Raeesah Habib

Raeesah Habib is a South African conservationist and freelance writer. She completed a diploma in nature conservation in 2016 through the University of South Africa (UNISA). During her internship, she spent a year working with wattled cranes on the Wattled Crane Recovery Programme (WCRP).

The program aims to prevent the local extinction of the wattled crane in Southern Africa through the release of captive-reared individuals into critically endangered wild populations across the country. During her time at the research facility, she was also responsible for the general monitoring and husbandry of other magnificent species, including blue cranes and secretary birds.

Following her internship, she was fortunate to have worked in some spectacular wilderness areas across the country, including the Cradle of Humankind, the Kruger National Park, and the northern Zululand. As a wildlife monitor, her responsibilities included conducting bird point counts. Birds surveys are a useful means to collect data on the avian populations in an area. The data helps researchers gain an understanding of population trends and ecosystem health.

When not in the field, Rae enjoys writing to share her passion, knowledge, and experiences with others.

Northern Flicker

The Northern Flicker – Alabama’s State Bird

Also known as the yellow hammer, the northern flicker is a North American woodpecker, unique among its relatives for its ground-foraging behaviour. Unlike other woodpecker species that primarily excavate wood in search of insects, the northern...

Sparrowhawk

10 Birds of Prey in the UK (With Pictures)

The UK is home to roughly twenty-one birds of prey. Also known as raptors, birds of prey are among the most majestic and powerful birds with keen eyesight, sharp talons, and powerful beaks—adapted for a life of hunting and scavenging. These...

European Robin

17 Garden Birds of the UK

The United Kingdom is home to a rich diversity of bird species, many of which frequent gardens across the country. These species bring joy, color, and song to our outdoor spaces, from the cheerful chirping of sparrows to the vibrant flash of a blue...

Magpies

Magpies Birds – The Singing Storytellers of the Corvidae

The Corvidae birds are known for their intelligence, and magpies are no exception. With their impressive vocal repertoire and remarkable cognitive abilities, they are among the most intelligent creatures in the animal kingdom. Field Identification...

Toucan Eating Flower

What Do Toucans Eat?

Toucans, with their vivid plumage and iconic oversized bills, are among the most recognisable and fascinating birds in the world. Native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, these birds belong to the family Ramphastidae and are...

Marbled Ducks

Conserving the Marbled Duck (Marbled Teal)

Also known as the marbled teal, this species was once native across the Mediterranean and beyond. Its dwindling habitat currently encompasses fragmented pockets in Asia, across the levant to southern Europe, where remaining European populations nest...

Little Bunting Close Up

Little Bunting (With Pictures)

A small, unassuming bird of the Palearctic, the little bunting, Emberiza pusilla, was first described in the 1700s. Its species name, meaning “very small” in Latin, tells of its diminutive size. At five inches, this little brown, sparrow-like bird...

Scaly-breasted Munia

The Small Birds of India (With Pictures)

With over 1300 species, 60 of which are endemic, the Indian subcontinent boasts an abundance of birdlife. India is among the eight countries that make up this region. From the northern Himalayas to the coastal plains, its bountiful geography...

Amur falcon

Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis)

The demure Amur falcon, Falco amurensis, is a small, migratory raptor of the falconidae family. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in spirit as each year the Amur falcon makes a treacherous journey south from the Far East across the Arabian Sea...