Author: Matt Davis

Birds Of The World: Emperor Penguin

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The Emperor Penguin(Aptenodytes forsteri) is the largest member of the penguin family. Emperor Penguins can weigh up to 46 kilograms(101.4 pounds) and can grow to lengths of  115 centimeters (3 feet, 9.3 inches).

GenusAptenodytes
SpeciesA. forsteri
Binomial NameAptenodytes forsteri
Length1.1-1.15m(3’7.3”-3’9.3”)
Weight19-46kg(41.9-101.4 pounds)
DietCarnivore
IUCN Status Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

The Emperor Penguin’s back is a darkish gray and its belly is white. There is a yellowish patch on the side of the rear head and side of the neck. There is a long pink to orange fleshy patch at the base of the lower … Continue

Penguins

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The avian family Spheniscidae consists of penguins. Spheniscidae is the only family classified in the order Sphenisciformes. 

Physical Characteristics

All penguins are flightless but are quite adept at swimming. All species have webbed feet which help them swim. Just about all penguins have white bellies and black blacks. All the species classified in the genus Eudyptes are crested. A Penguin has the least pneumatized bones of any bird. A penguin’s dark colored back helps it blend in with the dark ocean, and its white belly help’s it blend in with the light-surface waters. This type of camouflage is … Continue

Birds Of The World: Humboldt Penguin

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The Humboldt Penguin(Spheniscus humboldti) is classified in the avian order Sphenisciformes and family Spheniscidae. Humboldti refers to Alexander Van Humboldt who was a German naturalist and explorer.

Physical Characteristics

Adult Humboldt Penguins have a blackish back; the belly is white and the upper chest has a horseshoe shaped band that extends down from side to side. There is a bare pink band around the base of the bill which extends around each eye. There is a pale gray band around the bill near the tip. Most of the face is blackish with a white streak that is near the … Continue

Big Cat Facts: Jaguar

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The Jaguar(Panthera onca) is the largest cat that is found in the Americas. Jaguars weigh up to 158 kilograms(348.3 pounds) and can grow to lengths of  1.9  meters(6 feet 2.8 inches). The total population of Jaguars in the Americas was approximately 64,000 at the time this article was published.

GenusPanthera
SpeciesP. onca
Binomial NamePanthera onca
Length1.1-1.9 m(3’7.3”-6’2.8”)
Tail Length45-75 cm(1’5.7”-2’5.2”)
Weight36-158 kg(79.4-348.3 lbs.)
DIetCarnivore
IUCN StatusNear threatened 

Physical Characteristics 

Jaguars’ bodies are typically brownish yellow and are covered with dark rings. Some individuals are born completely black; these black specimens are known … Continue

Parrots Of The World: Cockatiel

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Male on the left; female on the right.

The Cockatiel(Nymphicus hollandicus) is a bird classified in the parrot order Psittaciformes and family Cacatuidae. Cacatuidae is the cockatoo family. The Cockatiel is the smallest member of the cockatoo family. 

Physical Characteristics

Wild adult Cockatiels’ have a crest on their heads and orange patches on their faces; their bodies are gray with white patches on the wings. The male has a bright yellow forehead, chin, and cheeks; the female’s face is streaked with yellow. The chicks and immature individuals resemble females. 

Captive Cockatiels can produce unique colorations.

GenusNymphicus
SpeciesN.
… Continue