WHitehawk Birding blog
Welcome to the Whitehawk Birding Blog! Here we share fun birding and nature facts and news in posts that we hope you find of interest. We hope you enjoy!
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Underwater Adventure in Caye Caulker, Belize
The water is the blue found in dreams. It is warm and so clear that we can see to the white sand bottom of the sea. Fish of all colors swim languidly beneath the ripples our boat creates on the otherwise still sea. Today, we are not in search of birds. Today, we are heading…
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The Solitary Eagle
The Solitary Eagle (Harpyhaliaetus solitarius) is one of the least known raptors in the Neotropics. In fact, prior to the Belize Raptor Research Institute’s (BRRI) 2011 discovery of an active nest for this species, only two other nests had been found. Both more than fifty years ago! Luckily, BRRI researchers discovered this nest before the…
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New Snow Leopard population discovered
We live in an age when most of the news we get on T.V. and in the papers is bad news. This is often particularly true when it comes to the environment. We hear about another species becoming extinct in the wild. Or read about how climate change could be wreaking havoc on the planet. …
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Crested Eagle Feeding a Young Harpy Eagle
Interspecific interactions between large forest eagle species are fascinating. Follow this link to read an interesting paper written by one of our colleagues. Learn about a Crested Eagle (Morphnus guianensis) feeding a young Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja), in Darien, Panama. These two species are among the largest raptors in the Neotropics. They are similar in…
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Morocco – Migration from the Other Shore
Right after we picked up our first guests, Kitty and Marshal, in Malaga, we headed to the Strait of Gibraltar. Here, we would begin our Morocco Migration from the Other Shore Tour. During the tour, we would be able to see one of Nature’s greatest shows, the migration of hundreds of thousands of raptors and…
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The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw
Are you planning a visit to Belize? Perhaps you’re interested in learning more about this tiny Caribbean country? Or do you simply want a good read? If you answered yes to any of these questions, The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw by Bruce Barcott, might be the book for you. It is a classic…
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Stygian Owl Research by BRRI Team
In general, diurnal raptor species tend to be greater studied than their nocturnal counterparts. However one organization, the Belize Raptor Research Institute, is changing all that. They are focusing a large part of their efforts on learning more about the Stygian Owl (Asio stygius). It is one of the largest Neotropical owls and little known.…
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Hope is the Thing with Feathers
Hope is the thing with feathers; so begins a poem by Emily Dickinson. This line served as inspiration for the title of Christopher Cokinos’ book of the same name. This tome recounts the stories of six bird species that have gone extinct in recent times. The Carolina Parakeet, the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, the Heath Hen, the…
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Birding in Nepal – The Discovery of the Terai and the Adventure of the Himalayas
What is it like birding in Nepal? Thanks to the stability and security of the country in recent years, and the fascination and awe many people experience when viewing the Himalayas, Nepal is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination. Currently, it is not a well-known destination for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. But it has enormous…