World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/platypus): Platypus — wildlife guide.

## Is a platypus a mammal?
Yes. The platypus is a mammal, but an unusual one called a monotreme. It has fur, is warm-blooded and produces milk to feed its young, all defining mammal traits. What makes it extraordinary is that it lays eggs instead of giving birth to live young, a reptile-like feature retained from an ancient evolutionary line. Only five living species, the platypus and four echidnas, share this egg-laying mammal lifestyle.

## Is the platypus venomous?
Yes, it is one of the very few venomous mammals. Adult males have a sharp, hollow spur on each hind ankle linked to a venom gland. The venom is rarely fatal to humans but causes intense, long-lasting pain that ordinary painkillers struggle to relieve, and can incapacitate small animals. Venom production peaks during the breeding season, suggesting the spurs are used mainly to compete with rival males rather than for defence or hunting.

## How does a platypus find food underwater?
It uses electroreception. When diving, a platypus closes its eyes, ears and nostrils and relies entirely on its soft, leathery bill, which contains around 40,000 electroreceptors. These detect the faint electrical signals produced by the muscles of prey such as shrimp, worms and insect larvae hidden in the riverbed. By sweeping its bill side to side, the platypus locates food in dark or muddy water without seeing it, then stores it in cheek pouches to eat at the surface.

## Where do platypuses live?
Platypuses live only in eastern Australia and Tasmania, in and around freshwater rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. Their range stretches from tropical Queensland in the north down through New South Wales and Victoria to Tasmania and King Island. They need clean, flowing water with earthen banks for digging burrows and a healthy supply of aquatic invertebrates. They are not found naturally anywhere else in the world.

## How big is a platypus and how long does it live?
Platypuses are fairly small. Males average about 50 cm in total length and up to roughly 1.7 kg, while females are smaller at around 43 cm and under 1 kg, with size varying by region. They are long-lived for their size: one wild individual was recaptured at around 24 years old, and captive platypuses have survived to roughly 30 years, though many wild animals live considerably shorter lives.

## Are platypuses endangered?
The platypus is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, with a declining population trend. It is not yet classed as endangered across its whole range, but numbers are estimated to have dropped by roughly 30% since European settlement, with steeper losses in some areas. Drought, climate change, dams, river regulation and land clearing all degrade the freshwater habitats it relies on, and conservationists are increasingly calling for stronger legal protection.

## What do platypus eat?
Platypus eat Carnivorous: insect larvae, worms, shrimp, crayfish, small aquatic animals. A platypus is a semi-aquatic, egg-laying mammal (a monotreme) native to eastern Australia and Tasmania. It has a duck-like bill, webbed feet and a beaver-like tail, hunts underwater using electroreception, and males carry venomous ankle spurs.

## Are platypus dangerous?
The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is one of the strangest mammals on Earth: a furry, duck-billed, beaver-tailed animal that lays eggs, carries venom and hunts by sensing electricity. Give wild platypus space; do not corner or handle them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/chameleon): Chameleon — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
A chameleon is an arboreal lizard of the family Chamaeleonidae, with around 200 species, about half found only in Madagascar. They are known for independently moving eyes, a fast projectile tongue, gripping feet, a prehensile tail and colour change used mainly for communication and temperature control.

## Introduction
Chameleons are a distinctive family of mostly tree-dwelling lizards (Chamaeleonidae) famous for changing colour, swivelling each eye independently and firing a long, sticky tongue to catch prey. Around 200 species have been described, ranging from a thumbnail-sized leaf-litter dweller to a lizard nearly 70 cm long. Roughly half of all species live only in Madagascar, with most of the rest across mainland Africa and a handful reaching southern Europe, the Middle East, India and Sri Lanka. Specialised for life in branches, they have gripping, pincer-like feet and a prehensile tail. Their famous colour change is used mainly to communicate mood and to control body temperature, not chiefly as camouflage.

## Takeaway
Chameleons (family Chamaeleonidae) number around 200 species, roughly half of which live only in Madagascar.

## Takeaway
Their colour change mainly signals mood and regulates temperature, rather than hiding them from predators.

## Takeaway
Each eye moves independently for near-360° vision, then both lock forward for stereoscopic aim before a strike.

## Takeaway
The projectile tongue can reach prey in as little as 0.07 seconds and extend well beyond body length.

## Takeaway
Gripping, pincer-like feet and a prehensile tail make them superb climbers in trees and shrubs.

## Takeaway
Conservation status varies by species; habitat loss and collection for the pet trade threaten many, and most are CITES-listed.

## How chameleons change colour - and why
Chameleons change colour using layers of specialised skin cells. Beneath the pigment-bearing cells lie nanocrystal-packed cells called iridophores; by actively spacing or tightening these crystals, a chameleon shifts which wavelengths of light are reflected, sweeping its skin from greens and blues toward yellows, oranges and reds. Pigment movement adds further tones. Contrary to popular belief, the primary purpose is not camouflage. Colour change is chiefly a language: males flush bright, bold patterns to display dominance or court mates, and turn dark when submitting or stressed. It also helps with thermoregulation, as a chameleon can darken to absorb more warmth in cool conditions or pale to reflect heat. Many species do rest in greens and browns that blend with foliage, so background-matching plays a supporting role, but the showiest changes are about signalling and body temperature, not invisibility. The speed and vividness vary widely between species, with some of the most dramatic displays seen in larger Madagascan and African chameleons.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/chameleon): Chameleon — wildlife guide.

## Built for the branches: eyes, tongue and grip
Few animals are as specialised for ambush hunting in trees as a chameleon. Its eyes sit in cone-shaped, scaly turrets that rotate independently, giving an almost complete field of view so it can scan for insects and predators at once. Once prey is spotted, both eyes converge to judge distance with precise stereoscopic vision. Then comes the tongue: a muscular, spring-loaded structure that launches faster than the eye can follow, striking prey in as little as 0.07 seconds and, in small species, extending more than twice the body length. A sticky, suction-like tip secures the catch and reels it back. Underpinning all this is a body made for climbing. The toes are fused into opposing bundles, two against three, forming pincers that clamp around twigs, while the prehensile tail coils like a fifth limb for extra anchorage. Most chameleons move slowly and deliberately, sometimes rocking as they walk to mimic a leaf swaying in the breeze.

## Where chameleons live and what they eat
Chameleons are overwhelmingly Old World animals. Madagascar is their heartland, home to about half of all species, with many found nowhere else on Earth. The remainder occur across sub-Saharan Africa, with a single species reaching southern Europe and a few extending through the Middle East to India and Sri Lanka; introduced populations also persist in places such as Hawaii and Florida. They occupy habitats from rainforest and montane cloud forest to dry woodland and even semi-desert scrub, and a few tiny species live in leaf litter rather than trees. Most are insectivores, picking off grasshoppers, crickets, flies and other invertebrates, though the largest species will take small birds, lizards and even the occasional fruit or leaf. Reproduction varies: many lay eggs, burying clutches in soil, while some montane species give birth to live young. Lifespans differ by species, commonly spanning roughly three to about ten years, with smaller species tending to live shorter lives.

## Why chameleons are under pressure
There is no single conservation status for chameleons, because the family spans roughly 200 species with very different fortunes. Some are widespread and of low concern, while others, particularly narrow-range species in Madagascar and Africa's montane forests, are assessed as threatened or even Critically Endangered. The overriding problem is habitat loss: forests are cleared for farmland, fuel and timber, and because so many chameleons live only in small patches of specialised habitat, losing those forests can imperil an entire species at once. Collection for the international pet trade adds further pressure on some sought-after species, which is why most chameleons are listed on CITES Appendix II to regulate cross-border trade. Climate change compounds the risk for cool, high-altitude specialists with nowhere cooler to go. Because they depend so completely on intact forest, chameleons are useful indicators of habitat health: protecting the forests they need also safeguards countless other species that share those landscapes.

## WARN work
World Animal Rescue Network does not currently run field projects specifically for chameleons, which live mainly outside the countries where WARN's partners work partner countries. This guide is part of WARN's free educational and awareness work, helping people understand and value lesser-known wildlife. The same pressures that threaten chameleons - especially habitat loss - also affect the animals WARN does protect, so supporting habitat and wildlife work has benefits that reach far beyond any single species.

## Donation hook
If you would like to help, supporting WARN's habitat and wildlife work is a gentle way to stand up for the forests and the creatures, large and small, that depend on them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/chameleon): Chameleon — wildlife guide.

## Why do chameleons change colour?
Chameleons change colour mainly to communicate and to regulate their temperature, not primarily to hide. By rearranging tiny light-reflecting crystals in their skin, they shift between greens, blues, yellows and reds. Bright, bold colours signal dominance or courtship, while dark tones often mean stress or submission. Darkening also helps them absorb warmth, and paling reflects heat. Background-matching plays only a supporting role.

## How fast is a chameleon's tongue?
Astonishingly fast. A chameleon can strike prey in as little as 0.07 seconds, with the tongue accelerating at well over 40 times the force of gravity - quicker than the human eye can follow. In smaller species the tongue can extend more than twice the body length. A sticky, suction-like tip grabs the insect, and powerful muscles reel the catch straight back to the mouth.

## Where do chameleons live?
Chameleons are Old World lizards found mainly in Madagascar and across sub-Saharan Africa. About half of all species live only in Madagascar. A single species reaches southern Europe, and a few extend through the Middle East to India and Sri Lanka. Introduced populations also persist in places such as Hawaii and Florida. They occupy rainforest, cloud forest, dry woodland and even semi-desert scrub.

