A group of blue jays attacking a nest and eating eggs.

Blue Jays

A group of blue jays attacking a nest and eating eggs.

The European jay is common through Europe, feeding on vegetables and fruits, as well as on insects and worms.

European Jay

The European jay is common through Europe, feeding on vegetables and fruits, as well as on insects and…

A pair of great-crested jays, native to South America.

Great Crested Jay

A pair of great-crested jays, native to South America.

The kestrel, a type of small falcon native to the Mediterranean region.

Kestrel

The kestrel, a type of small falcon native to the Mediterranean region.

A lesser kestrel on a branch, eating a smaller bird.

Lesser Kestrel

A lesser kestrel on a branch, eating a smaller bird.

"Many species of the kingfisher family are found in various parts of the world. The belted kingfisher is peculiar to North America, and is a larger bird than the kingfisher of Great Britain, being fully twelve inches in length, but inferior in brilliancy of plumage." —The Popular Cyclopedia, 1888

Belted Kingfisher

"Many species of the kingfisher family are found in various parts of the world. The belted kingfisher…

Found throughout Middle Europe, the European Kingfisher is a solitary bird that inhabits wet areas, such as small streams.

European Kingfisher

Found throughout Middle Europe, the European Kingfisher is a solitary bird that inhabits wet areas,…

A trio of belted kingfishers, a species native to the United States.

Belted Kingfishers

A trio of belted kingfishers, a species native to the United States.

"Genus <em>Milvus</em>, its length is twenty-six inches; it's color above dark brown; rufous bown below; the tail long and deeply forked. It pounces on prey, consisting of moles, mice, leverets, rabbits, unfledged birds, and the young of the gallinaceous tribe especially. IThis species is common in Middle Europe and Northern Asia. It was formerly used in falconry." &mdash Goodrich, 1859

Kite

"Genus Milvus, its length is twenty-six inches; it's color above dark brown; rufous bown below;…

European Kites are very miscellaneous feeders, but depend largely on offal, and in the eastern tropics they are valuable as scavengers. The nest is usually placed in a tree, and consists of a mass of sticks lined with rags and paper; the eggs are three to four in number. The name kite is strictly applicable to the rare European Red Kite.

European Kite

European Kites are very miscellaneous feeders, but depend largely on offal, and in the eastern tropics…

"The fork-tailed kite, (<em>N. furcatus</em>) is twenty-five inches long; the wings and tail black; neck and under parts white; the tail-feathers, twelve in number, are deeply forked, the lateral ones excessively elongated. It feeds on snakes, lizards, and frogs ; it also devours grasshoppers, locusts, and wasps, making attacks on the nests of the latter. This species is common in the South and Southwestern States, and also in the Western States, as far north as Wisconsin." &mdash Goodrich, 1859

Fork-Tailed Kite

"The fork-tailed kite, (N. furcatus) is twenty-five inches long; the wings and tail black;…

Also known as the apteryx, the kiwi bird posses a long, slender bill, which it uses for feeding on insects at night.

Kiwi

Also known as the apteryx, the kiwi bird posses a long, slender bill, which it uses for feeding on insects…

The lammergeyer (Swiss for "lamb-killer") is a member of the vulture family, but has a notably feathered neck. It generally preys on live animals, such as wild goats, mountain hare, and various species of birds.

Lammergeyer

The lammergeyer (Swiss for "lamb-killer") is a member of the vulture family, but has a notably feathered…

Also known as the peewit, the lapwing is distributed through Europe, as well as some parts of Asia and Africa. It draws the name "peewit" from its cry.

Lapwing

Also known as the peewit, the lapwing is distributed through Europe, as well as some parts of Asia and…

Feeding mostly on worms and grain, the crested lark frequents Northern Europe i nthe summer, and Southern Europe and Northern Africa during other parts of the year.

Crested Lark

Feeding mostly on worms and grain, the crested lark frequents Northern Europe i nthe summer, and Southern…

Found in the north of Europe and Asia, specimens of the shore-lark have been ound as far south as France and England.

