Merry Xmas
Birdwatching is a fascinating activity that connects people with nature and provides the opportunity to observe unique bird species. Enthusiasts not only enjoy watching birds but also look for accessories such as binoculars, specialized cameras, and nutritious bird food. They often search for bird identification books, bird tracking apps, and ideal spots for birdwatching. If you're a bird lover, explore a wide range of products and tools to enhance your birdwatching experience.
So amazing, A pair of Blood Pheasant
The Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus) is a striking bird native to the Himalayan regions of Nepal, India, Bhutan, and China. It is named for the vivid red streaks on its chest and face, which contrast with its overall grayish-green plumage. These birds inhabit alpine and subalpine forests, often at elevations between 3,000 and 5,000 meters. They feed on a diet of seeds, berries, and small invertebrates. Blood Pheasants are known for their hardiness, enduring harsh mountainous climates.
Luzon Bleeding-heart
The Luzon Bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba luzonica) is a stunning, ground-dwelling pigeon native to the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It gets its name from the distinctive red patch on its white chest, resembling a bleeding wound. Its overall plumage is a mix of iridescent green, slate blue, and gray, giving it a striking appearance. Preferring lowland forests, the Luzon Bleeding-heart forages on the ground for seeds, fruits, and small invertebrates. Unfortunately, due to habitat destruction and hunting, this species is classified as near-threatened, and conservation efforts are critical to ensure its continued survival in the wild.
Bohemian waxwing
The Bohemian waxwing, native to northern forests across Eurasia and North America, stands out for its elegant plumage and sociable nature. These medium-sized birds sport a sleek gray body, accented by vibrant yellow tips on their tail feathers and a distinctive crest. Flocks are known for their melodious calls and nomadic habits, often descending on berry-laden trees in winter months, bringing a splash of color to snowy landscapes. Their synchronized movements and cooperative foraging reflect a harmonious communal life, making them a joy to behold in their natural habitat.
The Chestnut-tailed Minla
The Chestnut-tailed Minla or Bar-throated Siva, is a small, active bird found in the forests of the Himalayas and Southeast Asia. It has olive upperparts, yellowish underparts, a chestnut tail, and faint streaking on the throat. It feeds on insects, berries, and nectar, often in mixed flocks.
Common rosefinch
The Common Rosefinch, a delightful bird found across Europe and Asia, exhibits charming courtship behaviors during the breeding season. Males showcase their vibrant pink plumage, contrasting with olive-green tones, to attract females. Their courtship displays include fluttering flights, song performances, and feeding offerings to woo potential mates. Once paired, they build nests together, often in shrubs or trees.
Chinese Sparrowhaw
This hawk rides the wind across continents.
The Chinese Sparrowhawk is a sleek, agile raptor that travels incredible distances between its breeding and wintering grounds. In summer, it patrols the forests of East Asia — from China and Korea to parts of Russia — before migrating south to spend the winter in Southeast Asia, crossing mountains and oceans along the way.
With slim, pointed wings and a long tail, it’s built for speed and maneuverability. Males are pale grey above with white underparts, while females are slightly larger and show fine rufous barring on the chest. But both share fierce orange eyes that miss nothing.
Unlike bulkier hawks, the Chinese Sparrowhawk specializes in hunting small prey, darting through the trees after insects, frogs, and tiny birds. During migration, they sometimes travel in loose flocks, gliding high on thermals and creating one of Asia’s lesser-known raptor spectacles.
They nest quietly in forest trees, building modest stick nests where both parents care for the chicks. Despite their elegance, they’re easy to overlook, disappearing into the canopy with silent wings.
The Chinese Sparrowhawk proves that even the smallest of hawks can live a life of vast journeys, swift hunts, and skies that stretch from one end of a continent to the other.
The Narcissus Flycatcher
The Narcissus Flycatcher, is a brightly colored songbird native to East Asia. Males have striking yellow underparts, a black back, and an orange throat, while females are duller brown with yellowish tones. They inhabit forests and wooded areas, feeding on insects, and sing a sweet, melodious song.
The Taiwan Blue Magpie
The Taiwan Blue Magpie (*Urocissa caerulea*), also called the "long-tailed mountain lady," is an eye-catching bird endemic to Taiwan. Known for its striking blue feathers, long tail, and vivid red bill and legs, it thrives in mountainous forests. Omnivorous and social, these magpies often forage in groups, displaying intelligent and bold behaviors.
Ecuadorian Hillstar
The Ecuadorian Hillstar (Oreotrochilus chimborazo) is a hummingbird found in Ecuador's high-altitude páramo grasslands. It's known for its thick, insulating plumage that helps it survive cold temperatures. This hillstar has a unique feeding behavior, using its specialized bill to access nectar from high-altitude flowers, making it well-adapted to its extreme mountain habitat.
Oriole-Black-naped
The Black-naped Oriole, found across Southeast Asia and parts of South Asia, is a striking bird with a vibrant yellow body and contrasting black crown and nape. Its melodious flute-like calls are often heard echoing through the forest canopy. These orioles primarily feed on insects, fruits, and nectar, and are often seen foraging in the treetops. During the breeding season, males perform acrobatic flight displays to attract mates.
