Tag: Wildlife
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Fascinating Owls and our Central American Top 10
It is true that owls are one of the most eye-catching and unique birds around. In all our work doing environmental education in different countries and with different cultures around the world, it is clear that some animals just get a bad rap. Sadly, some of the most vilified animals are the owls. Many cultures…
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Most Amazing Birds: Bird World Records
Birds are some of nature’s most marvelous creatures. They are the only animals that sport feathers. These, along with having hollow bones and other special skeletal features, give them the ability to fly. Feathers also have many other important uses, such as thermoregulation and elaborate displays. Birds are, essentially, living dinosaurs. It’s no surprise that…
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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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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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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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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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Great Curassow: A Neotropical Specialty
Walking through the lowland rainforests of Central America, you hear a rustling off-trail along the forest floor. Scanning the dense foliage of the understory, you catch a glimpse of a large, turkey-like bird. It is glossy black all over with a bright yellow knob above the bill and a perfectly curled crest as if it…
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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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Top 10 Reasons to Visit India
There are SO many reasons to visit India, it is very hard to come up with only 10! Whitehawk made its first trip to India in 2014 in search of the elusive Snow Leopard. Our trip was a roaring success and our group was able to see not one but two Snow Leopards in a…