The buff-breasted sandpiper is a medium-sized shorebird that breeds in the Arctic tundra and migrates long distances to wintering grounds in South America. Despite their extensive migrations and interesting behaviors, buff-breasted sandpipers remain mysterious in many ways. Here are some fascinating facts about these birds: Migration – Buff-breasted sandpipers undertake an extraordinary migration each year, traveling up to 12,500 miles roundtrip between their Arctic breeding grounds and South American wintering areas. Their migrations are among the longest of any shorebird species. – They migrate in flocks, sometimes numbering in the hundreds of birds. These flocks represent a significant portion of…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
The human lung and the bird lung have some key differences in their structure and function. Both are designed to facilitate gas exchange, but the avian respiratory system has adapted for the high metabolic demands of flight. In humans, air enters through the nose or mouth and passes the trachea and bronchi to terminate in small sacs called alveoli. Oxygen diffuses into the bloodstream while carbon dioxide exits. In birds, air flows in through nostrils or an open mouth and continues through the trachea. At the bottom of the trachea, air enters posterior and anterior primary bronchi, eventually terminating in…
Keeping birds away can be a challenge for homeowners, businesses, airports, farmers, and more. Birds can cause damage and leave behind unsanitary mess. While some methods like scarecrows or noisemakers provide temporary relief, chemicals offer a more consistent and effective bird deterrent option. The key is finding a safe, legal, and humane chemical repellent that targets nuisance birds but doesn’t harm other animals or the environment. This article explores the most common and effective bird repellent chemicals on the market. What are some common bird repellent chemicals? There are a handful of chemical compounds proven to effectively repel birds: Methyl…
Barred owls (Strix varia) are medium-sized owls native to North America. They get their name from the horizontal brown and white barring pattern on their underparts. Barred owls have large, round heads with no ear tufts and dark brown eyes. Their wings are broad and rounded and their tails are fairly long. Barred Owl Calls Barred owls are very vocal birds and have a distinctive call that has been described as sounding like “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?” The most common call is a series of eight to nine hoots ending in oo-aw. This hooting call is…
The glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is a wading bird species that is found in warm regions around the world. It gets its name from its dark, iridescent plumage that gleams in the sunlight. The range of the glossy ibis includes parts of North America, but its distribution in the United States has changed over time. This raises the question – are there currently populations of glossy ibis inhabiting the state of California? To answer this question, we will look at the historical and current range of the glossy ibis in North America and California. We will examine factors that affect…
Birds make all kinds of different sounds that can sound like they are saying words to our ears. While birds do not actually speak our language, some of the noises they make can sound very similar to our words and phrases. This phenomena of hearing words or phrases in random or natural sounds is called pareidolia. When we hear words in bird vocalizations, it is an example of auditory pareidolia. Some common examples of words people hear birds saying are “who cooks for you”, which is often heard in the call of a Barred Owl, and “drink your tea”, which…
The California quail (Callipepla californica) is a ground-dwelling bird in the New World quail family that inhabits shrubby and open areas of western North America. They are easily recognizable by their topknot feather that projects forward from their forehead. California quail form monogamous breeding pairs and have unique courtship and mating behaviors. In this article, we will explore the mating habits of California quail including their breeding season, courtship displays, nesting behaviors, and care of young. Breeding Season The breeding season of California quail depends on their geographic location and typically aligns with the onset of spring and summer. In…
The Brant test, also known as the Brant homogeneity of variance test, is a statistical test used to assess whether the variances of a variable are equal across different groups or samples. It is an extension of Levene’s test that allows for analyzing data when the independent variable is not categorical but ordinal. The Brant test can be used with ANOVA models to ensure the assumption of homoscedasticity (equal variance) is met before interpreting results. What is the purpose of the Brant test? The main purpose of the Brant test is to assess the homogeneity of variance assumption required for…
The peregrine falcon is renowned for its speed and aerial prowess when hunting. As the fastest animal on earth, with diving speeds recorded at over 200 mph, the peregrine is a formidable predator. But despite its impressive abilities, hunting success is never guaranteed. Even for experienced adult peregrines, there are many factors that influence whether a hunt will end in a meal or empty talons. In this article we will explore the key statistics around peregrine falcon hunting success rates. We will look at: Typical overall success rates How success rates vary by prey type Differences between juvenile and adult…
Training a bird dog requires patience, consistency, and knowing which commands are essential for developing an effective hunting companion. While different breeds have varying natural instincts, all bird dogs need to learn certain fundamental skills to aid in finding, pointing, and retrieving birds. Establishing a solid obedience foundation will make teaching specialized bird dog commands easier. Understanding how to properly introduce and reinforce these abilities through rewards-based techniques sets both handler and dog up for success. Why Train a Bird Dog? Spending time training a hunting dog provides numerous benefits beyond having an obedient pet. An untrained dog is more…