Cardinals are beautiful red birds found across North America. With their bright red plumage, distinctive crest, and lovely songs, cardinals are a favorite among bird watchers. When it comes to feeding cardinals, many people want to know what type of bird seed these birds prefer. Understanding a cardinal’s favorite foods can help attract more of these stunning birds to your backyard. Why Do Cardinals Like Certain Bird Seeds? All birds have preferences for certain types of food based on their natural diets and nutritional needs. Cardinals specifically favor seeds high in oil content. Cardinals are seedeaters by nature. Seeds compose…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
Barn swallows are a familiar sight in rural areas, darting acrobatically through barns and around other structures. Their forked tails and colorful plumage make them easy to identify. Barn swallows migrate long distances, traveling between their breeding grounds in North America and their wintering grounds in South and Central America. These aerial acrobats put on dazzling flying displays while snatching insects in mid-air. But what makes barns and other structures so attractive to these birds? Nesting Sites Barn swallows are very selective when it comes to choosing a nest site. They prefer vertical surfaces that are protected from the elements.…
Holding a kiwi is generally prohibited in New Zealand without special permits. The kiwi is a flightless bird endemic to New Zealand and a national symbol. However, they are also an endangered species, so there are strict regulations around interacting with them in order to protect them. Why can’t you hold a kiwi? There are a few key reasons why holding a kiwi is restricted: Kiwis are very sensitive to stress and human contact. Being held can raise their heart rate and stress levels, which can be dangerous to their health. They have bones that are hollow and fragile. If…
The snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) is a large, white owl of the typical owl family Strigidae. Snowy owls are native to Arctic regions in North America and Eurasia, breeding all across the tundra zones of the northernmost latitudes in Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Scandinavia and Russia. These magnificent white owls are highly nomadic migrants that move south in some years from their Arctic breeding grounds, bringing delight to bird watchers when they occasionally irrupt into more southern regions. Understanding the snowy owl’s native range and breeding habitat can help shed light on where these remarkable raptors originate. Native Range and Breeding…
Conures are highly intelligent parrots that can learn many fun and interactive tricks. Teaching your conure tricks provides stimulating mental enrichment and strengthens the bond between you and your bird. With proper training techniques and persistence, conures can learn a variety of behaviors on cue. What are some easy starter tricks to teach my conure? Some good beginner tricks for conures include: Step up – Teaching your conure to step onto your hand or arm on command. Target training – Touching its beak to a target stick or other object on cue. Wave – Lifting one foot and waving on…
There are a few small birds that are known for having spiky looking head feathers that resemble hair. The most likely bird being referred to with “spiky hair” would be the common house finch. What does a house finch look like? The house finch is a small songbird, usually 4-6 inches long. The males have brightly colored red plumage on their heads, breasts, and rumps. Their feathers on top of their heads are often spiked up, giving the look of spiky “hair.” Females and juveniles have more muted brown-streaked plumage. Both males and females have short conical beaks suited for…
Birds using leaves as umbrellas is a fascinating phenomenon that many people have observed or heard about. But is there any truth to this idea that birds intentionally use leaves to shelter themselves from the rain? Let’s take a closer look at the evidence. Quick Answers In brief: There are some reports and photos showing birds using leaves as umbrellas, but the evidence is anecdotal. Scientists have not found strong proof that birds intentionally use leaves for rain protection. Birds sitting under leaves during rain could be accidental or for other reasons like nesting. Some bird behaviors may give the…
The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is a small bird in the swallow family known for its distinctive forked tail. Barn swallows are found worldwide, though they are declining in parts of their range. These agile fliers have adapted well to living around humans and nesting on man-made structures. Their acrobatic aerial abilities, cheerful chirps, and grace in flight make them a favorite bird for many people. But what exactly makes the barn swallow special? Unique Appearance The most noticeable feature of the barn swallow is its deeply forked tail, with long outer tail feathers. The tail shape gives the birds…
The white-throated sparrow is a small songbird that is found across Canada and the northern United States. This sparrow stands out for its distinctive plumage and unique behavior compared to other sparrow species. Keep reading to learn more about what makes the white-throated sparrow special! Identification The white-throated sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow, measuring approximately 6.5 inches in length. It has a gray face and throat, a white stripe on its crown, and a bold yellow spot in front of each eye. The breast is gray and the flanks have black stripes. The bird’s back is streaked brown and gray…
Grackles are a type of blackbird that are known for their aggressive behavior. They are larger than many other backyard birds and tend to chase away smaller species from feeders and nesting spots. Many bird watchers have noticed that when grackles show up in their yard, other small birds like sparrows, finches, and chickadees disappear. This has led to a debate among ornithologists and birders about whether grackles actively scare away other birds or if their presence alone is enough to deter other species. Do grackles attack or kill other birds? Grackles are not known to outright attack and kill…