SHUTTLING WATER TO DESERT BABY BIRDS

      Though unrelated species, Namaqua sandgrouse and gray gulls have characteristics in common.  Both kinds of these birds are noted for nesting in deserts, the sandgrouse in South African deserts and the gulls in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile.  Both areas harbor few predators that would eat the eggs or young of these birds.  Even so, the eggs, young and adults of both species are well camouflaged to blend into their sand surroundings for the birds' protection against predators.  Water for the chicks is a problem, however.  But each species has a unique way of providing water to their youngsters in sand nests on the floors of those desert habitats. 

     Flocks of sandgrouse, males and females, daily commute swiftly several miles, roundtrip, to desert water holes.  They land as one body in inch-deep water where they drink their fill of fresh water; safety in numbers.  A few hawks persist in catching sandgrouse, making the sandgrouses' taking in of water the more difficult.  They are often interrupted from drinking, but persist at it until satisfied.  

     While male sandgrouse are standing in the water and drinking, their belly feathers, because of their inherit design, soak up water to their capacity.  Then, if they successfully avoid the hawks, those male sandgrouse each fly swiftly back to his nursery in the sand, carrying that water with him.  His chicks daily suck the water from his belly feathers.  The youngsters would soon die without those daily drinks.       Sandgrouse adults and chicks eat seeds off desert plants.  Each female lays three speckled eggs in a clutch on the sand.  The parents shade their eggs or offspring during the most intense heat.  And the cute, fluffy, camouflaged young walk about soon after hatching to consume seeds.   

     Each gray gull female lays two or three eggs per clutch on Atacama sands.  The shells of those eggs shed little water, which is an adaptation to being laid in a desert.  

     Parent gray gulls take turns flying many miles, round trip, to the Pacific Ocean shoreline to ingest mole crabs in the beaches, other kinds of invertebrates, and small fish from the ocean.  Gray gulls also drink salt water, but expel the salt through eye glands.  The other parent stays home at the nest to guard the eggs or young.     

     When the foraging parent at the ocean is full of food and water, he or she flies back several miles to its cradle in the sand to feed its youngsters.  Upon arrival at the nursery, the parent regurgitates food and water into the youngsters' mouths.

     Mature male and female gray gulls have slate-gray feathering on their bodies, white feathers on their heads and black beaks.  Apparently, the gray camouflages, and radiates heat, which is an adaptation for life on a desert.  Fledged young have dark-brown feathers all over, which blend them into their habitats.    

     Namaqua sandgrouse and gray gulls are more examples of the innumerable, unique adaptations life makes to survive in a habitat.  Life on Earth is unendingly dynamic and intriguing. 

      

     

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