Recently Updated Guides

Rodrigues solitaire

Remembering The Rodrigues Solitaire

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...

Eurasian wigeon

The Eurasian Wigeon – The Deafening Whistling Duck

The Eurasian wigeon is a bird of the Anatidae family. It is the most terrestrial among surface ducks and the sound that is emitted by the male in the mating season is very similar to a high pitched whistle. The Eurasian wigeon is included in the...

White-tailed eagle

The White-Tailed Sea Eagle

The white-tailed eagle is a very large species of sea eagle widely distributed across temperate Eurasia. As are all eagles, it is a member of the family Accipitridae which includes other diurnal raptors such as hawks, kites, and harriers.

Grey heron

Wading Through Wetlands With The Grey Heron

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...

Eurasian blue tit

Eurasian Blue Tit – Bluest Of The Blue

The Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), is certainly a bird that lives up to its name, adding a splash of color to the bird feeders of many a garden bird table. Formerly a denizen of deep dark woodland, it is a species that has adapted well to...

The hawks of Ohio

The Hawks Of Ohio – 9 Species To Look For

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...

Black-headed duck

The Black-Headed Duck – A South American Anatidae

Much like a typical duck, its plumage and other features suggest not a parental relationship, but a convergent evolution in the ancestors of stiff-tailed ducks. It is a small dark duck: the male has a black head and coat, and a lighter side and...

Muscovy duck

The Muscovy Duck – A Duck With Red Face

The Muscovy duck is a species native to South America and in Europe, in its domestic form. It’s specialised in the production of excellent quality meat (even if it does not enjoy a great reputation for the smell of musk that emanates from the...

Common swift

Common Swifts – The Aerial Masters

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...