Elf owls, with the scientific name Micrathene whitneyi, are the smallest owl species in North America. They are found across the southwestern United States and Mexico. Their preferred habitat is the Sonoran Desert, known for its iconic saguaro cacti. So do elf owls make their homes in the holes and cavities of these towering cacti? Let’s take a closer look. Quick Facts About Elf Owls Here are some key facts about elf owls: They are extremely small, only about 5-6 inches tall. Their wingspan is around 12 inches. They weigh just over 1 ounce. Elf owls are grayish-brown in color…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
Ants can sometimes be a nuisance for bird lovers who have feeders in their yards or gardens. If you’ve noticed ants crawling all over your bird feeders, you may be wondering if this is a problem that needs to be addressed. There are a few considerations when it comes to ants and bird feeders. Why are ants attracted to bird feeders? Ants are opportunistic insects that are always searching for food sources. Bird feeders contain seeds, suet, nectar, and other food items that are irresistible to ants. The sugary hummingbird nectar and high-fat suet are especially attractive. Ants will also…
Scavengers are organisms that consume decaying matter and debris. There are two main types of scavengers: vertebrate scavengers and invertebrate scavengers. Vertebrate scavengers include animals with backbones such as vultures, hyenas, Tasmanian devils, and komodo dragons. Invertebrate scavengers include animals without backbones such as flies, beetles, ants, and crabs. Vertebrate Scavengers Vertebrate scavengers play an important role in the ecosystem by consuming dead animal and plant material and preventing the spread of diseases. Here are two examples of vertebrate scavengers: Vultures Vultures are one of the most well-known scavengers. There are over 20 species of vultures around the world. Vultures…
The Vesper Sparrow is a small brown songbird found throughout much of North America. But where did it get its poetic name? In this article, we’ll explore the origins and history behind the Vesper Sparrow’s ornithological nomenclature. What is the Vesper Sparrow? The Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) is a medium-sized sparrow, measuring 15–18 cm in length and weighing 18–32 g. Adults have brown upperparts streaked with black and a pale brown belly. They have a whitish eye ring and reddish-brown wings with two pale wing bars. Males and females look similar. Vesper Sparrows breed in open grasslands, prairies, meadows, and…
The wood stork (Mycteria americana) is a large wading bird found in wetlands and swamps across the southeastern United States, parts of Central America, and northern South America. Wood storks stand about 3-4 feet tall, have wingspans around 5 feet wide, and can weigh 4-7 pounds as adults. Their unique habitat and range make them an important part of local ecosystems. The wood stork’s habitat includes freshwater and saltwater wetlands like marshes, swamps, lagoons, tidal flats, ponds, and flooded forests. Their breeding range centers around the southeastern United States from South Carolina to Florida and west along the Gulf Coast…
The Florida scrub jay is a unique and threatened bird species found exclusively in Florida. As their name suggests, they inhabit scrubland habitats which are characterized by low-growing oaks, scattered pine trees, and sandy soil. Florida scrub jays are highly territorial and live their entire lives in family groups within the territory they maintain. Due to habitat loss, they are restricted to scattered pockets of remaining scrub habitat primarily in central Florida. What is the Florida scrub jay? The Florida scrub jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) is a blue and gray colored jay reaching lengths of 11-12 inches. They have a white…
The bald eagle is the national emblem of the United States and is protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. This federal law makes it illegal to hunt, trap, kill, sell, purchase, or possess bald eagles, their parts, nests, or eggs without a permit. So in most cases, it is illegal to eat bald eagle meat. Is it ever legal to eat bald eagle meat? There are a few exceptions where eating bald eagle meat may be allowed: Native Americans are allowed to use bald eagle feathers and parts for religious purposes. If the eagle was taken legally…
The New Orleans Pelicans are a professional basketball team that competes in the National Basketball Association (NBA). They are based in New Orleans, Louisiana and play their home games at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans were established in 2002 as the New Orleans Hornets, but rebranded to the Pelicans in 2013. As of October 2023, the head coach of the Pelicans is Willie Green. Brief History of the Pelicans Franchise The Pelicans franchise began play in the 2002-03 NBA season as the New Orleans Hornets. They were previously known as the Charlotte Hornets from 1988-2002, but relocated to New…
The Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) is a small songbird that breeds across Canada and the northeastern United States. But where do these tiny birds go when they migrate away from their breeding grounds each fall? The Blackpoll Warbler undertakes one of the most incredible migrations in the avian world. Each fall, after breeding and raising young in the boreal forests of North America, Blackpoll Warblers fly non-stop over the Atlantic Ocean to their wintering grounds in South America. This feat is made even more impressive by the Blackpoll’s small size – at just 12 grams, it is truly a tiny…
The common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) is a medium-sized waterbird that is found in wetlands across much of the world. Here is a quick overview of where you can find common moorhens: North America Common moorhens are found throughout much of North America. Their breeding range extends across southern Canada and the United States. Some key areas where they can be found include: Throughout the central and eastern United States Along the Pacific coast from British Columbia to Baja California Along the Gulf of Mexico coastline In wetlands across the interior western states Moorhens inhabit freshwater marshes, ponds, lakes, rivers, and…