Get your binoculars and field guide and head to a local park to see what birds you can spot! There are approximately 18,000 known species of birds around the world. Birds come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, colours and behaviours, making them one of the most diverse groups of animals on Earth—from imposing eagles to today"s tiny snowy-winged star, a leucistic Anna"s Hummingbird. These hummingbirds are typically vibrant in colour, but leucism means that they have decreased pigmentation, resulting in a paler appearance. Unlike albino birds, these hummingbirds retain some colour in their eyes. Their lighter plumage reduces protective camouflage, making them more vulnerable to predators such as hawks and feral cats.
Leucistic Annas hummingbird, UCSC Arboretum, California, USA
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
American bison, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
-
A record-breaking reign
-
European beech forest, Belgium
-
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
-
City of ice
-
Vineyards in Varnhalt, Black Forest, Germany
-
World Population Day
-
Regal Radiance
-
World Rivers Day
-
Heavenly hot springs
-
Butterfly, fly away
-
Were halfway there
-
Tibetan New Year
-
Out of this world
-
Poetry in suspense
-
Bernina Pass, Graubünden, Switzerland
-
Playa del Silencio, Spain
-
Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario, Canada
-
Cowes Week
-
Rainbow around the Sun
-
Rides above the tide
-
Burns Night
-
Saint Andrews Day
-
Swedish wilderness
-
Leap Day
-
Thorrablot: The Icelandic midwinter festival
-
Mount Hood, Oregon, USA
-
Its puffling season!
-
Gunnerside, Yorkshire Dales National Park, England
-
The dog days of summer