans caused many impacts on nature. However the survivors give rise in the Neocene to new species. One case is the Genus Pseudococcyzus, the false cuckoo. This genus is part of the new Family Pseudococcyzidae in the order Passeriformes. The type species of this group is the paradise false cuckoo that lives in the Atlantic forests of South America. These birds are brood parasites like the cuckoos. Other characteristic of these birds is their ability to mimic the sound of other birds. The paradise false-cuckoo is a sexually dismorphic bird. The male is large with 44 cm of length and 57 cm of wingspan. Half of their size is due to their long wide forked tail. The plumage is iridescent blue as are most of the upperparts, the wings are bronze-green with blue primaries, the throat and upper breast are glossy purple, and the tail is glossy blue-green. The middle breast and underparts are orange-buff. The female is smaller, with 37 cm of length and a wingspan of 48 cm. All females of this genus have the same plumage. The head, upperparts and tail of female birds are rusty brown, while their throat and underparts are white. The tail of females is short and less wide than that of the males. Young males are similar to females until reaching sexual maturity with 2 years. Beaks and legs in both sexes are grey colored. These birds are omnivorous, consuming a variety of insects, caterpillars, eggs and small vertebrates. Adults feed mainly on fruit. They will sometimes defend fruiting trees that they forage in and chase away other frugivores. All species of false-cuckoos are brood parasites. They form pairs during the breeding season which occurs during the end of the dry season. The male will attract the female copying the vocalization of other birds and will proceed to give her food. The pair will work together when the female needs to lay the eggs. The male will stay near the area of the host nest and will start to mimic sounds of predatory birds and attack the nesting bird. This spook the host, making it flees of the nest, allowing the female to lay its eggs. The female lay one egg per nest, she will consume one of the original eggs. The female lays 4 eggs on different birds’ nests. Birds of the Families Cotingidae and Thraupidae are chosen by the paradise false-cuckoo. The eggs are incubated by the foster parents for 16 days. When it hatches, the young false-cuckoo will not expel its foster siblings from the nest. The chick fledges with 28 days, but stays being fed by the foster parents for more than 10 days. Paradise false-cuckoo has a lifespan of 17 years. Other species in the genus Pseudococcyzus: Emerald false-cuckoo (Pseudococcyzus amazonicus) Living in the Amazon rainforest, males of this species have 46 cm and a wingspan of 60 cm. Its plumage is mostly metallic blue, with exception of the belly that is yellow. The female has 39 cm of length and a wingspan of 57 cm. The preferred hosts for its eggs are birds of the Families Icteridae and Cotingidae. Andean false-cuckoo (Pseudococcyzus andinus) Living in the forests near the foothills of the Andes, males of this species have 42 cm of length and a wingspan of 56 cm. Its plumage is mostly metallic green, with the exception of the underbelly that is metallic purple. The females have 34 cm of length and a wingspan of 48 cm. The preferred hosts for its eggs are birds of the Families Icteridae and Cotingidae. Amazon nhakurutukutu (Piscatostrix amazonica) Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae Habitat: Amazon rainforest The human actions in the Holocene caused many impacts in the ecosystems. Because of these actions, many species went extinct in the Neocene. However some species survived and gave rise to descendants, one of these descendants is the amazon nhakurutukutu, a type of species of the genus Piscatostrix. This animal is a descendant of the owls in the family Strigidae, the true owls. The name nhakurutukutu is the combination of two Tupi words, nakurutu (which means owl) and kutu (which means fishing). This reflects the habit of this animal to catch fish. It lives in the Amazon rainforest. These birds have 46 cm of length and a wingspan of 83 cm. The females are slightly larger than the males. Their plumage is rufous brown and heavily streaked with dark brown. The underparts are grey, with finer brown barring. The facial disk is dark brown and their ear tuffs are white and long. The beak and legs are dark grey. Members of the genus Piscatostrix eats mostly fish, however they will also take other aquatic animals such as frogs, freshwater crustaceans and large insects. Small mammals and reptiles are also eaten, but more rarely. Amazon nhakurutukutu nest during the dry season, which has the benefit of lower, clearer water and thus more easily detectable fish. They are monogamous and territorial, claiming a stretch of river or lakeshore for themselves. Territories are claimed by hooting at the start of the breeding season. The nest is a natural hollow or cavity in an old shady tree close to the water, quite often around where thick branches emerge from the trunk. The clutch size is typically one or two white eggs. The female lays the eggs when water's at its peak or starting to fall, so that brood feeding coincides with low water and concentrated prey. The female does all incubation for around 32 days, while the male feeds her. If there is more than one egg, hatching occurs at 5 day intervals. The second chick often disappears, probably due to starvation and fratricide. The young fledge with 53 days and remain in their parent's territory for 6 to 9 months after fledging and resemble the adult by around 10 months of age. At the first sight of danger to their offspring, both parents may engage in distraction displays. In these displays, the parents become slim and erect their ear tufts high, the wings are stretched and they produce a sound similar to a scream. This species reaches sexual maturity with 4 years and their lifespan is of 28 years. Other species in the genus Piscatostrix: Lesser nhakurutukutu (Piscatostrix minor) Living in the forests and woodlands at the foothill of the Andes, these birds have 37 cm of length and a wingspan of 72 cm. Females are slightly larger than the males. Their plumage is chocolate-brown with the facial disk being dark brown. Their ear tuffs are white and shorter than that of the other species. Costal nhakurutukutu (Piscatostrix atlantica) Living in the forests near the Atlantic coast of South America, these birds have 45 cm of length and a wingspan of 87 cm. Females are slightly larger than the males. Their plumage is rufous-brown with the facial disk being light brown. Their long ear tufts are white.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Wow, thank you! Adding them to the catalogue. ñakurutûkutu But, h-m-m, what do these diacritics mean?
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: But, h-m-m, what do these diacritics mean? I'm sorry! I forgot that these not exist outside of Brazil. The ñ is used to give a nasal sound to the n, similar to nh and how it's sometimes used in Spanish. The û means that it's being stressed a "closed" vowels, opposed to the ú that would be its open counterpart. I'll edit the description to change the name for Nhakurutukutu, which will be an adaptation of the Tupi-guarani name.
Àâòîð: JOrnitho ïèøåò: I forgot that these not exist outside of Brazil. It is a real problem sometimes to write foreign names in Cyrillic letters. IMHO, using of the native languages is a sign of respect to people living now at the areas described in the project.
JOrnitho: Àâòîð ïèøåò: It is a real problem sometimes to write foreign names in Cyrillic letters. IMHO, using of the native languages is a sign of respect to people living now at the areas described in the project. Yes. Next time that I use a word of a native language, I'll try to adapt to a way that can work to Cyrillic but retaining its meaning. By the way, I have more two descriptions of mammals. Amazon anhanga (Anhanga amazonica) A descendant of the Genus Mazama, the Anhanga has its name derived from an entity of Brazilian native folklore, more precisely the folklore of the Amazon region. In the legends, the Anhanga is a spirit which usually appears in the form of a white deer with burning eyes and is responsible for protecting the animals, especially the most defenseless, from hunters or unscrupulous fishermen, bringing these people great misfortunes. The anhanga lives in the tropical rainforests of Northern South America; they have stout bodies and large ears. Their head-and-body length is 146 cm; the shoulder height is 90 cm. Their fur is almost completely pale grey, except for the head that has brownish-red fur around their eyes. Males’ antlers are long and straight that can reach 50 cm, giving it an antilopine appearance. They use these antlers to compete against each other for the females, which are antlerless. This species browse on leaves, flowers, shoots, and fruits that have fallen from trees as well as low-growing shrubs. They will often scavenge for these fruits below trees in which monkeys are feeding. Living alone or in mated pairs within their own small territory, the boundaries are usually marked with urine, feces, or secretions from the eye glands. They are active both day and night. This species has no fixed mating season. Mated pairs that live together remain monogamous. Single male deer usually mate with nearby females. When males compete for a mate, they fight by biting and stabbing with their short antlers. The gestation period is 227 days and females bear only one fawn at a time. The young stay with the mother, keeping concealed until large enough to accompany her. They are normally weaned around 7 months of age and reach sexual maturity after a year. Their lifespan is 15 years. Another representative of the Genus Anhanga is the Andean anhanga (Anhanga andina). This species inhabits the mountainous forests of Andes. This species is smaller than the Amazonian one, with 117 cm of head-and-body length and 76 cm of shoulder height. The male antlers have 38 cm of length. This species has grayish-brown fur, with a pale gray head. Their fur is also ticker than the other species, what allows them to survive in colder temperatures in the Andes. Grey-headed marmoset (Neocallithrix griseocephalus) Even with the human interference during the Holocene, some species were capable to survive and evolve. The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) was one of these species; they are introduced by the man in different areas of the Atlantic region of Brazil, expanding their territory. This primate has become adapted to environments with great human presence and interbreeds with other species of the genus Callithrix: the Wied's marmoset (Callithrix kuhlii), buffy-tufted marmoset (Callithrix aurita), and the buffy-headed marmoset (Callithrix flaviceps). In the Neocene, as a result of this inteerbreed, a new Genus appeared: Neocallithrix, the new marmosets of Atlantic Forest. The type species of this Genus is the grey-headed marmoset, a inhabitant of the costal lowland forests of Southeastern South America. The grey-headed marmoset is a very small monkey with a relatively long tail. Males and females are of similar size with males being slightly larger. Males have an average length of 26 cm and females have an average height of 25 cm. The pelage of the marmoset is greyish brown with pale grey in the limbs. Differently of their ancestors, these marmosets have tuffts with a tassel-like shape, giving them the appearance of a koala. Such tuffts are mostly gray, but have some reddish-brown strands among them. The face has grey across the nose area skin and has a pale grey blaze on the forehead. The head is dark gray and the tail has a black tip. The coat of infants is pale brown. Like their ancestors, the grey-headed marmoset is adapted to a diet which is primarily made of plant exudates and insects. Common marmosets feed on gum, sap, latex, and resin. They use their nails to cling to the side of a tree and, with their long lower incisors, chew a hole in the tree. The marmoset then licks up the exudates or swoop them with the teeth. Exudates provide a reliable food source in their seasonal habitat. They rely on these foods when fruit is not abundant. A marmoset may visit a tree hole multiple times; including those made by other animals. In addition to exudates, insects also prove an important food source them. Grey-headed marmosets will also eat fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, nectar, snails, lizards, tree frogs, bird eggs, nestlings, and infant mammals. Grey-headed marmosets live in stable extended families with only a few members allowed to breed. The group can contain 12 members, but normally there are 8 individuals. A marmoset family usually contains a breeding female, a breeding male, their offspring and their adult relatives, be it their parents or siblings. The female in a group tend to be closely related and males less so. Males do not mate with breeding females that they are related to. Family groups will fission into new groups when a breeding male dies. Grey-headed marmosets may leave their natal groups when they become adults. Social rank is based on age. Dominance is maintained through various behaviors, postures and vocalizations. These primates are monogamous; the dominant couple will breed regularly for the rest of their life when the conditions are propitious. Females flick their tongues at males to solicit mating. The gestation period lasts for five months, and females are ready to breed again around ten days after giving birth. Grey-headed marmosets usually give birth to twins and the other members of the group will help raise the young. Infant marmosets instinctively cling to their mother and father back and do not voluntarily let go for the first three weeks. After that, they become very active and explore their environment. At this time, all members of the family will care for them. In the following weeks, the young spend less time on their mother’s back and more time moving around and playing. Infants are weaned at three months. At five months they enter their juvenile stage. At this time, they have more interactions with family members other than their parents, and there is rough play for to establish their future status. Another set of infants may be born and the previous young will carry and play with them. They become adults with 15 months and are sexually mature but can’t breed until they are dominant. The lifespan of these marmosets is of 11 years. Other species in the Genus Neocallithrix: White-footed marmoset (Neocallithrix leucopes) An inhabitant of highland forests of southeastern South America, the males of this species have 19 cm of length and the females 18 cm. They are similar to the grey-headed marmoset, with the exception of white fur in their hind limbs. Auburn marmoset (Neocallithrix rufus) An inhabitant of lowland coastal forests of northeastern South America, the males of this species have 22 cm of length and the females 21 cm. They have reddish brown fur, with pale grey pelage in their limbs and head. Brown marmoset (Neocallithrix bruneus) An inhabitant of highland forests of northeastern South America, the males of this species have 20 cm of length and the females 19 cm. They have brown fur, with dark grey pelage in their limbs and head.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho I'll try to adapt to a way that can work to Cyrillic but retaining its meaning Don't worry so much! Cyrillic version can be readily made by transliteration, and the only one question to be solved is the knowledge of phonetics. Keep in mind that some languages do not use diacritics at all but still have various sounds of the same letter (English is a great example). By the way, I have more two descriptions of mammals. Thank you again! Good work!
JOrnitho: I have two more descriptions, this time of more two birds. These were taking dust in my archive since 2018. Great magnificent booby (Austrosula magnificens) Order: Suliformes Family: Sulidae Habitat: Tropical and temperate areas of the Southern Atlantic, nesting in islands and coastal areas of South America and Africa During the Holocene, human interference in nature caused the extinction of many species. Those that were lucky enough to survive, left behind descendants in the Neocene. The family Sulidae was one of these survivors, leaving descendants that filled several different niches. While some like the gannetwhales became very different from their ancestors, some remained with a familiar appearance. The Genus Austrosula maintained a morphology and lifestyle similar to that of their booby ancestors. The type species of this genus is the great magnificent booby, a bird that inhabits the tropical and temperate areas of the Southern Atlantic, nesting in islands and coastal areas of South America and Africa. The great magnificent booby is sexually dimorphic, with the female reaching 87 cm of length and wingspan of 157 cm, while the male reaches 77 cm of length with a wingspan of 149 cm. Outside the breeding season, both have similar plumage, their upper body and neck is black, while the head is white. The feathers of the belly, chest and wings are white. Their tail feathers are also white and have black tips. The bare skin of their faces is pale red, their legs and feet are this same color. Their beaks are yellow. During the mating season, the bare skin of the males becomes bright red and they develop white tufts on their heads, coming from over their eyes, like eyebrows. Their return to the non-breeding appearance during late spring, when the time to form pairs ended. Like their ancestors, the great magnificent booby feeds on small fish and squid that they catch by plunging into the ocean at high speed. This species have preference for foraging close to the coast. They will also occasionally catch leaping fish while skimming the surface. The pairs of magnificent boobies remain together for several seasons. During the mating season, they perform elaborate rituals. The males are always the first to arrive in the breeding grounds. They select a suitable place for the nests to be built, sometimes even the one that they used in the last season. Once it was done and they successfully defended it from rivals, the females will start to arrive. The courtship of this species consists of the male flaunting his red feet and dancing to impress the female. The male begins by showing his feet, strutting in front of the female. Then, he bows to the female, showing off his head and the tufts. The dance continues with the "sky-pointing", which involves the male pointing his head and bill up to the sky while keeping the wings and tail raised. It ends with the male presenting nest materials and with a final display of his feet. This bird nests in large colonies. The female lays two or three chalky blue eggs, about four to five days apart. Both male and female take turns incubating the eggs, while the nonsitting bird keeps watch. Their nests are made of vegetation. They do not have brood patches, but their feet is very vascularized and hot, and the birds place the eggs under the webs. Eggs lost during the first half of incubation are replaced. The magnificent booby usually raises just one chick, the second one to hatch being unable to compete for food with its older sibling, or even ejected from the nest by it. The incubation period is 44 days. The male and female share parental responsibilities. The male provides food for the young in the first part of their lives because of his specialized diving. The female takes over when the demand is higher. Chicks feed off the regurgitated fish in the adult's mouth. The adults feed their offspring for around 13 weeks, right up until the time they leave. The young birds fledge with 87 days old. Sexual maturity is reached with 2 years and their lifespan is of 27 years. Other representatives of the Genus Austrosula are: Antartic magnificent booby (Austrosula australis) Nesting in islands and coastal areas of Antarctica, this bird spends the winter at the sea. The females are larger than the males, having 82 cm of length and 154 cm of wingspan. The males have 71 cm of length and 143 cm of wingspan. Their plumage is similar to that of their Tropical relatives, with the exception of the neck and head that are white. The males also develop tufts over their eyes, but they are longer than that of the Greater magnificent booby. The bare skin in their face, legs and feet is pale orange outside of the nesting season, becoming bright on the males during it. Lesser magnificent booby (Austrosula minor) Nesting in islands and coastal areas of the Indian Ocean, this species is the smallest of the Genus. The females are larger than the males, having 73 cm of length and 137 cm of wingspan. The males have 67 cm of length and 132 cm of wingspan. They are totally white, with the exception of the neck and wings. The males also develop tufts over their eyes, but they are shorter than that of any other representative of the genus, giving the impression that they really have eyebrows. The bare skin in their face, legs and feet is pale yellow outside of the nesting season, becoming bright on the males during it. Mustached magnificent booby (Austrosula pacifica) This species nests in islands and coastal areas of the Southern Pacific Ocean. The females are larger than the males, having 83 cm of length and 155 cm of wingspan. The males have 77 cm of length and 144 cm of wingspan. They are mostly slate-gray, with the exception of the head and belly that are white. The males develop tufts of feathers over their beaks, giving the impression that they have a mustache. The bare skin in their face, legs and feet is pale greenish-yellow outside of the nesting season, becoming bright on the males during it. Pygmy nocturnal heron (Noctiardea minima) Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae Habitat: Amazon rainforest, close to swamps and streams The human actions during the Neocene caused the extinction of many species. However some survived and in the Neocene they give rise to new species. One case is the pygmy nocturnal heron, a descendant of the zigzag heron (Zebrilus undulates). This bird lives in the Amazon rainforest. These animals are nocturnal, resting during the day hidden between branches of trees near water. Pygmy nocturnal herons are small birds, with 29 cm of height and a wingspan of 46 cm. Adult plumage is dark grey with a pale underbelly. Juveniles have a dark back with a pale brown head and underside. The legs are yellow and short for a heron. The beak is bluish-grey. Their eyes are large and have a more developed tapetum lucidum. These birds feed on insects, such as grasshoppers and water bugs, spiders, small fish, crabs, snails and frogs. Its hunts at night, feeding on moist soil, turning the cover of leaves from the forest floor or mud around shallow pools in marshy areas in search of preys, doing it silently and unobtrusively by standing and by walking slowly. Pygmy nocturnal herons lives solitary or in pairs. It makes its nest in trees at the water's edge at low altitude from the ground or water. The nest is a shallow platform of twigs, where the female lays 2 pure white eggs. The eggs are incubated by both parents for 25 days. The young fledge with 28 days. These birds reach sexual maturity with 4 years and their lifespan is of 19 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Thank you, good work again!
JOrnitho: Once again a bring to the project some more descriptions about birds. I also have some about plants that I'll post later. Also, I had a question about the Nomad albatross (Thalassocrator magnificus) of the chapter Lord of the Sky. Would be possible for his genus to have other species? Shellfish-eating duck (Pelagotachyeres ostracophagus) Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae Habitat: Nests in Antarctic and nearby islands, migrating during the winter to the sea near the coast of Southern South America. During the Holocene, human interference in nature caused the extinction of many species. Those that were lucky enough to survive, left behind descendants in the Neocene. One of these survivors was the flying steamer duck (Tachyeres patachonicus), which gave rise to the Genus Pelagotachyeres, with the shellfish-eating duck being its type species. This species nests in Antarctic and nearby islands, migrating during the winter to the sea near the coast of Southern South America. The shellfish-eating duck is a larger species of duck, with 68 cm of length and 97 cm of wingspan. This is a sexual dismorphic species, the male is larger than the female. They have white heads with a bright orange bill. Their webs and feet are orange. The females have brown heads and necks and their bills and feet have a pale yellow color. The rest of the plumage of both sexes is gray on the bodies and white in the bellies This species feeds on mollusks, crustaceans like crabs, and on sea urchins, starfish and sea anemones. They dive using their large feet for propulsion, then they capture and crush the prey by using their beaks, which are strong enough to break the exoskeleton of crustaceans and shells of molluscs. Although they can upend when feeding in shallower waters, they mainly dive to find their prey on the seafloor. This species is monogamous, spending most of its time in small family groups composed of the female, the male and the chicks. However, during the winter, these birds gather in larger groups of up to 300 individuals. During the breeding season, the males become aggressive with others of the same species, attacking them violently to the point of causing severe injuries. Sometimes the female will participate in these attacks. This is the reason why they only stay in pairs during this period. Their mating happens at the sea and is highly ritualized. The male and female begin by dipping their bills into the water at increasingly fast paces before the female submerges almost completely into the water and is mounted by the male, after which the female and male raise their bills high into the air in a hostile fashion and grunt audibly. Once mating has occurred, females lay between 6 and 14 eggs in down-lined nests and incubate them for about 34 days. The males stay with the female to defend the nest and participate in the incubation process only when the female briefly leaves the nest to bathe and preen. The nest is usually located in cliffs near the sea, but can also be built in plain areas near it. After 23 days of incubation, the ducklings will hatch. As soon as it happens, the parents will move with them to the sea. For those that were born in cliffs, the young will need to jump. Their brown and white duvet, small size and very light weight helps to protect them from serious injury when they hit the rocks below, but many die from the impact. After 12 week, the ducklings get their first plumage and sexual maturity is reached after 24 months. Adults can live for up to 20 years old. Another representative of the Genus Pelagotachyeres is the Masked shellfish-eating duck (Pelagotachyeres personatus) this species inhabits the temperate and tropical coast of Southern and Southeastern South America. This species has 64 cm of length and 89 cm of wingspan, with the male being slightly larger than the female. The male and female have white heads and necks. The males have a black patch around their eyes, which is brown on the females. The rest of their plumage is gray, with a chestnut-brown chest. Raptorial gull (Larovenator terribilis) Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae Habitat: Pacific and Atlantic coastal areas of South America Some species proved to be capable of surviving human interference. The kelp gull (Larus dominicanus) was one of them. In the Neocene this species give rise to a new one, the raptorial gull. Living in the Pacific and Atlantic coastal areas of South America, this species is an aggressive predator and scavengers. This species is a vagrant in Africa, North America, Eonesia and Europe. The raptorial gull has 82 cm of length and 179 cm of wingspan. The adult bird has black upperparts and wings. The head, underparts, tail, and the wing tips are white. Their thick and powerful bill is yellow with a red tip. Their legs and webbed feet are bright orange. Juveniles have dull legs, a black bill, a dark band in the tail, and an overall grey-brown plumage densely edged whitish. The young stay with this plumage until they reach maturity within five years. The diet of this species is composed of fish, mammals and other birds. Being a successful predator, they are capable of taking down large prey while acting in pairs. Birds that feed on beaches are frequent prey for them the raptorial gull will attack the flocks while they feed, killing those who are left behind during the panic. This gull can also eat carrion, being capable of fighting with vultures and other birds of prey for a carcass. They usually frequent colonies of seabirds where they catch eggs and chicks. When attacking other flying birds, this species often pursue them on the wing and attack them by jabbing with their bill, hoping to bring down the other bird either by creating an open wound or simply via exhaustion; this strategy is used to subdue young boobies and albatrosses when they start to leave their nests. Some individuals learned that, while waiting during the dusk, they may be able to surprise and kill a vesper bird returning to the nest. This species breeds singly, usually in areas close to colonies of other seabirds, thus ensuring food supply to the offspring. Being monogamous, the pair will hunt together, this way being capable of killing large prey. The nest is a shallow depression on the ground lined with vegetation and feathers. The female usually lays 2 or 3 greenish-brown, dark speckled eggs. Both parents participate in the incubation stage, which lasts for approximately 29 days. The breeding pair are devoted parents who both take shifts brooding the young, defending the nest and gathering food. They will attack any intruder approaching its nest. Young raptorial gulls leave the nest area at 52 days of age and remain with their parents for an overall period of around six months. Their lifespan is 32 years. Other species of the Genus Larovenator: Antarctic raptorial gull (Larovenator griseus) Living in the Antarctic Ocean, this species has 80 cm of length and 178 cm of wingspan. It has a white head, neck, breast, and belly, a white tail, and pale gray wings and back. The ends of its wings are white-tipped. Their beak is thick, powerful and yellow with a red subterminal spot. During the winter, this species migrates to Meganesia and New Zealand. Mangrove dove (Columba mangle) Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae Habitat: Coastal areas of South America During the Holocene, the man introduced species in other continents. Some of these introduced species were capable to survive in their new habitats and give rise to descendants. The mangrove dove is one of these cases, a descendant of the rock dove (Columba livia). This bird lives in the coastal areas of South America. The mangrove dove has 30 cm of length and a wingspan of 63 cm. Its plumage is mainly light brown in color, becoming darker on the back. The tail and primary flight feathers are dark grey, the bill is red with a conspicuous white cere, and the legs are purple-red. It has a grennish-purple iridescence along its neck and breast feathers. The adult female is almost identical to the male, but the iridescence on her neck is less intense and more restricted to the rear and sides, while that on the breast is often very obscure. This bird eats seeds, berries and invertebrates. The invertebrates are captured when they forage in the mud of mangroves during the low tide, thus the name mangrove dove. They also are seen in areas with sand near the sea searching for small crustaceans, these doves will also eat beached algae and the invertebrates hidden in it. They feed in flocks, this way they use their numbers to avoid predation. They also roost together at mangrove trees during the night. These doves are often found in pairs during the breeding season, but usually these animals are gregarious, living in flocks of 40 birds. The mangrove dove breeds at any time of the year, but peak times are spring and summer. The male on the ground puffs up the feathers on his neck to appear larger. He approaches the female at a rapid walking pace while emitting repetitive quiet notes, often bowing and turning as he comes closer. At first, the female invariably walks or flies a short distance away and the male follows her until she stops. At this point, he continues the bowing motion and very often makes full- or half-pirouettes in front of the female. Nesting sites are along coastal cliff faces. The nest is a flimsy platform of straw and sticks. Two white eggs are laid; incubation, shared by both parents, lasts 17 to 19 days. The newly hatched nestling has pale yellow down and a flesh-coloured bill with a dark band. For the first few days, the chicks are tended and fed exclusively on "crop milk". The fledging period is about 32 days. The young reach sexual maturity with 8 months. The lifespan of this species is of 15 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good ones!
