Subject: Three new species of birds discovered in South America (fwd)
Date: Apr 1 10:30:21 2001
From: Dennis K Rockwell - dennis.rockwell at gte.net


AND APRIL FOOL TO YOU TOO.

Dennis Rockwell Kennewick, WA dennis.rockwell at gte.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Deborah Wisti-Peterson <nyneve at u.washington.edu>
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Date: Sunday, April 01, 2001 9:13 AM
Subject: Three new species of birds discovered in South America (fwd)


>
>hello tweets,
>
>great news!
>
> 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/
> Love the creator? Then protect the creation.
>
>---------- 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."
>
>
>