Rick was known around town for the flock of crows that he kept as pets. Every morning, Rick would go out to the field behind his house and whistle for his crows. Dozens of the glossy black birds would come swooping down out of the trees to land around him. Rick would feed them peanuts and breadcrumbs, and they would hop around his feet cawing happily. The townspeople thought it was a little odd that Rick had so many crows as pets, but they had to admit it was impressive to see him walking down the street followed by a…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
The phainopepla is a slender, crested, black bird found in the desert regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Its scientific name is Phainopepla nitens, with “phainopepla” meaning “shining robe” in Greek and referring to the adult male’s glossy black plumage. Phainopeplas are unique among North American passerines in that they subsist primarily on the berries of mistletoe, a parasitic plant. This unusual diet leads phainopeplas to have a complex migratory pattern as they track the fruiting cycles of different mistletoe species across the landscape. In this article, we will examine the migratory behavior of phainopeplas and attempt…
In recent years, there has been a rise in niche dating apps targeted at specific groups or interests. For those who have a preference for people with red hair, commonly referred to as “gingers”, there are a few dating apps designed just for them. Gingerdating One of the most popular dating apps for ginger admirers is Gingerdating. Launched in 2020, this app was created specifically for people who are attracted to redheads. Users can match with and message other redheads or ginger admirers on the platform. Some key features of Gingerdating include: Photo verification system to ensure all members are…
Bewick’s wrens (Thryomanes bewickii) are small songbirds found in western North America. They build intricate nests incavities to raise their young. Here is an overview of where Bewick’s wrens nest and their nesting habits. Natural Nesting Locations Bewick’s wrens nest in naturally occurring cavities and crevices. Some of their preferred natural nest sites include: Tree holes – Abandoned woodpecker holes are a prime nesting spot for Bewick’s wrens. They seek out holes in dead trees or dead limbs of live trees. Rock crevices – Cavities and cracks in rocky cliffs, outcroppings, and boulder fields provide nesting sites. Brush piles -…
The starling is a small to medium-sized songbird found throughout temperate Europe and parts of Asia. With its dark and iridescent plumage, the starling is a familiar sight in fields, gardens, and cities across much of its range. While starlings may seem ordinary to us today, they have long captured the human imagination and featured prominently in myth, legend, and folklore across many cultures. In this article, we will explore some of the folklore surrounding the starling to understand what this ubiquitous bird has meant to humankind over the centuries. Origins and symbolic meanings The starling likely originated in Europe…
Yes, falcons do eat other birds. Falcons are raptors, which means they are carnivorous birds of prey. Their diet consists mainly of other birds, as well as some small mammals, reptiles and insects. Falcons have powerful talons and hooked beaks that are well-adapted for catching and tearing apart prey. What kinds of birds do falcons eat? Falcons are opportunistic hunters and will eat any type of bird they can capture. Some common types of birds eaten by falcons include: Songbirds – Sparrows, finches, warblers Game birds – Quail, grouse, pheasants Waterfowl – Ducks, geese Wading birds – Herons, egrets Seabirds…
Flickers and woodpeckers are both types of woodpecker birds found in North America. While they share some similarities, there are several key differences between these two types of birds in terms of appearance, behavior, habitat, diet, and more. Appearance The most noticeable difference between flickers and other woodpeckers is the coloration. Flickers have bright yellow underbellies and rumps, gray faces, and black spots and bars on their backs. The Northern Flicker has red on the nape of its neck, while the Gilded Flicker has red on its crown. In contrast, most woodpeckers found in North America have bold black and…
Bird books come in many different forms, from field guides to encyclopedias to scientific references. But regardless of the specific type of book, most bird books tend to follow similar organizational structures in order to make it easy for readers to find the information they need. Taxonomy The most fundamental way bird books are organized is by taxonomy – the science of classifying living organisms. Birds are part of the kingdom Animalia, the phylum Chordata, the class Aves, and then they are divided into orders, families, genera, and species. Most bird field guides and encyclopedias will start with broader taxonomic…
Parrots are highly intelligent birds that form strong bonds with their owners. They are attentive, affectionate, and empathetic creatures. This raises an interesting question – do parrots understand when we cry? Can they recognize human emotions and provide comfort? In this article, we will explore the evidence around parrots’ emotional intelligence and their ability to perceive and respond to human distress. Do parrots feel empathy? Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Researchers have found evidence that some parrot species do show empathy towards humans. African grey parrots have demonstrated the ability to mimic laughter…
Rene Magritte (1898-1967) was a Belgian Surrealist artist known for his thought-provoking and often mysterious paintings. Birds are a recurring motif in Magritte’s works, appearing in many of his most famous paintings like The Kingdom of Shadows, The Menaced Assassin, and The Companions of Fear. But why did this Surrealist master paint so many birds? There are a few key reasons Magritte incorporated birds into his works: Symbolism Birds held great symbolic meaning for Magritte and the Surrealists. Birds can represent freedom, lightness, and airiness. Their ability to fly high into the sky suggested hope, inspiration, and transcendence. Surrealists aimed…