## How many species of chameleon are there?
Around 200 chameleon species have been described, grouped into roughly 10 to 12 genera within the family Chamaeleonidae. They range dramatically in size, from a leaf-litter dweller barely the length of a fingernail to a lizard nearly 70 centimetres long. Scientists continue to describe new species, particularly in Madagascar and Africa, so the total tends to rise over time as research continues.

## What do chameleons eat?
Most chameleons are insectivores, ambushing grasshoppers, crickets, flies and other invertebrates with their high-speed projectile tongue. Larger species will also take small birds, lizards and other small vertebrates, and some occasionally eat plant material such as leaves and fruit. They hunt by sight, using independently swivelling eyes to spot prey, then locking both eyes forward to judge distance before striking.

## Are chameleons endangered?
It depends on the species. With around 200 species, status varies widely: some are widespread and of low concern, while many narrow-range species, especially in Madagascar and Africa's montane forests, are threatened or Critically Endangered. The main causes are habitat loss and, for some species, collection for the pet trade. Most chameleons are listed on CITES Appendix II to regulate international trade.

## Are chameleons dangerous?
No. Chameleons are not dangerous to humans. Most are small insectivorous lizards, ranging from about 22 mm in Brookesia nana to roughly 68.5 cm in Furcifer oustaleti. They rely on camouflage, colour change and retreat rather than aggression. A large individual might nip if handled roughly, but they pose no meaningful threat to people.

## How long do chameleons live?
Lifespan varies by species, commonly spanning roughly 3 to 10 or more years. Smaller leaf-litter dwellers tend to live shorter lives than larger forest species. With around 200 described species in the family Chamaeleonidae, exact longevity is documented for relatively few, and many montane specialists remain poorly studied in the wild.

## How big is a chameleon?
Chameleon size varies dramatically across the family's roughly 200 species. The smallest, Brookesia nana, measures about 22 mm, while Furcifer oustaleti reaches nearly 68.5 cm. Most familiar species fall between these extremes, with compact bodies, gripping feet and prehensile tails suited to life in branches rather than bulk.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/turkey): Wild Turkey — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
A wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a large North American ground bird and the wild ancestor of the domestic turkey. Males have iridescent feathers, a bare red-and-blue head and a fan-shaped tail, and produce a loud gobble that carries up to a mile.

## Introduction
The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a large, ground-dwelling game bird native to North America and the wild ancestor of the domestic turkey. Males, called toms or gobblers, are unmistakable: dark, iridescent body feathers that shimmer bronze, copper and green, a bare bluish head with red wattles, and a fan-shaped tail they spread in courtship. Their carrying "gobble" can travel up to a mile. Despite weighing several kilograms, turkeys are agile and can fly short distances in fast, powerful bursts, usually roosting in trees overnight. Once heavily reduced by hunting and habitat loss, the species recovered dramatically across the twentieth century and is now widespread and classed as Least Concern.

## Takeaway
The wild turkey is a large North American game bird and the wild ancestor of the domestic turkey.

## Takeaway
Males (toms) display iridescent plumage, a fan-shaped tail and a gobble that can carry up to a mile.

## Takeaway
Despite their bulk, turkeys are strong short-distance fliers and roost in trees at night.

## Takeaway
They are omnivores, favouring acorns and other nuts alongside seeds, berries and small animals.

## Takeaway
The species recovered from roughly 30,000 birds in the 1930s to around 7 million today.

## Takeaway
The IUCN lists the wild turkey as Least Concern, with a stable to increasing population.

## What does a wild turkey look like?
Wild turkeys are big, long-legged birds with rounded bodies and a distinctive fan-shaped tail. Adult males are larger and more ornate than females, typically measuring around 100-125 cm long and weighing roughly 5-11 kg, with the heaviest birds heavier still; females are smaller, usually about 76-95 cm and 2.5-5.4 kg. The wingspan spans roughly 1.25-1.44 metres. A male's body feathers are dark but richly iridescent, glinting bronze, copper, green and gold in good light, while females are duller and better camouflaged. The most striking feature is the bare head and neck, which can flush blue, white and red, especially in displaying males. Fleshy growths include the snood, a flap of skin over the bill; the wattle at the throat; and bumpy caruncles on the neck. Males also sport a tuft of coarse, hair-like feathers called a beard on the chest, and spurs on the legs used in fights with rivals. These features together make a displaying tom one of the most recognisable birds in North America.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/turkey): Wild Turkey — wildlife guide.

## Where do wild turkeys live and what do they eat?
Wild turkeys are birds of North America, ranging across much of the United States and into Mexico and southern Canada. They favour a mix of mature woodland and open clearings, fields or grassland: trees provide acorns, nuts and safe overnight roosts, while open ground offers seeds, insects and space to forage and display. This patchwork of forest and edge habitat suits them well, and they have adapted to farmland and even suburban fringes in many areas. Turkeys are omnivores with a broad diet. They especially favour hard mast such as acorns and other nuts, but also eat seeds, grains, berries, buds and roots, supplemented by insects and other invertebrates and occasionally small amphibians or reptiles. They typically feed by walking and scratching at the leaf litter and ground, foraging in flocks for much of the year. At dusk they fly up to roost in trees, which helps keep them safe from ground predators through the night.

## How do wild turkeys behave and breed?
For much of the year wild turkeys are social, moving in flocks that often separate by sex and age. In the breeding season males compete for mates through dramatic display: a tom puffs out his body feathers, fans his tail, drops his wings and struts while gobbling, drumming and making a spitting sound. The gobble, given mainly by males in spring, can carry up to a mile and advertises his presence to females and rivals alike. Dominant males may mate with several females. Hens nest on the ground in a shallow, concealed scrape, usually laying a sizeable clutch of eggs that they incubate alone. The young, called poults, are precocial: they can walk and feed themselves soon after hatching and follow the hen, who broods and protects them. Within a couple of weeks they can make short flights up to low roosts. Turkeys communicate with a wide range of calls beyond the gobble, including yelps, clucks and purrs, used to keep flocks together and signal alarm.

## WARN work
WARN does not run field projects specifically for wild turkeys, which thrive across North America, outside the countries where WARN's partners work. This guide is part of WARN's free educational work to help people understand wildlife. The broader threats turkeys once faced, habitat loss and over-exploitation, are the same pressures that bear down on the animals WARN's partners do protect, which is why clear, honest information about all species matters.

## Donation hook
If learning about wildlife like the wild turkey sparks your curiosity, a small gift helps WARN keep producing free educational guides and supporting the animals its partners protect.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/turkey): Wild Turkey — wildlife guide.

## Can wild turkeys fly?
Yes. Although they spend most of their time on the ground and are heavy birds, wild turkeys are strong, fast fliers over short distances. They typically fly low and for only a few hundred metres at a time, usually to escape danger or to reach the trees where they roost overnight. This sets them apart from heavy domestic turkeys, which are generally too large to fly.

## What is the difference between a wild turkey and a domestic turkey?
Both belong to the same species, Meleagris gallopavo, but the domestic turkey was bred from a Mexican subspecies and selected over centuries for size and meat. Domestic turkeys are usually much heavier, often white-feathered, and generally cannot fly. Wild turkeys are leaner, have dark iridescent plumage, are alert and fast, and remain capable of strong short flights and overnight tree roosting.

## Why do turkeys gobble?
Gobbling is mainly done by males, especially in spring. It is a loud advertising call used to attract females and to signal dominance to rival males. A gobble can carry up to about a mile, making it one of the most far-reaching bird calls in North American woodland. Males also drum and make spitting sounds, while both sexes use yelps, clucks and purrs to communicate.

## What do wild turkeys eat?
Wild turkeys are omnivores with a varied diet. They particularly favour hard mast such as acorns and other nuts, alongside seeds, grains, berries, buds and roots. They also eat insects and other invertebrates, and occasionally small amphibians or reptiles. Turkeys forage by walking and scratching at the leaf litter and soil, usually feeding in flocks for much of the year.

## Are wild turkeys endangered?
No. The IUCN classifies the wild turkey as Least Concern. The species suffered serious declines from hunting and habitat loss, falling to around 30,000 birds in the 1930s, but recovered dramatically through habitat protection and management to roughly 7 million today. Its population is now considered stable to increasing across much of North America.

## Where do wild turkeys live?
Wild Turkeys live in North America (US, Mexico, southern Canada). A wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a large North American ground bird and the wild ancestor of the domestic turkey.

## Are wild turkeys dangerous?
Wild Turkeys are domesticated animals and are not dangerous to people in the wild-predator sense. A wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a large North American ground bird and the wild ancestor of the domestic turkey. Usual risks are husbandry and handling, not unprovoked attacks.

## How long do wild turkeys live?
A precise wild lifespan for wild turkeys is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. A wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a large North American ground bird and the wild ancestor of the domestic turkey. Where longevity figures appear in the literature they vary by region, sex and whether animals are wild or captive.

## How big is a wild turkey?
A Wild Turkey is about About 5-11 kg. A wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a large North American ground bird and the wild ancestor of the domestic turkey. Conservation status: Least Concern.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hummingbird): Hummingbird — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
A hummingbird is a very small, nectar-feeding bird in the family Trochilidae, found only in the Americas. With more than 360 species, they are the world's smallest birds and the only ones able to hover and fly backwards, beating their wings up to around 50 or more times a second.

## Introduction
Hummingbirds are a family of very small, fast-flying birds (Trochilidae) found only in the Americas, from Alaska and Canada to the southern tip of Chile and Argentina. With more than 360 species, they are the smallest birds on Earth and among the most acrobatic, able to hover in still air and even fly backwards. Their wings beat so quickly they blur into a faint hum — the sound that gives the group its name. Hummingbirds live on a fuel-hungry diet of flower nectar topped up with tiny insects, sustaining one of the highest metabolic rates of any animal. To survive cold nights they can enter torpor, a deep, energy-saving sleep that slows the heart and drops body temperature dramatically.

