Birds

August 4, 2020

Giant Andean Condor Can Fly Without Flapping Its Wings for Over 5 Hours

Looking at an Andean condor, one might wonder how such an enormous bird flies at all, let alone achieves an altitude of over 16,000 feet (5,000 meters). This giant species of vulture can have a wingspan of 10 feet and a body weight comparable to a human toddler, between 20 to 30 pounds. Recently, researchers at Swansea University collaborated with scientists in Argentina to study the flight of Andean condors in their habitat.

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May 20, 2020

New Guinea Has Rare and Beautifully Haunting Creatures Called ‘Dracula Parrots’

There are some beautiful birds in the world but perhaps none with a name quite as frightening as one species found in New Guinea—the Dracula parrot. This is the nickname for the Pesquet's parrot (Psittrichas fulgidus), which is endemic to the island's hill and montane rainforest. With rich black feathers and a scarlet red underbelly, it has all the coloration of Count Dracula's cape, but looks can be deceiving.

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December 21, 2019

Striking Portraits of Rare and Endangered Birds With Unique Personalities

British photographer Tim Flach is known for his striking portraits, which feature different animals treated with the same care as any human model. Placed against a plain background, each subject becomes a highly stylized object of beauty that expresses its own unique personality. In this way, Flach's portraits strike an emotional chord with their ability to draw a line between animal and human relationships.

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August 30, 2019

Amazing Winners of the 2019 Bird Photographer of the Year Contest

Now in its fourth year, the Bird Photographer of the Year (BPOTY) contest continues to showcase the best avian photography from around the world. The 2019 photo competition saw over 13,500 images submitted from 63 different countries. The expert panel of judges, led by naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham, had the difficult task of selecting one overall winner, as well as six category winners and two special award recipients.

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