The bird dog exercise is a core stability exercise that targets the lower back, hips, glutes, and shoulders. It is an excellent exercise for improving core strength, balance, and coordination. The bird dog works several muscle groups at once, making it an efficient exercise for both strengthening and conditioning. What muscles does the bird dog exercise work? The bird dog exercise primarily works the following muscles: Erector spinae muscles of the lower back – These muscles run along the spine and help extend and stabilize the back. Gluteal muscles – The gluteus maximus and gluteus medius are worked isometrically to…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
Short-eared owls (Asio flammeus) are medium-sized owls that are found throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of South America and Australia. As their name suggests, short-eared owls have distinctive short feather tufts on the top of their heads that resemble ears. But why are these tufts referred to as “ears” and how did the short-eared owl get its name? The appearance of short-eared owls Short-eared owls have brown and buff colored plumage that provides good camouflage in open habitats like grasslands, meadows, and marshes. Their underparts are buff colored with brown spotting and streaking. The upperparts are mottled brown,…
When considering which season is ideal for visiting a bird sanctuary, there are a few key factors to take into account. The season will impact what species can be viewed as well as the overall experience. Here we will examine how the different seasons affect bird life and viewing opportunities to help determine the optimal time to visit a bird sanctuary. Spring Spring is a popular season for bird watching and visiting sanctuaries. Here are some of the key things to know about spring: Migration – Many species migrate back from their wintering grounds in the spring, so a greater…
If you’re looking to get your hands on older Switch Sports games and collections, there are a few options available. In the opening paragraphs, I’ll provide a quick overview of how to find and purchase previous Switch Sports releases. Check Online Retailers for Availability One of the easiest ways to find older Switch Sports games is to check online retailers like Amazon, eBay, and GameStop. While Switch Sports only came out in 2022, Nintendo often re-releases collections of older titles. For example, Switch Sports Resort was a 2022 remake of Wii Sports Resort. So even if a specific Switch Sports…
The Verdin is a small songbird found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Despite its tiny size, the Verdin has a very large personality! In this article, we will explore just how small the Verdin is by looking at its physical dimensions and comparing it to other birds and common objects. Verdin Size Dimensions Let’s start by looking at the actual physical dimensions of a Verdin. This will give us a concrete sense of how truly petite this bird is. Length: 4.3-5.1 in (11-13 cm) Wingspan: 6.7-8.3 in (17-21 cm) Weight: 0.2-0.3 oz (5-9 g) As you can see,…
The syrinx is the vocal organ of birds, located at the bifurcation of the trachea into the two bronchi. It produces sound by vibrating membranes located at the top of the trachea. Most birds have a syrinx and use it to produce vocalizations. However, there are some groups of birds that lack a syrinx entirely. Ratites The ratites are a group of flightless birds that includes ostriches, emus, rheas, cassowaries, and kiwis. These birds do not have a syrinx and are unable to vocalize. Instead, they rely on non-vocal forms of communication like hisses, booms, and grunts. The evolutionary loss…
What is over preening in birds? Over preening, also known as feather picking or feather damaging behavior, is when a bird excessively preens or plucks its own feathers. This can lead to bald spots, bleeding, and damage to the skin. It’s an abnormal behavior that indicates the bird is stressed, anxious, or bored. Some common causes include: Medical causes – Skin infections, parasites, fungal or bacterial infections can cause itching and discomfort that leads to over preening. Birds may obsessively preen trying to relieve irritation. – Allergies to food, dust, or environment can also cause irritated skin. – Pain from…
This is an interesting question that many bird owners and aviary managers ponder. Birds are highly intelligent creatures with complex needs, so their wellbeing in captive environments is an important consideration. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll explore some quick answers to key questions around aviaries and bird happiness. Are aviaries good for birds? Aviaries can be excellent environments for birds when properly constructed and managed. Good aviaries have plenty of space for flying, opportunities for mental enrichment and socialization, safety from predators, and proximity to humans for bonding. With their basic needs met, most birds do thrive in aviaries. What…
The spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularius) is a small shorebird that breeds across most of Canada and the United States. It is a migratory bird that winters from the southern United States to South America. The spotted sandpiper is known for its distinctive spotted breeding plumage and teetering motion when it walks. This species exhibits some interesting traits and behaviors. Physical Traits The spotted sandpiper is a small-to-medium sized shorebird, measuring around 6.7-8.3 inches in length with a wingspan of around 12-15 inches. Some key physical traits include: Size and Shape – Relatively small, slender shorebird – Long legs – Long…
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a viral infection that can affect several species of birds, including chickens. There are many different strains of bird flu virus, some of which are more severe than others. When a chicken is infected with bird flu, the length of time the infection lasts can vary depending on factors like the specific strain of the virus, the chicken’s immune response, and how the infection is managed. How is bird flu transmitted in chickens? Bird flu viruses are highly contagious among chickens and other domesticated bird species. The viruses are spread primarily through…