Baer’s Pochards have sleek dark gray and sometimes black head with hues of brown, red, and white on their sides. They have a distinctive white band on their wings which can only be seen when they have their wings open. It’s estimated that this species can reach depths of more than six feet under the surface of tehr water during mealtime and hold its breath for nearly 40 seconds at a time. 

Baer’s Porchards are one of the most Critically Endangered ducks in the world with an estimated 150 – 700 mature individuals in the wild. Their population has plummeted quickly in just the last 25 years, but the reasons are not well understood. 

These birds are unique in that the females look different than the males, showcasing the beauty of dimorphism. But that’s not all – their prominent bills and gorgeous plumage make them a sight to behold.

White-headed Ducks are also impressive divers! They engage in extensive feeding at night, feasting on mideg larvae, and can remain underwater feeding for up to a minute before resurfacing! 

The Marbled Teal is a duck of the Mediterranean region, particularly fond of shallow brackish and freshwater pools with abundant emergent vegetation. This is an omnivorous dabbling duck, eating seeds, roots, tubers, and green parts of aquatic plants, as well as aquatic invertebrates like midge larvae. The Marbled Teal is threatened by over-hunting, and by climate change which is causing droughts in an already arid region, reducing the shallow marshes that this duck depends on.

A very common dabbling duck of the Nearctic region, and introduced elsewhere where it is sometimes considered an invasive pest, the Mallard occurs on almost any body of shallow water, but especially those with submerged or floating vegetation. In the breeding season the Mallard eats mostly animal foods such as aquatic insect larvae and snails, but at other times of year they favor seeds, aquatic vegetation, and cereal crops. The Mallard usually nests near water but on the ground  in upland areas, with the nest hidden under overhanging vegetation.

Eurasian Eagle-Owls have the largest wingspan of any owl species, reaching a whopping 6.5 feet! This species is widely distributed across Europe and Asia, and frequents a variety of habitats, from coniferous forests to grasslands and deserts. Eurasian Eagle-Owls are powerful flyers and soar on updrafts, similar to the flight style of many hawks. They are considered an apex predator, and have no natural predators, and they use a variety of hunting techniques to obtain prey. They are not picky eaters, and will eat anything from small mammals like voles to snakes and lizards, and occasionally even other birds of prey.

A smaller egret, the Eastern Cattle Egret is named for its habit of stalking insects and other small prey disturbed by herds of cattle moving through and grazing in grassland habitats. Egrets will fly to a grass fire from far away in order to catch fleeing insects, and they even forage at airports, waiting at the edges of the runways for airplanes to pass and blow insects out of the grass. A worldwide phenomenon, the Eastern Cattle Egret is renowned for having colonized without human assistance three continents in just the last hundred years! This world-traveling species inhabits a wide variety of open drier, grassy habitats such as fields, pastures, and rice paddies, and so has likely benefited from agricultural disturbances. The Eastern Cattle Egret nests colonially often and is sometimes present in mixed colonies with other species of herons, cormorants, storks, and ibises.

The Black Kite is a medium-sized, primarily brown raptor. Kites are characterized by their long wings and tails, buoyant and acrobatic flight, and ability to catch food in mid-air. Black Kites are widespread and adaptable and can be found throughout portions of Africa, Europe, and Australasia. They eat small mammals, other birds, carrion, and insects. Their most notable trait is the ability to catch and eat prey while still in flight and they have been observed catching large insects fleeing from wildfires. Unlike most raptors, Black Kites are a fairly social and gregarious species and often gather in large flocks to roost and feed.

Widespread across parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia, the Eurasian Kestrel, or Common Kestrel, is a small, adaptable raptor, found in a great variety of habitats, including open or moderately wooded terrains with low shrubs, grasslands, steppes, and even subdesert. It may also occur in villages, towns, and even cities. The Eurasian Kestrel forages on small mammals, insects, and birds, and is able to see in ultraviolet light; this helps the birds to detect the urine trails around rodent burrows as they shine in an ultraviolet color in the sunlight. Nest sites for this species include natural ledges, holes in rock faces or trees, or old nests of other birds. Kestrels will also utilize nestboxes. This is the most common diurnal raptor throughout most of its range and is not considered threatened.

The Steller’s Sea Eagle is a fierce, impressive raptor with chocolate-brown plumage and striking white shoulders and tail. With its deep, strongly arched bill and massive yellow feet, it’s no wonder that the Japanese call this bird O-washi (The Great Eagle). At nearly four-feet in length and an average weight of 13-20 pounds, Steller’s Sea Eagles are one of the largest eagle species in the world, outweighing both the Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) and the Philippine Monkey-eating Eagle (Pithocophaga jefferyi), and with a wingspan (up to 6 – 8 feet) second only to its near-cousin the White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). Not surprisingly, an adult Steller’s Sea Eagle has no natural predators.

The species is vulnerable to changes in its habitat and food supplies, however. This huge eagle needs an equally huge territory, so the Steller’s population (which is not large) is widespread and particularly sensitive to habitat loss due to climate change. Threats to already declining Pacific Salmon populations translate into potential prey shortages during the all-important breeding season.

The Golden Eagle, named for the golden feathers on its nape, is a resident of the New and Old Worlds, and occurs in a wide variety of open habitats, from desert areas to the edge of the tundra, and from sea-level to high alpine mountain levels. It is one of the largest birds in North America. It generally avoids forested areas, except in the winter, and nests on cliffs, isolated trees, or other structures. The Golden Eagle forages primarily on small to medium-sized mammals. Although not considered to be globally threatened, this species is frequently a victim of shootings and poisonings. Many are killed by collision with power lines and, in certain areas, wind turbines.

The Demoiselle Crane is an elegant and delicate-looking crane, named by Queen Marie Antoinette for its maiden-like appearance. The smallest crane species, males are slightly larger than females, but are otherwise similar in appearance, with silvery gray feathers and graceful black plumage hanging down across their chests. Demoiselle Cranes undertake an intense migration, flying over the Himalayas at elevations of more than 20,000 feet to reach their wintering grounds in India. Like other cranes, the Demoiselle Crane does a balletic dancing courtship display.