Getting birds to come to your bird bath can transform an ordinary backyard into a lively ecosystem filled with the sights and sounds of nature. However, attracting feathered friends to a new bird bath often requires some strategic planning and effort. Follow these tips to learn how to make your bird bath irresistible to local birds. Why Do Birds Use Bird Baths? Birds require water not only for drinking, but also for feather maintenance and cooling down on hot days. During dry seasons or in arid environments, fresh clean water can be scarce. A well-placed bird bath can serve as…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
Many birds sing beautiful songs at dawn to mark the start of a new day. But which avian species is the earliest riser, serenading us with its melody while the sky is still dark? This article explores the birds that sing first thing in the morning and crow just before sunrise. Why Birds Sing at Dawn Birdsong at dawn serves several purposes. First, the low light conditions in pre-dawn hours allow birds’ songs to travel farther through the air, allowing communication over greater distances. The relative quiet just before sunrise also ensures other species can hear the bird’s call clearly.…
Birds with two long tail feathers belong to a group of birds called the racket-tailed drongos. The racket-tailed drongos are medium-sized passerine birds of the drongo family Dicruridae. They are found mainly in Asia, ranging from the Indian subcontinent to Southeast Asia. They get their name from their unique tail shape, which resembles a racket. Introduction to Racket-tailed Drongos There are about 29 recognized species of racket-tailed drongos. They are mostly black or dark grey in color with varying amounts of white markings on their body and wings. The distinguishing feature of these birds is of course the elongated outer…
Herons are a group of wading birds that are found all across the world. There are around 64 recognized species of herons, ranging greatly in size and coloring. When most people think of herons, they picture the common Great Blue Heron – a large, bluish-gray bird common across North America. However, while blue-gray plumage may be the most familiar heron coloring, some heron species do occasionally display white plumage. Why are herons typically blue-gray? The blue-gray coloration found on most heron species serves an important purpose. Herons are wading birds, meaning they forage for food while standing in shallow water…
Bluebirds are small, colorful songbirds that are found throughout North America. They are known for their bright blue plumage and melodious songs. There are three main species of bluebirds in North America: the Eastern Bluebird, the Western Bluebird, and the Mountain Bluebird. Bluebirds play an important role in controlling insect populations and are a beloved backyard bird. Many people enjoy attracting bluebirds to their yards by putting up bluebird boxes. One interesting aspect of bluebird biology is determining how old they are when they first mate and breed. This article will examine the current research on bluebird mating ages and…
There has been growing concern recently over reports of a new bird virus detected in Florida. Avian influenza viruses are constantly circulating in wild bird populations, and there is heightened monitoring for the emergence of highly pathogenic strains that can cause outbreaks in domestic poultry. At this time, a low pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus has been confirmed in a single blue jay found dead in Palm Beach County, Florida. While this strain poses little risk to humans, further monitoring and surveillance is underway to determine if the virus is spreading among wild or domestic bird populations in Florida. Background…
Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya or pitahaya, is the fruit of several cactus species indigenous to the Americas. The most commonly cultivated species is the pitaya roja or red pitaya (Hylocereus undatus). This spectacularly beautiful fruit has become increasingly popular in recent years, making its way from specialty markets onto mainstream grocery store shelves. So what animals out there in the wild can eat dragon fruit? Mammals That Eat Dragon Fruit Several mammal species are known to consume dragon fruit when it is available in their native habitats: Bats – Many fruit bats are drawn to the sweet, juicy…
Bird watching is a popular hobby around the world, with millions of people enjoying observing and identifying wild birds in their natural habitats. Many bird watchers are passionate about their hobby and some take it to another level by traveling long distances to spot rare or unusual species of birds. These dedicated birders are often referred to as “twitchers”. What is a twitcher? A twitcher is a type of hardcore bird watcher who will go to great lengths to see a rare or unusual bird that has been sighted in a particular location. The term “twitcher” originated in the United…
New Mexico, known as the Land of Enchantment, is represented by the Roadrunner as the official state bird. The Roadrunner was designated as the state bird in 1949 due to its strong connection to the state and its ability to thrive in the arid climate. Why is the Roadrunner the state bird of New Mexico? There are a few key reasons why the Roadrunner was chosen to represent New Mexico: The Roadrunner is native to New Mexico and the Southwestern United States. It is found throughout the state in deserts, grasslands, and scrublands. Roadrunners are well adapted to survive in…
Mallards are a common type of duck found throughout North America. They are known for their distinctive green head and gray body. But what noise do mallards make? The answer is that mallards have a wide variety of vocalizations that they use to communicate with each other. Quacking The most recognizable sound made by mallards is a loud resonant quacking. This is the classic “quack quack” sound that people associate with ducks in general. Mallard drakes (males) and hens (females) both quack, but the hen’s quack is louder and less raspy than the drake’s call. Mallards quack for a variety…