Birds accidentally flying into windows is an unfortunate but common occurrence. Windows can appear invisible to birds in flight, causing deadly collisions. If you find a bird has hit one of your windows, remain calm and take action to give the bird the best chance of survival. Assess the Situation Quickly When you discover a bird has hit a window, assess the situation as rapidly as possible. Look to see if the bird is still alive and breathing. Also check if the bird seems to have any obvious injuries, like bleeding or broken wings or legs. Understanding the condition of…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
The flightless bird native to New Zealand that has become a national symbol is the kiwi. Kiwis are small, nocturnal, and cannot fly. Their inability to fly is due to their extremely small wings relative to their body size. Kiwis play an important role in the ecology of New Zealand as well as holding cultural significance for the country. What is a kiwi? The kiwi is a flightless bird native and endemic to New Zealand. There are five species of kiwi remaining today: Great spotted kiwi (Apteryx haastii) Little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii) Rowi (Apteryx rowi) Tokoeka (Apteryx australis) Brown…
The common pronunciation of the word “stork” in American English is /stɔːrk/. It is a two syllable word, with the stress on the first syllable. The “o” is pronounced like the “o” in “fork”. The stork is a large, long-legged wading bird that can be found in many parts of the world. In America, the white stork is sometimes associated with babies, as there is a folklore tradition that storks deliver babies to new parents. This has led to the bird being culturally symbolic for childbirth and newborns in American culture. But how exactly do Americans pronounce the name of…
Many people are fascinated by wild birds like cardinals, blue jays, and finches. Their beautiful colors and songs can make them seem like they would make wonderful pets. However, taking a wild bird from nature and attempting to keep it as a pet is illegal, unethical, and usually ends badly for the bird. Here are some key points on why wild birds do not make good pets. It’s Against the Law In most areas, it is illegal to capture, own, or sell wild native birds. Birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which makes it unlawful to take,…
The roadrunner, a member of the cuckoo family, was designated the official state bird of New Mexico in 1949. This iconic bird has deep cultural and historical significance in the American Southwest and is instantly recognizable by its distinctive appearance and behavior. But why exactly was the roadrunner chosen to represent New Mexico? In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide a quick overview answering why the roadrunner was selected as the state bird before diving into more detail in the sections below: – The roadrunner is native to New Mexico and thrives in the arid desert landscapes of the state. -…
Bewick’s wrens (Thryomanes bewickii) are small songbirds found in North America. They build elaborate nests out of twigs, grass, bark strips, feathers, and other materials. But do they reuse these intricate nests from year to year, or do they build a new nest each breeding season? Quick Answers Bewick’s wrens often reuse their nests from previous years. They may refurbish an old nest by adding new materials. Reusing nests saves time and energy compared to building a completely new nest. Old nests provide good insulation and protection for eggs and chicks. Females may also build a couple dummy nests before…
Sora has been the main protagonist of the Kingdom Hearts series ever since the first game released in 2002 for the PlayStation 2. Across multiple mainline titles, spinoffs, and remakes, Sora has remained the key character that players control throughout their journey across various Disney and Final Fantasy worlds. However, his fate was left ambiguous at the end of the most recent numbered entry, Kingdom Hearts 3. This has led many fans to wonder if Sora will still be the main playable character in the eventual Kingdom Hearts 4 or if the series will move in a different direction. Here’s…
The whooping crane (Grus americana) is a large endangered crane species native to North America. Known for its bright white plumage and distinctive whooping call, it once faced imminent extinction in the early 20th century. By 1941, only 21 whooping cranes existed in the wild. Thanks to dedicated conservation efforts over the past 80 years, the global population has slowly rebounded, but the species remains endangered with only about 500 individuals in the wild as of 2022. Understanding the current status of the whooping crane is important for evaluating the success of conservation actions taken to date and determining what…
The glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is a wading bird species that can be found across much of the world. Known for its distinctive curved bill and iridescent plumage, the glossy ibis is a remarkable bird that is highly identifiable by both its appearance and its vocalizations. In this article, we will explore the various calls and sounds that the glossy ibis makes, providing audio examples so you can hear its vocalizations for yourself. We will cover the contexts in which the different calls are made and what they communicate. Understanding what a glossy ibis sounds like can help birdwatchers more…
Skull Island is a fictional island that first appeared in the 1933 film King Kong and has since appeared in numerous sequels, remakes, and spinoffs. It is the home of the giant ape Kong and is inhabited by various prehistoric creatures. The most prominent flying creature on Skull Island is a large pterosaur or pterodactyl-like creature. Background on Skull Island Skull Island is located in the Indian Ocean and is surrounded by perpetual fog, making it hard to access. The island is shaped like a skull, which gives it its name. It first appeared in the 1933 King Kong film…