Birds of the World II: Flamingos through New World Quail
Order Phoenicopteriformes, Flamingos
Contains a single family (Phoenicopteridae). See the family
account for distribution and characteristics.
Family Phoenicopteridae, Flamingos (3/5)
Distribution.— Southern Europe, Africa, Madagascar, India,
Caribbean, and southern South America.
Characteristics.— Long neck and long, thin legs; palmate feet;
bill flattened and abruptly downturned at midpoint; upper man-
dible mobile, lower mandible almost rigid; tongue large, thick, and
lamellate; wings long; tail short; plumage white to pink, flight
feathers black. Sexes similar.
Habitat.— Fresh, brackish, and salt water habitats: shallow
lagoons, alkaline lakes, and estuaries.
Habits.— Highly gregarious; flocks fly in irregular lines or V’s. Fly
strongly with neck and legs extended. Feed in shallow water with
head immersed and bill inverted near the water’s surface. The
tongue acts as a piston, drawing water and silt into the mouth, then
forcing it out across the lamella of the bill, expelling the water and
filtering out the food. Can swim well and will sometimes feed by
“tipping up” like a duck, filtering food from silt at the bottom. Eat
plankton, mollusks, crustaceans, algae, and protozoa.
Breeding.— Nest a cone of mud on ground. Egg 1 (sometimes 2),
chalky blue. Both sexes incubate (28– 40 days) and care for nidifu-
gous, downy young. Adults feed young esophageal fluid (Flamingo
“milk”) for 2 months, then by regurgitation. Offspring can swim
and run after 3–4 days and feed themselves after 3 weeks.
Fledglings form large feeding flocks.
Order Anseriformes, Waterfowl
Most are semi-aquatic; all swim well; most fly strongly. All have
feathered oil gland, rounded, open nostrils, down feathers on the
apteria, lack a brood patch, and share other anatomical similarities.
Eggs are unmarked. Young are downy and nidifugous. Distributed
nearly worldwide but usually associated with water. Two families,
one presented here.
B i r d s o f t h e Wo r l d II
Family Anatidae, Ducks, Geese, Swans (41/147)
Distribution.— Worldwide except the polar regions.
Characteristics.— Bill usually spatulate with nail at tip (except
Mergansers, see below); bill lamellate or serrate (mergansers); legs
short, feet palmate; wings short and narrow; neck usually fairly
long. Sexes alike or unalike.
Habitat.— Varies; usually near water.
Habits.— Most gregarious and migratory. Fly and swim strongly.
Foraging behavior and diet varies. Eat aquatic animals and aquatic
and terrestrial plants.
Breeding.— Nesting behavior varies; nest on ground or in tree;
some nest in cavities. Nest often lined with the female’s breast
feathers. Eggs 2–16, pale to white and unspotted. Incubation by the
male, female, or both. Young nidifugous, downy; reared by male,
female, or both. At least two species are interspecific brood para-
sites.
Subfamily Anserinae, Geese and Swans (6/24)
Distribution.— Worldwide, but found primarily in northern
regions of the northern Hemisphere (but many species winter to
the south of their breeding ranges).
Characteristics.— Generally large in size, although some
species may be small. Neck long; bill somewhat compressed later-
ally. No speculum present; no metallic colors in plumage; wing tips
often dark. Tarsi reticulate. Sexes similar.
Habitat.— Various; usually associated with water. Most breed on
tundra in far north; winter to the south, frequently on coastal
waters.
Habits.— Do not dive. Walk well on land. Most undergo long
migrations.
Breeding.— Form lifelong pair bond, usually pairing up on the
wintering grounds. Have simple courtship displays. Both sexes care
for young.
Illinois species:
[ ] Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)
Occasional migrant, rare winter resident
9
Anatidae, Anserinae
[ ] Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) Common migrant,
uncommon winter resident
[ ] Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) Common migrant
and summer resident, abundant winter resident / Breeds
[M15]
[ ] Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) Uncommon resident (intro-
duced) / Breeds [M16]
[ ] Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) Occasional
migrant, rare winter resident
Subfamily Dendrocygninae, Whistling-ducks (2/9)
Distribution.— Whistling-ducks are found in warm-temperate
and tropical regions worldwide.
Characteristics.— Somewhat goose-like but smaller and with
