Author: Alan Hernbroth

The Indigo Bunting is a small songbird native to North America. This brightly colored bird is known for its beautiful blue plumage and its distinctive vocalizations. The male Indigo Bunting uses its song to mark its breeding territory and attract a mate. When communicating, the Indigo Bunting makes a sharp, buzzing “zee zee zee” sound interspersed with high-pitched chips. Description of the Indigo Bunting The Indigo Bunting is a sparrow-sized bird that measures 4.7-5.1 inches in length with a wingspan of 7.5-9.1 inches. The male has deep, iridescent blue plumage on its head, back, wings, and tail. Its belly and…

The piping plover is a small North American shorebird that nests and feeds along coastal beaches and shorelines of the Great Lakes. Piping plovers are considered threatened or endangered throughout much of their range. Their populations have declined dramatically since the mid-20th century due to habitat loss, increased predation, and human disturbance. Understanding the current population status and conservation efforts for the piping plover helps shed light on the challenges facing this vulnerable species. What is the piping plover? The piping plover (Charadrius melodus) is a small North American shorebird approximately 17–18 cm in length with a wing span of…

Birds molt, or shed old feathers and grow new ones, on a regular basis. This is necessary because their feathers become worn and damaged through daily use and need to be replaced. Molting allows birds to regenerate their plumage and maintain their ability to fly and regulate their body temperature. But do birds molt the feathers on their heads? The answer is yes, birds do molt the feathers on their heads, but the extent and timing varies depending on the species. Head molting is often tied to seasonal molts that affect most or all of a bird’s plumage. However, some…

The tongue plays several important roles in birds. It is a multifunctional organ that aids in eating, drinking, prey capture, grooming, and vocalization. Understanding the anatomy and physiology of the avian tongue provides insight into how it carries out these various tasks. Anatomy of the Avian Tongue The tongue of birds is quite different from that of mammals. It is thin, narrow, and elongated. Rather than being a large muscular organ, it is a skinny structure composed mostly of hyaline cartilage and dense networks of collagenous fibers. It often has a forked or bifid shape at the tip in many…

Quick Answer There are a few possible reasons why a bird might sit and stare at you: The bird is curious about you The bird thinks you have food The bird feels threatened by your presence The bird is protecting its territory or nest Birds have good vision and are naturally alert animals. Prolonged eye contact is one way they assess their environment for food, predators, intruders, or possible mates. While staring could mean different things, it generally suggests the bird is intrigued by or wary of your presence. Birds Stare Out of Curiosity One of the most common reasons…

Muscovy ducks are a species of waterfowl that are native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. However, they have been introduced in many other parts of the world and can now be found living wild or domesticated in a variety of states across the United States. Native Range Muscovy ducks are native to the tropical regions of Mexico, Central America, and South America. Their natural range stretches from central Mexico down through Central America into Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and northern Argentina. Within this region, Muscovy ducks inhabit wetlands, flooded forests, ponds, rivers, and swamps. They…

The common snipe (Gallinago gallinago) is a small, stocky shorebird found across Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. They inhabit marshes, bogs, tundra and wet meadows. With their long bills, cryptic plumage and erratic flight patterns, snipes can be difficult to spot. Their global population is extremely large, estimated at over 15 million birds. However, in some regions snipe numbers have declined due to habitat loss and hunting. This has raised concerns over whether common snipes are at risk of extinction. Snipe characteristics Common snipes are medium-sized waders measuring 25-28 cm long with a wingspan of 39-48 cm. They have…

Bird watching has become an increasingly popular hobby over the past few decades. With over 10,000 species of birds in the world, it can be challenging for beginners to identify the birds they see or hear by sight or sound alone. Thankfully, technology has stepped in to help with bird identification through the use of bird call identification apps. Introduction to Bird Call Identification Apps Bird call identification apps allow users to record a bird call or song and submit it to the app’s database for identification. The app will analyze the recording and provide likely match results, listing the…

The Bird Bones mutation is a mutation that players can acquire in the Fallout series of post-apocalyptic role-playing games. It first appeared in Fallout 76 and has carried over into later games in the franchise as well. The Bird Bones mutation confers both advantages and disadvantages to the player character by altering their physiology. What are mutations in Fallout? Mutations are special abilities or traits that the player character can acquire through exposure to radiation or mutagens in the Fallout universe. They provide unique bonuses and penalties that can help the player specialize their build and playstyle. Most mutations are…

Jay Shetty is a famous author, podcaster, and former monk who currently lives in Los Angeles, California. Shetty has lived in LA for several years now, ever since relocating from London in 2016. Before moving to LA, Shetty lived an ascetic lifestyle as a monk in India for three years. Now based in Southern California, Shetty has built a successful career as a lifestyle guru and inspirational speaker. He lives with his wife Radhi in a lavish mansion located in the Hollywood Hills. Jay Shetty’s Early Life in the UK Jay Shetty was born in London, England in 1987 to…