#double-crested OWL

[sbnkalny]

it's 2028, your husband comes up and smacks your butt as you're unplugging the crockpot full of buffalo chicken dip, your friends have turned the dining room table into a beer pong tournament, the kids are laughing from the playroom, it's super bowl sunday and your heart is full

They will feed on all types of OWL: hooded owl, Leather owl, lesser small owl, rainbow owl, prison owl, BALD OWL, double-crested owl, powerful owl, shoebill Owl, swallow-tailed owl, vermilion owl, western meadow owl, buffalo owl, skunk owl, house owl, whispering Owl

[mey-rin-is-fabulous]

Double Crested Cormorant that I thought was a Loon at first, male and female Mallard ducks, Ring Billed Gull mid laugh, an Osprey, the coolest thing I saw all day what I think is a Barred Owl which I disturbed I think looked at the tree whipped out my binoculars to see what was in the tree and lo and behold there it was being annoyed by Robins and then we saw a Mourning Dove, then we got home and saw a Rock Dove.

It really is worth it bringing binoculars everywhere with you.

[ceruleanvulpine]

huge respect to @myxinidaes for reblogging that post with 100 birds

[99griffon]

My sketches from my journals! Rio Grande trip hours

I only drew what I saw... except for the one that got away...

[what-is-this-rubbish]

Some solid birds while out scouting my field sites

[enkays-den]

Hermits as birds from where they live/were born!

note: my knowledge is centered around North American birds, so sorry if the european ones aren't super accurate

Bdubs: Northern Saw-Whet Owl. He's just a little guy with big eyes. Small and evil, love him

Cub: Common Starling. Skulk like-iridescence, incredibly friendly. Plus, with Cub running the horn store this season, he NEEDED to be the bird that can imitate pretty much any noise it hears

Doc: Bonelli's Eagle. Large raptor found in Germany. It's straight "brow" and hunched posture remind me of Doc

Etho: Common Loon. THE! CANADIAN! BIRD! Despite being "common", their pattern is simply EXQUISITE Plus, it has a red eye! Also listen to the noises these things make, it's literally stock nature sounds all in one bird. Also, I'd put Etho on my one dollar coin.

False: Barn Owl. Very elegant owl, I just feel it suits her, that's all. Very stately posture.

Gem (Season 10 specifically): Great Blue Heron. It's a fisher, it's blue, it's menacing, what more could you ask for?

Scar (Hotguy): Double-crested Cormorant: A waterfowl bc scar did competitive swimming, it's got a slightly funky shape which I feel suits scar's personality. It also has the Hotguy colors!

Grian: Eurasian Bullfinch. Parrot Grian will not reign supreme. Look at that little guy. He's mischievous, he's red, I do not trust him.

Hypno: Stellar's Jay. My provincial bird! I just think both have very chill and cool personalities

Jevin: Lazuli Bunting. Just a little blue guy!

Impulse: American Goldfinch. Black and yellow, need I say more?

Iskall: Booted Eagle. Something about a stout raptor just feels right. Look at that posture. Reminds me of when Iskall tries to copy the brits' accents.

Joe: Turkey Vulture. Although seen as odd or menacing, all vultures are integral to the local ecosystem and are in actuality, very elegant and gentle birds.

Keralis: Boreal Owl. Yes, I did make the two guys with big eyes owls, What of it? LOOK at him. Put a little hardhat on him, put a little hawiian shirt on him. Precious sweet face.

Mumbo: Avocet. It's basically a vibe check and a mustache joke.

Peal: Black Swan. Big 5AM Pearl vibes. Giant, beautiful, protective. Love that for her.

Ren: Giant Kingfisher. Obligatory King Ren joke, it's a South African bird, and it's kinda goofy looking. I think the speckled feathers look like a ruffled fur collar on a king's cape.

Skizz: Golden Eagle. Large, majestic, hella strong, and he's wearing pants :3

Joel: Tree Swallow. Very small, beautiful, agile bird. The swallow's wings remind me of Asian art styles.

Stress: Magpie. GOR-JUS and LOUD. Imagine her next to Iskall (they're very similar in size, bless them)

Tango: Swainson's Hawk. I fought every bone in my body to not make an Arizona Cardinals joke when I already made a Phoenix Coyotes one maybe half an hour before. The Swainson's hawk is on the smaller size, but still a deadly spitfire, which I think suits Tango

TFC: Brown Pelican. A solitary bird, definitely a rare sighting. TFC was always joking about how much he would eat, I thought a pelican was apt

Beef: Barred Owl. MY FAVORITE OWL. I literally call them 'round beefy boys' and they're just so sweet and I love them

Wels: American Kestrel. I LOVE these little guys. Simply the smallest, cutest and beautiful falcon there is. They're about the size of a pigeon. It's just got such a regal posture despite being a little cutie.