## Takeaway
Hummingbirds (family Trochilidae) number more than 360 species and live only in the Americas, from Alaska to southern South America.

## Takeaway
They are the smallest birds in the world, with the bee hummingbird of Cuba measuring roughly 5.5 cm long and weighing under 2 grams.

## Takeaway
They are the only birds that can hover precisely in place and fly backwards, beating their wings up to around 50 or more times per second in small species.

## Takeaway
Their diet is mostly flower nectar plus small insects, fuelling one of the highest metabolic rates of any vertebrate.

## Takeaway
On cold nights many enter torpor, slowing the heart and lowering body temperature to save energy.

## Takeaway
Conservation status varies by species: most are of Least Concern, but several are Critically Endangered, and the whole family is listed on CITES Appendix II.

## Why can hummingbirds hover and fly backwards?
Hummingbirds are the only birds that can hover steadily in mid-air and fly backwards, sideways and even briefly upside down. The secret is in the shoulder joint and wing motion. Where most birds flap their wings up and down, hummingbirds rotate their wings in a figure-of-eight pattern, generating lift on both the forward and backward strokes. This lets them stay almost motionless in front of a flower while they feed. To power this, their flight muscles are unusually large — making up around a quarter to a third of their body weight — and their wings beat extremely fast, ranging from roughly 12 beats per second in the largest species to many tens of beats per second in the smallest. The blur of these beats produces the characteristic humming sound. Hovering is metabolically expensive, so hummingbirds pair it with rapid, darting flight to move between flowers efficiently. Top flight speeds can exceed 50 km/h, and males of some species reach even higher speeds in dramatic courtship dives. This combination of precision hovering and bursts of speed is unmatched among birds.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hummingbird): Hummingbird — wildlife guide.

## What do hummingbirds eat and why is their metabolism so high?
Hummingbirds run on sugar. Their main food is nectar, the energy-rich liquid produced by flowers, which they reach with long, slender bills and a forked, tube-like tongue that laps fuel up many times a second. Nectar provides quick carbohydrate energy, but little protein, so hummingbirds also catch small insects and spiders to supply the building blocks for muscle and feathers. Feeding this way supports an extraordinary metabolism: hummingbird hearts can beat well over 1,000 times a minute during activity, and they may visit hundreds of flowers in a single day to keep up with their energy demands. As they probe each bloom, pollen sticks to their head and bill, making them important pollinators of many native plants. Their high energy needs also explain their survival strategy on cold nights. Rather than burn precious reserves keeping warm, many hummingbirds enter torpor, a state of suspended activity in which the heart rate and body temperature fall sharply until dawn. By morning they warm back up and resume feeding, ready to refuel.

## Where do hummingbirds live, and do they migrate?
Hummingbirds are found exclusively in the Americas, which makes them one of the most distinctive bird families of the New World. Their range stretches from Alaska and Canada in the north, through the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, down to the southern tip of South America. The greatest diversity by far is in the tropics, especially the forests and mountain slopes of the Andes and Central America, where dozens of species can share a region. Many tropical hummingbirds stay put year-round, but several temperate species are long-distance migrants. The ruby-throated hummingbird, for example, breeds across eastern North America and winters in Central America, with many individuals crossing the Gulf of Mexico in a single non-stop flight — a remarkable feat for so small a bird. The rufous hummingbird undertakes one of the longest migrations relative to body size of any bird, travelling thousands of kilometres between Alaska and Mexico. To prepare, migrating hummingbirds lay down fat reserves, sometimes nearly doubling their body weight before setting off.

## How threatened are hummingbirds?
Because Trochilidae is such a large family, conservation status varies enormously from one species to the next. Many widespread hummingbirds are assessed by the IUCN as Least Concern and remain common within their ranges. However, a number of species — often those restricted to a small island, valley or mountain — are at serious risk, and several are listed as Critically Endangered. The main pressures are habitat loss and degradation, as forests and flower-rich habitats are cleared for farming and development, alongside the growing effects of a changing climate, which can shift the timing of flowering that migratory species rely on. Pesticides reduce the insect prey hummingbirds need for protein. To help curb international trade, the entire hummingbird family is listed on Appendix II of CITES, the global wildlife-trade convention. For gardeners and landowners, planting native nectar-rich flowers, avoiding pesticides and providing clean feeders can offer real, local support to the hummingbirds that pass through.

## WARN work
World Animal Rescue Network does not run field projects specifically for hummingbirds, which live across the Americas — outside the countries where WARN's hands-on rescue work is based. This guide is part of WARN's free educational library, written to help people understand and value wildlife. The threats that put some hummingbirds at risk — habitat loss, pesticide use and a changing climate — are the same pressures that harm the animals WARN does protect, which is why clear, science-based education matters everywhere.

## Donation hook
If you value free, carefully sourced wildlife guides like this one, a small gift helps WARN keep producing them and care for the animals in its hands-on programmes.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hummingbird): Hummingbird — wildlife guide.

## What is the smallest hummingbird in the world?
The smallest hummingbird — and the smallest bird of any kind — is the bee hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae), found only in Cuba. Males measure about 5.5 cm from bill to tail tip and weigh under 2 grams, lighter than a typical coin. Females are slightly larger. Despite their tiny size, bee hummingbirds hover and feed just like their bigger relatives.

## How fast do hummingbirds beat their wings?
Wingbeat speed depends on the species and the size of the bird. Large hummingbirds beat their wings around 12 times a second, while small species can manage many tens of beats per second — often quoted as around 50 or more, and even higher in the very smallest. These extremely fast, figure-of-eight wing strokes create the humming sound that gives the family its name and allow precise hovering.

## What do hummingbirds eat?
Hummingbirds feed mainly on flower nectar, a sugary liquid that gives them quick energy, which they lap up with a long, tube-like tongue. Because nectar is low in protein, they also eat small insects and spiders to support muscle, feather and egg development. A single hummingbird may visit hundreds of flowers a day to meet its very high energy needs, and pollinates many plants as it feeds.

## Do hummingbirds sleep, and what is torpor?
Yes. On cold nights many hummingbirds enter torpor, a deep, energy-saving form of rest. During torpor the bird's metabolism slows dramatically: the heart rate drops from over a thousand beats a minute to as few as fifty, and body temperature falls steeply. This greatly reduces the energy needed to survive until morning, when the bird warms back up and resumes feeding.

## Where are hummingbirds found?
Hummingbirds live only in the Americas. Their range runs from Alaska and Canada in the north, through the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, down to the southern tip of South America. They are most diverse in the tropics, especially the Andes and Central America. They are not native to Europe, Africa, Asia or Australia, which makes them a uniquely New World family of birds.

## Where do hummingbirds live?
Hummingbirds live in The Americas only (Alaska to southern South America). A hummingbird is a very small, nectar-feeding bird in the family Trochilidae, found only in the Americas.

## Are hummingbirds dangerous?
Hummingbirds are not generally dangerous to people. A hummingbird is a very small, nectar-feeding bird in the family Trochilidae, found only in the Americas. Give wild individuals space and do not corner or handle them.

## How long do hummingbirds live?
A precise wild lifespan for hummingbirds is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. A hummingbird is a very small, nectar-feeding bird in the family Trochilidae, found only in the Americas. Where longevity figures appear in the literature they vary by region, sex and whether animals are wild or captive.

## How big is a hummingbird?
A Hummingbird is about ~5.5 cm (length of the tiny bee hummingbird). A hummingbird is a very small, nectar-feeding bird in the family Trochilidae, found only in the Americas.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/crow): Crow — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
A crow is a medium-to-large, mostly black bird of the genus Corvus, part of the corvid family that includes ravens and jays. Found on most continents, crows are among the world's most intelligent birds — using tools, solving problems and recognising individual human faces.

## Introduction
Crows are medium-to-large, all-black or black-and-grey birds of the genus Corvus, part of the corvid family that also includes ravens, rooks, jackdaws, magpies and jays. Found on every continent except South America and Antarctica, they are best known for extraordinary intelligence: many species use and even shape tools, solve multi-step puzzles, remember individual human faces and pass information between generations. Most familiar crows — such as the American crow and the carrion crow — are highly adaptable and abundant, thriving in farmland, woodland and city streets alike. With roughly four to five dozen species worldwide, "crow" describes a remarkably successful, social and curious group of birds.

## Takeaway
"Crow" refers to birds of the genus Corvus, part of the wider corvid (crow) family.

## Takeaway
Crows are among the most intelligent of all birds, with brain-to-body ratios comparable to some primates.

## Takeaway
Several species make and use tools, plan ahead and solve multi-step problems in experiments.

## Takeaway
Crows recognise individual human faces and can hold a grudge — or a favour — for a long time.

## Takeaway
Common species such as the American and carrion crow are Least Concern and often increasing.

## Takeaway
A few island and specialist crows are threatened, so conservation status varies across the genus.

## What makes crows so intelligent?
Crows possess one of the highest brain-to-body ratios among birds, rivalling that of some non-human primates. This is reflected in behaviour that was once thought uniquely mammalian. In laboratory tests, crows solve multi-step puzzles, choose between tools, and appear to plan for future needs rather than acting only on immediate reward. New Caledonian crows, the most famous tool-makers, fashion hooked twigs and barbed leaf-edges to winkle grubs from crevices, and will even use one tool to obtain another. Beyond tools, crows recognise individual human faces, remember those who have threatened them, and can communicate that information to other crows, including their own offspring. They cache food, track who is watching them and re-hide stores when they suspect a thief is nearby — a behaviour linked to perspective-taking. This combination of memory, social learning and flexible problem-solving is why crows are studied so intensively by scientists interested in how intelligence evolves. Importantly, much of this cleverness is practical: it helps crows exploit an enormous range of foods and habitats, from rubbish-strewn cities to remote forests, making them one of the most adaptable bird groups on the planet.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/crow): Crow — wildlife guide.

