The ancient story of Sindbad the Sailor, told in The Arabian Nights, describes a giant mythic bird, bigger than any bird that has ever lived. In stories, the Roc is so large it can carry off elephants. Why are elephants called birds? Aepyornis maximus is commonly known as the ‘elephant bird’, a term that apparently … Read more
Do blue crested hoopoes exist? No, the standard color of the crest is almost always pink or reddish-orange. Blue crested variants do not exist. What does it mean when you see a hoopoe? In fact, the hoopoe appears in the Holy Qur’an carrying messages between king solomon and the Queen of Sheba (Qur’an 27:20-28). Here … Read more
As with other pet animals, obesity is a problem often encountered with birds Obesity is a major problem in older birds on seed-based diets and can contribute to diseases such as atherosclerosis ( fat deposits in major arteries) and fatty liver disease (hepatic lipidosis). Why are birds chubby? How a bird becomes obese is simple: … Read more
Scientists believe the Haast’s eagle became extinct about 500 years ago , most likely due to habitat destruction and the extinction of its prey species at the hands of early Polynesian settlers. Do they have eagles in New Zealand? New Zealand used to be home to some of the most magnificent birds of prey in … Read more