XB: Rock Pigeon. Despite being common and seen as a "dumb pest", they are pretty intelligent, there's a reason they were used to carry messages around. They're also a close relation to doves! The green collar also is like the jacket collar on his skin.

Xisuma: Semipalmated Plover. X and Mumbo were both chosen because of how those birds run on the beach. They're RIDICULOUS. This subspecies is exclusively because it look like he's wearing a little helmet.

Zedaph: Firecrest. Just the GOOFIEST little guy I found on the wiki of British birds. Look at that thing /aff. Also, Zed do be blowing up a lot

Cleo: Partridge. Beautiful bird, looks like they want to kill you in your sleep, just like Cleo.

[new-dinosaurs]

Phalacrocorax bakonyiensis Horváth et al., 2024 (new species)

(Type humerus [upper arm bone] of Phalacrocorax bakonyiensis, from Horváth et al., 2024)

Meaning of name: bakonyiensis = from the Bakony Mountains

Age: Miocene (Tortonian–Messinian)

Where found: Várhegy Cave No. 2, Veszprém, Hungary

How much is known: Three fragmentary humeri (upper arm bones), including one belonging to a juvenile individual.

Notes: Phalacrocorax is an extant genus of cormorants, a group of waterbirds that primarily catch prey by swimming underwater, propelling themselves with their feet. P. bakonyiensis was relatively small for a cormorant, being smaller than the extant great (P. carbo) and double-crested (Nannopterum auritum) cormorants, but larger than the pygmy cormorant (Microcarbo pygmaeus).

Remains of P. bakonyiensis were discovered in a cave, where they might have been accumulated as the remains of prey that had been fed on by an owl. Additional cormorant fossils that might belong to P. bakonyiensis had been previously collected from the same site in 1991, but have since been lost.

Reference: Horváth, I., J. Futó, and J. Kessler. 2024. Phalacrocorax bakonyiensis n. sp., a new species of cormorant from the Late Miocene of Hungary. Ornis Hungarica 32: 222–230. doi: 10.2478/orhu-2024-0016

[2-sarcastic-comments-7]

Hermitcraft/life series fic I’m workshopping

Superheroes with the watchers as the evil guys to force/blackmail super powered humans to do what they want.

The Hermits are the worlds version of the avengers

The sky siblings (grain,pearl and jimmy) are siblings in this au and are avians and have side small powers related to their bird species.

Grain =parrot(red with lots of colours)likes flying and can do it well

jimmy =canary(The Crested Canary) isn’t good with heights and smaller wings so can’t fly long or to well since he mostly hides his wings

Pearl = owl (The Powerful Owl)loves flying and good at gliding

Grain =oldest pearl and jimmy =younger twins (pearls older of the twins)

Growing up grain accidentally got involved with the watchers and went to prison for it and as a part of his rehabilitation he has to help the hermits and after a few years he ranks up to hero position

During grains jail time pearl and jimmy are still young so they are kinda fending for themselves (let’s say the parents are absent because that physically or emotionally or financially) jimmy lands a job part time at his friends Lizzie’s family vet clinic and pearl gets a part time waste disposal position

Due to her job and relationship to grian the watchers keeps tabs on pearl and sometimes around 18ish she goes missing and presumed dead but in reality the watchers have taken her

Jimmy eventually goes on to get a medical license and actually gets hired to the hermits for medical

Around about 4 years after pearls disappearance a watcher villian with jet black wings appears by the name scarlet and starts causing a lot of trouble and normally the hermits can sus out how the watchers have a villain under their control and help them get out but with scarlet they can’t find anything.

Btw the others come into this at odd angles like:

Martin is a double agent who helps the hermits out with watcher info but he’s not on the top of the watchers information clearance yet so doesn’t know everything

Lizzie is dating Joel who’s the public communications guy for the hermits and she herself runs her family vet(this comes in with pearl and grain plot I’ve thought of)

Scar is a hero for the hermits along with most of the others

Gem was pearls friend before she was taken and was planing to go to med school with jimmy but decided to go full hero route but still is help with medical

Impulse and skizz are a superhero duo(in hermit group) who still run their own podcast

I’m going to be adding more just not ironed out the details yet

[greeenchrysanthemums]

UPDATED appearances for the GG rivals au characters: now with Lizzie and Joel!!

Once again, i am no artist so they are just written descriptions with pictures here and there. Most of them are largely the same as the previous post, but I have added little tidbits to certain descriptions, some of which are lore related!

Gem looks similar to this gorgeous fanart, except her dress has slits up the side to allow for easier movement. This look is sometimes replaced entirely by a trouser and tunic combo of the same colour if she knows the mission she is being sent on will need a great deal of movement in close quarters or something to that affect. No matter the outfit, her sword never leaves her waist. Her hair is in a low bun with a braid wrapping around the front of her head, like this. I do not imagine her with horns in this au.

