Desert birds that use the inside of a cactus as their home

[Fluss]

It looks SO cosy right? :D

Beautiful homes

 

• The Gila Woodpecker in particular is well known for its ability to turn the unwelcoming spiky structure into a homely habitat
• The clever desert dwellers use their long beaks to make holes in the saguaro cacti, which provide a safe cool place for them to raise their young
  

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

PUBLISHED: 15:50 GMT, 22 November 2012 | UPDATED: 15:50 GMT, 22 November 2012

• Comments (11)
• Share
  
• 
  
  • 
    
  • 
    

   

   

 

They may look prickly and unwelcome to many mammals, but cacti can actually provide an unlikely abode for thousands of birds.

The Gila Woodpecker in particular is well known for its ability to turn the unwelcoming spiky structure into a homely habitat.

The clever desert dwellers use their long beaks to make holes in the saguaro cacti, which provide a safe cool place for them to raise their young.

Home sweet home: Despite their thorny appearance, these cacti provide an unlikely humble abode for thousands of birds

Attraction: The Gila Woodpecker in particular is well known for its ability to turn the unwelcoming spiky structure into a homely habitat

Other birds will often then cheekily use these ready made homes to their own advantage.

More...

 

• The most beautiful birds you've ever seen!: Explorers document, for first time ever, all 39 species of Birds-of-Paradise from rainforest hideouts
• Birds first evolved wings for warmth rather than flight, new findings suggest
  

 

These brave cactus dwellers and their peculiar properties were spotted by photographer John Cancalosi, while he was in Arizona's Sonoran Desert, USA.

The father-of-one built a special tower with a hide on top in a bid to capture the antics of these cactus loving creatures.

New abode: The clever desert dwellers use their long beaks to make holes in the saguaro cacti, which provide a safe cool place for them to raise their young

Time for tea: A Gila Woodpecker feeding from a saguaro cactus flower

Room for one more: A Western Screech Owl poke his head out the cactus

John used scaffolding to erect a tower and slept 30 feet above the desert floor.

He said: 'On visiting the desert I was fascinated most by the abundance of animal life.

'These creatures have found ways to solve the thorny problems presented by their environment.

Vantage point: A Glided Flicker looks out from its abode in the cactus

Spot: These brave cactus dwellers and their peculiar properties were spotted by photographer John Cancalosi, while he was in Arizona's Sonoran Desert, USA

Snapped: Mr Cancalosi top in a bid to capture the antics of these cactus loving creatures

'To some animals, cacti and other spiny plants are merely obstacles to be avoided, but others use them to their advantage.

'Birds are especially adept at living in prickly surroundings.

'Although some birds merely use a cactus as a convenient perch, others rely on these succulent plants for food and nesting sites and probably couldn't survive without them.

'They have turned potential problems into opportunities.'

New home: Mr Cancalosi said:' 'To some animals, cacti and other spiny plants are merely obstacles to be avoided, but others use them to their advantage'

Mr Cancalosi, said: 'Although some birds merely use a cactus as a convenient perch, others rely on these succulent plants for food and nesting sites and probably couldn't survive without them

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2236849/A-place-sun-Desert-birds-use-inside-cactus-home.html#ixzz2DdomQpho

Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[quarterflesh]

cool as

[Distracted]

That was as awesome as i was hoping it would be.

[CβL]

That was cool. Those birds reminded me of two other cool birds. The birds looked a bit like Hoopoes, and their nests reminded me of the Hornbill's nesting habits.

Hoopoe

The nest is in a hole in a tree or wall, with a narrow entrance;^[16] it may be unlined or various scraps may be collected.^[11] The female alone is responsible for incubating the eggs. ....

The Hoopoes have well-developed anti-predator defences in the nest. The uropygial gland of the incubating and brooding female is quickly modified to produce a foul-smelling liquid, and the glands of nestlings do so as well. These secretions are rubbed into the plumage. The secretion, which smells like rotting meat, is thought to help deter predators, as well as deter parasites and possibly act as an antibacterial agent.^[18] The secretions stop soon before the young leave the nest.^[15] In addition to this secretion nestlings are able to direct streams of faeces at nest intruders from the age of six days, and will also hiss at intruders in a snake like fashion....

 

Great Hornbill

Female hornbills build nests in hollows of large tree trunks and the opening is sealed with a plaster made up mainly of feces. She remains imprisoned in her nest until the chicks are semi-developed relying on the male to bring her food. During this period the female undergoes a complete moult. The young chicks are devoid of feathers and appear very plump. She is fed by her mate through a slit in the seal. The clutch consists of one or two eggs she incubates for 38–40 days. The female voids feces through the nest slit and young follow the same nest sanitation behaviour after they are two weeks old.Once the female emerges out of the nest, it is sealed again by the chicks.

 

[bℓσωηG]

thanks for sharing , birds rock!