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, Toco Toucan

Toco Toucan about to jump, Pantanal, Brazil

The toco toucan (Ramphastos toco), also known as the common toucan, giant toucan or simply toucan, is the largest and probably the best known species in the toucan family. It is found in semi-open habitats throughout a large part of central and eastern South America. It is a common attraction in zoos. The Toco Toucan is the one of the most recognizable tropical birds in the Americas. The only non-forest toucan, the Toco Toucan is found along forest edges and in low wet grassland from Guyana south to Argentina, and from central Brazil west to southeastern Peru. Toco Toucans are the largest species of toucan and can be identified by their black body, white bib, red undertail coverts and large red-orange bill. Toco Toucans feed extensively on figs and other fruit, and also occasionally prey on insects and nestling birds. When foraging, these birds travel in small groups in the canopy, gliding in single file from site to site. The toco toucan has a striking plumage with a mainly black body, a white throat, chest and uppertail-coverts, and red undertail-coverts. What appears to be a blue iris is actually thin blue skin around the eye. This blue skin is surrounded […]
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Feb 09
by Admin in Brazil, Pantanal 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, Brazil, Digitalfrescos, ferruginous pygmy owl, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, Pantanal

Ferruginous pygmy owl with a rat hill, Pantanal, Brazil

The ferruginous pygmy owl (Glaucidium brasilianum) is a small owl that breeds in south-central Arizona and southern Texas in the United States, south through Mexico and Central America, to South America into Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina. In Central America and South America, it is the most widely distributed pygmy owl and is probably one of the most numerous owl species in those areas. It is found in a wide range of semi-open wooded habitats in these areas. The Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl is one of the most widespread birds of the lowlands of the Neotropics; the distribution of the species extends from the southern United States south to central Argentina. This species occurs in a wide variety of habitats. It does not occur in closed-canopy forest, although it is found at forest edge, but otherwise is found in almost any wooded habitat including arid scrub, dry forest, evergreen forests, coffee plantations, and towns. Most Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls are generally rufous (“ferruginous”) in color, especially east of the Andes, but the plumage also may be a duller brown or gray-brown. This species shares the common pygmy-owl plumage pattern, with two large black marks (“false eyes”) on the back of the neck, and white underparts […]
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Feb 09
by Admin in Brazil, Pantanal 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, Brazil, Digitalfrescos, ferruginous pygmy owl, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, Pantanal

Pygmy owl with a rat hill, Pantanal, Brazil

The ferruginous pygmy owl (Glaucidium brasilianum) is a small owl that breeds in south-central Arizona and southern Texas in the United States, south through Mexico and Central America, to South America into Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina. In Central America and South America, it is the most widely distributed pygmy owl and is probably one of the most numerous owl species in those areas. It is found in a wide range of semi-open wooded habitats in these areas. The Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl is one of the most widespread birds of the lowlands of the Neotropics; the distribution of the species extends from the southern United States south to central Argentina. This species occurs in a wide variety of habitats. It does not occur in closed-canopy forest, although it is found at forest edge, but otherwise is found in almost any wooded habitat including arid scrub, dry forest, evergreen forests, coffee plantations, and towns. Most Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls are generally rufous (“ferruginous”) in color, especially east of the Andes, but the plumage also may be a duller brown or gray-brown. This species shares the common pygmy-owl plumage pattern, with two large black marks (“false eyes”) on the back of the neck, and white underparts […]
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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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