The Blue Ground Dove is a bird species in Central and South America. Males have a blue coat, while females have a grey-brown dress. They have a white line outlining their wings, which is a marvel.
This type of dove can be found in lowland forests, secondary forests, and plantations. They also inhabit human spaces such as city parks and gardens. They are monogamous and forage in pairs.
The Ruddy Ground Dove is a bird species found in the Americas, from Mexico to Peru, Brazil, and the Caribbean, that can thrive in different habitats.
Males have a reddish-brown coat, while females have a greyish-brown plumage. They feed on seeds, grains, and small invertebrates and have a soft and rhythmic cooing.
The Red-billed Pigeon is a bird in the Americas. It has a red beak and gray feathers. The bird is larger than the average pigeon, reaching lengths of up to 13 inches and boasting a wingspan of up to 18 inches.
The bird prefers living in trees and can be found in forest fringes, riversides, and even areas with human settlements. The Red-billed Pigeon feeds on fruits, seeds, insects, and small invertebrates and sometimes feeds in flocks.
Band-tailed Pigeons are the largest native pigeon species in North America. They live in mixed coniferous forests, oak woodlands, and riverside habitats.
Their grey-blue plumage, white band on their tail, and white crescent on the nape of their neck give them a unique appearance. These birds make a distinctive three-part cooing call.
Moreover, it's an important species for the health and biodiversity of its home forests as it spreads seeds around while feeding. However, it is often considered a pest in some areas when it consumes crops.
The White-crowned Pigeon is a bird species found mainly in the Caribbean and southern Florida. It has a white crown and slate-gray body. It typically inhabits coastal mangroves and keys.
This dove also feeds primarily on red mangrove fruits, contributing to the growth and survival of mangrove forests. While nesting, it prefers dense thickets or mangroves that offer protection against predators.
The European Turtle Dove has light grey feathers, a pink blush on its chest, a black and white striped patch on the side of its neck, and a tail with white edging and a black base.
It lives in woodlands, farmlands, and shrublands across Europe, Central Asia, and North Africa. During winter, it migrates to the Sahel region in Africa.
The European Turtle Dove feeds on plant seeds and occasionally invertebrates. Unlike other doves, these turtle doves don’t need to tilt their heads back to drink water.
In the greenery of Indonesia's Java and Sumatra islands resides a species of bird called the Pink-headed Fruit Dove. The bird has a pink head, neck, and underparts, contrasting with its emerald wings and back. Males have more intense, vivid pink colors than the females.
As arboreal animals, these doves rarely come to the forest floor. They feed on small fruits and berries available in their forest habitat.
Their nests comprise twigs and leaves; they make nests high in the trees to keep their eggs away from predators.
The Crested Gecko is native to the South Pacific islands of New Caledonia. A fully grown adult measures 7-9 inches and is calm and docile. These nocturnal reptiles use their semi-prehensile tail to navigate and maintain balance.
They have distinctive hair-like protrusions above their eyes that resemble eyelashes. Their skin can showcase various colors and patterns, making them a popular choice among reptile enthusiasts.
A crested gecko's diet includes grasshoppers, ants, spiders, crickets, worms, and the occasional fruit. Unlike other gecko species, they do not have adhesive toe pads.
Crested Geckos use a combination of chirps, squeaks, and subtle body language to communicate. They can also change colors and patterns based on mood, health, or environmental factors.
The Gargoyle Gecko is native to the southern region of New Caledonia, a tropical paradise in the South Pacific. This gecko species has unique horn-like projections on its head, and its appearance resembles the gargoyles that adorn Gothic architecture.
Likewise, its vibrant coloration can range from fiery reds and oranges to calming whites and blues, which allow it to blend into its forest surroundings.
The Gargoyle Gecko is a crepuscular species most active during dawn and dusk. It takes cover in tree crevices or under leaves during the day to protect itself from predators. As an omnivore, it feeds on insects, fruits, and small lizards.
Its defense mechanism is to shed its tail, which distracts predators due to its continued twitching, allowing the gecko to escape. Gargoyle Geckos can regrow their tails, ready to use this mechanism again if required.
The Madagascar Ground Gecko is a small reptile species found in the diverse ecosystems of Madagascar. It has a unique color scheme that allows it to blend seamlessly into its natural surroundings. It typically measures only 4-6 inches long.
