Vanessa cardui migrations take place at high altitude, which explains why these migrations are seldom witnessed. "V. cardui" is known for its distinct migratory behavior. In California, they are usually seen flying from north to northwest. These migrations appear to be partially initiated by heavy winter rains in the desert where rainfall controls the growth of larval food plants. Painted lady migration patterns are highly erratic and they do not migrate every year. Some evidence suggests that global climatic events, such as el Niño, may affect the migratory behavior of the painted lady butterflies, causing large-scale migrations. Based on experimental data, the
Black-and-white hawk-eagle particularly towards the bill, is also black. The wings are black, and the bird has a brownish tail barred black-dark grey and with white tip. The iris is orange, the feet pale to bright yellow with black talons. The bill is black with a yellow cere. The sexes are alike in color, but the female is larger. Immature birds have pale edges on the upperwing coverts and some brownish-grey feathers on the back. The black-and-white hawk-eagle is hard to confuse with any other bird in its range. The black-faced hawk ("Leucopternis melanops") is very similar in overall coloration, but it