Latest news with #wildlife
CBS News
31 minutes ago
- General
- CBS News
Big Bear eaglets Sunny and Gizmo believed to be sisters, says wildlife organization
After revealing the gender of one of the eaglets last week, wildlife organization Friends of Big Bear Valley announced that Sunny and Gizmo are sisters. Big News…after much observation and some fairly definitive vocal frequency analysis, we believe that even though Sunny, as the older one, is now smaller than Gizmo, she is also female," wrote Sandy Steers, a biologist and the Executive Director of Friends of Big Bear Valley. "So, Sunny and Gizmo are sisters! Peaceful, loving sisters." After being born in March, the two birds have captured the eyes of thousands across the nation as they prepare for their first flight. "They've been practicing bouncing up and down with their little wings," Steers said. "They're big wings now." Sonny and Gizmo, the eaglets of beloved Big Bear bald eagles Jackie and Shadow. Friends of Big Bear Valley/YouTube Sunny had her first hover experience on Friday, clearing the surface of their nest for 3.3 seconds. Once they embark on their maiden flight, Sunny and Gizmo will continue to live with their parents, Jackie and Shadow. The full-grown eagles will follow their children around for at least three months before becoming empty nesters. "Once they get, I guess full of knowing, think they know what they're doing, they take off," she said. "They usually travel around to meet other eagles." The Big Bear bald eagle family can be observed 24/7 via a webcam hosted by the Friends of Big Bear Valley on YouTube. Steers also documents the eagles on live cameras on the Friends of Big Bear Valley website.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- General
- Yahoo
Great eared nightjar: The 'baby dragon' bird that lays its eggs on the floor
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. QUICK FACTS Name: Great eared nightjar (Lyncornis macrotis) Where it lives: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam What it eats: Moths, beetles and other flying insects With its large, forward-facing eyes and head tufts that look like ears, the great eared nightjar resembles a dragon more than a bird. Often nicknamed the "baby dragon," this otherworldly-looking creature has several distinctive traits, including an eerie, haunting call. Great eared nightjars, which reach between 12 and 16 inches (30 to 40 centimeters) in length, live in dense, low-lying woodlands across South and Southeast Asia. These elusive, nocturnal birds are masters of camouflage and blend into the forest floor, thanks to their mottled brown, gray and black plumage. By day, they remain motionless among leaf litter or tree stumps, with their coloring protecting them from predators. Rather than building a traditional nest, the great eared nightjar lays a single egg directly on the forest floor or in a shallow bed of leaves. While the exact reason they avoid nesting in trees like many other birds remains uncertain, it's likely that their natural camouflage offers effective protection for both egg and chick against predators. Their habitat is often dense with vegetation and trees, making it difficult for predators to find the birds and their eggs. Both parents incubate the egg until it hatches. Once the chick has emerged, it remains camouflaged on the forest floor where it is fed by its parents until it can fend for itself. RELATED STORIES —Dracula parrot: The goth bird whose piercing screams echo through New Guinea forests —Great potoo: The 'tree stump' bird with a haunting growl and can see with its eyes closed —Turkey vulture: The bird that vomits acid up to 10 feet and poops antiseptic onto its legs Despite their dragon-like appearance, great eared nightjars feed primarily on moths and other flying insects, which they catch mid-air in the twilight hours using their wide, gaping mouths. Their flight is silent and smooth, allowing them to hunt quickly and efficiently without alerting predators, such as owls and other birds of prey. The call of the great eared nightjar is a deep, haunting sound that echoes through the forest at dusk and dawn. This distinctive call includes a sharp "tsiik" noise followed by a pause and a longer, whistle-like call. Nightjars rely on these vocalizations to breed. Males often use their calls to mark their territories, attract mates or warn others of dangers.
