Tiger Attacking a Calf - Pilibhit
Glaciers blanket roughly 60 % of Svalbard’s land area, making the archipelago one of the most glacier‑dominated regions outside Antarctica and Greenland. These glaciers range from cold‑based (frozen to their beds) to polythermal (partly thawed at depth), giving rise to varied behaviors—some advance steadily, others surge forward in episodic leaps that can reshape the landscape in a matter of months. The largest ice bodies are the Austfonna and Vestfonna ice caps on Nordaustlandet, each spanning over 2,000 km², from which dozens of outlet glaciers flow toward the coast.
A Polar Bear on Arctic Shore
This Polar Bear approached a Walrus colony. Post unsuccessful attempt to make a kill for his meal, it decided to walk back.
Great Hornbills Displaying Special Social Behavior
Great Hornbills are known for their striking appearance and unique social behaviors, especially during mating and nesting. One notable behavior is the courtship display, where males offer fruit to females and perform elaborate calls and aerial displays to attract a mate.
Grey-handed Night Monkey - Colombia
The gray-handed night monkey (also known as Aotus griseimembra) is a small, nocturnal primate found in parts of Central and South America. It is known for its large eyes adapted for night vision and a soft gray-brown coat with pale gray hands.
These monkeys are unique for being active at night, living in small family groups, and forming strong monogamous bonds. They are arboreal, meaning they live in trees, and primarily feed on fruits, leaves, and insects.
Great White Pelicans
Great White Pelicans (Pelecanus onocrotalus) are large, majestic waterbirds known for their massive wingspan, pale pinkish-white plumage, and long bills with expandable throat pouches used for catching fish. They are highly social and often found in large flocks near freshwater lakes, deltas, and marshes.
These pelicans are excellent swimmers and flyers, and they often fish cooperatively in groups, herding fish into shallow waters. Native to parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia, they are also admired for their graceful gliding flight and communal nesting behavior.
Blue-eared Kingfisher
The Blue-eared Kingfisher (Alcedo meninting) is a small, vibrant bird found near forest streams and rivers in South and Southeast Asia. It is known for its deep blue upperparts, bright orange underparts, and a distinctive blue patch behind the eyes, which gives it its name.
Shy and swift, this kingfisher hunts by perching quietly near water and diving to catch small fish and aquatic insects. Its compact size and striking colors make it a favorite among birdwatchers and wildlife photographers.
Black-billed Mountain Toucan
The black-billed mountain toucan (Andigena nigrirostris) is a colorful bird native to the cloud forests of the Andes in South America. It is known for its striking plumage, featuring blue-gray feathers, a chestnut rump, and a distinctive black bill with a yellow base.
This toucan species is typically found at high elevations and is fruit-eating, though it also consumes insects and small animals. It plays an important role in seed dispersal and is often seen moving in pairs or small groups through the forest canopy.
Vernal Hanging Parrot
The Vernal Hanging Parrot (Loriculus vernalis) is a small, bright green parrot found in the forests and woodlands of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It gets its name from its unique behavior of sleeping upside down, hanging like a bat.
Known for its short tail and red beak, the male has a red rump and a bluish patch on the throat, while the female is duller in color. These parrots are active, quiet, and often seen alone or in pairs, feeding on fruits, flowers, and nectar.
Yellow-eared Parrots - Colombia
Yellow-eared Parrots (Ognorhynchus icterotis) are rare and vibrant green parrots native to the cloud forests of the Colombian Andes. They are easily recognized by the bright yellow patches around their ears and cheeks, which contrast with their vivid green plumage.
Once critically endangered due to habitat loss and poaching, their numbers are recovering thanks to conservation efforts. These parrots are highly social, often seen in flocks, and are closely associated with wax palm trees, which they rely on for nesting and food.
Burrowing Owl
The Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) is a small, long-legged owl found in open landscapes like grasslands and deserts across the Americas. Unlike most owls, it is active during the day and often seen perching on the ground or low posts.
True to its name, it nests in underground burrows, often dug by other animals like prairie dogs. Burrowing Owls have bright yellow eyes, a flat facial disk, and a curious, alert behavior. They feed on insects, small mammals, and reptiles, playing an important role in ecosystem balance.