Bird births, lives, longevity and mortality

The wandering albatross has the longest wingspan of all living birds at over nine feet. This species may live to be 40 years old and start breeding at eight years old. They only lay one egg every two years and it can take up to two years to raise a chick.

The nest is built in a wind-swept area to help the adult get airborne. Ninety mph winds are not uncommon, and these winds may blow the chick out of the raised nest, in which case the adult does not recognize it and will not feed it. Unless they are in the nests, chicks will starve to death.

Adults may go several hundred miles to sea and may be gone over two weeks at a time. Adults consume large amounts of plastic while feeding. Some may die from this. The chicks are also fed plastic. Their stomach cannot digest it and they starve to death, while feeding adults take bait on long-line baited hooks and drown.

Hummingbirds only lay a couple of eggs. Their lives are much shorter. They may live 10 years or less. Only the female takes care of the young. Individuals can consume up to 6,000 calories a day. Humans’ average consumption can be 2,000 calories plus a day. The male Rufous hummer fights so much it has to go into torpor at night, meaning a very deep sleep so it has enough energy to fight the next day. This bird weighs only a bit more than the equivalent of a dime.

On the positive side of survival is the starling population rise. The starling is not a native species; it came from England and was introduced by British immigrants in New York City in the 18th century. In winter, starlings can be seen in flocks of over 10,000 birds.

They roost in large flocks in nesting season which begins in March and may continue through to November. They nest in old buildings and woodpecker holes, sometimes driving the owner out even though the owner is sitting on eggs or feeding young.

To avoid predators, the large flock twists and swirls making it difficult for the predator to pick out a victim. They tolerate people in their nesting areas, often entering knot holes in the building wall and then travel several feet inside to find a secure nesting area. They lay from four to six eggs per nesting and feed their young after fledging.

Population wise, they are the most numerous of North American birds.

The grouse family has its highest mortality in good habitat areas. Related to grouse, quail suffer the greatest mortality of the group. Up to 18 eggs may be found in a nest and mortality can see an entire nest lost. They need dryer areas for chicks to survive because they suffer if they get too wet. They take sand baths instead of water.

Both parents take care of the young and stay with them until adulthood. Predators take a large number of young birds. Without sand in your area, you won’t have quail.