'/> Amazing Animals: February 2015

Saturday, February 28, 2015

10 Stunning Red-colored Birds

Of all colors, red is one of the most vibrant and easily seen shades, and nature presents us with many beautiful red birds. Here is a list of 10 of the world's reddest and most colorful birds.

Scarlet Ibis

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The Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber) is one of the most brilliantly colored wading birds in the world. It inhabits the wetlands of tropical South America and islands of the Caribbean. The species is easily recognized by the adults' bright scarlet plumage, pink skin on face, pink bill and red legs. Adults measure between 55–63 centimeters (22–25 in) long and weigh around 1.4 kilograms (3.1 lb). The males are slightly larger than females.

Northern Cardinal

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The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a large crested finch widespread in North America. This redbird or common cardinal is found in woodlands, swamps and gardens. It is a medium-sized songbird that measures around 20–23.5 cm (7.9–9.3 in) in body length and a wingspan of 25–31 cm (9.8–12.2 in). Adults weigh between 33.6–65 g (1.19–2.29 oz), 21 cm (8.3 in). Males have vivid red body and black face, while females are duller overall.

Crimson Finch

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The Common Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton) (also known as the Blood Finch) is a common passerine bird found in Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. This stunning red bird preferred habitats include grassy plains, moist savannahs, along rivers and swamps. On average, the species measures around 12cm.

Males have crimson plumage on the face, flanks, breast, rump, and tail. Adult males have dark gray crowns, red beaks, brownish-red wings, and brown bellies. The females have the same color pattern but they are paler overall.

Summer Tanager

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The Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) is a medium-sized American songbird. The species is found in the northeast and midwestern United States during summer and migrate to tropical regions of Mexico and Central America in the winter. These stunning red birds prefer treetops and tall forests.

Adults measure 17 cm (6.7 in) in length and 29 g (1.0 oz) in weight. Males have stout pointed bills and are rose red without specialized markings or patterns. Females have light-orange underparts and olive on top, with olive-brown wings and tail.

Red Munia

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The Red Munia (Amandava amandava) also known as strawberry finch or red avadavat, is a small, sparrow-sized bird. These birds measures around 9-10cm (3-4 inches). They are found in the open fields and grasslands of tropical Asia. These birds measures around 9-10 cm (3-4 inches).

Red Munia is easily identified by the rounded black tail and the bill that is seasonally red. During breeding season, the males appear red on most of the upper parts. Top of head and back are deep mahogany brown. The beak is red and the eyes are black with a white stripe just below each eye. There are white spots throughout their plumage and the legs are pink.

Red-billed Firefinch

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The Red-billed Firefinch (Lagonosticta senegala) is a small passerine bird widespread throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. The species is known for its scarlet plumage, pink bill and brown wings. Even the legs and feet are red. One distinct feature is its brilliantly yellow eye ring. Females have uniformly brown upperparts and buff underparts. The Red-billed Firefinch is 10 cm in length.

Hepatic Tanager

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The Hepatic Tanager (Piranga flava) are one of only five Tanager species that occur naturally in North America. In the United States, they are found in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Their range stretches south to Mexico. This medium-sized American songbird is found in open pine and pine-oak forests. It measures about 6.75 inches in length (including the relatively short tail).

Adult males plumage is brick red to red-orange with the brightest color on the forehead and throat. They have dark cheeks with dark eye streaks and grayish flanks. Heavy, dark bill is slightly hooked.

Females have olive-yellow to orange-yellow forehead, throat, and underparts. Grayish ear coverts and flanks. Crown, nape, wings, and back grayish olive.

ʻIʻiwi

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The ʻIʻiwi (Vestiaria coccinea), pronounced ee-EE-vee, is one of the most spectacular of Hawaiian honeycreepers. Also known as Scarlet Hawaiian Honeycreeper, the species inhabit the islands of Hawaiʻi and Kauaʻi, with smaller colonies on Molokaʻi and Oʻahu. A medium-sized bird that measures 15 cm in length and weighs around 16 - 20 g.

