ANIMALS

Extremely Rare Dwarf Kingfisher Spotted and Photographed for the First Time in Over a Century

After more than a century since its initial documentation in 1890, a rare and elusive bird has finally been successfully photographed. Known as the South Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher, this mysterious avian species is found in the southern part of the Philippines. The bird remained a puzzle for over a hundred years since Prof. Joseph Beal Steere depicted it during his expedition to the Philippines. However, thanks to the determined efforts of Field Biologist/Conservationist Miguel David De Leon and his team of researchers from the Robert S. Kennedy Bird Conservancy, this timid bird’s breathtaking beauty has now been captured on camera, ready to be admired by people worldwide. Describing the challenges faced in obtaining these pictures as merely difficult would be an understatement, but the stunning photographs make it all worthwhile.

Image source: Miguel David De Leon

Take a look at this bird, it’s incredibly small. In fact, it holds the title of being the smallest Kingfisher species in the Philippines. What makes it even more extraordinary is its eye-catching plumage, adorned with shimmering lilac, orange, and bright blue spots. Its distinct features, such as the coral red beak, lilac-rufous upperparts, yellow-orange underparts, and dark blue back, easily set it apart from other birds in its habitat. Even its call is quite unique, described as a “high-pitched, insect-like, and almost inaudible zeeeep.” This charming creature thrives in untouched forests and regenerating woodlands found on the islands of Mindanao and Basilan.

Image source: Miguel David De Leon

According to Miguel David De Leon, the director of the Robert S. Kennedy Bird Conservancy and a field biologist, their small organization comprises eight dedicated field workers and bird photographers who study and document birds and their environments. De Leon is confident that their efforts provide valuable insights that were previously undisclosed in the scientific community. Their ultimate mission is to safeguard ecosystems and the diverse species that call them home.

“We focus on poorly known birds and document their biology and ecology or how they interact with other organisms in their habitat,” De Leon adds.

After nearly ten years of dedicated work, De Leon and his colleagues have successfully captured visual documentation of one of the most extraordinary and difficult-to-find bird species in existence. Their primary goal was to record the nesting, feeding, and breeding behaviors of these birds in order to contribute to the conservation efforts aimed at protecting this remarkable species.

Image source: Miguel David De Leon

Dwarf kingfishers have a unique nesting behavior, as they create homes in cavities like earth banks and termite nests known as termitaria. These tiny birds rely on a diet consisting of smaller creatures such as worms, lizards, insects, and more.

Image source: Miguel David De Leon

According to De Leon, the South Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher faces significant challenges to its survival, including habitat destruction, poaching, and the impacts of climate change. He emphasizes that conservation efforts extend beyond merely protecting forests and trees, recognizing the importance of addressing these threats to safeguard this unique bird species.

“The biggest threat to the decline or loss of our endemic and indigenous species is habitat loss. Hunting and trapping for food or the illegal pet trade are contributory factors as well. Culturally, recreational shooting of birds using airguns or slingshots puts further pressure on bird populations,” says De Leon.

Image source: Miguel David De Leon

You can watch the live video of the South Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher here:

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ANIMALS

Amazing Video of Unseen Ocean Creatures in the Ningaloo Canyons

The Schmidt Ocean Institute recently explored the Ningaloo Canyons on the western coast of Australia using a robotic underwater vehicle called the ROV Sebastian. Check out the amazing video of what they discovered in the deep parts of the Indian Ocean.

More info: Youtube

ANIMALS

These Pics Are Art and the Artists Are Insects

Flying insects move so quickly that they are hard to follow, but new technology and some smart ideas have helped Spanish photographer Xavi Bou do just that. After spending 10 years focusing on birds in flight for his Ornithographies project, he turned his attention to insects.

For Entomographies, he uses high-speed video footage taken by Adrian Smith, an insect expert at North Carolina State University, to study and record how insects move. Bou then picks multiple frames and combines them into single images that show the fast movements of one or more insects through space and time.

With Smith’s help, Bou has captured the aerial tricks of wasps, the jumps of leafhoppers, and the fluttering of butterflies in amazing detail. He hopes that by doing this, he can make people more aware of the decline in important insect populations around the world.

1. Zebra longwing

This butterfly, which is common in many areas of the Americas, really fits its name. It can fly very high with just a few flaps of its large wings.