|
Fauna
|
|
Scientific name: Pelecanus occidentalis
Common names: Brown Pelican, Pelicano cafe, Pontoj
Characteristics: Large, brown, with long flat bills and great throat pouches. Non-breeding adults have white head and neck. Dives headfirst from heights of 20-50 ft to capture fish. Nests on mangrove islands or in low scrub.
|
|
|
Scientific name: Phalacrocorax olivaceous
Common names: Olivaceous Cormorant, Pato negro, Cormoran, Camacho
Characteristics: Slimmer, smaller, and has a longer tail than the Double-crested Cormorant. Black with yellow throat pouch. Only cormorant that ranges over entire tropical American region of W. Hemisphere.
|
|
|
Scientific name: Fregata magnificens
Common names: Magnificent Frigatebird, Rabihorcado, Fragata comun, Chimay, Man-o-war
Characteristics: With the longest wingspan (up to 8 ft) in proportion to body weight of any bird on earth, it is a master of aerodynamics with pointed wings and a long deeply forked tail. The long wings and tiny feet, however, prove detrimental amid heavy vegetation and, when frightened off its roost, it can become entangled and starve to death. With no water repellency in its feathers it must snatch food from the water's surface with it long hooked bill, or steal from other birds.
|
|
|
Scientific name: Ardea herodias
Common names: Great Blue Heron, Garzon cenizo, Garza azul.
Characteristics: Large, bluish-gray heron with white head except for a black stripe above the eye. With black legs and yellow bill. Often found standing motionless in shallow water, waiting for prey to come within striking distance.
|
|
|
Scientific name: Egretta thula
Common names: Snowy Egret, Garcita blanca, Garza nivea
Characteristics: A small, white heron with black bill and legs and yellow feet. The normally yellow lores and orbital skin turn a cherry red at the onset of the breeding season, and don't change back until the eggs have been laid. Known for stirring up bottom of shallows in marshes with one foot to frighten prey into view.
|
|
|
Scientific name: Eudocimus albus
Common names: White Ibis, Ibis blanco, Coco
Characteristics: A medium sized wader; white with black wingtips, bare facial skin and legs. Feeds on crayfish which eat the spawn of fish. Hence, the presence of the ibis directly affects the availability of a good supply of local fish.
|
|
|
Scientific name: Pandion haliaetus
Common names: Osprey, Fish Eagle, Aguila pescadora
Characteristics: A large raptor, brown above and white below. Found in coastal habitats on Yucatan Peninsula due to lack of surface water inland Nests singly rather than in colonies. Mates for life returning to same nest each year which may weigh up to ½ ton. Feeds almost exclusively on fish which it captures with its talons and has been known o drown due to latching on to too big a fish.
|
|
|
