#886: Tanager are colorful passerines of the tropics.

When I first drew a Tanager for T, I drew a Western Tanager. Some research determined that Western Tanager were not, in fact, actually Tanager at all, but more closely related to cardinals. Therefore, it has taken a bit of time to get to draw an actual Tanager - in this case the Green-headed Tanager. Yes, I know his head is actually blue...

Tanagers are small passerine birds of the New World, with most species found in the tropics of South America. Flocks are smaller, generally consisting of pairs or up to five individuals, although they may flock together with other species. He follows a predominantly insectivorous diet, with different species using different hunting techniques including hawking and gleaning. Most nests are cup-shaped, although some are almost globular. The female incubates the eggs, tended to by her mate. Several species have been show to utilise helpers in raising the chicks; these are possibly offspring from a previous brood.

#883: Zosterops

The Zosterops are tiny passerines, with species spread throughout Africa, Southeast Asia and Australasia. Many are characterised by the white rings around their eyes. He follows an insectivorous diet, favouring fruit and nectar during the warmer months, and consuming more insect prey in the colder months. This fellow is the critically endangered Mauritius olive white-eye. He feeds on nectar and insects, with a special preference for rare endemic flowers, which have been largely overtaken by introduced plants. His nests are also destroyed by introduced pests like rats and macaques.

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And thus concludes the last in my animal alphabet, but not truly the end, for I have a few animals to fill in the gaps from previous and will be taking requests, preferably around 17 to bring me up to the #900. If you wish to request an animal that has not already been included, comment here or email me: lemurkat@gmail.com, subject: ZooTrophy.

And I will, at some point in the not TOO distant future, be undertaking a similar, but smaller, project on prehistoric animals.

#874: Zebra Finch

The Zebra Finch is an Australian finch, well represented in the pet industry. In the wild, he inhabits the interior of Australia, gathering in flocks in the outback. He dines mostly on seeds, dehusking them with his sturdy beak, however he will also take fresh food such as plant matter and fruit when it is available. Breeding occurs after heavy rain, regardless of the season, and nests will be constructed in any crevice or crack available: termite mounds, rabbit burrows, buildings, as well as trees and shrubs.

#872: Zebra Dove

The Zebra Dove is a ground dwelling pigeon, found in Southeast Asia.  She forages in short or barren ground, in pairs or alone, feeding on grass seeds, insects and other small invertebrates. Her plumage offers her some camouflage against the barren ground. Whilst widespread and common, in some areas she has become scarce, as specimens are captured for the pet trade.

#869: Yucatan Jay

(This is a juvenile, still retaining his yellow bill but having his adult plumage.)

The Yucatan Jay is a Central America corvid, native to the Yucatan Peninsula. He inhabits tropical forest and subtropical dry forests, as well as colonising heavily degraded areas. Fledglings are white feathered. As they mature, they moult into their blue and black adult plumage, but retain their yellow beak, feet and eye rings for up to four years. Breeding is cooperative, with the juveniles helping raise their younger siblings.

#862: Yellow Bishop

The Yellow Bishop is a small, stocky weaverbird. He occupies vegetated areas, ranging across many of the African countries. His food consists mainly of seed, grain and the occasional insect. During the breeding season, the male's plumage grows in glossy black, with the yellow rump and shoulders. Outside of that time, he dons more dowdy browns and greys, not dissimilar to the female.

#861: Yellow-eyed Penguin

The Yellow-eyed Penguin is native to New Zealand and nearby islands. He follows a piscivorous diet, foraging off the coast and on the ocean floor. The largest mainland populations are on the Otago Peninsula - where he is a tourist attraction - and in the Catlins. He is under threat from habitat degradation and predation, as well as disease.  After breeding season, when the chicks have gone to sea (survival rates are as low as 20%), the adults begin their annual moult. Penguins moult all of their feathers at once, shedding the old for a new, sleek plumage. During this time they cannot enter the water, and are extremely vulnerable to predation or starvation.

#855: Yaffle

Yaffle is an English folk name for the European green woodpecker, inspired by his laughing call. He is widespread across Europe. Ants make up the majority of his diet, and he forages on the ground for them, probing at ant burrows with his beak. Once located, he uses his tongue to lick them up. His tongue is long enough to curl around his skull. Unlike other woodpeckers, his beak is relatively weak, and is most useful on soil or decaying wood.

#851: Xenops

And yes... it's another bird beginning with X. I promise you, tomorrow's critter won't be a bird. At least the Xenops doesn't feel like a cheat!

The Xenops are a Genus of ovenbirds, not to be confused with the ovenbird I drew earlier, which was actually a warbler. Anyway, these Xenops are true ovenbirds and there are three species. This fellow is the Plain Xenops. All three species are found in South America and,although their ovenbird kin  build clay nests into which to lay their eggs, the Xenops  instead fills a tree hole with shredded wood and calls that a nest. Into this she lays her eggs, and both parents help raise their offspring. Xenops are insectivores and scurry up and down tree trunks, prodding into crevices for dinner.

