One of the world’s rarest birds has rebounded from near extinction after Indigenous communities on the Indonesian island of Bali committed to protect it under traditional laws, Mongabay contributor Heather Physioc reported. The Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildi) is a songbird with striking white plumage and a cobalt-blue face. In 2001, just six birds were known […]
It’s called a wader but doesn’t wade – and doesn’t like to fly either. Discover the bird that’s regarded as something of an oddity
The woodcock is surprising in many ways, not least because of its association with woodland habitats, largely nocturnal behaviour and strange display-flight. Related to the snipes, the woodcock has evolved to take advantage of the small invertebrates found under woodland leaf litter and in damp soil. This ground-loving species flies only sparingly, except when on […]
These rare whales had never been seen alive. Then a team in Mexico sighted two
It was an early morning in June 2024 and along the coast of Baja California in Mexico, scientists on the Pacific Storm research vessel were finishing their coffee and preparing for a long day searching for some of the most elusive creatures on the planet. Suddenly a call came from the bridge: “Whales! Starboard side!” […]
10 fastest swimmers in the ocean, including one animal that can accelerate to nearly 80MPH quicker than a Porsche
Some species in the ocean live their lives at a breakneck pace – at least, when they need to. Whether it’s to catch their dinner or avoid becoming dinner, many animals can swim incredibly quickly. But which are the fastest? Of course, it’s almost impossible to know exactly how fast a fish can swim, as […]
Petition: Protect Spain’s White Lynx Now
In southern Spain, a photographer captured something extraordinary: a white Iberian lynx, never before seen in the wild. Nicknamed “the white ghost of the Mediterranean forest,” this lynx, named Satureja, is now the focus of international attention and scientific curiosity. But her appearance is also raising alarms about the future of her species and their […]
This creature has one of the mightiest, most lethal weapons in the animal kingdom – and he uses it to impress the girls
Consider elephant tusks, elk antlers, rhino horns or the curved canines of the extinct sabre-toothed cat… these weapons may be enormous, but, proportionally, it’s the male fiddler crab that owns the mightiest weapon on record. The male’s larger claw can be half of its total body mass – the equivalent of carrying your entire bodyweight […]
Lethal dose of plastic for seabirds and marine animals ‘much smaller than expected’
New research has found that even small amounts of plastic can be deadly to seabirds, sea turtles and marine mammals. While previous research has established that plastic can lead to mortality in many species, this new study identifies the types and amounts of plastic that pose the greatest danger, and estimates how likely an animal […]
‘Callous’ beheading of stag prompts police investigation
A council in the Republic of Ireland is seeking information following the “callous” beheading of a stag. Fingal County Council has issued an appeal for information after the headless body of the stag, that was part of a herd at Newbridge Demesne, Donabate in County Dublin, was found by staff on Thursday. The stag’s head […]