Great argus
Argusianus argus, Linnaeus, 1766

The name of this species comes from the hundred-eyed giant from Greek mythology, Argus, and is related to the pattern on the feathers that resembles eyes. The male has a very long tail, in which the two middle rectrices are the longest. Great argus’ courtship displays are among the most spectacular in the bird world.
Distribution: Malay Peninsula, Vietnam, Sumatra, Borneo, southwestern Thailand

male
body length: 160–203 cm
wing length: 80–100 cm
body mass: 2–2,6 kg
female
body length: 72–76 cm
wing length: 30–35 cm
body mass: 1,6–1,7 kg

Baikal teal
Sibirionetta formosa, Georgi, 1775

This duck only appears sporadically in Europe and North America. The Baikal teal tends to stay near water bodies; it nests in shallow holes in the ground, often at a certain distance from water. During the mating season, the sexual dimorphism in this species is quite dramatic. The drake’s head is black and crème and green, while its body features shades of brown, green and grey. The plumage of females, like in other ducks, displays a range of brown colouring, making for good camouflage. At the base of the beak, there is a characteristic white spot.
Distribution: Siberia, the Baikal coast; during winter in Japan, South Korea and China

male / female
body length: 39–43 cm
wingspan: 65–75 cm
body mass: 0,36–0,52 kg

Chinese bamboo partridge
Bambusicola thoracica, Temminck, 1815

It is very difficult to determine sex in bamboo partridges. The only characteristic trait of males are visible spurs on their legs. This species is attracted to mountainous areas covered with dense grass, where it builds nests on the ground. In winter, Chinese bamboo partridges gather in groups counting up to several dozen birds.
Distribution: southern and central China, Taiwan

male / female
body length: 30–32 cm
wing length: ca. 46 cm
body mass: 0,2–0,34 kg

Mrs. Hume’s pheasant
Syrmaticus humiae, Hume, 1881

It inhabits open, dry forests (mainly oak and pine) as well as mountain areas covered with thickets and grassy clearings up to an altitude of 3000 m above sea level. Like many other pheasant species in East Asia, Hume’s pheasant population is decreasing as a result of habitat loss caused by the intensification of agriculture. Frequent hunting by mountain tribes that inhabit the same area is also a threat.
Distribution: southwestern China, northern Myanmar, India, Thailand

male
body length: 90 cm
wing length: 20,5–22,5 cm
body mass: 0,97–1,08 kg
female
body length: 60 cm
wing length: 20–21 cm
body mass: 0,65–0,85 kg

Lady Amherst’s pheasant
Chrysolophus amherstiae, Leadbeater, 1829

Due to its beautiful appearance and small needs it is one of the most commonly bred pheasants. The species inhabits high mountain forests, extensive bushes and bamboo thickets. It lives in bouquets. In England, Lady Amherst’s pheasants that have managed to escape from breeding, have formed several feral populations.
Distribution: Tibet, China, Myanmar

male
body length: 105–120 cm
wing length: 20–23 cm
body mass: ca. 1,1 kg
female
body length: 60–80 cm
wing length: 18–20 cm
body mass: ca. 0,8 kg

Cheer pheasant
Catreus wallichii, Hardwicke, 1827

It lives on steep slopes as well as in tall grasses and thickets, at altitudes between 1100 and 3300 m above sea level. Never have any cheer pheasants been observed drinking water in natural conditions. The entire population counts 4–6 thousand individuals, therefore these birds are considered endangered. In their natural habitats, national parks have been established, hunting has been banned and attempts are being made to reintroduce cheer pheasants.
Distribution: central and western Himalayas, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Tibet, Bhutan

male
body length: 90–112 cm
wing length: 23,5–27 cm
body mass: 1,25–1,8 kg
female
body length: 61–67 cm
wing length: 23,5–27 cm
body mass: 0,9–1,36 kg

Reeves’s pheasant
Syrmaticus reevesii, Gray, 1829

The Reeves’s pheasant inhabits thin mixed and deciduous forests with shrubby undergrowth in highlands and mountains at heights from 300 to 2000 metres above sea level. Like all pheasants, it spends nights in tree crowns, although it is not very capable in flight due to its tail, which is the longest out of all pheasant species in the world,
exceeding even 2 metres.
Distribution: Central and Northern China

male
body length: 200 cm (160 cm tail)
wing length: 60-65 cm
body mass: ca. 1,5 kg
female
body length: 75 cm
wing length: 60-65 cm
body mass: ca. 0,95 kg