Ruddy Shelduck
The **Ruddy Shelduck** (*Tadorna ferruginea*) is a striking waterfowl found across Asia, North Africa, and parts of Europe. Known for its vibrant reddish-brown plumage, contrasting pale head, and black tail, this medium-sized duck is a symbol of wetlands and open freshwater habitats.
Both sexes appear similar, though males have a faint black collar during the breeding season. These ducks are omnivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, seeds, insects, and small invertebrates. Highly vocal, their loud honking calls are distinctive. The Ruddy Shelduck often nests near water bodies or in rocky crevices and exhibits strong pair bonds. It's revered in many cultures for its beauty and adaptability.
Gould’s sunbird
Gould's Sunbird (Aethopyga gouldiae), also known as the "Lady Gouldian Sunbird," is a colorful bird native to Indonesia, particularly in the mountainous regions of Papua New Guinea. Named after the ornithologist John Gould, it boasts vibrant plumage with hues of red, purple, and green, making it a sought-after sight for birdwatchers and enthusiasts.
Shoebill nest
The Shoebill, also known as the Whalehead, is a large and enigmatic bird native to the swamps and wetlands of central tropical Africa, particularly in countries like Uganda, Sudan, and Zambia. This bird is most famous for its massive, shoe-shaped bill, which it uses to catch large prey such as fish, amphibians, and even young crocodiles. The Shoebill stands tall, often reaching heights of up to 5 feet, with slate-gray plumage and a slow, deliberate manner. Despite its intimidating appearance, the Shoebill is generally solitary and quiet, standing still for long periods while hunting. Due to habitat destruction and hunting, the Shoebill is classified as vulnerable, making conservation efforts crucial for its survival. Its prehistoric look and fascinating behavior have made it a subject of interest for bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
The Little Ringed Plover
The Little Ringed Plover is a small wading bird found near freshwater habitats across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It has a distinctive black-and-white head pattern, yellow eye-ring, and brown upperparts. Unlike many plovers, it nests on gravel or sand. This species is migratory, feeding on insects and small invertebrates, and often performs distraction displays to protect its nest.
Crested Argus
The Crested Argus is a bird that seems too extravagant to be real. Native to the dense forests of Vietnam, Laos, and Malaysia, this pheasant is rarely seen but impossible to forget. The male wears a crown-like crest atop its head and boasts one of the longest, most elaborately patterned tails in the bird world — stretching over 1.7 meters, covered in intricate eye-like spots that rival a peacock’s.
Unlike the noisy, showy displays of other birds, the Crested Argus performs its courtship quietly on the forest floor. The male clears a stage in the leaf litter, then fans out his incredible train, shimmering with fine detail, and waits. When a female appears, he shifts and pivots, displaying the full length of his plumage like a living tapestry.
Despite its magnificence, the Crested Argus is elusive and endangered. Its remote habitat, shy nature, and dwindling numbers make sightings incredibly rare. It’s a bird of myth and shadow — more often heard through its haunting, resonant calls than seen.
The Crested Argus reminds us that even in the darkest forests, beauty doesn’t always need an audience. Sometimes, it just exists — vast, ancient, and wild.
The Violaceous Euphonia
The Violaceous Euphonia is a small, colorful songbird found in tropical forests of South America. Males have deep violet upperparts and bright yellow underparts, while females are olive above and yellow below. They feed mainly on fruits, especially mistletoe berries, and have soft, musical calls. They often forage in pairs or small groups.
Chinese Ring-necked Pheasant
The Chinese Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus is a striking game bird native to China and East Asia. Males have vibrant plumage with a white neck ring, while females are brown for camouflage. They inhabit grasslands and farmlands, feeding on seeds, insects, and plants.
Best friend
Birdwatching is a fascinating activity that connects people with nature and provides the opportunity to observe unique bird species. Enthusiasts not only enjoy watching birds but also look for accessories such as binoculars, specialized cameras, and nutritious bird food. They often search for bird identification books, bird tracking apps, and ideal spots for birdwatching. If you're a bird lover, explore a wide range of products and tools to enhance your birdwatching experience.
Bird of Paradise
Birdwatching is a fascinating activity that connects people with nature and provides the opportunity to observe unique bird species. Enthusiasts not only enjoy watching birds but also look for accessories such as binoculars, specialized cameras, and nutritious bird food. They often search for bird identification books, bird tracking apps, and ideal spots for birdwatching. If you're a bird lover, explore a wide range of products and tools to enhance your birdwatching experience.
The Greater Painted-snipe
The Greater Painted-snipe is a colorful wading bird found in marshes and wetlands across Africa, Asia, and Australia. Unlike most birds, the female is more brightly colored than the male. It has a long, slightly curved bill and striking plumage. It feeds on insects, worms, and small aquatic animals.
Spotted forktail nest
The Spotted Forktail is a charming bird found in the Himalayan foothills and Southeast Asia. This small bird is named for its distinctive white spots on its black wings and tail. It has a sleek black and white plumage, a white belly, and a distinctive white eyebrow stripe. The Spotted Forktail is often found near fast-flowing streams and forested areas, where it forages for insects and small aquatic prey.
