These photos were taken at Les Oiseaux du Marias Poitevin - Parc Ornithologique. As always, if my ID is incorrect please let me know and I will make changes to the post.
Pied avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) is a distinctively-patterned black and white wader with a long up-curved beak. They feed on aquatic insects and their larvae, crustaceans and worms. Avocets nest in loose colonies of up to 150 pairs. Colony size and density are determined by the availability of suitable nest sites, distance to water and risk of predation. The nest, built by both sexes, is a shallow scrape on bare mud or in sparse vegetation...
The female lays her clutch of 3-4 pale buff eggs with black markings at 1-2 day intervals any time between mid-April and late June. Incubation begins with the second or third egg. Both sexes incubate for 23-25 days. The young can run about and feed themselves within a few hours of hatching. Both parents care for them.
Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) lives mainly in freshwater and saltwater marshes also mudflats, shallow lakes, coastal lagoons, flooded fields and rice fields. It feeds on aquatic insects. It is a migratory bird, moving to the ocean coasts in winter. European birds winter in sub-Saharan Africa. They are often seen in flocks of 10 to 20 birds, also in mixed flocks with other species of shorebirds. The Black-winged Stilt nests in small colonies of 2 to 50 pairs, mated pairs vigorously defend their nest site and territory. They may nest in mixed groups with avocets. The female lays 4 eggs between mid-May and mid-June. Incubation lasts about 25 days, by both parents. Chicks leave the nest very soon, remaining hidden in aquatic vegetation. They are fed by both parents.
Canada goose (Branta canadensis). In the early 17th century, explorer Samuel de Champlain sent several pairs of geese to France as a present for King Louis XIII. The geese were first introduced in Britain in the late 17th century as an addition to King James II's waterfowl collection in St. James's Park. They were introduced in Germany and Scandinavia during the 20th century, starting in Sweden in 1929. In Britain, they were spread by hunters, but remained uncommon until the mid-20th century. Their population then grew from 2200–4000 birds in 1953 to an estimated 82,000 in 1999. Once a protected species, they are now on a list of 100 invasive species posing a serious threat to biodiversity in Europe.
Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis). It frequents wet areas such as freshwater swamps and rice fields, but also meadows, pastures and open grassy areas, mainly with cattle. It feeds primarily on insects and crustaceans, but it also catches amphibians, fish, lizards, small birds and rodents It moves by walking in a steady strut and stabbing quickly with the bill to catch its prey. The male performs courtship displays to attract females. Both go to the nest-site where the nest will be built, and usually, the copulation takes place at the nest-site....
When one mate returns to the nest, a “greeting-ceremony” is given, displaying the back feathers and flattening the head feathers. They nest in reedbeds, bushes and trees, up to 20 metres above the ground, not necessarily near water. The nest is made with sticks and some vegetation and can be reused year after year. The female usually lays 3-5 eggs and incubation, by both sexes, starts when the clutch is complete. They incubate for 22-26 days. Chicks beg for food aggressively and they are very competitive with each other. At 2-3 weeks of age, they can climb in the vegetation. They remain near the nest and still beg for food. They are fairly independent at 45 days, and make short flights. At two months, they can fly to the feeding areas.
A very shy Black Swan! (Cygnus atratus) It is the emblem of Western Australia. Its black silhouette appears in the Coat of Arms of the state. This bird is not indigenous to France. It feeds almost exclusively on plant matter such as aquatic plants, algae and pondweeds. It is largely monogamous, and the pair bonds are life-long....
The female lays 5-6 greenish eggs. The incubation lasts about 36-40 days, shared by both parents. The chicks can feed and swim just after hatching. They are sexually mature between 18 and 36 months of age.
I am hoping that one of my readers will give me positive identification here. I initially thought they were imported Blue-winged Teal, but with no white on the face, I have changed my mind. So help is required, please.
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