an upright posture. Neck long and legs very long (feet project
beyond the tip of the tail when in flight). Shrill whistling call given
in flight. Sexes similar.
Habitat.— Wetlands, marshes, ponds.
Habits.— Gregarious. Mostly nocturnal foragers. Walk well on
land and perch in trees occasionally. Some species dabble while
foraging, others dive, and dives, wades, and dabbles.
Breeding.— Form lasting pair bonds. Both sexes incubate the
eggs. Males may participate in care of young.
Subfamily Anatinae, Ducks (32/113)
Distribution.— Worldwide. Often grouped into eight tribes
(five of which occur in Illinois: Anatini, Aythyini, Cairini, Mergini,
and Oxyurini), but we will learn the major Illinois genera and not
the tribes.
Characteristics.— Molt twice yearly (eclipse and alternate
plumages); tarsi scutellate. Sexes mostly unalike.
Habitat.— Variable; usually near water; one tribe in forested
habitats.
Habits.— Foraging behavior and diet varies, as do physiological
characteristics related to foraging method (and provides a system
for subclassification into tribes below). Eat mostly aquatic plants
and animals; some eat terrestrial plants occasionally.
Breeding.— Have elaborate courtship displays. Form seasonal
pair bond. Only female incubates and rears young.
Genus Anas, Dabbling Ducks
Distribution.— Worldwide.
10
Characteristics.— Bound directly from water’s surface when
taking flight; legs located farther forward on body than in the div-
ing ducks (genera Aythya, Mergus, Lophodytes, and Oxyura); sec-
ondaries with metallic speculum; hallux not lobed; bill spatulate.
Sexes dimorphic.
Habitat.— Most breed on fresh water; many are marine in winter.
Habits.— Forage in shallow water, dabbling at surface or collect-
ing food from the bottom by “tipping up” (extending neck and
body vertically downward so only the tail shows above water). Eat
mostly vegetation. Can walk easily on land.
Breeding.— Form seasonal pair bonds. Nest mostly on the
ground. Female incubates and rears young.
Illinois species:
[ ] Gadwall (Anas strepera) Common migrant, uncommon
winter resident
[ ] American Wigeon (Anas americana) Common migrant,
occasional winter resident
[ ] American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) Fairly common
migrant and winter resident
[ ] Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) Abundant migrant, com-
mon winter and summer resident / Breeds [M17]
[ ] Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) Common migrant, rare
winter resident, fairly common summer resident (N) /
Breeds [M18]
[ ] Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) Common migrant,
rare winter and summer resident / Breeds [M19]
[ ] Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) Common migrant,
uncommon winter resident
[ ] Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) Common migrant,
uncommon winter resident (S)
Genus Aix, Perching Ducks
Distribution.— North America and Eastern Asia (the tribe
Cairini in which this genus is sometime placed is distributed
worldwide).
Characteristics.— Legs located farther forward on the body
than in the dabbling ducks. Claws long and sharp; hind toe well
developed, not lobed; males of some species strikingly colored.
Sexes dimorphic.
Habitat.— Essentially forest ducks; breed inland on ponds, lakes,
and streams.
Habits.— Frequently perch in trees, more so than other groups.
Can walk easily on land.
Breeding.— Nest in cavities in trees.
Illinois species:
[ ] Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) Common migrant and sum-
mer resident, uncommon winter resident/ Breeds [M20]
eee 335
Anatidae, Anatidae
Genus Aythya, Pochards or Bay Ducks
Distribution.— Almost worldwide; greatest development in the
northern hemisphere; mostly absent from Africa and South
America.
Characteristics.— Need running start to become airborne; feet
placed far back on body; heavy bodied; speculum usually pale,
often white (not metallic); hind toe lobed. Sexes not alike.
Habitat.— Usually nest on fresh water. Marine in winter.
Habits.— Forage by diving. Highly gregarious; migrate and win-
ter in large flocks. Eat vegetation, animals. Awkward on land.
Breeding.— Redhead semiparasitic or fully parasitic brood para-
site: intraspecific brood parasitism common. Most form seasonal
pair bonds. Nest a floating mass of vegetation at waters edge, rarely
inland. Female incubates and rears young.
Illinois species:
[ ] Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) Fairly common
migrant, uncommon winter resident
[ ] Redhead (Aythya americana) Fairly common migrant,
occasional winter resident, rare summer resident/
Breeds [M21]
[ ] Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) Fairly common
migrant, uncommon winter resident
[ ] Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) Fairly common migrant,
fairly common winter resident (N)
[ ] Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) Abundant migrant,
uncommon winter resident
Genus Mergus and Lophodytes, Mergansers, and Genus
Bucephala, Goldeneyes
Distribution.— Circumpolar in northern Hemisphere; one
species in Argentina.
Characteristics.— A varied group. Need running start to
become airborne. Feet placed far back on body. Sexes dimorphic.
Mergansers have an elongate, streamlined body and a long, narrow,
serrated bill. Goldeneyes are small, big-headed, and mostly black
and white.
Habitat.— Breed in fresh water habitats; most winter on salt
water. Mergansers nest inland, mostly in the far north (Hooded
Mergansers breed to the south); most winter on salt water.
Goldeneyes nest at the northern treeline; winter on fresh and salt
water to the south.
Habits.— Forage by diving. Eat mollusks (Goldeneyes) and fish
(Mergansers). Awkward on land.
Breeding.— Have elaborate courtship displays. Most nest on
ground. Nest usually heavily lined with female’s down feathers.
Goldeneyes and some mergansers (Hooded Merganser) nest in
tree cavities.
Illinois species:
[ ] Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) Fairly common migrant
and uncommon winter resident
B i r d s o f t h e Wo r l d II
[ ] Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) Common
migrant and winter resident
[ ] Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) Uncommon
migrant and winter resident (S), occasional summer res-
ident/ Breeds [M22]
[ ] Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) Common
migrant and winter resident
[ ] Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) Common
migrant and uncommon winter resident
Genus Oxyura, Stiff-tailed Ducks
Distribution.— Worldwide.
Characteristics.— Small ducks with a long stiff, pointed tail;
legs placed farther back on body than in other ducks, making them
quite awkward on land; bill of male blue seasonally; neck short and
thick; wings short; swim with tail held upright. Sexes dimorphic.
Habitat.— Usually found on fresh water.
Habits.— Forage by diving; can sink below the surface like a
grebe. Awkward on land.
Breeding.— Most build nest on the ground in marshes. Male
assists in rearing young. One species is an obligate brood parasite
(Black-necked Duck of S. America), laying its eggs in nests of other
waterfowl, rails, gulls, and hawks.
Illinois species:
[ ] Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) Common migrant,
occasional winter and summer resident / Breeds [M23]
Order Falconiformes, Birds of Prey
A large and diverse order. Generally large birds, but also includes
many small species. Bill hooked and laterally compressed; nostrils
open through a fleshy cere; hind toe opposable; claws long, curved,
and sharp; wings large and rounded or pointed. Sexes are usually
similar, but the female is frequently larger than the male. Most
hunt living prey, some are scavengers. Their reproductive rate is
low: clutches are typically small, and incubation and fledging peri-
ods long. Young are nidicolous and downy. Three families, two pre-
sented here.
Family Accipitridae, Hawks, Eagles, and Allies (66/238)
Distribution.— Worldwide.
Characteristics.— A large and diverse family. Distinguished
from the falcons (family Falconidae) by an unnotched bill and
other anatomical features. Most are large birds with broad,
rounded wings; sharp, strongly hooked claws on powerful feet,
beaks hooked; cere and eye ring bare. Sexes mostly similar, but
female larger.
Habits.— Mostly solitary; flight strong; often soar; almost all hunt
live prey.
Breeding.— Nest built of sticks or grasses; placed in tree, on
ground, or on cliff. Eggs 1–6, white, some marked with brown.
Incubation period long (4 or more weeks). Both sexes rear nidi-
colous, downy young.
11
Accipitridae, Accipitrinae
Subfamily Accipitrinae, Kites, Hawks, Eagles, Old World
Vultures (65/237)
Distribution.— Found almost worldwide.
The kites are worldwide in distribution, and include the Swallow-