Scott and Impulse wear armour similar to how applestruda draws it in her au, with their cloths in shades of teal and yellow respectively. Scott has long, back length hair, that he wears down and covering one eye. He was born with heterochromatic eyes, one blue and one hazel. His teeth are sharp, and he has fin-like ears due to his Coral Crest heritage. Impulse has shortly cropped hair, stubble on his face, and two little nubby horns that are tipped in black extending out of his forehead. He also has sharp, clawed hands.

Grian's eyes are entirely black like a barn owl's, and he has feathers on the high parts of his cheek bones and ears. His hands end in sharp talons rather than nails. He also has bird-like legs and taloned feet. His wings are not visible, if there at all. He wears a red shawl/cloak that has a high collar and ends around his waist, held closed by a brooch in the shape of an eye, similar to this but golden instead of silver. It has a hood, but he only wears it if he is trying not to be seen. His undershirt is black, and it is a long sleeve. His trousers are brown.

Scar wears a similar black cloak as Grian, held closed by the same brooch, though he wears his with the hood up. The cloak has red flower detailing on the hem. His eyes are green, and his hair is brown. He has a single grey streak in the front of his bangs. His tunic and trousers under the cloak are both black and he wears his shirt just a little bit too open at the top. He also always wears a smile, but pretty much everyone can agree it is deceptively kind and fake. He looks the most human out of the whole cast, so much so that it is entirely uncanny. EDIT: I can't believe I forgot to mention! Scar has a cane as well. It's wooden with a gold handle.

Mumbo and Etho wear matching outfits, claiming it is professional since they share a job and shop, but it is something they choose to do, not something that is required of them (they are just very, very silly). They are simple outfits consisting of white tunics with black trousers and thick, leather aprons on top (mumbo's is red and etho's is a dark green). They both wear goggles and thick gloves, as well as chunky boots, all for safety since they work with explosives very often. Etho wears a black bandana to cover his lower his face, both to hide his scars and his identity. His goggles replace his headband in this look, doubling as what keeps his hair out of his face. His scared eye is missing entirely; he does not have a false eye, it is just an empty socket. Mumbo wears his goggles around his neck when they are not on his face.

Bdubs also wears thick gloves to protect his hands in the garden. His shirt is white, and he has brown trousers that are a tad bit high watered, something he claims is intentional as he does not want mud all over his trousers. The previous argument becomes moot, because over this outfit he wears a thick cloak that is almost always covered in some manner of flora and/or mud. He completes the look with a wide brimmed hat to protect him from the sun.

Cleo is also dressed similarly to Etho and Mumbo but her apron is a plain brown that is stained with soot. Her tunic sleeves are always rolled up to show off her strong arms and she doesn't wear her safety gloves nearly as much as she should. She forgoes eye protection entirely. One of her eyes is missing, replaced with a glass eye of a slightly different shade of green than her organic eye. Her hair is pulled into a much messier bun than Gem's, with frizzy stray hairs going every direction. She is NOT a zombie in this au, she is completely human.

Ren is dressed in all the typical regalia of a king, complete with a diamond encrusted, golden crown and a thick red cape with a fluffy collar. His thick beard is long and braided. His eyes are red, as well as blood shot, and he almost always appears angry. He, of course, has wolf ears and a tail. He simply would not be Rendog without them.

Martyn is dressed in the same armour as the other knights. His under clothing is green, as is the bandana he wears around his forehead. He usually appears worried, but he smiles often in the presence of the king. He always has a hand on the sheath of his sword, ready to draw it at any time.

Pearl wears a white tunic with flared sleeves tucked into a pair of high waisted black trousers. Over this she has a deep, red cloak that stops at her waist and is held closed by a circular broch that, when unclasped, takes the shape of crescent and wanning gibbous moons. She has a crescent moon shaped birth mark on the left side of her face. Her hair is always down and messy under her hood. When she is on the job, she carries a scythe strapped to her back, along with a crossbow. There is a sheath on her leg which contains a dagger.

Bigb wears a blue tunic with brown trousers, along with a thin white apron when he is working. He always seems to have flour stains on his clothes whether he is on or off the clock, no matter how hard he tries to wipe it off. Big strong arms for him as well.

Skizz wears the same armour as the rest of the knights, and his underclothes are black. The shoulder of his armour has a cross emblem on it that delegates him as a medic, and he has medical supplies carried across his chest. The sleeves of his tunic are ripped off and he does not wear his gauntlets, showing off a plethora of scars along his arms. He is a dove avian, but one of his wings is heavily damaged and half missing as a result of an old injury he sustained on the field. He has white feathers on his upper cheekbones and ears, but he lacks the talons that Grian has.

