The Bird Tree Root section Kakapo (Strigops habroptila) This odd‐looking parrot, a native of New Zealand, is a nocturnal bird quite limited in number. Though it is the only parrot unable to fly, it nonetheless manages to build its nest very high up in trees, by climbing them using its sharp claws. Kaempfer’s Woodpecker (Celeus obrieni) Despite its lovely bristly tuft and colourful plumage, this Brazilian bird was discovered only in 2006, for it is quite a rare species. If watching it in its habitat may prove a challenge for this very reason, there is a consolation in the form of a stamp bearing its likeness launched by Brazil’s postal service i n 2008. Emperor Spotted Newt (Neurergus kaiseri) A protected species in Iran, the Emperor Spotted Newt is nevertheless an endangered species. The main threat to its survival is man, who hunts it illegally for trade. Its population is highly fragmented and d istributed over less than 10 km2. Lehmann’s Poison Frog (Oophaga lehmanni) This amphibian from Colombia is so beautiful that one may well be tempted to cradle it in one’s palm. Be forewarned: it feeds, among other things, on venomous insects whose poison is eventually secreted onto the surface of the frog’s skin, where it serves as a defence mechanism. Cuban Crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer) This very big crocodile can reach as musch 3.5 metres in length. Its numbers have unfortunately dwindled by more than 80% over the past three generations, in large part due to poaching and to the degradation of its habitat. Aside from Cuba, it can be found on several other Caribbean islands. Fijian Crested Iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis) Its colours are as gorgeous as observing them is rare, for this iguana’s habitat consists of but one tiny island of the Fiji archipelago, the island of Yaduataba. Some specimens are nonetheless on display in a number of Australi an zoos, notably in Perth and in Melbourne. Indochinese Box Turtle (Cuora galbinifrons) Why the funny name? This native of China, Laos and Vietnam has a dome‐shaped shell so spacious it can withdraw and disappear completely into its carapace, as though it were enclosed in a box. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ BRA NCH 1 07 Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) The tallest of all parrots, it lives in South America, chiefly in Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. It is intensely hunted for its plumage, in which there is a large illegal trade. The loss of its habitat is another factor contributing to the endangerment of the species. 10 Red‐breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) It is considered one of the most beautiful geese on Earth, and deservingly so. It can be found, notably, in the Balkans, in Ukraine, along the Black Sea coastline, and in a number of former Soviet republics. Climate change is its greatest threat. 18 Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) This vulture with the unusual head plumage is a migratory bird that makes its home in southern Europe, Africa and Central Asia. Smaller than other vultures, it is endangered chiefly by chemicals ingested by and present in its prey. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ BRANCH 2 29 Puerto Rican Parrot (Amazona vittata) A truly rare bird! It is estimated there are fewer than 300 on the planet. Its numbers in the Amazon have shrunk due to the disappearance of its habitat. Indeed, the only location left for it to nest in is a very small area on the island of Puerto Rico. 30 Ivory‐billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) Though the world’s second‐largest woodpecker, it is nonetheless a rare one. So rare the exact number extant is unknown; the last count dates back to 1987. It used to make its home in the southern United States and in Cuba. 49 Pink‐headed Duck (Rhodonessa caryophyllacea) This odd‐looking duck has virtually disappeared from the face of the Earth. In fact, the last sighting was in 1949. It is speculated that perhaps a few still exist in the far reaches of Bhutan. A postage stamp issued in India in 1994 bears its image. 52 Grey‐breasted Parakeet (Pyrrhura griseipectus) Weighing in at a mere 100 grams, this small parrot from northeast Brazil nonetheless has a life span of 25 years. Despite the bird’s hardiness, its population has significantly dropped due to deforestation and to its capture for aviaries. 56 Javan Hawk‐Eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi) This bird does not exactly possess what one might call a friendly face! Still, this did not prevent its being chosen Indonesia’s emblematic bird. It also seems to have inspired the nation’s coat of arms, wherein appears the mythical Garuda, or divine eagle. