Found throughout the Arctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia, this large, white owl is one of the largest and most powerful in the owl family. Its distribution and numbers are closely tied to the regular population cycles of the lemming. It is primarily nomadic. Many wander far south in winter when there are food shortages. Although most hunting is done at dawn and dusk, Snowy Owls also hunt in broad daylight for such prey as ducks, crows, and fish.
HUMBOLDT PENGUIN
Penguins are all cold adapted birds, but some species live in tropical areas where the water is cooled by cold currents sweeping up from Antarctica. The Humboldt, of Peruvian, penguin is one of these. They feed mainly of fish, such as anchovies, which they herd together in groups to be preyed upon at will. At one time the penguins nested in burrows dug deep in guano (accumulated, dried bird droppings) on islands, but since the removal of much of the guano, they now have nested in caves on the shoreline.
TUNDRA "WHISTLING" SWAN
Contrary to its name, North America's most abundant wild swan does not whistle. Rather, its call has been described as a loud, high-pitched cooing or hooting. Nesting in the remote Arctic, the Whistling swan has never suffered the human interference like the Trumpeter swan has. Apart from its smaller size and voice, the Whistling swan can be told from the Trumpeter by the yellow markings on its bill.
GOLDEN EAGLE
A skilled flier, even in the strongest winds, the Golden Eagle is generally regarded as one of the most impressive of the eagle family. Contrary to popular belief, they are not a spectacular hunter, relying instead on patience and surprise in their attacks. Medium-sized mammals and birds are usually their main prey, but it will feed on carrion when needed for food. Although they are the most widespread and numerous large eagles in the northern hemisphere, their numbers have declined in some areas. This is a result of human disturbances of their environment and direct persecution including poisoning and shooting because the birds are believed to prey on game birds and lambs.
TEAL
Teal are found more or less throughout Canada extending southwards into the north-western United States. Throughout this huge area the Teal is no more than a summer visitor with almost the whole population moving south for the winter months. They are also common in Alaska, northern Japan, and westward all the way to Britain and Iceland. Teal are among the most numerous and widespread of all the northern duck. They are essentially friendly and are usually easy to distinguish by their small size compared to other ducks.
BUFFLEHEAD
The Bufflehead is a totally North American duck with no Old World relatives. In the summer, they can be found throughout central Alaska and the across the southern regions of Canada. Buffleheads are only found within the United States in small communities in the west. They prefer small pools without emerging plants that are surrounded by forests. In winter, Buffleheads migrate south to areas in the U.S. such as along the Gulf of Mexico, the west coast down through Baja California, and the eastern seaboard.
MARABOU STORK
The marabou stork of the African marshes and savannas, like other storks, is recognizable by its long legs, long bill, and stately upright posture. Marabous survive primarily by scavenging carrion; they are well known for their attendance at carcasses along with vultures and hyenas. They can also be found searching for food in domestic stock yards, plowed fields, and trash dumps. The size range of their prey varies greatly. Marabous stand at termite mounds eating swarming insects, but also pursue larger prey such as young crocodiles, young and adult flamingos, and small mammals.
IBIS
Ibises are found throughout the southern Unites States, Central and South America, Africa, southern Asia, and Australia along lake shores, marshes, and savannas. They are an ancient group with fossil records that date back 60 million years ago. Their most distinctive feature is their long, thin, down curved bills which they use to probe in soft mud, holes, and around plant roots for food. Ibises feed on a variety of insects, frogs, crustaceans, and fishes. The high degree of sociability of most ibises is seen in their tendency to feed, fly, and roost as a community.
ROBIN
The different species of robins all belong to the larger family of birds called thrushes which can be found throughout the world in all climates. Robins are small thrushes of woodland and tropical forests who mainly feed on the ground. In Britain, northern France, and Germany, the robin has become the subject of rich folklore over the centuries. A Breton legend recounts how the robin got his red breast by becoming covered in blood while trying to pull a thorn from Christ's crown of thorns. The breast in fact serves as a sign of imminent attack for intruders invading a male robin's territory.
