The Loddigesia mirabillis (scientific name) or marvellous spatuletail is found only in very small areas in the North-Western parts of Peru. 5.9 inches in length, this hummingbird has white, green and bronze plumage. This is brightened by the blue head crest feathers, beautiful turquoise throat and black lined under- parts. It gets its name from […]
The Loxioides bailleui (scientific name) or palila is presently found only on the Mauna Kea slopes on the island of Hawaii. Measuring 6.0-7.5 inches in length, this bird has a lovely yellow head and breast, olive-green wings and tail and light-to-medium grey plumage on the lower and upper parts respectively. Its diet is solely comprised
The Amazilla luciae (scientific name) or Honduran emerald is endemic to the tropical dry forests and shrub lands of Honduras. 3.7 inches in length, this little hummingbird has a glittering blue-green throat and upper chest. The upperparts are bright green and have bronze tinge. The lower belly is grey with green spots. The tail is
The Mergus merganser (scientific name) or common merganser is a duck which is found in the rivers and lakes of forests, in Europe, North and Central Asia and North America. 23-28 inches in length, the merganser (known as Goosander in Eurasia) has beautiful white plumage all over, except the head, neck and shoulder blade area,
The Myrmotherula snowi (scientific name) or Alagoas antwren is endemic to the moist tropical lowland forests of Brazil. A little over 3.5 inches in length, this tiny bird has entirely grey plumage with paler underparts and a small black patch on its throat. The female, on the other hand, is yellow-brownish on the upperparts, and
The Alpalharpactes reinwardtii (scientific name) or Javan trogon is found only in the tropical moist montane forests, in Western Java, Indonesia. 13.3 inches in length, this bird has striking green and yellow plumage. The upperparts are in varying shades of green, excepting the blue tail. And the underparts are bright yellow, with a large green
The Dicaeum quadricolour (scientific name) or Cebu flowerpecker is found only in the forests on the Cebu Island, the Philippines. Until recently, this bird was feared to be extinct. But in 1992, it was spotted in the limestone forests on the island. 4.0-4.5 inches in length, this bird is known for its four distinctive colours.
The Apteryx mantelli (scientific name) or Northern brown kiwi is the most commonly found bird in the Northern parts of New Zealand. Found almost in all varieties of habitat along the Northern part of New Zealand, this bird is more heard than seen because of its nocturnal behaviour pattern.16 inches in height, this bird has
The Leptoptilos dubius (scientific name) or greater adjutant is a stork presently found only in India and Cambodia. 55-60 inches in height, this bird acquired its name because of its military gait. It has a long bare yellow to red neck which ends in a white ruff collar. The wings are slate blue-grey and the
The Brachyramphus brevirostris (scientific name) or Kittlitz’s Murrelt is found only on the coasts of Alaska and Eastern Siberia. While it breeds in Alaska, it nests in parts of Siberia and Wrangel Island. A compact auk, with length not exceeding 9.8 inches, its plumage changes colour. In summer, when breeding season starts, it adopts greyish-brown
The Sula nebouxii (scientific name) or blue-footed booby is a seabird, which is found in tropical climates, especially the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador. 25-36 inches in length, this bird has a white throat, and chest and belly. The head and upper neck are speckled brown and white in colour, and the plumage on the upperparts
The Ardeotis nigriceps (scientific name) or great Indian bustard is found solely in arid and semi-arid areas, with sparse vegetation and tall grass. These birds are endemic to India and Pakistan. Nearly 3.3 feet in height, this bird is one of the heaviest amongst flying birds. It has a black cap-like crown on its head
The Pareudiastes silvestris (scientific name) or Makira Moorhen is endemic to the forests of Makira Island, part of the Solomon Islands. However, there is concern that this bird may already be extinct since it has not been seen since 1953. Villagers in the area claim to have spotted the bird, but no official record since
The Himantopus novaezelandiae (scientific name) or black-stilt is the world’s rarest wading bird, found only in New Zealand. Also known as kaki, there are only 60 odd birds remaining. Not more than 19 inches in length, this bird is unique with its all black plumage, fine black beak and long red legs. These birds use
The Nestor meridionalis (scientific name) or kaka is a parrot found only in the forests of New Zealand. Measuring 18 inches in length, the kaka is similar in looks to the kea. It has a greyish-brown plumage, with the forehead being greyish-white, and the neck and belly being reddish. The underside of the wings has