#850: Xavier's Greenbul

The greenbuls belong to the same Family as the bulbul. Xavier's Greenbul is widespread across central Africa, including the Congo and Cameroon. Here he occupies tropical and sub-tropical forests. His diet consists mostly of insects and other invertebrates, although he also dines upon fruit.

#849: Xantus's Hummingbird

 

John Xantus was a Hungarian Zoologist who was exiled in 1851 and came to live in the United States. Here he went on to give his name to a number of animals, so many that I could probably fill a (relatively small) encyclopedia volume with his X's alone. Among these discoveries were this, the Xantus's Hummingbird. 

The Xantus's Hummingbird is endemic to Baja California, although he sometimes strays up the west coast to Canada during the summer months. Like most hummingbirds, his diet consists predominantly on nectar, supped in flight with his extendable tongue. He is also noted to take insects on the wing, especially when feeding offspring. The nest is cup-shaped and lined with feathers, spiderwebs and animal hair, with the outside including moss for camouflage. In this the female lays two eggs.

#848: Wren

There are 80 species of true wrens, all but one species of which are found in North and South America. Wrens from Australia and New Zealand are different species, and unrelated, named for their similarity in appearance to their European namesake. These wee fellow is a Carolina Wren. Wren are small and insectivorous, although they will take other invertebrates and even tiny vertebrates when the opportunity arises. Well camouflaged and secretive, he is more often heard than seen.

#843: Woodcock

The Woodcocks are seven species of wading bird, being related, and similar in appearance, to the snipes. These species are ranged across the Northern Hemisphere, with some ranging down as far as New Guinea. The Woodcock is characterised by his stocky body and long bill. He is one of the few birds to have a flexible upper mandible. His large eyes are positioned such that he has 360° vision. He leads a nocturnal lifestyle, foraging for invertebrates and relying on his cryptic colouration to hide him during the day.

#834: Wigeon

The Wigeons are three species of dabbling duck, found in Eurasia and America. All are characterised by their rounded head and large forehead. During the breeding season, the American Wigeon drake sports a colourful face and cream crown. Outside of this time, his plumage is more subdued. They are talkative birds, with the drake whistling, whereas the female grunts and quacks. Found in wetlands and swamps, he feeds by grazing on land, or dabbling in the water; he is also known to steal weed from diving birds such as coots.

#825: Weaver

The Weavers are a Family of passerines related to finches.  Most of the species are found in Africa, although a few inhabit Asia. These seed-eating birds are renowned for their nesting behaviour, which varies between species. Some create small, neat and beautifully woven conical nests, others create great sprawling apartment-style complexs. Males are generally more colourful than females.

Other species of Weaver I have illustrated:
Quelea
Red Fody 
Yellow Bishop

#823: Wattlebird

The Wattlebirds are various species of Australian honeyeater, characterised by the presence of the wattle: a bare, fleshy appendage generally around the face or neck. However, not all Wattlebirds actually have wattles. These are thought to play a role in courtship or territorial displays. This Red Honeyeater is native to southern Australia, where he inhabits open woodland. 

#817: Warbler

Like many bird Families, Warblers can be divided up into New World, Old World and Australian, with none of the types being especially closely related to the others. Generally speaking, Warbler are passerines characterised by their diminutive stature, relatively dull colourations and musical voices.

The Old World Warblers are spread across Asia, Africa and Europe. Once considered part of one Family, they are now divided into a multitude and this fellow, the Willow Warbler, is one of the "leaf warbler" Family. All species are insectivorous, and the Willow Warbler hawks his food in flight.  Other species may glean them from the canopy.

#813: Waldrapp

The Waldrapp is a Critically Endangered species of ibis. Once he ranged across much of the Middle East, northern Africa and parts of Europe. The reasons for his decline are not fully understood, but there are estimated to be 500 birds surviving in the wild, with a further 1000 in captivity. Populations are being heavily monitored and breeding programs are working to train and re-establish captive-born birds in the wild.

An Austrian fellow succesfully bred this birds in captivity and helped re-establish a wild colony. In the process, he had to teach the birds their migration paths.
You can watch part one of the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pZ4My_ZUeU

#812: Wagtail

The Wagtails are a Genus of passerine songbirds, characterised by their long tails, which he wags conspicuously and constantly. The eleven species are spread across the Old World. The willie wagtail of Australia displays similar behaviour but is not related. Wagtails follow a diet of insects, and often forage near water. This fellow is a Pied Wagtail, in his summer plumage. He is widespread across Europe, Asia and parts of North Africa. 

#796: Vermilion Flycatcher

The Vermilion Flycatcher is a small and brightly coloured passerine found in the lower North American states and Central America. True to his name, he feeds mostly on insects, which are snapped from the air, although he has been observed catching small fish. Only the male is the bright and vivid red, the female is rather more drab. This allows her camouflage as she incubates their 2-3 eggs.