Populus tremuloides is a deciduous tree native to cooler areas of North America, one of several species referred to by the common name aspen. It is commonly called quaking aspen,[2][3][4] trembling aspen,[2][3] American aspen,[3] mountain or golden aspen,[5] trembling poplar,[5] white poplar,[5] and popple,[5] as well as others.[5] The trees have tall trunks, up to 25 metres (82 feet) tall, with smooth pale bark, scarred with black. The glossy green leaves, dull beneath, become golden to yellow, rarely red, in autumn. The species often propagates through its roots to form large clonal groves originating from a shared root system. These roots are not rhizomes, as new growth develops from adventitious buds on the parent root system (the ortet).
The American Kestrel is a small but energetic falcon commonly found in North America4, central Mexico, and the Caribbean. They can live in open grasslands, harsh deserts, and urban areas.
It is the smallest falcon species, weighing around 8 to 12 inches and weighing approximately 2.8 to 5.8 ounces. At first sight, its vibrant plumage featuring warm-toned shades of rust, gray, and white, paired with a distinct black slash near its eyes, is striking. Its slender, sharp beak is a dark yellow, often tipped with black.
The American Kestrel's diverse diet includes insects, mammals, and birds. Its unique hunting technique involves mid-air hovering and a speedy and precise dive.
The Common Kestrel, also known as the European Kestrel, Eurasian Kestrel, or Old World Kestrel, is a bird of prey found in various habitats across the globe.
Hues of chestnut-brown distinguish them and have intricate black markings contrasted by a lighter, almost cream-colored, underbelly. Its beak is a muted grey, shaped sharply for skillful hunting. A small-to-medium bird of prey typically measures between 13 to 17 inches in length and weighs approximately 5 to 10 ounces.
The Mauritius Kestrel is a compact bird of prey, standing around 8 to 10 inches tall with a weight range of 4 to 6 ounces. This falcon displays a warm chestnut-brown color across much of its body, while its tail and wing feathers boast black stripes. Its powerful beak is an eye-catching yellow, contrasting starkly against its brown head.
They were once the world's rarest bird, with only four individuals in the wild in 1974. However, dedicated conservation efforts have helped the bird recover, and its population has increased to around 170-200 birds today.
Despite its successful rebound, the Mauritius Kestrel is still listed as an endangered species due to its small population size and limited habitat range, which make it vulnerable to habitat destruction and predators.
The Lesser Kestrel inhabits open grasslands, farmlands, and steppe landscapes. They breed from April to August in Europe and Central Asia and migrate to Africa for the winter.
The Lesser Kestrel is a small bird of prey, typically weighing between 4 to 6 ounces and spanning a length of 10 to 12 inches. Its plumage is slate-gray on the male's head and tail but more earthy brown for females. Their undersides display a dappled pattern of cream and brown, while their sharp beak is a notable yellow with a hook at the end for tearing prey.
Their diet consists mainly of grasshoppers, beetles, and other small invertebrates, and they may occasionally eat a small rodent or bird.
The Eurasian Hobby lives in Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is known for its agility and precision while hunting dragonflies, butterflies, and other insects in mid-air.
Likewise, it is a relatively small raptor, with a body length typically between 12-14 inches and around 0.5 pounds. It carries an aesthetically pleasing mix of colors on its feathers: its back and wings are bluish-gray. At the same time, the underparts have a reddish tint. Its beak is dark, sharply hooked, and well-suited for carnivorous preferences.
It builds its nest by repurposing the abandoned nests of other birds. Moreover, it hunts silently by surprising its prey as it flies low over water bodies or vegetation.
The Australian Hobby is found in Australia and New Guinea and is known for its agility and swiftness.
This type of falcon is an elegant raptor, smaller in stature, typically measuring 12 to 14 inches long, and weighing approximately half a pound. A slender body profile is dressed in charcoal grey and soft white plumage. Its beak, robust and hooked, features a distinctive yellow-orange hue.
It hunts insects and small birds during the late afternoon and early evening. The bird is also an opportunistic nester, often taking over old nests abandoned by other birds. Moreover, this territorial bird usually hunts alone or in pairs.
The Oriental Hobby is a medium-sized Asian falcon species. They weigh between 6.5 to 9 ounces and measure about 10 to 12 inches in length. They sport a sleek coat of gray and rufous feathers, contrasted by dark, slate-colored beaks and slate-blue feet.
Likewise, it is an efficient hunter that catches prey mid-flight, including beetles, dragonflies, butterflies, small birds, and bats.
The Oriental Hobby nests in the cooler regions of the Himalayas and migrates to Southeast Asia during winter.
The Peregrine Falcon is a bird of prey known for its exceptional flying abilities3. It is the world’s fastest bird, reaching up to 240mph.
They hover between 15-20 inches in size and weigh from 1.2 to 3.5 pounds. This raptor showcases slate-gray backs and barred white undersides, its beak—piercing yellow, as sharp as its predatory instincts. The intricate design of their plumage sets them apart, truly an exhibition of nature's canvas.
Moreover, Peregrine Falcons are globally distributed species often found near coasts, cliffs, mountains, and bodies of water.
These falcons hunt for smaller birds such as pigeons, doves, waterfowl, songbirds, and waders. Their razor-sharp talons make them highly efficient predators.
The Merlin Falcon is a bird of prey known for its excellent hunting abilities and swift flight. It is found across the Northern Hemisphere in various habitats and is highly adaptable. As a migratory bird, this type of falcon travels south during winter and primarily feeds on small birds.
Female Merlin Falcons are larger than males, and their plumage is brown, while males are slate-blue to dark gray. They measure between 9.4 and 13.4 inches long and weigh approximately 5.6-8.5 ounces.
The bird has an average lifespan of six years in the wild but can live up to ten years in captivity.
