GALLERY OF EXTINCTED ANIMALS no. 3 - Birds again!

A continuing study in animals lost forever, due to human causes or within the historical memory of current humans. This post is dedicated to Wolf.



The Dodo (Raphus cucullatus)

There really is no more emblematic a case of extinction than the Dodo. This now famous extinct bird was found on the African island of Mauritius, until over-hunting nest predation by introduced dogs, rats, and other animals introduced from Europe wiped them from existence. The date of extinction is debatable, but the last reasonable sighting of the bird was in 1693 (only 112 years after the 1st Europeans saw the birds).


This creature was a classic example of island isolation leading to form and habit that would lend the species to easy exploitation once humans (as was often the case, Europeans) and other outside species showed up.


The birds had evolved on an island without large predators. They were relatively slow, flightless, lacked fear of humans and other animals, and nested in easily found nests on the ground.


Although the Dodo is often depicted as stupid, fat, and sluggish, this is a misrepresentation. Most of the illustrations of the bird showing them as fat are of overfed captive birds, wild birds were more fit. They were also fairly active for their size, and no more or less intelligent than closely related birds.


The Dodo was a large flightless relative of pigeons and doves, and probably evolved from large flight capable doves from either the Indian Subcontinent or SE Asia. They remained in Mauritius undisturbed by permanent human settlement until the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th Century.


Who needs to be that fast and agile, when you eat fruit that falls to the ground and have no predators. Flightlessness and large size is a recurring theme for birds that evolve on islands without large mammalian predators.


The Walghvogel (Wallowing Bird) , as the Dutch originally called it, stood up to a meter tall and could weigh about 50 lbs.


Though their meat was not considered very palatable, they were easily overtaken and killed, and so they were, in great numbers by sailors and settlers. The variety of human introduced animals that plagued them were dogs, cats, rats, pigs, and even monkeys. They didn't stand a chance.


There is somewhat of a debate over the origin of the name, Dodo... ranging from several Dutch terms, a Portuguese term for "fool", and the noise the bird made (a "doo-doooo" pigeon like coo).


Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis)

Is it extinct? Though the bird was last conclusively seen in Louisiana in 1944, many sightings, possibly credible and not, have been made up to the present time. This is the bird, that won't die, at least not in people's imaginations. There are credible and believable accounts of the bird appearing up until 1972, but the trail had gone cold after that... and it was assumed they were gone. In 2004, however, photos of a large woodpecker resembling an Ivory-billed was taken in an Arkansas swamp, instigating an intense scientific search, which so far has yet to produce conclusive evidence that Ivory Bills still live.


The birds used to range widely through the deep forests of the American Southeast, preferring swampy hardwood and pine forests. The extensive deforestation of this area was the major cause of their decline and possible extinction.


A pair works together to feed the young in their nest cavity in a Louisiana forest in the 1930's.


Many ornithologists (scientists who study birds) have been hunting for the possibly extant birds for decades.


The bird closely resembles the not extincted Pileated Woodpecker, but has a whitish bill, white wing edges, and the females have all black and white heads. The general similarity in appearance though, has lead to doubts about most sightings since 1944.


Many sightings of the bird believed to be extinct have been made over the decades by professionals and enthusiasts alike. When driving through an area of forest near the Pearl River in Mississippi in 1998, I saw a bird that greatly matched the description of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker... in fairly poor light and of course without any photo documentation.


Several grainy photos and suggestive, but not clearly conclusive call recordings, were made of the bird in 2004-2005 in an Arkansas swamp. This has lead to an extensive hunt by the National Audubon Society, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and governmental agencies for the bird in that area. So far, it has yet to come up with clear photos, indisputable recordings, or a specimen, although several convincing (to some) grainy photos and recordings have been made.


These loud and quite visible birds were rare, due to habitat loss and degradation, by the early 1900s. After the end of the American Civil War, the forests of the Southeast were logged heavily up until the present time. It's safe to say that we have probably lost 90 percent of the Southeastern forests.


This classic print from John James Audubon shows the male (red crest) and the female (black crest) together.


The hunt for the birds continues in earnest in the swamps of Arkansas. There really is a massive amount of information and evidence, and the best compilation of information on the undertaking is found here... The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology (who are decidedly convinced that Ivory-billed Woodpeckers still live).

New In The Park - Caterpillars

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

Well, its been a relatively mild winter here in Houston, with few really cold periods. The cold snaps we had, though fairly cold for the region, didn't last for more than a few days at a time. This and the the current warm February and March weather has lead to early wildflower bloom and butterflies laying eggs weeks early. We already have Monarchs on the Milkweed and Gulf Fritillaries on the Passion Vines.

Something I noticed a few days ago were a few Black Swallowtail caterpillars on the Dill and Fennel plants in the park's herb garden. This isn't that common an occurrence in our park, regardelss of the early appearance, so its quite a pleasant surprise.


A close up view of 2 polyxenes caterpillars on one plant. The mother only lays 1 or 2 eggs on each larval host plant.


The Black Swallowtail caterpillar can extend its osmeterium when threatened. Only the Swallowtail caterpillars (there are man varieties of Swallowtail) have these. The osmeterium releases unpleasant odors when extended, and may help to visually shock a predator.


