HOME | DD

Description
Common Name: Plague Weeper

Scientific Name: Acredakuigos kuqia

Length: 25 to 30 centimeters from head to tail

Weight: 35 to 65 grams

Diet: Locusts, beetles, flies, and other insects

Distribution: The dry grasslands and open desert of the Taiyang Desert

Lifespan: 8 to 10 years

Description: Hoopoes are a lineage of birds closely related to hornbills and wood hoopoes. Distinguished by their crown of feathers, the hoopoes were common during the Holocene. These birds stuck to a uniform body plan and consisted of only one genus and three species. Despite lacking a diverse section, these birds made it to the Novicene. These birds migrated over the Afro-Eurasian landmass. Still, the variety of species is low compared to other groups of the Aves class. Several kinds of hoopoes live in the Taiyang Desert. Most species live similar to their ancient ancestors, but others fill different niches. The best example of this is the plague weeper.
The plague weeper is a desert-dwelling species of hoopoe found in the hottest parts of the desert. They get their name from their call, which sounds like a weeping woman. These calls can travel over long distances across the desert. This adaptation allows them to communicate with one another over long distances. They have a more robust beak which they use to crack the hard exoskeleton of their insect. Although, their beak is fragile to crushing blows from a predator. Another adaptation of the plague weeper is the fan of feathers on top of its head. The plague weepers use this crest for communication, sexual display, or to make themselves look more threatening. Since these birds nest on the ground, their eggs evolved to look like stones or pebbles. Their eggs are colored similar to plover eggs, allowing them to stay hidden from predators.
This species has a unique relationship with a species of desert-dwelling locust called the Taiyang locust (Kinesicichoani ermios). Every year, this species swarms in massive numbers, and they feed off the tubers and leafy plants of the deserts. During this event, plague weepers follow the locusts. They seem to know the exact time and date when the eggs hatch. This behavior is where they get the first part of their name. When the locusts swarm together, the plague weepers use their calls to communicate to one another. They will then start to feast on the locust swarms. This swarm will feed the plague weepers for a month or two. After the locusts lay their eggs, the locusts will die, and their eggs will stay there for about a year. The plague weepers go their separate ways and return when the locusts hatch. Other animals follow this same pattern. But, the plague weepers are the most consistent in following the locust swarms.

Description
Common Name: Plague Weeper

Scientific Name: Acredakuigos kuqia

Length: 25 to 30 centimeters from head to tail

Weight: 35 to 65 grams

Diet: Locusts, beetles, flies, and other insects

Distribution: The dry grasslands and open desert of the Taiyang Desert

Lifespan: 8 to 10 years

Description: Hoopoes are a lineage of birds closely related to hornbills and wood hoopoes. Distinguished by their crown of feathers, the hoopoes were common during the Holocene. These birds stuck to a uniform body plan and consisted of only one genus and three species. Despite lacking a diverse section, these birds made it to the Novicene. These birds migrated over the Afro-Eurasian landmass. Still, the variety of species is low compared to other groups of the Aves class. Several kinds of hoopoes live in the Taiyang Desert. Most species live similar to their ancient ancestors, but others fill different niches. The best example of this is the plague weeper.
The plague weeper is a desert-dwelling species of hoopoe found in the hottest parts of the desert. They get their name from their call, which sounds like a weeping woman. These calls can travel over long distances across the desert. This adaptation allows them to communicate with one another over long distances. They have a more robust beak which they use to crack the hard exoskeleton of their insect. Although, their beak is fragile to crushing blows from a predator. Another adaptation of the plague weeper is the fan of feathers on top of its head. The plague weepers use this crest for communication, sexual display, or to make themselves look more threatening. Since these birds nest on the ground, their eggs evolved to look like stones or pebbles. Their eggs are colored similar to plover eggs, allowing them to stay hidden from predators.
This species has a unique relationship with a species of desert-dwelling locust called the Taiyang locust (Kinesicichoani ermios). Every year, this species swarms in massive numbers, and they feed off the tubers and leafy plants of the deserts. During this event, plague weepers follow the locusts. They seem to know the exact time and date when the eggs hatch. This behavior is where they get the first part of their name. When the locusts swarm together, the plague weepers use their calls to communicate to one another. They will then start to feast on the locust swarms. This swarm will feed the plague weepers for a month or two. After the locusts lay their eggs, the locusts will die, and their eggs will stay there for about a year. The plague weepers go their separate ways and return when the locusts hatch. Other animals follow this same pattern. But, the plague weepers are the most consistent in following the locust swarms.