Forbes
an hour ago
- General
- Forbes
A Biologist Spotlights The World's Strongest Bird. Hint: It Can Carry Up To 30 Pounds While Flying
Most birds are known for their speed and agility, not their strength. But there are a few species ... More that have both. Here's the bird that rules the roost when it comes to measuring strength in flight. The world's strongest birds, as measured by how much they can carry, are all flightless. The ostrich, for instance, can carry a human on its back. In fact, there are some farms in Africa where you can ride an ostrich, although the practice is generally discouraged. However, the more interesting question — at least in the eyes of this biologist — is which flight-capable bird is strongest. To be able to fly, you must first be light. This is why flight-capable birds have evolved in a specialized way to reduce their weight. Bird bones, for instance, are hollow and filled with air spaces connected to the respiratory system, which makes them lightweight yet strong. Many birds have fused or reduced bones to minimize weight and improve aerodynamic efficiency. They lack heavy teeth, using lightweight beaks instead, and they often have only one functional ovary to reduce internal mass. Even feathers, which seem delicate, are made of keratin and are engineered for both insulation and lift without adding unnecessary bulk. All of these adaptations work together to reduce weight while maximizing flight capability. The challenge then becomes how to maximize muscle density and efficiency while retaining a light, aerodynamic build. This is a problem that the harpy eagle — which can be found in southern Mexico, Central America and South America — has solved. Here is the story of the harpy eagle and why it earns the title of world's strongest flight-capable bird. The harpy eagle, widely regarded as the strongest flight-capable bird, can lift prey weighing up to ... More 30 pounds — nearly twice its own body weight. The harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) stands out due to its extraordinary strength. With a wingspan of up to seven feet and weighing between 13 and 20 pounds, the harpy eagle is built for power. What may be most impressive about the harpy eagle is its grip strength. It has talons as large as a grizzly bear's claws and can exert a pressure of over 500 pounds per square inch — strong enough to carry prey weighing up to 30 pounds. That's almost double its own body weight, a feat nearly unmatched in the aerial world. Living in the dense tropical rainforests of Central and South America, the harpy eagle hunts monkeys, sloths, and other medium-sized mammals that few other birds would attempt to target. It perches high in the canopy and swoops down to attack its prey. Despite its size, it can maneuver skillfully through the forest. (Sidebar: The harpy eagle doesn't just hunt monkeys — it's been known to attack humans. Learn more about the first scientifically documented case of an Amazonian harpy eagle attack on a 29-year-old woman.) Unlike soaring birds of prey that rely on long-distance gliding, the harpy eagle relies on brute strength and ambush tactics. A harpy eagle feeds on a rabbit — though it's capable of hunting much larger prey, including monkeys ... More and sloths. The harpy eagle isn't the only bird worth mentioning in the 'strongest flying bird' category. The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) also boasts impressive carrying capacity and flight strength. Weighing up to 14 pounds with a wingspan of about six to eight feet, bald eagles can lift prey weighing about as much as it does. Some videos document instances of bald eagles attacking and carrying small deer. While the bald eagle may not have the sheer strength of a harpy eagle, they are known for their stamina — often carrying heavy fish over long distances. Their talons are designed to pierce and grip slippery prey, and their large wings allow them to soar for hours using thermal currents, conserving energy while still transporting meals. Another contender is the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo). Though primarily nocturnal and not typically thought of in terms of strength, this owl is one of the largest and heaviest in the world. With a wingspan of nearly six feet and a weight of up to 10 pounds, it can lift prey close to its own body weight. The Eurasian eagle-owl primarily feeds on mammals and birds, including rabbits, foxes, and even other raptors. Its silent flight, thanks to specialized feather structure, gives it the element of surprise, allowing it to overpower animals nearly its own size. 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
2 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Finally We Got Him!': 'Punk' Duck Nabbed After Terrorizing Florida Community
A Florida community can breathe easy now that a local rogue known for stalking and attacking residents has been apprehended. Jimmy, a Muscovy duck, was captured this week in the Cape Coral neighborhood he had held hostage by his acts of terror. Prior to being caught, Jimmy had attacked multiple people, local news station Fox 4 Now reported earlier this month. Neighborhood resident James Sepulveda described sitting on his porch, 'eyes closed,' when he suddenly 'felt a jab' on his hand and realized Jimmy had bitten him and drawn blood. In video footage from the news outlet, Sepulveda can be seen opening his door a crack to see Jimmy standing just outside. The man then says the duck is 'waiting' for him. Jimmy even chased Fox 4 reporter Bella Line while she attempted to report on his misdeeds. Muscovy ducks are native to Central and South America, Mexico and some parts of Texas. While the ducks are seen in the wild throughout Florida, they are a non-native species in the state. It's legal in Florida to capture 'nuisance' Muscovy ducks, but illegal to release them back to the wild because they can 'can transmit diseases to or interbreed with Florida's native waterfowl,' according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. After Jimmy's story went viral, animal rescuer Mark Quadrozzi of Remarkable Rescues stepped up with a solution that would work for humans and duck alike. This week, Quadrozzi managed to catch Jimmy and relocate him to his animal sanctuary more than 200 miles away in Ocala, where the bird can join a flock of other Muscovy ducks. Sepulveda was thrilled with the news. 'Finally we got him!' he said, per Fox 35 Orlando. The news outlet noted that it wasn't clear whether Jimmy was the only unruly duck in the area, or if others could remain. Quadrozzi believes that Jimmy, who is about 3 to 4 months old, was probably raised by people and abandoned. He also said the duck's age and sex explain a lot about his behavior. 'This is a young male,' Quadrozzi told Fox 4. 'Yes, and that's why he's being such a punk.' School Clears Out Its Halls Each Year To Help Duck Family Get Home Oldest Known Wild Bird Has Been Spotted Again — And She's Got A New Boyfriend Bald Eagle Feared Injured Deemed Simply 'Too Fat To Fly'