Shore Lark

Found in the north of Europe and Asia, specimens of the shore-lark have been ound as far south as France…

The common linnet of Europe is a small, active bird that feeds primarily on seeds.

Common Linnet of Europe

The common linnet of Europe is a small, active bird that feeds primarily on seeds.

Mostly red, the purple-capped lory is a rare species known for its docility.

Purple-Capped lory

Mostly red, the purple-capped lory is a rare species known for its docility.

A love-bird (one of the genus <em>psittacula</em>), noted for its short, square tail.

Love-bird

A love-bird (one of the genus psittacula), noted for its short, square tail.

Also known as the Superb Menura, the lyre bird is noted for its distinctive tail feathers. The male of this species has a pair which curve upwards in an "S" shape, giving it a resemblence to the ancient musical instrument it draws its name from.

Lyre Bird

Also known as the Superb Menura, the lyre bird is noted for its distinctive tail feathers. The male…

The head of a macaw, with a large, convex bill.

Head of a Macaw

The head of a macaw, with a large, convex bill.

Native to South America, the parakeet macaw is renowned for its powers to imitate human speech.

Parakeet Macaw

Native to South America, the parakeet macaw is renowned for its powers to imitate human speech.

A domesticated red and blue macaw, perched above a pair of dogs.

Red and Blue Macaw

A domesticated red and blue macaw, perched above a pair of dogs.

A group of macaws, a species of parrots native to South America.

Macaws

A group of macaws, a species of parrots native to South America.

The magpie builds its nest in a high tree or a lofty hedge. It is omnivorous, but prefers meat, such as small game.

Magpie

The magpie builds its nest in a high tree or a lofty hedge. It is omnivorous, but prefers meat, such…

The man-of-war bird (also known as the frigate-bird or frigate-pelican) is noted for its extraordinary powers of flight.

Man-of-War Bird

The man-of-war bird (also known as the frigate-bird or frigate-pelican) is noted for its extraordinary…

The European house-martin, which has an affinity for living in the vicinity of man.

European House Martin

The European house-martin, which has an affinity for living in the vicinity of man.

Known in Virginia as the old-field lark, the meadow-lark is a migratory bird that feeds on insects and seeds.

Meadowlark

Known in Virginia as the old-field lark, the meadow-lark is a migratory bird that feeds on insects and…

Measuring about nineteen inches long, the hooded merganser is common in North America, its head adorned with a half-circular crest.

Hooded Merganser

Measuring about nineteen inches long, the hooded merganser is common in North America, its head adorned…

The merlin, a small type of falcon, easily domesticated.

Merlin

The merlin, a small type of falcon, easily domesticated.

Found in Java and Sumatra, the mino-bird posses a remarkable ability to replicate human speech.

Mino

Found in Java and Sumatra, the mino-bird posses a remarkable ability to replicate human speech.

The partial skeleton of a moa, an enormous flightless bird once native to New Zeland, now extinct.

Moa skeleton

The partial skeleton of a moa, an enormous flightless bird once native to New Zeland, now extinct.

A flock of mocking-birds attacking a rattlesnake in a tree, which was threatening a nest.

Mockingbirds Attacking a Rattlesnake

A flock of mocking-birds attacking a rattlesnake in a tree, which was threatening a nest.

Also known as the waterhen, the moorhen lives around rivers and lakes, feeding on worms, insects, mollusca, and seeds.

Moorhen

Also known as the waterhen, the moorhen lives around rivers and lakes, feeding on worms, insects, mollusca,…

The mound-bird, also known as a brush-turkey, a species native to Australia.

Mound-Bird

The mound-bird, also known as a brush-turkey, a species native to Australia.

A group of birds of the order natatores, whose webbed feet are well adapted for propelling them on and below the water in search of food.

Natatores

A group of birds of the order natatores, whose webbed feet are well adapted for propelling them on and…

A nest, containing four speckled eggs.

Nest

A nest, containing four speckled eggs.

The nightingale is renowned for its song. Its name is derrived from the Saxon meaning <em>night-singer</em>.

Nightingale

The nightingale is renowned for its song. Its name is derrived from the Saxon meaning night-singer.

The European nutcracker, known for feeding on nuts.