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ BRANCH 3 22 Congo Bay‐Owl (Phodilus prigoginei) A pretty, small owl that lives for the most part in the Congo, though some sightings have been reported in Burundi and Rwanda as well. Rarely seen, it is among the bird species endangered by deforestation and agriculture. 24 Gurney’s Pitta (Pitta gurneyi) The most colourful of birds, and one of the rarest: living in Thailand and Myanmar, there are today only a few hundred left. 27 Red‐headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) This very attractive redhead lives in Québec and Ontario, and in southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It nests in dead trees and the loss of its habitat is making it increasingly rare. 32 Trinidad Piping‐Guan (Pipile pipile) This bird lives exclusively in Trinidad and Tobago and belongs to the gallinacean order, which includes, among others, turkeys, chickens and guinea fowl. The destruction of its habitat and intensive illegal hunting have contributed to its rarity. 46 Orange‐bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster) This bird summers exclusively in Tasmania and migrates to Australia for the winter. It is estimated there are only some 300 left on Earth, half of them in captivity. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ BRANCH 4 9 Madagascar Pond‐Heron (Ardeola idae) This elegant heron with a bright blue beak lives in Africa. Small in size, it does not exceed 48 cm in length. Its declining population is partially the result of its eggs being prized and of the introduction into the ecosystem of fish that compete for the same food. 13 Ouvea Parakeet (Eunymphicus uvaeensis) The bright colours of this New Caledonia native make it highly sought for aviaries. Intensive illegal hunting, coupled with numerous predators and the loss of habitat, has brought about a substantial drop in numbers. 25 Hooded Grebe (Podiceps gallardoi) The Hooded Grebe is found mostly in Patagonia, but also in Argentina and parts of Chile. It is threatened by climate change and by its principal predator, the Dominican Seagull. The grebe family is closely related to that of our loons. 26 Ridgway’s Hawk (Buteo ridgwayi) This buzzard can measure up to 45 cm and is found only in the Dominican Republic; it appears to have completely disappeared from neighbouring Haiti. It can be found in a popular adventure tourism destination, Los Haitises National Park. Human activity, chiefly hunting and agriculture, represents the main threatto its survival. 33 Rufous‐headed Hornbill (Aceros waldeni) Measuring up to 60 cm, this hornbill from the Philippines is simply breathtaking to behold. Sadly, this same beauty makes it intensely hunted. Other major threats include deforestation and the destruction of its nests. 48 Waved Albatross (Phoebastria irrorata) Rather finicky, this large albatross nests strictly on Española Island, in the Galapagos archipelago. Thankfully, the island forms part of a national park that affords it protected status. And yet, intense illegal hunting for its feathers still threatens it. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ BRANCH 5 2 Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus) This beautiful parrot can reach 90 cm in length and lives in Honduras, Panama, Ecuador, and Costa Rica, where a zoo has introduced a breeding initiative aimed at saving the species from extinction. It is illegally hunted for its meat and feathers. 11 Oriental Stork (Ciconia boyciana) A very big bird indeed, with a wingspan reaching up to 2.2 metres, this stork lives in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea and Japan. Its main threats are overfishing, the drying out of marshes to make way for agriculture, the building of dams, and deforestation. 42 Indigo‐winged Parrot (Hapalopsittaca fuertesi) Its highly limited habitat extends along the western coast of Colombia’s Central Andes. At present, there are no more than 250 of them, making conservation initiatives all the more important. Deforestation is the main culprit in the species’ decline. 51 Tuamotu Kingfisher (Todiramphus gambieri) This small, colourful bird lives in French Polynesia and makes its home in dead coconut trees. Its habitat has shrunk as a result of human activity. Competition for food with other species, and predators feeding on its young, among them the domestic cat, constitute its main threats. 53 Red‐fronted Macaw (Ara rubrogenys) Its red front and lovely green colour make it a favourite among collectors and caged‐bird enthusiasts. It is also the object of an intensive hunt because it is a nuisance to farmers. It lives by and large in the foothills of Bolivia’s southern Andes. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