The adult ʻIʻiwi is mostly scarlet, with black wings and tail, a yellow eye ring, and a long, curved, salmon-colored bill. Males are larger than females but otherwise similar in appearance.

Scarlet Macaw

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The Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) is a large South American parrot. It is found in forests, jungles and broken woodland. It is the national bird of Honduras.

The vibrant red plumage with blue wings and yellow accents is unmistakable, and both male and female birds have similar coloration and markings.

Red-headed Woodpecker

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For some birds, while their plumage may not be entirely red, specific red markings are their most noticeable feature. The Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) is a prime example of this. This red beauty is a small or medium-sized woodpecker found in North America.

It measures from 19 to 25 cm (7.5 to 9.8 in) in length, with a wingspan of 42.5 cm (16.7 in). It weighs from 56 to 97 g (2.0 to 3.4 oz).

Adults have dark red head, chest and upper throat. Black and white back, wings and abdomen. Bill, legs and feet are black.

Monday, February 23, 2015

10 Eye-Catching Yellow Colored Birds

These yellow colored birds are sights to behold. Check out where they are found to see with your very own eyes their splendor colors.

American Goldfinch

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The American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a small North American finch measuring around 11–14 cm (4.3–5.5 in) in length, with a wingspan of 19–22 cm (7.5–8.7 in). It weighs between 11–20 g (0.39–0.71 oz). Common throughout much of United States and southern Canada and is found in Weedy fields, open floodplains, and other overgrown areas.

The brightly colored breeding male American Goldfinch is especially recognizable - entirely bright lemon yellow body with white undertail coverts. Pink, conical bill. Jet black cap, black wings with yellow lesser coverts and narrow white tips to greater coverts. During the breeding season, the female is olive-green, tinged with yellow on the upperparts and head, and fading to a pale yellow underside.

American Yellow Warbler

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The American Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) is a small, rounded head songbird measuring between 10–18 cm (3.9–7.1 in) long, with a wingspan from 16 to 22 cm (6.3 to 8.7 in). It weighs between 7 to 25 g (0.25–0.88 oz). Preferred habitats include orchards, thickets, edges of marshes and swamps, farmlands, and suburban gardens.

The stout-bodied males are a bright, egg-yolk yellow with reddish streaks on their breasts and bellies. They have yellow-green upperparts. Their heads and faces are unmarked, accentuating the large black eye. Females are also yellow, but paler in color than males, and they lack red streaks.

Cape Weaver

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The Cape Weaver (Ploceus capensis) is a is a large colonial bird species endemic to South Africa. The species preferred habitats include grassland, agricultural farms, often near rivers and gardens. It feeds on a wide variety of seeds, grain and insects.

The breeding male has an orange face, with whitish eyes, and conical black bill. Crown and nape are yellow, with shade of green. Breeding plumage is dull yellow-green upperparts and yellow Underparts. Wings are blackish with yellow-green edges. Tail is dark greenish with yellow-green edges too.

The adult female and the non-breeding male have an olive-yellow head and breast, greyish green upperparts, and yellowish-white Underparts.

Black-crested Bulbul

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The Black-crested Bulbul (Pycnonotus flaviventris) is a small passerine birds. It is found from India, Sri Lanka and some part of southeast Asia. Inhabiting forest and dense scrub, the species feed mostly on fruit and insects.

The eye-catching bird measures around 19 cm long including its relatively long tail. As the name suggests, it has black head with a striking yellow eye. Its body has olive upperparts and yellow or olive-yellow underparts. Both sexes are similar in plumage with juveniles with slightly duller coloring.

Yellow Golden Pheasant

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The Yellow Golden Pheasant is a popular color mutation of the Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) occurring in captivity. The Yellow Golden, also knows as Chiqi's Gold, is the most striking of the mutations. The obvious difference is the color, with yellow replacing the red. The male carries the dark green mantle from the original form. The blue of the wings has been replaced with brown while the crest and ruff are similar to that of normal golden. The tail is pale brown spotted with light yellow. Both males and females have yellow legs and yellow bills.

