Where Wildlife, Humans, & Ecology Meet
Ecology Blueprints explores the interconnected systems that link wildlife, humans, and their habitats—through science, observation, and hands-on learning.
Because no organism exists alone. When you understand food webs, habitat, and pressure, the species make sense. Ecology isn’t about memorizing animals—it’s about understanding relationships and outcomes.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are also known as Archilochus colubris. They are only about 3 inches tall, weigh less than 0.
Hummingbirds are part of the family Trochilidae. There are over 320 species of them throughout the world! About 12 species live in North America, but the greatest variety is found in South America.
The Hawaiian Goose is the state bird of Hawaii and is endemic to the Hawaiian Archipelago. It’s the only surviving goose species that’s endemic to the area.
Grey-headed Woodpeckers can be found in Europe and Asia. They stand about 10 inches tall and weigh 6-8 ounces.
Andean Flickers are also known as Colaptes rupicola. They are found in South America, from Ecuador to Argentina.
Black-rumped Flameback Woodpeckers are also known as Lesser Golden-backed Woodpeckers. They are members of the Picidae family and can be found throughout the Indian subcontinent.
Have you heard of the Eurasian Wryneck? These birds are part of the woodpecker family, although they stand out from woodpeckers because they don’t share behavior.
West Indian Woodpeckers can be found only in Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and the Bahamas. They stand 10 inches tall and are the largest woodpeckers within the Bahamas.
Crimson-crested Woodpeckers may remind you of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, but they’re a different species. Although they both have red on their heads and markings of black and white on their bodies, they differ slightly.
Gilded Flickers can be found in northwestern Mexico and the southwestern US. They are members of the Picidae family and are one of the larger members of that group.
Red-breasted Sapsuckers live in the western regions of the United States and Canada. They stand about 8 inches tall and have a wingspan up to 16 inches long.
Ladder-backed woodpeckers stand about 7 inches tall and can be found throughout the southwestern regions of the U. S.
