The short answer is yes, a kestrel is a type of falcon. Kestrels belong to the genus Falco, which includes all falcons. There are about 40 different species of kestrels found worldwide. Some of the more common species include the European kestrel, American kestrel, lesser kestrel, and greater kestrel. Kestrels are small falcons, with long pointed wings and long tails. They are able to hover in place while hunting, which is unique among falcons. Kestrels primarily feed on small mammals, insects, reptiles and small birds. They are fierce hunters, though are smaller than many other falcons like peregrine falcons and…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
Yes, you can easily make a simple bird feeder out of a plastic water bottle. Making a bird feeder out of a water bottle is an easy craft that can be done with simple materials found around the house. It’s a great activity to do with kids to teach them about recycling and helping local birds. Here are some quick answers to common questions about making a water bottle bird feeder: What kind of water bottle works best? Plastic water bottles or soda bottles work best. Look for ones with smooth, straight sides that will be easy to cut into.…
The 2018 book Yellow Bird by Sierra Crane Murdoch tells the story of Lissa Yellow Bird and her search for missing Indigenous women on the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota. The book provides insights into the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women in the United States and Canada. Many readers have wondered whether Yellow Bird is based on a true story. In this in-depth article, we will analyze the facts behind the narrative to determine how much of Yellow Bird is true. Summary of Yellow Bird Yellow Bird centers around Lissa Yellow Bird, a 29-year-old woman from the…
Wingspan is a wildly popular board game that was released in 2019 by Stonemaier Games. It was designed by Elizabeth Hargrave and features beautiful illustrations by Ana Maria Martinez, Natalia Rojas, and Beth Sobel. Wingspan has received critical acclaim and won several major board game awards, including the 2019 Kennerspiel des Jahres. But what makes Wingspan so beloved by gamers? Here are some of the key reasons why Wingspan has achieved such success. Gorgeous Artistic Style One of the most immediately striking things about Wingspan is its artistic style. The game features 170 unique bird cards illustrated with beautiful watercolor…
The Western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) is a medium-sized songbird found throughout the western United States and Canada. In Oregon, Western meadowlarks can be found in open grasslands, meadows, and prairies across most of the state. They are a familiar sight and sound of Oregon’s countryside from late spring through summer. Western Meadowlark Habitat Western meadowlarks prefer large open areas with tall grasses and scattered shrubs. Their ideal habitat consists of native grasslands or lightly grazed pastures. They avoid areas with extensive woody vegetation as it impedes their ground-foraging behavior. Some key features of quality Western meadowlark habitat include: – Abundant…
The eastern towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) is a large sparrow found in the eastern and central United States. Known for their characteristic “drink your tea” call, eastern towhees are solitary birds that are often heard before they are seen as they rummage through leaf litter searching for food. Though shy, towhees exhibit unique and interesting behaviors that reveal insights into their personality. Natural History Eastern towhees are members of the sparrow family Emberizidae, which includes over 100 species worldwide including juncos, longspurs and buntings. There are four subspecies of the eastern towhee which occupy different ranges across eastern and central North…
Both the kiwi bird and the kiwi fruit are well known around the world, but which one came first? There has been some debate over whether New Zealand’s iconic flightless bird or the fuzzy brown fruit originally inspired the name “kiwi.” Let’s take a closer look at the history and origins of the names to find out which kiwi came first. The History of the Kiwi Bird The kiwi bird is native to New Zealand and has always been a national symbol of the country. Researchers believe kiwis first evolved around 60 million years ago after the break up of…
Sparrows, like many songbirds, have the ability to learn new songs throughout their lives. This ability to learn new vocalizations separate songbirds from many other bird species that are born with set, innate calls. The ability to learn new vocalizations allows songbirds like sparrows to adapt their communication as they encounter new environments and social contexts. This behavioral flexibility helps sparrows thrive across diverse habitats. Do baby sparrows learn songs? Yes, like most songbirds, baby sparrows must learn their species-specific songs. They are not born knowing the songs of their species. Nestling sparrows begin listening to adult songs while still…
The black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) is a small, colorful bird found primarily in the western United States. Known for its iridescent plumage and energetic flight patterns, this species is a common sight in parks, gardens, and backyards across much of the western and southwestern U.S. Quick Facts Scientific name: Archilochus alexandri Other common names: Western black-chinned hummingbird Size: Length 3.5-4 inches, Wingspan 4.25-4.5 inches Weight: 2-6 grams Habitat: Open woodlands, canyons, mountain meadows Range: Western U.S. from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast, north to British Columbia, and south to Mexico Population: Estimated 3.5 million individuals Conservation status: Least…
It’s a common concern when cooking chicken to find that some parts of the meat appear pink or red. This can be alarming, since we’re used to chicken being white or light brown when fully cooked. However, there are a few reasons why properly cooked chicken can still have a reddish hue. Myoglobin causes redness in chicken The red color in chicken is caused by a protein called myoglobin. Myoglobin helps carry and store oxygen in muscles cells, and it’s what makes red meats like beef and pork red. Chicken contains less myoglobin than red meats, but it’s still present…