Kiwi fruit and kiwi birds may share the same name, but they are very different! The kiwi fruit is a sweet, green fruit with brown fuzzy skin and green flesh. The kiwi bird is a flightless bird native to New Zealand. While they may seem unrelated, the kiwi fruit was actually named after the kiwi bird due to their similar brown fuzzy appearance. Kiwi Fruit The kiwi fruit, also known as the Chinese gooseberry, is an oval shaped fruit about the size of a chicken egg. The skin is thin, fuzzy, and brown on the outside with bright green flesh…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
Quick Answer Yes, Varied Thrushes do eat seeds as part of their diet. Varied Thrushes are omnivorous birds that consume a variety of food items including insects, berries, and seeds. Seeds, especially from trees and shrubs, provide an important source of nutrition and energy for these birds. Varied Thrush Diet The Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) is a medium-sized songbird found along the Pacific Coast of North America. It breeds in coniferous forests from Alaska to California and winters in the Pacific Northwest down to northern California. Varied Thrushes are omnivores and their diet consists of both plant and animal material.…
Birds can cause a lot of damage and nuisance when they invade areas where they are not wanted. From eating crops on farms to leaving droppings on patio furniture, birds can quickly become a problem. That’s why finding an effective bird scare is important for homeowners, farmers, and anyone else wanting to humanely keep birds away. There are many different bird scare techniques available, from flashing lights and sounds to predator decoys and repellents. Evaluating the pros and cons of various bird scares can help determine the most effective option. What Types of Bird Scares Are There? There are a…
The game where you play as a bird is likely referring to the popular mobile game Flappy Bird. Flappy Bird is an arcade-style game originally released in 2013 by developer Dong Nguyen. In the game, the player controls a bird by tapping the screen to make it flap its wings and fly between columns of pipes without hitting them. The simplistic yet challenging gameplay made Flappy Bird an unexpected viral hit, reaching #1 on the App Store charts in early 2014. However, its popularity was short-lived, as Nguyen removed Flappy Bird from app stores that same year. Still, Flappy Bird…
Muscovy ducks come in a variety of colors and patterns, which are determined by their genetic makeup. Some of the main color varieties seen in Muscovies include white, black, blue, chocolate, lavender, pied, and more. Understanding Muscovy duck color genetics can help breeders predict what colors they may get in future offspring. Basic Color Genetics There are several genes that control the color and pattern of Muscovy duck plumage. These include genes that determine the base color, genes that add additional colors or patterns, and modifier genes that alter the expression of other color genes. Some of the main genes…
Herring and lesser black-backed gulls are two similar looking seabird species found across the Northern Hemisphere. While they occupy some of the same habitats and have overlapping ranges, there are several key differences between these two gull species in terms of appearance, behavior, distribution and conservation status. Understanding how to distinguish herring gulls from lesser black-backed gulls takes some practice. Looking at differences in plumage patterns, bill size and shape, leg color and overall size are helpful identification tips. Getting to know the subtle differences in their calls and understanding their preferred nesting and feeding habitats can also aid identification.…
Turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) are a common sight in the skies over much of the continental United States. With their large wingspans and characteristic wobbly flight patterns, these scavengers play an important ecological role by helping to keep the landscape clean. But despite their value, turkey vultures have long had a complicated relationship with humans. These birds were historically seen as pests by ranchers, who blamed them for killing newborn livestock. And their sinister appearance and dietary habits have contributed to a reputation as creepy, dirty scavengers. This has raised questions around whether turkey vultures are legally protected in the…
The bird lab is a fascinating experiment that was conducted in the 1970s by Peter and Rosemary Grant to observe natural selection in action. By studying finches in the Galápagos Islands, the Grants were able to gain key insights into how natural selection works to drive evolution. The Grants chose the Galápagos finches as their model organism because the islands provided an ideal isolated environment. The finches on the different islands had all evolved from a common ancestor, but each island population had adapted to the unique environment and food sources on that island. This resulted in distinct finch species…
Blackbirds are a group of medium-sized songbirds that belong to the genus Turdus. There are several different species of blackbirds found across North America, including the common or Brewer’s blackbird, the red-winged blackbird, and the rusty blackbird. Do blackbirds migrate for the winter? Yes, most species of blackbirds in North America are migratory and will migrate south in the winter to escape the cold weather and find more abundant food supplies. Different blackbird species have slightly different wintering grounds and migration routes based on their breeding habitats. Common blackbird winter range Common or Brewer’s blackbirds breed across much of North…
At first glance, the idea of a bird picking up a deer seems preposterous. Deer can weigh over 100 pounds, while even the largest birds rarely exceed 30 pounds. However, the answer to this question lies not in the brute strength of birds, but in their intelligence and behavior. Vultures Vultures are probably the most likely candidates when it comes to birds “picking up” deer. However, they do not lift the deer physically. Instead, groups of vultures will feast on dead and decaying deer. Up to 100 vultures may feed on a single carcass, and with their sharp beaks they…