MacGillivray’s warbler, scientifically known as Geothlypis tolmiei, is a small songbird found in western North America. It is named after the Scottish naturalist and ornithologist William MacGillivray, who first described the species in 1852. MacGillivray’s warbler is a striking yellow and gray songbird with a bold black eye stripe. It breeds in the western United States and Canada and migrates to Mexico for the winter. Its scientific name honors William MacGillivray, who was the first to describe this species to science based on a specimen collected along the Columbia River in 1852. William MacGillivray was a renowned Scottish naturalist and…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
Quick Answer Allen’s hummingbirds are not considered rare within their limited range along the Pacific Coast. However, they have a very small breeding range confined mainly to coastal California and southern Oregon, so they are much less common than other widespread North American hummingbird species. Their limited range and habitat preferences make them vulnerable to habitat loss and climate change. Allen’s Hummingbird Range and Population The breeding range of Allen’s hummingbirds stretches along the Pacific Coast from southern Oregon to southern California. They are most abundant in coastal valleys and foothills south of San Francisco Bay. Their range extends inland…
The short answer is yes, Burrowing Owl Chardonnay is oaked. Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, located in Oliver, British Columbia, Canada, produces a Chardonnay that undergoes oak barrel aging as part of its winemaking process. This imparts notes of vanilla, toast, and spice to the wine that are characteristic of oak’s influence. Overview of Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Burrowing Owl Estate Winery is a family-owned and operated winery located in the Okanagan Valley region of British Columbia. The winery was established in 1993 by Jim and Midge Wyse along with their son Chris and his wife Bertie. Their first wines were…
Woodpeckers are unique birds that are known for hammering on trees with their sharp, chisel-like beaks. This rhythmic hammering produces a loud, rapid drumming sound that carries through the forest. But is this drumming or is it actually drilling into the tree? The answer lies in understanding the biology and behavior of woodpeckers. What’s the purpose of woodpecker drumming? Woodpeckers drum for a few key reasons: To establish their territory and attract a mate To communicate with other woodpeckers To excavate nesting and roosting cavities To find food such as insects and larvae hiding under bark Drumming serves as a…
The robin is one of the most familiar and widespread songbirds in North America. Distinguished by their bright orange breast feathers, robins are a sign of spring as they return from their southern wintering grounds to breed across the continent. Female robins build nests of grasses, twigs and mud, often in the branches of trees or on human-made structures like gutters and ledges. Once the nest is complete, the female lays a clutch of 3-5 light blue eggs over a period of several days. But how long does it take from the point those eggs are laid until the baby…
The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is one of the most widespread and abundant bird species in the world. However, there has been a dramatic decline in house sparrow populations in parts of its range, especially in Europe and North America. This has led some people to believe that the house sparrow is becoming rare. But is this really the case? Quick Facts on House Sparrows The house sparrow is native to Eurasia and North Africa, but has been introduced widely around the world. They live in close association with humans, especially in urban and suburban areas. House sparrows are very…
Woodstorks (Mycteria americana) are large wading birds found in wetlands across the southeastern United States, parts of Central and South America, and the Caribbean. These unique birds are known for their bald heads, long legs, and characteristic way of feeding with their bills partially open. Range and Habitat Woodstorks have a wide range across North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. In the United States, they are found from North Carolina southward across the Gulf Coast states to Florida and westward into Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Breeding populations are concentrated in Florida, Georgia, and coastal South Carolina. Woodstorks…
The large black and white bird commonly seen in Louisiana is the American White Pelican. The American White Pelican is one of the largest birds in North America, known for its huge bill and throat pouch used for catching fish. These large waterbirds breed in colonies across inland lakes over a wide stretch of North America. Louisiana provides excellent habitat for American White Pelicans with its many lakes, rivers, and coastal wetlands. Thousands of these birds winter along the warm Gulf Coast waters and inland lakes of Louisiana every year. Physical Description The American White Pelican is an unmistakable bird…
A rain bird quick coupling valve, also known as a QCV, is a type of sprinkler valve that allows for quick and easy connection and disconnection of sprinkler heads or drip irrigation lines. QCV valves provide an efficient way to control water flow in an irrigation system. In this comprehensive guide, we will explain what a rain bird quick coupling valve is, why you would use one, and provide a step-by-step tutorial on how to install and operate a rain bird QCV. What is a Rain Bird Quick Coupling Valve? A rain bird quick coupling valve consists of two main…
Whistling is a form of communication and musical expression uniquely employed by humans. From casual whistling while walking down the street to intricate tunes and calls used in various professions, whistling allows us to convey messages and express ourselves without using words. But what effect does our whistling have on our avian neighbors? Birds live in a very different auditory world than humans, relying more heavily on sounds to gather information about their environment. How exactly does the sound of a human whistling register to a bird? Do they find it confusing, intriguing or annoying? Unpacking what goes through a…