JOrnitho: There is some more descriptions of animals for South America. One of them is about a family of descendants of the shearwaters, the others are mammals. Great diving albatross (Diomergulus magnus) Order: Procellariformes Family: Diomergulidae Habitat: Temperate and tropical areas of the Atlantic Ocean, nesting in islands During the Holocene, the human interference caused the extinction of many species. After the extinction of the man, the surviving species continued their evolution giving rise to new ones. In the Neocene a new Family of Procellariiformes appeared, the Order Diomergulidae, the diving albatrosses. These birds aren’t descendants of the modern albatrosses but of shearwaters of the Genus Ardenna, which through evolutionary convergence acquired physical characteristics similar to that of the birds in the Genus Diomedea, thus the name of the Order Diomergulidae, Dio (from Diomedea and Diomedes) + Mergulus (from diving). The type species of this group is the great diving albatross, a bird that lives in temperate and tropical areas of the Atlantic Ocean, nesting in islands. The great diving albatross is a large bird, with 88 cm of length and a wingspan of 207 cm. This species is almost all white with exception of the wings, which are dark brown. Their pale grey bill is large, strong, and sharp-edged, with the upper mandible terminating in a large hook. Running from the top to the sides of the bill there is two “tubes”, long nostrils that are characteristic to the Procellariiformes. Their completely webbed legs are pink, in the same way that their feet. This bird is not good walking on the land; because of this they build their nests in areas near cliffs on islands, this way the birds can more easily launch in the air. The flight is powerful and direct, with their long wings held stiff and straight. The great diving albatross eats fishes, cephalopods and crustaceans. This species prefers to forage in the open sean. They catch their prey by plunge-diving, being capable to reach 65 m in a dive. They use their wings to help swimming underwater in a way similar to a flight; feet are also used to help in their swim. A gregarious species during the nesting season, this bird can be seen in large numbers when feeding. They will also track groups of predatory fish, waiting for their prey to be driven to the sea's surface. They produce a stomach oil that is used both against predators and as an energy rich food source for chicks and for the adults during their flights. Nesting takes place in large colonies in islands. Great diving albatrosses are monogamous and highly philopatric, meaning they usually return to their natal colony to breed. The males are the firsts to arrive at the colonies. They will choose a place for the nest, those who choose the best places will be most likely to attract a female. Fights between the males for a place are common, with them hitting each other with their beaks and wings. After finding a good place for the nest, the male will start to vocalize to attract the attention of a soaring female. If the female accept the male, she will land next to him and they will vocalize together, marking the place that they will construct their nest, after that the pair will preen each other. The nest is a simple depression excavated by the parents and lined with plant material. The female laid only one white egg, which is incubated by both parents for 64 days. Once the chick hatches, the parents raise their chick for 125 days. At first it is fed by its parents every two days, with the feeding frequency reduced as it approaches fledging. Having fledged, the young birds stays at sea until they reach sexual maturity with five years, but only begins to breed with ten years. The great diving albatross lifespan is of 58 years. The Order Diomergulidae has two Genus: The Genus Diomergulus, the Atlantic diving albatrosses. Besides the great diving albatross, other species in this Genus are: Southern diving albatross (Diomergulus australis) Living in the Antarctic Ocean and nesting in islands there, this bird has 90 cm of length and a wingspan of 210 cm. They have white plumage in the neck, face, throat, lower breast, and belly; the other parts are dark brown. Northern diving albatross (Diomergulus borealis) Living in the Arctic Ocean and nesting in islands there, this bird has 84 cm of length and 205 cm of wingspan. They are nearly completely white, with only their primaries and secondaries feathers being dark brown. Brown diving albatross (Diomergulus rufus) The only species living in the Indian Ocean, this species is the smallest of this Genus, with 78 cm of length and a wingspan of 195 cm. They nest in islands near Jacarta Coast and Meganesia. This bird is completely brown, with the exception of the head and throat, which are white. The Genus Solitarimergulus, the pacific diving albatrosses. Differently of the birds in the Genus Diomergulus, which form large breeding colonies, the pacific species are more solitary, forming loose groups with widely spaced nests. Other differences are that their dives are less deep, reaching 45 m, and they are smaller than the Atlantic species. The species in this Genus are: White-fronted diving albatross (Solitarimergulus albifrons) Living in North Pacific, this species has 70 cm of length and 187 cm of wingspan. They are almost completely dark brown, with the exception of their characteristic white forehead. They also have white tail feathers. White-fronted diving albatrosses nests in islands near Japan and Bering Sea, forming small groups. Solitary diving albatross (Solitarimergulus eonesianus) Living in tropical latitudes of the Pacific Ocean, this species has 69 cm of length and 183 cm of wingspan. Their plumage is completely brown, with only the tail feathers being white. The solitary diving albatross only nests in the islands of Eonesia, with the pairs making their nest very far from each other, because of this they are named “solitary”. Sooty diving albatross (Solitarimergulus fuscus) Living in South Pacific, this species has 73 cm of length and a wingspan of 191 cm. They are sooty-brown with dark brown plumage in their wings and white feathers in their tail. The sooty diving albatross nests in islands near New Zealand and the Pacific Coast of Meganesia, forming small groups. Puraheikai, the singing monkey (Tragoudipithecus arachnoides) Order: Primates Family: Atelidae Habitat: Atlantic forests of Southeastern South America The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However some species were capable of surviving and giving rise to new creatures in the Neocene, one case is the puraheikai, a primate descending from the howler monkey (Alouatta). The puraheikai is the result of the combination of the Tupi words purahéi, which means “sing”, and ka’i, which means “monkey”, this way meaning “singing monkey”. This species lives in the Atlantic forests of Southeastern South America. Puraheikai are sexually dysmorphic, males have a dark brown fur and are large than the females, with a head-body length of 76 cm, with a prehensile tail of 80 cm. Females are pale brown and have a head-body length of 63 cm, a tail length of 73 cm. Both sexes have long limbs and the strong prehensile tail acts as a fifth member. The young males have fur similar to the female until reaching sexual maturity at the age of 5 years. These primates are frugivorous and folivorous, but flowers are also consumed. To drink water, the wet their hands on moist leaves, and then lick the it off their hands. These animals form family groups, with a mated pair and their offspring. They inhabit a firm territory, which they protect by warding off other puraheikai with their calls. Each morning, the family gathers on the edge of its territory and begins a "great symphony", the father starts to vocalize and is followed by the mother, the offspring follow then afterward with the older vocalizing first and the young ending it. Puraheikai retain the same mate for life, although they do not always remain sexually monogamous. Mating occurs during all the year, but most conceptions occur during the dry season, with a peak in births during the late rainy season, when the trees start to produce flowers. Gestation is six months long and pregnancies are usually of a single young. Young are nursed for approximately two years, and full maturity comes at about eight years. The life expectancy of the puraheikai is about 25 years. Kure, or South American wild boar (Sus silvaticus) Order: Artiodactyla Family:Suidae Habitat: Tropical areas of South America from savannas and woodlands to forests During the Holocene, man introduced species in other continents. Some of these introduced species were capable of surviving in their new habitats and giving rise to descendants. The monteiro hog is one case; these animals are descendants of hybrids of feral pigs and wild boar which were introduced in South America. The name Kure means pig in the Guarani language. These animals live in the tropical areas of South America from savannas and woodlands to forests. These animals are lightly built with short and relatively thin legs and they have average 80 cm of shoulder height and average 140 cm of body length. Males are slightly larger than females and have large tusks, which they use to fight during mating season. Their fur is dark grey with white markings around the eyes and on the cheeks and jaws and there is the presence of a mane running from the head to the middle of the back which can stay upright when they are excited. The fur of young is yellowish brown until they are 8 months old. This species is omnivorous, eating mainly roots and tubers, and supplements its diet with fruit, grasses, herbs, eggs, dead animal and plant remains, insects, and lizards. It uses its large muzzle to snuffle about in the soil in search of food, as well as scraping the ground with their tusks and fore-feet. The kure is a diurnal feeder, and performs all of its activities during the day, more specifically in the mornings and afternoons. They live in large mixed herds, with up to 200 individuals. The kure can spend up to two-thirds of its day traveling and feeding. The kure can breed throughout the year if the conditions are favorable. Males fight brutally to the right of mating with females. The gestation lasts for 130 days and the female gives birth to a litter of 4-10 piglets in a nest constructed from twigs, grasses and leaves. The piglets do not leave the lair for their first week of life. Should the mother be absent, the piglets lie closely pressed to each other. By two weeks of age, the piglets begin accompanying their mother on her journeys. Should danger be detected, the piglets take cover or stand immobile, relying on their camouflage to keep them hidden. They are weaned until the 4 months. The sexual maturity is reached with 2 years and the lifespan of the species is of 14 years, however many die young.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good ones! Added to the catalogue.
JOrnitho: I have three new bird descriptions. Two of them are about descendants of North American birds that migrated to South America during the Ice Age and ended staying here. Black-headed cardinal (Cardinalis nigrocephalus) The Ice Age that occurred during the transition of Holocene to Neocene forced some species to migrate to southern regions. Certain species, even with the end of the Ice Age, remained in their new localities giving rise to new species. One of these new species was the black-headed cardinal, a descendant of the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). Their habitat is the tropical forests of Northern and Northeastern South America. The black-headed cardinal is a mid-sized songbird with a body length of 21–24 cm and a wingspan of 25–31 cm. The male is slightly larger than the female. The adult male is a brilliant crimson red color with a black head and a reddish orange crest. The color becomes duller and darker on his back and wings. The female is brown, with mostly grayish-brown tones and a slight reddish tint on the wings, the crest, and the tail feathers. The females head is dark grey. Both sexes possess prominent raised crests and bright coral-colored beaks. The beak is cone-shaped and strong. Young birds, of both sexes, show coloring similar to the adult female until their first year, when they reach sexual maturity. Their diet consists mainly of seeds and fruits. It will also consume insects, including beetles, cicadas, grasshoppers, and snails; it feeds its young almost exclusively on insect The black-headed cardinal is a territorial song bird. The male sings in a loud, clear whistle from the top of a tree or another high location to defend his territory. He will chase off other males entering his territory. Pairs mate for life and stay together year-round. Mated pairs sing together before nesting. During courtship they participate in a bonding behavior where the male collects food and brings it to the female, feeding her beak-to-beak. If the mating is successful, this mate-feeding may continue throughout the period of incubation. The male bring nest material to the female, who does most of the building. The female builds a cup nest in a well-concealed spot in a tree. Three or four eggs are laid and incubated by the female for 13 to 14 days. Young fledge 11 to 12 days after hatching. Two to three, and even four, broods are raised each year. The male cares for and feeds each brood as the female incubates the next clutch of eggs. Their lifespan is 12 years. Red-faced waxbill (Estrilda rubrorostris) During the Holocene, man introduced species in other continents. Some of these introduced species were capable of surviving in their new habitats and give rise to descendants. The red-faced waxbill is one of these cases, a descendant of the common waxbill (Estrilda astrild). This bird lives in the plains of Central South America. This bird is small, with 12 cm of length. It has a slender body with short rounded wings and a long graduated tail. The adults have a bright red bill. Their plumage is mostly grey-brown, finely barred with dark brown. In both sexes their head is red. They have a reddish stripe along the center of the belly. Females are similar to the males but are paler with less red on the belly and a dull red. Juveniles are duller with little or no red on the belly and head, fainter dark barring and a black bill, until they reach sexual maturity with 10 months. The red-faced waxbill has a variety of twittering and buzzing calls and a distinctive high-pitched flight-call. The simple song is harsh and nasal and descends on the last note. Their diet consists mainly of grass seeds and insects are also eaten on occasions, which are eaten in great quantities during the breeding season when more protein is needed. The waxbills typically forage in flocks which may contain hundreds or even thousands of birds. They usually feed by clinging to the stems with their long, spindly claws and picking from the flower heads but they will also search for fallen seeds on the ground. They need to drink regularly as the seeds contain little water. The nest is a large ball of grass stems with a long downward-pointing entrance tube on one side. It is built in a tree and being a species that forms large flocks, a tree can end up being filled with several nests. A rudimentary second nest may be built on top where the male sleeps. Four to seven white eggs are laid. They are incubated for 11 to 13 days and the young birds fledge 17 to 21 days after hatching. Both parents take part in incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks. The juveniles are independent for 26 days. The lifespan of this species is 7 years. Scarlet-chested grosbeak (Pheucticus rubropectus) The Ice Age that occurred during the transition of Holocene to Neocene forced some species to migrate to southern regions. Certain species, even with the end of the ice age, remained in their new localities giving rise to new species. One of these new species was the scarlet-chested grosbeak, a descendant of the rose-breasted grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus). It lives in the plains of Central South America. The scarlet-chested grosbeak is a small passerine, with 18 cm of length and wingspan of 27 cm. The adult males have a black plumage on head, wings, back, and tail, and a bright red plumage on its chest, which is the main characteristic of the species. The females have dark grey-brown upperparts – darker on wings and tail –, a white supercilium, a buff stripe along the top of the head, and black-streaked white underparts. The young of both sexes have plumage similar to the female until they reach sexual maturity with one year, when the males acquire adult plumage. The scarlet-chested grosbeak forages in shrubs or trees for insects, seeds and berries, also catching insects in flight and occasionally eating nectar. It usually keeps to the treetops, and only rarely can be seen on the ground. Both the male and the female participate in selecting and building the nest, which is on a tree branch. Clutches are from 3 to 5 eggs, being pale blue with brownish red spotting. Males help the female with the incubation, which lasts from 11 to 14 days. The young grosbeaks typically fledge at 13 days of age and are independent of their parents after approximately 3 weeks. Their lifespan is 13 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho And again, good species!
JOrnitho: There is the description about the descendant of the goat living in the Andes. Andean antelope (Spirocapris andinus) Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae Habitat: Andean Plateau, doing seasonal migrations During the Holocene, human interference caused the extinction of many species. Many species were introduced due to different reasons, some due to ornamental while other because of their importance in agriculture and pecuary. The domestic goat (Capra aegagrus hircus), was an important part of the economy. With the disappearance of the humans, these animals remained and continued to evolve. In the Neocene, they give rise to the Andean antelope. This species inhabits the Andean Plateau, doing seasonal migrations The Andean antelope has its name due to their antilopine appearance. They have slender legs and a relatively long neck, they are capable of standing on their hindlegs and are relatively fast, running 70 km/h in flat ground. This species is sexually dimorphic; the male is taller than the female, with 120 cm at the shoulder, while females have 90 cm. The tail is 45 cm long, with a white tuft at the end. Females and juveniles have chestnut to dark brown fur, while males begin darkening and turn black after reaching maturity. Calves less than two months old are a light tan and show faint markings. The underparts, cheek, and chin of both sexes are white, creating a contrast with the dark back and flanks. Males have long ringed and spiraled horns, which can grow as long as 110 cm, while the females are hornless. The males also have an upright mane on its neck. They are adapted to the climate of the Andean Plateau, with their fur becoming thicker during the winter. It's shedded during the beginning of the spring. This mammal is generally a mixed feeder between a browser and a grazer, depending on the plant availability in their home range. They feed on foliage of bushes as well as trees, shoots, herbs, flowers, grass, forbs and leafy weeds. It can reach higher branches and twigs by standing erect on its hindlegs and elongating its neck; this helps it reach over for leaves and occasional fruits. The Andean antelope live in herds of 50 to 100 individuals, the group is led by an older female, a matriarch. Adult males can transit from a herd to another and sometimes can form all male herds, during the mating season they stay a long period in one herd for breeding purposes, doing courtship displays. The male pursues the female with his nose pointing upward, smells her urine and shows a flehmen response. The female shows her receptivity by waving her tail and thumping the hindlegs on the ground. This is followed by several mounting attempts, and copulation. Breeding usually takes place during the middle of the dry season, during this time the males compete for the females; their antagonistic behavior can come in the form of "direct" or "indirect" aggression. With direct aggression, one male bumps another with its horns or places itself in front of its opponent. It stands on its hind legs and comes down on his opponent with its horns. This may signal that it is ready to clash or it may be attempting a real clash, sometimes these fights can inflict serious injuries. Indirect aggression is mostly intimidation displays. During the beginning of the rainy season, the female will migrate up to 300 km to give birth to one or two offspring in specific calving grounds, usually near lakes or other freshwater reservoirs. The juvenile male is exiled from the herd around one year old, however all of the female calves remain. When the herd gets too large, it divides into smaller groups of females and their young. The young males, which have been separated from the herd, associate in "bachelor groups" of up to 12 individuals. They stay in these groups until reach sexual maturity at the three years. The females mature at two years old. This species' lifespan is 23 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good species!
JOrnitho: Some other descriptions of descendants of North American birds that settled in South America due to the Ice Age White-chested bunting (Passerina leucopecta) Order: Passeriformes Family: Cardinalidae Habitat: Forests of Southeastern South America The Ice Age that occurred during the transition of Holocene to Neocene forced some species to migrate to southern regions. Certain species, even with the end of the Ice Age, remained in their new localities giving rise to new species. One of these new species was the white-chested bunting, a descendant of hybrids between the indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea) and the lazuli bunting (Passerina amoena). It lives in the forests of Southeastern South America. The white-chested bunting is a small songbird. It measures 13 cm long, with a wingspan of 21 cm. The adult males have a vibrant cerulean blue plumage in their head and back. The wings and tail are black with cerulean blue edges. Their chest and belly is white. The adult female is brown on the upperparts and lighter brown on the underparts, with a grey belly. Both sexes have white wingbars. The beak is short and conical. In the adult female, the beak is light brown tinged with blue, and in the adult male the upper half is brownish-black while the lower is light blue. The feet and legs are black or gray. The juveniles’ plumage is similar to the female until they reach sexual maturity at 2 months, at this age the young males acquire the blue coloration of the adults. These birds eat mostly seeds and insects. They may feed conspicuously on the ground or in bushes, but singing males are often very elusive in treetops. These birds are generally monogamous but not always faithful to their partner. They make a loose cup nest of grasses and rootlets placed in a low tree. It lays three or four pale blue eggs, which are incubated for 12 to 13 days. Chicks fledge 10 to 12 days after hatching. Most pairs raise two broods per year, and the male may feed newly fledged young while the females incubate the next clutch of eggs. The lifespan of this species is of 8 years. Tropical waxwing (Bombycilla tropicalis) Order: Passeriformes Superfamily: Bombycilloidea Family: Bombycillidae Habitat: Amazon rainforest The Ice Age that occurred during the transition of Holocene to Neocene forced some species to migrate to southern regions. Certain species, even with the end of the ice age, remained in their new localities giving rise to new species. One of these new species was the tropical waxwing, a descendant of the cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum). It lives in the Amazon rainforest. This bird has 17 cm of length and a wingspan of 30 cm. Both sexes are similar with a brownish-grey plumage and a conspicuous crest on its head. It has a black mask through the eyes. The lower belly is a rich chestnut color and there are cinnamon-colored areas around the mask. The primaries and secondaries are red, being brighter in the males. The tip of their rectrices is orange. The beak and legs are dark grey. Tropical waxwings feed mostly on fruits and berries. Insects become an important part of the diet in the breeding season. Sometimes, these birds will eat fruit that is overripe and has begun to ferment, intoxicating them. These birds are sociable, staying in flocks year round. They are non-territorial birds and will often groom each other. They move from place to place depending on where they can find good sources of food. Nesting season for this bird begins during the end of autumn. The male will do a "hopping dance" for the female. If she is interested, she'll hop back. During courtship the male and female will sit together and pass small objects back and forth, such as flower petals or an insect. Mating pairs will sometimes rub their beaks together affectionately. The nest is a loose open cup built with grass and twigs, lined with softer materials and supported by a tree branch. Usually 5 or 6 eggs are laid and the female incubates them for 12 days. The eggs are bluish grey with irregular, dark brown spots. Both parents build the nest and feed the young. Young leave the nest about 14 to 18 days after hatching. The tropical waxwing reach sexual maturity with 1 year and its lifespan is of 12 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good ones again!
JOrnitho: Some days ago I posted the description of some birds that originated from North American species that settled in South America during the Ice Age. I was thinking if you have suggestions of other species that could also do it.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho I was thinking if you have suggestions of other species that could also do it. It could be any bird forced out of its natural habitat by some drastic changes, say, in climate or food access.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: It could be any bird forced out of its natural habitat by some drastic changes, say, in climate or food access. Yes. At first I thought about only migratory birds, but do you think that some non-migratory like the American crow could be forced South due to the Ice Age too?
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho do you think that some non-migratory like the American crow could be forced South due to the Ice Age American crow? It might. It is omnivorous and it does migrate south from Canada in winter. So it could migrate even more south to Mexico or further.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: So it could migrate even more south to Mexico or further. Maybe it could have reached Mexico and spread into South America before the Panama strait was totally broken.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Yes, why not.
JOrnitho: After what we discussed, I made a description for the descendant of the American crow in South America and a related species in Mexico. Guyrauna (Corvus notus) Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae Habitat: Tropical and temperate South America, living from the Amazon rainforest to the Araucaria forests. The end of the Holocene was marked by several climatic changes, one of them was an Ice Age. During this period, some species moved to regions with a warm climate, among them was the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos). Due to the cooler temperatures of North America, individuals of this species moved down, crossed the Panama Isthmus before it was broken and reached South America. There, they continued to evolve and in the Neocene they gave rise to a new species, the guyrahun. Its common name is formed by two Tupi-guarani words: Guyra (bird) and una (black). This species is widespread across tropical and temperate South America, living from the Amazon rainforest to the Araucaria forests. Guyraunas are large birds, with 53 cm of length and a wingspan of 102 cm. Like their ancestors, these birds have their bodies covered by black iridescent feathers. However, they developed white patches in their wings. Both their beak and feet is black. These birds are omnivorous, with their diet changing according to the region where they live. They will feed on invertebrates of all types, fruits, carrion, Araucaria pine nuts, seeds, eggs, nestlings and stranded fish on the shore. Guyraunas are active hunters and will prey on rodents, lizards, frogs, and other small animals. They are among the first birds to arrive in a carcass, feeding fast to avoid larger scavengers, such as vultures and birds of prey. Being clever birds like their ancestors, these animals are capable of modifying and using tools to obtain food. Guyraunas are socially monogamous birds, breeding in a cooperative way. The mated pairs form large families of up to 15 individuals from several breeding seasons. The offspring from a previous nesting season will usually remain with the family to assist in rearing new nestlings. These birds do not reach breeding age for at least three years, which is the time when they leave the family. They build bulky stick nests, nearly always in trees but sometimes also in large bushes and, very rarely, on the ground. Three to six eggs are laid and incubated for 18 days. The young are usually fledged by about 36 days after hatching. Their lifespan is 23 years, but many of them are killed by predators before reaching this age. Their closest relative is the Mexican crow (Corvus mexicanus), another descendant of the American crow. Living from the Mexican Plateau to the tropical forests near the Panama Strait, this species has the same plumage of their relatives in South America, but is smaller with 47 cm of length and a wingspan of 95 cm
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good one!
JOrnitho: I found in my archives the description of a genus of small opossum. Common sugar opossum (Nectarivora nectarivora) Order: Didelphimorphia Family: Didelphidae Habitat: Forests of the Atlantic coast of South America. With the end of the Holocene, new genera appeared. The genus Nectarivora is one of them, members of this group are the sugar opossums, small marsupials that feed mostly on nectar. The type species of this genus is the common sugar opossum which lives in the forests of the Atlantic coast of South America. These animals have a body length of 9 cm with an 11 cm long prehensile tail. They have large round ears. The fur is beige on its upperparts and pale grey bellow. The eyes are large, showing their preference for nocturnal habits. Sugar opossums feed mostly on nectar and pollen, using its tongue to have access to it in the flowers. When flowers are not available, these animals will eat soft fruits and mostly insects. These marsupials are solitary and spend the day in nests built on tree holes. This species breeds year around when the climate is suitable, being able to raise up to six litters of six to eleven young each during a good year. Gestation lasts 14 days, after which the young attach to a teat, where they remain for the next two week. The female can have a litter with 2 to 8 young. They grow hair at around 3 weeks, open their eyes about a week later, and are weaned at 8 weeks. This species reach sexual maturity with 6 months and have a lifespan of 5 years. Other species in the genus Nectarivora: Grey sugar opossum (Nectarivora grisea) Living the Amazon rainforest, this animal has a body length of 10 cm and a tail of 11 cm. Its fur is grey with a white underbelly. The ears are large and round. Masked sugar opossum (Nectarivora andina) Living in the forests at the foothill of the Andes, this animal has a body length of 8 cm and a tail of 11 cm. Its fur is grayish brown with a pale brown underbelly. Their main characteristic is a dark patch across their eyes, similar to a mask.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good one!
JOrnitho: I was reading the Bestiary and noticed that there are two species of vulture in South America, Acatou and the Twilight vulture. I was thinking there could be some other species of scavengers. With the Neocene megafauna of the continent being diverse, I believe that the number of birds that feed on carcasses would increase. There could be some descendants of the black vulture and of the yellow-headed vulture.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Scavengers can be present, but small ones, to aviod competetion from the two you mentioned.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Scavengers can be present, but small ones, to aviod competetion from the two you mentioned. Yes, I was thinking that they would be the size of common vultures of South America. With 54-77 cm, or even smaller. Another idea that I had is for a small caracara acting as a scavenger in dense forests. His size would allow it to move through the dense vegetation to land near carcasses.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho a small caracara acting as a scavenger in dense forests Possible! And it can become a non-flying wingless (or with reduced wings) runner! Or it can be large and resemble African secretary bird.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Possible! And it can become a non-flying wingless (or with reduced wings) runner! Or it can large and resemble African secretary bird. Well, I don’t know if it would be possible because South America already had the seriemas that would more easily fill this niche. However, since these birds live in grasslands and savannas, maybe some caraca could evolve this way, but would live in dense forests, hunting small animals in the ground. What do you think?
Àâòîð: JOrnitho ïèøåò: What do you think? I think hunting herons already exist in grasslands, and the niche is occupied.
JOrnitho: Àâòîð ïèøåò: and the niche is occupied. Does the hunting herons live in the Amazon forest, too? I was thinking that this caracara could be a small or medium sized bird living in Amazon and Atlantic forests. They could be long legged and patrol the forest ground after small prey, while occasionally catching some in the trees. Maybe they could even use the long legs to extract food from holes, like how the crane hawk (Geranospiza caerulescens) do in the Holocene.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho seriemas Oh, I forgot about them! Right you are!