## Where do crows live and what do they eat?
Crows occur across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australasia, occupying almost every habitat from coastal cliffs and open farmland to dense woodland and busy city centres. The genus is conspicuously absent only from South America and Antarctica. This wide range reflects an unfussy, opportunistic diet: crows are omnivores that eat insects, worms, seeds, grain, fruit, eggs, small animals, carrion and human food waste. Their adaptability around people is a major reason familiar species have flourished while many specialist birds decline. Most crows are highly social. Many roost communally, sometimes in flocks numbering thousands, and species such as the rook nest in colonies. Outside the breeding season, large gatherings offer warmth, safety and shared information about where food can be found. Crows are also famously vocal, with a varied repertoire of caws, rattles and clicks used to signal alarm, defend territory and keep contact within the group. Some can even mimic sounds, including elements of human speech in captivity. This blend of dietary flexibility, sociality and intelligence allows crows to live alongside humans more successfully than almost any other wild bird.

## Are crows a single species, and are they endangered?
"Crow" is not one species but a common name for many birds in the genus Corvus, which holds roughly four to five dozen species depending on how they are classified. The same genus also contains ravens, rooks and jackdaws, so the line between a "crow" and a "raven" is more about naming tradition than strict biology. The familiar large black crows of the Northern Hemisphere — the American crow in North America and the carrion and hooded crows across Eurasia — are all assessed by the IUCN as Least Concern, and several are stable or increasing thanks to their comfort around farmland and towns. Because the genus is so large and widespread, conservation status varies considerably. While the common crows are abundant, a number of island-dwelling and habitat-specialist species are far more vulnerable: the Hawaiian crow, for example, is among the most threatened birds in the world. Most crows are not listed on CITES, reflecting that they are not generally traded at levels of concern, though the threatened specialists need targeted protection of their shrinking habitats.

## WARN work
World Animal Rescue Network does not run field projects dedicated specifically to crows, which are widespread and, in their common forms, not threatened. This guide is part of WARN's free educational work to help people understand and value wildlife. The habitat loss, persecution and pollution that threaten the rarer crows of the world are the same pressures bearing down on the animals WARN does protect in its partner countries — so caring about crows is part of caring about the wider web of life.

## Donation hook
If crows have ever made you look twice, you can help WARN keep teaching people to see wildlife with the same curiosity.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/crow): Crow — wildlife guide.

## What is the difference between a crow and a raven?
Both are members of the genus Corvus, so the distinction is partly traditional. In general, ravens are larger, with heavier bills, shaggy throat feathers and a deeper, croaking call, and they soar with a wedge-shaped tail. Crows are smaller, caw rather than croak, and have a fan-shaped tail in flight. Behaviourally, crows are more often seen in flocks, while ravens tend to travel in pairs.

## How intelligent are crows really?
Remarkably so. Crows have brain-to-body ratios comparable to some primates and show abilities once thought uniquely mammalian. They make and use tools, solve multi-step puzzles, plan for the future, recognise individual human faces and remember them for years, and even teach information to other crows. Some appear to understand that other individuals can see what they cannot, a hallmark of advanced social cognition.

## Do crows remember human faces?
Yes. Studies have shown that crows can learn to recognise specific human faces, particularly those of people who have threatened or trapped them. They remember these faces for a long time, scold the individuals when they reappear, and can pass the information to other crows, including their young. Crows also remember people who treat them kindly and may bring small objects in apparent return.

## What do crows eat?
Crows are opportunistic omnivores with an extremely varied diet. They eat insects, earthworms, seeds, grain, fruit and nuts, along with carrion, eggs, nestlings and small animals. In towns and cities they readily scavenge human food waste. This dietary flexibility is one of the main reasons common crows are so widespread and abundant, able to find food in farmland, forest, coastline and city centre alike.

## Are crows endangered?
Most familiar crows are not. Common species such as the American crow and the carrion crow are listed by the IUCN as Least Concern, and several are stable or increasing. However, the genus Corvus contains many species, and conservation status varies. Some island and habitat-specialist crows are threatened — the Hawaiian crow, for instance, is one of the world's rarest birds and has needed intensive recovery efforts.

## Where do crows live?
Crows live in All continents except South America and Antarctica. A crow is a medium-to-large, mostly black bird of the genus Corvus, part of the corvid family that includes ravens and jays.

## Are crows dangerous?
Crows are not generally dangerous to people. A crow is a medium-to-large, mostly black bird of the genus Corvus, part of the corvid family that includes ravens and jays. Give wild individuals space and do not corner or handle them.

## How long do crows live?
A precise wild lifespan for crows is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. A crow is a medium-to-large, mostly black bird of the genus Corvus, part of the corvid family that includes ravens and jays. Where longevity figures appear in the literature they vary by region, sex and whether animals are wild or captive.

## How big is a crow?
A crow is a medium-to-large, mostly black bird of the genus Corvus, part of the corvid family that includes ravens and jays.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/blue-jay): Blue Jay — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
A blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a bold, crested blue songbird of eastern and central North America, and a member of the corvid family alongside crows and ravens. Known for mimicking hawk calls and caching acorns, it is common, intelligent, and listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

## Introduction
The blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a striking, crested songbird of eastern and central North America, and a member of the corvid family that includes crows, magpies and ravens. Roughly the size of an American robin but bulkier, it is unmistakable in lavish blue, white and black plumage, with a pointed crest it raises when alert or excited. Blue jays are loud, intelligent and highly social, famous for imitating the screams of hawks and for caching thousands of acorns each autumn. By burying nuts they later forget, they help oak woodlands regenerate. Adaptable and widespread, the species is classed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and is not listed by CITES.

## Takeaway
The blue jay is a crested corvid native to eastern and central North America, closely related to crows, magpies and ravens.

## Takeaway
It is a skilled vocal mimic, often imitating the calls of hawks such as the red-shouldered hawk.

## Takeaway
Blue jays cache large numbers of acorns each autumn and, by forgetting some, help oak forests spread.

## Takeaway
The bird's blue colour comes from light scattering by feather structure, not from blue pigment.

## Takeaway
Adaptable and widespread, the species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and is not CITES-listed.

## Takeaway
Some northern populations migrate in loose daytime flocks, while many individuals stay put year-round.

## What does a blue jay look like?
The blue jay is one of North America's most recognisable birds, roughly 25–30 cm long with a wingspan of around 34–43 cm and a weight usually between about 65 and 110 grams. Its upperparts are bright blue, the face and underparts are pale grey-white, and a distinctive black 'necklace' runs across the throat and around the head. The wings and tail are barred in vivid blue, white and black, and a jaunty crest on the crown rises and falls with the bird's mood. Males and females look alike, which is unusual among colourful birds. Strikingly, the blue is not produced by pigment. The feathers contain the dark pigment melanin, but their microscopic structure scatters light so that we perceive blue, a phenomenon called structural colour. Crush a blue feather and the blue disappears. Strong legs, a stout black bill and a steady, slightly undulating flight complete the picture of a robust, confident bird at home in woodland and gardens alike.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/blue-jay): Blue Jay — wildlife guide.

## What do blue jays eat, and why do they cache acorns?
Blue jays are omnivores with a strong preference for nuts and seeds. Acorns, beechnuts and other tree seeds form a major part of the diet, supplemented by insects, fruit, grain and the occasional egg or nestling. A throat pouch lets a jay carry several acorns at once, and in autumn a single bird may transport and bury thousands of nuts in scattered caches to see it through winter. Because not every cache is recovered, many acorns are effectively planted in suitable soil, well spaced from the parent tree. Ecologists credit jays with helping oaks recolonise ground after the last Ice Age and with shaping the spread of oak woodland today, making them important seed dispersers. Blue jays will also visit garden feeders, favouring sunflower seeds, peanuts and suet, and are bold enough to dominate smaller birds. Their intelligence shows in problem-solving and in the way they remember the locations of hidden food, a feat of spatial memory shared across the corvid family.

## Why do blue jays imitate hawks?
Blue jays are accomplished vocal mimics, and their best-known impression is the piercing scream of a hawk, particularly the red-shouldered hawk. The reason is not fully settled, but several explanations are plausible and not mutually exclusive. A convincing hawk call may scatter other birds from a feeder or food source, clearing the way for the jay. It may also serve as a warning that a real hawk is nearby, alerting family members and other jays to genuine danger. Beyond mimicry, blue jays have a wide vocabulary of harsh 'jay-jay' calls, soft whistles, clicks and rattles, and pairs use quiet notes when close together. They are social birds, often moving in family groups and mobbing predators such as owls and hawks as a team. This combination of loud alarm calls, mimicry and cooperative defence makes the blue jay both a sentinel of the woodland and, to other species, a sometimes unwelcome bully at the bird table.

## Where do blue jays live, and do they migrate?
Blue jays are found across eastern and central North America, from southern Canada through the eastern and central United States. They favour mixed and deciduous woodland, especially where oaks and beeches grow, but they thrive equally in parks, suburbs and gardens, which has helped the species expand its range westward over time. Migration in blue jays is famously puzzling. Some northern birds gather into loose flocks and travel south by day in autumn, often along shorelines and ridgelines, yet many individuals of the same population stay put all winter. Even individual birds may migrate one year and remain the next, and the triggers are not fully understood. Breeding pairs build a cup nest of twigs in a tree, where the female incubates a clutch of eggs while the male brings food. Both parents care for the young. With their adaptability, varied diet and tolerance of human landscapes, blue jays remain common and widespread, which is reflected in their secure conservation status.

