In recent years, several important feathered dinosaur fossils have been discovered in China that have helped shed light on the evolutionary transition from dinosaurs to birds. One of the most significant of these is Anchiornis huxleyi, a late Jurassic dinosaur that displayed both avian and troodontid features. Discovery and Significance of Anchiornis huxleyi In 2009, scientists announced the discovery of a nearly complete skeleton of Anchiornis huxleyi in China’s Liaoning Province. This small, crow-sized dinosaur was determined to be approximately 160 million years old and displayed a covering of simple, hair-like feathers on its body. Upon studying the remarkably well-preserved…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
The Audubon bird clock is a charming and educational clock that features colorful images of North American birds in place of numbers or hash marks to indicate the time. At the top of each hour, mechanical birds pop out of the clock to sing the birds’ song. This unique clock allows you to learn to identify common backyard birds by sight and sound. Keep reading to learn more about how this creative clock works! What is the Audubon Bird Clock? The Audubon bird clock is a clock designed to teach people about North American birds. It was created by the…
Life history traits refer to the different characteristics that affect an organism’s schedule of reproduction and survival. These traits have been shaped by natural selection to maximize an individual’s reproductive success. In birds, some key life history traits include: Clutch Size Clutch size refers to the number of eggs a female bird lays in a single nesting attempt. Birds that lay larger clutches tend to have shorter lifespans and higher mortality rates. Species with small clutches invest more resources into fewer offspring to increase their chances of survival. Clutch size is influenced by factors like food availability and predation risk.…
The regulation of closed hunting seasons for migratory birds in the United States is governed by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1918. This federal law protects over 1,000 species of migratory birds by making it illegal to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, or sell birds listed as migratory game birds without a permit issued by the Secretary of the Interior. What Is the Migratory Bird Treaty Act? The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) is a federal law that was passed in 1918 to implement the convention for the protection of migratory birds between the United States and Great…
Titmouse is a name given to small perching birds in the Paridae family. There are around 50 species of titmice, chickadees, and titmice found all over the world. But why are they called titmouse? Let’s explore some of the possible origins of this name. Physical Characteristics One theory is that the name titmouse refers to the bird’s small size and rounded shape. Many titmouse species have compact, round bodies with full chests and short tails, giving them a rounded, ball-like silhouette. Just like tits or breasts. When early European settlers observed these birds, their rotund shape may have reminded them…
There are a few different species of hawks that are primarily grey and white in color. Based on the description provided, the hawk in question is most likely either a Grey Hawk or a Red-tailed Hawk in its light morph plumage. Red-tailed Hawk The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is one of the most common and widespread hawks in North America. While the classic red-tailed hawk has reddish-brown tail feathers, there is also a color variant known as the “light morph” Red-tailed Hawk. These light morph hawks have plumage that is mostly white with grey on the back and wings. Specifically,…
Bird’s nest is considered a delicacy and health tonic in Chinese culture. The nests are made from the saliva of swiftlets and are one of the most expensive animal products consumed by humans. The price of bird’s nest depends on several factors including type, grade, origin, and processing method. Types of Bird’s Nest There are two main types of bird’s nest that are commonly traded: White nest – Made from the saliva of the swiftlet Aerodramus fuciphagus. This is the more highly prized type. Black nest – Made from the saliva of the swiftlet Aerodramus maximus. Considered lower quality and…
The falcon is a bird of prey that is known for its speed, keen eyesight, and aerial hunting skills. Falcons belong to the falconidae family of raptors, which includes over 60 species such as the peregrine falcon, gyrfalcon, and merlin. Falcons have distinctive pointed wings and long tails that allow them to dive at incredible speeds to catch prey mid-air. Their excellent vision allows them to spot potential prey from afar. Read on to learn more about the unique and impressive abilities that make the falcon such an effective hunter. What makes the falcon such an effective hunter? There are…
The ringneck dove (Streptopelia risoria) is a small pigeon that is a popular pet bird and one of the most common dove species. The male and female ringneck doves look quite similar, but there are some subtle differences in their appearance. In this article, we will describe the key physical features of the male ringneck dove, including its size, coloration, markings, beak, eyes, and feet. We will also discuss how to distinguish the male from the female ringneck dove. Understanding the appearance of the male helps bird owners and birders identify and care for this gentle backyard visitor. Size of…
Flight is an amazing ability that allows birds to travel long distances with little effort. However, generating enough lift for flight becomes more challenging the heavier a bird gets. So what is the upper limit on weight that still allows a bird to become airborne? Let’s explore this question and see which bird species takes the title of “heaviest flying bird”. Bird Weight and Flight For a bird to fly, it must generate enough lift to overcome the force of gravity pulling it down. Lift is generated by the wings as air flows over them. The amount of lift depends…