This book is the first comprehensive reference on the birds of Egypt, and it draws on a wealth of published and unpublished reports to provide authoritative information about the bird life of the country.
Designed for professional ornithologists, amateur bird-watchers, and anyone interested in Egypt’s natural history, Birds of Egypt provides an invaluable resource for bird-watching enthusiasts.
If you’ve ever wondered what the Egyptian vultures look like, this book is an excellent place to start.
Ancient Egyptians farmed ibises
The Ancient Egyptians probably farmed ibises, as evidenced by their records. However, some scientists say that they may have reared the animals for sacrifice.
Some of them lived in sacred habitats near temples, while others were kept in farms for short periods of time. And some of these animals may have been domesticated, but it is not entirely clear how. The following are some possible scenarios.
Read on to learn more.
The genetic diversity of mummified ibises in the catacombs of Egypt suggests that the species was farmed, but it is unlikely that a large-scale farming operation was practiced.
Rather, it is possible that the animals were confined to the farm for short periods of time and tamed by priests. These practices are inconsistent, and it is possible that the Ancient Egyptians simply kept the birds in captivity.
In addition, scientists found ibis mummies in Egyptian catacombs. These ibises were preserved in jars or temples, and they were often kept in hatcheries close to the temples.
Archaeologists were able to compare the DNA of the mummies with modern ibis DNA to understand how the Ancient Egyptians farmed ibises. This study is the first complete genome of nonhuman animals, and it may shed light on how humans and ibises interacted with these ancient animals.
Read More: Birds of the Channel Islands: A Fun & Informative Guide
Ancient Egyptians offered mummified falcons to Horus
Ancient Egyptians often worshipped Horus as a god of falcons. The falcon god was closely associated with the kingship of Egypt, and it was Horus who sponsored the monarchy.
His earliest temples were located at Nekhen, a place where the falcons were also worshiped. As the son of Isis, Horus was also associated with the monarchy, and he was shown on the early decorated monuments of that time.
The full falcon is the most common representation of Horus. It was most likely a peregrine or lanner falcon. The falcon was the original form of Horus and was depicted in two dimensions.
Its tail feathers were angled toward the viewer. Early examples show the falcon leaning forward, but an upright stance became the norm. However, there are many examples of this type of worship.
While falcons may have been a relatively modern animal, Ancient Egyptians also offered mummified birds to the god Horus. These animals were sometimes buried in small coffins with a bronze falcon atop.
The mummy of a falcon would contain layers of linen that would keep them from decaying and rotting. The mummy was believed to be from the Late Period to Roman period, and was given to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1890.
The elder Horus was one of the oldest Egyptian gods and was born from the union of Geb and Nut. He was associated with the sun and was considered to protect the royal family.
His older brother, Osiris, governed the earth with Isis. The younger Horus, or the ‘Little’ Horus, ruled the skies and the sun. The two were also associated with each other, and his mother, Hathor, was the queen of the heavens.
Egyptian goose
If you have ever wondered what an Egyptian goose looks like, you are not alone. This species is actually a member of the Anatidae family and hails from parts of Africa south of the Sahara.
In fact, it is native to the Nile Valley. It is the perfect bird to visit if you are looking for a photo opportunity or just want to learn more about this unique species. Read on to learn more about the Egyptian goose!
Unlike other species of geese, Egyptians are primarily land-based birds that spend most of the year on the ground.
They produce loud sounds to indicate when they are threatened, and both sexes have distinct vocalizations.
Egyptians spend the day active, and at night they seek out a tree to roost. Unfortunately, this makes them vulnerable to natural predators like crocodiles, vultures, and foxes.
The Egyptian goose is found throughout the world, but it is native to Africa. They can be found in Egypt, Chad, Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, and Central African Republic.
These are not endangered species, but they are considered a threat to humans in their habitat. Therefore, it is best to see this bird in its natural habitat. A photo of an Egyptian goose on a pond is not enough to show you the species.
Suggested Reading: Maldives Birds: A Paradise for Avian Enthusiasts
Egyptian vulture
The Egyptian vulture, also known as the pharaoh’s chicken and white scavenger vulture, is a species of vulture in the Old World. It is the only member of its genus, Neophron, and is widespread from the Iberian Peninsula to India.
Although a smaller vulture than its counterparts, it is still an impressive bird. Read on to discover more about this fascinating bird.
Because of its variable global distribution, the Egyptian vulture has been studied mostly at local scales. Therefore, the results of one study may not apply to another region.
Because it migrates and breeds seasonally in some parts of its range, previous studies have focused on specific regions. While most of the Egyptian vulture’s observations have been made in the Mediterranean, it also has been found in the Canary Islands, East Africa, and South Asia.
The Egyptian vulture eats carrion, carcasses, waste, and numerous other items. It even feeds on cow carcasses, removing parasites and ticks from them.
In return, it leaves the carcasses to ravens, which feed on the soft parts. But the vulture tears open the carcasses to feast on the entrails. This means that vultures are an important part of the ecosystem. However, many threats to its survival are threatening its continued existence.
Here is the Video About: The Birds of Egypt
Turtle dove
There are several species of the Turtle dove, including the Egyptian, the collared, and the spotted dove. The turtle dove is a migratory bird. Its preference for weed seeds enables it to find food on the ground.
As a result, it is often mistaken as a native of Syria. In Psalm 74:19, David compares himself to a turtle dove.
The species is so shy and docile that it is not considered suitable for domestication, but the Turtle Dove is still a popular sport.
There are also several archaeological remains indicating that it was hunted in Egypt, where wall reliefs from 4,500 BC depict turtle doves trapped in nets.
The species is now legally hunted in some countries, although its numbers are decreasing. Turtle doves have been the subject of celebrity collaborations, such as those between Kanye West and Adidas.
This fast-flying bird is a favorite of hunters and is an excellent predator, and it catches small and medium-sized birds in flight.
In ancient Egypt, the Turtle Dove was sacred to the god Hours, who is said to take on the shape of a turtle dove whenever he visited the mortal world. Its keen eyesight also made it a desirable bird for falconry, and the turtle dove is now widespread in towns and villages.
Trending Article: Latvia Birds: A Guide to the Interesting Species!
Nightjar
The Nightjar of Egypt is one of the smaller species of nightjars, a medium-sized songbird found throughout north and south Africa and south west Asia.
Despite its name, the Nightjar of Egypt actually spends the winter in tropical Africa, making it an excellent bird to view during the warmer months.
In the wild, you can find Nightjars of Egypt in the deserts of southern and eastern Egypt. This species also breeds in southwestern Asia.
The Nightjar of Egypt is an interesting species because it has a diverse range. It looks like a lizard, a wasp’s nest, and even a fallen bird’s fledgling.
Despite its unique appearance, the Nightjar of Egypt has been mistaken for a number of other species, including lizards, wasps, and goats. Its scientific name, Caprimulgus, literally translates to goat-sucker, but this is not the case.
In August of 2017, a BRC team recorded its first observation of an Egyptian Nightjar in the Chorokhi Delta, making it the first national record of the species.
Jonas Scharer and Simon Cavailles subsequently published an article in the Dutch Birding journal summarizing all European observations of the species outside of its breeding range.
In the meantime, the BRC team is working to add the Nightjar of Egypt to the list of threatened and endangered birds in Britain.
- Anjouan Sunbird and Other Birds of Comoros - July 23, 2022
- Check List For Birds of Iraq - June 29, 2022
- Birds of the Channel Islands: The Beauty of Nature - June 29, 2022