Birds Image Not Available PROFESSOR GISELA KAPLAN is a researcher at the University of New England, Armidale, NSW and lectures in Biological Sciences and Education She has written over ten books and rehabilitates native Australian birds, especially birds of prey Her current research includes the vocal behaviour of the Australian magpie She is also active in the protection of native wildlife and in animal welfare LESLEY ROGERS is Professor of Neuroscience and Animal Behaviour at the University of New England She has conducted ground-breaking research on the brain structure and behaviour of chickens Her research on animal behaviour extends to a wide range of avian species and other vertebrate species Other books by the authors published by Allen & Unwin: Minds of Their Own (1997) Not Only Roars & Rituals (1998) The Orang-utans (1999) BIRDS Their habits and skills Gisela Kaplan & Lesley J Rogers Some images in the original version of this book are not available for inclusion in the eBook First published in 2001 Copyright © Gisela Kaplan & Lesley J Rogers 2001 All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher The Australian Copyright Act 1968 (the Act) allows a maximum of one chapter or 10 per cent of this book, whichever is the greater, to be photocopied by any educational institution for its educational purposes provided that the educational institution (or body that administers it) has given a remuneration notice to Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) under the Act Allen & Unwin 83 Alexander Street Crows Nest NSW 2065 Australia Phone: (61 2) 8425 0100 Fax: (61 2) 9906 2218 Email: info@allenandunwin.com Web: www.allenandunwin.com National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry: Kaplan, Gisela Birds: their habits and skills Bibliography Includes index ISBN 86508 376 Birds—Identification Birds I Rogers, Lesley J (Lesley Joy), 1943– II Title 598 Set in 11.5/14.5 pt Adobe Garamond by Midland Typesetters, Maryborough, Vic Printed by Griffin Press, South Australia 10 To Mike Cullen, late Emeritus Professor of Zoology at Monash University, Melbourne, who was respected worldwide for his research on birds— in memory of his work and friendship This Page Intentionally Left Blank CONTENTS Preface ix PART I DIVERSITY Special features of birds The evolution of birds 16 PART II THE LIFE CYCLE Choosing a mate Reproduction Development 37 57 77 PART III THE SENSES Vision Hearing, smell, taste and touch 97 117 PART IV THE MINDS OF BIRDS How birds communicate Learning 10 Are birds intelligent? 137 155 172 PART V BIRDS AND HUMANS 11 Domestication 12 Birds, humans and conservation 185 194 Notes Select bibliography Illustration sources Scientific names of birds Index 206 233 235 237 242 vii This Page Intentionally Left Blank PREFACE O ne day Gisela Kaplan collected a little eagle who was suffering from an impacted crop that prevented food from reaching her stomach Judging by her very serious condition, this adult female had been without fluids or food for some time and would die without immediate treatment A crop wash was required (given under licence) A saline solution, held in a syringe, was transported several centimetres down the oesophagus to the crop via a small pipe or rod inserted through the mouth The procedure was quite risky considering the fully conscious state of the eagle The large beak had to be opened, kept open with one hand and, with the other hand, the pipe had to be manoeuvred down the bird’s throat without causing injury The first treatment succeeded Image Not Available This little eagle received the cropwash treatment and volunteered to be a patient ix ... advice and ongoing good collaboration Gisela Kaplan & Lesley J Rogers May 2001 xi This Page Intentionally Left Blank part I DIVERSITY This Page Intentionally Left Blank chapter SPECIAL FEATURES... taking off and landing and they are able to locate large branches that provide easily accessible roosting and landing spots 11 BIRDS Fruit-eaters living in the upper canopy, like hornbills, have... The Orang-utans (1999) BIRDS Their habits and skills Gisela Kaplan & Lesley J Rogers Some images in the original version of this book are not available for inclusion in the eBook First published