ANIMALS

Meet The Red-crested Cardinal, The Bird Has A Vibrant Red Head Pops From A Chest Of Pure White Rendering

This bird catches attention throughout the year with its unmistakable features, such as a striking red crest that creates a stunning contrast against its white and grey feathers.

Image source: Sloalan

The red-crested cardinal, a captivating bird of medium size, shares a remarkable resemblance to its popular relative, the Northern Cardinal. However, despite their similar appearances, this songbird is actually related to tanagers, a colorful group of small birds.

Image source: Bernard Spragg

Distinguishing between male and female red-crested cardinals can be difficult as they have similar appearances. Both males and females sport a striking red crest and a pale silver bill. Their backs are covered in dark gray feathers, while their bellies are pure white.

To communicate with potential mates or express alarm, red-crested cardinals have the ability to raise or lower their crests. This behavior can also serve as a way to intimidate intruders and make themselves appear larger.

Image source: cuatrok77

The red-crested cardinal is naturally found in various regions of South and Central America, including Uruguay, Paraguay, southern Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina. However, it has also been introduced to Puerto Rico and Hawaii, where it has successfully established populations.

Image source: Sloalan

Thanks to its adaptability, this bird has flourished in diverse environments. It thrives in semi-open spaces that have trees, shrubs, and moist tropical regions. Additionally, it can be spotted in tropical savannas and even degraded forests. The red-crested cardinal has also managed to adapt to human-inhabited areas, including agricultural lands, suburban neighborhoods, and urban settings.

Image source: cuatrok77

Red-crested cardinals are birds that are active during the day, known as diurnal creatures. They usually reside in pairs or small family groups, but during periods when they are not breeding, they may gather in larger flocks. Male red-crested cardinals become territorial and can display aggressive behavior, chasing away intruders during the breeding season. When in flight, they have a distinctive undulating pattern, flapping their wings in short bursts as they ascend and then gliding with folded wings as they descend.

Image source: fveronesi1

The red-crested cardinal has a charming and pleasant song, which comprises a range of whistles and chirps. Their vocalizations are often repetitive and can be heard throughout their territories. These enchanting melodies further contribute to the captivating allure of this bird.

Image source: Sloalan

The red-crested cardinal has a versatile appetite, as it consumes both insects and a variety of fruits and seeds. It often searches for food by hopping and foraging on the ground. This bird’s adaptability extends to its feeding habits, as it readily explores the vicinity of seed bird feeders in its quest for nourishment.

Image source: cuatrok77

The breeding behaviors of the red-crested cardinal are captivating to witness. During the breeding season, they form faithful pairs. Even when kept in captivity, they can successfully reproduce. Males and females engage in vocalizations and sing duets to attract one another. They also showcase courtship displays by strutting, fanning their tails, and clicking their bills. Building the nest is a collaborative effort, with both parents using various plant materials to construct it in low shrubbery. The female lays 2 to 3 eggs, which have a greenish-white color with streaks of brown or mauve. Incubation is primarily done by the female and lasts around 12 days. Both parents take part in feeding the hatchlings. The chicks leave the nest after 2 to 3 weeks but may stay with their parents as part of a family group for up to a year until they find mates. In some instances, a second brood may be raised.

Image source: cuatrok77

Unlike many birds that migrate over long distances, the red-crested cardinal does not engage in such extensive journeys. Instead, it prefers to stay in warm areas throughout the year, which could be the reason behind its settled and non-migratory nature.

Image source: ~Shanth

The red-crested cardinal is currently categorized as being of “least concern” in terms of conservation status. This means that its population is considered stable, primarily due to its wide distribution and ability to adapt to different environments. However, like many bird species, it still faces various challenges including habitat loss, illegal bird trade, and the effects of human encroachment on its natural habitat. These factors continue to pose potential threats to its long-term survival.

Image source: ~Shanth

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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.