Common pheasant
Phasianus colchicus, Linnaeus, 1758

The common pheasant is thought to originate from the territory of modern Georgia, although it can be found at a very large area in Asia. It was introduced in Poland in the 16th century and it has been continually bred and released into the wild by hunting associations. Should such actions be abandoned, the Polish common pheasant population would most probably die out.
Distribution: east of the Black Sea, from the Caucasus to China; introduced in Europe, North America, Tasmania, and New Zealand

male
body length: 70–90 cm
wing length: 25–27 cm
body mass: 0,75–1,9 kg
female
body length: 50–60 cm
wing length: 21–22 cm
body mass: 0,6–1,4 kg

Copper pheasant
Syrmaticus soemmerringii, Temminck, 1830

It is an endemic species found only in Japan, where five subspecies have been described. In our zoo you can see the subspecies Syrmaticus soemmerringii soemmerringii, which is one of the rarest pheasants found in breeding around the world. The pair kept by us are currently the only copper pheasants in Polish zoos.
Distribution: Japan

male
body length: ok. 110 cm
wing length: 21,5–23 cm
body mass: ca. 0,91 kg
female
body length: ok. 62 cm
wing length: 21 cm
body mass: 0,55–0,65 kg

Golden pheasant
Chrysolophus pictus, Linnaeus, 1758

It is the most colourful of all pheasant species. Many ornithologists believe it to be one of the most beautiful birds in the world. The golden pheasant spends the day on the ground in search of food, while during the night it sits high in a tree. It is difficult to observe this species in its preferred dense and dark environment, wherefore little is known about its behaviour in natural conditions.
Distribution: mountain forests of central and western China at an altitude of 2000 m.a.s.l.

male
body length: 90–105 cm
wing length: 19–21 cm
body mass: 0,6–0,75 kg
female
body length: 60–80 cm
wing length: 16–19 cm
body mass: 0,55–0,7 kg

Barnacle goose
Branta leucopsis, Bechstein, 1803

Barnacle geese are monogamous; these migratory medium-sized geese mate for life. In winter they occupy meadows and fields located near the coast. They nest in colonies, in the company of other bird species, on Arctic islands and coasts, with rocky, steep slopes, or on rock shelves at the waterfront so that their eggs are protected from the polar fox. The male does not differ in colouring from the female. It doesn’t appear in Poland, except during migrations, most often in October or at the turn of March and April.
Distribution: eastern Greenland, Spitsbergen, south of Novaya Zemlya, northern Norway

male / female
body length: 55–70 cm
wingspan: 120–145 cm
body mass: 1,2–1,23 kg

Kielce goose
Anser domesticus, Linnaeus, 1758
native breed

A native Polish goose breed, which stands out thanks to its high resistance to unfavourable conditions. It’s a very economical bird in breeding and at the same time it has good reproductive traits and tasty meat. The Kielce goose is characterised by the white plumage, while its feet and beak are orange-red. It is a loud bird and its gaggle can be heard from a large distance. Dames are lighter than ganders; they weigh around 3.5 kg. Males’ weight can exceed 4 kg.

male / female
Body length: 86-96 cm
Wingspan: 165-183 cm
Body mass: 4-4,25 kg / 3,4-3,6 kg

Polish dwarf duck
Anas platyrhynchos f. domestica, Linnaeus, 1758

native breed

It’s a native Polish duck breed created in the 20th century. First, populations of mallards were produced by crossing wild specimens. From these populations, birds showing good meat qualities were picked out. Next, they were crossed with the lighter White Pekin ducks. The effect of this work is the Polish dwarf duck and as its name suggests, it is a somewhat smaller breed. Its plumage is white, the feet are orange, and the colour of the beak can vary between pink and orange.

male / female
Body length: 51–67 cm / 81–96 cm
Wingspan: ca. 101 cm
Body mass: 1,6–1,75 kg / ok. 1,45 kg