JOrnitho: I finally finished the description of the scavenger birds, two vultures and one caracara. Great viceroy vulture (Pseudosarcoramphus vicerex) Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Cathartidae Habitat: Tropical and temperate areas of South America, from the Amazon rainforest to Patagonia. During the Holocene, human interference in nature caused the extinction of many species. Only those that were resilient enough were able to survive and left descendants. One of these survivors was the lesser-yellow headed vulture (Cathartes burrovianus). This species was widespread and was capable of adapting to anthropogenic interference, by feeding on landfills. In the Neocene they give rise to the genus Pseudosarcoramphus, the viceroy vultures. The type species of this genus is the great viceroy vulture, a large scavenger that inhabits all the areas of tropical and temperate South America, from the Amazon rainforest to Patagonia. The viceroy vulture has 77 cm of length and 197 cm of wingspan. Their plumage is predominantly black, which contrasts with their wing coverts, flight feathers and tail that are white. Their neck is featherless, with the exposed skin being yellow. These birds also have a grayish-blue comb. Their bill has a hooked tip and a sharp cutting edge. It’s dark gray, like their legs. The viceroy vulture eats anything from large mammal carcasses to beached fish and dead lizards. While principally a carrion eater, they will occasionally kill and eat injured animals, newborn animals and small lizards. This bird inherited their ancestors' good olfactory sense, being capable of finding a carcass several kilometers of distance. The viceroy vulture primarily eats carrion found in the forest, though it is known to venture onto nearby savannas in search of food. This is an adaptation to avoid competition with the Acatou. Once it has found a carcass, this bird displaces the other vultures because of its large size and strong bill. However, when it is at the same kill as the larger Acatou, the viceroy vulture always defers to it. Using its bill to tear, it makes the initial cut in a fresh carcass. This allows the smaller, weaker-beaked vultures, which can not open the hide of a carcass, access to the carcass after the viceroy vulture has fed. Viceroy vultures are monogamous, with the courtship consisting of several elaborate air maneuvers. This species do not build nests, but rather lay eggs on the ground, cliff ledges, the floors of caves, or in the hollow of a tree. The female lays two eggs, both parents incubating it for 53 days before it hatches. The chicks are altricial—they are blind, naked and relatively immobile upon hatching. The parents feed their young by regurgitating pre-digested food into their beak, where the chicks then drink it. The young fledge after two to three months. Sexual maturity is reached with four years old and they have a lifespan of 38 years. The Lesser viceroy vulture (Pseudosarcoramphus minor) is another representative of the Genus Pseudosarcoramphus. This bird lives from the grasslands and woods of the Mexican Plateau to the tropical forests near the coast of the Panama Peninsula. Their plumage is similar to that of their Southern relative, but they are smaller. They have 63 cm of length and 168 cm of wingspan. This species also lacks the comb present in the Great viceroy vulture. Long-necked apitan, or long-necked vulture (Apitan longicollum) Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Cathartidae Habitat: Grasslands and forests of tropical South America. During the Holocene, human interference in nature caused the extinction of many species. Only those that were resilient enough were able to survive and left descendants. One of these survivors was the black vulture (Coragyps atratus). This species was widespread and was capable of adapting to anthropogenic interference, by feeding on landfills and taking opportunity in the areas affected by man. In the Neocene they give rise to the genus Apitan. This word is a regional name for the black vulture in Brazil. The type species of the genus is the long-necked apitan, which inhabits the grasslands and forests of tropical South America. The long-necked apitan has 63 cm of length and 157 cm of wingspan. The main characteristic of this species is their long bare neck, which gives them the appearance of a stork while flying. Its plumage is mainly glossy black, with only the wings being white. The skin of their head and neck is dark grey and wrinkled, while both the beak, legs and feet are pale grey. This bird eats mainly carrion, but also takes eggs, fruit (both ripe and rotting), fish and can kill or injure newborn or incapacitated mammals. Its long bare neck allows it to pick food inside deep crevices in the carcasses. Like other vultures, it plays an important role in the ecosystem by disposing of carrion which would otherwise be a breeding ground for disease. Like their ancestors, the long-necked apitan locates food by sight. This species is aggressive when feeding, and may chase the smaller scavengers from carcasses, but will flee with the arrival of a viceroy vulture and of an Acatou. A characteristic of this Genus is that they will remove and eat ticks from resting large mammals. The apitans will also visit nesting colonies of herons and seabirds to kill young. Young turtles leaving their nests will also be eaten. The long-necked apitan is monogamous, with the pairs staying together for the rest of their lives. Pairs are formed following a courtship ritual which is performed on the ground: several males circle a female with their wings partially open as they strut and bob their heads. Once the pair is formed, they will perform courtship flights, diving or chasing each other over their chosen nest site. The female lays one to three eggs on the ground in a wooded area, a hollow log, or some other cavity. Both parents incubate the eggs, which hatch after 28 to 41 days. Upon hatching, the young are covered with a buffy down. Both parents feed the nestlings, regurgitating food at the nest site. The young remain in the nest for two months, and after 75 days they are able to fly skillfully. They reach sexual maturity with 3 years and have lifespan of 26 years. Another species of the Genus Apitan is the Northern Apitan (Apitan mexicana), which lives from the Mexican Plateau to the forests of the Panama Peninsula, with some also being found in Great Antigua and Florida. While the plumage of this bird is similar to that of the long-necked apitan, they have a shorter neck. They are also smaller, with 54 cm of length and 142 cm of wingspan. Kakazi, the false vulture (Kakazi paravultur) Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae Habitat: South America, subtropical or tropical forest and heavily degraded former forest During the Holocene, human interference in nature caused the extinction of many species. Only those that were resilient enough were able to survive and left descendants. One of these survivors was the black caracara (Daptrius ater). In the Neocene, this species gave rise to the Kakazi (this word is a modification of the name ka-ka-zi, used by native people of Mato Grosso, Brazil, to name its ancestor). This medium-sized bird of prey is endemic to South America, inhabiting its subtropical or tropical forest and heavily degraded former forest. It also occurs in gallery forests and wooded savannas. The kakazi have 47 cm of length and 103 cm of wingspan. The females are slightly larger than the males. Their plumage is glossy black except for the distinctive white tail. They have bare bright orange heads, legs and feet. The beak is black. Juveniles can be identified by their dull black plumage, pale yellow face. These birds have evolved to feed mostly on carrion. Their bare head allows them to not get their plumage dirty while feeding and their sense of smell and good vision allows them to find a carcass. In dense forests, these animals will use their olfactory perception to locate food, using their agility and maneuverability to pass through the trees and vegetation. In the hierarchy of feeding of a carcass, the kakazi is above the guyrauna, but below the true vultures. His beak is strong enough to cut the meat open, with larger scavengers such as the long-necked apitan allowing them to do it before they scare the small bird to take the carcass for themselves. While these birds are developing a scavenging lifestyle, the kakazi can still eat fruits and actively hunt small prey such as other birds, lizards, amphibs and small mammals. This bird will also attack nests. The kakazi are monogamous birds living in small familiar flocks, formed by the breeding pair and their young of the last nesting seasons. The nest is made of twigs and built on the top of a high tree. The female lays one to four eggs, which are incubated solely by her for 32 days. The male stays near guarding the nest, while the juveniles will bring food for their mother and father. The young fledge at 67 days old, and will remain with their familiar group until reaching sexual maturity with 2 years. At this point they leave to stablish their own family. The lifespan of this species is of 25 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good ones!
JOrnitho: Would be possible for at least one large species of caiman to survive as a large aquatic species in South America? The broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) is resilient to human presence, being very common in lagoons of the urban areas of Barra da Tijuca and Recreio dos Bandeirantes, in Rio de Janeiro. They can also be found mangroves and estuaries. Maybe their descendants could evolve to be more marine.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho I think yes, caimans have a good chance to survive.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: I think yes, caimans have a good chance to survive. Nice! I made a description for this descendant. Giant caiman (Gigantosuchus atrox) Order: Crocodilia Family: Alligatoridae Habitat: Coastal brackish mangrove swamps, river deltas and other coastal areas of tropical South America, reaching 200 km inside the Amazon River. Several species of Crocodiliformes perished during the Holocene and those that survived were smaller species or those that became adapted to anthropogenic interference. In South America, one of the surviving caimans was the species broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris). Differently from the other surviving genus of caiman, the Paleosuchus, which most of the descendants in the Neocene are land-dwelling animals, the descendants of the broad-snouted caiman evolved further into an aquatic predator and without competition of other caimans, this animal grew to large sizes. This new species is the giant caiman, a large species that lives in coastal brackish mangrove swamps, river deltas and other coastal areas of tropical South America, even reaching 200 km inside the Amazon River. The giant caiman is a large Crocodiliforme, with females reaching 4 m of length while males can reach 6 m. They have a light olive-green color on the upper parts, while the ventral surface is yellow. They also have distinctive three spots on each side of their mandibles. They inherited the broad snout from their ancestors. This species developed salt glands that enable them to survive in saltwater. Their diet varies according to their size and age. Hatchlings are restricted to feeding on smaller animals, such as small fish, frogs, insects and small aquatic invertebrates. In addition to these prey, juveniles also take a variety of freshwater and saltwater fish, various amphibians, crustaceans, molluscs, such as large gastropods and cephalopods, birds, small to medium-sized mammals, and other reptiles, such as snakes and lizards. When giant caimans obtain a length of more than 1.2 m, the significance of small invertebrate prey fades in favour of small vertebrates, including fish and smaller mammals and birds. The larger the animal grows, the greater the variety of its diet. An adult can even eat small to medium sized sharks. These animals are more territorial than their ancestors, with adult males sharing territory with females, but will drive off rival males. Breeding usually occurs during the middle of the rainy season. Nests are constructed by the females, built in a mound shape using mud and rotting vegetation. The female lays 18 to 50 eggs at a time. They lay their eggs in two layers, with a slight temperature difference between the two layers. This will result in a more even ratio of males and females. The female guards the nest and hatchlings from predators. They take care of their young for 15 months. Sexual maturity is reached with 10 years. Giant caimans that survive to adulthood can attain a very long lifespan, with a lifespan of 70 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good! Thank you!
JOrnitho: I made the description for another species of bird in South America. This is a owl. Suindarassu, or Great Suindara (Tuidara magna) Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae Habitat: South America, from tropical rainforests to wooded savannas During the Holocene, human interference in nature caused the extinction of many species. Only those that were resilient enough were able to survive and left descendants. One of these survivors was the American barn owl (Tyto furcata). Being common and capable of surviving to the anthropogenic impacts, this species continued their evolution and gave origin to a new genus in the Neocene, the Tuidara (a local name used for the barn owl in Brazil). The type species of this genus is the great Suindara. This species is endemic to South America and inhabits tropical rainforests, being found mostly in areas where dense, old-growth forest is profuse. However, it may enter secondary habitats, such as forest edges, especially while hunting. Occasionally, they can also be found in dry forests, wooded savanna plains and semi-open areas with trees. The great suindara is a large bird, with 60 cm of length and a wingspan of 137 cm. The females are larger and heavier than the males. The large dark eyes are set in a round large facial disk, which is dark gray-silver and has a heavy black edge. The upperparts are dark greyish-brown, with white part of spots prominent. The underparts are whitish to light buff with little speckling. This species is a powerful species of owl, able to attack and kill large prey far beyond the capacities of its ancestors. It preys principally on a wide array of mammals, but it'll also eat invertebrates and birds. Being nocturnal, these animals hunt during the night. They eat smaller owls, caprimulgids, bats, cubs of small deermaras and artiodactyls. Hunting mainly consists of the owl watching from a perch for prey activity and then swooping down swiftly once prey is spotted. The prey is often killed quickly by the Great Suindara's powerful grip and talons though is sometimes bitten on the head to be killed as well. Then the prey item is swallowed whole or torn into pieces with the bill. Exceptionally large prey is consumed on the ground where it is killed, possibly being torn apart into manageable pieces. The Great Suindara are usually monogamous, sticking to one partner for life unless one of the pair dies. During the non-breeding season they may roost separately, but as the breeding season approaches they return to their established nesting site, showing considerable site fidelity. The nesting season happens during the dry period. Once a pair-bond has been formed, the male will make short flights at dusk around the nesting and roosting sites and then longer circuits to establish a home range. When he is later joined by the female, there is much chasing, turning and twisting in flight, and frequent screeches, the male's being high-pitched and tremulous and the female's lower and harsher. At later stages of courtship, the male emerges at dusk, climbs high into the sky and then swoops back to the vicinity of the female at speed. He then sets off to forage. The female meanwhile sits in an eminent position and preens, returning to the nest after some minutes before the male arrives with food for her. Such feeding behaviour of the female by the male is common, helps build the pair-bond and increases the female's fitness before egg-laying commences. These birds are cavity nesters. They choose holes in trees and fissures in cliff faces. No nesting material is used as such but, as the female sits incubating the eggs, she draws in the dry furry material of which her regurgitated pellets are composed, so that by the time the chicks are hatched, they are surrounded by a carpet of shredded pellets. Before commencing laying, the female spends most of the time near the nest and all her food is entirely provisioned by the male. When the female has reached peak weight, the male provides a ritual presentation of food and copulation occurs at the nest. The female lays eggs on alternate days and the clutch size averages about five eggs, but can reach nine. The eggs are chalky white and incubation begins as soon as the first egg is laid. The incubation period is about 30 days, hatching takes place over a prolonged period and the youngest chick may be several weeks younger than its oldest sibling. Not all chicks survive, with the weakest being devoured by their siblings. They fully fledge with ten weeks, but remain dependent of the parents until they have 15 weeks. These birds reach sexual maturity with 2 years and their lifespan is of 27 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good! But again, how is this pronounced? ç Cedilla diacritic has various meanings in different languages.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Cedilla diacritic has various meanings in different languages. Once again I got carried away with local names hahahaha. In this case, it have the sound of "s". However, it can be replaced by c, being Suindaracu.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho sound of "s" Like in French, which I used to study at school. Thanks for explanation. replaced by c, being Suindaracu In this case, we read it using English phonetics (as of international language), so it would be better to use letter S instead to prevent reading as "k".
JOrnitho: I was thinking, would Neocene South America have new coastal lagoons and Restingas (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restinga)? In the Holocene, these regions were common in Brazil. I have some ideas for ecological relationships in these environments.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Yes, why not? Here are the maps of neocene made by Alexander Smyslov: physical map climates Only Russian version, sorry.
wovoka: English versions are here: https://www.deviantart.com/alexsone/art/Neocene-natural-areas-map-426140482 https://www.deviantart.com/alexsone/art/Neocene-map-English-version-419704125
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: https://www.deviantart.com/alexsone/art/Neocene-natural-areas-map-426140482 This map is very useful. Thanks for the link. These lagoons and restingas are a distinct type of coastal tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forest. Since this vegetation still exists in the Neocene, is very possible that these areas will exist too. In Brazil, these coastal areas are full of endemic species. Also, are the pelicans extinct?
Àâòîð: JOrnitho ïèøåò: Also, are the pelicans extinct? No, cormorants and gannets instead of them.
JOrnitho: Àâòîð ïèøåò: No, cormorants and gannets instead of them. Ok! I was thinking if it would be possible for one of these two groups give rise to a descendant that at least partially fill the pelican's niche by developing a throat pouch. They could be a sister group to Sulidae or Phalacrocoracidae.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Oh, I didn't know about the English versions (wovoka, thanks!), though I see they are far too small for effective use. You can compare them to large Russian versions.
wovoka: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: I see they are far too small for effective use You need to register on deviantart to download the large version of the map.
Áèîëîã: wovoka Thanks, guess JOrnitho will read this post of yours. By the way, the line "Conventional signs" is an awkward English for just "Map legend".
JOrnitho: After watching a documentary, I gad an idea for two species of flamingo living in South America. One breeding in Patagonia and wintering in the coastal brackish lagoons of Eastern South America, while the other is a resident in the brackish habitats of the Northern part of the continent. I'll start to work on it after I finish the hyraxes.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho OK, flamingos are also interesting. Their peculiar beaks and the ability to feed their young using their own blood could evolve further into something interesting. And, if their diet changes, the color of their feather will also change!
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Their peculiar beaks and the ability to feed their young using their own blood could evolve further into something interesting. This makes me think how the flamingos could change. I knew that in the Neocene there is a flightless species, but how the South American ones could evolve? Perhaps a change in the diet or in the way that they feed?
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho I think they could change the diet, which involves changes in the structure of beak and color of feathers.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: I think they could change the diet, which involves changes in the structure of beak and color of feathers. Maybe they evolved to feed more on the organisms living in the substrate of brackish lagoons, perhaps even more algae than animals. Their beaks could change forms, having an "upside down" appearance or like that of a pteurodaustro.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho "upside down" appearance or like that of a pteurodaustro No, I meant a spatula-like beak, resembling that of spoonbills, but short. May be additionally somewhat curved downwards, and may be with a filtering apparatus inside.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: May be additionally somewhat curved downwards, and may be with a filtering apparatus inside Yes, this possibility is interesting. If they feed more in animals of the substrate, would they remain red/pink?
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho would they remain red/pink? No, they are pink to red due to their diet.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: they are pink to red due to their diet. Since they are going to feed on the substrate, maybe they are more white to pale pink.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Yes, possibly. Even can be totally white with yellow or yellow-red beak and legs.
JOrnitho: I finished the description of the flamingo. White flamingo (Albopterus curveramphus) Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae Habitat: Brackish coastal lagoons of the tropical and subtropical coast of South America The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However some species survived and in the Neocene they gave rise to new species. One of these new species is the white flamingo, a descendant of the American flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber). This species inhabits the brackish coastal lagoons of the tropical and subtropical coast of South America. While not migratory, these birds will migrate short distances to ensure that they get enough food or because their current habitat has been disturbed in some way, usually due to levated water levels. The white flamingo is a large wading bird, with 147 cm of height. However, some males can reach 155 cm. They have a wingspan of 140 cm. Unlike its ancestors, this bird is completely white with only its tail and rump being in a very pale shade of pink in the adults. The primary and secondary flight feathers are black. The legs and webbed feet are bright yellow. Another distinctive characteristic of the whole genus Albopterus is their curved downwards beak, which is bright yellow with a restricted black tip. The call is a goose-like honking. To eat, this species moves its bill through the soft mud located in the bottom of the brackish lagoons and filters it. This way, it collects crustaceans, molluscs, algae, microscopic organisms and insect larvae. While it had the capability of extracting the carotenoid pigments in the organisms that live in their feeding grounds, these colors don’t are widespread on their body like in their ancestors. These colors remain in areas close to the uropygial gland, which also produce a secretion that also contains carotenoids. During the breeding season, the number of carotenoid in their uropygial secretions increase and the white flamingos spread it over their feathers, giving the white feather a pinkish shade. The breeding season starts at the beginning of the dry season, when the water level of the coastal lagoons is low enough for them to make their cone-shaped nest made from mud and sticks. The white flamingo usually forms monogamous pairs when selecting a nest site, and incubating and raising young. However, trios can occur occasionally, in these cases they are formed by a male, an older female and a young one. While males usually initiate courtship, females control the process. If interest is mutual, a female walks by the male, and if the male is receptive, he walks with her. Both parties make synchronized movements until one member aborts this process. The courtship starts with males and females walking in unison with their heads raised. After some minutes doing it, they will walk at a quick pace with their heads dropped in a false feeding posture. The courtship stops at any point if either bird turns and the other does not follow, the heads are raised, unison movements are stopped, or the pace of movement is slowed. If the female is ultimately receptive to copulation, she stops walking and presents for the male. Long-term pairs do not frequently engage in courtship behaviors or in-group display. Pairs often stand, sleep, and eat in close proximity. In most pairs, both individuals usually construct and defend the nest site. In rare cases, one individual undertakes both duties. Within trios, both females will build separated nests, usually one close to the other. The male will help each female with the construction of the nests and incubating the eggs. The female lays one egg that is incubated by her and the male for 34 days. When newly hatched, the chick's bill is straight and black, but later develops a downward curve and the adult colors of beak. The feathers are white and grey and the legs are pale yellow. The parents are able to distinguish their chick from others in the colony by appearance and vocalization. Both the male and the female feed their chicks with a kind of crop milk, produced in glands lining the whole of the upper digestive tract. For the first 6 days after the chicks hatch, the adults and chicks stay in the nesting sites. At around 11 days old, the chicks begin to move out of their nests and explore their surroundings. When they are two weeks old, the chicks congregate in groups, called "microcrèches", and their parents leave them alone. After a while, the microcrèches merge into "crèches" containing thousands of chicks. Chicks that do not stay in their crèches are vulnerable to predators. After 2 months, the chicks are already fledged. The white flamingo reaches sexual maturity with 5 years and they have a lifespan of 37 years. Another representative of the Genus Albopterus is the Lesser white flamingo (Albopterus minor) this species inhabits brackish coastal lagoons of Great Antigua, Mexico and Florida Peninsula. They have 118 cm of height and 126 cm of wingspan. Their plumage is very similar to that of their Southern relatives, but the pink areas of the rump and tail are brighter. Their beaks are also totally black.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good flamingo!
JOrnitho: Recently, a fisher was hurt by an lionfish here in Northeastern Brazil. This brought to the news how this invasive species is increasing its ranger from Florida to Brazilian waters. I was thinking if would be possible for it to survive in the Neocene in the Atlantic. In this case, another fish could have evolved to eat it, perhaps a Serranidae that became imune to its poison.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good idea! But I'm not so good in fish...
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: But I'm not so good in fish... Same, but I'll see what I can do. There is anyone in the project that have a better knowledge about fishes?
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho There is anyone in the project that have a better knowledge about fishes? The Author. You may ask him personally via e-mail, just as you sent him your good illustration.
JOrnitho: I was thinking if it would be plausible for the introduced American minke and beaver to survive in the Tierra del Fuego. They could have descendants living on these areas during the Neocene.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: beaver JOrnitho, according to the canon, beavers died out everywhere by the Neocene. JOrnitho ïèøåò: minke According to the canon only two species of cetaceans survived to the Neocene: Baikal hard-beaked dolphin and chinese dwarf species of porpoise, the descendant of the finless porpoise.
Áèîëîã: wovoka Thanks for your reply! Unfortunately, yes, beavers and cetaceans are replaced by other taxa in Neocene. But... chinese dwarf species of porpoise Where is this? I failed to find it.
wovoka: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Where is this? I failed to find it. http://sivatherium.borda.ru/?1-0-1592389649390-00000052-000-10001-0#114
Áèîëîã: wovoka Thought so! It is not in Neocene, because not yet accepted by the Author.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: According to the canon only two species of cetaceans survived to the Neocene: Sorry, I commited another typing error. I mean the American mink, the small mustelid. It was introduced in South America for production of fur but escaped/was released and now can be found in Argentina.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: I mean the American mink, the small mustelid Yes, the American mink can leave interesting descendants in Argentina by the Neocene.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: the American mink can leave interesting descendants in Argentina by the Neocene. Yes! I already have some ideas for them. While some species would be more conservative and remained in land, the other could be marine with the appearance of a primitive seal. These marine seal-like minks would hunt schools of fish and krill in the open sea, this way not competing with the already existing Ayapuh. According to the description in the Bestiary, this rodent hunts by feeling the sea bottom and overturning stones, very different of how the mink descendant would search for food. They could also occasionally hunt the Ayapuh and penguingulls, like how the sea lions hunted penguins in the Holocene. Their distribution would be from Tierra del Fuego to Northern Chile in the Pacific, and to Southern Brazil in the Atlantic. Does this idea seems plausible?
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: Does this idea seems plausible? I think it's interesting idea!
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho marine seal-like minks Great! Good thing it will not copy the holocenic sea otter. We have algoceti (as descendants of nutria/coypu) already present in Neocene, but these are large herbivores, and a large marine predator would excellently fit there! Moreover, it can take the niche of toothed whales like, say, orcas!
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Moreover, it can take the niche of toothed whales like, say, orcas! I think that they can partially fill this niche. They would be more like a Steller sea lion and a leopard seal than an orca. Is there any large shark in the Southern Hemisphere that could hunt them? Including prey upon the algocetus.
wovoka: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: it can take the niche of toothed whales like, say, orcas! Áèîëîã, I don’t remember exactly, but according to the canon there is some kind of size limit for marine mammals, the largest are algocetes, so some other creature, but not a mammal or a bird, will occupy the orcas niche. JOrnitho ïèøåò: leopard seal I think this is possible.
Áèîëîã: wovoka according to the canon there is some kind of size limit for marine mammals, the largest are algocetes, so some other creature, but not a mammal or a bird, will occupy the orcas niche Oh... As Artemiy Lebedev once said, the restrictions/limits stimulate and motivate a designer, not bring him down
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: will occupy the orcas niche. Maybe it could be a large shark, like the Megalodon. Without whales, I see the fishes retaking some niches that they used to have before the marine mammals evolved. For example, there could also be a large filter-feeder Actinopterygii. Like the extinct Leedsichthys.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho large filter-feeder Actinopterygii There is the Sailerfish (chapter "Wanderers of the Ocean") in Southern Pacific.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho They would be more like a Steller sea lion and a leopard seal than an orca. Yes! Quite possible. Is there any large shark in the Southern Hemisphere that could hunt them? Yes, sea onza (in Bestiary, only Russian so far) in tropical regions of Pacific and Atlantic. This seemingly means it inhabits both hemispheres.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: sea onza (in Bestiary, only Russian so far) in tropical regions of Pacific and Atlantic. This seemingly means it inhabits both hemispheres. Thanks! I'll mention it in the description.
JOrnitho: I finished the description of the semi-aquatic descendant of the American mink. What do you think? Millalobo (Paraotaria odontoacuta) Order: Carnivora Family: Mustelidae Habitat: Southern South America, from Tierra del Fuego to Northern Chile in the Pacific coast, to Southern Brazil in the Atlantic coast During the Holocene, humans had caused several impacts on the environment. Among their actions was the introduction of exotic species. The American mink (Neogale vison) was one of the species that were introduced from their ancestral land in North America to several other continents, among them was South America. These animals were used in the fur industry, but a great number of individuals fled or were released. They were not only capable of surviving the transition of the Holocene to the Neocene, but also to evolve into new species, taking advantage of the demise of other animals to fill their niches. The millalobo is a descendant of the American mink that were introduced to South America. They share their name with a important creature of the Chilote mythology, a ruler of the sea. This species is a semi-aquatic predator that has filled the niche left by the sea lions and fur seals. It inhabits Southern South America, from Tierra del Fuego to Northern Chile in the Pacific coast, to Southern Brazil in the Atlantic coast. These mammals are sexually dysmorphic. The male is larger and more robust than the female. He has an average size of 185 cm, with some reaching nearly 200 cm. The female barely surpasses 160 cm. The male also has long upper canines, which can protrude from the upper lips in older individuals. Their body is elongated and flexible, with a dog-like head with small ears. They have strong jaws with sharp teeth, which are capable of leaving great wounds in their prey. This species has limbs modified into flippers, similar to that of an Otariidae of the Holocene. Like them, the millalobo is also more mobile on land. When swimming, these animals use their four flippers to give propulsion underwater. All these characteristics could pass them as a descendant of the pinnipeds, but these are only cases of convergent evolution. The only characteristic that differs from true seals is the presence of a stubby, 15 cm long tail. The pelage is thick and luxuriant, being light tawny on the females and young males, becoming dark brown in older males. Both sexes have pale underparts. The millalobo is carnivorous, feeding on fish, squid and crustaceans. They take long, offshore foraging trips, but sometimes can hunt near the coast. They can also eat seabirds, such as penguingulls, and mammals like the Ayapuh. The females and young males prefer to hunt smaller prey, while the adult males hunt mostly the large ones. When hunting penguingulls, the millalobo patrols the waters near the breeding colonies, almost completely submerged, waiting for the birds to enter the ocean. It kills the swimming bird by grabbing its feet, then shaking it vigorously and beating its body against the surface of the water repeatedly until the bird is dead. The Ayapuh is killed by these mammals with a bite on their necks. The largest of the males is also capable of killing a newborn algocetus. While they spend most of their time on the sea, these animals establish territories at the coast where they rest. The males will have a large territory. They are very territorial, fighting fiercely against males that try to invade. These fights can be violent, with deep wounds being left due to their large canines. The females don’t have a fixed territory, being able to move around the territory of the males. They are more sociable, even forming small groups in beaches or rocky areas. Such agglomerations are more common when they have cubs and during the winter. In the winter, the dominant male will occasionally participate in these groups to get warm. The mating season of the millalobo starts at the end of the autumn. During this period, the females will be starting to reunite in groups to get warmer during the night due to the temperature falling. Such groups are usually formed in the center of the territory of a dominant male. With most of the females together in only one place, the male will come in search of those that are fertile. The male will do it for 3 weeks, which is the period that the females remain fertile. During this time, he'll try to copulate with most of the receptive females that he can find. Is during this period that other males that don’t have territories try to approach females, resulting in fights. The gestation lasts from the end of the autumn to the beginning of the spring. During this period the females disperse in search of safe locations where they can give birth. These places usually are caves or large rock crevices, any place where the females can enter and the predators will not be able to have access to the cubs. Some females can enter estuaries, reaching freshwater in search of such locations.The female gives birth to one or two cubs. They are born with closed eyes that open one day after birth. The ears take a bit longer, opening three days after they are born. The females remain with the cubs for ten days, after that they start to go forage at the sea. After one month, the pups already are capable of swimming and the mother will guide them out of the den where they were born toward the groups of females that start to form during these periods. Differently of the groups formed during the winter, these are smaller and only have mothers and their pups. While the females go search for food, the young remain together in crèches. Pups are weaned after a year, at this point they are already capable of living alone. If they are female, their mother will tolerate their presence. However, the males are aggressively expelled by the mother, being forced to have an errant life until they are able to secure their own territory in the coast. The sexual maturity of this species is reached with 5 years and they have a lifespan of 36 years. However, few reach this age. Many males are killed in territorial fights, while individuals of both sexes are eaten by large sharks, such as the sea onza.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good one! A very elaborate description!
