Author: Alan Hernbroth

The flag that is red with a gold bird is the flag of Albania. Albania is a country located in Southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. Its national flag features a red background with a black double-headed eagle in the center. Quick Answer The flag that is red with a gold bird is the flag of Albania. The gold bird featured on the Albanian flag is a double-headed eagle. More Details on the Albanian Flag Here are some more details on the flag of Albania: The background color of the flag is red. In the center of the flag is…

Read More

Bird banding is the practice of capturing wild birds and attaching a small metal or plastic band around their leg for identification purposes. This allows scientists to track migration patterns, survival rates, population sizes, and other data when birds are recaptured or found deceased. What is a bird banding recovery? A banding recovery occurs when a banded bird is encountered again after initial banding. This can happen through recapturing the bird, finding the bird deceased, or having the band reported by a member of the public who found a lost band. How are recovery rates calculated? Recovery rates are calculated…

Read More

The light-footed Ridgway’s rail (Rallus obsoletus levipes) is a small wetland bird found in coastal southern California and northern Baja California. It is a subspecies of the Ridgway’s rail and gets its name from having lighter colored feet compared to other Ridgway’s rail subspecies. The scientific name Rallus obsoletus levipes comes from the genus Rallus, referring to rails, and the species obsoletus, meaning obsolete or worn out. The subspecies name levipes comes from the Latin words levis meaning light, and pes meaning foot. So levipes refers to this subspecies’ noticeably light-colored feet. Quick Facts Scientific Name: Rallus obsoletus levipes Common…

Read More

Birds have fascinated humans for millennia with their ability to fly and the beautiful songs many species sing. But while we can easily recognize a bird call, scientists have struggled to decipher the meaning behind these vocalizations. Recent advances in technology and animal behavior research have started to provide intriguing clues into how birds communicate. Understanding bird vocalizations is important for several reasons. It can help us better protect endangered species, reduce human-wildlife conflicts, and gain insight into an ancient form of animal communication. As we learn more about avian language, we also discover surprising similarities between how birds and…

Read More

Cedar waxwings are medium-sized songbirds that breed across North America. They are highly social, forming large flocks that constantly stay in touch with soft high whistles as they forage. With their sleek brown plumage, decorative red wax-like tips on their secondary feathers, and striking yellow-tipped tail, these sociable birds are appealing to watch. Cedar waxwings are considered short-distance migrants, moving south in winter from their breeding range in Canada and the northern United States. But are cedar waxwings found in Colorado? Range and Migration Patterns Cedar waxwings breed primarily across Canada and the northern half of the United States. Their…

Read More

Quick Answers Pileated woodpeckers may reuse the same nest cavity for multiple years in a row. However, they do not necessarily return to the exact same cavity every single year. These woodpeckers excavate new nest cavities each year, but will also reuse suitable old cavities. The specific nest site a given pair returns to in any year depends on cavity availability, territory boundaries, and other factors. On average, a nest cavity may be reused for 2-3 years or sometimes longer before the decay and enlargement of the cavity makes it unsuitable for further nesting. The pileated woodpecker is a large…

Read More

Spruce grouse are a medium-sized grouse species found in boreal forests across Canada and the northern United States. They are closely associated with coniferous trees such as spruce, pine, and fir. Understanding the range and habitat of spruce grouse can help researchers and wildlife managers conservation efforts for this species. Quick Facts on Spruce Grouse Range Here are some quick facts on where spruce grouse are found: Primarily found in Canada and Alaska Range extends into the northern U.S. including Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Idaho, Washington Associated with boreal and montane coniferous forests Depend on spruce, pine, fir for cover and…

Read More

Purple finches are a type of bird that is commonly found across North America. Despite their name, male purple finches are actually bright red in color, which often leads to confusion about their actual plumage. In this article, we’ll explore why these birds are called “purple” finches when the males are red, examine how to identify them, and learn about their biology and behavior. Why are male purple finches red if they are called “purple”? The term “purple finch” is actually quite misleading, as the males are a bright, rosy red color. So why are they called purple finches? There…

Read More

There are a few potential reasons why your bird may have a crooked toe. Some of the most common causes include: Injury One of the most likely reasons for a crooked toe is that your bird suffered some kind of physical injury. Birds can easily injure their toes by getting them caught in cage wiring or toys, having a heavy object fall on them, or even getting into a fight with another bird. Fractures, sprains, and dislocations of the toes can all lead to crooked or bent toes. Injuries are often obvious, as you may notice swelling, bruising, or bleeding…

Read More

The killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) is a medium-sized plover found across most of North America. These birds are known for their loud, piercing “kill-dee” call which gives them their name. Killdeer are active and noisy birds that can be seen foraging in open fields, gravel roads, parking lots, and shorelines during the day. But are killdeer also active at night? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at killdeer behavior to find out if these birds are nocturnal or diurnal. Killdeer Natural History Killdeer belong to the diverse order Charadriiformes, which includes plovers, lapwings, and sandpipers. They are one of…

Read More