New Zealand is home to a wide variety of native bird species that fill the forests and gardens with beautiful birdsong throughout the day. However, after sunset, the songs of diurnal birds like tūī and bellbirds fade away. So which avian musicians take over the night shift in New Zealand? The Morepork is New Zealand’s Most Famous Night Singer The most well-known nocturnal bird in New Zealand is the morepork, also known by its Māori name ruru. This medium-sized owl is found throughout the country in woodlands and urban gardens. After dark, the morepork’s distinctive, repetitive two-note call “more-pork” dominates…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
The answer to the question “Which British bird has yellow on wings?” is the yellowhammer. The yellowhammer is a small passerine bird that is found throughout the UK and Ireland. It is identifiable by its bright yellow head and underparts, brown back, and yellow panels in the wings and tail. There are around 600 different species of bird that breed regularly in the UK. While many British birds have some yellow feathers or markings, the yellowhammer is one of the most distinctly yellow birds found in Britain and Ireland. Yellowhammers are small birds, around 15-16 cm in length and weighing…
If you’ve noticed a sudden influx of black birds in your yard or neighborhood, you’re not alone. Many parts of the country are seeing more of these birds lately. But what kinds of black birds are they? And why are they flocking to your area? This article will identify some of the most common all-black bird species and explain what might be drawing them to your yard. With a bit of knowledge, you can coexist peacefully with your new black feathered friends. What Kinds of All-Black Birds Might Be Visiting Here are some of the black colored bird species you…
When it comes to turkey hunting, having the right decoy setup can make all the difference between a successful hunt and going home empty-handed. Turkey decoys allow hunters to draw in wary toms during the mating season by simulating a flock of hens or a challenging rival gobbler. But with so many turkey decoy styles and options on the market, it can be tricky to know which decoy or combination of decoys will work best. Why Use Turkey Decoys? Turkey decoys can be very effective for several reasons: Decoys attract a tom’s attention visually, pulling them in from a greater…
Quick Summary I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou is one of the most influential and important books in modern American literature. It has not been officially banned in the United States, though it has faced some challenges and controversies over the years due to its honest depiction of racism, violence, and sexual abuse. Overall, while not banned, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings continues to generate debate and discussion around sensitive topics in America. Background on I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is the 1969 autobiography of…
Decoy ducks, also known as hunting decoys, are life-like duck replicas used by hunters to attract live ducks during hunting season. Despite just being carved wooden or plastic ducks, they can cost upwards of $100 or more for a single decoy! This seems like a lot of money to pay for what is essentially a fake duck. So why exactly are decoy ducks so expensive? There are a few key reasons: High Production Costs Decoy ducks are not mass-produced like regular plastic toys. They are hand-carved by artisans and carvers using wood, cork, or plastic. This manual production process is…
Red crossbills are unique finches found across North America and parts of Eurasia. They are named for their distinctive crossed bills, which they use to efficiently extract seeds from conifer cones. One interesting aspect of red crossbill biology is their complex mating habits. Unlike many bird species that mate for life, red crossbills exhibit a flexible and complex mating strategy. Summary Red crossbills do not mate for life in the typical monogamous sense. However, they do form bonded pairs and may stay together across multiple breeding seasons. Some key points about red crossbill mating habits include: They live in flocks…
Quick Answer Yes, it is fine to put a hummingbird feeder near a bird feeder as long as some precautions are taken. The main concerns are that larger birds may frighten away hummingbirds or prevent them from accessing the nectar feeders. As long as the hummingbird feeder is placed an appropriate distance from the bird feeder, and measures are taken to discourage larger birds, the two can coexist nicely. Bird Feeder Considerations When placing a hummingbird feeder near a bird feeder, it’s important to consider the type of bird feeder and the birds it attracts. Larger bird feeders that attract…
Woodpeckers are unique birds that are instantly recognizable by their sharp, chisel-like beaks and their distinctive pecking behavior as they search for insects hidden in trees. One of the woodpecker’s most fascinating anatomical adaptations is its unusually long tongue, which wraps around its skull when not in use. This extraordinary tongue allows woodpeckers to extract insects and larvae from deep within trees. But why do woodpeckers have such unusually long tongues, and why do they wrap them around their skulls? Woodpecker Tongue Anatomy The woodpecker’s tongue is very long, often longer than the length of its entire body. It is…
The white-faced ibis (Plegadis chihi) is a fascinating wading bird found across parts of North America. With its distinctive white facial patch and long, downcurved bill, the white-faced ibis stands out wherever it is found hunting for food. But where exactly can one find these elegant birds? In this article, we will explore the range and habitat of the white-faced ibis, as well as some of the best places to observe them in the wild. Whether you are a birdwatcher looking to add them to your life list or simply curious about their whereabouts, read on to discover where you…