Life On Earth. An Encyclopedia Of Life On Earth

Recent Articles

1 day ago
13
UK Wild Bee Numbers Have Fallen by a Third

UK Wild Bee Numbers Have Fallen by a Third in Four Decades…
4 weeks ago
59
Understanding Common Coastal Fish

Let Us Teach You About Understanding Common Coastal Fish Found Around Beaches…
4 weeks ago
52
Wattled Smoky Honeyeaters

The Wattled Smoky Honeyeaters (Melipotes carolae) are an Indonesian endemic and were…
March 17, 2026
59
Greater Kestrels

The Greater Kestrel ( Falconidae ), also known as the White-Eyed Kestrel, is an impressive…
March 16, 2026
82
King of Saxony Birds of Paradise

The King of Saxony Birds of Paradise (Pteridophora alberti) is a bird…
March 15, 2026
48
Ruys’ Bird of Paradise

The Ruys’ Bird of Paradise is an intergeneric hybrid between a Magnificent…
March 12, 2026
32
Malaita White-eyes

The Malaita White-eyes (Zosterops stresemanni) is a small passerine bird belonging to…
February 17, 2026
23
a Meaningful Bond Between Dogs and Horses

The relationship between dogs and horses is a fascinating example of interspecies…

birds
Gila Woodpeckers
Table of Contents Toggle Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis) Distribution / Range Subspecies and Ranges Description Similar species: Breeding / Nesting Diet / Feeding Calls / Vocalisations Alternate (Global) Names Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis) Member of the Picidae Family: Woodpeckers…
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The 8 Best Quality Chicken Brooders
The 5 Best Cheap Chicken Brooders
Breeding Pheasants
Housing Pheasants
Feeding Muscovy & Wild Ducks
Wild Bird Houses
Coronation Sussex Chicken
Muscovy vs Pekin Duck (& Other Ducks)

Bird Anatomy
Bird Frontal Shield
A bird’s forehead, also known as the frontal region, contains a fascinating array of specialized adaptations suited to their way of life. This integral anatomical region between the eyes and upper mandible performs a variety of essential functions for vision,…
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Bird Forehead Or Frontal Shield
Australian Waterbirds

Eagles
Rufous-bellied Eagles
Rufous-bellied Eagle is an impressive bird of prey that belongs to the family Accipitridae. This diverse group includes hawks and buzzards as well as kites and Old World Vultures. The elegant eagle has chestnut-colored underparts and a powerful hunting ability. The Rufous-bellied…
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White-fronted Plovers
Tufted Flycatchers
White-shouldered Fire-eyes
Yellow-bellied Flycatchers
Crested GosHawks
Forest Kingfishers
Red-Tailed Hawks
Fiji White-eyes

Backyard Birds
The 8 Best Quality Chicken Brooders
The 8 Best Quality Chicken Brooders: The Complete Guide There are some essential pieces of equipment you will need to raise chicks. A chicken brooder is one of these items. A chicken brooder can be described as a Mummy for…
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The 5 Best Cheap Chicken Brooders
The Moustached Parakeet
What Birds Can Be Kept With Budgies
Domesticated Ducks
Plegadis
Darwin’s Rheas
Andean Teals
Long-billed Curlew

Waterfowl
American Wigeon
The American Wigeon, also known as the Baldpate and commonly called American Widgeon (Anas Americana), is one of North America’s most widely recognised and common dabbling ducks. The males of this species are best known for their distinctive cream-colored heads and…
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African Rails
Common Teals
Upland Geese
Toulouse Geese
Orinoco Geese
Thick-billed Murres
Glossy Ibises
Yellow-billed Teals

Wild Birds
Wattled Smoky Honeyeaters
The Wattled Smoky Honeyeaters (Melipotes carolae) are an Indonesian endemic and were discovered in December 2005. It was found in remote montane forests of the Foja Mountains range, Western New Guinea, at an altitude of over 1,150 metres. The first…
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Greater Kestrels
King of Saxony Birds of Paradise
Ruys’ Bird of Paradise
Malaita White-eyes
Lappet-faced Vultures
White-fronted Plovers
Hartlaub’s Touracos
Grey Partridges

Muscovy Ducks
Feeding Muscovy & Wild Ducks
Overview and Introduction The Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) and various species of wild ducks are fascinating waterfowl commonly found in freshwater habitats around the world. These birds are well-known for their unique feeding behaviors and omnivorous diets, which include a…
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Muscovy vs Pekin Duck (& Other Ducks)
Muscovy Duck Behavior
Muscovy Duck Facts
Keeping Muscovy Ducks With Chickens: What You Should Know
Domesticated Muscovy Ducks
How to Care for Baby Muscovy Ducks?
Why Do Muscovy Ducks Have Red Faces? Can You Stop Them From Getting The Red Warts?
Clipping Muscovy Ducks Wings

Breeding
What Is Asexual Reproduction?
Asexual reproduction is a process in biology that is quite interesting because it permits living beings to give birth without having sex partners. It is common among many unicellular organisms, plants and even some animals. Unlike sexual reproduction where two…
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The Best Egg Incubators
The 8 Best Quality Chicken Brooders
The 5 Best Cheap Chicken Brooders
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers Nest Box
Common Goldeneye Nest Box
Elaborate & Complex Bird Nests
Bird Nest Identification

Reptiles

Alligators
Crocodiles
Lizards
Snakes
Turtles
Tortoises

Reptiles
Gordon RamelSeptember 16, 2021
269
Alligators
The Alligators (Crocodilia Order) Having spent the past year in Florida, I have seen alligators of all sizes with a mixture of fascination and respect. I am amazed at their size and, of course, the fearsome looking teeth. I have seen the crocodilians (as the…
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April 7, 2010
What Eats An Alligator Or Crocodile?

