Horned Grebe and Slavonian Grebe are two species of grebe birds that belong to the Podicipedidae family. They are closely related species and can sometimes be confused with each other. However, there are some key differences between the two species. Appearance Horned Grebes and Slavonian Grebes have similar body shapes and color patterns. They are small waterbirds with short necks, small heads, and slender bills. Both species have black heads, white underparts, and gray backs in breeding plumage. However, there are some differences in their appearance: Horned Grebes have bright rusty-red neck feathers that extend like “horns” behind their eyes…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
There are a few birds native to Washington state that are known for making calls that sound similar to a frog croaking. The most likely culprit is the Pacific-slope Flycatcher, a small bird found throughout the western United States. However, some other birds like the Northern Saw-whet Owl and Cassin’s Vireo also makefrog-like vocalizations and can be found in parts of Washington as well. Keep reading to learn more about which birds croak like frogs in Washington state. The Pacific-Slope Flycatcher The Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) is considered the bird most likely to be mistaken for a frog in Washington.…
Bird watching has become an increasingly popular hobby over the past few decades. Being able to identify birds by sight is important for any birder, but being able to identify birds by their calls and songs takes birding to the next level. iNaturalist is a popular app and website that allows users to identify plants, animals, insects, and more using computer vision technology and crowdsourcing from experts. But can iNaturalist accurately identify bird calls and songs? What is iNaturalist? iNaturalist is a joint initiative by the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society that connects users to nature…
Capturing wild birds requires careful planning and preparation to ensure the safety and well-being of the birds. There are several techniques used by ornithologists, bird banders, and other researchers to temporarily restrain birds for study. The appropriate methods depend on the species, habitat, research goals, and other factors. Reasons for Capturing Wild Birds There are a variety of scientific and conservation reasons for capturing wild birds. Some of the most common include: Banding or ringing birds to track migration patterns and survival rates Collecting biological samples such as blood, feathers, or swabs Measuring morphological features like wingspan and weight for…
In ecology, organisms are classified based on their feeding relationships and how they obtain their energy. Primary consumers are organisms that get their energy directly from producers, which are organisms that can produce their own energy through photosynthesis. So are birds primary consumers? The short answer is yes, birds are generally considered primary consumers because they directly consume plants, seeds, nectar, and fruit produced by plants. What is a primary consumer? A primary consumer is an organism that feeds directly on producers. Producers are organisms that can produce their own food source through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. On land, plants are…
Birds are an integral part of ecosystems around the world. Their roles include pollinating plants, dispersing seeds, controlling insect populations, and serving as indicators of environmental health. However, many bird species today face threats that put them in danger of extinction. Habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and other human-caused factors have contributed to declines in bird populations globally. Understanding which birds are most at risk can help focus conservation efforts on protecting vulnerable species. What criteria determine if a bird species is endangered? The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species is the global authority…
Birds come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny hummingbirds to massive ostriches. Their legs and feet are adapted to suit their lifestyles and environments. So when it comes to birds with particularly strong legs, which species stand out from the flock? Birds That Walk and Run Birds that spend much of their time on the ground walking and running tend to have thicker and more muscular legs. Their feet may also be larger and equipped with long talons for stability and gripping the earth. Some examples of birds with notably strong legs due to their terrestrial lifestyles include: Ostriches…
Bird safe glazing treatment refers to various methods used to make glass surfaces more visible to birds, in order to prevent bird collisions. An estimated 365 million to 1 billion birds die from striking glass in the United States each year. Making glass bird friendly can significantly reduce this problem. Why do birds collide with glass? Birds don’t see glass the same way humans do. They either don’t see the glass at all, or they see habitat reflected in the glass, like trees or sky, and try to fly into it. Glass is invisible to birds for two main reasons:…
Birds of prey are fascinating creatures that have evolved specialized hunting techniques to catch and kill animals for food. One remarkable technique used by certain raptor species is impaling prey on thorns, sharp twigs, or barbed wire. This serves the purpose of securing the prey so the bird can more easily feed on it or come back to it later. But which birds actually exhibit this gruesome skewering behavior? The Northern Shrike The most notorious avian impaler is the Northern Shrike. This predatory songbird is found across northern parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. It has a distinctive black…
Pelicans come in a variety of different colors, from the familiar white pelicans seen along coastlines to the more exotic brown and grey pelicans found inland. But why do pelicans have different colored plumage? The reasons have to do with their environments, breeding behaviors, and genetic variations within pelican species. Camouflage in Different Environments One of the main reasons pelicans have evolved different color plumage is for camouflage. The white pelicans commonly seen along coasts blend in with the white caps of ocean waves and help them sneak up on fish. Meanwhile, the grey and brown pelicans found inland help…