## WARN work
World Animal Rescue Network does not run field projects specifically for the blue jay, which is a common and secure species living mainly outside the countries where WARN's partners work partner countries. This guide is part of WARN's free educational work, helping people understand and value wildlife everywhere. The threats that erode bird populations elsewhere, above all habitat loss and the degradation of woodland and wild spaces, are the same pressures that endanger the animals WARN does protect on the ground.

## Donation hook
If learning about the blue jay deepened your care for wildlife, a small gift helps fund WARN's free educational work and on-the-ground protection for animals that need it most.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/blue-jay): Blue Jay — wildlife guide.

## Are blue jays members of the crow family?
Yes. The blue jay belongs to the family Corvidae, the same family as crows, ravens, magpies and other jays. Corvids are among the most intelligent birds, known for problem-solving, tool use in some species, strong spatial memory and complex social behaviour. The blue jay shares the family's boldness, loud calls and habit of mobbing predators, and like many corvids it caches food to survive lean periods.

## Why are blue jays blue?
Blue jays are not blue because of blue pigment. Their feathers contain the dark pigment melanin, but their microscopic internal structure scatters light in a way that makes us perceive blue, an effect called structural colour. If you crush a blue jay feather, the structure is destroyed and the blue vanishes, leaving a dull grey-brown. Almost all 'blue' birds produce their colour this way rather than with true blue pigment.

## Do blue jays really imitate hawks?
Yes. Blue jays are talented mimics and frequently copy the screaming calls of hawks, especially the red-shouldered hawk. Scientists think this may scare other birds away from food, or warn fellow jays that a real hawk is near. They also have a broad natural vocabulary of harsh jay calls, whistles, clicks and rattles, and use soft notes to communicate quietly with their mate and family group.

## What do blue jays eat?
Blue jays are omnivores that favour nuts and seeds, especially acorns and beechnuts, alongside insects, fruit, grain, and occasionally eggs or nestlings. At garden feeders they relish sunflower seeds, peanuts and suet. In autumn a single jay may collect and bury thousands of acorns. Because some caches are never recovered, blue jays act as important seed dispersers that help oak woodlands regenerate and spread.

## Do blue jays migrate?
Some do and some do not. Parts of the northern population migrate south in loose daytime flocks during autumn, often following coastlines and ridges, while many other blue jays stay in the same area all year. Puzzlingly, an individual may migrate one year and remain the next. The exact triggers for this partial, irregular migration are still not fully understood by ornithologists.

## Where do blue jays live?
Blue Jays live in Eastern and central North America. A blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a bold, crested blue songbird of eastern and central North America, and a member of the corvid family alongside crows and ravens.

## Are blue jays dangerous?
Blue Jays are not generally dangerous to people. A blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a bold, crested blue songbird of eastern and central North America, and a member of the corvid family alongside crows and ravens. Give wild individuals space and do not corner or handle them.

## How long do blue jays live?
A precise wild lifespan for blue jays is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. A blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a bold, crested blue songbird of eastern and central North America, and a member of the corvid family alongside crows and ravens. Where longevity figures appear in the literature they vary by region, sex and whether animals are wild or captive.

## How big is a blue jay?
A Blue Jay is about About 25–30 cm. A blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a bold, crested blue songbird of eastern and central North America, and a member of the corvid family alongside crows and ravens. Conservation status: Least Concern.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/pelican): Pelican — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
A pelican is a large waterbird of the family Pelecanidae, recognised by its long bill and the expandable skin pouch beneath it, which it uses to scoop up fish. There are eight species in the genus Pelecanus, living on coasts and inland waters across every continent except Antarctica.

## Introduction
Pelicans are large, unmistakable waterbirds known for the huge expandable pouch slung beneath their long bill, which they use like a net to scoop fish from the water. The family Pelecanidae contains eight living species in a single genus, Pelecanus, found on every continent except Antarctica. They range from the snowy-white American white pelican to the grey-brown brown pelican of warm coasts. Among the heaviest flying birds in the world, pelicans are nonetheless graceful in the air, soaring on broad wings and often flying in long, orderly lines. They are highly social, nesting in colonies and feeding either cooperatively in shallow water or, in one species, by spectacular plunge-diving.

## Takeaway
Pelicans are large waterbirds in the family Pelecanidae, with eight species in the single genus Pelecanus.

## Takeaway
Their defining feature is an expandable throat pouch used to scoop fish and drain water before swallowing.

## Takeaway
They are among the heaviest flying birds, yet soar efficiently on broad wings, often in formation.

## Takeaway
Most species feed cooperatively by herding fish in shallow water; the brown pelican plunge-dives from the air.

## Takeaway
Most pelican species are assessed as Least Concern, though a few, such as the Dalmatian pelican, are Near Threatened.

## Takeaway
Pelicans nest in colonies and depend on healthy wetlands, lakes and coasts for breeding and feeding.

## What does a pelican use its pouch for?
The pelican's most famous feature is the large, stretchy pouch of skin that hangs from the lower half of its bill, attached to the flexible bones of the lower mandible. Contrary to a common myth, pelicans do not store fish in this pouch for later; instead they use it as a dip net. When feeding, the bird plunges its open bill into the water and the pouch balloons outwards, scooping up fish along with several litres of water. The pelican then tips its bill down to drain the water out of the sides before tilting its head back to swallow the catch. The pouch is also used in other ways: it helps regulate body temperature, as the bird can flutter it to lose heat in hot weather, and it features in courtship displays, when in some species it flushes with bright colour. The skin is so thin and elastic that a feeding pelican's pouch can hold considerably more water than its stomach.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/pelican): Pelican — wildlife guide.

## How do pelicans catch fish?
Pelicans are specialist fish-eaters and use two main hunting styles. Most species, including the great white and American white pelicans, feed cooperatively in shallow water. Groups swim in a line or horseshoe shape, beating the surface with their wings to drive shoals of fish into the shallows, then dip their bills in unison to scoop them up. This teamwork lets relatively slow-swimming birds corral fast fish efficiently. The brown pelican of the Americas hunts very differently: it is the great plunge-diver of the family, soaring above the sea and then folding its wings to crash bill-first into the water, stunning fish and trapping them in its pouch as it surfaces. A pelican's diet is dominated by fish, but it may also take amphibians, crustaceans and, occasionally, smaller birds. Because they need large quantities of fish, pelicans depend on productive, healthy waters, which makes them sensitive to overfishing and pollution.

## Where do pelicans live and breed?
Pelicans are found on coasts, lakes, rivers, deltas and inland wetlands across every continent except Antarctica, favouring warm and temperate regions. Different species occupy different ranges: the brown and American white pelicans live in the Americas, the great white and Dalmatian pelicans across parts of Europe, Africa and Asia, the pink-backed and spot-billed pelicans in Africa and southern Asia, and the Australian pelican across Australia and nearby islands. They are highly gregarious and breed in colonies, sometimes numbering thousands of pairs, on islands, in trees or among dense reeds and vegetation. Nests range from simple scrapes on the ground to bulky stick structures. Both parents typically share incubation and feed the chicks by regurgitation, with young birds reaching into the adult's pouch to be fed. Many populations move seasonally between breeding and wintering sites, and some undertake long migrations, making safe stopover wetlands essential to their survival.

## WARN work
World Animal Rescue Network does not run field projects specifically for pelicans, which live mostly outside the countries where WARN's partners work; this guide is part of WARN's free, science-based educational library. The threats that affect pelicans most, including wetland loss, water pollution, overfishing and disturbance at breeding sites, are the same pressures that harm the species WARN's local teams do protect, so understanding them supports wider conservation.

## Donation hook
If you value clear, honest wildlife guides like this one, a small gift helps keep our educational work free and supports the animals our local teams care for every day.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/pelican): Pelican — wildlife guide.

## Do pelicans store fish in their pouch?
No. This is a popular myth. A pelican's pouch works as a dip net, not a lunchbox. The bird scoops up fish along with water, then drains the water out of the sides of its bill before swallowing the catch straight away. Fish are not carried around in the pouch for later, though parents do regurgitate food from the stomach to feed their chicks.

## How big do pelicans get?
Pelicans are among the largest waterbirds. The biggest species, such as the Dalmatian and great white pelicans, can reach wingspans approaching three metres and weigh well over ten kilograms, placing them among the heaviest flying birds in the world. Smaller species, like the brown pelican, are more modest but are still large, conspicuous birds with long bills and broad wings.

## What do pelicans eat?
Pelicans are primarily fish-eaters and need large quantities of fish each day. Depending on the species and location, they take a wide range of fish, and may occasionally eat amphibians, crustaceans and even small birds. Most species herd fish cooperatively in shallow water, while the brown pelican catches them by plunge-diving from the air, trapping fish in its pouch as it hits the surface.

## Are pelicans endangered?
Most of the eight pelican species are assessed by the IUCN as Least Concern, meaning they are not currently at high risk of extinction. A few are of greater concern: the Dalmatian pelican is listed as Near Threatened. Like all wetland and coastal birds, pelicans face pressures from habitat loss, pollution, disturbance and overfishing, so their status varies between species and regions.

## How many species of pelican are there?
There are eight living species of pelican, all in the single genus Pelecanus within the family Pelecanidae. They include the great white, Dalmatian, pink-backed, spot-billed, American white, brown, Peruvian and Australian pelicans. Together they occur on every continent except Antarctica, on coasts, lakes, rivers and inland wetlands across warm and temperate parts of the world.