Tango wears a short sleeved red tunic and black trousers with big chunky boots that are never free of mud. His hands are clawed, and his ears are pointed; both are tipped in a red to black gradient. His eyes are entirely red. He has a long tail that ends in a tuff of fire that doesn't seem to actually have any real heat.

Jimmy wears a blue tunic with a brown vest over it. Brown trousers and chunky boots. His sleeves are always rolled up and he is always covered in some manner of dirt, both because of the work he does on the farm, and from being very clumsy. He has bull horns, one of which is chipped. He also has a tail and bull-like ears. He has a gold ring in one of his ears.

Lizzie wears a flowy purplish-pink dress that is thin, both to allow for free movement and to allow airflow in the Coral Crest heat. Her teeth are sharp, and her ears are fin-like. Her nails are very sharp. She wears her pink hair down with a string of pearls like this. She wears many silver and gold bracelets on both wrists, along with a few anklets on both ankles. She does not wear shoes unless she is out of the castle.

Joel Wears a thin, short sleeved white tunic and brown trousers under a set of armour. While Wintertide armour is more thick and sturdy, as well as a darker greyish colour, Coral Crest armour is more thin and agile, and is a lighter grey, almost white, colour. He wears no gauntlets. His hair is short and messy with the back pulled into a tiny ponytail. He has a short, scruffy beard. He also has fin-like ears, sharp teeth, and sharp nails. He puts on a tough guy act by scowling all the time.

[sinister-moonlight]

Its been so long since I finished @naffeclipse's fic Cryptid Sightings but I got the urge to draw some more Cryptid monster design for Eclipse cause I still can't stop loving the way Naff created their Crypid!Eclipse! <3 I cannot stop the love I have for CS and I do need to reread it one day.

I did forget that it was four arms sooo um... woop! Hahaha!

I was like always inspired by the AMAZING - I cant praise my love for Meep's art enough no matter how much I try!! - @themeeplord cause their CS!Eclipse makes me MELT! Lemme hold their cute face!! This time I went with a more glowly design since I love light effects and I imagine that this Cryptid!Eclipse can turn their light on and off to use as a angler fish to lure their prey closer in the dark.

Please check out both Naff and Meep for their amazing work and their ability to make me melt with their creations! <3

─────────────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───────────────

A little "short" story under to build on the picture <3 Been a while since I written stories haha!

The ever pressuring darkness of the ancient forest around seem to chill you to your very bones. Every creak of the old trees makes you flinch and turn your head praying its just a bird, but there is no sound of any animals in the forest with you. No hooting owl. No scavenging fox in the underbrush.

It is just you.

Or is it?

The heavy blackness is suddenly breaking as a red light seem to come from a unknown source just a short ways in front of where you were going. It almost looks like a firefly as it bobbles gently in the wind. Another is soon followed but this one a deep blue.

You feel your tired legs start to move towards the almost hypnotizing light. The exhaustion in your body seem to get heavier as if the light is telling you that it is finally okay to take a break. You feel safe.

The silence of the forest is then shattered by the sound of bells.

'Ding... Ding...'

Its a soft sound. A sound that reminds you of a windchime softly singing in the summer breeze.

More lights are now accompanying the previous ones and they seem to almost take shape.

Your mind is trying to tell you that it is not safe. You know the stories of the demon in this forest - yet still you went in only armed with a old camera around your neck. The elders in your small town spoke of the demon - or old god as some called them - and how it lured in wrong doers and so called rulebreakers to punish them. You been taught and ordered already as a young child never to enter the forest at night, but the stories had done the opposite of scaring you away.

They had thrilled you to enter.

Yet now you feared that maybe you really should have listened. Maybe you should have been scared as slowly giant hands dipped in red and blue reached out for you to oh so gently grasp your head and hips. The size double of that of your head with claws longer then your whole hand. Sharper then the teeth of the old stray dog that you used to feed at night.

Bright yellow eyes enveloped in red stares into your own with a soft cooing and rumbling coming from fanged mouth. A sound resembling the bellows of a crocodile emitting from the being's chest where it's bright petal shaped crest stands proudly like that of a lions mane.

Slowly it pulls you in where the hands travel to gently lift you up and press you close to its body as if you were something precious to keep safe.

You are now fighting to keep your eyes open as they grow heavier and heavier as the gentle chime of the bells and the now soft rumbling sings you to sleep. The feeling of being moved only managed to make you lose the fight to stay awake.

The last thing you register as the slumber sweeps you under is a deep voice that whispers in your hair with what sounds like two overlapping voices.

"Rest little one. Nothing in our forest will cause you harm. Not as long as we can help it..."

[ponlolhaha]

DAAAMN, I FINALLY FINISHED IT!!1!!! fan msm island - Night Island. I think it'll just stay at the concept stage. song - Sleepwalk-Forrest Day (i think it may be cover...or remix. idk).

