As if birders and taxonomists don’t have enough diversity to deal with, males and females of the species Aguilucho or Variable Hawk both exist in multiple morphs. Photo by Ricardo Varela.Te Atlantic Puffin is the only puffin species native to the Atlantic ocean. Photo by Suranjan MukherjeeAcross their North American range, Barred Owls are affectionately known for their call that sounds as if its asking “Who cooks for you?”. Photo by Robert Strickland.Bearded Reedlings feeling the winter chill in the Netherlands. Photo by Verlaat-fotografie.A squabbling trio of Black-headed Jays show off their distractingly stunning wing feathers. Photo by Dilip Gupta.Brown fish Owl stretches one of its magnificent wings in Kaziranga National Park. Photo by Swarnava NandiThe Collared Aracari is a toucan and is the Northernmost member of its genus, Pteroglossus. Photo by Christopher Ciccone.Common Kestrel with a llizard kill in Little Rann of Kutch. Photo by Suketu Purohit.The male Drake Wood Duck’s spectacular plumage has gotten it into trouble in the past. As popular additions to women’s hats, their feathers were much sought after in the 19th century which caused rapid population declines. Photo by Teri Franzen.A pair of Eurasian Spoonbills share a quiet moment in Gujarat. Photo by Dhaivat Mehta.Perhaps not as flashy as its Indian cousins, the European Roller is a more subtle beauty. Photo by Gesudraz Ataullah.An expert fisher, this Great Cormorant finds dinner in Bharatpur, India. Photo by Nitin S Jain.A female Greater Painted Snipe patrols her wetland. Perhaps in search for a mate. This species in polyandrous which means that the females court and mate with multiple males. Photo by Narahari KanikeGrey-headed Fish Eagles range form India to Southeast Asia but are listed as near-threatened due to loss of wetland habitat, over-fishing, human disturbance, and pollution. Photo by Mainak Das.A fledgling American Avocet explores its watery world in Belmar Park in Jefferson County, Colorado. Photo by Jon Cormorant.One of India’s most iconic birds, the Indian Roller. Photo by Swethadri DoraiswamyRing-necked pheasants are found across the United States but are actually native to China and East Asia. As applying game birds, they have been successfully introduced in other parts of the world. Photo by Leslie Reagan .The Malabar Trogan’s Hindi name is kafni churi which refers to the hunched neckless appearance as if dressed in a fakir’s kafni (robe). Photo by Deepa JavdekarMute Swans are not actually mute. Their territorial trumpet doesn’t carry like that of other swans. Photo by Praveen K BhatWith two toes pointing forward ad two toes pointing backward, Woodpeckers have “zygodactyl” feet which help them stay sturdy while they ram their beak into a tree to find food. An Olive Woodpecker in Port, Alfred, South Africa. Photo by Tim CockcroftThe omnipresent Osprey. Photo by Om PrakashThe only purely black and white kingfisher, the Pied Kingfisher is also the kingfisher who hovers the most. Photo by Allan Holland.Reddish Egret using its wings to create shade in the water to attract fish. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida. Photo by Melissa PentaA River Tern gives it horns in Pakistan. Photo by NaiNyShaH Photography.Previously considered the same species as the Tawny Eagle, the Steppe Eagle is now considered a species in its own right and has recently been listed by the IUCN as an endangered species. Photo by Shishir Saksena