## Can pelicans fly well despite their size?
Yes. Although pelicans are among the heaviest flying birds, they are strong and efficient fliers. They use their broad wings to soar on rising air and often travel in long lines or V-formations, alternating flaps with glides to save energy. Some species migrate considerable distances between breeding and wintering grounds, relying on safe wetland stopovers along the way.

## Where do pelicans live?
Pelicans live in Coasts, lakes, rivers, deltas and inland wetlands. A pelican is a large waterbird of the family Pelecanidae, recognised by its long bill and the expandable skin pouch beneath it, which it uses to scoop up fish.

## Are pelicans dangerous?
They are highly social, nesting in colonies and feeding either cooperatively in shallow water or, in one species, by spectacular plunge-diving. They are highly gregarious; nests and often feeds in colonies. Give wild pelicans space; do not corner or handle them.

## How long do pelicans live?
A precise wild lifespan for pelicans is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. A pelican is a large waterbird of the family Pelecanidae, recognised by its long bill and the expandable skin pouch beneath it, which it uses to scoop up fish. Where longevity figures appear in the literature they vary by region, sex and whether animals are wild or captive.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/vulture): Vulture — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
A vulture is a large scavenging bird of prey that feeds mainly on carrion. There are two unrelated groups: Old World vultures of Africa, Asia and Europe, and New World vultures of the Americas, which evolved similar features independently. Most have a bald head and soar to find food.

## Introduction
Vultures are large scavenging birds of prey that feed mainly on carrion, the carcasses of dead animals. They fall into two unrelated groups: Old World vultures of Africa, Asia and Europe, which belong to the same family as eagles and hawks, and New World vultures of the Americas, which form a separate family. The two groups look strikingly similar because they evolved the same scavenging lifestyle independently, an example of convergent evolution. Most share a bald head, keen eyesight and a remarkable ability to soar for hours on rising warm air while scanning the ground below. By consuming carcasses quickly, vultures remove disease before it spreads, making them one of the most ecologically valuable birds on Earth.

## Takeaway
Vultures are specialised scavengers that feed almost entirely on carrion, the carcasses of dead animals.

## Takeaway
There are two unrelated groups: Old World vultures (Africa, Asia, Europe) and New World vultures (the Americas), which evolved similar traits independently.

## Takeaway
Conservation status varies enormously: several Old World species are Critically Endangered while some are still relatively secure.

## Takeaway
The veterinary painkiller diclofenac, fatal to vultures that eat treated livestock carcasses, caused South Asian populations to collapse by up to 99% from the 1990s.

## Takeaway
Extremely acidic stomachs let vultures safely digest carcasses carrying anthrax, botulism and other pathogens, limiting the spread of disease.

## Takeaway
By clearing carcasses rapidly, vultures provide a free, natural sanitation service that protects both wildlife and people.

## What is a vulture and what makes it different?
A vulture is a large bird of prey that has specialised in scavenging rather than hunting live prey. Instead of strong gripping talons like a hawk or eagle, most vultures have relatively weak, flattened feet better suited to walking around a carcass than seizing prey. Their most recognisable feature is a bald or sparsely feathered head and neck. Feeding deep inside a carcass would foul any feathers there, so bare skin stays cleaner and is easier to keep free of bacteria; it also helps the bird regulate its temperature. Vultures are superb soarers, riding columns of warm rising air called thermals so they can patrol vast areas while using very little energy. Old World vultures locate food almost entirely by sight, scanning the ground from great height. Several New World vultures, such as the turkey vulture, add an unusually keen sense of smell, detecting gases from decay even under forest cover. A flock circling in the air is called a kettle, a group feeding at a carcass a wake, and birds resting together a committee.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/vulture): Vulture — wildlife guide.

## Old World vs New World vultures: are they related?
Despite looking almost identical in lifestyle and silhouette, the two vulture groups are not close relatives. Old World vultures, including griffon vultures, the lammergeier and the huge cinereous vulture, belong to the family Accipitridae alongside eagles, hawks and kites, and live across Africa, Asia and Europe. New World vultures, including the turkey vulture, black vulture, king vulture and the great condors, form the separate family Cathartidae and live only in the Americas. The strong resemblance between them is a classic case of convergent evolution: two different lineages independently evolved the same set of adaptations because both fill the same scavenging niche. There are useful differences. Old World vultures find carcasses by eyesight alone, while some New World vultures track scent. New World vultures also lack a fully developed voice box and are largely silent, communicating with hisses and grunts, and several cool themselves by urinating on their own legs. Both groups share the same essential job: turning death into clean, recycled nutrients.

## Why are so many vultures endangered?
Vulture conservation status varies dramatically by species. Some remain reasonably widespread, but a large share of Old World species are now Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered, and the group as a whole has suffered some of the steepest declines of any birds. The most notorious cause is diclofenac, a cheap anti-inflammatory drug given to livestock. When cattle treated with it die, vultures that feed on the carcasses suffer fatal kidney failure. From the early 1990s this collapsed populations of several South Asian species by up to 99% in only a couple of decades, one of the fastest declines ever recorded in a wild bird. In Africa, deliberate and accidental poisoning is the leading threat: poachers sometimes lace carcasses to stop circling vultures revealing the location of illegal kills, killing hundreds of birds at once. Other pressures include collisions with power lines, loss of large wild grazing animals, and use of vulture body parts in traditional medicine. Because vultures breed slowly, often raising a single chick at a time, recovery is painfully slow once a population crashes.

## Why do vultures matter to ecosystems and people?
Vultures are among nature's most important recyclers. A group can strip a large carcass in hours, removing rotting flesh before it becomes a breeding ground for disease. Their stomachs are extraordinarily acidic, with a pH close to 1, which destroys dangerous pathogens such as anthrax, botulism and cholera that would sicken other animals. By consuming infected carcasses safely, vultures break chains of transmission that could otherwise reach livestock and humans. When vultures disappear, the consequences ripple outward. After the Asian vulture collapse, carcasses lingered longer and populations of feral dogs and rats rose, which is linked to greater risks of rabies and other diseases. Vultures therefore provide a vast, free sanitation service that would be almost impossible and hugely expensive to replace. Protecting them means tackling shared threats such as poisoning, habitat loss and the disappearance of the large wild and domestic animals whose carcasses they depend on, exactly the kinds of pressures that also harm many other species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/vulture): Vulture — wildlife guide.

## WARN work
World Animal Rescue Network does not run dedicated field projects for vultures, most of which live outside the countries where WARN and its partners work. This guide is part of WARN's free educational mission to help people understand and value wildlife. The threats that have pushed many vultures towards extinction, such as poisoning, habitat loss and the decline of the animals they feed on, are the same pressures that harm species WARN does help protect, which is why raising awareness of them matters.

## Donation hook
If you value clear, science-based wildlife guides like this one, a small gift helps keep WARN's educational work free for everyone.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/vulture): Vulture — wildlife guide.

## What do vultures eat?
Vultures eat carrion, the flesh of animals that are already dead. They almost never kill healthy prey. Most feed on whatever carcasses they find, from large grazing animals to smaller creatures. A few, such as the lammergeier, specialise in bones, while the palm-nut vulture also eats fruit. By consuming the dead, vultures recycle nutrients and stop carcasses spreading disease.

## Why do vultures have bald heads?
A vulture's bald head is an adaptation to its messy diet. Because vultures push their heads deep inside carcasses, bare skin stays far cleaner than feathers would, and is easier to keep free of harmful bacteria after feeding. The exposed skin also helps the bird control its body temperature, flushing red when hot and paling when cool, and in some species plays a role in social signalling.

## Are vultures dangerous to humans?
No. Vultures are not dangerous to people. They scavenge dead animals and have weak feet unsuited to attacking live prey, so they pose no threat to humans, pets or livestock. They will not harm a living animal. In fact vultures benefit people by clearing carcasses and destroying dangerous pathogens such as anthrax and rabies in their highly acidic stomachs, reducing disease risk in the wider environment.

## What is the difference between Old World and New World vultures?
Old World vultures live in Africa, Asia and Europe and belong to the same bird family as eagles and hawks. New World vultures live in the Americas and form a separate family. They look alike only because both evolved to scavenge, an example of convergent evolution. A key difference is that Old World vultures find food by sight, while some New World vultures, like the turkey vulture, also use a strong sense of smell.

## Why are vultures endangered?
Many vultures, especially in Asia and Africa, have declined catastrophically. The biggest cause in South Asia is the livestock drug diclofenac, which causes fatal kidney failure in vultures that eat treated carcasses and cut some populations by up to 99% since the 1990s. In Africa, poisoning, including carcasses deliberately laced by poachers, is the leading threat. Power lines, habitat loss and slow breeding rates make recovery difficult.

## How high and how far can vultures fly?
Vultures are exceptional soarers, riding rising columns of warm air called thermals to gain height without flapping. Many routinely soar at hundreds of metres and can reach several thousand metres up. The Ruppell's griffon vulture holds the record for the highest confirmed bird flight, recorded at around 11,000 metres. By gliding from thermal to thermal, vultures can cover very large distances each day while spending little energy searching for food.

## Where do vultures live?
Vultures live in Every continent except Antarctica and Australia. A vulture is a large scavenging bird of prey that feeds mainly on carrion. There are two unrelated groups: Old World vultures of Africa, Asia and Europe, and New World vultures of the Americas, which evolved similar features independently.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/vulture): Vulture — wildlife guide.

## How long do vultures live?
A precise wild lifespan for vultures is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. A vulture is a large scavenging bird of prey that feeds mainly on carrion. There are two unrelated groups: Old World vultures of Africa, Asia and Europe, and New World vultures of the Americas, which evolved similar features independently. Where longevity figures appear in the literature they vary by region, sex and whether animals are wild or captive.

