When it comes to the weirdest birds, we have a rich crop to choose from. For example, there’s the gaudy-hued king vulture, the strange great potoo – and don’t forget the prehistoric-looking shoebill with its unnerving stare. Here are our favourite weirdest birds. 15 weirdest birds Kakapo Although it may look like an owl, the […]
Tag: Nightjar
“Their real super-power is their ability to shoot blood from their eyes.” The 23 weirdest, strangest animals on the planet – including the striped pyjama squid
With over 8.7 million species of animals in the world, it’s perhaps no surprise that evolution has produced some particularly peculiar-looking ones. Ugly as some of them may be, these so-called weird animals often become some of the most loved and well know (especially in the age of the internet meme – looking at you blobfish!). There will […]
“It has huge back legs armed with dagger-like claws that can reach 12cm long.” 10 bonkers birds that break the rules of nature
While there are plenty of weird birds to be found in the natural world, this avian selection is particularly extraordinary. From the only bird that hibernates, to the bird that can kick a human to death, here are 10 birds that defy the norms of nature. Birds that break nature’s rules Livingstone’s turaco The bird with metal […]
Elusive Nightjar Populations Doubled in 5 Years, a ‘Remarkable Comeback’ Conservationists Say
The population of one of England’s most-elusive birds is flourishing again thanks to conservation efforts in the south of the country. The nightjar, sometimes called the nighthawk, becomes active at twilight, and they’re famous for their chortling calls and fantastic camouflage. Their numbers declined some 51% between the 1970s and 2000s after substantial forest loss. The […]
New Species of Bird Discovered on Lesser Sunda Islands
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal instectivorous birds in the family Caprimulgidae and the order Caprimulgiformes. These birds are found all around the world, with the exception of Antarctica, and certain island groups such as the Seychelles. Characterized by long wings, short legs, and very short bills, nightjars take flying insects on the wing, usually at night. […]
Brazil Pantanal Day #3 – Fish Fest
Another great day in the Pantanal, despite the increasing mosquito load. The morning boat trip with Pantanal Nature produced another Jaguar encounter, our fifth in total. We intercepted a huge male swimming across the river, just too late before it reached the shore and disappeared promptly into the forest: Again we had breathtaking experiences with […]
South-east China – 27th April (Day 6)
Today was our only scheduled attempt for Chinese Crested Tern on Shanyutan Island to the north or Changle. Chinese Crested Tern is thought to have a total population of fewer than 100 birds. For many years it was only known from a few specimens collected prior to 1937, and a small number of, mainly unconfirmed, […]
5 of the Rarest Birds & Where to Find Them
Some of the most magnificent finds in nature are seldom seen, and birds are no exception. There may be more than 10,000 species of our fine feathered friends, but sadly, the number is dwindling. In fact, nearly 1500 bird species are facing extinction. For nature lovers, spotting a rare bird is a joyous experience, and […]