Cuckoos are well known for their practice of brood parasitism, in which a female cuckoo lays her eggs in the nests of other bird species to be raised by those birds. This behavior is found in several cuckoo species worldwide, with the common cuckoo being the most widespread and well-studied example in Europe and Asia. In North America, the primary hosts targeted by brood parasitic cuckoos are other songbirds such as warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and sparrows. The most frequent hosts of the common cuckoo in Europe and Asia are small passerines like warblers and pipits. Here we will examine why…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
Handling birds is a controversial topic among bird owners and avian experts. Some believe that handling birds helps socialize them and form bonds with their owners. Others argue that handling causes unnecessary stress and should be avoided or minimized. Here we’ll explore both sides of the debate, looking at the potential benefits and risks of handling pet birds. Potential benefits of handling birds Proponents of handling argue that it’s an important part of socializing pet birds. Birds are highly social animals, and in the wild spend most of their time interacting with flock members. Pet birds, then, may benefit from…
Quick Answers There are a few options for deterring squirrels from bird feeders: – Use feeds that squirrels don’t like, such as safflower seeds or nyjer seeds. Squirrels prefer sunflower seeds. – Try squirrel-proof feeders designed so that squirrels cannot climb them or get into them. Weight sensitive or cage style feeders work well. – Put up plastic or metal baffles above or below the feeder to block squirrels from being able to access the feeder. – Use feeders with weight sensitive perches that close access to the food when a heavy squirrel steps on them. – Place feeders at…
Birds are amazing creatures that have evolved over millions of years to thrive in diverse environments across the planet. One of the most intriguing aspects of avian biology is their ability to heal from injuries and illnesses. Birds have been observed recovering from broken bones, wounds, infections and more, often with no medical intervention from humans. So how do birds manage to bounce back from physical damage and disease so effectively? Can they truly “self heal” without assistance? Let’s take a closer look at the evidence. What is self healing? Self healing refers to the intrinsic ability of an organism…
Puffins are unique looking seabirds that are closely related to auks. They are medium-sized birds characterized by their colorful, oversized beaks. There are four main species of puffins: the Atlantic puffin, horned puffin, tufted puffin, and rhinoceros puffin. All puffin species belong to the alcid family, which encompasses a group of seabirds known as auks. This means that puffins share a close evolutionary relationship with other auks such as murres, guillemots, and auklets. Taxonomy of Puffins Here is a look at the taxonomic classification of puffins: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Charadriiformes Family: Alcidae Genus: Fratercula Species: Fratercula…
The bird you are describing sounds like an ibis. Ibises are long-legged wading birds that can be found in wetlands and marshy areas around the world. They are easily identified by their distinctive long, downcurved bills that they use to probe for food. Quick Answer The wading bird with a long, thin, curved beak is most likely an ibis. Ibises belong to the Threskiornithidae family of birds, which includes spoonbills and other long-billed waders. There are over 30 different ibis species, and they inhabit regions in Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, and the Americas. Some of the most widespread ibis species…
Bird nests, particularly those built by swiftlets, are known to contain high amounts of collagen. This has made them a popular ingredient in Asian cuisine and traditional medicine for purported health and beauty benefits. But what evidence is there to support the claim that bird nests are a good source of collagen? Let’s take a closer look at the science behind bird nest collagen. What is Collagen? Collagen is the most abundant protein in mammals, making up around 30% of total protein content. It forms an important structural component of skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels and other connective tissues…
The western wood pewee (Contopus sordidulus) and Pacific-slope flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) are two similar-looking bird species found in western North America. They belong to different genera but occupy similar ecological niches. Both are small tyrant flycatchers that feed on flying insects and breed in forested areas. However, there are some key differences between these two species in terms of appearance, voice, habitat, and range. Appearance The western wood pewee and Pacific-slope flycatcher can be very tricky to distinguish by sight alone. They are both relatively small songbirds, measuring 15–19 cm in length with wingspans around 30 cm. Their plumage is…
Hearing the eerie, wavering call of a screech owl in the dark of night can be an unsettling experience. But while their haunting cries may spook us, screech owls are fascinating birds that play an important role in the natural environment. Quick Answers Here are some quick answers to common questions about screech owls calling at night: Screech owls make their strange whinnying cries to establish territories and attract mates during breeding season. Active at night, screech owls use their calls to communicate with other owls in the area. The quavering calls can sound disturbingly human to our ears. Owl…
The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is the largest grouse species in North America. It is known for its elaborate mating rituals where males congregate on leks and inflate air sacs in their chests to make popping sounds. Sage-grouse depend on sagebrush for food and shelter, and have declined in numbers and range over the past century due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Understanding the current status of greater sage-grouse populations is important for conservation efforts. Where do greater sage-grouse live? Greater sage-grouse historically occupied sagebrush habitats across 13 western U.S. states and 3 Canadian provinces. Their range covered over 1.2…