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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Birding Cuba: Community, Culture and Conservation
Cuba is one of our favorite destinations for a number of reasons. It boasts nearly 400 bird species (25 of which are endemic, according to the Clements Checklist). Its welcoming culture, good food, and year-round warm temperatures make it a delight to visit. We are offering our next tour to this tropical island in February…
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Birds in Cuba
Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean. Known for its colorful cityscape and delicious food, Cuba also offers great biodiversity. Approximately 371 species of birds reside in or migrate through Cuba every year. Deciduous forests, xeric landscapes, grasslands, rivers, high mountain peaks (the highest mountain is Pico Turquino, which reaches nearly 6,500 feet), marshes,…
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Birding in a Volcano: El Valle de Anton
El Valle de Anton, located in Panama’s western foothills, is a true birder’s paradise. Birding in El Valle is among the best in all of Central America. It is also one of the most unique places in the world. An ancient volcano once towered over the land and sea. More than 200,000 years ago, it…
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Birding Safari: A Birder’s Approach to a Tiger Safari
As a birder you might ask yourself: would a tiger safari be a good experience for me? I would answer with a resounding “Yes!”. However, as birders planning to go on a tiger safari, we should prepare in advance for a very different experience. We will need to make some adjustments to our birding strategy.…
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Top 10 Birds to See in Bhutan
While the land-locked kingdom of Bhutan prides itself on its Gross National Happiness (GNH) one of the most appealing draws to “the land of the thunder dragon” is its birds. Perhaps it’s the enjoyment of birds that contributes to their GNH! Nearly 700 birds, many spectacular, unique and rare, can be found in Bhutan. As…
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Playa Muerto: Harpy Eagles and Community Development in Darien
Darien, Panama, is considered one of the most biodiverse places in the world. It is home to lush tropical forests, Harpy Eagles, jaguars, and a host of other incredible plants and animals. A trip there is a true “off the beaten path” experience. While it does hold some challenges, the rewards for taking a trip…
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Amazing Rainforest Animals: 8 Leafcutter Ant Facts
Leafcutter ants are one of Earth’s amazing creatures. Next to humans, leafcutter ants are the most socially complex organism on our planet. Leafcutter ants are found in the rainforests of the Neotropics, from the southern USA to South America. Despite their small size, they have a huge impact on their rainforest environment. Leafcutter ants are…
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What is Bird Migration?
It’s that time of year again! Around the world, birds are preparing for their migration from their overwintering grounds to their breeding grounds. But let’s take a deeper look at these bird movements. What is bird migration? Bird migration is the regular seasonal movement of birds. We may recognize that birds are migrating when bird…
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What do Harpy Eagles Eat?
It seems reasonable to assume that a bird measuring 3 feet tall from beak to tail, and has a 6-foot wingspan, legs the size of a human’s wrist, and talons the size of grizzly bear claws eats just about anything it wants to. And that is true, within reason, of course. Biologists throughout the Harpy…