Category: Conservation
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Bird in Focus: Ridgway’s Hawk
Why the Ridgway’s Hawk The Ridgway’s Hawk is a critically endangered bird of prey found only on the island of Hispaniola. This bird holds a special place in my heart as I have been working on The Peregrine Fund’s conservation project for this species since 2011. These birds are fun to watch and exhibit some…
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Size of Harpy Eagle and Natural History of a Top Predator in the Rainforest
The Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) is considered to be the most powerful eagle in the world. Its thick tarsi (legs), strong toes, and sharp talons make this species a formidable predator. Historically found in rainforest habitats from southern Mexico to northern Argentina, the Harpy Eagle feeds on a number of different prey items. It prefers…
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The Snow Leopard
The first time I saw a Snow Leopard, I was a young girl visiting the Los Angeles Zoo. I remember being amazed by its spotted fur, light eyes, and, most of all, its long, powerful tail that seemed to almost be a separate creature! Never could I have imagined that one day I would get…
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Panama Wildlife: A Glimpse at Great Biodiversity
The narrow Isthmus of Panama is home to the famous Panama Canal and is nestled between Costa Rica and Colombia. It forms a land bridge between North and South America. It is a hotbed for biodiversity and has the most species recorded of all Central American countries. Panama’s landscape is comprised of low elevation rainforest…
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October Big Day 2020: The Biggest Birding Day of the Year!
The October Big Day 2020 is coming up this weekend on Saturday, October 17. We at Whitehawk, along with our sister company, Birding the Strait, plan to make the most out of it. This is an initiative of Cornell Lab of Ornithology which basically consists of going birding, and uploading as many bird lists to…
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What is Environmental Education?
The term “environmental education” has been popular for decades. You have probably heard it mentioned in news reports, newsletters from conservation groups, magazine articles, and even right here on our Whitehawk blog! But what exactly is environmental education? Why is it important? And how can it benefit us and our families while also benefitting non-human…
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Finding a Harpy Eagle: An Adventurous Excursion
Harpy Eagles live in the mature lowland rainforests of Central and South America. They prefer large areas of expansive, intact forest, especially when it comes to nesting. Despite having a huge wingspan of 2 meters, Harpy Eagles do not soar above the forest canopy; they are truly a bird of deep forest. They can stay…
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Getting Ready for the 2020 Global Big Day
This year has started off a little different around the world. Our current global health crisis has forced many people to stay inside under lockdown and quarantine situations. One day we will be back out to enjoy birding at our favorite hotspots and travel internationally again. In the meantime, this is the best opportunity to…
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Today is Vulture Awareness Day – help raise awareness!
Today is Vulture Awareness Day! Therefore, we want to lend our voices to help spread the word about how important vultures are for the environment, and how they are currently suffering many threats. Some species are critically endangered and facing extinction. In the Americas, the California Condor is considered to be critically endangered, while the…