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Join us as we explore the wilderness and share the beautiful scenery of nature! For all questions: @magellanvs
American Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) grooming a Capybara
Did you know? The American Black Vulture, also called the Black Vulture or Urubu, is a scavenger found in the southern U.S., all of Central America, and most of South America. They feed on carrion and can be spotted near dumps, slaughterhouses, sewers, and highways. Occasionally, they hunt for young herons, domestic ducklings, and their eggs. They may also attack newborn calves, small birds, and small mammals like raccoons, opossums, and young turtles. They're not picky eaters and sometimes consume ripe or rotten fruits and vegetables.
Watch as this Urubu picks ticks off a Capybara, who, as always, remains unperturbed and laid-back! 🦅🐾
Fun fact: The bird-of-paradise's elaborate courtship dance is one of the most complex in the animal kingdom, involving intricate movements, vocalizations, and displays of their vibrant plumage.
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Spotted Owlet (Indian Cuckoo) Centropus sinensis - one of the cuckoos that doesn't lay its eggs in other birds' nests but raises its chicks itself.
We wrote about another such cuckoo, the California cuckoo, here.
This bird got its name from the long spur on its hind toe. It's a rather large bird, the size of a crow: its body length reaches 50 cm. The large, wide, rounded tail makes up about half of its total length.
This cuckoo is found in India and Sri Lanka. It nests on tree branches, always among dense and thorny bushes, usually not far from the ground.
Externally, the nest is a roughly spherical structure with a roof, relatively small in size compared to the bird itself. The structure has a side entrance, from which the bird's tail sticks out when it's incubating the clutch or warming the chicks. 🐦🌿
Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise (Cicinnurus magnificus) prepares a stage for its mating dance, clearing away anything that might obstruct the performance.
Who could resist such a charming display?
This small bird (up to 26 cm in length) boasts incredibly complex and vibrant plumage. The male has shiny yellow wings, iridescent green breast feathers, blue feet and beak, and a high yellow collar of feathers around its neck. Its tail features two long, curved blue-green feathers. The female, in contrast, is quite dull, with greenish-brown feathers.
The Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise inhabits the lush rainforests of Western New Guinea (Indonesia) and Papua New Guinea, primarily feeding on fruits.
Fun Fact: The male's elaborate dance involves crouching, hopping, and swaying, all while making unique vocalizations to attract a mate.
Nara - the city where deer roam freely.
Nara is a center of Buddhist culture and an ancient capital of Japan. From 710 to 784, it was home to the imperial court, and today it's a popular tourist destination.
Every year, 14 million people visit Nara to see the giant bronze Buddha, the world's largest wooden building, and the adorable deer that wander the city streets.
According to Japanese legend, the god of thunder and swords, Takemikazuchi, arrived in Nara on a white deer to protect the newly built capital. Since then, locals have considered deer divine creatures that safeguard their city. As a result, the animals are protected and feel safe.
Around 1,200 deer live in Nara Park. Entry is free, and under the trees, vendors usually sell special deer crackers. A pack of ten costs 150 yen (about $1.30). The treats sell out quickly.
Fun fact: The deer in Nara are known to bow their heads when they want food, a gesture they've learned from tourists! 🦌🍪
Real Sawflies (Tenthredinidae) - Tiny, Harmless Insects
These small insects, ranging from 5 to 20 mm, are completely harmless. However, their ravenous larvae are quite fascinating!
Watch how they move to new food sources:
The upper larvae ride on the backs of the lower ones, increasing their speed!
Lower larvae move at a normal pace, while those on the second level move faster, adding their speed to that of the lower ones. When the upper larvae reach the front of the column, they move to the lower row.
Interesting Fact: This cooperative movement allows the group to travel faster than individual larvae. Sawfly larvae are known for their unique behavior and are often seen in gardens and forests, munching on leaves.
Did You Know? Sawflies are not actually flies but are related to bees and ants. They play a crucial role in the ecosystem by serving as food for birds and other insects.
Their songs can last up to 5 minutes and consist of a variety of sounds, including screams, barks, and hoots. 🎶🌳
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European Fallow Deer (Dama dama) - a medium-sized deer native to Europe and the Near East (this one was spotted in Poland).
Larger than a roe deer but smaller than a red deer, the European subspecies reaches lengths of 130 to 175 cm and stands 80 to 105 cm tall at the shoulder.
