Species

HBW Alive provides full accounts for every bird species known to science up to June 2013, including distribution maps and color illustrations. Check out these recently updated species or search the species you want.

Chestnut-bellied Imperial-pigeon (Ducula brenchleyi)
1 day 15 hours ago
Chestnut-winged Chachalaca (Ortalis garrula)
1 day 21 hours ago
Christmas Imperial-pigeon (Ducula whartoni)
2 days 15 hours ago
Grey Imperial-pigeon (Ducula pickeringii)
2 days 15 hours ago
View all updated species
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Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus)

Taxonomy:

Falco rusticolus

 Linnaeus, 1758, Sweden.

Closest to F. cherrug; genetic data indicate that these two, along with F. biarmicus and F. jugger, form a group of closely...

Descriptive notes: 48–60 cm; male 769–1450 g, female 1130–2150 g; wingspan 105–135 cm. The largest Falco, with larger head, deeper chest, relatively short but broad outer wings and longer tail than other large falcons....
figure, drawing, illustration of Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus)

Edwards’s Pheasant (Lophura edwardsi)

Taxonomy:

Gennaeus Edwardsi

 Oustalet, 1896, Quangtri, central Vietnam.

Formerly placed in either genus Delacourigallus or genus Hierophasis, but recent genetic study found no evidence that Lophura as...

Descriptive notes: 58–65 cm; male tail length 24–26 cm, female 20–22 cm; two males 1115 g and 1100 g, one female 1050 g. Male is distinctive in having all-black plumage with strong blue gloss, and metallic green fringes to upperwing-coverts, contrasting with...
figure, drawing, illustration of Edwards’s Pheasant (Lophura edwardsi)

Malay Eared-nightjar (Lyncornis temminckii)

Taxonomy:

Lyncornis Temminckii

 Gould, 1838, Borneo.

Previously placed in genus Eurostopodus. Race jacobsoni of L. macrotis may belong in present species...

Descriptive notes: 25–28 cm. Sexes similar. Shows distinct "ears"; upperparts brown speckled buff, pale buff and cinnamon, crown boldly spotted with blackish-brown; thin buff nuchal ­collar; wing-coverts brown, speckled and spotted...
figure, drawing, illustration of Malay Eared-nightjar (Lyncornis temminckii)

Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)

Taxonomy:

Trochilus rufus

 J. F. Gmelin, 1788, Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island, Canada.

Closely related to S. sasin (which see). Monotypic.

Descriptive notes: c. 8·5 cm; 2·9–3·9 g. Male has medium-short, straight black bill; crown bronze or bronze-green, remaining upperparts rufous, occasionally with a few green feathers on the back; throat iridescent scarlet-bronze...
figure, drawing, illustration of Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)

Western Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus)

Taxonomy:

Tetrao Urogallus

 Linnaeus, 1758, Sweden.

Closely related to T. urogalloides, with which very commonly hybridizes where ranges overlap in Siberia (in one area up to 12% of males reported to...

Descriptive notes: 80–115 cm, female much smaller, 59–64 cm; male 3300–4300 g (up to 6500 g), female 1440–2500 g. Large, very dark grouse, mostly slate-grey with fine vermiculations, blackish on head and neck; breast glossy...
figure, drawing, illustration of Western Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus)

Each bird species in HBW Alive has sections for Taxonomy, Subspecies, Distribution, Descriptive notes, Habitat, Food and Feeding, Breeding, Movements, Status and Conservation and Bibliography, as well as a distribution map and color illustrations.