tailed, Mississippi, Snail and Black-shouldered Kites in the U.S. and
the honey buzzards in the Old World. Old World vultures are
found in Africa to India and southern Europe.
Characteristics.— A large and diverse subfamily. Most are large
birds with broad rounded wings, sharp, strongly hooked claws on
powerful feet, hooked beaks, and bare cere and eye ring. Sexes
mostly similar, female larger.
The kites (a morphologically diverse and likely artificial group)
are generally falcon-like, and are slender with long pointed wings.
The “white-tailed” kites are mostly gray and white. The “true kites”
comprise a poorly marked group: they are generally intermediate
in appearance between the other kites and the Accipiters, and are
variable in plumage.
The Old World vultures superficially resemble the New World
vultures (now placed in the order Ciconiiformes: an example of
convergent evolution), but the former have strongly hooked and
unwebbed feet and rounded nostrils. Most Old World vultures
have bare heads (an adaptation, as in the Cathartidae, for eating
carrion); some have a “ruff“ at base of neck. They have very long,
broad wings.
Habits.— Mostly solitary; flight strong; often soar. Most species
capture living prey (e.g. mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects).
Many eagle species and the Osprey eat fish, The Old World vultures
eat carrion. Everglades Kites eat snails.
Kites are graceful fliers and frequently hover while foraging,
dropping on prey with wings held high and feet thrust out. They
eat rodents, birds, snakes, lizards, frogs, and insects; some Old
World kites scavenge. The Everglades Kite (a subspecies of the Snail
Kite, common in the tropics), found only in the Florida Everglade,
eats nothing but a single species of freshwater snail and has a long,
sharply hooked bill as an adaptation for removing snails from their
shells.
Old World vultures are soaring birds. Some are communal
roosters and eat primarily carrion; some occasionally catch living
prey. Egyptian Vultures use stones to break ostrich eggs. The
Lammergeier (Africa, southern Europe, Asia) is a large and beauti-
ful bird that specializes on eating bone marrow (but eats some car-
rion as well). Typically it waits for other vultures to remove the
flesh from a corps, then cracks bones by dropping them on rocks
from great heights.
12
Breeding.— See family account. Old World vultures nest on cliffs
or in caves and feed their offspring regurgitated carrion. Some nest
colonially (Griffin Vulture).
Illinois species (also see genera accounts below):
[ ] Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) Uncommon
migrant and local summer resident (S) / Breeds (endan-
gered) [M24]
[ ] Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Fairly common
migrant and winter resident, rare summer resident /
Breeds (endangered) [M25]
Genus Accipiter, Accipiter Hawks
Distribution.— Almost worldwide.
Characteristics.— Long tails and legs; short rounded wings.
Sexes similar.
Habitat.— Usually forested habitats.
Habits.— Long tail and short, rounded wings allow for rapid,
highly controlled flight in complex forested habitats. Most chase
prey down in rapid pursuit. Eat small mammals and birds. Some
migrate, especially in northern regions.
Breeding.— Build substantial stick nest in tree. Eggs 3–5, white
and heavily blotched. Female incubates (4–5 weeks) while male
brings food to her while she is on the nest. Young fledge in 5–6
weeks.
Illinois species:
[ ] Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) Common
migrant, uncommon winter resident, rare summer resi-
dent / Breeds [M26]
[ ] Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) Fairly common
migrant and winter resident, uncommon summer resi-
dent / Breeds [M27]
[ ] Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) Occasional
migrant and winter resident (N)
Genus Buteo, Buteo Hawks
Distribution.— Worldwide.
Characteristics.— A large and diverse group; mostly medium
to large in size; shorter legs and tails than the Accipiters; wings long
and broad. Sexes similar.
Habitat.— Various.
Habits.— Eat mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Some
species migrate, especially in northern regions.
Breeding.— Nest large, built of sticks, and placed in trees or on
cliffs. The female does most of the incubating (6 weeks), while
both sexes feed the young.
Illinois species:
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 Accipitridae, Accipitrinae

[ ] Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) Uncommon
migrant, winter resident, and summer resident (S) /
Breeds (endangered) [M28]
[ ] Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) Common
migrant, uncommon summer resident / Breeds [M29]
[ ] Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Common migrant,
winter and summer resident / Breeds [M30]
folded, frequently submerging. Eat fish almost exclusively, but may
eat amphibians or rodents.
Breeding.— Nest typically built in dead tree toward top, some-
times on cliffs or powerline poles. Nest a large stick platform with
a shallow cup; reuse and add to nest year after year. Eggs 2–4, white
to pale blue-green, blotched. Female incubates (one month) while
male feeds. Young fledge in 8–10 weeks.
Illinois species:
[ ] Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Uncommon migrant

[ ] Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) Common migrant

and winter resident (N) Family Falconidae, Falcons (10/62)
Distribution.— Nearly worldwide.
Characteristics.— Bill short, strongly hooked; notch on tomia
Genus Circus, Harriers
(upper mandible) facilitates the tearing of flesh; nostril round or
Distribution.— Almost worldwide.
oval; wings usually long and pointed; tail typically long. Sexes sim-
Characteristics.— Long square tail; wings long and slightly
ilar in some, dimorphic in others.
rounded; legs long. Many species have a distinct owl-like facial
Habitat.— Various.
disc. Sexes dimorphic in some species (e.g. Northern Harrier).
Habits.— Most solitary, diurnal. Fly strongly, rarely soar. Most
Habitat.— Open habitats; marshes, prairies, etc.
capture living prey; a few eat carrion. Most migratory.
Habits.— Typically forage by quartering low over open fields and
Breeding.— Nest in trees, on cliffs, in cavities, rarely on ground.
locate prey mainly by audition. Eat small mammals, reptiles,
Sometimes will use old nest of other species. Eggs 2–6. Both sexes
amphibians, and birds.
rear nidicolous, downy young.
Breeding.— Most nest on the ground in a low platform of
grasses, built primarily by the female. Eggs 3–6. The female incu-
Subfamily Polyborinae, Caracas (4/9)
bates (4–6 weeks); the male may feed the female while she is on the
nest. The young fledge in 5–6 weeks, and are fed by both sexes.
Illinois species:

[ ] Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) Uncommon migrant

and winter resident, rare summer resident / Breeds
(endangered) [M31]

Subfamily Pandioninae, Osprey (1/1)

Distribution.— Mainly tropical; restricted to southern Texas

south through Central and South America.
Characteristics.— Legs long; walk well on ground; feet and bill
weak; facial area has few feathers. Sexes similar.
Habitat.— Most in open habitats.
Habits.— Frequently hunt on ground. Eat mostly carrion, some-
times insects.
Breeding.— Stick nest built in tree. Eggs 2–4. Incubation by both
sexes (4–5 week incubation period). 10 weeks to fledge.
Distribution.— Almost worldwide; but do not breed in South
America (but do winter there) or in New Zealand.
Subfamily Falconinae, Falcons (6/53)
Characteristics.— Wings long, broad, and somewhat pointed
Distribution.— Almost worldwide.
(distinct in flight); bill sharply decurved; all toes of equal length,
Characteristics.— Many small; most with strongly pointed
outer toe reversible; claws sharply hooked; rough, spiny pads on
wings. Sexes alike in some, different in others (American Kestrel);
underside of toes help to grasp fish. Plumage generally brown
female usually larger.
above, white below. Sexes similar but female larger.
Habitat.— Open areas with access to nesting sites typically; sea-
Habitat.— Usually near water (either fresh or salt); coastlines,
coasts, semi-deserts, tundra. The American Kestrel is common in
lakes, and rivers.
agricultural areas.
Habits.— Highly migratory. Forages over water by hovering and
Habits.— Hunt by pursuit or by stooping: diving on prey from
plunging feet first on prey with feet extended and wings partially
above with partially closed wings; some hover and drop on prey