Let's take a quick look at the canonical monsters that are present here. I would really like to cram the natural ones in here, but they just don't go with the song itself.. That's why they're magical. -one-element: Clackula, Floot Fly, Fluoress. -double element: Osstax, Knucklehead. -triple-element: Mushaboom. -Erthereal: Ghazt. now the most interesting and delicious part: fan monsters. I will tell you about them quickly, too, without unnecessary words.

Orbat - one-element monster of the Night Island. It makes truly heavenly sounds. It sounds like Gob. while she sings (i can say that, right?….) a circle on her stomach and her eyes begin to light up. instrument: pipe organ. Meteoro - He uses vocals during his part.. Well, how are the vocals.. just purring/mumbling.. something like that. Sunstroke - just rams its paws on the spheres around it. Instrument: Cajon (percussion). Silky - MY FAVORITE. ahem.. This kid is literally the foundation. base. He plays the whole song in the background, using his silk threads and bow. Instrument: violin. Violosker - this cat can play on his long whiskers and on your nerves. I'm sorry for the stupid pun. he makes a long and drawn-out sound during his playing. it can be heard mainly in the background (very good at duet with a Silky) instrument: cello. Howl - a sad guy for life. His song is more like crying and howling than the hooting that other owls make. That's why he's called that. Dragolight - a dragon resembling those in Chinese mythology. when his turn comes, his crests, eyes and stripes on his body flash with a bright lemon light, with a distinct sound. (and it also looks like a watermelon). Instrument: electro-synthesizer. Sello & Dart - these are the ones here.. What's their name.. Vocalists?????? Singers?? uh, Werdos. they are the main stars here: they sing the lyrics of the song.

That's it.. heh. I don't think I'll come up with another fan island later, despite the fact that it was a very interesting experience. with the monsters that we already have, I may still publish something. (if u had questions - ask always open)

[sbnkalny]

Do you eat words, cliches are different types of Owl: hooded owl, leather owl, lesser small owl, rainbow owl, prison owl, bald owl, double-crested owl, powerful owl, shoebill owl, swallow-tailed owl, vermilion owl, western Meadow owl, buffalo owl, skunk owl, australian SKUNK owl, house owl, whispering Owl

[amortentiainmyfirewhiskey]

| and then there were 3 | fluffy-drabble

post-war fred w. x reader

Description: I'd like to order a fem reader x fred weasley scenario. A very cute and funny scenario involving the harry potter next generation (of harry's sons, you know) where fred and reader have triplets who have fred's chaotic personality at school, and they end up getting called in hogwarts because of the pranks. (A thousand apologies if the text is confusing, English is not my native language.

Names for the kids (Sorry if you don't like them lmao): 2 boys 1 girl- [ Fabian, George, and Seren]

w.c: 700+

For: @strqlau

---

It was an early spring morning when an owl tapped on your kitchen window carrying a letter that bared the Hogwarts crest. You merely sighed in resignation, already knowing by the annoyed look on the owl that this was regarding your children and something they did.

You opened the window and took the letter, beckoning the barn owl to come in for a much needed break. He hooted appreciatively and began pecking at the toast that lay on the counter.

It was only ten in the morning, what could they have possibly done in the past hour that you and Fred would have to put your day on hold to go down there.

You opened the letter and your eyes widened with every word, " Fred!" you called up the stairs. Your husband trotted down while trying to fix his eccentric tie, he had planned to go into the shop at 11 but by your tone he knew it would be much later.

" What the hell is it now?"

---

" It seems they all spread out and put some kind of hexed soap in every toilet in the school, and then flushed simultaneously," said Neville as they trudged through halls filled to the brim with suds and bubbles. You grimaced at your soggy pant leg, Fleur complained about her shoes being ruined , Angelina just looked pissed off and annoyed, and Ginny continued to talk about what she was going to do to James once she got her hands on him.

While Bill, Harry, George and Fred were all trying to repress a smile.

Finally you all arrived at McGonagall's office and waited for Neville to say the password. The staircase soon appeared before you all and you were soon met with the guilty faces of your children.

There were seven of them, all fourteen and in their fourth year. Dominique, James, Roxanne, Fred, George, Fabian, and Seren. Fleur pursed her lips and begin chewing Dominique in French. Ginny grilled James about how she had a life and she was tired of coming up here and threatening his life. Angelina had her arms crossed and said she was going to make sure they were running extra drills before and after practice.

You looked at your three and they held their breath, waiting for you to shout or give them some sort of punishment, but it never came.

You opened your mouth to give them a talking to before McGonagall arrived but you couldn't. The laugh you had been fighting since you saw old Filch looking for the ancient Mrs. Norris in the bubbles only to trip over her instead broke free from you. You doubled over laughing and the room came to a halt. Everyone looked at you in bewilderment but you couldn't help it.

Yes it was a mess but it was all in good fun, it made everyone's time at Hogwarts a little more special. These were the stories they would tell their kids. These moments was what you loved about Hogwarts.

