Uncharismatic Fact of the Day
Most birds take at least a few weeks to learn how to fly, if not longer. The maleo, however, is a bird far ahead of the game. This species buries its eggs deep underground, and after the chicks hatch they dig their way to the surface and are able to fly almost immediately.
(Image: A newly hatched maleo () chick by Iwan Hunowu)
If you like what I do, consider leaving a tip or buying me a ko-fi!
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I made a chicken design with a hen followed by ducklings a while ago but now I hate it and as I’m on break I decided to freshen it up. So now this new fowl family is on my Teepublic here and Redbubble here and you can have a stoic chicken and her various babies on all manner of goods.
You could also pop me a tip over on Ko-fi if you don’t want a stoic chicken and her various babies but you do want to kick a broke student a few bucks.
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im obsessed your honor
In all honesty, I adore the concept of a platonic yandere who doesn't try to ruin every other relationship in their obsession's life. They're content with being the No. 1 friend and support any romantic escapades, assuming they approve of the partner, of course.
I imagine Steelbeak has tagged along on quite a few of the dates as what he calls a "wingman/bodyguard". When he can't be there in person or the lesbian reader asks him not to this time, he has Gandra hack the date spot's CCTV or a Find My Phone app so he can remain in the loop.
No doubt: FOWL has a surveillance system for Bradford to monitor his agents and rival powers. You end up with Bradford watching Steelbeak watch the date for the 50th time that day.
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I need to know. Are there two:
A. Long lost lovers
B. Rivals
C. Tax paying adults mind your own business
Silly Duck by David Badke
Duck Face / Portrait by Oo_Andre_oO
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
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Surprising Black Swans
A popular ornamental waterbird in Europe and North America, the black swan (Cygnus atratus) is a species of swan endemic to Australia and New Zealand. In both their native and introduced ranges they can be found near bodies of fresh or salt water, especially lakes and wetlands with plenty of aquatic vegetation. The species is highly nomadic, and migrate based on yearly rainfall patterns.
Black swans are the second largest swan species, with a maximum weight of 9 kg (19.8 lbs) and a wingspan of 2 m (6.6 ft). Despite being smaller, black swans have the longest neck of any swan. Males, also known as cobs, are slight larger than females-- aka pens. As their name suggests, C. atratus has black plumage, although the flight feathers on their wings are white. The beak is a bright red with a white stripe, thought to be indication of an individuals health and sexual maturity.
Like all swans, the black swan mates for life. In addition to their high fidelity rates, C. atratus is also unique for its high rates of homosexual couples; about 25% of pairings are between individuals of the same sex (primarily males). These mates are known to steal eggs from other nests or form temporary ‘throuples’ with a member of the opposite sex, and some research has shown that homosexual couples are more than twice as likely to successfully raise their young as heterosexual couples.
The mating season for black swans occurs from February to September. While pairs are generally solitary, groups will nest in the same area to increase the chances of finding a mate and decrease the risk of predation. Pairs form when one an individual approaches another and initiates a ritual known as the Triumph Ceremony, in which the individual extends their wings and calls out. If the mate is receptive, they will repeat the gesture, and the pair will then go through a synchronous dance to solidify their pairing. This ceremony is repeated multiple times throughout each breeding season to strengthen the pair’s bond and affirm that between parent and chick.
Females lay 5 or 6 eggs in a clutch, and will alternate incubating them with her partner for 35 to 48 days. After hatching, the young- also known as cygnets- are fairly precocial but will stay in or near the nest for 2 to 3 weeks. It takes up to 6 months for them to completely lose their grey down and grow their adult plumage, though they remain with their family units for up to 9 months. Once they have fully fledged, juveniles join groups of other cygnets for 1-2 years, at which point they become sexually mature.
Black swans can present an intimidating threat to potential predators, so there are few animals that attack fully grown adults. However, eggs and young cygnets can be a target for ravens, birds of prey, and rodents. C. atratus themselves are herbivores and feed primarily on aquatic vegetation.
Conservation status: the IUCN has classified the black swan as Least Concern, and their native populations are stable.
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Photos
Damian Shaw
Richard Tommy Campion
Susan Marley via iNaturalist
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I like to think when Gandra Dee got taken away to the Lost Library she passed by all the key members of FOWL and told every single one of them off as she was getting dragged away
I mean no point in holding back, right?
She told everyone how she felt about them, leaked out everyone’s internet history, told certain members what other members said about one another behind each others’ backs, and a lot of “fuck you’s” were said that night
I do like to think that when she saw Pepper all she said was “You’re cool”
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