Exhibit of the month - February
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Every
month, museum visitors choose an exhibit they like best. The one that caught
their eye in February was the Gavia Immer. This is an
aquatic bird, which is rare in Greece. These birds are almost exclusively North
American species. Its flying speed is as much as 120 km/h during migration.
The Gavia Immer is relatively large (73-88 cm), with a heavy sharp beak and thick neck.
His eyes are red, which helps their underwater vision. During the winter, they
lose their plumage (pterosaurs), resulting in a temporary loss of their ability
to fly. Although there is no racial dimorphism in their species (the two sexes
are similar), they experience a seasonal dimorphism. This means that during the
breeding season their plumage takes on a more striking and fancy shape! The Gavia Immer feed mainly on fish and to catch their prey, they can withstand up to 3
minutes inside the water!
Gavia Immers are monogamous birds and mate forever. Mating usually takes place on land,
near the nesting site, and is repeated daily until the eggs are laid. The area
in which they will reproduce is marked and protected physically and vocally by
the couple! The male and female, build their nest together and incubate the
eggs.
Their
distinctive voices, as well as, the arched jumps they make to secure their
territory, are often misinterpreted as flirtations by humans, while the British
tribes of Columbia attributed them to omens of bad weather.
In
Canada and Minnesota this bird is so beloved and famous that it is depicted on
their coins.