The Narina Trogon was named by the famous ornithologist, Le Vaillant, after a beautiful woman, Narina, with whom he shred a brief love affair during his travels in South Africa. Photo by Tim CockcroftWood Sandpipers in Pakistan. Photo by Farrukh ZafarA Steppe Eagle shows off its impressive 7 foot wingspan. Photo by Ami Prabal.The South Island Takahē is a flightless bird found only in New Zealand. They were thought to be extinct in 1898 but after a careful search, they were rediscovered on the South Island in 1948. Photo by Tony Stoddard.Two Great Crested Grebes create a mirrored image. Photo by Dilipsinh ChudasamaOrnithologists have recently discovered that when temperatures are scorching, southern yellow-billed hornbills dilate blood vessels in their beaks to thermoregulate and cool off. Photo by Francois Rademeyer.The Barking Owl is an Australian owl who gets its name from its “hoot” which is almost indistinguishable from the bark of a small dog. Photo by Chris McKay.Unlike many other waterbirds like ducks and geese who have webbed feet, Common Coots have “lobed” feet which help them swim. Photo by Arindam HalderGreater Flamingos at sunset in The Camargue, France. Photo by Christian Bagnol Photographe.The state bird of Goa, the Flame-throated bulbul, caught in mid flight. Photo by Md Auwais Shaikh.Burrowing Owls have a higher tolerance for carbon dioxide than other birds – an adaptation that allows them to live in underground burrows where carbon dioxide accumulates. Photo by Melissa Penta.River Tern captured in Pakistan by NaiNy ShaH.Red-footed Booby’s are the smallest of the Booby species and are so nimble that they can catch flying fish from the air! Photo by Sjoerd Van Berge Henegouwen.Perhaps not as glamorous as their senior counterparts, young male Peafowls at least have less trouble taking flight. For now… Photo by Anvita Paranjpe.A Golden Oriole loses her lunch. Photo by Narahari Kanike.The Yellow Eyed Penguin, also known at the Hoiho is a species of penguin native to New Zealand and is considered one of the rarest penguin species in the world. Photo by Chris McKay.A female Great Horned Owl returns to her nest in Lecanto, Florida. These are one of the few animals who will eat skunks! Photo by Robert Strickland.The Himalayan Monal is a bird of the pheasant family and is not only the state bird of Uttarakhand India, it is also the national bird of Nepal, where it is known as Danphe. Photo by Sunil Kadam.Two Little egrets in an airborne altercation in Sailkot, Pakistan. Photo by Tahir Abbas Awan.Mandarin Ducks are from East Asia but a couple of isolated populations exist in the United States that originated from collection escapees. Photo by Leslie Reagan.You don’t have to be pretty to be beautiful. The Lesser Adjutant stork uses its powerful bill to catch and eat fish, frogs, reptiles, and even small mammals! Photo by Arnab Rayc.Reminiscent of a calico cat, the Ruddy Turnstone gets it’s name from it’s foraging strategy of flipping over stones and pebbles in search of food. Photo by Dilipsinh Chudasama.Great Blue Heron feed their young fish, frogs and insects for about 80 days before they leave the nest. Photo by Teresa HeddenMallard ducks are Northern Hemisphere dabbling ducks that have been introduced to all corners of the globe from Peru to South Africa! Photo by Peter Chromik.Hunting the threatened Houbara Bustard is banned but that hasn’t stopped Arab princes and their wealthy friends hunting these birds both for the sport and because the meat is considered an aphrodisiac. Photo by Marzook Mohd.