JOrnitho: I was thinking if the lack of suitable tree holes due to the bees would compel cavity nesting birds to start making nests in holes on cliffs and slopes. The project already have the digging parrot that does exactly that, but I was thinking if other birds could do the same. For example, a group of trogons that evolved to do it.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho But bees themselves can make their nests (hives) in rock holes instead of trees. Only given it is in tropical climate, so that they have sufficient temperature for development of their eggs, larvae and pupae during metamorphosis. Or you refer to some special species of bees that forces birds out (maybe Africanized "killer" bees)?
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Or you refer to some special species of bees that forces birds out (maybe Africanized "killer" bees)? It's because in the chapter that I'm translating, the Three Fates in Selva, is mentioned how difficult is for the birds to make nests in tree holes due to the competition with Africanized bees. So, I thought that some could learn to excavate nests in cliffs to avoid it.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Ah, now I see! But birds may also develop some other mechanisms of protection against Africanized bees. But the idea is interesting!
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: But birds may also develop some other mechanisms of protection against Africanized bees. Oh, this is an interesting idea! One of these strategies could be that some birds use toxic leaves in their nests to repel bees.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho toxic leaves in their nests to repel bees Yes! The leaves that give out some smell or toxin that repels bees but is harmless to birds! The only problem is that in some time the vapor wears off and the smell fades away, so the bird must fetch some fresh material.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: The only problem is that in some time the vapor wears off and the smell fades away, so the bird must fetch some fresh material. It can be solved with one of the parents staying incubating while the other goes to collect these leaves.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Yes, why not.
JOrnitho: I think that psittacids and woodpeckers could develop this strategy. Now we only need to have the species of plant that they could use. There is anyone in the project that have bonical knowledge?
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho psittacids and woodpeckers OK. species of plant that they could use anyone in the project that have bonical knowledge? I am not bad in botany, but not good enough to know tropical flora in detail. I think it could be some species of Solanaceae or maybe a descendant of Toxicodendron. But let's discuss this in another topic.
JOrnitho: I made this description for some descendants of the bananaquit. Emerald sibite (Carpophagus viridis) Order: Passeriformes Family: Thraupidae Habitat: Atlantic forests of South America During the Holocene, humans created gardens in the cities, which attracted many animals. One of these animals was the bananaquit (Coereba flaveola). These birds were common across all of tropical and warm areas of the American continent. Bannaquits prospered during the Holocene and survived in to the Neocene, giving rise to the Genus Carpophagus, the sibites (this word was one of its popular names on Brazil). The type species of the genus is the emerald sibite, which lives in the Atlantic forests of South America. These birds have 11 cm of length and a wingspan of 20 cm. All species of sibite are sexually dysmorphic, males are bright colored. In the case of the emerald sibite, males are bright green with black around the eyes, on the throat, back, wings and tail. Females and juveniles are similar, being dull green with grey on the throat, back, wings and tail. Both sexes have grey legs and feet. The beak is grey and sharp. The sibites eat mostly fruits and nectar, rarely feeding on small invertebrates. They use their sharp beak to perforate the peel of large fruits and proceed to consume the pulp. When eating nectar, these birds pierces the flowers from the side, taking the nectar without pollinating the plant. Sometimes small insects are consumed. This species is monogamous, mating for life. It builds a spherical lined nest with a side entrance hole, laying up to three spotted eggs, which are incubated solely by the female for 20 days. The male stay away from the nest most of the time (because of its colorful feathers) defending the territory and return to bring food for the female. These birds breed all year regardless of season and build new nests throughout the year. The young fledge usually with 18 days and reach sexual maturity with 4 months. The lifespan of this species is of 8 years. Other species in the genus Carpohagus: Amazonian sibite (Carpophagus amazonicus) Living in the Amazon rainforest, this bird has a similar size to the emerald sibite. The male of this species is bright yellow with black around the eyes, on the throat, back, wings and tail. The females and juveniles have dull colors. Dwarf sibite (Carpophagus nanus) This is the smallest species on the genus, with only 9 cm of length and 17 cm of wingspan. This is an inhabitant of the forests and woodlands near the Andes. The male is bright greenish yellow with black around the eyes, on the throat, back, wings and tail. The females and young have dull colors. The genus Carpophagus belong to the family Thraupidae and together with the genera Sentrentriornithes (northern sibites) and Neocoereba (insular sibite) they form the subfamily Carpophagiinae. Species in the genus Setentriornithes: Black-headed northern sibite (Setentriornithes nigrocephalus) Living in the tropical forests of North America, this bird has 13 cm of length and a wingspan of 23 cm. The males have bright yellow feathers at the throat, abdomen and belly. They also have dark plumage on the head, back, wings and tail with the presence of white around the eyes. Females and young are pale grey with shadows of yellow in the underparts. Black northern sibite (Setentriornithes nigrus) Living in the subtropical forests of the Florida’s Peninsula, this bird has 14 cm of length and a wingspan of 25 cm. The males are completely black with white around the eyes. They also have a bright yellow rump. The females and juveniles are pale grey. Specie in the genus Neocoereba: Insular sibite (Neocoereba insularis) The only member of it genus, the insular sibite lives in the forests of Great Antigua. It has 10 cm of length and a wingspan of 18 cm. Differently of sibites of other genera, the insular sibites don’t have sexual dimorphism, both the male and female have whitish grey heads, back, wings and tail. The belly and underpart of both sexes is yellow.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good ones, in three genera in a row!
JOrnitho: I saw that there is a descendant of the house sparrow in North America , this makes me think if it would be possible for those living in South America to survive too. They could form mixed flocks with other species of seed-eating birds.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho I think yes, it's possible, the South American population could give a different descendant, not the same as in North America.
JOrnitho: I made the description for this South American descendant of the sparrow. Monarch sparrow (Americopasser regius) Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae Habitat: Savannas of Central South America During the Holocene, the man introduced many species to other continents. Those that were able to survive left descendants in the Neocene. The monarch sparrow is one of them. This species is a descendant of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus) that was introduced in South America. This bird inhabits the savannas of Central South America. The monarch sparrow is typically about 15 cm long, ranging from 14 to 18 cm. They have a wingspan of 19 to 25 cm. This species is a compact bird with a full chest and a large, rounded head. Its bill is large and thick. The monarch sparrow is a sexually dismorphic bird. The males have chestnut face and throat, with a black crown and nape. They have an auburn back and grey underparts. The females have a pale grey crown and lack the chestnut in the face and throat. The plumage of the youngs are similar to that of the female. Both sexes have a white and a black wing bar below its shoulders, and flight feathers and tail streaked grey and black. Their large bill is dark grey, while the legs and feet are slate-gray. These birds' primary source of food are seeds of grains and weeds, but occasionally insects will also be consumed. They use the strong beaks to crush the food. This characteristic allows them to consume hard seeds and the occasional insect with a hard exoskeleton. While foraging, they form mixed flocks with Thraupidae seedeaters. The monarch sparrow is gregarious, forming flocks that stay together while foraging and sleeping. Monogamous, they usually mate for life. However, birds from pairs often engage in extra-pair copulations. Male monarch sparrows guard their mates carefully to avoid being cuckolded, and most extra-pair copulation occurs away from nest sites. Males may sometimes have multiple mates, and bigamy is mostly limited by aggression between females. Many birds do not find a nest and a mate, and instead may serve as helpers around the nest for mated pairs, a role which increases the chances of being chosen to replace a lost mate. Lost mates of both sexes can be replaced quickly during the breeding season. The formation of a pair and the bond between the two birds is tied to the holding of a nest site, though paired house sparrows can recognise each other away from the nest. This species can breed at any time of the year, but it's more common to happen when food is successful. Nest sites are varied, though cavities are preferred. Holes in cliffs and banks, and tree hollows, are used. They will sometimes excavate their own nests in sandy banks or rotten branches, but more frequently uses the nests of other birds such as those of swallows in banks and cliffs, and old tree cavity nests. It usually uses deserted nests, though sometimes it usurps active ones by driving away or killing the occupants. When there aren't cavities available, the monarch sparrow will build nests in tree branches and even below nests of large birds. The nest is usually domed, though it may lack a roof in enclosed sites. It has an outer layer of stems and roots, a middle layer of dead grass and leaves, and a lining of feathers, as well as other soft materials. The building of the nest is initiated by the unmated male while displaying to females. The female assists in building, but is less active than the male. The monarch sparrow do not hold territories, but they defend their nests aggressively against intruders of the same sex. The female usually lays four to five greenish-white, spotted brown eggs. They hatch at the same time after 14 days of incubation. Young monarch sparrows remain in the nest for 23 days. During this time, they are fed by both parents. As newly hatched sparrows do not have sufficient insulation, they are brooded for a few days, or longer in cold conditions. The parents swallow the droppings produced by the hatchlings during the first few days; later, the droppings are moved up to 20 m away from the nest. They are capable of sustaining themselves within 30 days. Sexual maturity is reached with 3 months and they have a lifespan of 7 years, but many perish early than that. This species is partially migratory, moving in flocks in search for food. The austral sparrow (Americopasser australis) is another species that is part of the genus Americopasser. This species inhabits the prairies and plains of Southern South America. They have 18 cm of length and 35 cm of wingspan. Morphologically, they are similar to the monarch sparrow. They also have large and strong beaks. The only difference between the two species is that the males have a black head with a chestnut throat. The female is similar to that of the monarch sparrow. This species is migratory, leaving the Southern areas in large flocks during the winter to Northern zones, even reaching the fringes of the Amazon rainforest.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Wow, good species with a great name!
JOrnitho: What could be an interesting niche for a cuculid to have in South America? Most of the species here aren’t parasitic, so I was thinking if these species could have some new niches that their ancestors didn’t had. Another idea that I also had is that maybe the parasitic species could lay eggs in exclusively in nests of these cuculids that aren’t parasitic and remained with niches similar of their ancestors, such as members of the genus Piaya, Coccyzus or Guira.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho What could be an interesting niche for a cuculid to have in South America? Most of the species here aren’t parasitic, so I was thinking if these species could have some new niches that their ancestors didn’t had. May be, a ground runner, like Geococcyx? parasitic species Which parasitic species? Piaya, Coccyzus or Guira Wikipedia states that Coccyzus species are partially, but not obligately, parasitic (sometimes lay eggs in other birds' nests).
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: May be, a ground runner, like Geococcyx? Here in South America we have the genus Neomorphus, the New World ground cuckoos. They are very threatened by deforestation. Perhaps they could be restricted to Amazon, while another species evolved to be an analogue of the Geococcyx in the rest of their territory. Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Which parasitic species? The striped cuckoo (Tapera naevia) or the genus Dromococcyx. Their descendants could be obligated parasites of other cuckoos. Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Wikipedia states that Coccyzus species are partially, but not obligately, parasitic (sometimes lay eggs in other birds' nests). Yes, I was thinking that one of their descendants could only lay eggs in their on nests. They would eat insects, having a preference for stinging caterpillar. They could be imune to their toxic substances.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Here in South America we have the genus Neomorphus, the New World ground cuckoos. They are very threatened by deforestation. Perhaps they could be restricted to Amazon, while another species evolved to be an analogue of the Geococcyx in the rest of their territory. Yes, why not? Your Neomorphus can survivve and give descendants in rainforests after the humans is gone, while a new species can develop in grasslands or mountains. striped cuckoo (Tapera naevia) Ah, I've read about Brazilian folklore character - the Saci! The name for descendant species is ready - the saci! They would eat insects, having a preference for stinging caterpillar. They could be imune to their toxic substances. Just like the common cuckoo. It eats hairy venomous caterpillars constantly.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Your Neomorphus can survivve and give descendants in rainforests after the humans is gone, while a new species can develop in grasslands or mountains. I was also thinking that the new species could also live in the Atlantic forests, filling the niche that the Neomorphus left here. Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Ah, I've read about Brazilian folklore character - the Saci! The name for descendant species is ready - the saci! This is really good! The striped cuckoo is already called this way in some parts of Brazil, this name fits well to this new species. Perhaps we could also add some of the characteristics of the mischief made by the creature from folklore in the description of the birds strategy to put eggs in the nest of other cuckoos.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho new species could also live in the Atlantic forests, filling the niche that the Neomorphus left here Yes, why not. Perhaps we could also add some of the characteristics of the mischief made by the creature from folklore in the description of the birds strategy to put eggs in the nest of other cuckoos. Yes, excellent!
JOrnitho: I finished the description of the cukoos. Common saci (Saci parasiticus) Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae Habitat: Tropical South America, from praries to the Amazon The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However some species survived and in the Neocene they gave rise to new species. One of these new species is the common saci, a descendant of the striped cuckoo (Tapera naevia). The word saci was the name of a mischievous creature of Brazilian folklore and was also used as the name of the striped cuckoo in Brazil. This species can be found in all biomes of tropical South America, from prairies to the Amazon. This species has 35 cm of length with a wingspan of 100 cm. The adult is dark-grey above and white below with a pale rufous breast and upper belly. The tail is dark black with a broad white band near the tip and a pale rufous tip. The legs and feet are also yellow and the bill is black and olive. Immature birds have rufous barring above and brown streaks below. The male has a chestnut and black crest which is raised as part of its courtship display. They have long tails which are used as a rudder during flight and long narrow wings capable of strong direct flight. Their body and plumage remembers that of a hawk, with these birds even mimicking their way of flying. The common saci eats large insects, often taken off the ground. This is a solitary and fairly shy species which tends to keep to the cover of bushes, although it will vocalize from more open perches. This species is a typical brood parasite, with the female laying eggs in the nest of other birds. While some species of passeriformes are chosen as hosts, the saci have a preference for other cuckoos. The breeding season of the saci starts together with that of their possible hosts. A male will vocalize in a branch on an open area to attract the female. If she lands near him, he will vocalize while showing his crest. After the mating, the male will fly to search for other females. When it's time to lay eggs, the female will search for a suitable host that already has a nest. Once she finds it, she will scare the owner of the nest by flying like a hawk over the area where the nest is located. Even her vocalization is similar to that of a hawk. When the bird flies away, the saci lands in the nest and removes one of the eggs, before laying her own. This is the last time that she will see it. She can lay three eggs, each in a different nest. Common saci's eggs hatch faster than the others, usually after 15 days. At birth, the chick has a powerful beak, with a hook-shaped tip, used to kill the other young as they are born. With that, they secure a large amount of food, compatible with its size and speed of growth. The adoptive parents do their best to be able to feed the chick, which continues to ask for food, even after leaving the nest, at 18 days of age. They reach sexual maturity eith 10 months and have a lifespan of 8 years. The Mexican saci (Saci mexicanus) is another representative of this genus. Living from the Mexican Plateau to the tropical forests in Panama Peninsula, this species have 30 cm of length and a wingspan of 96 cm. Like their South American relatives, while flying they have the shape and behavior of a hawk. Their upperparts and head are black, while the underparts are pale grey. The throat is chestnut. Their tails have two white bands. The feet and legs are yellow. Differently from the common saci, this species prefers to lay eggs in nests of Passeriformes rather than that of other cuckoos. Brown good-mother cuckoo (Maiacoccyzus bruneus) Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae Habitat: Tropical areas of South America, from Amazon to Atlantic forest The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However some species survived and in the Neocene they gave rise to new species. One of these new species is the brown good-mother cuckoo, a descendant of the Genus Coccyzus. This bird is the type species of the Genus Maiacoccyzus, the good-mother cuckoos. While their ancestors were facultative brood parasites, the members of this genus aren’t capable of doing it. They will build nests and incubate their own eggs. This species inhabits the tropical biomes of South America, including the Amazon and Atlantic forest. The brown good-mother cuckoo has 24 cm of length and a wingspan of 83 cm. They have a long tail, brown above and black with a white tip below, and a yellow curved bill with black especially on the lower mandible. The head and upper parts are brown and the underparts are white. It shows black on the wings in flight. Juveniles are similar, but the black on the undertail is replaced by gray. These birds forage in dense shrubs and trees, also may catch insects in flight. They mainly eat insects, especially caterpillars, being capable of eating those that are toxic due to immunity to it. However, they also eat some lizards, eggs of other birds and berries. These cuckoos sometimes congregate near insect outbreaks. The brown good-mother cuckoos are monogamous, forming pairs that stay together for the rest of their life. Prior to copulation, the male lands on a branch near the female with an insect in its beak. The female will then flick her tail up and down intermittently while the male sits there motionless. The male then mounts the female, with the insect still in its mouth, and the two copulate. The male gives the food to the female for her to eat. Their nest is built in a tree or shrub, usually up to 1–4 meters above the ground. The nest is a flimsy platform of short twigs placed on a horizontal branch. Females usually lay 2 to 5 blue-green eggs, which may take on a marbled appearance after a couple days of incubation. Both parents diligently incubate the eggs for 19 days. The chick leaves the nest 9 days after hatching, which is quite young when compared to other birds. The young are not able to fly right away however they can still move quite large distances by jumping between tree branches. During this period, they are more vulnerable to predators because they cannot fly away as the adults could. Due to this vulnerability, the juveniles can slowly assume an erect posture to conceal themselves. They stretch their neck out and point their bill upwards, while keeping their eyes open and remaining motionless. If the threat starts to back off, the cuckoo will relax its pose. The parents will also fiercely protect their chicks. The Brown good-mother cuckoo is one of the species chosen as host by the common saci. This species reach sexual maturity with 14 months and have a lifespan of 13 years. The grey-headed good-mother cuckoo (Maiacoccyzus griseocephalus) is another representative of this genus. This species inhabits the mountainous forests of the Andes. They have 23 cm of length and a wingspan of 79 cm. Their plumage is similar to that of the brown good-mother cuckoo, except for their gray head. Both bill and legs are yellow. Another Maiacoccyzus species is the red-billed good-mother cuckoo (Maiacoccyzus rubroramphus). This species inhabits the tropical rainforests of the Panama Peninsula. They have 26 cm of length and a wingspan of 87 cm. They have mainly chestnut upperparts and head, becoming paler on the throat. The lower breast is white and the belly is gray. The tail feathers are rufous with white tips. The bill and legs are bright red. Brown-chested ground cuckoo (Neomorphus bruneopectus) Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae Habitat: "Terra firme" forests of the Amazon The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. The deforestation of the rainforests caused great damage to the fauna and flora that lived here. In the Amazon rainforest, the species survived by finding refuges in areas that had difficult access to humans, such as the tepuis. They survived here and in the Neocene they gave rise to new species. One of such species is the brown-chested ground cuckoo, a member of the genus Neomorphus. This genus had several representatives during the Neocene, but most of them disappeared. Now this species inhabits the "terra firme" forests of the Amazon. The brown-chested ground cuckoo is a large ground-dwelling bird with sturdy legs and a long tail. It has 54 cm of length and a wingspan of 46 cm. They typically have a semi-shiny dark-blue feather on the back. The crest is a glossy green with purple undertones. Its throat and chest is brown. Its wings are dark red and the belly is distinctly scaled. The beak and legs are dark grey. Its diet consists of grasshoppers, crickets and spiders. Often it's heard making loud bill-snaps while its song consists of a single hooting note. It's capable of swiftly moving across the forest floor. Single birds or pairs move around together and they often follows the trails of army ants and mammals. The brown-chested ground-cuckoo are monogamous, with the pair staying together during their entire life. They build their nests entirely out of leaves, about 5 meters off the ground on understory trees, and lay a single nestling. That single egg they lay is more of a rounded shape, rather than an oval. The egg is white cream color with a variety of brown spots. Both parents make sure to equally contribute to the nestling's need for incubation, care, and protection from any predators. The chick hatches after 19 days of incubation and fledge within 23 days. It stays together with the parents for two months, following them while they forage in the forest. They reach sexual maturity with 5 months and have a lifespan of 16 years. The Tepui ground cuckoo (Neomorphus minor) is another representative of this genus. This species is endemic to the Tepuis of Northern Amazon rainforest. They have 43 cm of length and a wingspan of 37 cm. This species has a metallic dark-green plumage on the back. The crest is a glossy purple. Its throat and chest is reddish-brown. Its wings are black and the belly is distinctly scaled. The beak and legs are dark grey. Another member of this genus is the Andean ground cuckoo (Neomorphus andinus), a species that is only found in the forests in the slopes of the Andes. They have 47 cm of length and a wingspan of 39 cm. This species has a metallic black plumage on the back. The crest is a glossy blue. Its throat and chest is dark red. Its wings are brown and the belly is distinctly scaled. The beak and legs are pale grey. Forest runner-cuckoo (Geoguira sylvatica) Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae Habitat: Atlantic forest of Southeastern and Northeastern South America The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. In South America, the Atlantic forest that existed in its Atlantic coast suffered more than any other of its biomes. Many of its endemic species perished, leaving vacant niches for descendants of those that were resilient enough to survive the anthropogenic onslaught. The guira cuckoo (Guira guira) was able to survive and in the Neocene, this species gave rise to the genus Geoguira, the runner cuckoos. The birds of this species are morphologically similar to the roadrunners (Geococcyx) of North America. This is a case of convergent evolution. The type species of this genus is the forest runner-cuckoo, a bird that inhabits the Atlantic forest of Southeastern and Northeastern South America, partially filling the niche that a subspecies of the rufous-vented ground-cuckoo (Neomorphus geoffroyi) left in this area. The forest runner-cuckoo has 46 cm of length and a wingspan of 38 cm. They have dark brown upperparts streaked with white, and rufous throat, breast, underparts and rump. The tail is relatively long and broad, black in color with a white-tip, and the long legs are dark gray. The long stout beak is orange, with a hooked tip. There is a prominent rufous crest. While capable of flying, this species prefers to run through the forest ground to evade predators. This species is an opportunistic predator, hunting small prey items on the ground. It feeds on worms, insects and other arthropods, tadpoles and frogs, eggs, small birds (especially nestlings) and small mammals such as mice. It also can feed on lizards and serpents, using its agility to evade their bites and attack their head. The forest runner-cuckoo usually lives alone or in small familiar flocks of four to seven individuals. Breeding pairs are monogamous and mate for life, and pairs may hold a territory all year. The male is more territorial, calling out to warn competitors, and does not hesitate to physically push non-related intruders out of his territory. During the courtship display, the male bows, alternately lifting and dropping his wings and spreading his tail. He parades in front of the female with his head high and his tail and wings drooped, and may bring an offering of food. The reproductive season is spring to mid-summer. The nest is built on a tree fork 2 to 5 m from the ground. The females lay 5 to 7 dark green colored eggs that are covered with a chalky layer. They are incubated by both parents for 20 days. After they hatch, the chicks are fed by both parents and by the siblings of the last clutch. They fledge within 18 days and start to follow their family. While sexual maturity is reached with 10 months, the young remains with the parents at least for one year, usually leaving after the next clutch is already old enough to leave the nest. Their lifespan is 14 years. Another representative of the Genus Geoguira is the savanna runner-cuckoo (Geoguira savana). This species inhabits the savannas of Central South America. They have 52 cm of length and a wingspan of 48 cm. Their plumage is similar to that of the forestal species, with the exception of two white bands on their tail.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Wow, four in a row! Great!
JOrnitho: Sometime ago I made this description for a new family derived of the Dendrocolaptidae. Do you have ideas for how it could avoid direct competition with the woodpeckers? Great false woodpecker (Pseudopicus magnus) Order:Passeriformes Family:Pseudopicidae Habitat: Atlantic forests of South America During the Holocene the human interference caused the extinction of many creatures. However some were capable to survive. The woodcreeper (Dendrocolaptidae) survived and in the Neocene a new family appeared from they, the family Pseudopicidae, the false woodpeckers, this name is due the morphological similarities with the woodpeckers. This family is formed by three genus: Pseudopicus (Great false woodpeckers), Lophornites (Crested false woopcekers) and Pictopicus (Painted false woodpecker). All the members of this family are mostly active during the crepuscular hours, both dawn and dusk. The great false woodpecker is the largest member of this family and lives in the forests of the Atlantic coast of South America. The great false woodpecker has 56 cm of length and a wingspan of 76 cm. The plumage of this bird is mostly reddish brown with cream underbelly and throat. The feathers of the tail are rigid and are used for supporting the body when climbing tree trunks. The tail can support most of the body weight and birds that lose their tail find climbing difficult. The false woodpeckers climb by flexing their legs and hopping up the trunk. The feet of these birds are also modified for climbing, false woodpeckers have developed zygodactyly feet. Its beak is grey, long, thick and strong. It’s used like a chisel, breaking the bark on trees in search of food. These birds also have relatively long tongues, but not as long as that of a true woodpecker. Their saliva is very sticky, which helps them catch insects. It feeds on the larvae and adults of certain poisonous wood-boring beetles, ants and termites, but also eats seeds, amphibians, lizards, fruit, and other insects. Unlike the true woodpeckers, they aren’t capable of pecking holes in the trees. The bird uses its large and strong bill to peel the bark off dead trees or of nests to find the insects. Then the long tongue and sticky is used to catch the prey. They will also use their beak to destroy bromeliads and liquens in search of insects and amphibians hiding here. These birds are monogamous, forming pairs for life. The breeding season occurs during all the year when there is abundant food. The nest is made in a dead or partially dead tree. The female lays 2 to 4 eggs. Parents incubate the eggs cooperatively for 24 days. The young fled with 28 days. This species reach sexual maturity with 2 years. The lifespan of the great false woodpecker is 18 years. Other species in the genus Pseudopicus: White-bellied false woodpecker (Pseudopicus leucogaster) Living in the savannas of Central South America, this species have 52 cm of length and a wingspan of 68 cm. Its plumage is similar to that of the great false woodpecker, with the exception of the belly which is white. Amazonian false woodpecker (Pseudopicus amazonicus) Living in the rainforests of the Amazon Basin, this bird has 54 cm of length and a wingspan of 70 cm. It has an auburn plumage, with the exception of the throat and underbelly which are pale grey. Southern false woodpecker (Pseudopicus australis) Living in the forests of Southern South America, this bird has 49 cm of length and a wingspan of 59 cm. It has pale brown plumage with a dark grey underbelly. These birds migrate to northern areas during the winter. Genus Lophornites The genus Lophornites is formed by the crested false woodpeckers. These birds are smaller than that of the genus Pseudopicus and are more terrestrial, feeding on the ground. Andean crested false woodpecker (Lophornites andinus) The type species of this genus, the Andean crested false woodpecker lives in the woodlands at the slopes of the Andes. These birds have 32 cm of length and a wingspan of 48 cm. Its plumage is yellowish-brown with grey throat and chest. Auburn crested false woodpecker (Lophornites rufus) Living at the forests near the foothills of the Andes, these birds have 35 cm length and a wingspan of 50 cm. Its plumage is auburn with dark brown underbelly. Genus Pictopicus: This genus is formed by the painted false woodpeckers. These birds share a similar size to the Genus Pseudopicus. It is formed by only one species. Painted false woodpecker (Pictopicus leucopteron) The only member of this genus, the painted false woodpecker is a large bird, with 48 cm of length and a wingspan of 54 cm. This bird lives in the tropical forests of the Panama Peninsula. It is mostly reddish-brown with white primaries and secundaries feathers. It also has a yellowish brown underbelly.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho May be, they could be nocturnal? Or they could eat some insects that true woodpeckers do not eat?
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: May be, they could be nocturnal? Or they could eat some insects that true woodpeckers do not eat? These are interesting ideas! Maybe these birds could feed mostly on ants and termites, using the beak open the nest of these insects. Or they could eat larvae and adults of a poisonous family of beetles that appeared in the Neocene. Their saliva could be sticky to capture these insects and they would be imune to the poison. They could also be more active during crepuscular hours.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Their saliva could be sticky to capture these insects and they would be imune to the poison. Very good! Add there a long tongue, like in Chameleo boatbill (the chapter "Stormy Forest").
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã I added these new information in the description. I think that these differences are enough to maintain it in a new family, rather than in the Dendrocolaptidae.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho OK, so be it!