" Ok," you gasped, " Sorry, I was thinking about Filch tripping over Mrs. Norris,"

The adults looked at one another, " Oh thank God I'm not the only one who almost fell out then and there, " said Angelina.

That was all it took for the rest of the adults to begin laughing.

The kids looked at each other in awkward relief and fear, they too began laughing. It was a light moment until everyone collected themselves upon hearing the staircase open and McGonagall on her way up.

You wiped your eyes and kissed your children on the tops of their heads, " You're still dead," you said sweetly.

---

You and Fred got home about two hours later and flopped down on your bed, the day pretty much already over with. You looked at one another and giggled at the events of today.

You interlocked your hands with his, " They're your kids," he said.

" Oh shut up!" you laughed, " You're the one who cursed this world with those three, they're bloody exhausting,"

Fred shrugged slightly, " Good thing they have you to keep them somewhat straight," he said before pressing his forehead to yours, " But also give them the mind to have fun and make it fun for others,"

You grinned and moved closer, " I guess you and I are pretty hilarious, it's in our genetic code, " you murmured.

He smiled before pressing a kiss to your lips, " Damn straight, (y/l/n)."

---

[kadoo-experience-rwanda]

Unveiling Nyungwe National Park: A Birder's Paradise in Rwanda

Imagine a lush, verdant rainforest teeming with life, where the air is filled with the sweet melodies of countless birds. This is Nyungwe National Park, a true birder's paradise nestled in the heart of Rwanda. With its diverse habitats, from dense montane forests to marshy wetlands, this park is home to a captivating array of avian species, many of which are elusive and endemic to the Albertine Rift.

1. Nyungwe National Park: A Birder's Haven in Rwanda

Nyungwe National Park, located in southwestern Rwanda, is one of the country's most treasured natural areas. Spanning over 1,000 square kilometers, the park is part of the Albertine Rift, a global biodiversity hotspot. Its dense, evergreen forests are home to a staggering variety of plant and animal species, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts.

2. Encountering Rwanda's Iconic Birds

The turacos are undoubtedly Nyungwe's most iconic bird species. Their vibrant plumage, shimmering with iridescent hues, is a sight to behold. Three of the most sought-after turaco species in the park are:

Great Blue Turaco: With its deep blue plumage and striking red crest, the Great Blue Turaco is a majestic bird.

Ruwenzori Turaco: This stunning bird is characterized by its metallic green plumage and long, slender tail.

Ross's Turaco: Smaller than its relatives, Ross's Turaco has a vibrant green body with a blue head and throat.

3. Rare and Endangered Species: A Conservation Priority

Nyungwe National Park is also home to several rare and endangered bird species, including:

Red-collared Mountain Babbler: A secretive bird found in the park's montane forests.

Albertine Owlet: A small owl endemic to the Albertine Rift.

Grauer's Swamp Warbler: An elusive warbler found in the park's wetlands.

4. Colorful Forest Dwellers: A Sunbird's Paradise

Nyungwe is renowned for its diverse sunbird population, which includes some of the most colorful birds in the park:

Purple-breasted Sunbird: A vibrant bird often seen hovering at flowers.

Blue-headed Sunbird: A striking bird with a blue head and throat.

Regal Sunbird: The largest sunbird species in the park.

Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird: An endemic sunbird found in the park's higher elevations.

5. Elusive Forest Floor Residents

While many birds in Nyungwe are found in the canopy, there are also several species that inhabit the forest floor:

Red-throated Alethe: A shy thrush often seen foraging for insects.

Archer's Ground Robin: A small robin endemic to the Albertine Rift.

Kivu Ground Thrush: A ground thrush similar in appearance to the Red-throated Alethe.

6. Best Birdwatching Spots in Nyungwe

Nyungwe National Park offers a variety of birdwatching opportunities:

Uwinka Overlook: A popular viewpoint for spotting turacos and other forest birds.

Kamiranzovu Marsh: A wetland area home to waterbirds like herons and egrets.

Karamba Trail: A challenging hike offering excellent opportunities to see forest birds.

Isumo Waterfall: A scenic waterfall where you can spot birds in the surrounding forest.

7. Optimal Seasons for Birdwatching in Rwanda

The best time to visit Nyungwe for birdwatching is during the dry season (December to March). However, the park can also be visited during the wet season (April to November).

8. Essential Birdwatching Equipment for Your Rwanda Adventure

To make the most of your birdwatching experience in Nyungwe, you'll need:

Binoculars: A good pair of binoculars is essential for observing birds.

Field guides and checklists: These will help you identify the birds you see.

Appropriate clothing and footwear: Comfortable, sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are essential.

9. Tips for Responsible Birdwatching in Rwanda

Respect bird habitats: Avoid disturbing birds and their nests.