Barnacle goose
Branta leucopsis, Bechstein, 1803

Barnacle geese are monogamous; these migratory medium-sized geese mate for life. In winter they occupy meadows and fields located near the coast. They nest in colonies, in the company of other bird species, on Arctic islands and coasts, with rocky, steep slopes, or on rock shelves at the waterfront so that their eggs are protected from the polar fox. The male does not differ in colouring from the female. It doesn’t appear in Poland, except during migrations, most often in October or at the turn of March and April.
Distribution: eastern Greenland, Spitsbergen, south of Novaya Zemlya, northern Norway

male / female
body length: 55–70 cm
wingspan: 120–145 cm
body mass: 1,2–1,23 kg

White-tailed eagle
Haliaeetus albicilla, Linnaeus, 1758

The white-tailed eagle is the largest bird of prey nesting in Poland. In recent years, its population in this country has significantly increased, yet it is still rare. In Europe, the only bigger birds are vultures. The white-tailed eagle nests close to larger lakes and rivers, as well as on coasts. Adult specimens can be recognized even from a distance thanks to the white tail, which contrasts strongly with the rest of the body. It builds a huge nest, similar in size to that of a stork.
Distribution: Northeast Europe, Eastern Greenland, Eastern Asia, areas north of the Himalayas

male / female
body length: 75–90 cm
wingspan: 200–250 cm
body mass: 3,1–5,4 kg / 4,1–6,9 kg

White stork
Ciconia ciconia, Linnaeus, 1758

Over 40 thousand pairs of this species nest in Poland, while the world population counts about 200 thousand pairs. White storks are very attached to their nests; it is what binds them in pairs. If one of the birds is late back from Africa, its place is taken by another stork. The flights to wintering grounds are undertaken on two routes. The population from Western Europe flies to Africa through the Strait of Gibraltar, while the birds from Poland as well as the eastern and southern areas migrate through the Bosporus. The white stork is very keen on voles, mice, moles, snakes, lizards and big insects, more rarely it hunts fish, chicks of other birds and frogs.
Distribution: Europe, West Asia, South Africa

male / female
body length: 95–110 cm
wingspan: 170–220 cm
body mass: 2,5–4,4 kg

Black stork
Ciconia nigra, Linnaeus, 1758

The black stork is a very timid and secretive bird. It nests in vast wet forests, especially in old mixed and coniferous forests, interspersed with wetlands and rivers. It prefers to stay in remote areas. This is related to human persecution caused by negative superstitions. It departs for wintering about 2 weeks later than the white stork. It hunts mainly fish and frogs, but also water insects, leeches, reptiles and rodents.
Distribution: Iberian Peninsula, Central and Eastern Europe, Asia Minor and the Middle East, South and East Asia

male / female
body length: 90–105 cm
wingspan: 175–200 cm
body mass: ca. 3 kg

Helmeted curassow
Pauxi pauxi, Linnaeus, 1766

It lives in tropical forests or on their outskirts, being particularly fond of dense thickets. Both sexes are coloured in the same way. After hatching the females are reddish-brown at first and only later do they become black. They can fly very well and move efficiently from one tree to another. Habitat loss presents a threat to this species; so do hunting and poaching. Local indigenous people place heads of these birds at the entrance to their houses; the number
of the heads determines the social status of the host.
Distribution: North-East Colombia, North-West Venezuela

male / female
body length: 85–92 cm
wingspan: 38,2–42,7 cm / 36,3–38,5 cm
body mass: 3,5–3,75 kg / ca. 2,65 kg

Yellow-necked francolin
Pternistis leucoscepus, Gray, 1867

The yellow-necked francolin is active mainly at dawn and dusk. It often follows larger herbivores, such as elephants and rhinoceros, picking undigested grains from their faeces. Sexual dimorphism is virtually non-existent in this species. During the mating season, males climb to the top of termite mounds or onto larger heaps of rocks and try to lure females with their singing. Although it is not an endangered species, it has been noted that its population is significantly decreasing due to excessive hunting.
Distribution: middle-eastern Africa

male / female
body length: 33–35 cm
wing length: 17–21 cm
body mass: 0,65–0,89 kg / 0,4–0,61 kg

Greylag goose
Anser anser, Linnaeus, 1758

It is the ancestor of the domestic goose. Greylag geese are very attached to their families; they recognize each other in gaggles and mate for life. In the case of the loss of a partner, they go through a period of mourning and it takes a long time before they enter another relationship; sometimes they stay alone permanently. Male and female greylag geese are identical in colour and of the same size.
Distribution: Eurasia; winters in the Mediterranean Basin and in southern and central Asia

male / female
body length: 75–90 cm
wingspan: 150–180 cm
body mass: 2,5–4,1 kg

Lesser white-fronted goose
Anser erythropus, Linnaeus, 1758

The lesser white-fronted goose is one of the smallest geese in Europe. Like all water birds, it prefers to stay in the proximity of rivers and lakes. It flies over Europe twice a year: at the turn of April and May, and between September and November. Drakes and ducks look alike. This goose nests on the ground. It lays 4–5 eggs in May or June. The female incubates the eggs and after the chicks hatch, the male joins in taking care of the young. When it wants to land, the lesser white-fronted goose doesn’t gradually slow down, but rather it takes a nosedive at a high speed and only decelerates just before it reaches the ground (or water surface).
Distribution: northern Eurasia; in winter: the Balkans, the Black Sea region and Central Asia

male / female
body length: 53–66 cm
wingspan: 120–135 cm
body mass: 1,95–2,3 kg / 1,4–2,15 kg