## How big is a vulture?
A vulture is a large scavenging bird of prey that feeds mainly on carrion. There are two unrelated groups: Old World vultures of Africa, Asia and Europe, and New World vultures of the Americas, which evolved similar features independently.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/seagull): Seagull (Gull) — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
A seagull is any of around 50 species of gull, seabirds in the family Laridae. Typically white and grey with black wingtips and webbed feet, gulls are adaptable, intelligent coastal birds that scavenge, fish and increasingly thrive in towns and cities worldwide.

## Introduction
"Seagull" is an everyday name rather than a species: the birds we mean belong to the family Laridae, which holds around 50 living gull species worldwide. Gulls are medium to large seabirds, typically white and grey with black wingtips, webbed feet and stout bills, found on coasts, lakes, farmland and increasingly in towns. They are among the most adaptable and intelligent of birds, scavenging, fishing and learning to exploit human food sources with ease. Most gull species are common and classed as Least Concern, yet some are declining: in the UK the familiar herring gull is actually a bird of conservation concern, listed and legally protected despite its noisy, confident reputation.

## Takeaway
"Seagull" is a colloquial term; there is no single species, but around 50 gull species in the family Laridae.

## Takeaway
Gulls are highly adaptable and intelligent, exploiting coasts, wetlands, farmland and urban areas alike.

## Takeaway
Most gull species are globally Least Concern, but conservation status varies and several are declining.

## Takeaway
In the UK the herring gull is a bird of conservation concern and is legally protected, despite seeming abundant in towns.

## Takeaway
The great black-backed gull is the world's largest gull, with a wingspan approaching 1.7 metres.

## Takeaway
Many gull problems people notice in cities trace back to habitat loss and changing food supplies at sea.

## Is a seagull a real species?
Strictly speaking, there is no bird called a "seagull." The word is an informal catch-all for gulls, a group of seabirds making up the family Laridae, which contains roughly 50 living species spread across about ten genera. They range from small, delicate birds such as the little gull to the bulky great black-backed gull, the largest of them all. Familiar examples include the herring gull, common gull, black-headed gull, lesser black-backed gull and ring-billed gull. Most gulls share a recognisable look: white and pale-grey plumage, black-marked wingtips, webbed feet and a strong, slightly hooked bill, often with a red spot on the lower mandible in larger species. Young gulls are mottled brown and can take two to four years to gain full adult plumage, which is why many "different" birds on a beach are really the same species at different ages. Calling them all "seagulls" is also slightly misleading, since many species spend much of their lives well inland, on lakes, rivers, farmland and rubbish tips, returning to the coast only to breed or roost.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/seagull): Seagull (Gull) — wildlife guide.

## Why are gulls so clever and adaptable?
Gulls are widely regarded as among the most intelligent birds. They are opportunistic generalists: they fish, scavenge, follow ploughs for worms, raid other seabirds' nests, drop shellfish onto rocks to crack them, and have learned to paddle their feet on grass to mimic rain and bring earthworms to the surface. In towns they exploit discarded food, open bins and outdoor dining, and individuals can become bold enough to snatch food from the hand. Studies have shown that herring gulls watch human cues and are more likely to peck at food a person has handled or looked at, suggesting they read our behaviour. This flexibility lets gulls thrive in habitats many seabirds cannot. It also explains their move into cities, where flat roofs mimic the cliff ledges they nest on, street lighting extends foraging time, and food is plentiful and predictable. The same adaptability that makes gulls successful, however, can bring them into conflict with people during the breeding season, when adults defend chicks robustly.

## Are seagulls endangered or thriving?
It depends entirely on the species, which is why a single conservation label does not fit. Globally, most gulls are assessed by the IUCN as Least Concern, reflecting large ranges and adaptable habits. Yet that worldwide average can hide sharp regional declines. In the UK, for example, the herring gull, one of the most recognisable "seagulls", is a bird of conservation concern and is legally protected; its breeding population has fallen substantially over recent decades. Drivers include changes in fishing practices and discards, reduced food at sea, disturbance, disease such as avian influenza, and loss of natural nesting habitat, which partly explains the shift to roofs in towns. A handful of gull species worldwide are genuinely threatened. So the honest answer is that gulls as a group are not endangered, but particular species and populations can be vulnerable even while appearing common in everyday life.

## WARN work
WARN does not run field projects specifically for gulls, which are widespread and mostly fall outside the countries where WARN's partners work. This guide is part of WARN's free educational work, helping people understand and value commonly misunderstood wildlife. The threats that affect declining gull populations, such as habitat loss, pollution and pressure on food supplies, are the same pressures facing many of the animals WARN does help protect.

## Donation hook
If this guide helped you see the humble seagull a little differently, a small gift helps keep WARN's free wildlife education and frontline animal protection going.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/seagull): Seagull (Gull) — wildlife guide.

## Is a seagull a real bird species?
Not exactly. "Seagull" is a common nickname rather than a scientific species. The birds people mean are gulls, members of the family Laridae, which contains around 50 species worldwide. Familiar ones include the herring gull, black-headed gull and great black-backed gull, each a distinct species with its own size, range and conservation status.

## What is the largest type of gull?
The great black-backed gull (Larus marinus) is the world's largest gull. It can measure roughly 64 to 79 centimetres long with a wingspan approaching 1.7 metres, and a powerful bill it uses to take fish, scraps and even other seabirds. It is noticeably bigger and darker-backed than the more familiar herring gull.

## Are seagulls endangered?
It varies by species. Most gulls are assessed globally as Least Concern by the IUCN, but some populations are declining. In the UK the herring gull is a bird of conservation concern and is legally protected, because its breeding numbers have fallen markedly. So gulls as a group are not endangered, yet particular species can still be vulnerable.

## Why are seagulls moving into towns and cities?
Urban areas suit gulls remarkably well. Flat building roofs resemble the cliff ledges they naturally nest on, street lighting lets them forage for longer, and human food waste is abundant and reliable. Changes and declines in food at sea have also pushed some gulls inland. Their intelligence and flexibility make exploiting towns straightforward for them.

## What do seagulls eat?
Seagulls eat Omnivorous and opportunistic: fish, invertebrates, scraps, eggs. A seagull is any of around 50 species of gull, seabirds in the family Laridae.

## Where do seagulls live?
Seagulls live in Coasts, lakes, rivers, farmland, towns and cities. A seagull is any of around 50 species of gull, seabirds in the family Laridae. Typically white and grey with black wingtips and webbed feet, gulls are adaptable, intelligent coastal birds that scavenge, fish and increasingly thrive in towns and cities worldwide.

## Are seagulls dangerous?
Seagulls are not generally dangerous to people. A seagull is any of around 50 species of gull, seabirds in the family Laridae. Typically white and grey with black wingtips and webbed feet, gulls are adaptable, intelligent coastal birds that scavenge, fish and increasingly thrive in towns and cities worldwide. Give wild individuals space and do not corner or handle them.

## How long do seagulls live?
Seagulls typically live Larger gulls can live around 30 years in the wild. A seagull is any of around 50 species of gull, seabirds in the family Laridae. Wild and captive figures can differ; use the sources listed on the guide for the underlying studies.

## How big is a seagull?
A Seagull is about Larger gulls can live around 30 years in the wild. A seagull is any of around 50 species of gull, seabirds in the family Laridae. Conservation status: Herring gull is red-listed and legally protected.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/woodpecker): Woodpecker — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
A woodpecker is a tree-climbing bird of the family Picidae, with around 240 species worldwide. It uses a chisel-like bill to drum and excavate wood, aided by a shock-absorbing skull, gripping zygodactyl feet, a stiff propping tail and a long, barbed tongue for extracting insects.

## Introduction
Woodpeckers are tree-climbing birds of the family Picidae, found across most of the world's forests and woodlands. Roughly 240 species share a remarkable toolkit: a chisel-like bill, a shock-absorbing skull, gripping zygodactyl feet, a stiffened propping tail and an extraordinarily long, barbed tongue for extracting insects from wood. Their rhythmic drumming and excavating shape woodlands, creating nest holes later used by many other animals. Most woodpeckers are common and classified as Least Concern, but a handful tied to old-growth forest are Endangered or feared extinct. This guide explains what makes a woodpecker, how it survives repeated head-hammering, and why these birds matter for healthy forests.

## Takeaway
Woodpeckers form the family Picidae, with about 240 species spread across most of the world's wooded regions.

## Takeaway
Their skull combines spongy bone and a wraparound hyoid apparatus that helps cushion repeated high-impact pecking.

## Takeaway
Zygodactyl feet (two toes forward, two back) and stiff tail feathers let them climb and brace on vertical trunks.

## Takeaway
A long, often barbed and sticky tongue probes deep into wood and bark to extract insects and larvae.

## Takeaway
Drumming on resonant surfaces is non-vocal communication used to defend territory and attract mates.

## Takeaway
Most species are Least Concern, but old-growth specialists such as the ivory-billed woodpecker are critically threatened or likely extinct.

## What makes a bird a woodpecker?
Woodpeckers belong to the family Picidae, which also includes the closely related piculets and wrynecks. The family contains roughly 240 species in about 35 genera, and is absent only from a few areas such as Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Madagascar and the extreme polar regions. What unites them is a suite of adaptations for life on tree trunks. Most have a strong, straight, chisel-tipped bill for excavating wood, and feet that are typically zygodactyl, with two toes pointing forward and two back to grip bark securely; a few species have only three toes. Stiffened, pointed tail feathers act as a prop, forming a stable tripod with the feet against a vertical surface. Inside the skull, an extraordinarily long hyoid apparatus supports a tongue that can extend far beyond the bill tip, often barbed and coated in sticky saliva. Sizes range widely, from tiny piculets around 7.5 cm long to the great slaty woodpecker, which can reach 45-55 cm. Many species show bold black-and-white patterning with patches of red or yellow.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/woodpecker): Woodpecker — wildlife guide.