JOrnitho: I made these descriptions in homage to the entrance of their ancestors in the official list of birds of Brazil. They came from Argentina and Uruguay and are here to stay. Yellow-winged goldfinch (Carduelis xanthopteron) Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae Habitat: Forests and woodlands of Southern South America During the Holocene, the man introduced many species to other continents. One of these species was the European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), introduced in Southern South America. This species was able to survive and in the Neocene they gave rise to a new species, the yellow-winged goldfinch. This bird inhabits forests and woodlands of Southern South America, migrating to the Atlantic rainforest of South America and to the terra firme forests of Amazon, where it is found in the understorey parts of it. The yellow-winged goldfinch is 12 to 13 cm long, with a wingspan of 21 to 25 cm. This species is sexual dysmorphic, with the male having a large dark red head. In females, the head is pale red. Their plumage is chocolate brown in the upper parts and creamy-white in the underparts with dark brown flanks and breast patches. Their main characteristic is the bright yellow primaries and secondary feathers, present in both sexes. The bill is ivory-colored, long and pointed, and the tail is forked. Birds in breeding condition have a white bill, with a blackish mark at the tip for the rest of the year. Juveniles have a plain head and a greyer back but are unmistakable due to the yellow wing stripe. The legs are pale grey. The preferred food of these birds is small seeds and berries, but insects are also taken when feeding young. They forage in flocks, sometimes mixed with other species. The yellow-winged goldfinch is mostly monogamous, but males can occasionally breed with at least two females. The nest is built entirely by the female and is generally completed within a week. The male accompanies the female, but does not contribute. The nest is neat and compact and is generally located several metres above the ground, hidden by leaves in the twigs at the end of a swaying branch. It is constructed of mosses and lichens and lined with plant down. It is attached to the twigs of the tree with spider silk. A deep cup prevents the loss of eggs in windy weather. Beginning within a couple of days after the completion of the nest, the eggs are laid in the early morning at daily intervals. The clutch is typically 4-6 eggs, which are whitish with reddish-brown speckles. They have a smooth surface and are slightly glossy. The eggs are incubated for 11 to 13 days by the female, who is fed by the male. The chicks are fed by both parents. Initially they receive a mixture of seeds, berries and insects, but as they grow the proportion of insect material decreases. For the first 7 to 9 days the young are brooded by the female. The nestlings fledge 15 days after hatching. The young birds are fed by both parents for a further 9 days. The parents typically raise two broods before migrating in the winter. Sexual maturity is reached when the chicks are in their winter areas, with them being able to breed as soon as they return in spring. Their lifespan is 9 years. Scaled starling (Sturnus squamosus) Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae During the Holocene, the man introduced many species to other continents. One of these species was the common starling (Sturnus vulgaris), introduced in Southern South America. This species was capable of surviving, giving rise to the scaled starling in the Neocene. This gregarious bird inhabits all the biomes from the temperate forests of Tierra del Fuego to the Atlantic forests of Southeastern South America. The population that inhabits the temperate areas migrate in large flocks of thousand individuals to the Amazon rainforest during the austral winter. Upon reaching their wintering areas, the flocks disperse. Scaled starlings have 18 to 22 cm of length and a wingspan of 30 to 43 cm. The plumage is iridescent purple with dark edges on the feathers, giving the bird a "scaly" appearance. During the winter, their plumage becomes more dull and full of white spots in the belly and chest. Juveniles are grey-brown and by their first winter resemble adults though often retaining some brown juvenile feathering, especially on the head. Their sharp, blade-like bill is bright yellow, while the legs and feet are bright orange. The scaled starling is largely insectivorous and feeds on several types of insects. Prey are consumed in both adult and larvae stages of development, and common starlings will also feed on earthworms, snails, small amphibians and lizards. While the consumption of invertebrates is necessary for successful breeding, common starlings are omnivorous and can also eat grains, seeds, fruits and nectar if the opportunity arises. These birds are monogamous, but the males can occasionally breed with more than one female. For the population living in the temperate areas of South America, the breeding season happens during the winter, while those living in tropical areas can breed during the entire year. Unpaired males find a suitable cavity and begin to build nests in order to attract single females, often decorating the nest with ornaments such as flowers and fresh green material, which the female later disassembles upon accepting him as a mate. The amount of green material is not important, as long as some is present, but the presence of herbs in the decorative material is important in attracting a mate. The males sing throughout much of the construction and even more so when a female approaches his nest. Following copulation, the male and female continue to build the nest. Nests may be in any type of hole, common locations include inside hollowed trees and tree stumps. The female lays eggs on a daily basis over a period of several days. If an egg is lost during this time, she will lay another to replace it. There are normally four or five eggs that are ovoid in shape and white. Incubation lasts thirteen days, although the last egg laid may take 24 hours longer than the first to hatch. Both parents share the responsibility of brooding the eggs, but the female spends more time incubating them than does the male, and is the only parent to do so at night when the male returns to the communal roost. The young are born blind and naked. They develop light fluffy down within seven days of hatching and can see within nine days. Nestlings remain in the nest for three weeks, where they are fed continuously by both parents. Fledglings continue to be fed for another one or two weeks after leaving the nest. The lifespan of this species is 20 years, but many perish before even reaching 5 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good ones!
JOrnitho: Some more descriptions because I was very inspired after the weekend. Common melodious wren, or Common eastern uirapuru (Cambaxirra canora) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However some species survived and in the Neocene they gave rise to new species. One of these new species is the common melodious wren, a descendant of the birds of the Genus Troglodytes. These birds are also the type species of the Genus Cambaxirra, the Eastern uirapurus. While cambaxirra was a common brazilian name for Troglodytes birds, the word uirapuru was a name used by the Tupi-guarani people to name some species of passerines, more famous used to name birds of the Genus Cyphorhinus, which descendants in the Neocene are endemic to the Amazon rainforest as members of the Genus Irapuru. The common melodious wren is endemic to the Atlantic rainforest of Southeastern and Northeastern South America. The common melodious wren is a small bird, the adults are 13 to 15 cm long with a wingspan of 17 cm. Their plumage is brown, being darker on the upperparts and lighter on the throat and chest. They have blackish barring to the wings, tail and to the flanks. The bill is thin with a blackish upper mandible, and a black-tipped pale grey lower mandible. The legs are pinkish or grey. The short tail has a white tip and is typically held cocked. These birds forage actively in the lower areas of the forest vegetation, never going to the canopy. They mainly eat insects such as butterfly larvae, also spiders and snails. The common melodious wren rarely attend mixed-species feeding flocks. The common melodious wren doesn't form flocks, being solitary or living in pairs. These birds are monogamous, with the bonded pair being aggressive to members of their own species. Such aggressiveness increases during the nesting season. Their courtship starts during rainy summer months, with the male singing an elaborated and agradable song to attract the female. Usually, he does it in a branch close to the ground. The female will land near him and, if she is pleased by it, will sing with him. This melodious species has different types of songs to use on several occasions. For example, those used to mark territory is different from those used by mated pairs in their "duet" to strengthen their bond. They usually construct a large cup nest in various sorts of cavities, taking about a week to build. The nest is made from small dry sticks and is usually lined with a variety of different materials. These include: feather, hair, wool, spider cocoons, strips of bark, rootlets and moss. The male wren finds dry sticks, which he adds to the nest. Once he is done, the female inspects the nest; but if she does not approve of the construction, she will throw any unwanted sticks to the ground. After this process, the female lines the nest. Nest cavities are usually a few meters above ground at most, but they can occasionally have nests in high cliffs. The common melodious wrens' clutch is usually between two and eight red-blotched cream eggs. Only the female incubates these, for around 12–19 days, and she will every now and then leave the nest for various reasons. While she is in the nest, the male provides her with food. The young, which like all passerines hatch almost naked and helpless, take another 15–19 days or so to fledge. They are fed by both parents, and need plenty of food given their tiny size. As the young near fledgling, the parents spend much of their time procuring food for them. They reach sexual maturity with 6 months and have a lifespan of 7 years. There are other species in the genus Cambaxirra, with each one of them having different songs. The Noronha melodious wren (Cambaxirra noronhensis) is endemic to the Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha. They have 11 cm of length and a wingspan of 22 cm. Their plumage is rufous brown above, pale gray below, barred with darker brown and black, even on wings and tail. The bill is dark brown, the legs pale brown. Young birds are less distinctly barred. The restinga melodious wren, or restinga eastern uirapuru (Cambaxirra litoralis) is endemic to the Atlantic coast restingas, an ecoregion closely associated with the Atlantic forest. They have 13 cm of length and 24 cm of wingspan. They have brown head and upperparts, barred with black on the wings and narrow tail. It has a stronger buff eyebrow stripe and black eyestripe. Their underparts are gray and white in the throat. The flanks and undertail coverts have dark brown bars. Another species is the serra melodious wren (Cambaxirra serrana), which is endemic to the mountainous Atlantic forests of Southeastern South America. They have 12 cm of length and 23 cm of wingspan. They have brown upperparts with small black and white spots and pale grey underparts with a light brown rump. Additional distinctive features include a dark grey line over the eye. The last representative of this genus is the southern melodious wren (Cambaxirra australis), which inhabits the forests of Southern South America. They have brown upperparts with a reddish-brown belly and flanks and a white throat and breast. The back is black with white stripes. They have a dark cap with a white line over the eyes. During winter, this species migrates to the areas of Southern Amazon rainforest. Marvelous musician wren, or marvelous true-uirapuru (Irapuru mirus) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. The Amazon rainforest suffered with deforestation and exploitation of its soil for the extraction of gold and other valuable minerals. Many species were only able to survive such an onslaught because they retreated to remote areas that were difficult for the humans to reach. Living safely in these areas, they continued to evolve. Now, their descendants in the Neocene are the signals of their success. One of these animals is the marvelous musician wren, the type species of the Genus Irapuru. This bird is a descendant of the Genus Cyphorhinus, called as uirapurus by the Tupi people of Brazil. The marvelous musician wren have 13 cm of length and 20 cm of wingspan. The adult has a dark brown forehead and forecrown that becomes chestnut brown in the back and rump. It has a narrow white supercilium, a chestnut brown stripe behind the eye, and an orange-brown throat and chest. The tail is brown with cream-white tips. Its flanks and lower belly are yellowish brown. The juvenile is similar but sometimes has faint barring on its lower belly. The beak and legs are pale grey. Their vocalization is a series of agradable whistles, varying greatly in pitch. This bird forages primarily on and near the ground, searching debris and leaf litter. Its diet is mostly invertebrates, including insects, spiders, and crustaceans, but it also occasionally eats berries. It usually forages alone or in pairs. Though it sometimes follows army ant swarms it does not usually join mixed-species foraging flocks. The marvelous musician wren is monogamous, with pairs staying together for the rest of their lives. The breeding season starts during the beginning of the dry season. Males that don’t have pairs will congregate in a clean part of the forest ground. Here they will realize a specific vocalization to attract the females. With one land near them, the males will sing a song used for courtship. If she chose one of them, the female will approach him and start to make a "duet" with the male. These presentations can have from two to seven males and the order of the singing to the female is decided through intimidation and sometimes by fights between the males. Mated pairs will sing in "duet" to strengthen their bond. The parents work together to build the nest, which is spherical with an entrance through a funnel-shaped path and is constructed of pieces of leaves and coarse grass. The female lays two white eggs. She is the only responsible for incubating them, with the male bringing food for her and protecting the area of the nest against members of their own species. The incubation lasts for 15 days. The young hatch almost naked and helpless, taking another 16 days to fledge. They are fed by both parents, and need plenty of food given their tiny size. As the young near fledgling, the parents spend much of their time procuring food for them. They reach sexual maturity with 7 months and have a lifespan of 8 years. The Tepui musician wren, or Tepui true-uirapuru (Irapuru canorus) is another species of the genus Irapuru. This species inhabits the tepuis located in the Northern areas of Amazon. They have 11 cm of length and 18 cm of wingspan. They have a similar plumage to that of the Marvelous musician wren, with the only exception being the reddish-brown feathers in their underparts. Their song is also different from that of the lowland species. Another member of the genus is the Andean musician wren, or Andean true-uirapuru (Irapuru andinus). This species inhabits the altitude forests in the slopes of the Andes. They have 12 cm of length and 19 cm of wingspan. Their plumage is similar to that of their congenere, except for the lack of white supercilium and the presence of creamy-white feathers in the belly. Their song is also different and the males do not congregate in groups to present for the female, rather being very aggressive to each other during the breeding.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Great inspiration! Two more good species!
JOrnitho: I was thinking if you had ideas for other interesting birds for South America. Maybe some that could have an interesting relation with army ant or that were endemic to a small area. I like to discuss ideas of other people, or how some of my friends say, "we could brainstorm together". Also, I was thinking about the possibility of a medium-sized Cotinga that have elaborate courtship like the birds-of-paradise living here.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Firstly, the birds in relationship with ants. It depends on which birds and which ants. Army ants already present in neocene have no relations with birds, since army ants do not inhabit one place constantly. Secondly, the cotingas. Here, the bellbirds are interesting, as they could give descendants with more specialized vocal calls used to either/both mark the territory, call for mating partner and/or repel enemies with different calls.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Army ants already present in neocene have no relations with birds, since army ants do not inhabit one place constantly. This is interesting. There is species of birds in South America that follow ants. Some are obligate, taking most of their diet from them. Maybe a family of nomad birds appeared, one that constantly follows the insects. Also, these ants that they follow would need to be a diurnal species.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: This is interesting. There is species of birds in South America that follow ants. Some are obligate, taking most of their diet from them. Maybe a family of nomad birds appeared, one that constantly follows the insects. Also, these ants that they follow would need to be a diurnal species. There is such a bird in the forests of Central America http://www.sivatherium.narod.ru/avies.htm#gymnopithys_latronem_ru , but the description in Russian.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: There is such a bird in the forests of Central America http://www.sivatherium.narod.ru/avies.htm#gymnopithys_latronem_ru , but the description in Russian. Then, there could be a related species inhabiting the Amazon in South America, sort of a nomadic antbird. Does the conquistador ants live in South America, or any related species?
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: Does the conquistador ants live in South America, or any related species? No, conquistador ants live only in Central America, and they don't have any relatives in South America. JOrnitho ïèøåò: Then, there could be a related species inhabiting the Amazon in South America, sort of a nomadic antbird. Yes, of course.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho And what do you think about my idea for bellbirds? Their wattles can develop into something special, along with vocal calls.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: No, conquistador ants live only in Central America, and they don't have any relatives in South America. Maybe the ant that these birds follow could be a descendant species of army ant from South America. Áèîëîã ïèøåò: And what do you think about my idea for bellbirds? Their wattles can develop into something special, along with vocal calls I like it! Perhaps this descendant of the bellbird could have a loud call to attract the females, before executinv some "dance" for them. Any idea about how their plumage could be used in the courtship?
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Any idea about how their plumage could be used in the courtship? Oh, why plumage? The wattles! They are already present, and can become brightly colored and probably bearing bright-colored warts!
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: Maybe the ant that these birds follow could be a descendant species of army ant from South America. Yes, sure.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Oh, why plumage? The wattles! They are already present, and can become brightly colored and probably bearing bright-colored warts! This is a good idea! Rather than being gray like their ancestors, the males could have bare faces with red, purple and blue. Depending of the species, of course. The wattles and other facial structures would match these colors. Regarding the army ants and the birds that follow them, I was thinking that there could be a species of nocturnal passerine that follow the species of ants that are active during the night.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho a species of nocturnal passerine that follow the species of ants that are active during the night I think yes, but other insectivorous birds can also be in this niche, not only passerines. E. g. woodpeckers.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: I think yes, but other insectivorous birds can also be in this niche, not only passerines. E. g. woodpeckers. Yes, there is also some species of woodpeckers and even cuckoos that follow the army ants in search for food. However, I think that the Formicariidae have more changes to develop such specific habits.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Yes, why not.
JOrnitho: Also, an interesting idea regarding nocturnal passerines is the possibility of a descendant of the Conopophagidae. There is some species that are active during the dusk, their descendants could have evolved to forage for insects during the night.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Yes, quite possible. As such, it can become specialized to catch nocturnal insects mid-air, like swifts or swallows do.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: As such, it can become specialized to catch nocturnal insects mid-air, like swifts or swallows do. It's a good idea! These descendants of the Conopophagidae could have a different morphology than that of their ancestors, having more maneuverability to hunt the insects in the understory of dense forests. Perhaps they could even form a new family.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho I think yes, but must have abundant food for that - the insects.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: I think yes, but must have abundant food for that - the insects. Yes. The understory of the rainforest is plenty of flies and mosquitoes.
JOrnitho: I made the description for the bellbirds. Purple magnificent bellbird (Magnoprocnias purpuracea) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However some species survived and in the Neocene they gave rise to new species. The Genus Magnoprocnias, the magnificent bellbirds, is formed by descendants of New World bellbirds that survived the anthropogenic onslaught during the Holocene. The type species of this genus is the purple magnificent bellbird. This bird is found in the Amazon Rainforest, only being seen in the canopy. The purple magnificent bellbird is a sexually dismorphic bird, with males having characteristic large purple wattles in the face and throat. The female lacks such structures. The males have 42 cm of length and a wingspan of 63 cm, while the females have 37 cm of length. Both sexes have broad dark gray hooked-tipped bills, rounded wings and strong gray legs. The plumage of the male is mostly white, with a brown back and rump. Their wings are green. The females are duller in color with a black crown, olive-brown upper parts and yellowish underparts streaked with olive green. The species is completely frugivorous, swallowing the fruits from trees. The magnificent bellbirds perform an important role in seed dispersal. It regurgitates the seeds it cannot digest and deposits them in gap areas beneath song perches, which nearly doubles seedling survival rate. The purple magnificent bellbird is mostly solitary, living spread across the canopy and only forming small flocks when there is an abundance of fruits. Their breeding season starts during the beginning of the rainy season. The males will fly up to the emergent layer of the forest and will vocalize loudly with a characteristic sharp sound like that of a hammer striking an anvil. The sound is so loud that it can be heard up to a mile away, being louder than a thunder. Once a female approaches him, the male starts a presentation to the female. He will present to her his purple wattle, the female will choose the most colorful males. The same tree branch is used by the male for his presentation during all his life and until the end of the breeding season, they will have attracted several females. The construction of the nests and parental care is made only by the female. She builds her nest between 6 and 10 meters from the ground in the form of a small cup and decorates it externally with lichens and fungi, which works as a camouflage. The female lays 2 eggs that are incubated by her for 23 days. They fledge after 19 days and remain with their mother for two more weeks. Sexual maturity is reached with 2 years, the time that the males develop the adult plumage and wattles. The lifespan of this species is 18 years. The Andean magnificent bellbird (Magnoprocnias andinus) is another member of the Genus Magnoprocnias. This bird inhabits the cloud forests in the slopes of the Andes, descending to lowland forests during the winter. Like all species of this genus, they are also sexually dismorphic. The male is mostly white, with brown wings. They have 37 cm of length and a wingspan of 52 cm. Their characteristic wattles are reddish-orange. The female has a plumage similar to that of the purple magnificent bellbird, but is smaller, with 31 cm of length. Another representative of this genus is the Red magnificent bellbird (Magnoprocnias puniceus). This species inhabits the Atlantic forests of Southeastern South America, reaching areas 760 m high. The males have red wattles in the face and neck. The plumage is white in the back and rump, while the chest and belly are brown. The wings are green. The females are similar to that of the other two species of the genus. The males are also larger than the females, with 40 cm of length and a wingspan of 58 cm. The females are 37 cm in length.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Wow, beautiful birds!
JOrnitho: I'll work in the descriptions of the ant-follower birds. Also, can I suggest ideas for a chapter of the project? It would be regarding the species living in the Atlantic forests of South America, both cloud and lowland forests.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Also, can I suggest ideas for a chapter of the project? Yes! Your idea about the Easter Island is already included in the plans for future! Also, the Fernando de Noronha is another chapter idea. So, you already have at least two ideas for new chapters.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Your idea about the Easter Island is already included in the plans for future! Also, the Fernando de Noronha is another chapter idea. So, you already have at least two ideas for new chapters. Cool! Are they being discussed somewhere? My other ideas for chapters are about the Atlantic forest of Rio de Janeiro, with the background being the lowland forests in the coast and the other about the cloud forests in Serra do Mar. Of course, if such elevations still exist in the Neocene.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Are they being discussed somewhere? Yeah, we have a special topic for chapter ideas: http://sivatherium.borda.ru/?1-6-0-00000291-000-0-0-1656861023 Only Russian, sorry. But a new topic can be opened here, in the English part of the forum. Usually, we collect bestiaries for new chapter ideas in a separate post with a link to it in the starter post. In our case in English part, that topic will have two ideas: Easter Island and Fernando de Noronha. I will make it.
JOrnitho: Cool! Thank you so much!
JOrnitho: I finished the description of the antbird. Nomad antbird (Gymnopithys nomadicus) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However some species survived and in the Neocene they gave rise to new species. The Nomad antbird is one of the representatives of the Genus Gymnopithys in South America during the Neocene. This species inhabits the terra firme forests of the Amazon, with its presence being associated with that of army ants. The nomad antbird has 15 cm of length and a wingspan of 27 cm. This species have sexual dimorphism, with the male having a reddish-brown crown and back, while wings and tail are dark brown. The female is greyish-brown in the upperparts. Both sexes have white underparts and blue bare skin around the eyes. This species is a specialist ant-followers that relies on swarms of army ants to flush insects and other arthropods out of the leaf litter. Their diet is formed mostly by these arthropods, needing for them to constantly follow the army ants. Since such ants rarely stay in the same place for much time, the nomad antbird developed a nomadic behavior, constantly following the ants. The nomad antbird is found alone or in pairs. This species is monogamous, with the pair staying together for the rest of their lives. They follow the march of the ants together. While they can breed at any time of the year, these birds will reproduce during periods that the ants stay in a place for a long time. Both parents built a cup-shaped nest, where the female will lay two brownish-red eggs. The period of development of the chicks is fast, the male and female are responsible for incubating the eggs for 9 days and the chicks fledge within 12 days. Sexual maturity is reached with 4 months and they have a lifespan of 5 years.
JOrnitho: I made the description for some small felines for South America. They share name with some indigenous people of the continent. Tamoio cat (Austrofelis tamoio) During the Holocene, humans had caused several impacts on the environment. Among their actions was the introduction of exotic species. Some species were considered companions that sometimes would end becoming feral. With the disappearance of the human species, some of these animals remained and some evolved in new species during the Neocene. One of them is the Tamoio cat, a descendant of the domestic cat (Felis catus) and the type species of the genus Austrofelis. The word Tamoio is the name of the group of indigenous people that inhabited the coastal areas of Southeastern Brazil, from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro. This feline lives in the Atlantic forests of Southeastern South America, being also present in areas where the Tamoios once lived. The Tamoio cat has a body length of 78 cm and 36 cm of shoulder height. Their tail is long, with 60 to 100 cm of length. The males are larger than the females. Their fur is cinnamon brown with solid black markings. The spots on the head and limbs are small, but markings on the back, cheeks, and flanks are open bands and stripes. A few dark stripes run straight from the back of the neck up to the tip of the tail. Its neck and undersides are white, and the insides of the legs are marked with a few horizontal streaks. This feline prefers hunting in areas with vegetation cover, avoiding open areas, especially on moonlit nights, so as not to be seen by the prey. As a carnivore, it preys on small terrestrial mammals such as rodents, lagomorphs, armadillos, opossums, and also fish, crustaceans, insects, reptiles and small birds. It usually feeds on the kill immediately, but removes bird feathers before. They follow scent trails to acquire prey. The Tamoio cat is usually solitary and active mainly during twilight and at night. During the daytime, it rests on trees, in dens below large trees or other cool, sheltered sites on the ground. It is agile in climbing and leaping, and escapes predators by jumping on trees. The mating season starts during the autumn. Females enter oestrus lasting for five days. The mating season is marked by noisy fights among males for dominance. The male pursues the female in oestrus, seizes her by the nape of her neck and mounts her. Vocalisations and flehmen are prominent during courtship. After a successful copulation, the female gives out a loud cry and reacts with aversion towards her partner. The pair then separate. Gestation lasts nearly two months. Before parturition, the mother prepares a den of grass in an abandoned animal burrow or hollow tree. Litters comprise one to five kittens, typically two to three kittens. Females can raise two litters in a year. Initially blind and helpless, they open their eyes at 10 to 13 days of age and are fully weaned by around three months. Kittens begin to catch their own prey at around six months and leave the mother after eight or nine months. They reach sexual maturity with one year. The lifespan of the Tamoio cat is 14 year. Another representative of the Genus Austrofelis is the Kaingang cat (Austrofelis kaingang), whose name is the same of the indigenous people that inhabited Southern Brazil during the Holocene. This species lives in the prairies and plains of Southern South America. They have 68 cm of body length, with a tail of 41 cm. Their fur is sand-colored with faint dark spots. It is whitish on the belly, and its legs and tail bear black rings. A subspecies living in the savannas of Central South America (A. k. minor) is slightly smaller and has short fur. The Mapuche cat (Austrofelis mapuche) is the most austral representative of the genus. They share the name with the Mapuche people that inhabited the Southern regions of South America, in Argentina and Chile. This species lives in the forests of the extreme South of the continent. The Mapuche cat has 59 cm of body length, with a 38 cm long tail. Their fur is dense to resist the winter. It's light grey with pale yellowish-ochre hue with small black spots distributed on it. It has narrow black stripes on the back, consisting of five to seven dark transversal lines across the lower back. The belly, chest and throat is white. Its grey tail has seven narrow black rings and a black tip.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good cats!
JOrnitho: I made the description of a tinamou. Great inamu (Noctotinamus solitarius) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However some species survived and in the Neocene they gave rise to new species. The genus Noctotinamus, the nocturnal tinamous, is formed by descendants of tinamids that survived the anthropogenic onslaught. All the representatives of this genus developed nocturnal habits. The type species of the genus is the great inamu, an inhabitant of the Atlantic forests of Southeastern South America. Its name comes from the name used by indigenous people of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso to the tinamids. The great inamu have 53 cm of length and a wingspan of 71 cm. It has a dark olive-green plumage with a whitish throat and belly. The flanks are barred black, and the undertail is cinnamon. Crown and neck are rufous with a black supercilium. The legs are blue-grey in color and the beak is dark grey. They have large eyes covered with tapetum lucidum that allow them to have a good sight during the night. While they are capable of flying, these birds rarely do it. They prefer to run away from the predators or to use their cryptic plumage as camouflage to hide, with the flight being a last resort. These birds eats fruit off the ground or low-lying bushes, as well as invertebrates, flower buds, tender leaves, seeds, and roots. The great inamu is a shy and solitary tinamou. They are nocturnal, spending the day perched in trees. Its high pitched vocalization is common to be heard in the forest at night, but the birds themselves are difficult to be seen. Their vocalization becomes more frequent during the nesting season, which starts during the end of the winter and ends in the end of summer. The nests are usually rudimentary scrapings in the ground, hidden in dense bushes or among buttress roots of trees. This species is polygynandrous, featuring exclusive male parental care. A female will mate with a male and lay an average of four eggs which he then incubates until hatching after 21 days. The eggs are large, shiny, and bright violet in color. He cares for the chicks for approximately 3 weeks before moving on to find another female. Meanwhile, the female has left clutches of eggs with other males. She may start nests with five or six males during each breeding season, leaving all parental care to the males. Their reach sexual maturity with 13 months and have a lifespan of 17 years. Another representative of this genus is the Amazon inamu (Noctotinamus amazonicus). This species inhabits the "terra firme" forests of the Amazon. This species has 49 cm of body length and a wingspan of 63 cm. It has a yellowish jaw and bluish-gray legs, a dark gray crown and neck, with a whitish throat. The upperparts are slate gray, with black bars. The underparts are lighter brownish-gray. This species has a longer tail compared with the great inamu, giving this species more capacity of flight. Their eggs have a bright greenish-blue shell.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good description!