Before you is a melanistic individual, much darker than other members of this species.
For clarity, a typical example of melanism is the black panther, which is not a separate species but a dark-colored individual of a leopard or jaguar.
Thus, this deer could indeed be called a panther among the hoofed animals! 🦌🐆
The Bush Dog (Speothos venaticus) - one of the most unusual dogs, as it resembles an otter or another semi-aquatic animal.
With a bear-like face, webbed feet, and a peculiar short tail... It's hard to believe these dogs are actually dogs. Moreover, they hunt exclusively in water!
Their size is small: body length 55-75 cm, tail 12-15 cm, height at the shoulder 25-30 cm, and weight 5-7 kg. These dogs live in Panama, Venezuela, Peru, eastern Bolivia, and northern Paraguay, in the extreme northeast of Argentina, and in Brazil. An isolated population exists in Ecuador and Colombia, west of the Andes.
Interesting Fact: Despite their wide range, bush dogs are very rare. They were initially thought to be extinct, known only from fossil remains found in Brazil. 🐾🌊
To survive among enemies, you need to be as fast as they are. And the jerboa Dipodidae is exactly that.
Watch in slow motion as it dodges a snake—and even fights back sometimes, fending off the attack with its tiny paws!
Fun fact: Jerboas are among the fastest mammals on Earth, capable of reaching speeds of up to 24 km/h (15 mph) despite their small size. Their powerful hind legs allow them to leap great distances, making them incredibly agile and difficult to catch.
Bluebird Luscinia svecica belongs to the family of flycatchers, a close relative of the nightingale. In size, it is no larger than a sparrow but is more slender and elegant.
The length of this bird's body is 15 cm with a weight of about 15-20 g. Gracefulness is given by elongated legs, and the bright coloration of males delights the observer.
As far back as the 18th century, the famous systematist Carl Linnaeus described the bluerbird, calling it the Swedish nightingale.
The name "bluebird" comes from the Old Russian word "varakat'", meaning "to talk nonsense, mimic, tease."
In our forests, it is hard to meet such an attractive and brightly colored bird, marked by refined elegance.
The most attractive part of the male's plumage is the blue bib, edged with brown and reddish stripes. In the center of the bib, there is a reddish spot, which is white in the western subspecies of these birds.
🌟 Fun Fact: Bengal cats are excellent swimmers and are known to chase prey in the water! 🐾💦
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No wonder the pacarana is becoming an increasingly popular pet. 🐾💕
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Fun Fact: The Secretary Bird's name is believed to have originated from the French word "secrettaire," referring to the quill-like feathers in its crest, similar to those used by secretaries in the past. 📜
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This is the glass frog, Centrolenidae, from South America.
Its skin is so thin and transparent that sunlight partially passes through it, casting a very faint shadow. Why is this important?
Because its silhouette is not visible to predators from below when it sits on tree leaves. From above, this is less noticeable—the frog blends well with the foliage due to its blurred outline.
Researchers photographed 55 glass frogs on green leaves and a white background. Using computer analysis that mimics the vision of various predators, they assessed the frog's color and outline in each photo. They found that the frogs appeared lighter or darker depending on the background.
This effect was achieved not through active color change but due to the body's semi-transparency. The visible brightness of more transparent limbs changed more than that of the body.
Fun fact: Glass frogs have transparent skin, allowing their internal organs, including their hearts, to be visible! 💚🐸
Scene of a Stoat Hunting a Hare
A clever hare used his last chance: he ran under the protection of a human.
Fun Fact: Stoats, also known as short-tailed weasels, are known for their agility and speed. They can run at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour and are excellent climbers, often chasing prey up trees. Their hunting techniques are so effective that they can even take down prey larger than themselves! 🐾🐇
Deep in the forests of New Guinea lives the bird-of-paradise Parotia carolae, whose male puts on a spectacular show to attract a mate!
Just look at how he dismisses a dry leaf that's disrupting his performance... Make sure to watch until the end, this dance is truly something special!
This bird is found on the islands of West New Guinea and Papua New Guinea (Indonesia). Males, like all individuals of the male sex in the genus Parotia, have dark plumage. They have six decorative feathers on their heads, earning them the name six-wired bird-of-paradise.
Around their necks, they have a collar of fan-shaped feathers that resembles a dancer's skirt during the breeding season. Unlike other subspecies of parotias, Parotia carolae has white feathers on the edges, a golden and white crest, golden sideburns, and eyebrows. The feathers on their throat and chest shimmer. Females are completely brown, with only the feathers on their bellies having a grayish tone.
