One of North America’s most abundant birds, red-winged blackbirds are named for the signature red patch on the males’ shoulder. Only northern populations migrate south, joining with other birds to form enormous flocks.
easily identifiable variation lives in coastal California, in which the males don’t have
Ruddy ducks are thick-necked diving ducks that can be found in wetlands and lakes across North America. When males are in breeding plumage, they sport bright blue bills and deep chestnut bodies.
During the summer, the males have deep brown feathers and light blue bills.
Cheetah mom Rosalie has picked a new „den“ for her cubs. She moved them, one by one, to a large clump of tall grasses in her yard. The area is well-protected and it is not uncommon for cheetah moms to move dens.
popular spot for cheetah moms to move their cubs within the first month – five have
Kori bustards are the world’s heaviest flying birds. They live in grasslands and savannas in eastern and southern Africa.
They have only three front toes, which are short, broad and well adapted for running
Striped hermit crabs are small, greenish-blue crustaceans that are quite common among the warmer parts of the Atlantic Ocean, where they scavenge for food both on land and in the water. Like many species of hermit crabs, they protect themselves from predators and harsh natural elements by spending nearly their entire lives inside the discarded shells of gastropods, like whelk or conch.
They also have a pair of eyes, mounted on eyestalks, and gills that allow them to
Native to the tropical forests of South America, cotton-top tamarins are small, tree-dwelling monkeys. Their signature white mane hairstyle is fashionable and functional. When on alert, these monkeys will raise the hair on their heads in an attempt to look larger.
Cotton-top tamarins have long tails that are usually longer than their bodies.
Always free of charge, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is one of Washington D.C.’s, and the Smithsonian’s, most popular tourist destinations, with more than 2 million visitors from all over the world each year. The Zoo instills a lifelong commitment to conservation through engaging experiences with animals and the people working to save them.
National Zoological Park’s Janine Brown and a team of collaborators have just completed
Scientists identify best practices for reintroduction of endangered and extinct amphibians in a new publication.
limosus has been threatened by the deadly chytrid fungus, which is believed to have
It looks like the angriest housecat you’ve ever seen, but it’s actually the Pallas’s cat: a small Asian wildcat known for its thick fur and unusual face.
Pallas’s cats have the densest fur of any cat in the world.
Behold a brunch between a sloth and a golden lion tamarin, catch a close-up of newborn black-footed ferret kits and get a glimpse of giant pandas gorging themselves on bamboo shoots. All of these events (and more) made for a memorable May at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Although she could easily pick them up, Christina wants the guinea pigs have the
