The Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) is a large shorebird species that is found across North America. In this article, we will explore the size of the Upland Sandpiper by looking at different measurements of their body and anatomy. Wingspan One way to quantify the size of a bird is to look at its wingspan. The wingspan measurement indicates the distance between the tip of one wing to the tip of the other wing when the bird’s wings are spread fully outstretched. For the Upland Sandpiper, their average wingspan ranges from 18-22 inches (45-55 cm). This makes them a medium to…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
Ducks and geese are closely related species of waterfowl that belong to the family Anatidae. While they have distinct differences, they also share many similarities that point to their close evolutionary relationship. Taxonomy Ducks and geese both belong to the order Anseriformes, which contains around 150 living species of waterfowl including swans, geese, and ducks. Within this order, ducks and geese belong to the family Anatidae, which is divided into several subfamilies: Anserinae – the geese and swans Anatinae – the dabbling ducks and perching ducks Aythyinae – the diving ducks Merginae – the seaducks Oxyurinae – the stiff-tailed ducks…
Finding an injured bird can be distressing, but knowing what to do can help give the bird its best chance of survival. There are several steps you should take if you find an injured bird on Long Island. First, assess the situation and determine if the bird is in immediate danger. If it is, carefully move it to a quiet, sheltered spot. Avoid excessive handling of the bird. Then, identify the type of injury or condition of the bird. Look for signs of trauma such as bleeding, broken bones or wings at odd angles. Check to see if the bird…
Diving sea birds are seabirds that are specialized for plunge diving or diving underwater to catch prey. Some common examples of diving sea birds include penguins, puffins, gannets, cormorants, murres, auklets, and shearwaters. Diving seabirds have a number of adaptations for diving into the water and swimming underwater that distinguish them from other types of seabirds. What are the key adaptations of diving seabirds? Diving seabirds have evolved a number of morphological and physiological adaptations that enable them to effectively pursue prey underwater. Some key adaptations include: Streamlined body shape to reduce drag and allow efficient movement underwater Wings modified…
Introduction to Bird Necropsies A necropsy, also known as an animal autopsy or post-mortem examination, is a medical procedure performed on an animal after its death to determine the cause of death. Necropsies are commonly performed on pets, zoo animals, livestock, and wildlife. They provide valuable information for veterinarians, researchers, and owners about the animal’s health prior to death, diseases and injuries present, and how these factors contributed to the death. Necropsies can be performed on all types of animals, including birds. Bird necropsies are useful for diagnosing infectious diseases like avian influenza, bacterial infections, parasites, and tumors. They can…
The reference to “the raven” in the title is likely an allusion to Edgar Allan Poe’s famous narrative poem “The Raven”, first published in 1845. The poem tells the story of a talking raven’s mysterious visit to a distraught lover, tracing the man’s slow descent into madness. The central question of the poem is what the raven means by repeating the word “Nevermore” in response to the narrator’s queries. The narrator becomes increasingly obsessed with understanding the raven’s pronouncement, which he takes as an omen of his lost love Lenore never returning from the afterlife. The poem’s darkly melancholy tone…
The bird with the widest wingspan found in America is the California condor. With a wingspan averaging over 9.5 feet, the California condor has the widest wingspan of any North American bird. This massive scavenger went extinct in the wild in 1987, but successful captive breeding programs allowed for reintroduction starting in the 1990s. Today, there are over 300 California condors flying over parts of California, Arizona, Utah and Mexico once again thanks to conservation efforts. The wingspan measurement refers to the distance between the tip of one wing to the tip of the other wing when a bird’s wings…
Drawing a realistic kingfisher bird requires some artistic skill and knowledge of the unique characteristics of this colorful bird. Kingfishers have vivid plumage in shades of blue, orange, and white that can be challenging to recreate. Their long, pointed beaks and compact bodies also require careful attention to proportion. However, with step-by-step guidance, the right tools, and practice, even a beginning artist can learn to draw recognizable kingfisher portraits. This guide will provide tips and techniques for sketching these striking birds in pencil, colored pencil, paint, or other media. What are the basic characteristics of a kingfisher? Kingfishers are medium-sized…
The mournful cooing of the mourning dove is a familiar sound across much of North America. These slender, long-tailed doves make a soft, sad call that has earned them their common name. When taking flight, mourning doves produce a sharp whistle with their wings as the air rushes over their feathers. This serves as both a warning to other doves in the area and helps startle potential predators. The Mourning Dove’s Distinctive Vocalizations Mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) are highly vocal birds that communicate with various calls and songs. Their most common vocalization is a mournful “cooOOoo-woo-woo-woo” sound, which the male…
What is The Clapper? The Clapper is a sound-activated electrical switch that was introduced in the 1980s. It allows users to turn appliances and lights on and off with the clap of their hands. The device works by listening for two loud claps in quick succession. When it detects the clapping sound pattern, it toggles the connected device on or off. The Clapper was invented by Joseph Enterprises, Inc. and first sold in 1985. It was marketed as an easy way to turn lights and appliances on and off without having to get up and walk across the room. The…