Wolverine (Gulo gulo) vs. Wolf
A beautiful scene, even if it involves an unlucky turtle...
A mother wolverine, hiding her cub, defends against a hungry, thin, and battered wolf trying to reach it.
Fun Fact: Wolverines are known for their incredible strength and ferocity. Despite their small size, they can take down prey much larger than themselves!
Did you know? Wolverines have a unique adaptation—they can delay implantation of fertilized eggs, allowing them to time births for the most favorable conditions.
We all know about warthogs. But what about other African pigs?
The bushpig (Potamochoerus porcus) inhabits Western and Central Africa, its range extends from Senegal to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It can be found in forests, savannas, and marshy areas, avoiding only excessively arid landscapes.
Bushpigs are active at night, spending the day in burrows hidden in dense vegetation. This species lives in family groups of 2 to 15 individuals, led by a mature male.
Bushpigs have their own territories, which they mark with special secretions or leave claw marks on tree trunks. In case of danger, they quickly flee. Sometimes bushpigs actively defend themselves, attacking their enemies (usually representatives of the cat family or hyenas).
Fun fact: Bushpigs have a unique way of cooling down. They wallow in mud, which not only cools their bodies but also protects their skin from parasites and sunburn. 🐗💦
Many people think that lions can't climb trees. Well, I can't speak for the males, but lionesses can!
You can see this for yourself in this video: a lioness attacks a leopard. The smaller cat managed to escape, but it was likely not the main target.
The lioness was probably drawn to the remains of the leopard's prey, hanging from a tree branch.
Fun fact: Lionesses are the primary hunters in a pride, using teamwork and stealth to take down prey. Their ability to climb trees can give them an advantage in certain situations, allowing them to ambush or retrieve food.
Jaguar hunts a caiman.
South American jaguars (Panthera onca) are not only excellent swimmers but can also catch small caimans for dinner!
Their diet includes at least 87 species, primarily capybaras, caimans, and peccaries. When possible, they hunt deer, anteaters, and tapirs, and catch snakes (including anacondas), waterfowl, and fish.
Jaguars also feed on monkeys, foxes, iguanas, opossums, otters, rodents, coatis, and other small animals. They hunt freshwater turtles and armadillos too— their powerful jaws can overcome their defenses.
Unlike cougars, jaguars frequently attack livestock, especially cattle. However, Asian water buffalo, offered to South American farmers as a profitable alternative to cows, prove to be an unattainable prey for them.
Fun Fact: Jaguars have the strongest bite force of all big cats, allowing them to crush turtle shells and caiman skulls with ease! 🐆💪
Siaman (Symphalangus syndactylus) - the largest and heaviest gibbon, with a height of 75-90 cm and a weight of 8-13 kg.
These monkeys have a throat sac that acts as a resonator when singing. Thanks to this, the siamangs' singing can be heard up to 3-4 km away.
Siamangs live in the southern part of the Malay Peninsula and on the island of Sumatra. They are active during the day and inhabit dense tropical forests, spending most of their time in the trees. With their long arms, siamangs acrobatically swing from branch to branch. They are also excellent swimmers, a rare trait among gibbons.
Like all gibbons, they live monogamously. Each pair lives in its own territory, which they fiercely defend from intruders. Siamangs primarily feed on leaves and fruits, but they also occasionally eat bird eggs and small vertebrates.
Fun Fact: Siamangs are known for their loud and complex songs, which are used for long-distance communication and to mark their territory.
Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus) performs a mating dance.
This bird belongs to the pheasant family and is the national symbol of Nepal.
The male's plumage shimmers with green, red, purple, and blue hues. It has a white rump, a copper-colored tail with a black underside, and a golden crest. The female's plumage is brown with light stripes and brown-to-black cross-lines, with a white throat. Both sexes have a blue eye-ring.
Males reach up to 70 cm in length, with 23 cm being the tail, while females are slightly smaller and lack the crest.
Fun Fact: The Himalayan Monal is known for its dramatic mating dances, where males perform elaborate displays to attract females. These dances include wing spreading, tail fanning, and vibrant color displays. The bird's stunning colors are a result of structural coloration, where light is refracted and reflected in unique ways, creating a mesmerizing effect. 🌈🐦
Nectar Bat
The tongue of the tube-nosed bat (Anoura fistulata) is nearly 8.5 cm long, 1.5 times longer than its body! This is a record among mammals and second only to chameleons among vertebrates.
