Tag: Birds

  • Working with the Canarian Houbara Bustard

    Working with the Canarian Houbara Bustard

    In late 2011, Whitehawk began collaborating with GREFA, a Spanish NGO. We partnered with them to help carry out a population census of the Canarian Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis fuertaventurae undulata) on the islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, Spain. An Endemic Subspecies of the Houbara Bustard The Canarian Houbara Bustard is an endemic subspecies. It inhabits…

  • The Solitary Eagle

    The Solitary Eagle

    The Solitary Eagle (Harpyhaliaetus solitarius) is one of the least known raptors in the Neotropics. In fact, prior to the Belize Raptor Research Institute’s (BRRI) 2011 discovery of an active nest for this species, only two other nests had been found. Both more than fifty years ago!  Luckily, BRRI researchers discovered this nest before the…

  • Crested Eagle Feeding a  Young Harpy Eagle

    Crested Eagle Feeding a Young Harpy Eagle

    Interspecific interactions between large forest eagle species are fascinating. Follow this link to read an interesting paper written by one of our colleagues. Learn about a Crested Eagle (Morphnus guianensis) feeding a young Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja), in Darien, Panama. These two species are among the largest raptors in the Neotropics. They are similar in…

  • Morocco – Migration from the Other Shore

    Morocco – Migration from the Other Shore

    Right after we picked up our first guests, Kitty and Marshal, in Malaga, we headed to the Strait of Gibraltar. Here, we would begin our Morocco Migration from the Other Shore Tour. During the tour, we would be able to see one of Nature’s greatest shows, the migration of hundreds of thousands of raptors and…

  • The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw

    The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw

    Are you planning a visit to Belize? Perhaps you’re interested in learning more about this tiny Caribbean country? Or do you simply want a good read? If you answered yes to any of these questions, The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw by Bruce Barcott, might be the book for you. It is a classic…

  • Stygian Owl Research by BRRI Team

    Stygian Owl Research by BRRI Team

    In general, diurnal raptor species tend to be greater studied than their nocturnal counterparts.  However one organization, the Belize Raptor Research Institute, is changing all that. They are focusing a large part of their efforts on learning more about the Stygian Owl (Asio stygius). It is one of the largest Neotropical owls and little known.…

  • Hope is the Thing with Feathers

    Hope is the Thing with Feathers

    Hope is the thing with feathers; so begins a poem by Emily Dickinson. This line served as inspiration for the title of Christopher Cokinos’ book of the same name. This tome recounts the stories of six bird species that have gone extinct in recent times.  The Carolina Parakeet, the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, the Heath Hen, the…

  • Birding in Nepal – The Discovery of the Terai and the Adventure of the Himalayas

    Birding in Nepal – The Discovery of the Terai and the Adventure of the Himalayas

    What is it like birding in Nepal? Thanks to the stability and security of the country in recent years, and the fascination and awe many people experience when viewing the Himalayas, Nepal is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination. Currently, it  is not a well-known destination for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. But it has enormous…

  • A Top Predator in Belize: The Harpy Eagle

    A Top Predator in Belize: The Harpy Eagle

    In general, it is not easy to see forest raptors. Observing the Harpy Eagle, a low density species,  can be more difficult still. But for many bird watchers this eagle is one of the “most wanted” species on their life lists. And it is no surprise why. It is the largest raptor in the Americas,…