Black-winged stilts are elegant, long-legged wading birds with black and white plumage. They are found in wetlands across much of the Americas. Determining whether black-winged stilts are migratory birds requires looking at the different populations and their movement patterns throughout the year. Northern Populations of Black-winged Stilts Black-winged stilts that breed in northern parts of North America, such as Canada and the northern United States, are migratory. They winter further south and move north in the spring to breed. In particular, black-winged stilts that nest across the Canadian Prairies and the Great Plains of the United States migrate south for…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
Many dinosaurs developed bird-like beaks and skulls during the Mesozoic Era. This included theropod dinosaurs, which were two-legged carnivores that evolved into modern birds. Some key dinosaurs with bird-like beaks include oviraptorids, ornithomimids, alvarezsaurids, and therizinosaurs. Oviraptorids Oviraptorids were a group of theropod dinosaurs from the Late Cretaceous period, about 75-65 million years ago. They were characterized by their parrot-like beaks, which were short, deep, and curved upwards. Some of the most well-known oviraptorids include Oviraptor, Citipati, and Gigantoraptor. Oviraptorids had lightweight, hollow bones and short arms with powerful claws, indicating they were likely omnivorous or herbivorous. Their diet likely…
The lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) is a species of prairie grouse found in the grasslands of the central and southern Great Plains of North America. Its range includes parts of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. The lesser prairie-chicken is a smaller relative of the greater prairie-chicken and is known for its colorful spring mating displays on breeding grounds called leks. The lesser prairie-chicken has experienced significant population declines in recent decades due to habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation. It has been recognized as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act since 2014. Conservation efforts are underway to…
Forest and Bird is New Zealand’s largest independent conservation organisation. They rely on donations from supporters to fund their important conservation work across the country. In this article, we will take a detailed look at where Forest and Bird’s funding comes from. Government Funding Forest and Bird receives some funding from central and local government in New Zealand. This includes project-based funding for specific conservation initiatives. However, government funding makes up a relatively small portion of Forest and Bird’s overall income. In their latest annual report for 2020/21, Forest and Bird listed $248,869 in government contracts and grants. This was…
Meadowlarks are songbirds belonging to the genus Sturnella in the family Icteridae. There are several species of meadowlarks, found primarily in grassland habitats across North and South America. The question of whether meadowlarks are herbivores or carnivores relates to their dietary habits – specifically, do they eat mainly plant or animal matter? This article will examine the diet and feeding behavior of meadowlarks in depth to definitively answer whether they are herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores. Meadowlark Species and Habitats There are seven recognized species of meadowlarks across the Americas: Eastern Meadowlark – Sturnella magna Western Meadowlark – Sturnella neglecta Pampas…
There are a few birds that are known for their loud, siren-like calls at night. The most likely culprits are large owls or nightjars. Owls are famous for their haunting hoots and screeches that can sound like someone screaming in the dark. Nightjars, on the other hand, make an eerie buzzing or booming sound. Let’s take a closer look at some suspects and get to the bottom of this mystery: Suspect #1: Barred Owl The barred owl is a large owl found throughout North America. They get their name from the horizontal brown and white stripes on their chest. Barred…
The dovekie, also known as the little auk, is a small seabird in the alcid family. It breeds in the Arctic and subarctic regions and spends the rest of the year offshore in cooler northern waters. Here is a quick overview of the dovekie: Quick Facts Scientific Name: Alle alle Length: 16–18 cm Wingspan: 33–40 cm Weight: 165–195 g Lifespan: Up to 15 years Conservation Status: Least Concern Identification The dovekie is the smallest member of the auk family. It has a short, rounded body with a very short tail and small wings. Its legs are set far back on…
The opening line “What bird sings cheery cheery cheery?” suggests we are looking to identify a bird species based on its song. Birdsong is often a distinctive characteristic that can help identify different species. In the opening paragraphs, I will attempt to answer questions related to decoding this birdsong clue and identifying the bird species. What makes birdsong unique? Bird vocalizations are quite complex. Songbirds have specialized vocal organs called syrinxes located at the base of their trachea. The syrinx allows them to produce intricate bird calls and songs. The shape of a bird’s beak can also influence the sounds…
When it comes to bird photography, using the right filter can make a big difference in getting crisp, clear shots of your feathery subjects. Filters help manage light conditions, enhance color, and reduce haze or glare. But with so many filter options on the market, it can be tricky to determine which one is the best fit for your needs and style. This comprehensive guide breaks down the benefits of the most popular filter types for bird photographers. UV/Haze Filters UV or haze filters are clear, colorless filters that block ultraviolet light. They are designed to reduce atmospheric haze caused…
Opening Paragraph A bird’s eye view is a view from a very high vantage point, as though you were a bird looking down from above. Other terms that mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably include aerial view, overview, panoramic view, and elevated view. These all refer to seeing something from above, taking in the whole scene at once. Synonyms for Bird’s Eye View Aerial View One of the most common synonyms for bird’s eye view is aerial view. An aerial view is a view from the air, high above the ground. It gives the perspective of seeing…