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The Wonderful and Hilarious Mating Dance of the Hooded Grebe, Caught on Camera
In this rare and funny footage from Michael and Paula Webster’s Tango in the Wild, we can see two hooded grebes. The hooded grebes is a critically endangered bird species in Santa Cruz, Argentina. These birds are usually found in isolated and few basaltic lakes in the country.What’s interesting about these animals is their breeding habits. During the season, they flock to basaltic lakes in Argentina. These species require this kind of habitat because of the aquatic vegetation. Also, the invertebrates that they feed on life in these areas.But let me just say, their mating dance involves a lot of head whipping, huh!#animals #birds #hoodedgrebe #Webster #TangointheWild
Rare One-in-a-Million Yellow Cardinal Spotted in Florida
Gainesville, Florida — The Florida Museum of Natural History ornithology collections manager, Andy Kratter, was treated to what may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity upon seeing this rare cardinal in a wooded area at the University of Florida. He had maybe seen thousands of cardinals before, but this was his first time seeing a yellow cardinal. It is said that there are only 10-15 yellow cardinals that fly around the eastern U.S., so encountering one of them is indeed very rare. The vibrant bird was spotted near the University for several weeks, and it has become the newest wildlife attraction in the area. Northern cardinals usually sport a bright red color, but sometimes, yellow cardinals appear in their midst. It is said that those with yellow color are missing a specific enzyme in their bodies (which is probably caused by a genetic mutation). This enzyme is responsible for converting the yellow pigment, which comes from their diet of grains, seeds, and fruit, to red. (Images: Brad McClenny/ The Gainesville Sun) #NorthernCardinal #Birds #Ornithology #Genetics
Bald Eagle Accidentally Shot by Duck Hunters Learn to Fly Again
A container came one day at Dr. Cliff Redford's veterinary clinic. Inside the container was a bald eagle with an injured wing after being accidentally shot by duck hunters. The injury made the majestic bird incapable of flying. It was an urgent situation, and Dr. Redford was well aware of that. He knew that the bird might not fly again if he did not fix its wing immediately, and so he immediately tended to its care. With the help of his staff, Dr. Redford sedated the bird and performed the surgery. The bird was then transferred to the Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge rehab facility after its surgery, and there it would spend weeks healing. After a few months of physical therapy and some test flights, the bald eagle (named Wolf because of her aggressive nature) slowly learned to fly again. On one winter day, Wolf was released, and she flew over the frozen Niagara River. (Image Credit: The Dodo/ YouTube) #Wholesome #Love #Birds #BaldEagle
Magpies Outwit Scientists by Removing Each Other's Tracking Devices
The mad scientists had a cunning scheme: they would affix tracking devices to a flock of magpies. The devices would be held into the backs of the birds with powerful magnets. The scientists would then laugh maniacally while the poor magpies were unable to evade detection.But, ABC News reports, the brave and resourceful magpies were able to outwit their foes. Magpies are social animals and social animals generally have high problems solving abilities. 10 minutes after fitting trackers onto the magpies, one of the trackers went dead. Then the scientists witnessed the birds cooperatively removing each other’s tracking devices. Within 3 days, all of the birds were free from the infernal devices.-via Dave Barry | Photo: Birds as Poetry#birds #magpies
"Ghost of the Forest": Kagu Bird of New Caledonia is a Near Flightless Bird that Uses its Wings Primarily for Territorial Displays
Found in the dense mountain forests of New Caledonia is an endangered bird species locally known as the "Ghost of the Forest" because of its unusual ash-white plumage — the crested, long-legged, Kagu bird. It is a ground-living bird that spends most of its time searching for its invertebrate prey or gathering sticks for its nest. If it's not doing those things, it could be incubating or rearing its chick. Because its wings lack musculature for flight, the Kagu is a nearly flightless bird. As such, its wings are mainly used for displays, but at times they are used to glide away from danger.The Kagu is a bird of unique features. One is its "nasal corns" — structures on its nostrils presumed to prevent particles from entering the region when the bird probes the soil. Another unique feature of the Kagu bird is it has only one-third as many red blood cells as is usual in birds, but three times more hemoglobin per red blood cell. What a fascinating bird!(Image Credit: WH Amazing Animals/ YouTube)#Birds #Unique #NewCaledonia #Kagu #Cagou