JOrnitho: What could be more plausible: a giant (1,90 m of height) descendant of the maguari stork or of a heron? I was thinking that it could have the lifestyle similar to that of a azdarchid pterosaur. It would still be capable of flying.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho I think it should be a descendant of a stork. lifestyle similar to that of a azdarchid pterosaur You mean walk on four limbs? Sounds doubtful for a true bird.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: You mean walk on four limbs? No. I mean regarding their diet. They would still fly, but would hunt small prey in more dry areas. Even visiting sea birds colonies to take chicks and eggs.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho hunt small prey in more dry areas. Even visiting sea birds colonies to take chicks and eggs Now this is good!
JOrnitho: I'm in doubt if it should be a stork or a heron. Both groups are relatively well in South America, with herons even going to poluted areas to eat trash.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Well, I still think it should be a stork. Human trash will not remain on the Earth for so long - it will be decomposed totally before neocene (25 million years).
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Well, I still think it should be a stork. In this case, maybe the ancestor could the jabiru. This species is expanding their distribution, even reaching Southeastern Brazil.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Yes, jabiru is a great ancestor.
JOrnitho: I made the description of a genus of Thraupidae seedeaters that I mentioned in the description of the descendant of the sparrow. Common cabocolino, or white-winged seedeater (Neosporophila alboptera) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However some species survived and in the Neocene they gave rise to new species and genera. A new genus that appeared was the Neosporophila, a direct descendant of birds of the Genus Sporophila that survived the anthropogenic onslaught. The type species of this genus is the common cabocolino, an inhabitant of open fields and marshy areas with tall grass in tropical South America, from Amazon to the plains. The word cabocolino was the common name given by the people from the Brazilian states of Pará and Ceará to some Sporophila. The common cabocolino has 10 cm of length and a wingspan of 32 cm. The males have a mostly cinnamon plumage with tail, rump and coverts black. The primaries and secondaries feathers are white. The females are olive-brown in the upperparts and yellowish-white in the lower parts, such plumage is shared by all females of the genus. Their beak is black while the legs are light gray. These birds feed mostly on seeds, and occasionally berries and insects. It often forages on herbaceous plants, and less often on the ground. The common cabocolino will sometimes participate in mixed flocks when foraging. The common cabocolino is a gregarious bird, forming small flocks when outside of the nesting season. They are monogamous, with the pair staying close to each other even when they are part of flocks. The nesting season starts at the beginning of spring and lasts until the middle of summer, with at least 2 to 3 clutches during this period. Both parents work together to build a cup-shaped nest made of grasses in a bush or a small tree. The female lays 2 to 3 eggs, which are incubated solely by her for 13 days. The male will remain nearby protecting the nest's area from intruders and bringing food for the female. The chicks are fed by both parents. They fledge with 14 days and are still fed by their parents for more two weeks. They reach sexual maturity with 10 months and have a lifespan of 9 years. Like their ancestors of the genus Sporophila, they have a great evolutive radiation with several species inhabiting different ecosystems of the continent. One of these species is the thick-billed cabocolino, or thick-billed seedeater (Neosporophila crassirhynchus). This species is endemic to the North areas of South America, from coastal areas to the Northern side of the Amazon river. They have 13 cm of length and a wingspan of 37 cm. The males have a mostly black plumage, with a chestnut-brown chest and belly. The female has the typical olive-brown plumage of the genus. Their beak is white and thick, allowing them to crush hard seeds that other seedeaters can't. Another representative of the genus is the Southern cabocolino, or Southern seedeater (Neosporophila rufoventer). This species inhabits the plains and prairies of Southern South America, migrating to the savannas in the center of the continent during the winter. They have 10 cm of length and a wingspan of 32 cm. The males have a cinnamon chest with head, rump, wings and tails with blueish-gray. The cerrado cabocolino, or savanna seedeater (Neosporophila savanna) is a species endemic to the savannas of Central South America. They have 11 cm of length with 31 cm of wingspan. The males have chestnut-brown chest and belly, while the rest of the body is black. The white-throated cabocolino, or white-throated seedeater (Neosporophila albogularis) is another species in the genus. They are endemic to the areas of transition between the Savanna and Atlantic forests of Northeastern South America. They have 10 cm of length with 30 cm of wingspan. The males have a cinnamon chest and belly, while the rest of the body is black. They also have a distinctive white throat. Another species of the genus is the collared cabocolino, or collared seedeater (Neosporophila collaris). This bird inhabits the savannas in Northeastern South America. They have 11 cm of length with a 32 cm wingspan. The male has a chestnut belly with the rest of the plumage black and a characteristic white plumage around the neck, similar to a neck. The range of this bird overlaps with the white-throated cabocolino and the cerrado cabocolino, resulting in hybridization.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Great elaborate description!
JOrnitho: I finished the description of the jabiru's descendant. Anhanveve, or diabolic stork (Deinociconia gigantea) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However some species survived and in the Neocene they gave rise to new species and genera. The anhanveve is one of these new species, a descendant of the jabiru stork (Jabiru mycteria). The name anhanveve is formed by the combination of two words of Guarani origin: aña that means devil and veve that was used for the ability of flying. The anhanveve inhabits all the tropical and subtropical biomes of South America, being capable of living both close and away from water. The anhanveve is a large stork, with a maximum height of 180 cm and a wingspan of 230 cm. The males are 25% larger than the females. They are also heavier than them. The plumage is mostly white, with the exception of the primaries and secondary feathers that are black. The beak, which measures 35 cm, is black and broad, slightly upturned, ending in a sharp point. The males have a yellow casque on top of the beak that becomes bright during the nesting season. Their long legs are black. The head and upper neck are featherless and black, with a featherless stretchable pouch at the base. The skin of the throat and pouch is bright red. This bird eats eats fishes, molluscs, insects, other invertebrates and amphibians. However, differently from their ancestors they prefer to search for prey in dry areas. The anhanveve can be seen patrolling savannas in search of food. They are also very predatory, hunting mammals and smaller birds, even visiting colonies of seabirds and aquatic birds to pick eggs and nestlings. They will frequently scavenger, using their size to intimidade and displace smaller scavengers. The anhanveve can be seen in pairs or small flocks of five to ten individuals. They are monogamous, but the pair stays separated outside of the nesting season, which happens during the dry period. Their courtship consists of several bill-rattling displays and vocalization with their poach. They nest in large colonies, usually close to that of herons and other aquatic birds. The populations of coastal areas will nest close to the nesting areas of seabirds. The nest of sticks is built on tall trees, and enlarged at each succeeding season growing to several meters in diameter. Half a dozen nests may be built in close proximity, sometimes among nests of herons and other birds. The parents take turns incubating the clutch of two to five white eggs and are known to more territorial than usual against other anhanveve during the brooding period. The eggs are incubated for 27 days and fledge within 110 days. They stay with their parents until reaching 3 months. The sexual maturity of the species in reached with 4 years and they have a lifespan of 25 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good one, but this is unlikely: a maximum height of 197 cm and a wingspan of 200 cm An albatross will have a wingspan of 3 m at a body length of about 1,5 m at most. So your stork should either be shorter in height or have larger wings to support its body. If it's not flightless, of course
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: An albatross will have a wingspan of 3 m at a body length of about 1,5 m at most. So your stork should either be shorter in height or have larger wings to support its body. If it's not flightless, of course Ops, my bad! Does 180 cm and 230 cm of wingspan seems plausible?
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho 180 cm and 230 cm of wingspan seems plausible Yes, quite so.
JOrnitho: Is possible for a descendant of the cougar to live in the Andes and Andean Plateau with a niche similar to that of the snow leopard? Or the project already have something like that?
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho I believe I've mentioned all of the Andean mammals from Bestiary, so there is a free niche for the cougar, if it is not extinct in neocene. Extinction is possible, as with tigers and lions and leopards, and other large felines.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: I believe I've mentioned all of the Andean mammals from Bestiary, so there is a free niche for the cougar, if it is not extinct in neocene. I was reading the Bestiary and found the Andean raptor cat, a descendant of the cougar living in the mountains. I think that it could be the feline predator of the chapter. Also, maybe the mountain tapirotherium could appear too.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Oops. I missed the cat! Maybe because it is an additional species to a main one within a new genus. But the tapirotherium already is placed in a chapter (namely, 52 "Shadow of Wings on the Grass"), so it is unlikely to be included by the Author in another one. But can be mentioned in the chapter's text. P.S. I've added the Andean raptor cat to the chapter's bestiary.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: But can be mentioned in the chapter's text. Yes, I was thinking that could be this way. Also, I had some ideas for birds of the Andean Plateau: a descendant of the burrowing owl, a species of passerine and a hummingbird. Another animal that could appear is the Andean rapacious parrot, a species that I posted in the Psittacids topic.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good ideas! I will add the Andean rapacious parrot to the bestiary.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Good ideas! I will add the Andean rapacious parrot to the bestiary. Thanks! I'll start to work on their description. Also, can I make a species of raptor cat that inhabits the Atlantic forests of South America, rather than the open areas? It could appear in the chapter.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Yes, you can, there are more felines in South American forests that do not yet have descendants in neocene.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Yes, you can, there are more felines in South American forests that do not yet have descendants in neocene. Then there could be a descendant of the jaguarundi. If the jaguarete also live on this area, these two felines could have the same relationship that the jaguar and puma had in South America, with the two avoiding each other by focusing in different food niches. This descendant of the jaguarundi could feed in smaller and agile prey.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Yes, why not. Also, the Leopardus genus (ocelot, oncilla etc.) can have descendants.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Yes, why not. Then, I'll also make this description. It could appear in Atlantic forest chapter, as one of the dangers that the Tamoio cat needs to avoid.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho OK.
JOrnitho: I finished the description of the descendant of the jaguarundi for the chapter about the Atlantic forest. Also I was thinking that there could be some herbivore in the chapter to be its prey. What could be more plausible, a descendant of the domestic sheep, or a relative of the giant paca (Megapaca)? Eyra (Eyrailurus pantheroides) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However some species survived and in the Neocene they gave rise to new species. The jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) proved to be resilient enough to survive the anthropogenic onslaught. In North America it gave origin to the balam and in South America they gave origin to the eyra. The name eyra was used by indigenous people of Brazil to name the jaguarundi, but was also associated with the tayra (Eira barbara). The eyra inhabits the Atlantic forests of South America, both lowland and highland. They also inhabit the areas of Araucaria forests. Part of their range is shared with the jaguarete, but they avoid competition by taking different prey. From nose to tail tip, the male eyra is 150 cm. The female is smaller, with 130 cm of length. If compared to the jaguarete, the eyra is less muscular and not as powerfully built. The coat is uniformly colored with at most a few faint markings on the face and the belly, though kittens are spotted for a short duration. Their fur is mostly dark gray with a grizzled look due to bright and dark rings on individual hairs. The eyra is a generalist, hypercarnivore. They prefer small to medium sized prey, avoiding the large prey that are prefered by the jaguarete. When these two species interact, the eyra will flee, even abandoning their prey. They will hunt reptiles, small rodents, fishes, monkeys, birds and deermaras. Although capable of sprinting, the eyra is typically an ambush predator. It stalks through brush and trees, across ledges, or other covered spots, before delivering a powerful leap onto the back of its prey and a suffocating neck bite. They are capable of breaking the neck of some of its smaller prey with a strong bite and momentum bearing the animal to the ground. Like almost all felines, the eyra is a mostly solitary animal. Only mothers and kittens stay together, with adults meeting rarely. While generally loners, they will reciprocally share kills with one another and organize themselves into small communities defined by the territories of dominant males. The animals within these areas socialize more frequently with each other than with outsiders. Male home ranges include or overlap with those of females but not with those of other males. Home ranges of females overlap slightly. Males create scrapes composed of leaves and duff with their hind feet, and mark them with urine and sometimes feces. The eyra can reproduce during the entire year. Females reach sexual maturity at the age of 18 months to three years and are in estrus for about eight days of a 23-day cycle and the gestation period is approximately 91 days. Both adult males and females may mate with multiple partners and a female's litter can have multiple paternities. Only females are involved in parenting. Litter size is between one and six cubs, with two being more common. Caves and other alcoves that offer protection are used as litter dens. Born blind, cubs are completely dependent on their mother at first, and begin to be weaned at around three months of age. As they grow, they begin to go out on forays with their mother, first visiting kill sites, and after six months beginning to hunt small prey on their own. Kitten survival rates are just over one per litter. Juveniles remain with their mothers for one to two years. When the females reaches estrous again, their offspring must disperse or the male will kill them. Males tend to disperse further than females. They have a lifespan of 16 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good eyra! About its prey, there are large rodents there, it will not starve
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: About its prey, there are large rodents there, it will not starve I mean, for him to hunt in the chapter. I was thinking that the barbets that I mentioned for the War for the Hollows could have strong beaks and legs to dig the soil of cliffs to make their nest. They would partially fill the niche of toucans. What do you think?
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho I mean, for him to hunt in the chapter. Actually I was joking These include striped tree porcupine, myriyutherium, jakarawa and barocavia. Of these, the striped tree porcupine is in Bestiary, the other three are already in chapters. I was thinking that the barbets that I mentioned for the War for the Hollows could have strong beaks and legs to dig the soil of cliffs to make their nest. They would partially fill the niche of toucans. What do you think? I think they can. Also, they are very beautiful birds. Toucan-type birds living in cliff burrows? Sounds interesting!
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: I think they can. Also, they are very beautiful birds. Toucan-type birds living in cliff burrows? Sounds interesting! They are very beautiful! These descendants of the barbets could have colorful feathers with dull beaks, differently of ttue toucans. Also, I was thinking that the chapter "War of the Hollows" could introduce a subfamily trochilids that is heavily specialized to steal nectar. They would have beaks capable of doing small cirurgical holes in flowers and then introduce their long and thin tongue to extract it. What do you think? They can also have other adaptations for that criminal lifestyle.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Also, I was thinking that the chapter "War of the Hollows" could introduce a subfamily trochilids that is heavily specialized to steal nectar. They would have beaks capable of doing small cirurgical holes in flowers and then introduce their long and thin tongue to extract it. The hummingbirds (Trochilidae) have very weak beaks, too weak to drill through petals. Also, why would they need to drill? This would be OK for some type of entirely closed flowers that cannot be cross-pollinated in a way other than some animal drilling or gnawing through its petals (or self-pollinated). And this looks unlikely.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: The hummingbirds (Trochilidae) have very weak beaks, too weak to drill through petals. Also, why would they need to drill? This would be OK for some type of entirely closed flowers that cannot be cross-pollinated in a way other than some animal drilling or gnawing through its petals (or self-pollinated). And this looks unlikely. I had this idea after reading some articles about cases of hummingbirds that developed this strategy to have easy access to nectar. They do it frequently in flower with longer corolla. My idea was that these hummingbirds would haver short beaks with thin tips to pierce the petals. While they still can reach nectar in short flowers, they will practice nectar robbery in longer ones. Such practice would be more common than that of their ancestors, with them visiting the longer flowers more frequently. These links are of images of how I thought that these thief hummingbirds could do it. https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTIt81N5hwX4CCZFdb3E5Xs1s3x_efF8R99hw&usqp=CAU https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTZqQNQON0gpHaNZkFVnrmv-rypl_UZ4GhmLw&usqp=CAU
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho OK, I agree then. I am not a trained ornithologist, ya know Then, the idea is good! But still we already have almost a dozen species of hummingbirds in neocene - just go to the Index and press Ctrl-F for "Find on page" (or use the same command on the smartphone/iphone browser), then type in "Trochilidae" and tap Enter.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: OK, I agree then. I am not a trained ornithologist, ya know I never paid much atention to hummingbirds until I started to read some articles about them recently. Then I found out about their nectar robbery. Áèîëîã ïèøåò: But still we already have almost a dozen species of hummingbirds in neocene - just go to the Index and press Ctrl-F for "Find on page" (or use the same command on the smartphone/iphone browser), then type in "Trochilidae" and tap Enter. Well, South America have thousands of hummingbirds in the Holocene, but I understand if the species that already exist are good enough. I only though that could be interesting to have these flying thieves. By the way, I finished the description of more animals for the chapter about the Andes. Andean social cuy (Sociocavia andina) In face of the anthropogenic onslaught, some resilient species were capable of surviving. In South America, the guinea pigs (genus Cavia) were one of these survivors. In the Neocene one of their direct descendants is the genus Sociocavia, the social cuy. The members of this genus are highly social animals that form large colonies with burrows, which can be used by other animals. One of the representatives of this genus is the Andean social cuy, a species endemic to the Andean Plateau. The Andean social cuy have 42 cm of length, with males being slightly heavier than the females. They are generally tan in color, with lighter-colored bellies. However, there could be color variation in their pelt, such as dark fur on their back in black and brown tones. Their forelimbs are strong, with them using it to dig complex tunnels. The tail is very short. This mammal is a herbivore and feeds on grasses and other herbs. It's diurnal, mainly emerging in the early morning to forage and again in the evening. During the winter months, these rodents don't hibernate. They continue to leave the burrow to forage, but will enter a state of torpor at night to conserve energy. Torpor is categorized by a drop in metabolism, heart rate and respiration similar to hibernation, but is involuntary and shorter in duration. On average, a mountain social cuy will lose twenty percent of its body weight during the fall and winter seasons when they go through bouts of torpor. As winter progresses, the amount of time spent in torpor increases. The Andean social cuy is a highly social rodent. They form large colonies with several individuals. Colony size may range from five to thousands of individuals, and may be subdivided into two or more wards, based on topographic features. These groups may contain 15–26 family groups. There may also be subgroups, called "wards", which are separated by a physical barrier. Family groups exist within these wards. Most social cuy family groups are made up of one adult breeding male, two to three adult females and one to two male offspring and one to two female offspring. Females remain in their natal groups for life and are thus the source of stability in the groups. Males leave their natal groups when they mature to find another family group to defend and breed in. Breeding takes place at the beginning of austral spring. The gestation period is about 62 days and females can have five litters in a year. The number of young born averages two and ranges from one to five. The minimum age at which the young adults can breed is thirty days. They have a lifespan of 7 years. Red-billed bullfinch (Parapyrrhula erythroramphus) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However the species that were resilient enough survived, with their descendants now living in the Neocene. Even during the Holocene, the family Thraupidae always showed a great morphological diversity. Its members evolved to fill the most different niches. From the tropical rainforests, to the Andes, the members of this family could be seen in all of them. In the cold Andean Plateau region, the red-billed bullfinch appeared. This species has a similar lifestyle to the true bullfinches from Eurasia (Genus Pyrrhula). The red-billed bullfinch is a bulky bull-headed bird. They have 13 cm of length and a wingspan of 29 cm. The males have a slaty gray plumage with black wings, back and head. Their short and thick bills are bright red. The females are pale gray with patches of brown in the wings and head. Their bill is pale pink. Both sexes have dark gray legs. They feed mainly on seeds and buds, but can occasionally eat invertebrates. When winters arrive in the Andean Plateau, these birds engages in altitudinal movements by winter, traveling to as low as 1,800 m or even to 1,060 m. The red-billed bullfinch lives in pairs or small flocks that usually perch near the tops of bushes, but forage often in lower vegetation or even on the ground. They fly in tight flocks in a fast, direct but sometimes undulating flying style. Their nesting season starts early in the spring and until the end of summer, the pairs can have 3 to 5 clutches. The nests are built in cavities, usually rock crevices. The female lays 3 brown-speckled pale blue eggs, which are incubated solely by her for 11 days. The chicks fledge after 4 weeks, but can remain with parents until the migration. During this period, they help their parents take care of the other clutches. This species reaches sexual maturity with 6 months, but mist only start to nest in the next spring. They have a lifespan of 7 years. Mountain redgem (Rubetrochilis andinus) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However the species that were resilient enough survived, with their descendants now living in the Neocene. The hummingbirds were one of these survivors and now their descendants are the proof of their survival. In the Andean Plateau, a new species appeared. It's the mountain redgem, a bird that is adapted to survive in this region. During the cold nights, these birds will enter in torpor, congregating in small flocks inside rock crevices or in protected branches. By staying together, they are capable of staying warm. During the winter, these birds will migrate to the lowlands close to the Andes. The mountain redgem is a small bird. They have 11 cm of length, with males having a 10 cm long tail. Both sexes have scaly brown upperparts, but only the males have red iridescent feathers in the throat and chest. In females, this part of the body is reddish ocre. Both male and female have a dark striped belly and a dark patch through the eye, with a white supercilium. The males have dark purple uppertail coverts with light ochre bands and central tail feathers are long with white tips. The tail of the females are short. Like all other species of hummingbird, the mountain redgem feeds on nectar. However, they will eat a variety of insects, including mosquitoes, fruit flies, gnats in flight, or aphids on leaves and spiders in their webs. When foraging, the mountain redgem is a solitary bird, with males even being aggressive with each other when searching for food. However, when they find a place to spend the night, these hummingbirds will congregate in flocks to stay warm during the torpor. The nesting season starts immediately after they return to the Andean Plateau during spring. The male sings during courtship. It's thin and squeaky, interspersed with buzzes and chirps, and is drawn to over 10 seconds in duration. During the breeding season, males can be observed performing an aerial display dive over their territories. When a female flies onto a male's territory, the male rises up about 30 m before diving over the female. As the male approaches the bottom of the dive, it reaches an average speed of 27 m/s. At the bottom of the dive, the male travels 23 m/s, and produces an audible sound by the tail feathers. During this period, the males will attack each other aggressively. The female raises the young without the assistance of the male. The female bird builds a nest in a shrub or tree, in vines, or attached to wires or other artificial substrates. It's constructed of plant fibers, downy feathers and animal hair; the exterior is camouflaged with chips of lichen and plant debris. The nest materials are bound together with spider silk. The female lays two to three white eggs that are incubated for 13 days. The young fledge for 3 weeks. They can already breed in the next spring. This species has a lifespan of 5 years. Andean lesser groundowl (Parvodeinostrix andina) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However the species that were resilient enough survived, with their descendants now living in the Neocene. The genus Parvodeinostrix, the lesser groundowls, is formed by descendants of the burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia). It's the sister genus of the Deinostrix, large owls that inhabit North America. Like their Northern relatives, these birds have a long knife-like claw on their internal forward toe. One of its representatives is the Andean lesser groundowl, a species that inhabits the Andean Plateau. During winter, they migrate to plain areas in the foothills. The Andean groundowl have 32 cm of length and 75 cm of wingspan. Adults have chestnut brown heads and wings with white spotting. Their chests and abdomens are cream white with variable black spotting or barring, also depending on the subspecies. Juvenile owls are similar in appearance, but they lack most of the white spotting above and brown barring below. The juveniles have a buff bar across their upper wings and their breasts may be buff-colored rather than white. Andean groundowls of all ages have long grayish legs. Their plumage is dense, what helps them to stay warm during the winter of the Plateau. When hunting, they wait on a perch until they spot prey. The perch usually is a rock, cactus or bush. Once they spot it, they swoop down on prey or fly up to catch insects in flight. Sometimes, they chase prey on foot across the ground. In these cases, they will kill the prey with a hit of their long claw. The highly variable diet includes invertebrates and small vertebrates. These owls mainly eat large insects and small rodents. Although they often live close to social guinea pigs, they rarely prey upon them. The nesting season happens during the spring. The lesser groundowls usually only have one mate but occasionally a male will have two mates. The owls nest in a burrow, usually these left empty by social guinea pigs. If burrows are unavailable and the soil is not hard or rocky, the owls may excavate their own. During the nesting season, they will collect a wide variety of materials to line their nest, some of which are left around the entrance to the burrow. The most common material is mammal dung, which helps to control the microclimate inside the burrow and to attract insects, which the owls may eat. The female lays an egg every one or two days until she has completed a clutch, which can consist of four to 12 eggs. She then incubates the eggs for 4 weeks while the male brings her food. After the eggs hatch, both parents feed the chicks. Four weeks after hatching, the chicks can make short flights and begin leaving the nest burrow. The parents still help feed the chicks for 3 months. They reach sexual maturity with 7 months and have a lifespan of 9 years. Another representative of the Genus is the Savanna lesser groundowl (Parvodeinostrix savanna). This species inhabits several biomes of South America, from the savannas of Central South America to the plains of Patagonia. They have 28 cm of length and 70 cm of wingspan. The upperparts are grey-brown, heavily spotted with white. The underparts are white, streaked with brown. The facial disc is pale and the iris is yellow. There is a white neckband and supercilium. The Patagonian population is migratory, moving north during the winter.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good descriptions!
