Quetzal
 
Quetzal, common name for any of several large Central and South American birds of the trogon family. The resplendent quetzal is particularly noted for the iridescent feathers and long tail coverts of the male. The male is about 35 cm (about 14 in) long, but its upper tail covert plumes reach 61 cm (24 in). Its head, back, and wings are an emerald green and its breast and belly are red. Quetzals were greatly admired by pre-Columbian cultures and are found intheir art and mythology; the feathers were used for decoration. The resplendent quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala. Scientific classification: Quetzals make up the genus Pharomachrus of the familyTrogonidae, order Trogoniformes. The resplendent quetzal is classified as Pharomachrus mocinno.1QuetzalRevered by the pre-Columbian Mayan and Aztec civilizations of Central America, who included the bird in their art and mythology, the resplendent quetzal was also selected as the national bird of Guatemala. One of the most brilliantly colored species of birds in the world, resplendent quetzals live primarily in rain forests ranging from Mexico to Panama. An omnivorous bird, the resplendent quetzal eats berries, fruits, insects, spiders, small amphibians, and lizards.
 
Hawk
Harrier (bird), common name for about 13 species of birds of prey, characterized by long legs, long, broad wings, and an owllike ruff of feathers surrounding the face. Several species have white rumps, which are conspicuous in flight. Unlike most members of theirfamily, the sexes of harriers differ in color—slightly in a few but strikingly in most. All inhabit open country, primarily marshes and grasslands. They hunt by crisscrossing the area at a low elevation, then dropping on their prey. They feed on small mammals, frogs, snakes, and occasionally on birds. Long known as marsh hawk in North America and as hen harrier in Britain, the northern harrier is the only North American species. It is 43 to 58 cm (17 to 23 in) long, the females being larger. Adult males are pale gray above, with black wing tips, and white dotted sparsely with reddish brown below. Adult females are brown above, and white heavily streaked with dark brown below. Young birds of both sexes resemble adult females, but are solidly cinnamon, not streaked, on the lower half of the underparts. The courtship display of this species includes spectacular aerial acrobatics. The only other American species inhabit South America. They are the cinereous harrier, which closely resembles the northern harrier, except that males are barred with rufous on the underparts, and the long-winged harrier, in which males are much darker gray above but otherwise much like the northern harrier. Other species are found in tropical and temperate areas throughout Eurasia. Scientific classification: Harriers make up the genus Circus of the family Accipitridae. The northern harrier is classified as Circus cyaneus, the cinereous harrier as Circus cinereus, and the long-winged harrier as Circus buffoni. Northern Harrier Although the birds of prey known as harriers inhabit many regions of the world, the northern harrier, also known as the marsh hawk, is the only North American species. Harriers fly low to the ground over open country, primarily marshlands and grasslands, hunting for mice,frogs, fish, and snakes. Harriers also occasionally eat other birds, leaving their natural habitat to raid nests in trees.




 
Bluejay
Jay, common name for a group of birds of the family that also includes the crows, ravens, and magpies. Most jays are smaller and more brightly colored than other members of the family; many of them have crests. Jays tend to be woodland birds, although several species havebecome urbanized and live in city parks. Most are noisy and are often found in flocks outside the breeding season. They are omnivorous, eating nuts (especially acorns), seeds, small amphibians, insects and other invertebrates, and sometimes the eggs and young of other birds.There are few species of jays in Eurasia. The most widely distributed is the Eurasian jay, found all across the temperate and subtropical parts of Europe and Asia. The many subspecies vary in body color from gray to brown with a white rump and black tail. The crown varies from white, streaked black and white, to black. All have a bright blue-and-black barred patch on the wing coverts. Most are about 33 to 36 cm (about 13 to 14 in) long.Most of the American jays are tropical, with species found from Mexico south to temperate South America. A few occur in North America, the best known of them the blue jay, found from the Great Plains to the Atlantic coast. It is about 30 cm (about 12 in) long, with a prominentcrest. Its upperparts are grayish blue; the wings and tail are brighter blue, marked with black and white, and the underparts are light gray. Originally a woodland bird, it is now a familiarsight in many cities, nesting in shade trees. About the same size, but crestless, is the least colorful species, the gray jay, an inhabitant of northern and montane coniferous forests. It is mostly medium gray, with a white forehead, and is a fearless bird, often stealing food from hunters' camps.Scientific classification: Jays belong to the family Corvidae of the order Passeriformes. The Eurasian jay is classified as Garrulus glandarius, the blue jay as Cyanocitta cristata, and the gray jay as Perisoreus canadensis.Blue JayBlue jays, Cyanocitta cristata, and indeed most other birds of the crow family, are very well adapted to generalized feeding. Their strong beaks tackle everything from small mammals and other birds to insects and seeds. Such a varied diet ensures their success in almostany habitat, and indeed crows can be found almost everywhere. Both male and female jays also open their all-purpose bills quite requently to noisily harass any trespassers on their territory.




 
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