Your global reference for wildlife photography

The Zone-tailed Hawk, or Buteo albonotatus, is a medium-sized raptor known for its distinctive white tail bordered with black. It measures about 48 to 61 cm in length with a wingspan of 117 to 140 cm. Its predominantly dark plumage allows it to blend seamlessly into its natural habitat. This raptor is often mistaken for the Turkey Vulture in flight due to its similar silhouette. It is primarily found in arid and semi-arid regions from the southwestern United States to northern South America. The Zone-tailed Hawk is an opportunistic predator, feeding on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. It is known for its graceful soaring flight and ability to use thermal currents to travel long distances effortlessly.

The Zitting Cisticola is a small passerine bird from the Cisticolidae family, often found in wetlands and grasslands. It is recognizable by its brown streaked plumage, short tail, and distinctive song. Measuring about 10 to 12 cm in length, it weighs between 8 and 10 grams. Highly active, it is often seen fluttering above vegetation. Its diet mainly consists of insects and spiders. The Zitting Cisticola is widely distributed across southern Europe, Africa, and South Asia. It builds a cup-shaped nest in tall grasses, where it usually lays 3 to 5 eggs.

The Zebra Finch, or Taeniopygia guttata, is a small granivorous bird native to Australia. It is easily recognizable by its pearl gray plumage, bright orange cheeks, and vivid red beak. Males display distinctive patterns on their chest and flanks, while females are more subdued. This passerine measures about 10 to 12 cm in length and weighs between 12 and 15 grams. It is very sociable and lives in groups in the wild, preferring open areas such as savannas, grasslands, and farmlands. The Zebra Finch is also very popular as a pet bird due to its docile nature and ease of breeding.

The Zino's Petrel, or Pterodroma madeira, is a rare seabird endemic to the island of Madeira. It is medium-sized, measuring about 32 cm in length with an 80 cm wingspan. Its plumage is mainly gray on top and white underneath, with long, slender wings. This bird is known for its graceful and agile flights over the ocean. It nests in burrows dug into the steep cliffs and mountainous slopes of the island. The Zino's Petrel is a nocturnal bird, making it difficult to observe. Unfortunately, it is critically endangered due to predation by introduced species and habitat loss.