The tawny owl (Strix aluco) is a medium-sized owl found throughout much of Eurasia. It is also known as the brown owl, wood owl, and in some areas, the hoot owl. Tawny owls are nocturnal and rely heavily on vocalizations to communicate and defend territories. Their most familiar call is a drawn out “hoo-hoo-hoooo” that can often be heard at night. But tawny owls have an extensive vocal repertoire with different calls used in different contexts. Understanding the meaning behind these vocalizations provides insight into tawny owl behavior and ecology. Advertising Call The advertising call, sometimes referred to as the…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
Turkeys are large, distinctive birds that are related to other gallinaceous birds like chickens, quails, and pheasants. Turkeys are native to North America and are a popular main dish for holiday meals and celebrations. There are six living species of turkeys in two distinct genera. Wild turkeys can fly for short distances, while domesticated turkeys cannot fly at all. Taxonomy of Turkeys Turkeys belong to the biological order Galliformes, which includes all gallinaceous birds like chickens, quails, grouse, and pheasants. The scientific name for the order Galliformes is derived from the Latin words gallus meaning “rooster” and forma meaning “form”…
There are many types of birds with orange beaks that can be found around the world. Some of the most notable orange-beaked birds include toucans, hornbills, some species of parrots, and the American goldfinch. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these birds and explore some key facts about their orange beaks. Toucans Toucans are tropical birds that are known for their uniquely large and colorful beaks. There are over 40 different species of toucans, and they are found in the rainforests of Central and South America. All toucans have beaks that are a combination of colors, usually…
The answer to whether juvenile Woodpeckers have red heads depends on the specific species of Woodpecker. While some Woodpecker species do develop red heads as juveniles, others do not get their distinctive red head plumage until adulthood. Appearance of Juvenile Woodpeckers Woodpeckers have a wide variety of plumage colors and patterns depending on the species. In some species like the Red-headed Woodpecker and Acorn Woodpecker, the adults have bright red heads. However, the juveniles hatch with completely different plumage. When Woodpeckers hatch from eggs, they have soft downy feathers that are primarily gray or beige. Their feathers help camouflage the…
Swallows are small passerine birds in the family Hirundinidae. There are around 90 species of swallows divided into several genera including Hirundo, Petrochelidon, and Tachycineta. Swallows are found worldwide on all continents except Antarctica. Swallows are aerial insectivores, which means they catch and eat insects while in flight. Swallows build nests out of mud or saliva where they lay their eggs and raise their young. The nest building process is an intricate and time-consuming endeavor for swallows. In this article, we will examine how long it takes different swallow species to build their mud nests. Nesting Behaviors of Swallows Swallows…
Bird migration refers to the seasonal movement of bird populations between their breeding grounds and overwintering sites. Many birds migrate long distances, with some species migrating thousands of kilometers between their summer and winter habitats. There are many examples of impressively long migrations completed by different bird species around the world. The Arctic Tern The Arctic tern has the longest migration of any bird in the world. This small seabird breeds in the Arctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia during the summer months. In the fall, Arctic terns embark on an extraordinary journey all the way down to…
Hummingbirds are known for their ability to hover in midair and fly backwards, but some species also make a distinct clicking or rattling sound with their wings. This sound is related to the aerodynamics of hummingbird flight and serves an important purpose for the birds. Why Do Hummingbirds Make a Clicking Sound? According to ornithologists and researchers, there are a couple reasons hummingbirds make a clicking or rattling noise with their wings: It’s caused by airflow over the wings when the bird is courting, defending territory, or engaging in aerial displays The sound occurs when the wings beat at high…
The wood thrush is a medium-sized North American thrush. It is a fairly common breeder in eastern North America. Its natural habitat is moist, shaded deciduous forests. What does a wood thrush look like? The wood thrush is a plump bird with strong legs and a fairly long tail. Adults have brown upperparts with bright white underparts and black spots on the breast, sides and flanks. Their head is blackish-brown with white eye-rings. Males and females look alike. Wood thrushes are 20–23 cm in length with a wingspan of 29–32 cm and weigh 40–65 g. Among standard measurements, the wing…
The snowy plover is a small shorebird that lives on beaches along the Pacific Coast. Their populations have declined in recent decades, leading to concern about their conservation status. In this article, we will look at the current population trends for snowy plovers, factors contributing to their decline, and whether they should be considered a rare bird. Snowy Plover Population Trends Snowy plovers were once common along the beaches of the western United States. However, in the past few decades their populations have dropped significantly. For example, there were approximately 50,000 snowy plovers in California in the 1980s. Today their…
Writing out the sounds that birds make in text can be a challenging task. Unlike human speech, bird vocalizations do not follow regular language and grammar rules. However, with some simple techniques, you can accurately represent bird sounds in writing. In this article, we will look at different methods for writing bird sounds and noises, when it is appropriate to write out bird calls, common bird vocalization spellings, and how to choose the right descriptive words to capture the essence of a bird’s voice. When is it Appropriate to Write Bird Sounds? There are several instances when writing out the…