Alligators
Gordon RamelApril 7, 2010
7,231
What Eats An Alligator Or Crocodile?
10 Alligator Predators: What Eats An Alligator Or Crocodile? The complete guide to all predators that eat an alligator or crocodile Along with cockroaches, alligators and crocodiles are one of the few animals to have not changed much over the years. Scientists believe that their…
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Lizards
Gordon RamelApril 6, 2010
899
What Eats Lizards?
Overview and Introduction Lizards are a diverse group of reptiles belonging to the order Squamata, encompassing over 6,000 species worldwide. These fascinating creatures vary greatly in size, shape, and habitat but share common traits that have allowed them to thrive in varied environments from deserts…
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birds
Gordon RamelJuly 11, 2023
0 9,699
Do Peacocks Eat Snakes and How Do They Kill Them?
Yes, peacocks eat snakes when the opportunity presents itself. In fact, in India the word used to call a peacock is ‘mayura,’ which translates as “the killer of snakes.” Many wealthy people and farmers alike keep peacocks on their property to specifically keep cobras away,…
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April 25, 2022
Most Dangerous Snakes in the World
April 6, 2010
What Eats Snakes?

Reptiles
Gordon RamelApril 6, 2010
151
What Eats Turtles?
Overview and Introduction Turtles are ancient reptiles that have roamed the earth for over 200 million years. Known for their distinctive hard shells and slow, deliberate movements, turtles occupy a variety of habitats ranging from freshwater rivers and lakes to vast oceans. Despite their protective…
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Spiders

Spiders
DukeOctober 23, 2023
0 259
Jumping Spiders
Jumping spiders of the genus Portia are a fascinating group of spiders found throughout many tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world. There are over 20 described species in this genus, all displaying incredible hunting behaviours and strategies. Portia spiders…
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Insects
Gordon RamelDecember 4, 2022
967
Do Crickets Eat Spiders?
Do Crickets Eat Spiders Or Do Spiders Eat Them? Yes, crickets do eat spiders; of course, that would depend on the species and the size of the spider. In general, spiders are a delicacy for most insects, so crickets are…
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chelicerata
Gordon RamelJuly 13, 2022
0 481
History of Arachnology
History of Arachnology: How Spiders Became More Than Just Insects The history of arachnology and how it evolved over the centuries is a fascinating read in itself. Learn the path that spiders took from being just another insect to a…
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chelicerata
Gordon RamelMay 31, 2020
0 164
12 Common House Spiders: Just Who’s Hanging Out In Your Bath?
The Great House Spider Safari There are just over six hundred different sorts of spider in the British Isles. But of these, only a handful are commonly found in houses. For more information, see our guide on invertebrates. But before…
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chelicerata
Gordon RamelMay 31, 2020
0 179
Spider Poems, Stories & Etymology – A Look Through History
Any look at spider poems and stories wouldn’t be complete without first understanding the word ‘spider’ itself, where it comes from and what it means. For more information, see our guide on invertebrates. So with that said, let’s do just…
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chelicerata
Gordon RamelMay 31, 2020
1 391
Spider Ecology: Taking A Look At Molting, Mimicry & More
Spider Ecology Spider ecology is a very diverse topic, which includes Spider Reproduction and Spider Diet – both of which have their own pages. Other aspects of spider ecology include growth, dispersal, survival and their effects on the environment they live in. I…
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Insects

October 31, 2022
48,118
The 20 Weird Insects

It’s no secret that weird insects give us the creeps. Of course, who wouldn’t be afraid of the giant, flying beetles or venomous spiders? While these insects may be intimidating, there is another side to the insect world. It is…
November 24, 2022
27,953
The 12 Ugliest And Creepiest Bugs In The World

The 12 Ugliest And Creepiest Bugs In The World With Pictures Insects can be found on every continent on Earth, even Antarctica. They can be found lurking under leaf litter or within cave systems, at the bottom of lakes, or…
April 17, 2020
27,483
Embioptera: The Silk Spinning World Of The Webspinners

The Embioptera (Webspinners) are a small group of soft bodied, relatively small, gregarious insects. They can be found in most tropical and warm temperate climates. There are about 300 species world wide. For more information, see our guide on invertebrates.…
April 12, 2020
11,847
The Insect Orders: Including true insects and other Hexopoda

The diversity of insects is one of the most remarkable features of the natural world, with millions of species occupying nearly every habitat on Earth. To understand this vast group, scientists classify insects into distinct orders based on shared characteristics…
September 9, 2025
8,443
Net-winged Beetles

Net-winged Beetles are a fascinating group of insects that inhabit the beetle Family Lycidae. They are a diverse group with over 4,00 species. The greatest diversity is found in the tropical regions, where niche ecosystems are diverse. The environments vary from dense undergrowth jungles to…
October 8, 2020
7,089
10 Of The Best Entomology Books

10 Of The Best Entomology Books (That I’ve Actually Read) Whether you’re looking for the densest of entomology text books or simply a basic entomology book to get started, rest assured you’re in the right place. For more information, see…

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