ANIMALS
Meet The Breathtaking Red-and-Blue Lory Bird – The Indonesia’s Exquisite Flying Gem
![Meet The Breathtaking Red-and-Blue Lory Bird](http://beginandbegin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Meet-The-Breathtaking-Red-and-Blue-Lory-Bird-The-Indonesias-Exquisite-Flying-Gem.jpg)
For a long time, bird owners have been amazed by the parrot’s exceptional intelligence as a pet. Not only can they mimic human speech, but certain individuals of this species can also understand the meaning of words and even put together basic sentences. Furthermore, they are renowned for their vibrant and stunning appearance, captivating anyone who lays eyes on their magnificent plumage. Today, come with us as we introduce the red-and-blue lory and discover why it’s dubbed “the flying gem of Indonesia.
This small bird stands out as one of the most colorful creatures on the planet, showcasing a striking combination of vivid red, blue, and purple feathers. Its plumage is incredibly vibrant and eye-catching.
Image source: Iggino Van Bael
The bird’s feathers closest to its beak are a stunning shade of red, while its slender and curved beak itself is a vibrant orange, making it easily noticeable. The bird’s overall coloration is mainly a brilliant red, with a striking deep blue band running across its chest. Its head and neck area display rich hues of purple and violet. Towards the bird’s rear and lower belly, the red color becomes darker compared to the rest of its feathers.
Furthermore, its wings and tail feathers exhibit a captivating blend of deep red and purple shades, adding to its beauty. The bird’s feet and claws are of a medium gray and black color, respectively. Additionally, it possesses a pair of stunning dark brown eyes that perfectly complement the incredibly dark gray hue of its core.
The red-and-blue lory measures approximately 12 inches (30 cm) in length, including its tail. Both male and female birds of this species have a similar appearance because they are sexually monomorphic, meaning there are no distinct visual differences between the genders.
Image source: Ali-Andrea Cahal
The red-and-blue lory emits short and sharp chattering screeches. They are known for their quick and straight flight, moving swiftly from one point to another.
Image source: Michal Plavčan
These parrots exclusively inhabit trees and refrain from feeding on the ground, as they are entirely arboreal creatures.
Image source: Michal Plavčan
In its natural habitat, the red-and-blue lory is known to be lively and loud, but interestingly, it is said to remain quiet while feeding.
Image source: writhedhornbill
The red-and-blue lory eggs take about 25-26 days to hatch, and each nest typically contains a clutch of 2 eggs.
Image source: Iggino Van Bael
After the mating season concludes, the red-and-blue lory species congregates in social groups on palm plantations. While they do not undertake long-distance migrations, there is a belief that they might explore neighboring islands in search of food.
While the exact lifespan of this species remains uncertain, it can be estimated based on the lifespans of similar bird species. Generally, lories and lorikeets have a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years when kept in captivity. It is worth noting that the successful breeding of this species has been documented only once in scientific literature, making it an exceptionally rare occurrence in commercial aviculture.
The red-and-blue lory, despite its breathtaking beauty, is currently classified as an endangered species due to numerous threats that pose a risk to its survival.
Image source: Iggino Van Bael
The red-and-blue lory is currently classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). To protect the species, international trade of wild-caught individuals is strictly prohibited under CITES Appendix I. However, despite these regulations, illicit trading persists, with a staggering 80% of illegally obtained birds ending up in the nearby Philippines. The bird population faces additional threats such as insecticide spraying on coconut plantations, illegal capture for the pet trade, and the spread of exotic Newcastle disease from escaped domestic chickens.
Watch the Video here:
ANIMALS
Amazing Video of Unseen Ocean Creatures in the Ningaloo Canyons
![Amazing Video of Unseen Ocean Creatures in the Ningaloo Canyons](http://beginandbegin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Amazing-Video-of-Unseen-Ocean-Creatures-in-the-Ningaloo-Canyons.jpg)
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
![These Pics Are Art and the Artists Are Insects](http://beginandbegin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/These-Pics-Are-Art-and-the-Artists-Are-Insects.jpg)
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.
