|
Below are the bios and interesting facts for each of the six 2008 Direct Autumn Release (DAR) birds at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. There are 3 males and 3 females. 1. WCEP #31-08, Hatch Date: 6/5/2008. Sex: Male
Our biggest and most mature bird—the most dominant. Used to be a bit selfish, but now interacts well with other birds close in age. Very close to fledging, and practices by flapping wings often.
2. WCEP #32-08, Hatch Date: 6/8/2008. Sex: Female
Oldest, biggest female. Very friendly towards other chicks and loves the crane costume. She is close to flying and practices often. An independent forager, who sometimes temporarily disappears, but always is quick to catch up with the group.
3. WCEP #33-08, Hatch Date: 6/12/2008. Sex: Male
This chick is quick to respond to his surroundings. He is always alert and aware of other birds in the cohort. He is a bit of a daredevil, and is very good at catching food. He is the best at catching fast dragonflies, frogs, and fish, and is known to eat strange things, including live voles and large feathers!
4. WCEP #35-08, Hatch Date: 6/25/2008. Sex: Female
The oldest of the younger cohort of chicks, this bird is surprisingly the one that spooks the easiest. Whether it is another chick, a loud noise, or a rustle in the bushes, if this bird senses any trouble, she bolts. Sometimes even small, harmless things send her running.
5. WCEP #36-08, Hatch Date: 6/27/2008. Sex: Male
This bird was known as the bully during his young chick days. Although in his past he would get upset at the sight of another bird and would chase anyone who got too close, he has recently mellowed out and has become a strong member of the younger group, though still the dominant bird of the younger cohort. Always has been and still is very fond of the crane costume and likes to be near it often.
6. WCEP #37-08, Hatch Date: 6/29/2008. Sex: Female
The youngest of the group, this bird is by far the most independent. Shortly after hatching she lost a lot of weight. We were fortunate to keep her alive. Not only is she the youngest but she is the smallest of the birds, and on the small end of the normal range. She often kept some distance from the costume even as a very young bird. This is most likely because she was always surrounded by bigger, more dominant chicks. Now that she's older, she still has no problem wandering far away from the crane costume and sometimes acts as though she doesn't care where it is at all. She is also very easily distracted, and if she spots any type of bright colored, possibly delicious flower, she runs toward it and there's no turning back.
Update by John Cullum, DAR Intern.
|