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Health
- Forbes
Natural Splendor Meets Five-Star Luxury At This Puerto Rico Resort
The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort is located in Río Grande, a municipality located roughly half an ... More hour east of San Juan. Equipped with lush jungles and pristine beaches alike, the island of Puerto Rico has earned worldwide acclaim as a top destination for a romantic getaway or ecotourism-focused adventure—and few hotels combine both concepts as well as the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort. Officially opened in 2010, this palatial property offers ample opportunity to explore the ecosystems that have flourished across the island over the eons, all while enjoying upscale amenities along the way. Whether you're hoping to paddle along verdant mangrove forests, hit the beach for an early birdwatching session or just kick back in the spa with a glass of Champagne in hand, this lavish resort is certain to leave you with lasting memories of the natural splendor of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is renowned for its high level of endemism, with many of its native plant and animal ... More species found nowhere else on earth. With roughly 195 hectares of carefully-cultivated land to explore, the St. Regis Bahia Beach sets itself apart from other hotels as a haven for native wildlife. Amidst the lavish suites and outdoor pools, visitors can immerse themselves in vast swathes of tropical rainforest biome, with complimentary bicycles available to aid in exploration. Along the property's four miles of hiking trails, guests can encounter colorful birds like the green-throated carib, bananaquit and purple gallinule, while the Boathouse & Nature Center is ideal for setting up a lengthy kayaking tour along the mangroves—and to sweeten the deal, the hotel also plays a crucial role in supporting one of Puerto Rico's most iconic native reptiles. Over the past few decades, leatherback sea turtle numbers have struggled due to issues like plastic bag ingestion and fishing net entanglements—and today, the St. Regis Bahia Beach has made it their mission to provide a safe haven for the animals. Over the years, the property has developed a close working relationship with Alma de Bahía, a local conservation organization that's dedicated to preserving the intricate ecosystems across Puerto Rico. Through their presence, the hotel is able to monitor sea turtle nests, offer educational seminars and advocate for the preservation of the neighboring Río Espíritu Santo, with each action contributing to the property's status as the sole Certified Gold Audubon International Signature Sanctuary in all of the Caribbean. The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort is located at the foothills of El Yunque National Forest, a popular ... More ecotourism destination in Puerto Rico. After indulging in some of the ecotourism opportunities available across the property, guests can unwind with a trip to the hotel's crown jewel of tranquility—namely, the Iridium Spa. While treatment options span from algae vitalizer facials to couples massages, the space also boasts one of the most captivating designs in all of Río Grande, operating within a lush, open-air garden that's packed full of colorful air plants. Both pre and post-treatment, visitors can kick back and enjoy the idyllic ambiance of the venue and make use of some of its added amenities, with steam rooms, a hot tub and a cold plunge all available as well. Beyond the spa, the St. Regis Bahia Beach also comes equipped with a wide range of other amenities designed with relaxation in mind. Golf fans are certain to delight in the property's 18-hole lakeside course, with splendid views of El Yunque National Forest found all throughout the area, while the athletically-inclined are welcome to hit the tennis courts or spend an hour at the fitness center. And for animal lovers in particular, the on-site Sato and Gato Rescue animal sanctuary comes equipped with an abundance of friendly cats and dogs available for adoption, offering an opportunity for guests to leave the hotel with a new best friend in tow after their stay. Puerto Rican cuisine draws influence from West African, Spanish and indigenous Taíno cooking styles ... More and ingredients. While Puerto Rico has given rise to iconic dishes like mofongo and arroz con gandules, the St. Regis Bahia Beach's prowess spans far beyond just the Caribbean, providing a chance for guests to enjoy upscale cuisine found both on the island and far beyond. For mixology buffs, the St. Regis Bar invites guests to sample craft cocktails like the agave-forward Witches' Siesta and the Regis Colada, an upscale take on Puerto Rico's beloved piña colada—but for a truly lavish experience, don't miss out on the daily Champagne sabering session. Taking place each day at 6:00 PM, this time-honored tradition has been a practice within the St. Regis brand since 1904, inviting guests to congregate along the Casa Grande lawn and enjoy a glass of wine bathed in the glow of golden hour. In addition to high-end spirits and masterfully-mixed cocktails, the St. Regis Bahia Beach is also well-versed in the art of fine dining, with several can't-miss restaurants located on the property. Throughout the day, guests can pay a visit to Seagrapes to dine on crispy fish sandwiches, lobster tacos and cast iron-seared grouper in a charming al fresco setting—but when it comes to true gastronomy, it's tough to beat Paros. Equipped with a roster of refined Mediterranean dishes crafted by Executive Chef Diego Ortega, this polished venue provides guests with an opportunity to sample plates like DIY gyros, ladolemono-infused Caribbean lobster and whole grilled branzino, each one brimming with fresh herbs sourced from the on-property garden.