Bar-headed goose
Anser indicus, Latham, 1790

In many languages, it is also called the Indian goose. In terms of size, it is similar to the bean goose. The bar-headed goose has been seen in Tibet at as high as 5,600 m above sea level. Twice a year, it flies through the Himalaya at an altitude of about 10,000 m, which is the height passenger aircrafts operate on. Flocks flying over the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest, have also been observed. At such an altitude the oxygen concentration is half as much as at sea level, the temperature can drop below -50 Celsius degrees and the bar-headed goose flies with the speed of about 80 km/h.
Distribution: central Asia, the Tibetan Plateau; in winter – northern India, western Pakistan and Nepal

male / female
body length: 75–90 cm
wingspan: 150–180 cm
body mass: 2,5–4,1 kg

Eurasian bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhula, Linnaeus, 1758

The Eurasian bullfinch is not easily mistaken for another bird. The males’ characteristic red belly catches the eye even from a distance. The females’ colouring is more subdued, featuring a brown-pink belly. Both sexes have a black cap. This head colouring doesn’t appear in juveniles, which otherwise rather resemble females. During the breeding season, Eurasian bullfinches reproduce twice, laying 4–5 eggs, which are then brooded by the female alone. Chicks hatch after two weeks and both parents share in the care duties. As typical finches, these birds are especially keen on tree and shrub seeds for food. Their strong beaks allow them to consume even very hard-shelled kernels. Wild bullfinches live up to 15 years, and captive ones ‒ as long as 19 years.
Distribution: northern parts of Europe and Asia

male / female
body length: ca. 17 cm
wingspan: ca. 27 cm
body mass: ca. 0,025 kg

Western capercaillie
Tetrao urogallus, Linnaeus, 1758

It is a resident bird. It prefers old, mature coniferous forests; pine stands rich in blueberries, with an admixture of aspen and spruce. The western capercaillie avoids open areas. In spring, spectacular courtship displays can be observed. The mating song is divided into four parts: double-clicks, trilling, popping and grinding. In summer they have a very varied food base, while in winter they can survive by eating solely pine, fir and spruce needles. In Poland, this species is disappearing at a rapid pace, which is why the State Forests are trying restitute it in several places in the country. The western capercaillie was on the list of game birds until 1995.
Distribution: from the Pyrenees and the Dinaric Mountains to northwestern Mongolia

male
body length: 80-115 cm
wingspan: 120-145 cm
body mass: 3,9-6,5 kg
female
body length: 54-63 cm
wingspan: 96-104 cm
body mass: 1,7-2,5 kg

Edwards’s pheasant
Lophura edwardsi, Oustalet, 1896

It inhabits eastern mountain slopes of Vietnam at an altitude of up to 600 m above sea level, overgrown with dense forests, where the amount of sunshine is limited. For a number of decades, Edwards’s pheasant was considered to be extinct, but in the year 2000 it was rediscovered in the forests of Central Vietnam. European zoological gardens are implementing the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) for this pheasant as a part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA).
Distribution: Middle Vietnam

male
body length: ca. 65 cm
wing length: 22–24 cm
body mass: ca. 1,42 kg
female
body length: ca. 58 cm
wing length: 21–22 cm
body mass: ca. 1,05 kg

Bornean crested fireback
Lophura ignita, Shaw, 1798

Of the 50 pheasant species in the world, the crested fireback is considered among the very most beautiful, right next to the golden pheasant. The second part of the Latin name of this species comes from the word ignis, which means fire. It probably refers to the colouring of the male’s back, belly and tail, which resembles flames. Their natural habitat consists of densely overgrown tropical forests with bamboo li-ning up to 1000 m above sea level.
Distribution: Malaysia, Borneo, Mainland Southeast Asia

male
body length: 65-70 cm
wing length: 25-30 cm
body mass: 1,8–2,6 kg
female
body length: 54-63 cm
wing length: 23-27 cm
body mass: 1,8–2,6 kg

