Category Biology

Why the red-crowned crane is an endangered animal?

          The red-crowned crane is one of the rarest cranes in the world that is found in Japan, China and the Korean Peninsula. They are known to be very attractive birds with mostly white feathers, and a black tail. Their name comes from the red feathers on top of their head.

          The birds are mostly spotted in wetlands, rivers, mudflats, grassy tidal flats, and paddy fields. With a population of less than 3000, the red-crowned cranes have become an endangered species. Habitat destruction is the primary threat they face.

          Yet another is the threat of poisoning. Reports suggest that the birds are often killed by eating pesticide-treated grains.

          In addition to these grave issues, there are also instances of fire and poaching that contribute to the decline of red-headed crane population.

          There are many efforts made by wildlife organisations towards conserving the species, like increasing the scope of wetland restoration and controlling invasive species.

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What makes the Lear’s macaw a rare bird?

            The Lear’s macaw is a large parrot endemic to Northeastern part of Bahia in Brazil. It is named after Edward Lear, a famous British artist cum poet who painted macaws, and wrote rhymes about them.

            For a long time, the macaw remained elusive in the wild. It was in 1978 that it was accepted as a distinct species by naturalist Helmut Sick.

            Typically, Lear’s macaws are very noisy and social. Their diet comprises of fruits, seeds, and nuts. The overall grayish-blue plumage, long wings and tail, and a distinct vibrant yellowish-orange colour that encircle the eyes-altogether make the bird beautiful.

            The most serious threat faced by the macaws is illegal trade. It is said that collectors of these birds pay high prices in the international pet market to own them.

            Another threat is the reduction in the number of licuri palms which the birds mostly feed on. Together, these have all contributed to the decline of Lear’s macaws.

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Why is the Malagasy pond heron an endangered bird?

            The Malagasy pond heron is a migratory bird, seen primarily in the outer islands of the Seychelles, Madagascar, and countries on the east coast of Africa such as Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. It is also called a Madagascar pond heron, or Madagascar squacco heron. The species in general has long crest, red legs, blue beak with a red tip and blue bare skin around the eyes. Strangely, the plumage of the birds becomes streaked with brown, and the crown turns completely brown when the species is not breeding.

            The habitats of the herons can be seen in freshwater wetlands, typically with nearby tree-cover.

            In 2007, the IUCN Red List classified the Madagascar pond heron as an endangered species. It was the result of a population decline caused mainly by over-harvesting of eggs, and the clearing of habitats. In addition to these, there is also a competition for food and habitat with other herons too. This also caused the decline in their number.

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Why are the numbers of the Vietnamese pheasant declining?

            The Vietnamese, or the Vo Quy’s pheasant, is a rare pheasant that is endemic to Central Vietnam. The range of this bird concentrates around the Ke Go Nature Reserve in Ha Tinh province.

            The pheasant was discovered in 1964, and described in the year that followed, by the Vietnamese zoologist Vo Quy. Hence, it was named after him.

            Typically, the male pheasant is more attractive than the female. It has a shiny black plumage with dark blue tones, and blue-edged feathers on the body. The female is rather unattractive with plain, greyish-brown plumage. It is said that they mostly feed on grain, seeds, plants and insects.

            According to the IUCN Red List, Vietnamese pheasants are an endangered species. The destruction of coastal lowlands and commercial logging are among the main factors that contribute to the population fall.

            Besides, a considerable number of these birds are hunted for trade and meat.

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When was coffee first grown?

          A legend says the coffee plant first grew in Kaffa, a province in south Ethiopia, where it was discovered by a goatherd called Kaldi about the year 850. Kaldi’s goats were reported to have skipped and pranced in a strange manner after feeding on an evergreen plant. The goatherd, so the story goes, tried some of the berries himself and excitedly dashed to the nearest town to tell of his find, which was called coffee after the name of the province.

          Another theory is that the word coffee is probably derived from the Arabic qahwah. Certainly coffee was introduced info Europe from Arabia during the 16th and 17th Centuries. The first license to sell coffee in the United States was issued to Dorothy Jones of Boston in 1670. The coffee houses of this time became famous meeting places for discussion.

          As the drinking of coffee be­came more popular, its production spread to Java, Haiti, Dutch Guiana, Brazil, Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Vene­zuela, Mexico, Colombia, the Hawaiian Islands and, in this century, Africa.

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What is Photosynthesis?

            Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants make food for themselves and indirectly, for all animals, including human beings.

            In photosynthesis plants combine water and salts in the soil, and carbon dioxide in the air to build up organic compounds, such as sugar starch and proteins. To do this they use the energy of sun light, which is absorbed with the help of the green dye in their leaves called chlorophyll.

            This process of manufacturing food from what they absorb through their roots and leaves make green plants the primary food producers in the world. All animals draw their nourishment from them, either by feeding on plants themselves or by eating other animals that do so. During photosynthesis, which takes place only in daylight, excess oxygen is produced and released into the atmosphere for animals to breathe.

            After the Second World War, the American scientist Melvin Calvin wrote a book about how plants capture the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In 1961 he received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in recognition of his work.

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