Minimize disturbance: Keep noise levels to a minimum and avoid feeding birds.

Support local conservation efforts: Consider staying at eco-friendly lodges and contributing to conservation projects.

Nyungwe National Park is a birder's dream destination, offering a unique opportunity to witness some of the most vibrant and elusive avian species in Africa. By embarking on a Rwanda birdwatching tour, you can experience the breathtaking beauty of this natural wonder and contribute to the conservation of its incredible birdlife.

[haveyouseenthisbirdpoll]

List of Birds organized by Order + locations:

Accipitriformes:

Bearded vulture

Cooper's hawk

Osprey

Red-shouldered hawk

Steller's sea eagle

Anseriformes:

Bar-headed goose

Barnacle goose

Black swan

Common merganser

Red-breasted goose

Snow goose

Trumpeter swan

Apodiformes:

Common swift

Ruby-throated hummingbird

Bucerotiformes:

Eurasian hoopoe

Cariamiformes:

Red-legged seriema

Casuariiformes:

Emu

Southern cassowary

Cathartiformes:

Black vulture

Turkey vulture

Charadriiformes:

American oystercatcher

Atlantic puffin

Black-headed gull

Black skimmer

Black-tailed godwit

European herring gull

Killdeer

Northern lapwing

Ruddy turnstone

Ciconiiformes:

White stork

Columbiformes:

Common wood pigeon

Eurasian collared dove

Luzon bleeding-heart

Nicobar pigeon

Victoria crowned pigeon

Coraciiformes:

Blue-capped kingfisher

Common kingfisher

Cuculiformes:

Asian koel

Greater roadrunner

Yellow-billed cuckoo

Eurypygiformes:

Kagu

Falconiformes:

American kestrel

Common kestrel

Galliformes:

Palawan peacock-pheasant

Scaled quail

Western capercaillie

Gaviiformes:

Common loon

Gruiformes:

American coot

Australasian swamphen/pūkeko

Blue crane

Common moorhen

Sandhill crane

Sora

Whooping crane

Passeriformes:

American bushtit

American robin

Australian raven

Baltimore oriole

Barn swallow

Black-billed magpie

Black-capped chickadee

Black-throated sparrow

Blue-headed vireo

Blue jay

Bluethroat

Brown thrasher

California towhee

Canada warbler

Canyon wren

Cedar waxwing

Common blackbird

Common chlorospingus

Common raven

Eastern wood pewee

Eurasian blue tit

Eurasian bullfinch

Eurasian golden oriole

Eurasian jay

Eurasian magpie

European robin

Goldcrest

Great-tailed grackle

Great tit

Hooded crow

House sparrow

Indigo bunting

Kirtland's warbler

LeConte's sparrow

Long-tailed tit

Mexican jay

Painted bunting

Phainopepla

Pine siskin

Pin-tailed whydah

Pinyon jay

Pygmy nuthatch

Red winged blackbird

Rook

Saltmarsh sparrow

Satin bowerbird

Spotted towhee

Steller's jay

Tufted titmouse

Wallcreeper

Warbling vireo

Western tanager

White-breasted nuthatch

White-throated dipper

White-throated magpie-jay

Yellow-rumped warbler

Pelecaniformes:

Brown pelican

Great blue heron

Great egret

Great white pelican

Least bittern

Roseate spoonbill

Shoebill stork

Snowy egret

Phoenicopteriformes:

American flamingo

Chilean flamingo

Piciformes:

Acorn woodpecker

Clark's nutcracker

Lewis's woodpecker

Northern flicker

Pileated woodpecker

Red-bellied woodpecker

Red-headed woodpecker

Podargiformes:

Tawny frogmouth

Podicipediformes:

Pied-billed grebe

Procellariiformes:

Wilson's storm-petrel

Psittaciformes:

Australian king parrot

Chestnut-fronted macaw

Citron-crested cockatoo

Cockatiel

Galah

Gang-gang cockatoo

Pacific parrotlet

Rose-ringed parakeet

Sulphur-crested cockatoo

Strigiformes:

Barn owl

Barred owl

Eurasian eagle-owl

Suliformes:

Anhinga

Blue-footed booby

Double-crested cormorant

Trogoniformes:

Elegant trogon

Locations:

Africa

America

Antarctica

Asia

Australia

Central America

Eurasia

Europe

North America

Oceania

South America

[keithsandwich]

Warning: Astrological rant on some of the new princes below

Enabled by @lorei-writes and @yarnnerdally

Disclaimer: I'm talking about the symbolisms of sun signs as something absolute because they're fictional characters. Real human beings are more complex than this and you are not your sun sign alone. Also notice that assuming the sun signs were intentionally chosen for the characters, it means they carry it somehow - in their personalities, and/or stories, and/or symbols.

