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Deborah Wisti-Peterson, PhD Candidate nyneve at u.washington.edu
Department of Zoology, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash, USA
Visit me on the web: http://students.washington.edu/~nyneve/
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
Press Release
For Immediate Release
April 1, 2001

SCIENTISTS ANNOUNCE THE DISCOVERY OF THREE NEW BIRD SPECIES
Quito, Ecuador

At a press conference held early this morning in Quito, Ecuador, scientists
announced the discovery of three bird species previously unknown to science.
The scientists, Dr. Rose N. Berg and Dr. Francisco Gravs, were on a
privately funded expedition to a dense forest in a previously unknown valley
on the southern slopes of Volcan Cotopaxi, south of Quito. These species
were all found in a very small area, leading Dr. Berg to speculate there may
be other species yet to be discovered there.

The first species is a new warbler, Celestial Warbler. This species was
described as approximately five and one-half inches in length and pure white
in color. Dr. Gravs said, "At first we thought this species was an albino.
It was only after careful observation we noticed the eye color was deep
blue, not red like we would expect in an albino. We still couldn't rule out
an abnormally light individual until we heard the bird sing - removing all
doubt we were dealing with a previously undiscovered species." Dr. Berg
continued, "We suspect we may be dealing with a new genus as both males and
females sing in a duet while courting. The male's song has an ethereal
flute-like quality while the female's resembles the sound of a harp. I could
have stayed and listened to these birds sing for hours, it was indescribably
beautiful." The two scientists then went on to describe the nest and eggs of
the species. The nest was described as constructed out of a golden-yellow
straw. The five eggs they found were all a deep navy blue with fine golden
spots on them. Dr. Gravs noted that, "looking at the eggs was like staring
into the vastness of space."

In stark contrast to the Celestial Warbler were the other two species
discovered, both hummingbirds. The first hummingbird was described as
looking similar to the Collared Inca (Coeligena torquata), a common species
in the area. Dr. Gravs described this species as, "slightly larger than the
more numerous Collared Incas, with a black back and wings and a scarlet
chest and tail. The most notable feature about this species was its
behavior. While most hummingbirds are nectivores, this species appears to be
a sanguinivore - that is, it appears to subsist on blood." Dr. Berg
continued, "We decided to name this species the Vampire Hummingbird
because of its behavior. We noted individuals of this species hovering
over small mammals in the forest. Without perching, the bird would stick
its bill into the neck of the mammal, much like a mosquito would. We
hypothesize this species must have the ability to inject some sort of
anesthetizing agent as the mammals didn't seem to be aware of the
hummingbird's presence. We really wanted to collect this bird, but we only
found it at dawn and dusk and could never seem to get it in our nets, not
even when baited with live mice. This is definitely a species requiring
further study."

The final species has been named the Hummingbird Hawk by Drs. Gravs and
Berg. A large species, only slightly smaller than the common Giant
Hummingbird (Patagona gigas), it can be differentiated by its small, stout,
hooked bill. Looking somewhat like a cross between a hummingbird and a
shrike, Dr. Gravs noted that this species, "appears to be entirely
insectivorous. It hovers over beetles, grasping them in its hooked bill. The
bird then impales the species on a thorn, perches on it and rips it open
with its bill. It then proceeds to eat the inner organs, leaving head and
carapace intact. We found bushes full of disemboweled beetles leading us to
speculate this species is common in the area."

Dr. Berg concluded the press conference by describing the area. "This valley
is like something out of Dante's Inferno. There are incredibly beautiful
birds and others with bizarre, somewhat disturbing behaviors. We can't even
begin to guess as to what evolutionary forces may have been at play in this
valley. Why did these two hummingbirds develop such bizarre feeding
behaviors, at least for hummingbirds? What other species might be present
that we weren't able to see in our brief visit there? I only hope we are
able to find additional funding so we can return to this valley."