B i r d s o f t h e Wo r l d II 13
Falconidae, Falconinae
with feet extended (American Kestrel). Some species eat birds
almost exclusively; others eat birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects.
Peregrine Falcon a threatened species; formerly one of the most
widely distributed species; a strong, fast flier, dives on prey from
hundreds of feet above; have been recorded stooping at 280 kph.;
strikes prey with talon in fist.
Breeding.— Do not build nest; use cavities (American Kestrel),
ledges and crevices on cliffs, and old nests of other raptors. Some
(Merlin) dig shallow scrape on the ground in the absence of trees.
Eggs 2–5. Female does most of the incubation (4 weeks). Both
sexes feed young. Young fledge after 4–6 weeks.
Illinois species:
[ ] American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) Common resident /
Breeds [M32]
[ ] Merlin (Falco columbarius) Occasional migrant and rare
winter resident
[ ] Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) Uncommon
migrant, rare winter and summer resident (reintro-
duced) / Breeds (endangered) [M33]
Order Galliformes, Gallinaceous Birds
Mainly terrestrial birds with short rounded wings, stiff, slightly
bowed primaries, short, stout, downcurved bills, and strong legs.
The hind toe is always present. Generally fly only short distances,
but run well. Usually nest on the ground. Young are downy, nid-
ifugous, and precocial. Five families, three presented here.
Family Megapodiidae, Mound Builders (6/19)
Distribution.— Australian and the Polynesian region.
Characteristics.— Generally large fowl-like birds. Rounded
wings; tail medium to long; legs and feet large and strong; hallux
not elevated. Some species have bare heads and necks, sometimes
14
with wattles; one species is crested, another has a casque on its
head. Plumage solid dark brown or streaked brown and gray. Sexes
alike.
Habitat.— Dense tropical or subtropical forests and dry scrub.
Habits.— Rarely fly. Somewhat gregarious. Furtive and difficult to
observe. Eat seeds, fruit, and sometime small animals.
Breeding.— Eggs 6–24, buffy-white. Unique nesting system: bury
their eggs in a mound of rotting vegetation, in sand, or in volcanic
ash to incubate. The mound of the Scrub Fowl, built of vegetation
and dirt, is 1.5–2 m high and 6 m in diameter. It is usually con-
structed by a single pair but is sometimes built communally. The
rotting vegetation releases heat: when the mound reaches the
proper temperature, the female digs holes in it and deposits 5–8
eggs singly over a period of several days. Incubation (done only by
the heat produced by rotting vegetation) takes 8–9 weeks. Both
adults visit the mound daily, periodically adjusting temperature by
uncovering eggs. The young hatch unassisted and dig their way
out. They are well feathered at hatching and are able to fly almost
immediately. There is no parental care. The mound of the Brush
Turkey is 15m across and 2.5–3m high.
Family Phasianidae (4/176)
Small to large chicken-like ground-dwelling birds with short,
slightly decurved bills. Three subfamilies presented here. See sub-
family accounts for a more complete description.
Subfamily Phasianinae, Pheasants, Peafowl, Old World
Quail, Partridges (36/156)
Distribution.— Widely distributed in Eurasia, Africa, and the
Australian region. Pheasants are primarily found in central and
southern Asia and Africa; introduced elsewhere.
Characteristics.— Diverse: most diagnostic features are
anatomical. Large to small birds; tarsi spurred in many species
(especially the pheasants and peafowl), usually bare; hallux ele-
vated; bill small and chicken-like; crests and wattles in some
species; tail very long to short. Aftershaft long. Most species plainly
colored. Many pheasants have stunningly colorful male plumage
and enormously long tails. Sexes usually unlike.
Habitat.— Various: scrubland, grassland, and forest.
Habits.— Most are gregarious. Eat seeds, berries, insects, etc.,
usually obtained by scratching on the ground. Some are migratory.
Breeding.— Most species are polygamous (some of the Old
World Quail and partridges are monogamous). Eggs 2–22, buff or
olive green. Incubation and care of the precocial young by the
female alone.
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 Phasianidae, Phasianinae

