The cuckoo has long been a symbol of fate, transformation, and mystery in folklore across different cultures. Often associated with deception, unfulfilled longing, and messages from the spirit world, the cuckoo’s distinct call has inspired countless myths that reflect both admiration and superstition.
Folktales have long served as a way for cultures to pass down warnings, wisdom, and explanations for the natural world. Many of these stories involve transformation, justice, and supernatural interventions. One such tale is “The Story of the Little Boy and the Wicked Stepmother,” a haunting narrative that blends themes of betrayal, survival, and metamorphosis. […]
The red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), also known as the Asian king vulture or Pondicherry vulture, is a critically endangered bird native to the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. Recognizable by its distinctive red head and black plumage, this species has experienced a significant population decline in recent decades.
The wagtail holds a unique place in certain traditions, particularly in folklore associated with the Romani people, or Gypsies. This tale describes how this bird was forever exiled from villages due to its insatiable hunger. Below is the story as it has been told.
The Hawai’i Oo (Moho nobilis) was an endemic passerine bird from the Hawaiian Islands, classified under the now-extinct Mohoidae family, also known as Hawaiian honeyeaters. It was once widespread on the Big Island of Hawaii, with records indicating its ability to inhabit a range of altitudes.
This species was not uncommon in the end of the 19th century and first half of the twentieth century. In 1960 it had already completely vanished, with some vague records during the following decades. Several major surveys have been conveyed but without any success. Then, in 1991, a single drake was captured alive. In 2006 […]
The White-shouldered Ibis population is very rapidly diminishing. The reasons are not fully understood but certainly habitat loss, hunting and disturbance are on-going threats. If effective protection measures could be in place in north-eastern Cambodia and along the Mekong channel, the species largest population may be saved. It is now estimated at a 650 mature […]
This species has an extremely small population that is undergoing a continuing and very rapid decline as a result of habitat clearance, and as a consequence it is listed as Critically Endangered. The Flores Hawk-eagle, Nisaetus floris (formerly Spizaetus floris), is a fairly large, up to 75-79 cm long, raptor in the family Accipitridae. Adults […]
This species has not been seen in the wild, other than some unverified observations, since 1949. Already in the 19th century it was mentioned as rare. It is now considered at the brink of extinction or already extinct because of hunting and habitat loss. In the past decennium it has been much sought after, f.e. […]
This heron has an extremely small and rapidly declining population. The population will further decrease in the next few years. The loss and degradation of lowland forest and wetlands, hunting, egg collecting and disturbance are the mean reasons for this ongoing decline. This is a 127 cm very large, long-necked heron. In fact in the […]