Silver-eared Mesia

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The Silver-eared Mesia (Leiothrix argentauris) is a small bird native to Malaysia and widespread in other South East Asia countries. The species preferred the sub-montane forest areas. This bird, which resembles a large Babbler is generally about 15.5–17 cm (22–29 g) in length.

A too colorful a bird to describe, the upperparts carry a variety of colors while the underparts is yellow. It has black head with a large glistening silver ear-coverts.The throat and the patch behind the head is orange. A prominent feature is its orange-yellow flight feathers with a red base.

Golden Palm Weaver

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The Golden Palm Weaver (Ploceus bojeri) is an eye-catching yellow colored bird found in the extreme south of Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania.The species feeds mainly on seeds, and at times grubs.

The Golden Palm Weaver has a beautiful golden yellow color from head to chest and underparts. The wings and back are slightly darker and duller. The bill and eye are dark. Legs are pink. Breeding males plumage, the face and throat turn orange.

Cream-Colored Woodpecker

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The Cream-colored Woodpecker (Celeus flavus) is a species of woodpecker native to South America. The bird's preferred habitats include swamp forests, mangroves and cacao plantations. This African bird feeds mainly on ants and termites. measures around 24-26 cm in and weighs from 95-130 grams.

It measures around 24-26 cm in and weighs from 95-130 grams. The male is colored creamy yellow, except for the wingtips and tail, which are much darker. Underparts are pale creamy-yellow. Some brown feathers can be present on head and back. It has a large crest that is always raised. The red-brown eyes have dark rings around them.

Golden Conure

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The Golden Parakeet (Guaruba guarouba), also known as Queen of Bavaria Conure or Golden Conure, is a medium-sized parrot found in the drier, upland rainforests in Amazonian Brazil. Its range is estimated to be limited to about 174,000 km2. Considered the most beautiful of the Conures, it measures 35.5 cm (14 in) in length and weighs 249 gm (8.8 oz).

The Golden Parakeet is mainly golden yellow in plumage with only the lower portion of the wings being green. It has an all-yellow relatively short tail. The eye is brown surrounded by pale-pink bare eye rings. It has a large horn-colored (gray) beak. Males and females have identical external appearance. Juvenile has dull brownish-olive, streaked green above.

Mexican Yellow Grosbeak

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The Mexican Yellow Grosbeak (Pheucticus chrysopeplus) or simply yellow grosbeak, is a medium-sized seed-eating finch found in western Mexico and Guatemala. It occurs mostly in trees in forest, woodland, and edges. The species is around 21.5–24 cm (8.5–9.5 in) long and weighing on average 62 g (2.2 oz).

A large bird with a huge, deep bill, overall plumage is solid lemon-yellow with black streaks on back. It has black wings and tail tinted with white patches. Males and Females are very similar in color, but females are much larger.

Related post: 10 Fascinating Blue Colored Birds

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

10 Fascinating Blue Colored Birds

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?

The color blue is found in many different species of birds - big or small. Here are 10 fascinating blue colored birds that can be a good addition to your private aviary.

Blue Bunting

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Blue Buntings (Cyanocompsa parellina) are small, stocky brightly colored bird found along coastal regions in Mexico and northern areas of Central America. It inhabits thickets and woodland from sea level to about 1800 meters.

The males are deep blue overall with black face and milky blue fore-crown. The species wear heavy, rounded, black bill with wings pulled briefly to sides. Females are uniformly brown with a gray bill. This passerine bird measures 14 cm (5.5 inches) in length with a wingspan of 22 cm 8.5 inches (8.5 inches).

Mexican Jay

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Mexican Jay (Aphelocoma wollweberi) is a large, crestless songbird with blue head, wings and tail. It has grayish blue back, black bill and legs. Juvenile all dull gray, with pale bill.

The species lives in the oak woodlands of western Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. It lives in social groups and forages on the ground or in trees. Its diet includes acorns, fruit, carrion and eggs.

