Latest news with #birds
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
24 Times Complete Strangers Came Crashing In With The Absolute Funniest Reply To A Totally Random Comment
engagements: car sales: the UK: Related: Mount Vesuvius: birds: clothing: opinions: third monitors: Related: absolutely devestating comebacks: showering: uranium: bugs: Related: comforting dreams: opportunity: engingeers: pets: making beats: sport mode: Related: Valentine's Day: Frasier: Saturdays: childhood daydreams: snuggness: on usernames: Incredible stuff. Also in Internet Finds: Also in Internet Finds: Also in Internet Finds:
Forbes
5 days ago
- General
- Forbes
A Biologist Spotlights The Largest ‘Bird Of Prey' In The World (Hint: It's Also The World's Heaviest Soaring Bird)
Birds, by design, tend to be small, light and streamlined. Yet there are some that push the ... More boundaries of size. Here is the avian world's best example of an ultra-heavyweight flyer. Birds of prey are defined by their sharp talons, hooked beaks, keen eyesight, and carnivorous diet – all of which enable them to hunt, kill or scavenge other animals for food. The bald eagle is a classic example of a bird of prey. It has a powerful, hooked beak. It has sharp talons for catching fish. Its eyesight is incredible. And it has a carnivorous diet, mainly eating fish and small mammals. An example of a bird that wouldn't qualify as a bird of prey is the American robin. The robin is much smaller and has a diet consisting mainly of worms, berries and insects. It doesn't have talons and its eyesight isn't nearly as impressive as a bald eagle's. There are several hundred birds of prey that exist in the world today. Some belong to the family Accipitridae, which comprises hawks, eagles, kites and harriers. Others belong to the family Falconidae and are falcons. Owls, ospreys, vultures and the snake-hunting secretarybird also fall into the bird of prey category. The largest bird of prey happens to be a vulture – a condor, to be precise. It is the Andean condor and it weighs up to 35 pounds. It is not the heaviest bird (that would be the flightless ostrich) and it is not the heaviest flying bird (that would be the great bustard) but it is the heaviest bird of prey. Here is the story of this fantastic flying creature. The Andean Condor – A Superlative Among Superlatives Andean condor perched on a rock, displaying its powerful build and characteristic bald head. The Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) has a wingspan of 10+ feet (the largest wingspan of any land bird). Despite its 30+ pound physique, it soars effortlessly, gliding on thermal air currents with minimal wing-flapping. This is a skill that conserves energy during long flights. Unlike many birds of prey that actively hunt, the Andean condor is primarily a scavenger. It feeds mainly on the remains of dead animals, often spotting carcasses from high in the sky due to its exceptional eyesight. This role is vital in its ecosystem, as condors help clean up dead matter, making sure none of nature's bounty is wasted. Its bald head, often tinted with red or yellow hues, is an evolutionary adaptation to its scavenging lifestyle, helping to keep the head clean when feeding on carcasses. The condor's size and soaring ability allow it to travel vast distances across the rugged Andean landscape in search of food. Its wings are broad and equipped with 'primary feathers' that spread out like fingers, providing extra lift and maneuverability, which is crucial in navigating mountainous wind currents. Remarkably, these birds can fly for hours without landing, covering more than 150 miles in a single day without flapping their wings. Sidebar: Impressed by the Andean condor? Meet the world's tallest, and rarest, eagle here: The Andean condor's soaring ability has been quantified in extraordinary detail. A 2020 study published in PNAS used high-resolution biologging data to track every wingbeat of wild Andean condors across more than 200 hours of flight. The researchers found that condors flap their wings for less than 1% of their total flight time, with one bird covering over 100 miles in a single stretch without flapping at all. Most of the energy expenditure is concentrated during takeoff, while the rest of their movement is powered almost entirely by rising air currents. Even immature birds with limited experience were able to navigate mountainous terrain for hours at a time without powered flight, highlighting the species' extreme specialization for energy-efficient soaring. This efficiency is essential for aerial scavengers like the condor, since their large bodies make each wingbeat metabolically expensive. Andean condor soaring over the Andes, showcasing its massive wingspan and effortless gliding ... More ability. Engineers have even recently looked to the Andean condor for inspiration in designing more efficient wind