WHitehawk Birding blog
Welcome to the Whitehawk Birding Blog! Here we share fun birding and nature facts and news in posts that we hope you find of interest. We hope you enjoy!
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Bird Photography in the Tropics: A Brief Guide
Bird photography is experiencing a real boom right now. More and more nature photography enthusiasts are now looking at birds and making them part of their hobby. At the same time, more and more birders enjoy taking pictures of the birds they observe. It is common to find groups of birders where at least half…
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Amazing Birds: Fun Owl Facts
Owls are fascinating birds. They tuck themselves away during the day and emerge at night to hunt in the darkness. We do not often see them due to their nocturnal lifestyle, but every sighting of an owl becomes a memory not soon forgotten. We often think of owls as mysterious creatures, but the truth is,…
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The Orange-breasted Falcon: Denizen of the Neotropics
When one thinks of falcons, perhaps the first bird to come to mind is the swift and stunning Peregrine Falcon. While a fascinating bird in its own right, for us, the quintessential falcon is none other than the Orange-breasted Falcon (OBF). It has impressively large feet, a bright orange breast, and incredible speed (though no…
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Incubating Orange-breasted Falcon as host for a Vampire Bat
Incubating birds are often times target for predation which could come from unexpected places. Sometimes even from potential prey items! The Orange-breasted Falcon (Falco deiroleucus) population is probably declining in Central America and researchers are trying to figure out why. In 2008, while working as biologists for The Peregrine Fund, Angel, Yeray and Marta were able…
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Zapata Wren during our last tour in Cuba
The Zapata Wren is the most restricted endemic in Cuba, only present in the Zapata Peninsula and certainly a must-see during any trip to Cuba. It is also the only member of its genus, Ferminia! Like most wrens, it hides out in the dense grasses of marshes, and is best detected by its loud song.…
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Cuban Trogon – Cuba’s colorful national bird
Our first tour to Cuba is about to begin! Cuba is the largest and most biodiverse island in the Caribbean. Its national bird is the Cuban Trogon, one of the 26 endemic species that can be seen in Cuba, in addition to the many near endemic and regional endemics. It is one of only two…
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Top 10 Reasons to Visit Cuba for Birders
Cuba is one of the most unique places in the Americas. It is the largest island in the Caribbean and has lots of natural habitat to support hundreds of species of birds including 28 endemics and 15 regional endemics. It also features a rich and thriving culture that seems to propel us back in time.…
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Cuba Trip Report is now online!
In February we had a fantastic trip to the largest island in the Caribbean: Cuba. Here, we present you our last Cuba Trip Report. Birding in Cuba Cuba boasts a great variety of habitats, supporting hundreds of species, both terrestrial and aquatic, and over two dozen viable endemics, making it a very popular destination for…
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VIDEO: Birding in Cuba with Whitehawk
We can’t seem to get enough of Cuba birding these days. Our tours in this vibrant country always amaze us in so many ways. Cuba is a destination for everyone – with stunning scenery, incredible bird life, endemics galore, cultural integrity and delicious food, to say the least. In Cuba, there seem to be surprises…