JOrnitho: Here is other two descriptions for the "War of the Hollow" chapter. One is of the toucan-like barbet and the other is about a species of bee that vould be a rival of the striped honey bees. Rainbow bald-toucan (Capitocalvus versicolor) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However the species that were resilient enough survived, with their descendants now living in the Neocene. Some species of barbets (Capitonidae) were capable of surviving. Due to great changes in their environment, these birds ended up needing to adapt and even change much of their morphology. In the Neocene, they give rise to the genus Capitocalvus, the bald-toucans. While they aren’t true toucans, their appearance and lifestyle is similar to that of true Ramphatidae. The type species of this genus is the rainbow bald-toucan, an inhabitant of the tropical and subtropical forested areas of South America, from Amazon to the Atlantic rainforest. The rainbow bald-toucan is the largest representative of its genus. This species has 54 cm of length and a wingspan of 97 cm. Their strong and thick beak is 14 cm long. It has a white color with a black tip. Such pale and simple coloration is a stark difference from the true toucans and their colorful beaks. All males of this genus have a flat projection on the top of their beaks, similar to the casque of the hornbill. It reaches part of their skull, giving a bald appearance. Both males and females have a colorful plumage. The head is bright red, while the underparts are yellow. The back, tail and wing coverts are green, while the primaries and secondary feathers are blue. Their legs are black and strong. These birds are opportunistic omnivores. While fruits are a dominant part of their diet, they will also target other animals as prey. Invertebrates such as insects, scorpions, spiders and centipedes are common prey. Among the vertebrates, the rainbow bald-toucan is capable of killing small mammals, small birds, frogs and lizards. The rainbow bald-toucan is usually found in pairs or small familiar groups. These groups show a marked territorial behavior towards other groups or species, which is usually made clear by the loud duets of breeding pairs, and it is actively protected by the breeding pair by chasing off intruders. The family group's helpers assist in this, especially near the nest. In the absence of interference, these groups can occupy a particular territory for a year or longer. The rainbow bald-toucan breeds cooperatively, with several helpers aiding the dominant breeding pair with incubation and raising the young. Groups are larger outside the reproductive season but generally shrink to three individuals in season, usually composed of previous immature offspring that stay with their parents and help with the new hatchlings. After the breeding season, the group increases due to greater acceptance of non-family members. These helpers significantly increase the reproductive success of the breeding pair. The breeding season of this species starts in the middle of spring and lasts until the end of autumn. Pairs may have two or even three broods per year. They build their nests inside holes carved in cliffs. The construction of such holes is made solely by the male, who uses their strong beak to remove the soil. They also use the flat part on their beak and head to leave the soil inside it compacted. The female will fiscalize the construction and when it's deep enough, she will fill it with leaves and lianes. The female usually lays two to four white eggs a few days after mating. The eggs are incubated by both sexes and hatch after 18 days. The young will be attended in the nest by their parents and siblings, until they fledge with 20 days. Sexual maturity is reached with one year and they have a lifespan of 14 years. Another species of the genus is the blue-throated bald-toucan (Capitocalvus cyanogullaris), an inhabitant of the cloud forests at the slopes of the Andes. This species is 32 cm long and has a wingspan of 68 cm. Their plumage is mostly green, with the exception of their throat and chest that is blue, and head that is red. Manduri (Manduri infestantibus) In the South America of the Neocene, not only the Africanized bees survived. Some of the members of the Genus Melipona were capable of surviving the pressure that it suffered during the Holocene. These stingless bee survived competition and destruction of their habitats by becoming aggressive and developing large heads with large mandibles capable of cutting wood. The Manduri is one of the species of this genus. This word was used as a regional name in Brazil for their ancestors. This insect inhabits the tropical and subtropical areas of South America. have dark black, rounded bodies with slightly curved antennae and translucent wings. Size is from 29 to 30 mm, and they are more heavily build than the Apis bee. This bee can be identified by the large bright yellow head and black mandibles. Their mandibles are large and well developed, giving them a wasp-like appearance. The abdomens of the queens swell with ovarian development, making older queens larger than workers which is typical of most social bees. Queens vary slightly in their coloring, having brown eyes and brown hair compared to the black eyes and hair of worker bees. Workers are smaller than the queen. Workers have black eyes and black hair on their thorax and abdomen. Older workers will go out foraging while younger workers, 12 to 21 days old, will construct and provision cells in the comb. Like their ancestors, they are highly eusocial bees that are characterized by having perennial colonies that are typically headed by a single-mated queen. The average number of adult workers and queens within a colony is 300–400. There is rare cases of temporal polygyny within a colonies having more than one egg-laying queen. New colonies are established in a slow process, when the number of worker bees exceed 500 or 600 individuals in the parent colony. Then, a number of worker bees start to build a new nest by using their large mandibles to carve a tree cavity well suited for this purpose, and store honey and pollen in there. When the new nest is ready, a "princess bee" (mated gyne) join the workers, and if accepted it starts laying eggs and becomes the new queen. After a while the abdomen of the new queen expands to 3 or more times the initial size (a phenomenon called physogastrism) and it becomes incapable of flying, never leaving the nest again. Eggs are laid singly in a cell in a wax honeycomb, produced and shaped by the worker bees. Using her spermatheca, the queen can choose to fertilize the egg she is laying, usually depending on into which cell she is laying. Drones develop from unfertilised eggs and are haploid, while females (queens and worker bees) develop from fertilised eggs and are diploid. Larvae are initially fed with royal jelly produced by worker bees, later switching to honey and pollen. The exception is a larva fed solely on royal jelly, which will develop into a queen bee. The larva undergoes several moultings before spinning a cocoon within the cell, and pupating. Young worker bees, sometimes called "nurse bees", clean the hive and feed the larvae. When their royal jelly-producing glands begin to atrophy, they begin building comb cells. They progress to other within-colony tasks as they become older, such as receiving nectar and pollen from foragers, and guarding the hive. Later still, a worker takes her first orientation flights and finally leaves the hive and typically spends the remainder of her life as a forager. Worker bees cooperate to find food and use a pattern of "dancing” to communicate information regarding resources with each other. While they feed on nectar of different flowers, the manduri and honey bee (subgenus Striatoapis) compete for hollowed trees to make their hives. The first will carve their own nests that can be usurped by the second. Such conflicts can result in fights between swarms of workers of both species. The honey bees will try to sting their rivals, while the manduri will use their mandibles to cut off their heads. The species emerging victorious in such disputes can depend of several factors, such as the number of bees involved.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Very good!
JOrnitho: I finished the description of the other two birds for the chapter "War for the Hollows". Purple headed parrot (Neopionus amazonicus) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However the species that were resilient enough survived, with their descendants now living in the Neocene. The genus Pionus had survived the anthropogenic onslaught and gave rise to the Neopionus parrots. The type species is the purple headed parrot, an inhabitant of the Amazon rainforest, being more common in the varzea forests. The purple headed parrot has 38 cm of length and 73 cm of wingspan. They have a mainly green plumage with a purple head, neck and upper breast, red undertail coverts, and some orangish-yellow on the wing coverts. Their tail is short and rounded. The beak is dark gray and strong. The legs and feet are pale gray. These birds feed primarily on seeds, nuts, fruits, berries, buds, nectar, and flowers, supplemented by leafy matter. Their beaks enable them to crack nut shells with ease. The purple headed parrots are gregarious and monogamous. The pairs will be seen flying close to each other in the flocks. The breeding season starts during the beginning of spring and lasts until the end of summer. The pairs will make their nests inside hollowed trees. The members of the genus Neopionus have the habit of putting leaves in it to cover the eggs. Among the leaves used are those of repellent tobacco, which help them to maintain bees away from the nest. The female lays 3 to 5 white eggs that can be laid with an interval of three to four days. Females are responsible for the entire incubation period 28 days, and only leave the nest for short feeding periods. Males will protect the nest from potential predators and repel the approach of golden-faced parakeets, which can destroy the eggs to occupy the nest even if the blue headed parrot is larger than them. The chicks are born blind, naked and completely vulnerable. Only after 10 days, they begin to open their eyes and their feather quills break through. Both parents participate in feeding the chicks. The young leave the nest within 67 days, but they still depend on their parents for 7 to 8 weeks after hatching. They only become independent after 9 to 12 weeks. These birds are sexually mature around 2 years of age and have a lifespan of 32 years. Another representative of the genus is the yellow-bellied parrot (Neopionus xanthoventer), an inhabitant of the Atlantic coast forests of South America. They have 35 cm of length and a wingspan of 68 cm. Their plumage is mainly green, with a blue crown and face. Their main characteristic is the bright yellow belly. The primary feathers are red. The red tailed parrot (Neopionus erythrourus) is another representative of the genus. This species inhabits the woodlands and gallery forests of Central South America. They have 37 cm of length and a wingspan of 70 cm. Their plumage is mainly green, with a blue crown. The main characteristic of this species is the bright red feathers of the tail. Golden-faced parakeet (Eupsitulla belicosa) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However the species that were resilient enough survived, with their descendants now living in the Neocene. The genus Eupsitulla was one of these survivors and new species exist. One of them is the golden-faced parakeet, an inhabitant of the Amazon rainforest. The golden-faced parakeet has 32 cm of length and a wingspan of 60 cm. Their head and face is bright orangish-yellow. The throat and rest of the body is green. The primaries and secondary feathers are red. Their 12 cm long tail is olive-green with a blue tip. The beak and legs are gray. These birds mainly feed on fruits, flowers, berries, blossoms, seeds, nuts, and insects. They feed on both ripe and half-ripe seeds of both fruits and berries. They require more protein intake during breeding season, more carbohydrates when rearing young, and more calcium during egg production. When outside of the breeding season, the golden-faced parakeet lives in large flocks. Being monogamous, the pairs remain together in such flocks, even flying and resting close to each other. Their breeding season starts during the spring and ends in early autumn. During this period, the large flocks are dissolved. These once social birds become very aggressive. Their nests are built in tree holes that will be defended by the pair with great aggressiveness. They will also expel birds or bats from holes, even killing those that are smaller than them. They can inflict cuts with their beaks, but most of their attacks are aimed toward the head and chest. Once the hole is secured, the pair will work together to prepare the nest. If necessary, they will remove pieces of wood to enlarge the space. The female lays 3 to 4 white eggs that can be laid with two- to three-day intervals. Females are responsible for the entire incubation period from 23 to 27 days, and only leave the nest for short feeding periods. Males aggressively protect the nest from potential predators and from other golden-faced parakeets, which can destroy the eggs to occupy the nest. The chicks are born blind, naked and completely vulnerable. Only after 10 days, they begin to open their eyes and their feather quills break through. Both parents participate in feeding the chicks. The young depend on their parents for 7 to 8 weeks after hatching, and only become independent after 9 to 12 weeks. These birds are sexually mature around 2 years of age and have a lifespan ranging from 20 to 25 years
JOrnitho: I made the description of another bird for the chapter about the Atlantic forest. It could be prey for the Tamoio cat. Southern night tapaculo (Nyctoscytalopus soricioides) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However the species that were resilient enough survived, with their descendants now living in the Neocene. Among the survivors were tapaculos (Rhinocryptidae). Representatives of this family survived in the Atlantic forests of South America and continued to evolve. In the Neocene, they gave rise to the Genus Nyctoscytalopus, the night tapaculos. The type species of this genus is the Southern night tapaculo, an inhabitant of the Atlantic lowland forests of Southeastern South America. The Southern night tapaculo is a tiny bird, having 11 cm of length and 23 cm of wingspan. Their plumage in the upperparts is dark gray, while in the lower parts it's dark brown. They have large eyes with well developed tapetum lucidum that are suitable for their nocturnal lifestyle. Their beak and legs are dark gray. This species forages during the night on the ground for insects, spiders, and centipedes. All representatives of this genus are birds of the understory of the forest, rarely leaving it. They are fast, moving swiftly in the ground like a shrew. During the day, these birds rest in small cavities. The Southern night tapaculo is a monogamous species, with the male and female forming pairs for life. It nests in natural cavities in the ground or on fallen logs. It makes its nest in the form of a sphere made of material found in the vicinity of the couple's territory, such as roots, small twigs, lichens and others. The female lays 2 white eggs that incubated solely by her for 17 days. The chicks are feed by both parents. They fledge with 23 days, but remain with the parents for more 4 weeks. They reach sexual maturity with 3 months and have a lifespan of 5 years. Another representative of the Genus Nyctoscytalopus is the Northern night tapaculo (Nyctoscytalopus minor), an inhabitant of the Atlantic forests in Northeastern South America. They have a similar plumage to that of their Southern relative, but are smaller, having 10 cm of length and 20 cm of wingspan. The highland Atlantic forests in the Southeast have an endemic species, the Serra night tapaculo (Nyctoscytalopus montanus). Differently of their lowland relatives, this species have light brown underparts. They have 12 cm of length and 24 cm of wingspan.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good bird!
JOrnitho: I made the description of another genus of bird. Golden-fronted erythrophonia (Erythrophonia flavifrons) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However the species that were resilient enough survived, with their descendants now living in the Neocene. The Genus Erythrophonia originated from species of Euphonias that survived the anthropogenic onslaught. The golden-fronted erythrophonia is the type species of this genus. It inhabits the canopy of the Atlantic forest of South America. The golden-fronted erythrophonia have 12 cm of length and 21 of wingspan. The male has entirely bright red underparts from the throat to vent save. The upperparts are a dark blue-black except for the yellow crown patch which extends from the bill over the head to just past the eye. The female, like most representatives of this genus, is dull olive above and pale red below. In both sexes, the bill and legs are gray. It’s one of the best imitators among the South American birds. A single male can manifest in a few minutes in the voice of 10 to 16 different bird species. They are perfect imitations, but translated to their own reduced vocal strength. The repertoire of the golden-fronted erythrophonia becomes a faithful copy of the avifauna of the region in which it lives. Such characteristic is shared by all representatives of the Genus. They eat small fruit and berries, particularly mistletoe. Insects can be consumed occasionally, being more frequent when they have chicks. They are social birds, forming flocks of 7 to 20 individuals. Pairs are monogamous, and stay together year round. Both parents build a globular nest of dried grass and stems, lined with finer material and with a side entrance. The female lays three to four cream-colored, brown-splotched eggs, which she alone incubates for 15 days. They have 2 to 3 broods during the nesting season, which starts during the end of winter. Both parents feed the hatched chicks. The chicks fledge within 20 days. Sexual maturity is reached with 12 months and they have a lifespan of 8 years. The Genus Erythrophonia have other representatives. The black-throated erythrophonia (Erythrophonia amazonica) replaces the golden-fronted erythrophonia in the Amazon rainforest. This bird is more common in varzea forests and areas that are flooded during the monsoon. They have 11 cm of length and 20 cm of wingspan. The male of this species have a red belly and chest, with the rest of the plumage being dark blue-black, including the throat. They also have a small yellow patch over their beak. The female is similar to the other species. Another representative is the red-crowned erythrophonia (Erythrophonia estemmenorubrus), an inhabitant of the woodlands and gallery forests of Central South America. This bird has 9 cm of length and 19 cm of wingspan. The male is similar to that of the golden-fronted erythrophonia, with the exception of having red plumage on the crown. The last member of this genus is the Andean erythrophonia (Erythrophonia andina), a bird endemic to the cloud forests at the slopes of the Andes. They have 10 cm of length and 21 cm of wingspan. The adult male has glossy olive upperparts, a yellow forehead, and a bright red belly. The adult female has less glossy upperparts than the male, a yellow crown and a small rufous belly patch.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good bird!
JOrnitho: I was thinking about the swifts and nightjars of South America. Do you think that they could have developed some different lifestyle from that of their ancestors? For example, I was thinking in a species of nightjar, which males have a pair of long tail covert feathers that they use in courtship rituals.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Swifts and nightjars catch their prey (insects) in the air, in flight. So, long tail feathers will interfere with fast maneuverable flight. But nightjars can have decorative feathers on their wings, like these: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard-winged_nightjar https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennant-winged_nightjar
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: So, long tail feathers will interfere with fast maneuverable flight. Well, South America already have a species of long tailed nightjar https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-trained_nightjar My idea was a possible descendants of this bird that also developed these long feathers, but with different shapes and sizes.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Ah, I see! I did not know about that species. OK, the idea's good!
JOrnitho: I made the description of another genus of bird. Rufous-bellied choca, or rufous-bellied antshrike (Neothamnophilus rufus) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However some species survived and in the Neocene they gave rise to new species. One of these new species is the rufous-bellied choca, the type species of the Genus Neothamnophilus. The direct ancestors of these birds were Thamnophilus antshrikes that survived the anthropogenic onslaught during the Holocene. The word choca was the popular name of several representatives of their ancestral genus. The rufous-bellied choca lives in the lowland Atlantic forests of South America. The rufous-bellied choca have 15 cm of length and a wingspan of 32 cm. This species, like all the members of this genus, is sexually dismorphic. The male is dark gray with a black crown and a rufous belly. They also have black wings, with white spots in the coverts. The female is completely rufous, with the exception of the crown and wings that are dark brown and lack spots in the coverts. This species is insectivorous, feeding on insects and other arthropods that are captured in low vegetation and on the ground. The rufous-bellied choca lives singly or in pairs, often with dense undergrowth. Breeding is seasonal, starting during the spring and continues through the summer. The nest is a woven cup, generally placed rather low. Both sexes incubate 2 to 3 eggs. The incubation lasts for 10 days, taking 12 days for the chicks to fledge. They remain with their parents for three more weeks. Sexual maturity is reached with 6 months and they have a lifespan of 7 years. The genus Neothamnophilus has other representatives. One of them is the stripped choca (Neothamnophilus striatus), an inhabitant of the woodlands and gallery forests of Central South America. This species has 13 cm of length and a wingspan of 32 cm. The male is black with several white stripes on the belly. They also have white spots in the coverts. The female is pale gray, with the exception of the crown and wings that are black. The Amazon choca (Neothamnophilus amazonicus) is another representative of this genus. Living in the understory parts of "terra firme" forests in the Amazon, this species have 14 cm of length and a wingspan of 31 cm. The male is black with a white belly. They also have brown wings, with white spots in the coverts. The female is completely gray, with the exception of the wings that are dark brown. The Agreste choca (Neothamnophilus minor) is endemic to the transition areas between arid savanna and Atlantic forest located in Northeastern South America. The word agreste was used in Brazil to name this region. These birds have 13 cm of length and a wingspan of 30 cm. The male is brown with a black crown and a black belly. They also have black wings, with white spots in the coverts. The female is completely light brown, with the exception of the crown and wings that are gray.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho OK, good one! I add it to the catalogue and the chapter bestiary.
JOrnitho: Would be interesting if a genus if Amazonic piprids was formed due to the hybridization among close related species during the Holocene? Cases of hybrids happen in this family, with even a species, the golden-crowned manakin (Lepidothrix vilasboasi), having originated this wayclick here. Perhaps with the reduction of the Amazon rainforest during the Holocene, some of these birds ended "inprisoned" in these small forested areas what increased their chances of hybridization.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good idea! It would be the first descendant of a hybrid in neocene project!
JOrnitho: Yes, they could also have genes of other close related species, the result of more hybridization during the end of the Holocene.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Yes, no problem. I meant that before this idea of yours, no hybrids were present in Neocene as holocenic ancestors. It was initially based on "pure species", sometimes peculiarly moved to other, more or less remote locations (see the Baikal beaked dolphin), but never genetically crossed with their relatives.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Yes, no problem. I meant that before this idea of yours, no hybrids were present in Neocene as holocenic ancestors. Ah, right. Do you have sugestions for the name of the genus? I was thinking that they would have a typical manakin "dance" and iridescent blue feathers in the crown.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Wow, beautiful pre-description! The name... Maybe, traditionally (for neocene) based on local words for manakins and that iridescence?
JOrnitho: Since their Brazilian common name, Tangara, is already the genus of other species, maybe their name could be atacaran (from the Tupi ata:walk/arã:around) or saltarin (a Castellan name). Which name seems better?
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Atacaran seems OK.
JOrnitho: I finished the description of the manakin. I also made one about a forest falcon that could appear in the chapter about the Atlantic forest. I plan to give it some edits and add other species to the genus. Crested singing falcon (Canorofalco cristatus) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However the species that were resilient enough survived, with their descendants now living in the Neocene. The laughing falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans) was a widespread species that lived in mostly of tropical South America. It had survived the degradation of the environment by humans and gave rise to the genus Canorofalco, the singing falcons. Its members are restricted to humid tropical and subtropical forests, with the type species, the crested singing falcon, inhabiting the Atlantic forests of Northeastern and Southeastern South America. The crested singing falcon has 53 cm of length and a wingspan of 84 cm. Like most birds of prey, the female is heavier than the male. The adults have a gray back and wings. The breast and belly are white. The head has a broad black face mask that stretches across the neck as a narrow collar, bordered with white. They have a cinnamon crest that can be erected when they are excited or trying to intimidate an adversary. The tail is black with a white tip and a white band in the middle. In flight, they have a shape closer to a hawk than most of its falcon relatives, with short, rounded wings and a long tail. The legs and beak are yellow. This species feeds primarily upon small birds, mammals (mainly rodents and marsupials) and squamates. They often hunt prey by sitting quietly on tree branches and waiting for their victims to appear. When the prey arrives, the forest falcons quickly ambush them, attempting to catch them with a brief, flying pursuit. As their name says, the crested singing falcon is a very vocal bird. Their vocalization can be heard during the entire day, with pairs doing duets. They do not build a nest, but lay their two or three white eggs in cavities in trees. Laying occurs mainly late in the dry season, with hatching taking place at the onset of the rainy season, a time of increasing prey abundance. Eggs hatch 34 days after being laid, and nestlings fledge 42 days after hatching. Fledglings disperse from their parents' territories within four to seven weeks after fledging, achieving independence at that time. Nesting territories are occupied year after year. They reach sexual maturity with three years and have a lifespan of 18 years. Sapphire-crowned saltarin (Atacaran splendidus) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However the species that were resilient enough survived, with their descendants now living in the Neocene.The golden-crowned manakin (Lepidothrix vilasboasi), a species with a hybrid origin between the opal-crowned manakin and snow-capped manakin (Lepidothrix vilasboasi), survived the anthropogenic onslaught by finding refuge in inaccessible areas of the Amazon rainforest. There, this species continued to evolve, giving rise to the Genus Atacaran, from the Tupi tata: walk and arã:around. It’s a reminder of the courtship display made by the males, which is several jumps. It also has genes of other Lepidothrix birds that ended up stranded in these forests and hybridized to a lesser extent with the golden-crowned manakin. When the forest started to recover, this genus spread to other areas of the rainforest. The type species is the sapphire-crowned saltarin, an inhabitant of the “terra firme” rainforests understory of the Amazon Basin. The word saltarin is from Castellan language and refers to the male’s jumps during courtship. The sapphire-crowned saltarin is a small bird, they have 9 cm of length. Like all the manakins, all the representatives of the genus are sexually dismorphic. The male have bright green feathers in their upperparts, while the underparts are bright orange. They have a blue crown, which is the result of structural colors produced by different nanostructural organizations of the feather barb keratin matrix. Their secondary feathers are bright yellow. The female is mostly dull green, with a pale yellow in the belly. They lack the blue crown. Blue-crowned manakins are frugivores. Their diet includes fruit from Melastomataceae, Moraceae, Bromeliaceae, and Araceae. They can participate in mixed flocks, with their preferred food being arthropods, including ants, flies, and other small insects. While catching arthropods, their hunting technique was often a sally-strike or sally-glean off of live foliage. Breeding season coincides with the dry season. Males form leks of up to seven males. Adult and juvenile males form territories though juveniles are unable to maintain their own territory. Their territories range from 209 to 5050 m² in size. They defend their territory and attract mates through song. They perform their songs on song perches that are horizontal or slightly angled twigs. Their display courts are 3–5 m in diameter and are located close to the ground in the open understory. They use up to two courts at a time, but courts can change location annually. Their courtship consists of the males constantly jumping around the female. They’ll bow to her, showing their blue crowns and opening their wings to reveal their yellow primaries. Female's home ranges overlap with one lek on average. Sapphire-crowned saltarin make simple, open-cup nests using dry palm, dry leaves, andbark externally. The internal lining of their nest is pale brown, but can also be whitish or yellow. They use spider webs to secure their nests to the tree. They chose small shrubs and treelets that are less than 1 meter tall and place their nests on horizontal forks. Females are the sole nest builders and take care of their offspring alone. They lay two eggs per clutch. She incubates them for 19 days. The chicks fledge within 21 days, but remain being fed by the mother for more than three weeks. Sexual maturity is reached with 7 months and they have a lifespan of 8 years, but males are killed by predators before that. The Sapphire-rumped saltarin (Atacaran serrana) is another representative of this genus. This species inhabits the forests in mountainous areas of the Amazon, replacing the sapphire-crowned saltarin in these areas. They have 8,5 cm of length. The plumage of the males is similar to that of their relatives, with the exception of their bright blue rump and white primaries and secondaries.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Both are good!
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho By the way, you mentioned birds of hornero family in Indian ocean islands topic. Do you think horneros can become social and build community nests, like sociable weaver of Africa? Would be interesting!
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Do you think horneros can become social and build community nests, like sociable weaver of Africa? I think that it's possible. How do you see the form of these nests? Maybe something like this one, but more elaborated? Or do you have something different in mind?
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho How do you see the form of these nests? Maybe something like this one, but more elaborated? I think it could be just like the one on your image, but higher, up a tree trunk, about 10 storeys or so, and more than one "pillar" side by side! But it can also be in horizontal rows on tree branches (thick enough to hold them, of course), probably in 2-3 storeys in this case.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã I like the idea of them making pillars, similar to a building with apartments. Maybe these birds can make their nests at the same time, with pillars being attached to the sides of each other. Also, the walls of the nests would need to be thick to sustain the weight.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Yes, quite possible. Can you describe the bird? Then, I'll try and help you to describe parasites and/or commensals of their nests, or maybe predators like snakes or birds of prey that would hunt them. Just imagine a chapter named kinda "A Stone Condominium"!
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Can you describe the bird? Of course! Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Then, I'll try and help you to describe parasites and/or commensals of their nests, or maybe predators like snakes or birds of prey that would hunt them. Just imagine a chapter named kinda "A Stone Condominium"! I like this idea! It could happen in gallery forests in central South America, an area where horneros used to live in the Holocene. We could have "posseiros" (individual who occupies vacant or abandoned land and starts to cultivate it) or invaders in these "apartments".
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Yes! I agree.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã I finished the description of the bird. What do you think? You can give suggestions of other species for the genus. We can start to talk about the other species that can appear on this chapter. White-throated obrero (Sociofurnarius albogullaris) In the Neocene, several new species appeared. While some of them were morphologically similar to their ancestors of the Holocene, they developed habits that were far different from them. An example is the genus Sociofurnarius, the obrero birds. The name obrero means worker in Spanish. These birds are direct descendants of the horneros and like their ancestors, they build their nests as structures made of mud and other materials. However, different from them, these birds are very gregarious, forming flocks of 20 or more individuals. Such lifestyle reflects also in the construction of their nests, with these individuals working together to make large structures that resemble a building with apartments. The type species of the genus is the white-throated obrero, an inhabitant of the savannas and gallery forests of Central South America. The white-throated obrero has 15 cm of length and 37 cm of wingspan. Like all the furnariids, their plumage has different shades of brown. Their upperparts and wings are reddish-brown, while the underparts and tail are light brown. They have black stripes around their eyes and a white throat. The legs and beak are pale gray. These birds feed on insects and other arthropods obtained by foraging on the ground while walking. They forage in flocks, with birds of other species following them. Songs in the white-throated obrero are sexually distinct. The rapid trill that is usually heard as part of the duet is faster in the male, slower in the female, and both beat their wings at their sides while singing and the wings beat at the same rate as their trill. The white-throated obrero breeds in the austral summer. The species is monogamous and the pair bond is long term, sometimes for life. The nest of the species is typical for the genus, the breeding pairs of the flock make their nests one over the other, giving it the appearance of a building with each nest entrance being a floor. Such structures can have at least five "floors", but other "buildings" are made close to each other, which make the entire "building" look like a wall with several holes. These nests are built in tree branches or over large rocks. Pairs remain together throughout the year and will work on the nest during that time. The first nests to be built will be those in the base of the "building". Those are usually made by the oldest birds in the flock and its construction influences the others to start their own. A clutch generally contains two to four eggs. The eggs are laid every second day and incubated for 14–18 days. Chicks are fed for 23–26 days before fledging; young birds remain in the parental flock, but can disperse to others around 6 months after fledging. Both parents incubate eggs and feed the young. Obreros may or may not reuse nests, therefore it is quite common to see several abandoned "buildings". However, a formerly unused nest may be repaired for a new breeding season. They reach sexual maturity with 9 months and have a lifespan of 12 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Great! So we got started! We can start to talk about the other species that can appear on this chapter. I think yes, but I must think on what parasites or commensals could be there.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã I was thinking that there could be a species of dwarf falcon that nest in the apartments that were left vacant and end protecting the entire colony against predators. Perhaps a descendant of the Falco sparvevirus
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good idea! dwarf falcon It can be named the dwarf kestrel, taking into account the ancestor you mentioned, eh? But how small will it be? The size of a sparrow or of a common starling?
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: It can be named the dwarf kestrel, taking into account the ancestor you mentioned, eh? But how small will it be? The size of a sparrow or of a common starling? It's a good name! Given the necessity of it needing to stay inside the nest of the obrero, I think that it could have the size of a sparrow, between 14 and 18 cm. Due to this size, I think that it would hunt more arthropods than other vertebrates, only if they are small enough to be captured.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho OK, I agree! I found information that horneros are hosts for nest parasitism of the shiny cowbird. Maybe we can have a descendant of the cowbird as a nest parasite of obrero?
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Maybe we can have a descendant of the cowbird as a nest parasite of obrero? Good idea! Sometime ago I posted the description of the paradise false-cuckoo in this topic, maybe I could edit it to make it be a descendant of the cowbird. Then we could use it in the chapter.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Better make a separate species.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Better make a separate species. Ok! With the obreros nesting in colonies, I think that this nest parasite would need a strategy to approach their nests without being chased off. Do you have ideas of how it could happen?