turbines. You can read this article for the full details, but here are the cliff notes: A 2024 study published in the journal Energy found that mimicking the shape of the condor's wings led to a more efficient wind turbine blade, with an estimated 10 percent increase in energy production. Researchers added curved tips, known as winglets, to existing turbine blades. Modeled after the condor's splayed wingtips, these modifications created a more aerodynamic design that reduced drag and increased lift. The Andean condor is culturally important to the indigenous peoples of the Andes. It is looked to as a symbol of power, health and freedom, and features prominently in Andean mythology and folklore. The Andean condor faces many conservation challenges. Habitat loss, poisoning from carcasses tainted with pesticides or lead, and hunting have led to declining populations in some areas. Conservation efforts, including captive breeding and habitat protection, are ongoing. When comparing the Andean condor to other large birds, it holds a unique niche. While the ostrich dwarfs the Andean condor in weight, the ostrich is flightless. The great bustard, though sometimes larger than the Andean condor, is not nearly as capable a flyer. The condor, however, combines size with unparalleled soaring ability, making it the king of birds of prey. Are you an animal lover who owns a pet, perhaps even a pet bird? Take the science-backed Pet Personality Test to know how well you know your little friend.
Times of Oman
5 days ago
- General
- Times of Oman
Environment Authority conducts field surveys of coastal areas in Al Jazir
Al Jazir: As part of its efforts to enhance the protection of ecosystems and monitor biodiversity in the Sultanate of Oman, the Environment Authority this year conducted comprehensive field surveys of birds in the coastal area of Al Wusta Governorate's Wilayat Al Jazir, with emphasis on the three creeks of Khor Ghawi, Khor Qaised and Khor Ghadisir. Abdullah Salim Al Wardi, Head of the Department of Environment Conservation in Al Wusta Governorate, said that the surveys were aimed to document various species of seabirds and migratory birds and assess the overall environmental situation in these sites—deemed rich in biodiversity and natural resources. Al Wardi told Oman News Agency (ONA) that the surveys conducted in Al Wusta Governorate this year unveiled the prevalence of more than 60 species of resident, migratory and rare birds in the target areas. He explained that the bird species include the great white heron, grey heron, green-backed heron, black tern, sandwich tern, roseate tern, black ibis, little sandpiper, red-legged sandpiper, Siberian gull, greater flamingo, common mynah, water curlew, bulbul and the house crow, among other species. Al Wardi pointed out that field surveys bring about various benefits, like monitoring biodiversity with precision, documenting rare and endangered species and analysing the environmental status of coastal systems to enhance sustainable environmental management decisions. He added that surveys also provide environmental databases with accurate and up-to-date information, identify sites of special significance that might be eligible for listing as protected wildlife reserves, in addition to raising public awareness and enhancing cooperation with partner environment authorities.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Science
- Forbes
A Biologist Spotlights The Oldest Bird In The World (Hint: It Was First Tagged In 1956 On This Isolated Island)
Most small birds are lucky to make it to ten years of age. Bigger birds, however, can live much ... More longer. Here's the story of the oldest known bird on planet Earth. Birds, unlike other species such as the giant tortoise, the Greenland shark or the bowhead whale, aren't known for their longevity. But there are a few species that buck the trend. Generally speaking, bigger birds tend to live longer. This is true across most animal classes. The ostrich, which is the world's largest bird, often lives to the ripe age of 30 to 40 years old. Albatrosses and seabirds also have long lifespans, with some living to over 50 years of age. Parrots, too, are generally long-lived birds, especially those kept in captivity. Some have been known to eclipse 60 years of age. Small finches and sparrows, on the other hand, often don't live long enough to see the age of five. Here's the story of the world's oldest known wild bird: Wisdom the Laysan albatross. Exploring The Ultrasurviving Laysan Albatross Laysan albatrosses range across the North Pacific but breed on a few remote islands, such as Midway ... More Atoll. In 1956, ornithologist Chandler Robbins affixed a small aluminum band to the leg of a female Laysan albatross on Midway Atoll, a remote U.S. territory located in the North Pacific Ocean. Robbins had no idea at the time how important this bird would