Illinois is home to many beautiful forest preserves that allow residents and visitors to experience nature without leaving the state. With over 260 forest preserves spanning more than 70,000 acres, choosing the biggest can be a difficult task. In this article, we will explore the largest forest preserves in Illinois and look at what makes them unique. Shawnee National Forest Covering over 280,000 acres across southern Illinois, Shawnee National Forest is the largest public land holding in the state. Within its borders, Shawnee contains over 186,000 acres of forest, making it the biggest forest preserve in Illinois by a significant…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
The mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) is one of the most recognizable and widespread duck species in the world. Known for its iconic green head and white neck ring, the mallard is a familiar sight in ponds, lakes, rivers, and wetlands across North America, Europe, Asia, New Zealand, and Australia. But is this ubiquitous duck truly wild or has it adapted to live near humans? In this article, we’ll explore the natural history of the mallard, examine how it has adapted to urban environments, and determine whether it can still be considered a wild species. Natural History of the Mallard The…
With so many BlueParrott headset models to choose from, it can be tough to decide which one is the right fit for your needs. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the most popular BlueParrott models side-by-side, looking at key factors like noise cancellation, battery life, range, comfort and more. We’ll also provide quick pros and cons for each headset and give our top pick for the best BlueParrott overall. Noise Cancellation One of the main reasons people choose BlueParrott headsets is for their industry-leading noise cancellation technology. Here’s how the major models compare when it comes to blocking out background…
Titmice are small songbirds in the Paridae family. There are over 20 species of titmice found throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Some common titmouse species include the Tufted Titmouse, Black-crested Titmouse, Bridled Titmouse, and Oak Titmouse. Titmice are known for their large heads, round bodies, and small bills. They get their name from their repeated two-note “tit tit” call. Titmouse mating and pairing behavior has been studied by ornithologists to understand their social dynamics. Like many other birds, titmice form monogamous pairs and maintain long-term bonds with their mates. However, the exact length of these bonds and whether…
Cardinals are medium-sized songbirds found in North and South America. They are known for their bright red plumage and melodious songs. Cardinals are non-migratory birds and remain in their territories year-round. This leads to an important question – do cardinals fight with other cardinals over their territories? The short answer is yes, cardinals do engage in aggressive behaviors and fights with other cardinals encroaching on their territories, especially during the breeding season. However, the extent of these conflicts can vary depending on factors like food availability, habitat quality, and population density. Territoriality in Cardinals Cardinals are highly territorial birds that…
Quick Answer Zebra finches can make very friendly and social pets when handled regularly from a young age. However, like any bird, they have individual personalities and some may be more friendly and social than others. With regular gentle handling, most zebra finches will become accustomed to their owners and enjoy interacting with them. Do zebra finches like human interaction? Most zebra finches do enjoy human interaction when properly socialized. Hand-raised baby zebra finches that are handled gently and frequently from a very young age generally become quite tame and bonded with their owners. They can be taught to perch…
Vultures are large birds of prey that feed primarily on carrion. There are 23 species of vultures worldwide, but only 2 species are found in North America. These two vulture species are the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) and the black vulture (Coragyps atratus). Turkey Vulture The turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) is the most widespread vulture species in North America. Some key facts about the turkey vulture include: It is found throughout most of North America from southern Canada down to South America. It has a distinctive red, unfeathered head which allows it to feed inside carcasses more easily. Turkey vultures…
The modern day living relative of dinosaurs that is most closely related to ancient dinosaurs like Velociraptor and Archaeopteryx is the bird. Birds are literally modern-day flying dinosaurs. They evolved from small feathered theropod dinosaurs over 150 million years ago during the Jurassic Period and still retain many features that connect them to their dinosaur ancestors. How are birds the modern day version of dinosaurs? There is overwhelming evidence that birds evolved from small feathered theropod dinosaurs, and are in fact a subset of dinosaurs that survived the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction event 66 million years ago. Here are some of…
Quick Answer The Indigo Bunting has a variety of vocalizations it uses to communicate different messages. The most common calls include a high-pitched, buzzing “zee zee zee” song, a sharp “chip” call, and a high-pitched, sustained warbling song. The species is named for the bright indigo blue color of the male’s plumage during breeding season. What is an Indigo Bunting? The Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) is a small seed-eating songbird found in North America. They breed in open shrubby areas, forest edges, and agricultural areas across the United States and southern Canada during the summer months. The birds then migrate…
Pelicans are large waterbirds known for their distinctive large beaks and throat pouches used for catching fish. There are eight living species of pelicans that are found on every continent except Antarctica. Juvenile pelicans look quite different from adult pelicans, going through several distinct phases before reaching full adult plumage. Newly Hatched Pelicans When pelicans first hatch from their eggs, they are completely dependent on their parents for food and protection. Hatchlings are covered in white or gray down feathers. Their eyes are closed at first, only opening after several days. Their bills are short and straight at this stage,…