Sparrows are small songbirds that are very common in many parts of the world. While they may seem like cute little birds that would make great pets, there are some important considerations to keep in mind before deciding to keep a sparrow as a pet. Is it legal to keep a sparrow as a pet? In most parts of the world, it is illegal to keep native wild sparrows as pets. This is because sparrows are protected under laws that aim to conserve wild bird populations. Removing sparrows from the wild to keep as pets can negatively impact local sparrow…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
The yellow-billed cuckoo is a fascinating bird found across much of North America. These slender, long-tailed birds are best known for their loud, repetitive calls that sound like “cuck-coo”. But when are they most vocal? Do yellow-billed cuckoos call at night? Quick Answer Yellow-billed cuckoos are generally not night callers. These birds are active during the day and their loud, repetitive calls are most often heard during daylight hours. At night, yellow-billed cuckoos are usually silent as they roost. However, there are some exceptions when yellow-billed cuckoos may call at night, especially around dawn or dusk during the breeding season.…
The couch’s kingbird is a unique species of bird found only in a small region of the western United States. This elusive bird gets its name from its tendency to build nests inside couches left outside. Let’s explore the habitat, diet, appearance, and behavior of this little-known bird. The couch’s kingbird (Tyrannus sofa) is a small tyrant flycatcher that is endemic to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. First discovered in the 1990s, this species has consistently built nests and raised young exclusively inside discarded couches. While its total population numbers are unknown, it is classified as Near Threatened…
Finding a dead bird in your yard can be an unsettling experience. As an animal lover, your first reaction may be concern for the fate of the creature. You may also worry about the potential implications for other wildlife in your yard or neighborhood. Before jumping to any conclusions, it’s important to examine the evidence carefully and consider all the facts. This article will walk through some common causes of bird deaths and how to determine what may have killed a bird found in your yard. We’ll also look at steps you can take if the death appears to be…
Birds are one of the most diverse groups of vertebrate animals on Earth. With over 10,000 recognized living species, birds inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. But what does this diversity look like? How did so many bird species come to be? And why are some groups of birds incredibly speciose, while others have just a handful of members? In this article, we’ll explore what makes birds so diverse and look at examples of highly diverse bird families. What makes birds so diverse? Birds have high diversity for a few key reasons: – Birds can…
Birds that carry fish do so in order to transport food back to their nests to feed their young. The most common types of birds that carry whole fish are ospreys and bald eagles. Ospreys Ospreys are large raptors that are found on every continent except Antarctica. They live near bodies of water, since fish make up 99% of their diet. Ospreys are well-adapted for catching fish – their reversible outer toe allows them to grasp fish more securely, and the scales on their feet help them hold slippery fish. Their sharp, curved talons are perfect for snatching fish from…
The blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii) is a large seabird native to the eastern Pacific Ocean. Known for their bright blue feet and clownish behavior, blue-footed boobies are a popular species. However, in recent decades, their populations have declined due to threats like invasive predators, habitat loss, and climate change. So how many of these charismatic birds are left in the wild? Quick facts on the blue-footed booby: Scientific name: Sula nebouxii Range: Coastal islands of Peru, Galapagos Islands, Gulf of California, and Pacific coast of Mexico Population: Approximately 200,000-250,000 mature individuals Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List) While still…
If a seagull has black eyes, it likely means one of a few things: It is an immature seagull Seagull chicks hatch with dark grey to black eyes. Their eye color gradually changes to yellow as they mature over 2-3 years. So a black-eyed seagull is likely a juvenile that has not reached full adult plumage. It is a different gull species The most common seagulls with yellow eyes are Herring Gulls and Ring-billed Gulls. However, there are some other gull species that naturally have dark eyes: Great Black-backed Gull Slaty-backed Gull Kelp Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull So if the…
The coppersmith barbet, also known as the crimson-breasted barbet or coppersmith bird, is a species of barbet found widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent. Its scientific name is Megalaima haemacephala. This medium-sized barbet gets its common name from the distinctive metallic “tuk tuk tuk” call of the male, reminiscent of a coppersmith striking metal with a hammer. But is this colorful bird actually rare? The coppersmith barbet has a fairly wide distribution, being found across much of India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Myanmar. However, its global population numbers and exact conservation status have not…
East Tennessee is home to a diverse range of bird species that fill the forests and fields with beautiful songs and calls. While most birds are active during the day, there are a few nocturnal species that sing at night in this region. Identifying night-singing birds by sound alone can be challenging, but with some knowledge of their vocalizations and habitat, you can learn to recognize these elusive after-dark avians. Overview of Night-Singing Birds in East Tennessee Here are some of the birds that sing at night in East Tennessee: Eastern Whip-poor-will The Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus) is the most…