turn out to be. That bird, now known as Wisdom, is estimated to be at least 74 years old, making her the oldest known wild bird ever recorded. What's more astounding is that she's still alive, and still laying eggs and raising chicks. Wisdom is a Laysan albatross, a large seabird known for its long wingspan – up to seven feet – and gliding. These birds spend the majority of their lives at sea, only returning to land to breed and raise young. Most Laysan albatrosses don't start breeding until they're around five to eight years old, and pairs usually return to the same nesting sites year after year. Midway Atoll, where Wisdom resides, is part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, one of the largest marine conservation areas in the world. The island's isolation makes it an ideal haven for seabirds, with few predators and virtually no human interference. Laysan albatrosses are remarkably long-lived seabirds, and one key to their longevity is their exceptionally low annual adult mortality. A 1975 study published in Pacific Science estimated that more than 94% of breeding adults on Midway Atoll survive each year – meaning fewer than 1 in 20 die annually. That same long-term banding effort found that 13% of birds lived at least 20 years. More recent findings support those numbers. A 2011 mark-recapture study at Kaena Point on Oahu, Hawaii published in The Auk, reported survival rates as high as 99.6% in pre-breeding adults, while successful breeders averaged 93.2% annually. The study also highlighted the species' strong site fidelity and long-term pair bonds – traits that likely help support their extraordinary lifespans. Wisdom, now in her 70s, may be an outlier, but she's also a powerful example of what's biologically possible for a seabird built for endurance. To truly appreciate Wisdom's journey, it helps to understand just how far she's traveled. Albatrosses can fly thousands of miles in a single foraging trip, and it's estimated that over her lifetime, Wisdom has logged over three million miles. This is equivalent to flying to the moon and back more than six times. Laysan albatrosses are masterful gliders, soaring thousands of miles on ocean winds. She has laid dozens of eggs, fledged many chicks, and outlived not only her original bander, Chandler Robbins, who passed away in 2017, but also many of her own offspring. Her story challenges assumptions about aging in wild animals, particularly birds, who face threats from weather, predators, plastic pollution and commercial fishing. Against the odds, Wisdom keeps returning to the same patch of land, often with a new mate (albatrosses form long-term pairs, but mates can change if one dies). Incredibly, she was photographed with another newly hatched chick earlier this year (February 2025), at age 74. Wisdom is more than just an anomaly – she's a living data point in a long-term study of bird longevity, migration and survival. Her age has helped biologists better understand how seabirds age and reproduce over long periods, which in turn informs conservation efforts. She's also become something of a celebrity and a symbol of resilience, featured in children's books, conservation campaigns and even honored with her own U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service social media following. Are you an animal lover who owns a pet, perhaps even a pet bird? Take the science-backed Pet Personality Test to know how well you know your little friend.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Zookeepers in Prague turn into puppeteers to save baby vultures
Zookeepers in Prague have become puppeteers to save newborn birds rejected by their parents. The latest was a lesser yellow-headed vulture chick which hatched three weeks ago. Bird keeper Antonin Vaidl said that when a dummy egg disappeared from the nest, it signalled to keepers that the parents were not ready to care for their two babies, despite doing so in 2022 and 2023. The first-born is being kept in a box and fed using a puppet designed to mimic a parent bird, while another is expected to hatch in the next few days. Mr Vaidl said the puppet is needed to make sure the bird will be capable of breeding, which it will not if it gets used to human interaction. He explained that the puppet does not have to be a perfect replica of an adult bird because the chick responds to certain signals, such as the pale orange coloration on its featherless head and neck. Lesser yellow-headed vultures live in the wild in Latin America and Mexico. Prague Zoo is one of only three zoos in Europe that breed them. In the past, the park successfully applied this treatment to save the critically endangered Javan green magpie and two rhinoceros hornbill chicks. The puppet-feeding technique is applicable for birds that live in pairs. 'The method has been working well,' Mr Vaidl said. 'We'll see what happens with the vultures.'