Indian Peafowl

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The Indian Peafowl or Blue Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) is a large peacock native to South Asia. Males are predominantly blue with glossy iridescent blue head, neck and breast adorn with a fan-shaped crest of spatula-tipped wire-like feathers. Females lack the train, and have a greenish lower neck and light brown plumage.

Males measure around 100 to 115 cm (40 to 46 inches) from bill to tail of 100 to 115 cm (40 to 46 inches) and weigh 4–6 kg (8.8–13.2 lbs). The females, or peahens, are smaller at around 95 cm (38 inches) in length and weigh 2.75–4 kg (6–8.8 lbs). Indian peafowl Feeds on seeds and insects.

Mountain Bluebird

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The Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) is a medium-sized bird measuring around 16–20 cm (6.3–7.9 in) and weighing about 30 g (1.1 oz). Adult males have brilliant blue back, head, and wings. They have paler blue throat, light underbellies and black eyes. Adult females are mostly gray-brown with thin bills, duller blue wings and tail; grey crown, grey breast, throat and back.

Hyacinth Macaw

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The Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) is the largest parrot by length in the world. The species is native to central and eastern South America. It measures about 30 to 100 cm (11.8 to 39.5 in)(from the top of its head to the tip of its long pointed tail.) It weighs around 129 to 1,695 g (4.5 oz to 3.75 lbs.)

Its feathers are entirely blue, lighter above. The Hyacinth Macaw is found mainly in riverside topical rain forest and palm swamps. Its diet includes seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetable parts.

Belted Kingfisher

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The Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) is medium-sized water kingfisher found in the northern United States and Canada. It has a large head, bushy crest, white collar and large, black dagger-like bill. Further, belted kingfisher has blue-gray upperparts, white underparts and gray legs and feet.

This blue beauty measures between 28–35 cm (11–14 in) long with a wingspan of between 48–58 cm (19–23 in). It can weigh from 113 to 178 g (4.0 to 6.3 oz).

Black-throated Blue Warbler

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The Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) is a small warbler that breeds in North America and winters in the Caribbean. The species measures 13 cm (5.1 in) in length and weighs 8.4–12.4 g (0.30–0.44 oz).

The adult male has black face, cheeks and throat and white wings. Bill, legs and feet are black. It has Dark blue upperparts and White underparts with black sides. The female is olive-brown.

Indigo Bunting

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The Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) is a small,beautiful songbird easily recognize by its brilliant, almost iridescent, blue plumage. Wings and tail are black with blue edges. Crown is darker blue with a purple tint. It measures 11.5–13 cm (4.5–5.1 in) in length.

Males display vibrant blue plumage in the summer and a brown color during the winter months. Females are typically brown with light brown beak tinged with blue. The diet of the indigo bunting includes insects, larvae, grains, and seeds.

Great Blue Heron

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The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is the largest North American heron. It measures from 91–137 cm (36–54 in) head-to-tail length , around 167–201 cm (66–79 in) wing span, and around 1.82–3.6 kg (4.0–7.9 lb)in weight. This wading bird inhabits marshes, salt water shores, rivers, lakes, and ponds.

It is has blue-gray body and gray with a slight azure blue flight feathers. It has dull gray-yellow bill, black plumes above their eyes and long yellow legs and neck.

Blue Jay

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The Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a medium, noisy, passerine bird native to North America. These white-faced birds inhabit all kinds of forests but especially near oak trees. It measures 22–30 cm (9–12 in) from bill to tail and weighs 70–100 g (2.5–3.5 oz), with a wingspan of 34–43 cm (13–17 in).

The species has a distinctive blue crest, back, wings and tail. The eyes are also black, heavy bill, a black, U-shaped collar around its neck and white chest and underparts Males and females are almost identical, but the male is slightly larger.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Fort Myers Wildlife and Where to See It!

Folks visit North Captiva Island for the beach, for the blue sky and for the Florida memories.

The island, just off the coast near Fort Myers, is reachable only by boat and it’s the year-round home of just about 50 people. But to think that they’re the only residents you’d have to leave out quite a few others.