European Nutcracker

The European nutcracker, known for feeding on nuts.

A small, omnivorous bird, which gets its name from the hatches or hammerings it leaves on nuts.

Common European Nuthatch

A small, omnivorous bird, which gets its name from the hatches or hammerings it leaves on nuts.

An oriole attacking a serpent on a branch.

Oriole and serpent

An oriole attacking a serpent on a branch.

Familiar in orchards of the United States, the Baltimore oriole is also known as the golden oriole and the golden robin.

Baltimore Oriole

Familiar in orchards of the United States, the Baltimore oriole is also known as the golden oriole and…

A pair of golden orioles with their nest and eggs.

Golden Oriole

A pair of golden orioles with their nest and eggs.

An osprey, perched on a rock with a freshly caught fish pinned under one foot.

Osprey

An osprey, perched on a rock with a freshly caught fish pinned under one foot.

Illustration of the head of an osprey, a larger bird of prey.

Head of an Osprey

Illustration of the head of an osprey, a larger bird of prey.

The horneo oven-bird, which builds its nest out of clay, straw, and dried vegetation.

Hornero Ovenbird

The horneo oven-bird, which builds its nest out of clay, straw, and dried vegetation.

The Canada owl, also known as the day or hawk owl. It feeds primarily on small birds.

Canada Owl

The Canada owl, also known as the day or hawk owl. It feeds primarily on small birds.

Eagle or great-horned owl, found in Europe and northern asia. It feeds on hares, rabbits, moles, mice, rats, partridges, and reptiles.

Eagle Owl

Eagle or great-horned owl, found in Europe and northern asia. It feeds on hares, rabbits, moles, mice,…

Head of an eagle owl. It has large eyes for seeing at night, and a hooked beak for snaring its prey.

Head of an Eagle Owl

Head of an eagle owl. It has large eyes for seeing at night, and a hooked beak for snaring its prey.

Genus <em>ascalaphia</em>, a large owl, native to southern Europe and northern parts of Egypt.

Great Short-Eared Owl

Genus ascalaphia, a large owl, native to southern Europe and northern parts of Egypt.

A pair of great American horned owls, sitting on the ground.

Great American Horned Owls

A pair of great American horned owls, sitting on the ground.

A scops-eared owl feeding on a small rodent. It is common in Central and Southern Europe.

Scops-Eared Owl

A scops-eared owl feeding on a small rodent. It is common in Central and Southern Europe.

The white owl (also known as the snowy or ermine owl), found in the colder latitudes of the world. Its heavy coating of feathers is well-suited to arctic climes.

White Owl

The white owl (also known as the snowy or ermine owl), found in the colder latitudes of the world. Its…

A young barn-owl.

Young Barn Owl

A young barn-owl.

The European oyster-catcher is about eighteen inches in length, commonly found along the sea-coast. Its diet consists of mollusca and small crabs.

European Oystercatcher

The European oyster-catcher is about eighteen inches in length, commonly found along the sea-coast.…

The alexandrine parakeet is a long-tailed species, originally brought back from India by Alexander the Great.

Alexanderine Parakeet

The alexandrine parakeet is a long-tailed species, originally brought back from India by Alexander the…

Usually living around small mountain streams, large spiders have been known to attack and eat the vrested pardalotte, which averages only three inches in length.

Crested Pardalotte

Usually living around small mountain streams, large spiders have been known to attack and eat the vrested…

The Carolina parrot is native to Guiana, but can be found as far north as Virginia. They often travel in flocks of thirty or forty, roosting together inside of hollow trees.

Carolina Parrot

The Carolina parrot is native to Guiana, but can be found as far north as Virginia. They often travel…

Somewhat larger than the common cross-bill, the parrot cross-bill largely resembles its habits.

Crossbill Parrot

Somewhat larger than the common cross-bill, the parrot cross-bill largely resembles its habits.

The long-billed parrot (<em>nestor productus</em>) is thought to be the connecting link between parrots and cockatoos. It is native to Australia and Norfolk Island.

Long-Billed Parrot

The long-billed parrot (nestor productus) is thought to be the connecting link between parrots…