Silver pheasant
Lophura nycthemera jonesi, Linnaeus, 1758

A beautiful, curious, persistent and majestic bird. It inhabits dense mountain forests, areas overgrown with thickets, bamboo and ferns at altitude of 700–2100 m above sea level, as well as cultivated fields. It has been known and bred in China since ancient times. Its image was present in ancient art, and in literature the silver pheasant has been epitomised with the mythical white phoenix. In the Lubin zoo there are silver pheasants of the jonesi subspecies.
Distribution: Southeast Asia and China

male
body length: ca. 125 cm
wing length: 22-30 cm
body mass: 1,1-2 kg
female
body length: ca. 65 cm
wing length: 15-27 cm
body mass: 1-1,3 kg

Siamese fireback
Lophura diardi, Bonaparte, 1856

The name of this species derives from the former name of Thailand, Siam, which is why it has been recognised as the national bird of this country. For centuries, it has been caught out from its natural habitats by local people and bred together with poultry. In breeding, the monogamous model is preferred. The Siamese fireback is colloquially called “prelate”, which refers to males, whose colouring is similar to chasubles once used by the clergy in the Catholic Church.
Distribution: Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and southern Vietnam

male
body length: ca. 80 cm
wing length: 22–24 cm
body mass: ca. 1,42 kg
female
body length: ca. 60 cm
wing length: 22–24 cm
body mass: ca. 1,1 kg

Swinhoe’s pheasant
Lophura swinhoii, Gould, 1863

It inhabits dense forests that often grow on mountainsides at a height of 300–2300 m above sea level. However, recent observations show that it is unlikely to meet the Swinhoe’s pheasant below 1000 m above sea level, which is caused by the felling of forests up to this altitude. In 1966 the species was close to extinction, with only about 200 individuals remaining in the wild. The increase to about 10,000 specimens is the result of the foundation of protected areas and the reintroduction of the bird to the wild.
Distribution: central part of the Taiwan island

male
body length: ca. 79 cm
wing length: 25-26 cm
body mass: ca. 1,1 kg
female
body length: ca. 50 cm
wing length: 24-24,5 cm
body mass: ca. 1,1 kg

Crestless fireback
Lophura erythrophthalma, Raffles, 1822

The crestless fireback lives in evergreen dense tropical forests up to an altitude of 900 m above sea level. Little is known about this pheasant; it is considered to be at risk of extinction. Its natural habitats are being fragmented by fires and large-scale forest felling. The crestless fireback is very rare in breeding. Until 2015, these birds were not to be found in any European zoo.
Distribution: Malaysia, Sumatra, Indonesia, Borneo

male
body length: 47–50 cm
wing length: 24–25 cm
body mass: ca. 1 kg
female
body length: 42–44 cm
wing length: 20–22 cm
body mass: ca. 0,8 kg

Eurasian hobby
Falco subbuteo, Linnaeus, 1758

It is a bird from the Falconidae family. It only hunts in flight, mostly small birds, and does it in a very fast, agile and dynamic way. In the evening, during a calm flight over a water surface, it grabs dragonflies and beetles mid-air with its claws, tears their wings off and eats them immediately. It is one of the most skilled flyers among birds of prey. In flight, its shape resembles the common swift, which it also hunts for, being the only bird species in Europe capable of it (next to the male peregrine falcon).
Distribution: Europe, China, the Pacific; in winter: central and southern Africa, southern China, northern Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam

male / female
body length: 30–40 cm
wingspan: 75–85 cm
body mass: 0,19–0,25 kg

European roller
Coracias garrulus, Linnaeus, 1758

It inhabits dry, warm, open areas with single trees, groves and loose forests that are rich in large ground insects (beetles, grasshoppers, etc.). The European roller usually nests in abandoned black woodpecker’s hollows or in naturally existing holes in rotten broadleaf trees. It is also willing to take up nest boxes of appropriate size. In Poland its number is constantly decreasing; in the eastern part of the country only a few dozen pairs remain. The reason lies in the change of agricultural landscape, liquidation of buffer strips and cutting down of old, hollow trees.
Distribution: central, eastern and southern Europe, northwestern African coast; winters in Africa, south of the equator