For starters there are manatees, loggerhead turtles and more migratory birds than can be counted.

Let’s start with big, huggable manatees.

Manatees

Manatees head for a 17-acre park, Manatee Park, just upstream on the Orange River, practically within Fort Myers. It’s your single best bet for seeing them up close but it’s a nice county park besides. About 150,000 visitors hit the park every year, but it’s orderly and well maintained and the animals are just as magnificent as you can imagine.

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Dolphins

Dolphins may make their presence known at just about any location in the greater Fort Myers area (excluding most places on land). A wealth of tours can almost guarantee you’ll see a fair number of dolphins – nearly year round. For more active travelers, a guided kayak tour will get you a little closer and perhaps even within arm’s reach. Particularly along the Fort Myers beach waterfront, kayak tours will frequently bring guests into contact not only with dolphins but with herons, otters, roseate spoonbills, even bald eagles, and alligators. Of course, with some of them you won’t want to get too close!

Birds, Birds, Birds

We started the long list of birds above, but Florida’s gulf coast is a paradise for birds who seem to arrive from all over the continents. Pelicans, egrets, and herons are majestic and not hard to find. Start at the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island and you’re likely to see everything from brown and white pelicans to egrets, ibis and even osprey.

The National Audubon Society runs the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary which is home to storks, owls and warblers. And the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is home to more wading birds than anywhere else in the area.

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Sea Turtles

Loggerhead Sea Turtles are endangered and extremely popular with travelers. It’s not just because they are cute (though they are). Around May of each year, turtles return to their home beach to lay eggs. Sites where they are likely to return are now tightly controlled by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission so that folks with their lights don’t confuse the young turtles. They list all the places where you are likely to see the turtles. Adult females can weigh 350 pounds (on land) so while they’re hard to miss they’re not the kind of creatures you want to mess with.

Turtle Time is the Fort Myers monitoring organization for sea turtle activity in the area. In addition to loggerhead turtles, they also monitor green turtles, hawksbills, Kemp’s Ridley turtles and leatherback turtles. Leatherbacks are the biggest reptiles on the planet, and at sometimes up to feet long, they’re impressive.

By law, visitors can only approach sea turtles in the permitted areas, and under supervision. So check with the relevant authorities. They’ll make it easier for you to find the turtles and safer for the turtles, too.

On North Captiva Island

North Captiva Island is nearly half-covered by a nature preserve for the protection of wildlife. While some of the island is simply beyond reach, most of the southern half of the island is given over to trails and open beach that lets visitors get a first-hand look at the island’s considerable migratory bird population. A few Nile Monitor Lizards are usually springing through those same trails. There are also a few wild bobcats left though are much harder to spot.

You’re more likely to run into the great egrets, osprey and various kinds of hawks. Although that’s just the beginning of the bird population. Some guided tours will always be happy to give you more information on the types and kinds of feathered friends who happen to be visiting the island at the same time you are.

Offshore Marine Life

As all visitors get to north Captiva Island on a boat, it’s a wonder most of them seem to get right on another boat as soon as they get here. This can be explained by paradisiacal numbers of fish, fowl and marine life that make a home in these waters. Of course, dolphins and manatees are abundant, but so are all kinds of sport fish and sharks. SCUBA diving and snorkeling, as well as kayaking tours, are a terrific way to run into all kinds of creatures. No matter what particular species you’re seeking out, there is someone who will be happy to lead the way or to point you in the right direction.

Lastly, all of the houses for rent with Barnacle Island Resort on North Captiva Islands come with free kayaks. So there’s never a problem to find the local wildlife. That can include guided tour packages, or fishing. It also opens the entire mangrove wilderness as it’s never been open before and a guided eco tour will give you the best trip inside to some of the island’s wildest and most unexplored territory.

About the author:

This article was written by james t. James is a New Jersey native but currently lives in Mexico City because it’s a tad bit cold in New Jersey at the moment. Still, he is looking forward to the 2014 Super Bowl being held in his freezing home state.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Flash Report: Animals Seen Celebrating Valentine’s Day!

