Barn Owls are generally pale in appearance and have long wings and fairly long legs. Their bodies measure between 33-39 cm in length and they have an average wingspan of 80-95 cm. They prefer open country, such as farmland or the edges of woods where they can easily spot their prey from the air. They generally hunt in the early twilight or at night and are fairly sedentary for the rest of the time. They often feed on voles, frogs, rats, shrews, moles, mice and insects. As they feed on so many pests, they are considered to be economically valuable birds and their presence is generally welcomed by farmers who may set up nesting sites for the birds to entice them to nest on the property. The Barn Owl is also known by several other names such as the ‘church owl’, ‘golden owl’, ‘stone owl’ and ‘rat owl’.

This beautiful, heart-faced bird has few natural predators, although they have been known to be preyed upon by bigger owls on occasion. Barn Owls themselves will prey on smaller birds if other food is scarce. They can emit a notable shrill scream which can be piercing at close range. They also hiss if nervous but do not make the ‘tu-whit to-whoo’ sound commonly associated with owls. If a Barn Owl is captured or cornered, it will flip itself on its back and use it’s sharply-taloned feet in defence. These incredible birds are also known for their soundless flight and excellent vision – especially at night.

Related posts:

1. Common Bird Numbers Declining
2. Unpopular Owls
3. Common Health Problems in Pet Bird Species

The adult gannet has striking white plumage with narrow grey spectacles and jet-black wingtips that taper to a point. During breeding season their head and neck take on a delicate yellow tint that contrasts with their blue eyes and blue-grey bills beautifully. Males and females look the same and juveniles are brown with white flecks. These youngsters get progressively whiter each season until they get their adult plumage at the age of four or five. Adults are 87-100 cm in length with a wingspan of 165-180 cm. Gannets are migratory and normally spend their winters at sea. However, during breeding season they will head to their breeding grounds – usually to the same nest until it is simply too filthy to use – where they perform elaborate greeting rituals with their partner.

Gannets live in large groups called gannetries, which can be found on steep cliffs or offshore islands. This isolation from land or steepness means that nesting birds are usually safe from predators. Northern Gannets will often abandon their nests if they are disturbed. Often nesting birds will nest so closely at these colonies that the cliff may appear to be covered in snow. The female lays a single egg, which both parents incubate. After hatching both parents care for the chick until it is old enough to fend for itself. Once it has left the nest, it learns the specialised ‘plunge-diving’ technique through instinct.

Related posts:

1. The Critically Endangered Northern Bald Ibis

The more than 100 kilometer long Serrania de los Yariguies Mountain Range in Columbia has remained unexplored until fairly recently when, under the auspices of Fundacion ProAves, researchers began a survey focusing mainly on the birdlife in the area. So far, these efforts have yielded two new bird species and a new species of butterfly. The first new bird discovery has been named the Yariguies Brush-Finch, while the latest discovery has been named in honor of conservationist Robert Giles – Scytalopus griseicollis gilesi.

Scytalopus griseicollis gilesi is a subspecies of the Pale-bellied Tapaculo. It was discovered by researchers Jorge Avendano and Thomas Donegan during a ProAves organized exploration of the Yariguies Mountains. ProAves is the Columbian bird conservation organization which was instrumental in setting up the ProAves Cerulean Warbler nature reserve based in the Yariguies, as well as numerous other conservation projects throughout Columbia. ProAves are supported by the BP Conservation Program which is collaboration between BP, BirdLife International, Conservation International, Fauna & Flora International and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

The description of the newly discovered subspecies was published recently in the Ornitología Colombiana, a scientific journal. The plumage of this subspecies is primarily grey with rufous (reddish-brown) on the vent and rump and a darker black, longer tail than the other Pale-Bellied Tapaculos. Another distinguishing factor of the new subspecies is some of its calls, which are distinctly different from the Pale-Bellied Tapaculos.

Researchers on the expeditions that brought to light the two new bird species and the new butterfly, have also discovered quite a number of what are believed to be new species, but are awaiting scientific description and confirmation before these can be published. In addition to these discoveries, the expedition team found what are considered to be the world’s most viable populations of a number of critically endangered bird species. These discoveries led to the establishment of a 78,837 hectare National Park, in addition to the ProAves 545 hectare nature reserve which is located adjacent to the National Park.

The discovery of the new subspecies resulted in a substantial revision of the taxonomy of both Colombian and Venezuelan Tapaculos being undertaken. Because the plumage of different species of Tapaculos is often quite similar, these birds are among the least known of all Colombian birds. It is mainly their songs that help birders to differentiate between species.

Researchers are finding exploration of the Serrania de los Yariguies Mountain Range in Columbia very rewarding, and birding enthusiasts will no doubt be interested to learn of further discoveries.

Related posts:

1. New Bird Species Discovered in Eastern Nepal
2. New Bulbul Species Discovered
3. The Large-Billed-Reed-Warbler Rediscovered

Not many people think of taking a birding trip to Taiwan, but this interesting country is home to a wide variety of bird species. Situated on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean, Taiwan is about 400 km long and 150 km wide. It features about 1000 km of coastline, a dense and scenic mountain range that rises to 3 998 m at its highest point and wide fertile agricultural plains. This is the perfect place to combine birding with culture, history and natural beauty.

Though birds can be found in much of the countryside, it is the wetland area of the west coast that is the best place to look for them. Here you will find literally thousands of north-south migrant water birds who stop over or winter in Taiwan. The numerous uninhabited islets that can be found off shore attract still more birds and a number of pelagic species roost and nest here. Another place where you will likely find some birds is in the mountains. While the mountains may be capped in snow during the winter months they can be quite hot and humid during summer, and cool and wet the rest of the time.

So exactly how many birds will you find on this large and colorful island? Thus far there have been approximately 550 bird species recorded on or around the island of Taiwan. Of these, 15 species and 70 subspecies are endemic. Birders can expect to see a number of rare and interesting species such as the Chinese Egret (Egretta eulophotes), the Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor), the Chinese Crested Tern (Sterna bernsteini), Saunder’s Gull (Larus saundersi), the Fairy Pitta (Pitta nympha) and the Malayan Night Heron (Gorsachius melanolophus).

Taiwan is a well-developed country with a wide range of accommodation to suit different tastes and budgets. You can easily hire a car to get around in and food is plentiful. If you do plan to make your own way around the country, it is wise to purchase a good map before setting off for this country. You might also want to purchase a field guide to ensure that you make the most of your time spent here. October to March is generally considered to be the best time of year for bird watching, but other interesting species can be seen during the rest of the year, so when you choose to visit really depends on what you are hoping to see. No matter what time of the year you visit, you should remember that a few days of bird watching might be lost to poor weather. So pack in warm clothes, a good pair of binoculars and a sense of adventure and head off for Taiwan for some excellent birding!

Related posts:

1. Spectacular Birding on the Isle of Mull
2. Fun for All at the Acadia Birding Festival
3. Exceptional Birding in Cuba