Month: November 2010

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

The Eurasian Tree Sparrow is a bird that belongs to the sparrow family. It is also known as the Tree Sparrow in South-east Asia and Eurasia, but it is known as the German Sparrow or the Eurasian Tree Sparrow in the USA. There are a few subspecies that have been recognised, but the appearance of

Flame Robin

The Flame Robin is a small bird that is native to Australia. I tis usually found in the cooler parts of south-eastern Australia such as in Tasmania. It was first described scientifically 1830 by Jene Rene Contsant Quoy and Joseph Paul Gaimard who were French Naturalists. The name of the species that they gave, Muscicapa

Greater Crested Tern

Also known as the Swift Tern or the Crested Tern, the Greater Crested Tern is a seabird that belongs to the tern family. This family is known to nest in dense colonies along islands and coastlines in subtropical and tropical areas. There are 5 subspecies that are found between Australia and South Africa. A Greater


The Herrerasaurus or “Herrera’s lizard” was named after the Rancher who discovered the first ever fossil found of this animal. It is thought to be one of the earliest dinosaurs, because carbon dating has dated it back to the early Carnian age, which is the late Triassic Period which was around 228 million years ago.


Belonging to the large bird family, Thamnophilidae, antbirds are found across tropical and subtropical Central and South America. They are many different types of antbirds, such as Pectoral Antwren, Variable Antshrike, and Ocellated Antbird. A dusky antbird Antbirds are normally found in humid lowland forests. Less than 10% of the Antbird species are found at

Pinguicula moranensis

The Pinguicula moranesis is an insectivorous herb that is native to both Guatemala and Mexico. It is species of butterwort which innocently looks like summer rosettes. However, this sneaky little creature is actually carnivorous. Don't let this innocent plant fool you - it's carnivorous! Humboldt and Bonpland first collected this species in the outskirts of

Polyozellus multiplex

Polyzellus is a fungi that belongs to the Thelephoraceae family, also known as leathery earthfans. This genus only contains a single species, called the Polyozellus multiplex, also known as the clustered blue chanterelle, blue chanterelle, or the black chanterelle (Alaska only). This fungus is quite distinctive, causing a lot of variations in taxonomic history. Also

Mycena haematopus

Also known as the bleeding Mycena, bleeding fairy helmet, and the burgundydrop bonnet, the Mycena haematopus is a fungal species that belongs to the order Agaricales. It is common and widespread in North America and Europe. It has also been found in Venezuela and Japan. This fungus was first scientifically described in 1799. This mushroom

Hairpin Banksia

Formerly known as the Prickly-leaved Banksia, the Hairpin Banksia is a woody shrub that belongs to the genus Banksia. It is native to eastern Australia, from Queensland to Victoria. It was first scientifically described in 1793 by Englishman, James Edward Smith through a collection that was collected by John White a year earlier. There are

Spiny Puffball

Also known as the spiny or the spring puffball, Lycoperdon echinatum is a puffball mushroom that belongs to the genus Lycoperdon. This species has been found in North and Central America, Europe, and Africa. This puffball is spiny The fruit body of the Lycoperdon echinatum is between 2 to 4 cm wide and 2 to


The Rhodotus is a genus belonging to the Physalacriaceae family which is actually just a monotypic genus as it only consists of one mushroom species. This species is called Rhodotus palmatus, but it is also known as the netted Rhodotus, wrinkled peach, or the rosy veincap. It is an uncommon species that has been collected

Scarlet Cup

The Scarlet Elf Cup, also known as the Scarlet Cup, is a fungal species that belongs to the Sarcosyphaceae family of the Pezizales order. This fungus is found all over the northern hemisphere, as well as in Australia and South America. This species has been known in scientific literature since 1772. It is thought to

Lactarius indigo

Also known as the blue Lactarius, indigo Lactarius, or the indigo milk cap, the Lactarius indigo is part of the fungus kingdom’s Russulaceae family. It can be found in Central America, North America, and East Asia. It is an edible mushroom that is sold at the markets in rural Mexico, Guatamela, and China. A uniquely

Swamp Fox Banksia

Also known as the Marsh Banksia, the Swamp Fox Banksia is an aptly named banksia that grows amongst marshes and swamps in the lower west coast of Western Australia. This bush grows up to 2 metres tall and produces lots of nectar. It was first collected by James Drummond and Ludwig Preiss in 1840. It


A well known member of a large group of organisms (including micro-organisms) include fungus. These organisms which include mould, yeast, and mushrooms form a scientifically classified kingdom called fungi. This kingdom is separate from bacteria, plants, and animals. Fungus from Patagonia One of the major differences between fungi and other kingdoms are that the cells