The gecko is nocturnal and primarily feeds on small invertebrates. While it lacks adhesive toe pads, it retains mobility on the ground.
This type of gecko defends itself through autotomy, which allows it to drop its tail to distract predators and escape. During the day, it hides in burrows or under rocks, only emerging at night to hunt for food.
The next type of gecko inhabits the rainforests of Asia and the Pacific Islands. Tokay Geckos have a bluish or grayish hue with vibrant red or light yellow spots and can grow up to 15 inches long.
Their large and radiant eyes are an adaptation to their nocturnal lifestyle, and their skin features small granular scales.
These versatile creatures are equally comfortable in the wild and human settlements, where they hunt the insects that hover around artificial lights.
They feed primarily on insects but also eat small mammals, birds, and other reptiles. The Tokay Gecko's unique "To-kay, To-kay" call echoes through the night.
The Gold Dust Day Gecko is a reptile native to Madagascar and the Comoros. It has also become established in the Hawaiian Islands.
Its emerald color with gold spots makes it stand out and serves as a camouflage in its natural habitat. Despite its 4 to 5 inches in size, it is agile and active, living in trees and feeding on insects, invertebrates, fruits, and nectar.
The Gold Dust Day Gecko has diverse communication skills, including chirping and body language.
The Mediterranean House Gecko is a small reptile that has gained widespread distribution outside its native territory in Southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East. They have adapted to human settlements, including residential areas.
Their light skin can change color to blend in with their surroundings, and their bodies are covered in small bumps. Likewise, their unique toe pads allow them to climb walls and ceilings, making them efficient hunters.
These geckos are nocturnal, hunting insects and spiders for their diet. The Mediterranean House Gecko also helps control pest populations in residential areas.
The Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko is a nocturnal species found in Madagascar's central and northern rainforests. It blends in with its environment through camouflage. The gecko looks like dead leaves with its body shape and coloration, and its tail mimics fallen foliage.
By day, the gecko uses its exceptional camouflage to avoid predators. At the same time, at night, it becomes a silent predator, preying on small invertebrates and insects.
The horn-like projections above its eyes, which give the gecko its name, add to the illusion. Despite its name, the Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko is not harmful to humans.
However, this type of gecko faces threats such as habitat destruction due to deforestation and the illegal pet trade. The gecko's unique appearance makes it a desirable target in the pet trade.
The Fan-Fingered Gecko is a nocturnal creature found in the rocky landscapes of North Africa and the Middle East. Its unique fan-shaped digits allow it to climb rocky cliffs easily, and its earthy brown coloration provides effective camouflage against the stony background.
The Fan-Fingered Gecko begins its foraging routine every night under the vast desert sky. Despite its small size, it is an adept hunter, preying on beetles, spiders, and moths.
It emits a high-pitched sound to defend itself. Moreover, it can drop its tail to escape when threatened; afterward, it grows a new one.
The Common House Gecko is a nocturnal Southeast Asian reptile. These geckos have semi-transparent skin; their internal organs are visible through their skin. Their size ranges from 4 to 6 inches, with males slightly larger than females.
These nocturnals communicate with chirps and clicks. They are also not picky eaters, feeding on insects, small invertebrates, their shed skin, and unfertilized eggs. They help balance the ecosystem by checking mosquitoes, spiders, and other unwanted bugs.
The White-Lined Gecko is a distinctive species inhabiting the rainforests of Southeast Asia. It has a white stripe running along its body, which has earned it the nickname of Skunk Gecko.
The gecko can change its color from light to dark, blending in with its surroundings and avoiding predators. With sticky toe pads, it can easily climb vertical terrains.
This solitary creature mainly feeds on insects like crickets and roaches. Occasionally, it may prey on small lizards.
Likewise, the White-Lined Gecko emits a high-pitched squeak when threatened. During the breeding season, male geckos may become aggressive.
The Mourning Gecko originates from the Indo-Pacific region. It also emits a unique 'mourning' call, a series of soft, sorrowful chirps. This type of gecko can thrive in different parts of the world.
These geckos are small, with an average size of around 4 inches, but they can live up to ten years in captivity with proper care. Their diet consists of sweet, juicy fruits, crunchy insects, and their shed skin!
It is most active at night when it hunts for food. Notably, the Mourning Gecko is parthenogenetic, which means that females can produce offspring without a male.
