Page 39 - Veterinary diagnostic imaging birds exotic pets wildlife

CHAPTER 2 III Wild Birds 35

Figure 2-20 • A hopeful seagull watches from the shore as a cormorant cruises by just beneath the surface.

the heads and shoulders of heroic statues, along the
backrests of park benches, and in squares and belfries
(Figure 2-21). Somewhat of a catchall, the term pigeon
(family Columbidae) refers to the larger, more statu-
esque species but also includes the smaller, more deli-
cate dove.

III SPARROWS, CHICKADEES,
AND JUNCOS
Sparrows (order Passeriformes) are indeed the princi-
pal residents of our urban bird feeders (Figure 2-22).
These small but feisty birds regularly do mock battle
with one another over food, females, and territory but
rarely sustain substantial injury (Figure 2-23). Chicka-
dees and juncos are also found in abundance but are
far less aggressive (Figure 2-24). When hospitalized,
these small birds thrive on commercial wild birdseed
(Figure 2-25).

III ROBINS AND WAXWINGS

There is something electric about the sudden coming
of a thousand cedar or bohemian waxwings as they fi ll
every branch of a backyard maple and sound like the Figure 2-21 • Pigeons, disturbed by a passing train, temporarily
lead element in a prairie plough wind (Figures 2-26 vacate their roosts.
and 2-27).
In our part of Canada, robins descend on our lawns
in great numbers in the spring. They stay to raise their
families during the summer (Figure 2-28) and then
head south in the fall. Just before departing the north-
lands, the birds form enormous fl ocks, sometimes
numbering into the hundreds.

2/11/2008 10:51:48 AM
ch002-A02527.indd 35 2/11/2008 10:51:48 AM
ch002-A02527.indd 35