A local news agency has shown pictures to prove that the unverified report about animals celebrating Valentine’s Day is indeed true. Read the full article to learn more.

I got you on this one! Just trying to catch your attention. But what if… animals do celebrate Valentine’s Day. How will the celebration be? Where and when this Love day be held? Questions that only the creative mind can give answers. But one thing is sure; just like humans, animals do know how to express Love in their intimate ways. Go, check out the pictures below.

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Love is seeing yourself in the face of others.

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No one will break us apart, not even zoos.

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Your hug is all I need, in this cold surrounding we live in.

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Stallion: Here we go again, playing this “catch-me-if-you-can” love game.
Mare: Sure does, good ol’ activities never die and so is true love.

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Roses are red, nectar are sweet, but they are nothing compared with you.

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Fear loses its fangs, whenever I am in your wooly shoulders.

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They say, stars belong to the sky, how come you are here.

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Walking in the rain with you is sweet, But dancing in the snow is far more sweeter.

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No words will ever define love, but a kiss do.

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I have been held helpless when Cupid pierced your heart. But this time… I promise, no surgical tools will ever touch your skin.

Saturday, February 7, 2015

10 Stunning and Gorgeous Red Animals

Just a collection of 10 animals that are simply stunning and gorgeous in their red appearance.

Crimson Finch

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The Common Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton) is a small passerine bird found in Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. The species is found along rivers, swamps, moist savannahs, and grassy plains. This stunning red bird nest on the seeds of grasses and other plants, and on termites and spiders. The dome-shaped nest is usually bulk, long and flat. It can house 5 and 10 white eggs. The Crimson finch feeds on grass seeds and insects.

The Crimson Finch (also known as the Blood Finch) measures around 12 cm. They have a distinct appearance: Males have crimson plumage on the face, breast, rump, tail and flanks. Adult males have dark gray crowns, red beaks, brownish-red wings, and brown bellies. The females have the same color pattern but they are paler overall.

Red-spotted Coral Crab

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The Red-spotted Coral Crab (Trapezia rufopunctata)is a small, polka dot looking guard crab. It is found in Indo-Pacific ocean at a depth of 3-40 m (10-130 ft). The species measures around 0.5 to 1 in. (1.5 to 2.5 cm). It lives in association with corals, feeding on coral tissue and mucus. In return, it defends its home from predators, like crown-of-thorns sea stars and other starfish.

Red-veined Darter

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The Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) is a dragonfly common in southern Europe but until recently has increasingly been found in northwest Europe, including Britain and Ireland. Breeds nearly annually, in large shallow bodies of water such as rice paddies.

The species measures 38-40 mm. The adult males are pillar-box red in appearance with red-veins in the wings and bi-colored eyes (brown above and blue below). Females have yellow-brown abdomen with two black lines along each side. Juvenile males are colored as the females but have only a single line along each side of the abdomen.

Red Ruffed Lemur

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The Red Ruffed lemur (Varecia rubra) is one of two species in the genus Varecia, the ruffed lemurs; the other is the black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata). It is a large diurnal lemur inhabiting rainforests of Masoala, in Madagascar Island.

As its name would suggest, this stunning red animal has a rust-colored fur and with a white patch on the back of its neck. Its face is very dark black and has a long snout. Also, it has long, black, hairy tail. The species weighs about 3.3–3.6 kg (7.3–7.9 lb) and measures about 53 cm (21 in) long, with a 60 cm (24 in) tail. Females are slightly larger than males. They are very timid and they like to live in small and matriarchal groups. This long legged lemur diet include fruit, nectar and pollen.

Red Munia

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The Red Munia (Amandava amandava) also known as strawberry finch or red avadavat, is a small, sparrow-sized bird. These birds measures around 9-10cm (3-4 inches). They are found in the open fields and grasslands of tropical Asia. These birds measures around 9-10cm (3-4 inches).