Illinois species:

[ ] Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) Common

resident (N and C) (introduced) / Breeds [M34]

Subfamily Tetraoninae, Grouse, Ptarmigan, Prairie

Chickens (6/17)

Habits.— Gregarious, furtive, fast running birds. Fly strongly for

short distances. Roost in trees. Nonmigratory.
Breeding.— Polygamous. Nest merely a depression on the
ground, lined sparsely with plant material. Eggs 8–18, buff speck-
led brown. Female incubates and rears downy, nidifugous young
alone.
Illinois species:

[ ] Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) Fairly common resi-

Distribution.— Circumpolar in temperate and subarctic regions
dent (S) (reintroduced) / Breeds [M35]
of the Northern Hemisphere.
Characteristics.— Short bill; feathered nostrils and tarsi (also
feet in ptarmigans); some species with laterally pectinate feet; no Family Odontophoridae, New World Quail (9/31)
tarsal spurs; hallux elevated. Aftershaft long. Some species have
inflatable air sacs and tufts of erectile feathers on the lateral region
of the neck. Most are cryptically colored in grays, browns, and
blacks. Three of the ptarmigans are brown in summer but have a
white winter (basic) plumage. Sexes usually not alike.
Habitat.— Various: coniferous forest, mixed forest, scrublands,
and prairies.
Habits.— Usually solitary; may gather in family flocks in the win-
ter. Eat shoots, buds, berries, and insects.
Breeding.— Most species are polygamous. In some species males
gather at a communal display ground (a “lek”) and perform elabo-
rate courtship displays to attract females (e.g. Greater Prairie Distribution.— Southern Canada south to northern Argentina.
Chicken), some using inflatable air sacs and erectile feathers in the Characteristics.— A homogenous group: small to medium
display. In other species, males attract harems. A few (notably the sized and compact; lack spurs on tarsi; hallux not elevated; bill
ptarmigans) are monogamous: in these species the male may assist short and stout; have a single serration on the tomia of the upper
the female in rearing young. The nest is usually a scrape on the mandible. Sexes usually not alike.
ground. Eggs 6–16, white to brown. Female typically builds the Habitat.— Various: fields, plains, scrublands, foothills, moun-
nest, incubates the eggs, and rears the highly precocial young alone. tains.
Illinois species: Habits.— Mostly gregarious in fall and winter. Some roost in
covey at night. None strictly migratory; some western species
[ ] Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) Local
undergo altitudinal migration. Eat seeds, berries, and insects.
resident (SE) (reintroduced) / Breeds (endangered)
Breeding.— Monogamous. Build nest on ground, made prima-
[M35]
rily of grass and usually well hidden by overhanging vegetation.
Eggs 12–15, white to olive. The female does most of the nest build-
Subfamily Meleagridinae, Turkeys (2/2) ing and incubation, but the male may assist. Young highly preco-
Distribution.— New World only. The Wild Turkey is found in cial, and can usually fly short distances after a week.
the U.S. and the Ocellated Turkey is found in Mexico south Illinois species:
through the Yucatan Peninsula.
[ ] Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) Common res-
Characteristics.— Large birds with long necks and short bills;
ident / Breeds [M37]
head and upper neck bare and carunculated; wings and tail broad
and rounded; spurred tarsi in males; plumage bronzy and well
marked. Sexes generally similar.
Habitat.— Woodlands and open forest.

B i r d s o f t h e Wo r l d II 15