Parrot Steals Family's GoPro at a National Park and Film its Getaway Flight
There was an opportunity, and this mischievous parrot took it!A family was hiking on the Kepler Track in New Zealand when a group of parrots native to the region joined them. The kea is known for its curious and mischievous nature. In addition, it is notorious for swiping wallets, jewelry, packed lunches, windscreen wipers, and other valuables. So it was not surprising that one of them snatched the family’s GoPro, which was there to film the birds. The footage from the GoPro showed the escape of the sneaky avian, as well as its landing and a frenzied attack on the camera. According to Alex Verheul, they followed the sound of the birds to obtain the GoPro. The parrot abandoned the camera after hearing the family approach their location. “My son decided to go check the rocks where it looked like a good place for a bird to land, and there it was still sitting there, still filming,” Verhuel said. #nature #birds #NewZealand #GoPro #KeplerPark #Kea
Veterinarians at the Jurong Bird Park in Singapore Used Chopsticks as Imping Needles to Attach New Feathers onto an Injured Changeable Hawk-Eagle
Singapore’s National Parks Board rescued an injured changeable hawk-eagle. The bird was unable to fly because of burnt feathers on its wings and tail. To help this large bird fly again, they brought the avian to Jurong Bird Park. The veterinarians at the Park decided to give the bird feather implants through imping. Imping is a delicate procedure that is similar to getting hair extensions. “Unlike hair extensions, we have to be extra meticulous in ensuring that each replacement feather is carefully trimmed, measured, and arranged in the right position to match the patient’s original feather length and orientation as much as possible.” Dr. Ellen Rasidi explained.The veterinary team replaced over 50 feathers on the bird’s wings and tails using bamboo chopsticks to place the new feathers. The new feathers do not affect the bird’s ability to fly. After the operation, the bird was released and flew back into the wild shortly.Image credit: Jurong Bird Park #animals #birds #rescue #imping #operation #Singapore
Friendly but Foul-mouthed Crow Befriends Children at an Oregon Elementary School
A friendly yet foul-mouthed crow visited Allen Dale, an Oregon Elementary School out of the blue. The animal looked into classrooms and pecked on doors. Fortunately, the avian wasn’t aggressive at all! It landed on some people’s heads, and seemed to love the kids. It did help itself to some snacks that weren’t meant for him, though.According to Naomi Imel, an education assistant at the institution, the bird could actually speak a few phrases, which was a bit odd for a crow. “It was like a parrot,” Imel said. “It was the weirdest thing.” The bird could say “What’s up?” and “I’m fine” and “a lot of swear words.”Because the bird was a wild animal that refused to leave the premises, the school called for animal control. In an interesting turn of events, they decided that “it was not in their jurisdiction to catch the crow,” Imel narrated. A wildlife officer then turned up and successfully captured the crow after spending a night outside the school. It turns out the crow, who was actually called Cosmo, was rescued and sent to a home in a family farm. “While the family was gone for Thanksgiving, they said a neighbor captured the bird and took him to a local animal sanctuary. The sanctuary, not realizing he was habituated to humans, released him, likely in Grants Pass.” Oregon Live further detailed. Image credit: Oregon Live#Crows #Birds #FunnyAnimals #Rescue #Oregon
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Study Finds that California Condors can Reproduce Asexually
Thanks to genetic testing, scientists now confirmed that California condors can have ‘virgin births.’ The endangered animals now have hope for avoiding extinction!According to the test made by researchers with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, two male chicks hatched from unfertilized eggs that were only related to their mothers. Around 467 male California condors were tested in the parentage analysis and none qualified as a potential sire. This is the first-ever report on asexual reproduction in the condors. An interesting note to this case is that both mothers who produced the baby condors asexually had access to their mates. Each mother bred with males and produced around 34 chicks. “These findings now raise questions about whether this might occur undetected in other species,” said Oliver Ryder, one of the researchers involved in the study. Image credit: wikimedia commons #CaliforniaCondors #Conservation #AsexualReproduction #Avians #Birds
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