Feb 09
by Admin in Brazil, Pantanal 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, Brazil, Digitalfrescos, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, Pantanal, Reha americana

Rhea americana, Pantanal, Brazil

The rheas are large ratites (flightless birds without a keel on their sternum bone) in the order Rheiformes, native to South America, distantly related to the ostrich and emu. Most taxonomic authorities recognize two extant species: the greater or American rhea (Rhea americana) and the lesser or Darwin’s rhea (Rhea pennata). The IUCN currently rates the greater and puna rheas as near-threatened in their native ranges, while Darwin’s rhea is of least concern. In addition, a feral population of the greater rhea in Germany appears to be growing. Rheas are from South America only and are limited within the continent to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. They are grassland birds and both species prefer open land. The greater rheas live in open grasslands, pampas, and chaco woodlands. They prefer to breed near water and prefer lowlands, seldom going above 1,500 metres (4,900 ft). On the other hand, the lesser rhea will inhabit most shrubland, grassland, even desert salt puna up to 4,500 metres. For the most part, rheas are vegetarian and prefer broad-leafed plants but they also eat fruits, seeds and roots, as well as insects such as grasshoppers and small reptiles and rodents. Young rheas generally […]
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Feb 09
by Admin in Brazil, Pantanal 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, Brazil, Digitalfrescos, green kingfisher, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, Pantanal

Male green kingfisher, Pantanal, Brazil

A widespread resident of the Neotropics, the Green Kingfisher can be found from south Texas and southeastern Arizona in the United States south to northern Chile and Argentina. As the name suggests, these birds are predominantly green with white on the collar, throat, belly, undertail coverts and white spotting on the primaries and tail. Male Green Kingfishers have a bright rufous breast. The range of the Green Kingfisher overlaps with that of the similar Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona), but can be distinguished by its small size and distinct white spotting on the wings and tail. These birds are always found near water, where they prefer wooded streams and pools, rocky watercourses, flooded forest, coastal mangroves and rocky shorelines. Green Kingfishers search for prey from a waterside perch, looking for small fish, crustaceans, prawns and aquatic insects. When prey is found, Green Kingfishers dive steeply into the water to capture the prey and return back to the original perch to feed. The green kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana) is a resident breeding bird which occurs from southern Texas in the United States south through Central and South America to central Argentina. This small kingfisher breeds by streams in forests or mangroves. The nest […]
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Feb 09
by Admin in Brazil, Pantanal 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, Brazil, Capped heron, Digitalfrescos, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, Pantanal

Capped heron in Breeding plummage, Pantanal, Brazil

An attractive heron, if slightly odd in appearance, the Capped Heron is a resident of South American forested swamps, river courses and small pools. Although it seems adaptable to any habitat with water and has a wide distribution, it usually occurs only at low densities. Often seen flying along rivers or feeding in pools, the Capped Heron can be conspicuous, and easily is identified by its silvery white body plumage, black cap and striking blue face. In flight, it is best distinguished from other white herons by its small size and rapid, choppy flight style. The sole member of the genus Pilherodius, the Capped Heron is superficially simlar to the night-herons, but does not share their nocturnal feeding habits nor their distinctive juvenile plumage. This species is very distinct from other herons, being the only one with a blue beak and face, and a black crown. The belly, chest, and neck are covered with yellowish-white or light-cream feathers. The wings and back are covered with white feathers. Three to four white long feathers extend from the black crown. No sexual dimorphism in color or brightness has been noted. Capped Herons hunt mainly for fish, but also for aquatic insects, tadpoles, […]
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Feb 08
by Admin in Brazil, Pantanal 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, Brazil, Digitalfrescos, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, Pantanal, Savana Hawk

Savana Hawk, Pantanal, Brazil

The Savanna Hawk is widespread raptor of open country habitats throughout the lowlands of tropical and subtropical South America. Like other members of the genus Buteogallus, the Savanna Hawk has a broad diet, and consumes a wide range of prey including small mammals, birds, crabs, frogs, toads, lizards, snakes and large insects. Its foraging strategy is equally diverse, and it will capture prey on the wing, from perches, or even by stalking on foot. Savanna Hawks can often be found walking through burning fields, a few feet behind the flames, searching for toasted prey. It is also the most distinctive member of Buteogallus: the plumage of other species predominately is black, but the plumage of the Savanna Hawk is a crisp cinnamon overall, with considerable gray patterning overlaying a rufous body. The savanna hawk is 46–61 cm (18–24 in) in length and weighs 845 g (29.8 oz). The adult has a rufous body with grey mottling above and fine black barring below. The flight feathers of the long broad wings are black, and the tail is banded black and white. The legs are yellow. Immature birds are similar to the adults but have darker, duller upperparts, paler underparts with coarser […]
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Feb 08
by Admin in Brazil, Pantanal 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, Brazil, crimson crested woodpecker, Digitalfrescos, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, Pantanal

Male Crimson-Crested woodpecker, Pantanal, Brazil

Crimson-crested Woodpecker is the most widespread species of Campephilus. It occurs regularly from Panama south to northern Argentina, including across the Guianan Shield and throughout Amazonia. It is a very large, robust woodpecker with a large red crest. The male is distinguished from other co-occurring large woodpeckers by the combination of barred underparts and an entirely red head that lacks facial stripes, and has only a suggestion of a black-and-white “slash” below the eye. Females have a black front to the crest, and a very broad white malar stripe that continues into the white strip down the neck. It is all black above, has a red crest and has white lines running down the sides of the black throat and shoulders, which meet in a V on the back. The underparts are white, heavily barred with black. They show white on the wings in flight. Adult males have a red line from the bill to the throat and red on the front of the crown. In adult females, these plumage features are black. Crimson-crested Woodpecker is found in a variety of habitats, from forest to forest edge and light woodland. Crimson-crested Woodpecker occurs in a wide range of habitats. Favoring […]
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