The cactus wren, scientific name Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus, was designated the official state bird of Arizona in 1973. This small songbird is well-adapted to living in the deserts of the American Southwest and is found across most of Arizona. There are several reasons why the cactus wren makes sense as a symbol of the state. Unique Adaptations to Desert Living The cactus wren gets its name from its strong association with cacti, particularly cholla and saguaro. It builds nests in the arms and branches of these and other cacti, using the spines for protection from predators. Nests are lined with grass,…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
Nuthatches are small songbirds found throughout North America. They get their name from their habit of jamming large nuts and seeds into tree bark and then whacking them with their bills to “hatch” the seeds out. Nuthatches make their nests in the holes and crevices of tree trunks or branches. The breeding season for nuthatches varies by species, but generally occurs between April and July. When do nuthatch eggs hatch? Once a pair of nuthatches selects a nesting cavity, the female will lay a clutch of 5-9 eggs. She incubates the eggs for about 12-14 days before they hatch. The…
The Golden-crowned Kinglet is one of the smallest songbirds in North America. Weighing in at only 4-7 grams, it is truly a tiny bird. To put the Golden-crowned Kinglet’s miniscule size into perspective, here are some quick facts about its weight: Quick Facts The average weight of a Golden-crowned Kinglet is 5-6 grams. 5 grams is equivalent to 0.18 ounces or about the weight of a penny. The Golden-crowned Kinglet weighs less than many common small birds like chickadees, nuthatches and warblers. Now that we have established how lightweight the Golden-crowned Kinglet is, let’s take a deeper look at the…
The Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) is a medium-sized nocturnal bird found throughout much of North America. As an insectivorous bird, the Common Nighthawk feeds on a variety of flying insects that are active at night. Understanding the prey species that the Common Nighthawk consumes can provide important insights into their feeding ecology and natural history. Insects Insects make up the majority of the Common Nighthawk’s diet. With its large mouth and ability to maneuver adeptly in flight, the Common Nighthawk is well-adapted for catching insects on the wing. Some of the main insect prey consumed by Common Nighthawks include: Beetles…
Animals communicate in many ways, but some are more vocally talented than others. When it comes to the number of distinct vocalizations an animal can make, one species stands out as being able to produce an impressive variety of sounds – the domestic pig. Pigs are highly social and intelligent animals. They have a complex vocal communication system to convey information about their environment, moods, and needs. While most mammals have only around 10 to 20 distinct vocalizations, pigs are capable of making at least 20-30 different sounds and possibly over 100! This wide vocal repertoire allows pigs to effectively…
Ducks reproduce sexually through internal fertilization. The male duck has a corkscrew shaped penis that deposits sperm directly into the female duck’s reproductive tract. This allows the sperm to swim to the female’s eggs and fertilize them. The fertilized eggs then implant in the female’s reproductive tract and develop into embryos. After a period of incubation inside the female, the embryos hatch into ducklings. Let’s explore the duck mating and reproduction process in more detail. The Duck Reproductive System To understand duck reproduction, we first need to understand the male and female duck reproductive anatomy. The Male Duck Reproductive System…
Sandhill cranes are large birds that live in open wetland habitats across North America. They are most commonly found in the central and western United States and Canada during their breeding season, and migrate south to spend the winter in southern U.S. states like Texas, New Mexico and Arizona as well as parts of northern Mexico. Sandhill cranes prefer grasslands, prairies, marshes, meadows and agricultural fields that are close to shallow lakes, rivers or wetlands where they can forage and nest. Their habitat ranges can be quite large depending on the season and population of cranes. Overall, the central Great…
Cackling Geese are a species of small goose native to North America. There are four recognized subspecies of Cackling Goose: Aleutian Cackling Goose, Richardson’s Cackling Goose, Lesser Cackling Goose, and Dusky Cackling Goose. Their population ranges across Alaska, Canada, and the western United States during migration and winter periods. Cackling Geesebreed in the arctic and subarctic regions of Alaska and northwestern Canada. Cackling Geese get their name from their distinct short, high-pitched “cackling” call. They are the smallest geese species in North America, weighing between 1.5-4.4 pounds with wingspans of 32-48 inches. Their small size allows them to take off…
When a cat chatters at you, they are trying to communicate something. Cat chattering can have several meanings depending on the context and the individual cat’s personality. Cat Chatter as a Greeting Some cats will chatter at their owners as a form of greeting. When your cat sees you after you’ve been away, they may chatter at you to say “welcome back!” This type of chattering is typically friendly and accompanied by purring or rubbing on your legs. Cats associate their owners with food and comfort. So when you return after an absence, your cat may chatter at you to…
Quick Answer The average lifespan of a Red-breasted Sapsucker is around 5-6 years in the wild. However, they can live up to 12 years in captivity if kept as pets and cared for properly. The oldest known Red-breasted Sapsucker was recorded living to 12 years and 5 months old. Lifespan In The Wild Red-breasted Sapsuckers are medium-sized woodpeckers found in coniferous forests across western North America. Their average lifespan in the wild is approximately 5-6 years. However, there are a number of factors that can influence their longevity: Predation As with most birds, predation is one of the major causes…