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.
Attracting wild birds to your garden is a great way to enjoy wildlife in urban areas. It is also highly beneficial for birdlife as urban and suburban development encroaches on their feeding grounds. It is especially helpful during the harsh winters...
The buckeye state boasts an incredibly diverse landscape and a wide range of habitats for birds. The vast open fields, marshes, wetlands, lakes, woodlands, and forests makes for a birding wonderland. Ohio is one of the best places to see birds year...
Awarded the title “king of the birds” based on an old folktale, this tiny bird is a member of the kinglet family. Goldcrests are native to Europe and Asia. There are fourteen recognized subspecies, spanning continental Eurasia and the Macronesian...
Deep in the swamps of the Kachin state of Myanmar lies the last remaining hope for a species all but lost to science. It may be the last safe-haven for a bird that has been missing for decades. The pink-headed duck is a rare, elusive bird that once...
This large, flightless bird once inhabited the Indian Ocean Island of Rodrigues in the Mascarene archipelago. Today, it is a largely unknown species, unlike its closest relative – the famously extinct dodo of the neighboring island of Mauritius...
A tall, elegant member of the heron family, this striking wading bird is native to Asia, Africa, and temperate Europe. The heron was a symbolic bird in ancient times. From Ancient Egypt to Ancient Rome, it was highly regarded, as evidenced by its...
Named the buckeye state after the ubiquitous trees dotting the landscape, Ohio boasts a diversity of birdlife. Birds native to Ohio include the great blue heron, the cardinal – which is also the state bird – and a variety of warblers...
Often mistaken for a swallow or a martin, the common swift belongs to a family in its own right – the Apodidae. One of the most remarkable aspects of this species is its aerial prowess. Common swifts spend more time in the air than any other...
A time-honored symbol for the coming of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, the barn swallow is a distinctive, widespread, and revered species. It is the subject of many cultural references and features prominently in literary works. There are six...
A large raptor with a small and dwindling population size, the greater spotted eagle belongs to the Accipitridae – a family of eagles, kites, harriers, and hawks. The name clanga means scream in Ancient Greek, but the genus name is derived from the...