BIRDS OF AMAZON

An immense number of bird species live in the Amazon rainforest and river basin (an area which is nominally home to one out of every ten known species of animal). Over 1,300 of these species are types of birds, which accounts for one-third of all bird species in the world. The diets of rainforest birds greatly differ between species, although, nuts, fruits and leaves are a common food for many birds in the Amazon. Birds migrate to the Amazon rainforest from the North or South.

Here are some rarest birds of AMAZON.

About 3,800 species are found there – over 1,300 in the Amazon, 28 of which are endemic to the region.

There is considerable variety in the geographic range from one species to another. While the harpy eagle ranges from southern Central America to the Amazon, some toucan species may be found only in relatively restricted areas.

At one site in the Peruvian Amazon, about 575 bird species have been identified within a mere 5,500-hectare section of the rainforest. By comparison, 700 bird species are found in the whole of North America.

From November to March, some birds migrate from North America to the Central American and South American tropics. Others are found exclusively in the Amazon rainforest.

Most birds live in the dense undercover of the forest, looking for insects from the rainforest floor to the canopy. Others prefer flying insects, or fruit and flowers while some, such as the harpy eagle, capture other mammals and reptiles and birds.

RIO BRANCO ANTBIRD

BLACK BIRD YEALLOW

SCARLET MACCOW

TOUCAN

The toucan is a ubiquitous symbol of the Amazon, instantly recognized by its colourful bill, which is almost the same length as its body. The plumage is equally colourful, and includes patches of green, yellow, red and white. It ranges in size from 31 cm to 61 cm.

PARROTS

HUMMING BIRD

Small, hyperactive and amazingly adapted, hummingbirds are represented by more than 300 species. Hummingbirds give the impression of always being hyperactive (they often look like large insects when seen from afar).

ANDEAN COCK

HOATZIN

This unique bird is found on the streams and oxbow lakes of the Amazon river system. About the size of a chicken, it evokes primitive birds in its size and appearance – a small head, slender neck, and a conspicuous, ragged crest at the top of the head. It is also peculiar in that it is a weak flier.

RUFUS

HONEY CREEPER

GREEN MOTMOT

SCARLET IBIS

TURCOUISE

WHITE COCKATOO

In 1997, the IUCN Red List received criticism on the grounds of secrecy (or at least poor documentation) surrounding the sources of its data. These allegations have led to efforts by the IUCN to improve its documentation and data quality, and to include peer reviews of taxa on the Red List.. The list is also open to petitions against its classifications, on the basis of documentation or criteria.

In the November 2002 issue of Trends in Ecology & Evolution, an article suggested that the IUCN Red List and similar works are prone to misuse by governments and other groups that draw possibly inappropriate conclusions on the state of the environment or to affect exploitation of natural resources.

In the November 2016 issue of Science Advances, a research article claims there are serious inconsistencies in the way species are classified by the IUCN. The researchers contend that the IUCN's process of categorization is "out-dated, and leaves room for improvement", and further emphasize the importance of readily available and easy-to-include geospatial data, such as satellite and aerial imaging. Their conclusion questioned not only the IUCN's method but also the validity of where certain species fall on the List. They believe that combining geographical data can significantly increase the number of species that need to be reclassified to a higher risk category.

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