## How do woodpeckers survive constant head-banging?
Repeatedly striking wood at speed would concuss most animals, so woodpeckers rely on several structural features. The skull contains spongy, plate-like bone, concentrated at the forehead and the back of the head, which helps distribute and absorb impact forces. The hyoid bone, which anchors the tongue, loops up and around the back of the skull, and is thought to act partly as a restraint and cushion for the braincase. The brain itself is small and packed tightly within the skull, and the bird tends to strike in near-straight lines to limit twisting forces. Strong neck muscles drive and control each blow. Researchers continue to study exactly how these features combine, and recent work suggests the head behaves more like a stiff hammer than a shock absorber, with the small brain tolerating the brief decelerations involved. Specialised nasal feathers and a protective membrane that can cover the eye during impact help keep out flying debris. Together these adaptations let a woodpecker hammer many times each second without obvious harm.

## Why do woodpeckers matter for forests?
Woodpeckers are widely described as ecosystem engineers. By excavating nest and roost cavities in dead and living wood, they create holes that many other species cannot make for themselves. Once a woodpecker moves on, its old cavities are reused by owls, other birds, bats, small mammals and insects, so a single pair can support a wider web of woodland life. Their constant foraging also helps regulate populations of wood-boring beetles and other insects, including some that damage trees. Because many woodpeckers depend on mature trees, standing deadwood (snags) and continuous forest, they are sensitive indicators of woodland health: where large old trees and decaying timber are removed, woodpeckers decline. This is why old-growth specialists are among the most threatened members of the family. Conserving the messy, deadwood-rich forests that woodpeckers need therefore benefits countless other species, from fungi and insects to the birds and mammals that shelter in abandoned woodpecker holes.

## WARN work
World Animal Rescue Network does not run field projects specifically for woodpeckers, which live mainly outside the countries where WARN's partners work. This guide is part of WARN's free educational programme, helping people understand and value wildlife. The threats that endanger rarer woodpeckers, above all the loss of mature forest and deadwood, are the same pressures of habitat destruction that harm many of the animals WARN does directly protect.

## Donation hook
If learning about these forest carpenters brightened your day, a small gift helps keep WARN's free wildlife education and its hands-on animal rescue work going.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/woodpecker): Woodpecker — wildlife guide.

## How fast and how often do woodpeckers peck?
Woodpeckers can deliver rapid bursts of strikes, with drumming sequences reaching on the order of 10-20 hits per second in many species. A bird may drum many times a day, and an individual can make thousands of pecks daily while foraging and excavating. Each species has its own drumming pattern, varying in speed, length and number of beats, which helps individuals recognise one another.

## Why do woodpeckers peck wood at all?
Woodpeckers peck for three main reasons: to find food, to excavate nest and roost holes, and to communicate. Foraging birds chisel into bark and wood to reach insects and larvae, then extract them with a long, barbed, sticky tongue. Excavation creates cavities for breeding and shelter. Drumming, the fast rhythmic tapping on resonant surfaces, is non-vocal signalling used to claim territory and attract a mate rather than to find food.

## Do woodpeckers get headaches or brain damage?
Woodpeckers are remarkably well protected against the forces of pecking. Spongy bone in the skull, a small tightly packed brain, strong neck muscles and a hyoid bone that wraps around the braincase all help manage impact. They typically strike in straight lines to reduce twisting forces. Current research suggests the head acts more like a stiff hammer than a cushion, and the small brain tolerates the brief decelerations without the damage such blows would cause in larger animals.

## Where do woodpeckers live?
Woodpeckers occur on most continents and across a wide range of wooded habitats, from rainforest and temperate woodland to deserts and grasslands with scattered trees. They are absent from Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Madagascar and the extreme polar regions. Most species depend on trees for feeding and nesting, though a few, such as ground-foraging species, spend much of their time away from trunks, feeding on ants and other ground insects.

## What do woodpeckers eat?
Most woodpeckers are insectivorous, specialising in wood-boring beetle larvae, ants and other invertebrates that they extract from bark and timber using their long, barbed tongues. Many also eat fruit, nuts and seeds, and some take tree sap. Sapsuckers, for example, drill neat rows of small wells to feed on sap and the insects it attracts. This varied diet helps woodpeckers regulate insect numbers and makes them important members of woodland food webs.

## Are woodpeckers endangered?
As a family, no: most of the roughly 240 woodpecker species are common and classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, a number of species that depend on old-growth forest are threatened, and the situation varies greatly from one species to another. The ivory-billed woodpecker and imperial woodpecker are critically endangered and may already be extinct, and the Bermuda flicker died out historically. Habitat loss, especially the removal of mature trees and deadwood, is the main threat to vulnerable species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/toucan): Toucan — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
A toucan is a brightly coloured, fruit-eating rainforest bird of the family Ramphastidae, native to Central and South America. Around 40 species exist, all recognised by an enormous yet lightweight bill used for feeding, display and heat regulation. They are important seed dispersers in tropical forests.

## Introduction
Toucans are the brightly coloured, large-billed birds of the family Ramphastidae, found only in the forests of Central and South America. The family contains around 40 species across five genera, ranging from tiny araçaris to the crow-sized toco toucan. Their most famous feature is an oversized, surprisingly lightweight bill that helps them reach fruit, sparring partners and even regulate body heat. Mainly fruit-eaters, toucans are vital seed dispersers, planting the next generation of rainforest trees as they feed. Most species are currently classed as Least Concern, but several are slipping toward threatened status as their forest homes shrink, making them both a familiar emblem and a quiet conservation barometer.

## Takeaway
Toucans belong to the family Ramphastidae, around 40 species native only to Central and South America.

## Takeaway
The huge bill is built from a foam-like keratin over bony struts, making it strong but very light.

## Takeaway
Research shows the bill works as a heat radiator, shedding a large share of the bird's body heat.

## Takeaway
Toucans are mainly frugivores and act as key seed dispersers for many rainforest trees.

## Takeaway
They nest in tree cavities and typically lay two to four eggs; chicks hatch naked and helpless.

## Takeaway
Most species are Least Concern, but several are Near Threatened or Vulnerable as forests are cleared.

## Why is a toucan's bill so big and what is it for?
The toucan's bill is its signature feature, reaching more than half the body length in the largest species such as the toco toucan. Despite its size it weighs very little, because it is made of a thin, hollow shell of keratin supported inside by a delicate lattice of bony struts and foam-like tissue. This light construction lets the bird wield a long reach without overbalancing. The bill is genuinely useful: toucans use it to pluck fruit from branches too slender to perch on, to reach into tree holes for food, to peel and manipulate items, and in social sparring matches that appear to settle dominance. Perhaps most remarkably, scientists have shown the bill doubles as a thermal radiator. Rich in blood vessels and lacking insulating feathers, it can release a large proportion of the bird's body heat, with studies finding it responsible for roughly 30 to 60 per cent of heat loss depending on conditions, comparable in effect to an elephant's ears. Toucans can adjust blood flow to the bill, dumping heat when warm and conserving it when cool. So the bill is feeding tool, display banner and built-in air conditioner all at once.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/toucan): Toucan — wildlife guide.

## What do toucans eat and why do forests need them?
Toucans are primarily frugivores, feeding on a wide range of fruits from figs and palm fruits to guavas and peppers. They are not strict vegetarians, though: opportunistically they take insects, spiders, lizards, and the eggs and nestlings of other birds, which adds valuable protein, especially while raising young. A toucan typically grabs a fruit at the bill tip, then tosses its head back to flick the food into its throat. This fruit-heavy diet makes toucans some of the most important seed dispersers in tropical America. As they move between fruiting trees, often in noisy groups, they swallow seeds whole and deposit them, intact and ready to germinate, far from the parent tree. Large toucans can swallow big seeds that smaller birds cannot, so they help spread tree species that few other animals can move. This service knits the forest together, influencing which trees grow where and supporting the wider web of rainforest life. When toucan numbers fall in a forest, the dispersal of certain large-seeded trees can decline with them, a quiet but real ecological cost.

## How do toucans live, breed and behave?
Most toucans are non-migratory residents of lowland and montane forest, with some Andean species living at surprisingly cool, high altitudes. They are social and often noisy, gathering in groups of a handful up to twenty or more, communicating with croaks, yelps and rattling calls that carry through dense canopy. Many species engage in playful-looking bill fencing and food-tossing, behaviour thought to reinforce pair bonds and social rank. For nesting, toucans rely on tree cavities, frequently old woodpecker holes or natural hollows, rather than building elaborate nests. A pair typically lays two to four glossy white eggs, and both parents share incubation. Chicks hatch blind, naked and helpless, with no down, and develop slowly inside the safety of the cavity, supported by pads on their heels that protect them on the bare nest floor. This dependence on tree holes ties toucan breeding success closely to the presence of large, old trees. Outside the breeding season, their bold colours, sociability and habit of perching in the open make them one of the most conspicuous and beloved sights of the neotropical forest.

## WARN work
World Animal Rescue Network does not run dedicated field projects for toucans, which live in Central and South American forests outside the countries where WARN's partners work partner countries. This guide is part of WARN's free educational work, helping people understand the wildlife that shares our planet. The threats that press hardest on toucans, above all rainforest loss and the wildlife trade, are the same forces that endanger many of the animals WARN does protect, so caring about toucans and caring about WARN's work pull in the same direction.

## Donation hook
If this guide deepened your wonder at the natural world, a small gift helps keep WARN's free educational work and its frontline animal rescue going.