2 Caterpillars on the flower stalk of a Dill plant (Anethum graveolens)


Black Swallowtail caterpillars are always found on plants in the Carrot Family (Apiaceae), like this Green Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) in someone's garden.


The chrysalis of a Black Swallowtail, which are much harder to find than the caterpillars.


Adult Papilio polyxenes mating


The very tiny egg of the Black on the leaflet of an Italian Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

Endangered Rhinos pt. 1 - Sumatran

Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis)

Of the 5 species of living Rhino, the Sumatran is smallest (standing at up to just under 5 ft at the shoulder). The Sumatran is one of the so called Armoured or Plated rhinos, called so because of the overlapping "plates" of thick skin that resemble armor... along with the Javan and Indian Rhinos. This species is now critically endangered, having been hunted intensively for their horns (which have use in Chinese medicine). Although they once ranged widely through SE Asia, they are now only found in isolated populations in forests on Java, Borneo and the peninsula of Malaysia.


Unlike the Indian and African species, this rhino may be fairly hairy. Like all other rhino species, they have poor eyesight, and rely more on their excellent senses of smell and hearing.


This animal is now considered Critically Endangered, and only about 300 are known to remain in the wild.


Like African species, the Sumatran has 2 nose horns, unlike its Asian compatriots, the Indian and Javan Rhinos.


Sumatran Rhinos are fairly solitary animals which browse on variety of plants materials, like green leaves and fruit.


A mother and calf cool off in a refreshing mud pond. Mud wallowing also helps to smother and remove skin parasites. Although they can seem sluggish in the heat of the day, wallowing in shallow water and mud holes, These small rhinos can be quite agile and active. They can cover large areas in a day, climb slopes well, and can gallop fairly swiftly.


Someone can be a little standoffish when they got they baby around. PILAS ESE! Females usually only bare one calf, and are VERY protective.


The Sumatran is the most vocal of the rhinos, making 3 distinct kinds of calls. This one may be vocalizing that y'all bout ta get y'all wig split!

(despite the jokes and the reputations of other species, this species is not particularly aggressive, but should still be given some space)


A worker at a Sumatran zoo feeds an adult. Breeding programs at zoos, where the animals can be protected from poachers, may be an important part of saving the species.


A worker at the Cincinnati Zoo feeds a young baby rhino, who is curious about the camera.


"Borneo Rhinocerus"


The subspecies (or race) of Sumatran Rhino that lives on the Island of Borneo is referred to as the Bornean or Borneo Rhinoceros, and is now rarely seen.


There are only 25 individuals left in the wild, as far as scientists know.


The Bornean is the smallest of the 2 living Sumatran subspecies the other (the Northern Sumatran, which lived in India and Bangladesh, is now extinct)


Night time, motion activated cameras are a useful tool for studying rare animals, that live in dense forest. They are most active in the early morning and just before sunset.

(crepuscular - animals that are active in twilight periods, dawn and dusk)


The only know survivors live in the Southern province of Borneo, known as Sabah, which is part of Malaysia

Sexual Dimorphism

A fluffed out male Superb Bird of Paradise courts a female.


Sexual Dimorphism is the term that describes species of animal in which the male and female have a difference in form and/or appearance. Not all species have differences between male and female. Let's have a look at some animals that display this dimorphism, in various modes.


1. Orange Barred Sulphur (Phoebus philea) - Color and Markings


The male Orange barred with bright yellow background and orange markings.


The female has several brown/black spots and no orange marks on the forewing.


A male feeds on a Turk's Cap. The Orange-barred are found from the Southern United States to South America.


2. Yellow & Black Garden Spider (Argiopes aurantia) - Markings, Color, and Size


The female Argiopes is larger and more brightly colored. Animals that lay eggs, where the males do not combat for female or territory, often have much larger females.


The male is smaller and much more drably colored.


Only the females make a web, and the males hang around waiting for chances to steal food and mate with the female. This is wide ranging spider found through out North America and Europe.

* While we associate males with greater size and strength, this is not the case with many animals. Females achieve larger size amongst most varieties of hawks, frogs, turtles, snakes, and spiders.


3. Golden Toads EXTINCT (Bufo periglenes) - Size and Coloration/Markings


The smaller bright orange male mounts/amplexes the yellow black and red mottled female. Species in which the male must attract the female often have more brightly or elaborately colored males.


Golden Toads were found in the cloud forests of Costa Rica, they were last seen in 1989.


4. Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) - Color and Markings


The male is more brightly colored, and slightly larger with a more robust head.


A view of the male in breeding season.


The colors also intensify when in direct sun light. Found in the central United States.


6. Scarlet Tanager (Piranga rubra) - Color and Markings


The brightly colored male.


The female has more subdued colors. Scarlets nest in the Eastern U.S. and migrate to Central America for the winter.


7. American Bison (Bison bison) - Size and coloration


A view of the smaller all brown female nuzzling the larger male, who has shaggier black face and head fur. Prairie areas of North America.


Males also have larger horns. Animals whose males fight over females and territory, have larger males. Horned animals usually have males with larger horns, and most animals with antlers have females with no antlers at all.


8. Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) - Size and Coloration


The larger and stronger male has more brightly colored facial, rump and genital markings. Males also have considerably larger canine teeth, for fighting and defense.


The smaller and less brightly colored female is on the right.


Here we see a female with 2 young. Mandrills are baboons that live in the rain forests of Western Africa.