male / female
body length: 31–35 cm
wingspan: 62–72 cm
body mass: 0,12–0,15 kg

Common raven
Corvus corax, Linnaeus, 1758

Ravens are the most intelligent birds in the world. They are able to use the knowledge gained earlier, e.g. use sticks or wire to draw food from places that are difficult to reach. Like other corvids, they can imitate the sounds from their environment, including even human speech. They feed mainly on carrion, acting as cleaners in our environment.
Distribution: Northern Hemisphere, a large part of Eurasia, North and Central America, North Africa

male / female
body length: 55–65 cm
wingspan: 115–130 cm
body mass: 0,8–1,63 kg

Eurasian stone-curlew
Burhinus oedicnemus, Linnaeus, 1758

The Eurasian stone-curlew inhabits wastelands, dunes and heathlands, as well as dry areas with scarce vegetation by oxbow lakes. This bird is mostly active from dusk to dawn, but daytime activity is also not uncommon, although the stone-curlew is more easily heard than seen. It builds nests in shallow depressions in the ground in open places with poor vegetation providing for good observation of the surroundings. Until recently, it was a breeding species in Poland.
Distribution: southwestern and eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Caucasus, northern Africa and central Asia

male / female
body length: 40–45 cm
wingspan: 75–85 cm
body mass: 0,35–0,5 kg

Grey junglefowl
Gallus sonneratii, Temminck, 1813

This pheasant species has its origins in India. Its preferred habitats are dense woodlands and thickets. For safety it spends the nights on trees but it forages in open terrain, always with extreme caution. It feeds on seeds, green plant shoots, insects, arachnids, and molluscs. Sexual dimorphism is very well marked in grey junglefowls. The cock has more colourful, patterned feathers, while the hen’s colouring is in shades of brown. Roosters spend the breeding time with a few hens at once. Females lay 3–6 eggs that they then brood for 3 weeks, after which time they care for the chicks alone. The population of grey junglefowls is decreasing, main dangers being the shrinking of natural habitats and hunting.
Distribution: Indian subcontinent

male
body length: 70–80 cm
wing length: 22–25,5 cm
body mass: ca. 0,79–1,15 kg
female
body length: 38 cm
wing length: 19–21,5 cm
body mass: ca. 0,7–0,8 kg

Grey partridge
Perdix perdix, Linnaeus, 1758

Grey partridges inhabit open agricultural areas, preferably fields (with shelter belts or clusters of bushes on the balk), but also meadows and fallow land with higher vegetation. They are sedentary, terrestrial birds; nervous and very timid. Life is not easy for partridges nowadays. In the past, they used to have food aplenty and many nesting places on numerous and varied balks. Today’s cereal monoculture is unfavourable for them, since it doesn’t offer adequate food or shelter.
Distribution: central Europe, southwestern Siberia, China

male / female
body length: 28–32 cm
wingspan: 45–50 cm
body mass: 0,3–45 kg

Mute swan
Cygnus olor, Gmelin, 1789

The second heaviest flying bird in the world, right after the kori bustard. The record holder found in Poland weighed 22.5 kg. In order to take off, it needs a long run-up on water or ground. It always starts upwind and then takes the desired flight direction. It lands almost exclusively on water; in winter – on ice. The mute swan, as its name suggests, is generally silent, but during the mating season, growling or melodious flute-like whistling can be heard. It hisses when upset. Swans are monogamous; they mate for life. It is important to remember that when fed by humans, swans can become aggressive, trying to extort food.
Distribution: British Isles, central and northern Europe, southern Iran, the Caspian Sea basin, islands and low regions of Asia, all the way to China

male / female
body length: 125–170 cm
wingspan: 200–240 cm
body mass: 8–16 kg / 6–11,5 kg

Mandarin duck
Aix galericulata, Linnaeus, 1758

It is an arboreal duck which nests in hollows of trees bent over water or in nesting boxes; rarely also on the ground under the cover of tree trunks or dense vegetation. During the mating season, the male gets exceptionally beautiful colours, later becoming similar to the female. The mandarin ducks are often said to be the most beautiful ducks in the world. In China they are a symbol of fidelity, since they mate for life. They occur naturally in Eastern and Southern China, Taiwan, Manchuria, Japan and Sakhalin. In Poland, wild groups of this species can also be found, e.g. over a hundred specimens in the Łazienki Park.
Distribution: eastern and southern China, Taiwan, Manchuria, Japan, Sakhalin

