Introduction

The Internet Resources

Herons

• Birds -- Herons - This website gives a one paragraph description of the Green Heron, listing its habitat, appearance and what it eats. This site provides links to other species such as the Great Blue Heron, the Great Egret and the Glossy Ibis with pictures included. This website seems a little too basic for my tastes. I would prefer the author to add more information to make it a worthwhile click. RATING equals 3

• Herons and Bitterns - This site is sweet, short, and to the point. It describes the habitat, appearance, food, and breeding of herons and bitterns! Listen to the sounds of these birds calling – they make you feel as if you were right there in the middle of nature. RATING equals 2.5

Bitterns

• Bitterns - In this site, There is a chat like structure that tells us all we need to know about Bitterns! It tells us what they eat, where they can find that food, where they live and much more. The bittern is totally dependent on wetland habitats; usually inhabits marshes with open water in the center, gradual slopes, a band of emergent vegetation around the periphery, and idle grassland in the adjacent uplands. This website is a great place to learn Bittern information. RATING equals 4

Flamingos

• Flamingos - If you want to learn everything there is to know about flamingos, this is the website for you! Sea World and Busch Gardens have designed an comprehensive website that covers a wide range of topics such as the flamingo’s scientific classification, habitat and distribution, physical characteristics, senses, adaptations for their environment, behavior, diet and eating habits, reproduction and much more! They cover five species of flamingos, including the Chilean, Caribbean, and the greater and lesser flamingo. All the information is in outline format and is very easy to follow. One new thing I learned from visiting this site is that Flamingos are very social birds and communicate through visual displays such as a wing salute. Rarely found in small colonies, the flamingos instead prefer to live in large bird colonies, sometimes in the tens of thousands. Still the experts don’t know everything as they have yet to determine how long a flamingo can live. If you’re writing a paper on flamingos, this website is a wonderful source of information. RATING equals 4.5

• Cyber Slueth Kids -- Flamingos - Pull up this page and you are given four links on flamingos, the first link providing only pictures of a variety of flamingos. The next link is the Sea World flamingos website previously described. The third link, lesser flamingos, provides a description, diet and appearance information about the smaller flamingos. And finally, the fourth link provides pictures and an article about flamingos. I like this site because it is very thorough with its information. RATING equals 3

• More information on Flamingos - This site is great for people who want to learn more about Flamingos without having to read lots of information going from page to page. One click and they answer a myriad of questions: * Where do flamingos live? * Why are flamingos pink? * What do flamingos eat? * How do flamingos live?* After browsing through this site, you will have a better understanding of flamingos!!!! Although this site is not as comprehensive as the SeaWorld site, I still learned some fun facts. For example did you know that Flamingos use their large beaks to filter small food items from the water? Or, a flamingo lowers its head into the water, upside-down! Also, I never knew that flamingos do not nest every year. When they do nest, they typically lay one large, white egg. Check out the website to learn more!!! RATING equals 4.5

• Fabulous Flamingo Website - Dorothy’s Fabulous Flamingo website is different from the rest that I have looked at so far. Bee-bopping to Bob Marley’s song “Jammin’,” this fun quirky site starts off by informing us that the word 'flamingo' originates from the Latin word “flame.” Or did you know that the Romans consider flamingo tongue a gourmet delicacy? Or that flamingos can sit down? The site gives us the usual academic information about flamingos, but it also allows us to take a much different perspective on the colorful bird. Visit this site and rock on to flamingo paradise! RATING equals 4

Storks

• Information about storks (Ciconia ciconia) - Did your parents ever tell you the story of how the stork dropped you on the doorstep? Well when you found out that story wasn’t true, I bet you never thought to find out where storks really fly. In this site, not only are the different routes of the white stork discussed, but it gives a brief account of it’s feeding habits. The white stork makes its brooding home in Germany but leaves for it’s winter habitat by way of an eastern or western route to south Africa which is described and shown in a map provided. In the upper right hand corner, there is a submenu link that discusses the greatest danger the white stork faces – accidents through open wire lines. The page not only provides very graphic pictures of storks that had been electrocuted, but it also gives protection measures against electric shock and ultimately against extinction. RATING equals 3

• WOOD STORKS!!!! - This site focuses solely on the wood stork, a large wading bird, easily distinguished by its dark feathers, stout bills, and white plumage trimmed with black. This site covers topics like wood stork’s behavior, reproductive habits, and it’s declining population. One interesting tidbit – wood storks differ from other wading birds in that they prey using only the tactile sense and no visual cues. To find more about the Wood stork visit this site! RATING equals 2.5

• Storks - This website gives a brief description of Maribou storks. There also is information given about the types of food eaten, and their breeding behaviors. This site is very concise and does not contain that much information. One thing I did learn is that the storks’ feet are webbed. RATING equals 3

general

• Animals Birds: Storks, Flamingos - Who hasn’t been enticed by the wild and vibrant colors of flamingos? At this website there are great pictures of flamingos in their daily routines. There are pictures of larges groups of flamingos flying through the air, and a few of flamingos cleaning out their plumage. RATING equals 1.5

• Herons and Bitterns - This site lists the different types of herons and bitterns living in Cedar Creek, a large ecological research site in central Minnesota. Some of these species include American Bittern, Least Bittern, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Yellow-crowned and the Night-Heron. This site is very basic without pictures or color font, but it interesting to note that a research site that reflects various habitats within the state exists. RATING equals 2