Image source: nationalgeographic
2. Two-lined spittlebug
This insect, which comes from the eastern United States, is often seen as a pest because it likes to eat grass. Its springy back legs can make it jump into the air like a rocket.
Image source: nationalgeographic
3. Yellow-collared scape moth
Unlike most moths, this North American species flies during the day. Its shiny blue-black wings sparkle in the sunlight.
Image source: nationalgeographic
4. Ailanthus webworm moths
These tropical moths have spread farther north in the U.S. Because of their larval host, the invasive tree of heaven, they are now one of the most common backyard moths in the country.
Image source: nationalgeographic
5. Common stonefly
Mostly found in eastern North America, this insect starts its life as an underwater nymph in forested streams or rivers. Then it leaves the water, sheds its skin, and becomes an adult with wings.
Image source: nationalgeographic
6. Green lacewings
Eighty-seven species of this insect have been found in the U.S. and Canada. Since they eat a lot of unwanted plant pests like aphids and mites, they are often used to naturally control these pests.
Image source: nationalgeographic
7. Grapevine beetle
This insect, fittingly named, eats the leaves and fruit of grapevines, both wild and farmed, but it doesn’t do much damage to the plants. As a type of scarab beetle, it often flies in a curved path.
Image source: nationalgeographic
8. Oak treehopper and green treehopper
Treehoppers are known for their uniquely shaped pronotum, the part behind their head, which often looks like plant parts to hide from predators. They can jump well thanks to special muscles.
Image source: nationalgeographic
9. Banded orange
This brightly colored butterfly can be found from Mexico to Brazil. Before mating season, male butterflies look for mineral salts, sometimes even drinking salty fluids from the skin, eyes, and nostrils of other animals.
Image source: nationalgeographic
10. Sapho longwing
Longwings can live for 6 to 7 months, longer than most butterflies. This type, found from Mexico to Ecuador, has shiny blue wings, which is why it’s also called the Sapphire longwing.
Image source: nationalgeographic
ANIMALS
Eagle and Fox in an Epic Midair Battle Over a Rabbit, Were Captured by a Photographer
![Eagle and Fox in an Epic Midair Battle Over a Rabbit, Were Captured by a Photographer](http://beginandbegin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eagle-and-Fox-in-an-Epic-Midair-Battle-Over-a-Rabbit-Were-Captured-by-a-Photographer.jpg)
Wildlife photography often depends on the perfect combination of good timing and the right place.
That’s exactly what happened when Kevin Ebi, an experienced wildlife photographer, captured an incredible battle between a bald eagle and a red fox, both competing for a rabbit meal.
In a detailed blog post, Ebi shares the fascinating series of events that unfolded while he was photographing foxes in San Juan Island National Historical Park, located in Washington state.
Ebi noticed a lively group of eight fox kits as they began their hunting lessons. Suddenly, they spotted a rabbit, and a thrilling chase ensued. Eventually, one of the foxes emerged as the winner, proudly carrying the rabbit across the field.
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Ebi shares what happened at that moment: “As I followed the fox with my camera, a sudden bald eagle cry caught my attention. It was swiftly approaching, clearly aiming for the rabbit. I quickly focused on the fox, anticipating a quick turnover of events.”
To Ebi’s astonishment, instead of a quick surrender, the situation turned into a intense fight in the air.
The eagle used its power to lift the fox and rabbit high up in the sky. Even while airborne, the fox attempted to break free by swinging back and forth.
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Image source: Kevin Ebi
In the end, the eagle moved the rabbit to its other claw, causing the fox to let go. The intense battle came to an end in less than 10 seconds.
Image source: Kevin Ebi
For those worried about the fox’s well-being after the fight, Ebi reassures that it was not injured. The fox swiftly bounced back from the encounter and resumed its playful behavior with the other young foxes, showing no visible wounds from the aerial clash.
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Image source: Kevin Ebi
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