male / female
body length: 41–49 cm
wingspan: 65–67 cm
body mass: 0,43–0,69 kg

Yellow-collared lovebird
Agapornis personatus, Reichenow, 1887

This parrot lives in small groups in forests, parks and gardens. Yellow-collared lovebirds spend nights in flocks. They mate for life. To strengthen and consolidate their bonds, they clean and take care of each other’s feathers. If making the decision to get this species as a pet, one should remember that it is quite a noisy parrot. In the natural environment, the population of the yellow-collared lovebird has been in decline due to the loss of natural habitats and poaching.
Distribution: Kenya and Tanzania

male / female
body length: 15,5 cm
wingspan: 9–11 cm
body mass: 0,03–0,04 kg

Greater scaup
Aythya marila, Linnaeus, 1761

It is a migratory species of diving duck. It nests on tundra mountain lakes that are rich in vegetation, as well as on sea coasts and marshes. When foraging, it dives as deep as 6 metres. Like most sea ducks, it is sociable and together with other duck species it forms flocks, which count several thousand birds. In Poland, greater scaups appear for wintering (from September to November) and remain until bodies of water freeze.
Distribution: Iceland, Scandinavian Peninsula, Kamchatka, Aleutian Islands, Alaska, Canadian coast

male / female
body length: 40–50 cm
wingspan: 172–83 cm
body mass: 0,9–1,2 kg

Himalayan monal
Lophophorus impejanus, Latham, 1790

The males are characterised by the metallic colour of their feathers. The females are rather uniformly coloured in brown. Their natural habitats are oak-fir mixed forests with open grassy slopes and cliffs, located at an altitude of 2500–5000 m above sea level. In winter they descend to about 2000 metres, gathering into larger bevies. Their strong beaks are well-suited for digging in hard mountain soil, up to 25 cm deep.
Distribution: from eastern Afghanistan to western China; the Himalayas, northern India and Nepal

male
body length: 64–72 cm
wing length: 29–32 cm
body mass: 1,98–2,38 kg
female
body length: 64–72 cm
wing length: 26–29 cm
body mass: 1,8–2,15 kg

Golden eagle
Aquila chrysaetos, Linnaeus, 1758

A majestic bird from the Accipitridae family; it hunts mammals the size of a hare, sometimes even as big as foxes; also birds, reptiles, amphibians; but carrion satisfies its needs, too. The golden eagle can be spotted on high rock shelves, from which it looks for prey, having found which it dives in the air, speeding up to 320 km/h in order to catch its victim. During the flight, it attacks less often. These eagles sometimes hunt in twos, but never in bigger groups. They are monogamous; once they pair up, they do a mating flight, informing other birds about the scope of their area, which can be up to 100 km² large. It is common that eagles have a few nests in one area, which they switch yearly for hatching. The female lays two eggs, which she then broods alone.
Distribution: Europe, Asia, North Africa, North America

male / female
body length: 65–100 cm
wingspan: 150–240 cm
body mass: 2,8–4,5 kg / 3,8–6,7 kg

Indian peafowl
Pavo cristatus, Linnaeus, 1758

Male Indian peafowls are coloured in an extraordinary way and in the mating season they wear a long train of colourful feathers, seemingly forming a tail, which they start to lose already in July. Peacocks are characterised by their excellent vigilance; when a predator appears, they set an alarm off, producing characteristic calls. In Poland blue peafowls were popular at royal courts. In order to protect them from being stolen, rumours were spread about misfortunes caused by peacock feathers kept at home.
Distribution: India, Pakistan, Java, Sri Lanka, Nepal

male
body length: 210–230 cm
wing length: 44–55 cm
body mass: 3,75–6 kg
female
body length: 80–100 cm
wing length: 40–42 cm
body mass: 2,5–4 kg

Barn owl
Tyto alba, Scopoli, 1769

It is a medium-sized owl, closely bound to human settlements. It lives in places like attics, bell towers and barns. Its grey back and head are covered with rusty red spots, which look a bit like flames and have inspired the Polish name of this species (“flame owl”). Its black eyes are in strong contrast with the facial disc, which directs sound waves towards the owl’s ears. It is mostly active at dusk and dawn, which is when it hunts: mainly rodents, small birds or frogs. Barn owls do not hoot; instead, they produce hoarse noises. In the past, their cries and calls were interpreted as ghosts.
Distribution: Europe, South Asia, Central-South America, Central-South Africa, Australia