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho But that could happen just when both hosts of the nest are out, couldn't it? And if you mean chasing by the hosts of neighbouring nests, the parasite can just mimic the host by its appearance.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: And if you mean chasing by the hosts of neighbouring nests, the parasite can just mimic the host by its appearance. Good idea. The female of this icterid could be similar to a obrero, perhaps even mimicking its vocalization. This way it could avoid being targeted by the other birds of the flock. By the way, I finished the description of the kestrel. Utiaritimirim, or dwarf kestrel (Falco nanus) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However the species that were resilient enough survived, with their descendants now living in the Neocene. The American kestrel (Falco sparverius) had survived in South America, where it gave rise to the utiaritimirim, the dwarf kestrel. His name is formed by two words: utiari, a name given by the Pareci people of Rondônia to the bird's ancestor, and by mirim, which means small in Guarani. The utiaritimirim is a relatively common bird of prey, inhabiting the open areas of South America. Birds that live in Southern areas migrate to the savannas in the center of the continent during the winter. The utiaritimirim, having between 14 to 18 cm of length and a wingspan of 50 cm, can be considered one of the smallest species of falcon in the Neocene. Like other birds of prey, the female is larger than the male. Beyond the difference of size, their plumage also show sexual dysmorphism. The male is reddish-brown in the crown and back, with a dark brown band between it and the white rump. The wing coverts and tail are also dark brown. The females have dark brown crowns, back, tail and wing coverts. Both sexes have white faces, but the male has a black malar strip that is absent in the female. The wing feathers are black, while the chest is cream with dark marks. The tail has white bands. Both the beak and legs are yellow. The species feeds mainly on insects and smaller birds. The proportions of insects and birds in the diet may vary according to availability. They are great hunters of dragonflies, attacking the insects with great agility, but it’ll take other insects such as bees, butterflies, grasshoppers, and beetles. The utiaritimirim's primary mode of hunting is by perching and waiting for prey to come near. It also hunts by kiting, hovering in the air with rapid wing beats and scanning the ground for prey. Other hunting techniques include low flight over fields, or chasing insects and birds in the air. Before striking, the kestrel characteristically bobs its head and tail, then makes a direct flight toward the prey to grab it in its talons. Utiaritimirins are sexually mature by their first spring. In migratory populations, the males arrive at the breeding ground before females, then the female selects a mate. Pair bonds are strong, often permanent. Pairs usually use previous nesting sites in consecutive years. This gives birds an advantage over younger or invading individuals, as they would already be familiar with the hunting grounds, neighbors, predators, and other features of the site. Males perform elaborate dive displays to advertise their territory and attract a mate. These displays consist of several climbs and dives, with three or four "kirií" calls at their peaks. Females are promiscuous for about one to two weeks after their arrival at the nesting site. Food transfers from the male to the female occur from about four to five weeks prior to egg laying to one to two weeks after. These birds are cavity nesters, but they are able to adapt to a wide variety of nesting situations. They generally prefer natural cavities with closed tops and tight-fitting entrances that provide for maximum protection of the eggs and young. However, they will nest in holes created by large woodpeckers, or use the abandoned nests of other birds, such as those made by the white-throathed obrero or other funarids. The obrero tolerates the presence of these birds of prey in their colony because utiaritimirins will repel any predator that tries to approach their territory, this way protecting the other birds that are nesting near it. Even if they are small, these kestrels are aggressive and can cause wounds with their sharp talons. Three to seven eggs are laid approximately 24–72 hours apart. The eggs are white to cream in color with brown or grey splotching. Incubation usually lasts 30 days and is mainly the responsibility of the female, although the male incubates for some brief periods of time. Eggs that are lost are typically replaced in 11 days. Hatching takes place over three to four days. Hatchlings are altricial, and are only able to sit up after five days. They grow rapidly, reaching an adult weight after 14 days. After 28 days, their wings have developed and they are able to leave the nest. The young adult utiaritimirim may breed from a year old, and the species has approximately a lifespan of six years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good one!
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã I'll start to work in the description of the nest parasite. Do you have more ideas about the other animals that could appear in the chapter? Maybe some plants could be here too.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho I've mentioned a snake that could prey on obreros and/or their eggs and chicks. And by parasites I was meaning the invertebrates, primarily insects, of course. Maybe, a member of "chewing lice" (Menoponidae)?
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: I've mentioned a snake that could prey on obreros and/or their eggs and chicks. And by parasites I was meaning the invertebrates, primarily insects, of course. Maybe, a member of "chewing lice" (Menoponidae)? Both are good ideas. Maybe the snake could be a descendant of the Boa.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Yes, I agree.
JOrnitho: I finished the description of the cowbird. I'll work in the one of the snake. Can you make the one for the Menoponidae? Godelo (Molothrus mimus) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However the species that were resilient enough survived, with their descendants now living in the Neocene. The shiny cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) survived the anthropogenic onslaught and in the Neocene gave rise to a new species, the godelo. This word was used as the name of their ancestor in some regions of Brazil. Like their ancestors, the godelo is an obligate brood parasite, laying its eggs in the nests of many other bird species such as the white-throated obrero. This species inhabits most of tropical South America, being more common in open areas. The godelo has 17 cm of length with a wingspan of 32 cm. This species is sexually dismorphic, the male is black with purple-blue iridescent feathers. The females have reddish-brown upperparts and pale brown underparts. Their appearance is similar to that of an obrero. This characteristic, together with their ability of mimicking the song of other birds, allow them to approach their colonies to lay eggs without being attacked by these furnarids. This ability isn’t only used with obreros, but also to scare other hosts from their nests. To do that they will copy the vocalization of birds of prey. The beak and legs are dark gray. This species has an omnivorous diet, feeding mainly on insects and seeds, but occasionally eats fruits and flowers. It can also feed on ticks in large mammals. The godelo do not form monogamous pairs. They have a promiscuous mating system where individuals will copulate with many different mates. During courtship, the male performs a song while circling a female, and when the song is finished they bow to their prospective mate. This bow is a display used in both mating rituals and as a show of aggression toward other males. It consists of the male ruffling his feathers while arching his wings and lowering his tail. The display is performed either on the ground, in a tree, or while flying. Following a successful mating display, the pair will copulate once. These birds are obligate brood parasites, with adult females laying their eggs in the nests of other species and their offspring relying entirely on their hosts for parental care. They are generalists, and have several different host species, including the white-throated obrero. As a host generalist, their young are non-mimetic, meaning they do not attempt to replicate the behaviours of host chicks like a host specialist species might. Female godelos do not build nests, as they rely on their hosts to care for their offspring, but they will preferentially select hosts that build enclosed nests such as nests built in cavities. They will look for host nests both actively, and by silently watching for hosts. When a host nest is found, they will flush the host away from the nest by noisily flying around the area. When dealing with the obrero, the female will wait until the nest is left unattended to approach it. Individual godelos may lay their eggs across many different nests. They reach sexual maturity with 6 months and they have a lifespan of 9 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good description! Yes, I'll make the parasite later.
JOrnitho: I finished the description of the snake. Boiuna (Boa boiuna) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However the species that were resilient enough survived, with their descendants now living in the Neocene. The Boa constrictor had survived the anthropogenic onslaught and gave rise to a new species, the boiuna. This word was the name given to a giant snake of Brazilian folklore. The boiuna inhabits all the tropical and subtropical biomes of South America, from forests to savannas. The boiuna is a large constrictor snake. It can reach between 91 and 400 cm in length. Clear sexual dimorphism is seen in the species, with females generally being larger in both length and girth than males. Their color is similar to that of their ancestors, generally a brown, gray, or cream base color, patterned with reddish-brown "saddles". The tail is dark brown, being different from the reddish-brown color present in their ancestors. Their prey includes a wide variety of small to medium-sized mammals and birds. The bulk of their diet consists of rodents, but larger lizards and mammals as big as monkeys and ungulates are also consumed. Young boiuna eat small mice, birds, bats, lizards, and amphibians. The size of the prey item increases as they get older and larger. Boiunas are ambush predators, so they often lie in wait for an appropriate prey to come along, then they attack. However, they can actively hunt, particularly in regions with a low concentration of suitable prey, and this behavior generally occurs at night. The snake first strikes at the prey, grabbing it with its teeth; it then proceeds to constrict the prey until death before consuming it whole. Unconsciousness and death likely result from shutting off vital blood flow to the heart and brain, rather than suffocation. Their teeth also help force the animal down the throat while muscles then move it toward the stomach. It takes the snake about 4 to 6 days to fully digest the food, depending on the size of the prey and the local temperature. After this, the snake may not eat for a week to several months, due to its slow metabolism. This species generally lives on their own and does not interact with any other snakes unless they want to mate. They are nocturnal, but they may bask during the day when night-time temperatures are too low. As semi-arboreal snakes, young boiunas may climb into trees and shrubs to forage; however, they become mostly terrestrial as they become older and heavier. They strike when they perceive a threat. Like all snakes, boiunas in a shed cycle are more unpredictable, because the substance that lubricates between the old skin and the new makes their eyes appear milky, blue, or opaque so that the snake cannot see very well, causing it to be more defensive than it might otherwise be. These snakes are viviparous, giving birth to live young. They generally breed in the dry season and are polygynous; thus, males may mate with multiple females. Half of all females breed in a given year, and a larger percentage of males actively attempt to locate a mate. Due to their polygynous nature, many of these males will be unsuccessful. As such, female boiunas in inadequate physical condition are unlikely to attempt to mate, or to produce viable young if they do mate. During the breeding season, the female emits pheromones from her cloaca to attract males, which may then wrestle to select one to breed with her. During breeding, the male curls his tail around the female's and the hemipenes are inserted. Copulation can last from a few minutes to several hours and may occur several times over a period of a few weeks. After this period, ovulation may not occur immediately, but the female can hold the sperm inside her for up to one year. When the female ovulates, a midbody swell can be noticed that appears similar to the snake having eaten a large meal. The female then sheds two to three weeks after ovulation, in what is known as a post-ovulation shed which lasts another 3 weeks, which is longer than a normal shed. The gestation period, which is counted from the post ovulation shed, is around 100–120 days. The female then gives birth to a litter of 10 to 65 young. The young are independent at birth and grow rapidly for the first few years, shedding once every one to two months. At 4 years, boiunas become sexually mature and reach the adult size, but continue to grow at a slow rate for the rest of their lives. This species has a lifespan of 20 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Very good snake!
JOrnitho: Besides the snake, do you think that there could be more predators appearing in the chapter? There could also be other species of animals using the obrero nests. Some time ago, I had the idea of a tiny omnivorous bat living in South America. Their size would be close to that of a modern bumblebee bat. Maybe they could make nests inside empty nests, them appearing in the chapter. Also, I was thinking that the copper jacumitan, a species that I proposed sometime ago, could appear as one of the species living near the tree where the colony is located.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho I like the idea of a small bat!
JOrnitho: I finished the description of the tiny bat. Southern guandira, or Southern dwarf leaf-nosed bat (Guandira minima) Ordem: Chiroptera Family:Phyllostomidae The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. Those that survived could evolve into new and different forms. A new genus that appeared in the Neocene was the Guandira, the dwarf leaf-nosed bats of the two Americas. The word guandira was used by indigenous people of Brazil as a name for bats. The type species of this genus is the Southern guandira, an inhabitant of tropical South America, living in both forests and open areas. The Southern guandira is a tiny bat, barely reaching 2,8 cm of length and having a wingspan of 12 cm. It occurs in both reddish-brown and yellowish-brown color morphs. The populations living in the forests are reddish-brown, while those in savannas are yellowish-brown. It has soft velvety fur, which is short on the back. The dorsal fur is dark brown. The fur on the underside is pale and appears frosted due to the silvery-gray tip of each hair. The head is large with a relatively big snout and a large, well-developed, and elliptical noseleaf with a free horseshoe. The ears and noseleaf, along with the skin membrane on the forearm, tibia, metacarpals, and phalanges are pale brown, contrasting with the dark blackish patagium. The tragus (a projection in front of the ear) is dark gray, while the feet and uropatagium are dark brown. The propatagium extends to the first thumb phalanx, while the wing membrane extends to the base of the thumbs. The tail membrane has a slightly hairy central notch and the tail is absent. It has a total of 30 teeth. This species is mainly a frugivore, feeding on a wide variety of fruit. However, it'll supplement their diet with small insects. They will feed of large fruits by cutting the peel with their sharp teeth.The presence of these bats in a territory can be identified by the fruits marked with their bites. Due to their tiny size, these bats are preyed by several species. Owls, falcons, snakes, predatory bats and even large nyctibids are among the predators of these small mammals. During the day, Southern guandiras will rest inside rock crevices and tree holes. Their diminutive size allows them to use holes in bamboos and abandoned nests of furnarids, such that of obreros. There can be twenty individuals inside these dens. It has a brief activity period, leaving its roost for only some minutes in the evening and at dawn. These short flights are easily interrupted by heavy rain or cold temperatures. This bat is a seasonal breeder which breeds twice a year in both the wet and dry season. The females give birth to a single offspring. During feeding periods, the young either stays in the roost or remains attached to the mother at one of her two vestigial pubic nipples. It reaches sexual maturity with 2 months and have a lifespan of 3 years. Another representative of the genus is the Northern guandira (Guandira grandis), an inhabitant of the tropical forests of North America, reaching the Florida Peninsula. The fur and wing membranes are light brown in color, with dark shoulder spots. They are large than their Southern relatives, with 3,2 cm of length and a wingspan of 13 cm.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good bat!
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã I was thinking if we could have a predator for the bats appearing in the chapter. It could be or a large bat or a nightjar. Which one seems more interesting?
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho The nightjar's beak and claws seem too weak to catch, kill and tear apart a prey. Even so small as your bat. And nightjars are too deeply speciaized on small insects. So, a large predatory bat (like holocenic greater bulldog bat, or the fishing bat) has more chances!
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: So, a large predatory bat (like holocenic greater bulldog bat, or the fishing bat) has more chances! Then it'll be bat. I already have a name for it: Jurupari, a nocturnal demon from the indigenous people of Brazil
ìåäâåäü: The nightjar's beak and claws seem too weak to catch, kill and tear apart a prey. Even so small as your bat. And nightjars are too deeply speciaized on small insects. But there already are large predatory nightjars in the Neocene- merlette and the hawk potoo.
JOrnitho: ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: But there already are large predatory nightjars in the Neocene- merlette and the hawk potoo. Yes. I thought that the hawk potoo could be a predator of the tiny bat. Int this case it would be a predatory nyctibid.
Áèîëîã: ìåäâåäü OK, but making something new is more interesting than repeating or remaking pre-existing things, eh?
ìåäâåäü: Of course! I just said that it is not completely impossible.
JOrnitho: I finished the description of the predatory bat. Jurupari, or Demonic spectral bat (Vampyrum jurupari) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. Those that survived could continue with their evolution. The jurupari is a direct descendant of the spectral bat (Vampyrum spectrum), one of the survivors of the anthropogenic onslaught of the Holocene. Their name is that of a nocturnal demonic entity of several South American mythologies. This species of bat inhabits the tropical regions of South America. The jurupari can be considered one of the largest bats of South America, with 30 cm of length and a wingspan of 125 cm. Each of its thumbs has a large, recurved claw that is grooved, similar to those of cats. Its back fur is reddish-brown, long, and soft, while its belly fur is shorter and paler. The forearm is furred on the half closer to the body, but naked on the half closer to the wrist and fingers. It has a robust skull and teeth, with which it delivers a powerful bite to kill its prey. The jurupari is exclusively carnivorous, consuming birds, rodents, and other species of bat. Additionally, it consumes some insects such as beetles. It carries prey items back to its roost to consume, discarding unwanted parts such as bird feathers, bat wings, and rodent tails. They use echolocation to navigate, creating short pulses of ultrasound at relatively low frequencies. Such characteristics are suited for maneuvering around obstacles while flying low to the ground. It stalks the prey and then lands on it from above, securing the prey by hooking it with its sharp thumb claws. It kills its prey by delivering a forceful bite to the skull. Like their ancestors, the jurupari are monogamous. Colonies consist of an adult male and female and their offspring. The adult male will bring food back to the roost to provision them. Colonies generally roost in tree hollows, though individuals may roost in caves. It is a seasonal breeder, with females giving birth at the end of the dry season or the beginning of the rainy season. The litter size is one individual, with offspring called "pups." The mother is very attentive and gentle with her offspring. The male is often in attendance as well and will frequently sleep with both the female and their young completely wrapped up in his wings. They reach sexual maturity with 8 months and have a lifespan of 6 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good bat!
ìåäâåäü: Interesting! But modern spectral bats prey primarily on birds that have a strong odor, such as trogons, cuckoos and motmots. Therefore, it may have stronger sense of smell than most other bats. I think its descendant will retain that ability.
Áèîëîã: ìåäâåäü I think you can be right, but remember that bats catch odorless insects using the echolocation only. Just as dolphins do underwater - dolphins lack olfaction (smell sense) at all!
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: I think you can be right, but remember that bats catch odorless insects using the echolocation only. Just as dolphins do underwater - dolphins lack olfaction (smell sense) at all! I think that this bat could use both these senses to hunt prey. It would depend of what they are hunting.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Yes, sure! I agree.
ìåäâåäü: Áèîëîã I think you can be right, but remember that bats catch odorless insects using the echolocation only. But the spectral bat is a fairly large bat, and I have read that there is an upper size limit for terrestrial echolocators. As the spectral bat is close to that limit, its echolocation is not so effective as with smaller bats you mentioned. For that reason, they supplement their echolocation with good sense of smell. Besides, I did not say that the jurupari would lose its ability to echolocate. I just said that it would be useful for it to retain its ancestor´s sense of smell.
Áèîëîã: ìåäâåäü Of course, the olfaction is a good additive to echolocation. I can also add that oilbirds (guacharo) use echolocation in their caves, but feed on fruit found in the woods at night by olfaction.
JOrnitho: Besides these species, do you have more ideas for other animals that could appear in the chapter?
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Speaking of oilbirds (guacharo), do you think they will survive holocene and give descendants in neocene?
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Speaking of oilbirds (guacharo), do you think they will survive holocene and give descendants in neocene? I think that it's possible. Maybe they could survive in inaccessible parts of the Amazon rainforest.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Quite so, but they will still need caves.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: but they will still need caves. Of course. I think that they would not be much different from their ancestors.
JOrnitho: Do you think that would be possible for the screamers (Chauna) develop a less aquatic lifestyle? They would forage in open areas of savannas and occasionally visiting freshwater reservoirs.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Why not? Quite possible.
JOrnitho: I finished the description of the southern screamer's descendant. Crowned screamer (Chauna coronata) Many biomes changed in the Neocene. In South America, the great wetlands of the Pantanal disappeared, being replaced by savannas. The species that lived here were forced to adapt or would become extinct. The Southern screamer (Chauna torquata) became adapted to these changes. Its descendant, the crowned screamer, is now capable of surviving in the savannas of Central South America, while occasionally visiting shallow lakes and rivers. The crowned screamer is one of the largest flying birds of southern South America, measuring 95 cm in length. Their flat wing measures 60 cm and the tail is 26 cm. They are stout bodied with a disproportionately small head and a "chicken-like" grayish brown bill. The sexes have the same plumage. Their head and upperparts are black with a velvety white "collar" around the base of the neck. Their wings and tail are dark brown and the wing has two sharp spurs at its manus, which are longer than that of their ancestors. The front of their neck, their breast, and their sides are pale gray mottled and streaked with black. Their belly is unmarked white. Their legs and feet are red. Their main characteristic is a crown made up of long white feathers with black tips arising from the nape. This species feeds on leaves, stems and seeds that it collects in the grasslands of the savannas where it lives. Occasionally, they will also visit shallow lakes and rivers to eat aquatic plants. They usually graze like geese, but can also dig for food. Flocks of up to about 100 forage together in the non-breeding season. The crowned screamer forms long-term pair bonds that in some cases last for life. Males and females court with mutual preening and duet calling. They build a large nest of sticks and reeds on trees and often nest in about the same location for several years. The typical clutch size is three to five eggs but can be up to seven. Both parents incubate the eggs and care for the young. The incubation period is 43 days, with the chicks leaving the nest immediately after hatching, jumping from the trees. The fleding occurs eight to ten weeks after hatch and the young are independent after about 12 weeks. This species reach sexual maturity with one year and have a lifespan of 13 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Welcome back (after a pause) and thanks for your new good species!
ëÿãóøêà: Good bird. Not very interesting or unusal, but realistic.
Áèîëîã: ëÿãóøêà Wow, thanks for your participation here! We are still too short of English-speaking participants to develop our English-language version.
JOrnitho: ëÿãóøêà ïèøåò: Good bird. Not very interesting or unusal, but realistic. Thanks! I try to not make an animal that is too unusual because it can end not plausible.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Unusual does not mean impossible, and that's where probability works
ëÿãóøêà: Okay. It's good direction of describing - I also use it (instead of electric salamander - it's very strange). But I think thar being very strict with that is also not very good - usual species thar likes modern too much are boeing.
Áèîëîã: ëÿãóøêà I think it's not bad: I made a social ant-like cockroach, based on real prerequisites to such development.
JOrnitho: I think that the most different animal that I proposed was the sea lion-like descendant of the American mink introduced in South America. To make it, I followed the logic of how the pinnipeds evolved from similar animals. By the way, do you think that there could be a shark being the top predator in the Southern ocean?
ëÿãóøêà: 1)Minks and otters can evolve in "pseudo-pinniped" forms, but i think that they'te won's spread wordwidely because of concurention with gannetwhales and orher seal-like beings - it will be small, local group. 2)Why not? A lot of small sharks survived exctinction. I thing some species of Triakidae are best ancestors - they're small, liveable and prosperious in Sourhern hemisphere. Ps: what happens with me??? This message isn't sending!
JOrnitho: ëÿãóøêà ïèøåò: Minks and otters can evolve in "pseudo-pinniped" forms, but i think that they'te won's spread wordwidely because of concurention with gannetwhales and orher seal-like beings - it will be small, local group. Yeah, this species is limited to the cold waters of Southern South America.
Àâòîð: JOrnitho ïèøåò: this species is limited to the cold waters of Southern South America So, don't forget about the existence of this one: http://www.sivatherium.narod.ru/enmammal.htm#pseudolutra_ayapuh_en Your species must have pronounced ecological differences with this aquatic rodent to evolve and fill its own ecological niche without any competition.
JOrnitho: Àâòîð ïèøåò: Your species must have pronounced ecological differences with this aquatic rodent to evolve and fill its own ecological niche without any competition. I'm aware of the ayapuh. This descendant of the mink would be larger and hunt at the open sea, seeking nectonic fish and squids. I was thinking that they would also eat the penguingulls and even the ayapuh, like how sea lions do it with penguins.
ëÿãóøêà: Okay
ëÿãóøêà: Good. Ayapuh is "otter", pinniped mink is "seal".
Áèîëîã: ëÿãóøêà Interesting discussion, guys! I agree with JOrnitho.
JOrnitho: Here is the animal's description: Lobo-marino (Paraotaria odontoacuta) During the Holocene, humans had caused several impacts on the environment. Among their actions was the introduction of exotic species. The American mink (Neogale vison) was one of the species that were introduced from their ancestral land in North America to several other continents, among them was South America. These animals were used in the fur industry, but a great number of individuals fled or were released. They were not only capable of surviving the transition of the Holocene to the Neocene, but also to evolve into new species, taking advantage of the demise of other animals to fill their niches. The lobo-marino is a descendant of the American mink that were introduced to South America. Their name means "sea wolf" in Spanish and was used in the Holocene as a common name of the fur seals. This species is a semi-aquatic predator that has filled the niche left by the sea lions and fur seals. It inhabits Southern South America, from Tierra del Fuego to Northern Chile in the Pacific coast, to Southern Brazil in the Atlantic coast. These mammals are sexually dysmorphic. The male is larger and more robust than the female. He has an average size of 185 cm, with some reaching nearly 200 cm. The female barely surpasses 160 cm. The male also has long upper canines, which can protrude from the upper lips in older individuals. Their body is elongated and flexible, with a dog-like head with small ears. They have strong jaws with sharp teeth, which are capable of leaving great wounds in their prey. This species has limbs modified into flippers, similar to that of an Otariidae of the Holocene. Like them, the lobo-marino is also more mobile on land. When swimming, these animals use their four flippers to give propulsion underwater. All these characteristics could pass them as a descendant of the pinnipeds, but these are only cases of convergent evolution. The only characteristic that differs from true seals is the presence of a stubby, 15 cm long tail. The pelage is thick and luxuriant, being light tawny on the females and young males, becoming dark brown in older males. Both sexes have pale underparts. The lobo-marino is carnivorous, feeding on fish, squid and krill. They take long, offshore foraging trips, but sometimes can hunt near the coast. They can also eat seabirds, such as penguingulls, and the rodent Ayapuh. The females and young males prefer to hunt smaller prey, while the adult males hunt mostly the large ones. When hunting penguingulls, the lobo-marino patrols the waters near the breeding colonies, almost completely submerged, waiting for the birds to enter the ocean. It kills the swimming bird by grabbing its feet, then shaking it vigorously and beating its body against the surface of the water repeatedly until the bird is dead. The Ayapuh is killed by these mammals with a bite on their necks. The largest of the males is also capable of killing a newborn algocetus. While they spend most of their time on the sea, these animals establish territories at the coast where they rest. The males will have a large territory. They are very territorial, fighting fiercely against males that try to invade. These fights can be violent, with deep wounds being left due to their large canines. The females don’t have a fixed territory, being able to move around the territory of the males. They are more sociable, even forming small groups in beaches or rocky areas. Such agglomerations are more common when they have cubs and during the winter. In the winter, the dominant male will occasionally participate in these groups to get warm. The mating season of the lobo-marino starts at the end of the autumn. During this period, the females will start to reunite in groups to get warmer during the night due to the temperature falling. Such groups are usually formed in the center of the territory of a dominant male. With most of the females together in only one place, the male will come in search of those that are fertile. The male will do it for 3 weeks, copulating with most of the receptive females that he can find. Is during this period that other males that don’t have territories try to approach females, resulting in fights. The gestation lasts from the end of the autumn to the beginning of the spring. During this period the females disperse in search of safe locations where they can give birth. These places usually are caves or large rock crevices, any place where the females can enter and the predators will not be able to have access to the cubs. Some females can enter estuaries, reaching freshwater in search of such locations. The female gives birth to one or two cubs. They are born with closed eyes that open one day after birth. The ears take a bit longer, opening three days after they are born. The females remain with the cubs for ten days, after that they start to go forage at the sea. After one month, the pups already are capable of swimming and the mother will guide them out of the den where they were born toward the groups of females that start to form during these periods. Differently of the groups formed during the winter, these are smaller and only have mothers and their pups. While the females go search for food, the young remain together in crèches. Pups are weaned after a year, at this point they are already capable of living alone. If they are female, their mother will tolerate their presence. However, the males are aggressively expelled by the mother, being forced to have an errant life until they are able to secure their own territory in the coast. The sexual maturity of this species is reached with 5 years and they have a lifespan of 36 years. However, few reach this age. Many males are killed in territorial fights, while individuals of both sexes are eaten by large sharks, such as the sea onza
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho But lobo-marino is already present in the catalogue, you posted it back in June this year: http://sivatherium.borda.ru/?1-7-1654509817110-00000014-000-100-0#024
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: But lobo-marino is already present in the catalogue, you posted it back in June this year: My bad! I forgot that I had posted it already, there are too many things in my mind these days. I'll compensate by thinking in a new species, one that I didn’t post already. Maybe an insular species of deermara? Besides Great Antigua and Fernando de Noronha, there is any other island close to Neocenic South America where such animal could live?
ëÿãóøêà: Very good!
ïîëíàÿ âåðñèÿ ñòðàíèöû