Mischievous parrot thinks biting his owner is hilarious!

Oliver the parrot is a talkative little fellow. Watch as he tricks his owner into putting her fingers close enough for a bite by telling her he wants to "step up"...it's hard not to laugh right along with him when you hear his laughter! What a jerk ;)

So Squee! Friday presents… the Araripe Manakin!

The Araripe is a gorgeous bird with a very striking pattern of black, white, and red. Only males display this vivid coloring - the ladies are olive-green with smaller frontal tufts.

 

This species is very rare, and are only known to live one one location in on Earth - Brazil. Unfortunately, a recreational park and banana plantation were built in the early 2000’s, which destroyed a large portion of their habitat, as well as fires and human diversion of springs and streams.

  

Due to their rarity, not much is known about the lives of this species, although they are often sited in pairs and have been reportedly seen eating fruit. In 2008, Sir David Attenborough lectured at the BirdLife International and announced he would be raising funds for these amazing birds.

If you’d like to learn more about extinction prevention programs, or would like to become a Species Champion, you can read more here.

10 ways to reconnect with nature.

According to a recent article published by the BBC, frequent exposure to nature can improve cognitive function and alleviate depression. It can also help reduce aggression and behavioral problems in children.

Don’t have a forest nearby? No problem, says Lorna Fox of the London Wildlife Trust. “All of us can be guilty of thinking that nature is only in certain places and that tarmac and bricks and dense urban environments mean nature’s not there. Nature is actually everywhere, and as soon as you step through your front door, you’re outside.”

Here’s some tips the article provides for engaging in nature:

1. Stop, look, and listen! Take some time to notice the wildlife around you.
2. Take a walk in the park. Autumn is the perfect time to take a walk and see the leaves.
3. Use your senses. Don’t just use your sight. Touch the bark of a tree, listen for migrant birds, and smell the damp leaves.
4. Make space for nature. Build a birdhouse.
5. Feed your local wildlife. Autumn is the time when animals need to fatten up for winter! Put out food for birds, hedgehogs, or other local non-evasive critters.
6. Take time for the trees. Collect leaves as they fall.

To see the remaining four tips for enjoying the outdoors and more ideas, check out the original BBC article here.

Photography by me. To see more of my photos, please visit Off The Road Photo on tumblr.