male / female
body length: 33–40 cm
wingspan: 80–95 cm
body mass: 0,28–0,45 kg

Ferruginous duck
Aythya nyroca, Guldenstadt, 1770

It is our smallest diving duck. This species does not occur anywhere in large numbers; individual couples nest quite far from each other. It is a rather secretive and cautious bird. These ducks usually inhabit eutrophic lakes (less than 1 metre deep, with rich vegetation), ponds, swamps, islands and shores. In Poland this species was very numerous in the 1940s, especially in the East. Currently the breeding population is very small, amounting to 70–100 pairs in the whole country, most often occurring in the South-East and West. Some specimens have also been observed wintering in Poland.
Distribution: from Western Europe to Western Mongolia, from Libya to Pakistan

male / female
body length: 38–42 cm
wingspan: 60–67 cm
body mass: 0,45–0,65 kg

Little owl
Athene noctua, Scopoli, 1769

It’s one of the smaller owl breeds. Its distinctive loud voice makes it easily recognisable even in the dark. The little owl is characterised by its flat head and the grey-brown plumage with lighter underside. In spring the female lays up to 4 eggs, which she broods alone, while the male delivers the food. Once the owlets hatch, they’re fed by both parents. At an age of about 7 weeks, chicks leave the nest, although they only learn to fly about 1–2 weeks later. The little owl feeds primarily on insects and small mammals; it also hunts earthworms, small amphibians, reptiles and birds. These owls are quite territorial: they attack invaders on their terrain.
Distribution: Europe, Central Asia, North Africa

male / female
body length: 23–25 cm
wingspan: 54–58 cm
body mass: 0,16–0,17 kg / 0,17–0,2 kg

Eurasian eagle-owl
Bubo bubo, Linnaeus, 1758

It is the largest owl in the world. It inhabits mountains and vast forests, preferably rocky terrain, gullies and groups of old trees close to open areas. It is active at dusk and at night. It hunts animals of various sizes: from rats even to young roe deer. In Poland it occurs mainly in the North and South. For Eurasian eagle-owl the mating season starts already in December; especially on windless, frosty nights. In February the female lays 2–4 eggs. The size of the Polish eagle owl population is estimated at 250 pairs, with an upward trend. In the wild they live for more than 20 years, and in zoos – even 60 years.
Distribution: forests and mountains of the temperate climate zone of Eurasia

male / female
body length: 60-75 cm
wingspan: 160-180 cm
body mass: 1,5–2,5 kg / 1,75–4 kg

Great grey owl
Strix nebulosa lapponica, Forster, 1772

It is a large owl, not much smaller than the eagle owl. Its main characteristic is the large facial disc (short feathers growing radially around the eyes and beak), resembling the rings in a cross-section of a wood trunk. The great grey owl has excellent hearing, which allows it to locate prey even under deep snow. The first documented nesting of this species in Poland took place in Polesie Lubelskie in 2010. At present, its population in this country is estimated to be about a dozen pairs. It feeds mainly on rodents, mostly vole.
Distribution: northeastern part of Eurasia, North America

male / female
body length: 65-70 cm
wingspan: 134-158 cm
body mass: 0,5–1,1 kg / 0,7–1,9 kg

Ural owl
Strix uralensis, Pallas, 1771

The ural owl inhabits old coniferous forests with clearfelling patches or glades, as well as mountain and beech forests. Similarly to other owls, it is a sedentary bird and does not leave its nesting area. It inhabits broken tree trunks, nest boxes, large tree hollows, or abandoned nests of Accipitriformes. It is a very aggressive bird; before the young leave the nest, it attacks even humans. In Poland, it lives in the old forests of the Carpathian and Tatra Mountains, as well as in the north-eastern part of Masuria and in Białowieża Forest. In natural conditions its lifespan exceeds 20 years.
Distribution: forests of Northeastern Europe and Northern Asi

male / female
body length: 50-60 cm
wingspan: 123-130 cm
body mass: 0,5–0,9 kg / 0,6–1,3 kg

Emperor goose
Anser canagicus, Sevastianov, 1802

Emperor geese nest in Alaska and north-eastern Siberia (the Bering Sea coast). They show no sexual dimorphism, i.e. there are no differences in appearance between male and female specimens. Due to their geographical origins they are resistant birds, which is why they tolerate the winter conditions in Poland very well. They mate for life. In July they go through moulting, which means that they exchange their feathers and can’t fly for a while. This is the most dangerous period for these geese, since it is when they often fall victim to Eskimos.
Distribution: Alaska, Northeastern Siberia; winters on the Aleutian Islands and on the shores of the Pacific Ocean

male / female
body length: 66–85 cm
wingspan: ca. 119 cm
body mass: 2,7–3,2 kg