1 - Matthias

Laws is a subject that belongs to the upper spheres. There is a hierarchy of planets -- the ones that deal with more physical, day-to-day subjects, and the ones that take care of some deeper stuff, such as philosophy, religion, and... Laws.

In Astrology, you have Jupiter to create the laws, and Saturn to apply them.

Saturn is inexorable. It does what needs to be done, and it punishes who needs to be punished. It doesn't matter if the person is a peasant or a king. This is why this quote of Matthias sounds VERY Saturnine to me. Like death, laws should befall everyone (ideally at least).

Another thing about Saturn is that it is cold and dry, and rules invernal signs -- Capricorn and Aquarius. Naturally, it rules over cold, dry and snowy places too, like, you know, Achroite. Another sign Saturn finds joy in by Exaltation is Libra -- symbolized by escales, and again, Achroite's crest.

Now, Mercury-ruled Virgo... Owl is a mercurial animal, so points on that. Virgo is a very dutiful sign that needs to bring order to chaos too, but it's still a Mutable sign of Mercury, which means skepticism.

Even wearing the clothes of an Earth sign, Mercury is always Mercury, and Mercury will never admit there's only one truth. There are countless truths, countless paths, countless overcomes spinning incessantly inside its head. And Mutable signs deal with the world changing around them, being Virgo the one that have to face one of the most crucial changes there is: Summer becoming Autumn. This is why Virgo is constantly anxious. They know harsher times approach, and they have to save provisions to go through it.

Basically, Virgo thinks way too much, acts more towards organization and taking care of the tiniest, littlest details, and being Mercury one of the lowest spheres, its realm is practical and realistic. I don't see much space to believe in something with an almost religious fervour, like Matthias apparently does with laws (btw Mercury is VERY opposite to Jupiter). Soulmates? Even less.

Methinks Matthias seems more like a Libra. Saturn in the realm of Venus, that carries something idealistic in itself (although less than Jupiter) and dreams of love.

2. Azel

*sighs*

Where shall I start? As I said above, Mercury can be seem as the opposite of Jupiter. While Mercury is realistic, skeptical, detail-oriented, etc., Jupiter is idealistic, a huge believer, that focus on the big picture and can't mind the details.

Ultimately, Jupiter is about faith. And Jupiter manifests in two signs: Sagittarius and Pisces. Here I'm gonna focus on Sagittarius.

Sagittarius, like Virgo, is Mutable -- a double-bodied sign represented by a centaur, half man, half horse. Half benevolent, optimistic, lenient, wise. A man that looks to the stars seeking the truth and is guided by his ideals and faith. But also half ruthless, harsh, proud, imprudent. A belligerent and self-indulgent beast that looks at its own ambitions. I feel that some tend to remember Sagittarius only for its adventurous spirit and good mood, but this sign IS double-bodied and originally feared for its brutal nature.

Oh, and Sagittarius is brutally honest as well. Always beware when you ask their opinions if you're not ready for certain answers.

Well, other than this, Sagittarius is the eternal search for the truth beyond mundane matters. And it involves religions and gods and divination and mystical, esoteric stuff, and all that jazz. Sagittarius is also the foreigner and either the new horizons it opens OR the "mysteries" it beholds. Sagittarius can be seen in the... ahn... "Arabian Nights" Days trope (sorry).

So you have Azel, the God prince, with his horse unicorn crest, his mystical motifs, his "arabian nights" days kingdom, his two-faced personality, AND HE'S NOT A SAGITTARIUS.

And there's no Sagittarius prince*, really, I don't understand why he couldn't be one and have his birthday like, one month later. But okay.

So, he's a Scorpio. A F I X E D, very stable sign of Mars that is related to everything that punctures, cuts, penetrates the skin and poison. Scorpio hides itself behind a shell and hates being exposed/vulnerable. It means they can hide their true nature, but there's a difference between being reserved and two-faced. It's also a sign that does search for hidden meanings, but not out of belief or faith. It's a more strategic sign, and belligerent too, but not in a straight, plain sighted way. It's a nocturnal sign, it acts when no one is looking. Funny thing too, the Moon (Tanzanite's symbol) is not in a good place when in Scorpio.

I can see one thing or two in what I know so far or speculate about Azel, but when it comes to symbols and themes, I still think Sagittarius would fit him better.

.

I won't talk about Kagari because he's the one I know less about, I just think it's funny that he's so fiery when Aquarius is cold by nature.

.

*It can be argued that Gilbert is a Sagittarius because many sources will tell you Sun enters Capricorn 12/22, but this is not 100% precise. Depending on the year, Sun can perfectly be in Capricorn in 12/21. And looking at Gilbert's demeanour and symbols, Obsidian and all, to me he's a Capricorn through and through. Ofc I can be wrong, this post is all about me being wrong in my assumptions lol But since him being a Capricorn is a real possibility, I'm sticking to it.