Hispaniolan Crossbill - Haiti

Loxia megaplaga - The genus Loxia consists of less than 10 known species of crossbills. These birds are easily recognized through the overlapping tips of their mandibles. This features makes them specialized feeders relying solely on conifers pines with each bill shaped in a particular way to feed on a specific pine. The Hispaniolan crossbill is found only in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. It feeds exclusively on the seeds of pinus occidentalis, the Hispaniolan pine.

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The Haitian Revolution was inspired by the French Revolution and resulted in Haiti becoming the second country in the Americas to gain independence from a European power; the United States was the first. It began in 1771 as a slave revolt in the French controlled sugar and tobacco plantations. Spain and Great Britain sided with the rebel cause as an extension of the war they were fighting against France in Europe. The revolution was successful and Haiti declared its independence in 1804.

Syrian Serin - Syria

Serinus syriacus - The Syrian serin is native to Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. The Jordanian population winters in Jordan while the others migrate to Egypt, Iraq or Turkey. Males initiate courtship in April with vocalizations and nest building activities. A clutch of 4 eggs will hatch in 12 to 14 days. Chicks fledge after a mere 14 to 16 days. If food sources are plentiful, the breeding pair will build another nest and restart the process. In rare cases, three broods can be produced in one season. 

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Following the defeat of Turkey in World War I, Syria was placed under a French mandate, but before France could assert its authority, the Kingdom of Syria was proclaimed under King Faisal I. France quickly subdued the new kingdom and took control of Syria. The Vichy Regime lost Syria to British and Free French forces in 1941. France attempted to reclaim its colony after World War II, but a viable independence movement within Syria discouraged France. Syria became independent in 1946.

Hawfinch - Belarus

Coccothraustes coccothraustes - The hawfinch is found throughout Europe and Asia. European populations are resident; Asian populations migrate to Southeastern Asia. Hawfinches have stout necks and robust beaks with a  distinctive metallic shine. Males are slightly larger than females and their plumage is brighter. The beak comes in handy for a diet consisting primarily of hard seeds taken from trees or various fruit. It will occasionally feed on insects and the softer pulp of fruit.

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The Principality of Polotsk was the earliest known state to exist in the present day area of Belarus. Polotsk came under the domination of the Kievan Rus' state in the 11th century. The disruption of the Mongol invasion in the 13th century resulted in the sacking of Kiev and allowed an expanding Lithuania to absorb the splintered fragments. Belarus remained part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the subsequent Polish-Lithuanian Union until 1795; it was then absorbed into Russia’s orbit until 1990.