Red Munia is easily identified by the rounded black tail and the bill that is seasonally red. During breeding season, the males appear red on most of the upper parts. Top of head and back are deep mahogany brown. The beak is red and the eyes are black with a white stripe just below each eye. There are white spots throughout their plumage and the legs are pink.

Red Munia feed mainly on grass seeds but will also eat insects.

Red Asian Arowana Fish

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The Super Red Asian Arowana (Scleropages formosus) is a popular aquarium fish largely because of their auspicious color and more affordable prices as compared to other Asian Arowana species. It is native to Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Adult fish grow up to 90 cm (35 in) in total length. The species have long bodies; large, elongated pectoral fins, dorsal and anal fins located far back on the body. The mouth is oblique with a very wide gape and the prominent lower jaw has two barbels at its tip.

Madagascar Tomato Frog

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The Madagascar Tomato Frog (Dyscophus antongilli) is a large terrestrial frog endemic to Madagascar. These frogs are found in rivers, swamps, moist lowland forests, freshwater marshes, ponds, canals and ditches. The species is endangered as a result of deforestation and over-collecting for the pet trade.

Tomato frogs live up to their name by possessing a vibrant, orange-red color. Females are much larger than males, ranging in size from 8.5 to 10.5 cm and 230 g in weight. Males measure around 60 - 65 mm and 41 grams in weight. It is thought that the stunning red color of the tomato frog act as a warning to potential predators

Camel Shrimps

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The Camel Shrimp (Rhynchocinetes durbanensis) is also known as the Hinge-beak Shrimp, Durban Shrimp, Dancing Shrimp among others. The species is recognizable by a characteristic pattern of red and white stripes on its translucent body; and moveable rostrum (beak) that is usually angled upwards. It has large black eyes. The males tend to have larger claws than the females.

The Camel Shrimp measures 4 cm (1.6 in) in length. The species are widespread in Indo-Pacific region and are found in large groups in caves, under overhangs and amongst coral rubble. They feed on parasites, algae and plankton.

Scarlet Lily Beetle

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The Scarlet Lily Beetle (Lilioceris lilii) also called lily leaf beetle or Red Lily Beetle is an insect native to parts of Europe and Asia. Adults dults are strong fliers and, once established, will readily spread to wherever their host plant exists. They have a voracious appetite and can completely destroy healthy lily plants eating its leaves, stem, buds, and flower.It is now a pest in most temperate climates where lilies are cultivated.

The adult Scarlet Lily Beetle measures around 6 to 9 mm (¼–⅜ in) in length. It has, rectangular body shape, large eyes, long black antennae, and distinctive black legs. Its elytra (harder forewings) are bright scarlet and shiny. When disturbed, adults emit a high pitch squeak, perhaps as a warning to other beetles.

African Sea Star

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The African Sea Star (Protoreaster linckii), also known as the Red Spine Star, Red Knob Sea Star, Red-knobbed Starfish and the African red knob sea star is a species of starfish from the Indo-Pacific region. The species inhabit sandy or muddy sea beds to 100 m (330 ft) deep.

As their name suggests, African Sea Star are red in color, with numerous spiny tubercles -- coming off its five arms. It has a gray body, a red underside with pink feet, and a central mouth. Fairly large, these stunning and gorgeous red creatures can grow to a maximum diameter of 30 cm (12 in). They eat a whole host of different sea critters including sponges, worms, invertebrates, and even other sea stars.

Red Velvet Mites

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The Red Velvet Mites is in the family Thrombidiidae are known for their bright red color and their velvety coat of fine hairs. They have two tiny eyes, eight legs and fang-like mouth parts similar to those of spiders. Scientists suspect that the red hairs on Red velvet Mites act as sensors, to sense where they are going. Red velvet mites do not bite or sting.

These gorgeous-looking creatures mites grow around 1.5 cm up to 2 cm long, which is huge compared to other mites. They typically live in the soil and emerge after spring rains to feed on prey that appear in significant numbers after rainstorms. Adult red velvet mites typically feast on eggs of insects, termites and small spiders.