With such a long tongue, it reaches the nectar of the Centropogon nigrican flower, which has an equally impressive corolla.
Fun fact: These bats play a crucial role in pollination, helping to maintain the biodiversity of their ecosystems. 🌸🦇
Fun Fact: The bluerbird is known for its beautiful and melodious song, which is often described as a series of clear, flute-like notes.
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Meet the Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum) – tiny birds with a big hunting prowess, capable of taking down prey even larger than themselves! 🦉
These clever birds have a unique trick: two false eye spots on the back of their heads, making it nearly impossible to distinguish from their real eyes.
In this video, the owl is so active that both its real eyes and the decoy spots are clearly visible. This clever adaptation likely serves as a warning to potential attackers from behind – "I see you, so don't even try!" 👀
Fun fact: Pygmy Owls are known to mimic the calls of other birds to lure them within striking distance. Nature's tiny hunters! 🌿
Bengal (Leopard) Cat Prionailurus bengalensis - one of the most widespread wild cat species in the world. Their size is similar to that of a domestic cat, and across their vast range, they exhibit a variety of coat colors.
The appearance of Bengal cats varies significantly within the species. In the Far East, they look quite different from those on the islands of Indonesia. In the south, their base coat color is more yellow, like a leopard, while in the north, it is predominantly gray-brown.
Northern populations have circular spots, while southern ones have black streaks. The size of Bengal cats ranges from 65 cm (on the island of Java) to 1 meter (in the Far East), including the tail, which can be 20-40 cm long.
Bengal cats always live near water. They thrive equally well in tropical forests, coniferous forests, savannas, or mountains. They avoid human settlements and only occasionally cross cultivated fields.
Pacarana (Dinomys branickii) - the fifth-largest rodent after the capybara, beaver, crested porcupine, and mara, though it is only slightly smaller than the latter. Its body length is 70-80 cm, and it weighs 10-15 kg.
The name Dinomys comes from the Greek "deinos mys" meaning "terrible mouse," and "branickii" is named after A. Branicki.
The lifestyle of this rare creature is poorly understood. It inhabits the lower parts of rocky mountain slopes and valleys in rainforests at altitudes from 200 to 2000 meters above sea level. It is very rarely encountered. In captivity, pacaranas are calm, non-aggressive, and peaceful; in the wild, they are slow and "phlegmatic."
Pacaranas also attract attention because they are monogamous and, once they find a life partner, stay with them forever. Pregnancy lasts up to 8 months, usually resulting in two offspring. They are extremely undemanding and start trying solid food just a few days after birth.
Secretary Bird: Africa's Elegant Snake Hunter 🦅
With its dignified stance and striking black-and-white plumage, the Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) exudes an air of importance. The feathers on its crest resemble goose feathers, reminiscent of the quills used by court secretaries in historical times.
This African bird has earned the respect of locals by feasting on a vast array of snakes, even gracing the coats of arms of South Africa and Sudan.
Standing at 1.5 meters tall but weighing only about 4 kg, the Secretary Bird boasts an impressive wingspan of over 2 meters. Its unique proportions include powerful wings and long, stilt-like legs. Unable to take flight without a sufficient run-up, it can run at speeds exceeding 30 km/h.
Found exclusively in Africa, from Senegal and Somalia to the Cape of Good Hope, this bird is a true marvel of the continent.
Toucans (Rhamphastos sulfuratus) and Roseate Spoonbills (Ajaia ajaia) peacefully share a pond, even though the spoonbills act as if they're more important.
Did you notice the funny spoon-shaped bill? It's perfect for straining mud. The Roseate Spoonbill feeds on small aquatic animals: crustaceans (the reason for their red color), insects and their larvae, mollusks, frogs, and small fish.
Fun Fact: The feathers of Roseate Spoonbills were once highly valued by fashion designers to adorn ladies' dresses, leading to near extinction. While they're safe at their nesting sites, they still face threats from hunting during their winter migrations in South America.
Roseate Spoonbills, like all stork-like birds, fly with their heads stretched forward in a long line. Throughout the day, they often doze standing on one leg, tucking their bill on their chest or under their wing, and at night, they roost in well-hidden spots among impenetrable swamps.