Southern California is home to a diversity of raptor species, from large birds of prey like bald eagles to small falcon species. Of the small raptors found in the region, the most common and widely distributed is the American kestrel (Falco sparverius). The American kestrel is a small falcon, roughly the size of a mourning dove, that can be found year-round throughout much of California. This article will focus on providing an overview of the American kestrel, including its identification, diet, habitat, breeding, conservation status, and where to spot this charismatic little raptor in Southern California. Identifying the American Kestrel…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
The American Dipper, also known as the Water Ouzel, is a unique and fascinating bird found in fast-flowing rocky streams across western North America. With its stout body, short wings, and long claws, this dark gray bird has perfectly adapted to its watery habitat. But is the American Dipper actually rare? Let’s take a closer look at this unusual bird to find out. Quick Facts on the American Dipper Here are some key facts about the American Dipper: Scientific Name: Cinclus mexicanus Other Names: Water Ouzel, Dippy, Water Thrush Size: 7-8 inches long with a 13-14 inch wingspan Identifying Features:…
Preserving a bird’s wing can be a fun and educational project. With the proper materials and technique, you can preserve the wing in a way that retains its shape, feathers, and color for years to come. There are a few key steps to follow when preserving a wing. First, carefully remove the wing from the bird’s body shortly after death. Next, use a dry preservation method like borax, salt, or air drying to dessicate the wing and prevent decay. Proper packaging and storage will help the preserved wing last for many years. Read on to learn more details about successfully…
The phrase “God’s eye is on the sparrow” is a reference to a religious concept that means God cares for and watches over even the smallest of His creations. The expression comes from the Bible, specifically the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. It evokes the idea that if God provides for tiny birds like sparrows, He will surely provide for human beings, who are much more valuable than sparrows in God’s eyes. Where did the phrase “God’s eye is on the sparrow” come from? The phrase originates from the words of Jesus Christ in the Sermon on the…
Japan is home to several species of hawks that are found across the country. The most common hawks in Japan include the Northern Goshawk, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Japanese Sparrowhawk, Black Kite, Grey-faced Buzzard, and Eastern Buzzard. Northern Goshawk The Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is one of the most widespread hawks in Japan. It is a large, powerful hawk with piercing red eyes and plumage that varies from slate-gray to bluish-gray above and whitish below with fine gray barring. The wings are broad with rounded tips. The Northern Goshawk inhabits mixed forests across Japan, from Hokkaido in the north to the Ryukyu…
The great egret (Ardea alba) is a large, widely distributed egret species found across temperate and tropical habitats in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Great egrets are large, graceful white waterbirds with long, S-shaped necks and distinctive shaggy plumes on the lower back during breeding season. Quick Facts on the Great Egret Here are some key facts about the great egret’s size and dimensions: Height: 36-49 inches (90-125 cm) Wingspan: 52-67 inches (132-170 cm) Weight: 1.5-2.6 pounds (0.7-1.2 kg) Bill length: 5-6.7 inches (12-17 cm) Tarsus length: 4.7-6.3 inches (12-16 cm) The great egret is the largest…
The cassowary is considered the most dangerous bird in the world due to its incredibly powerful kicks. Cassowaries are large, flightless birds that can stand up to 6 feet tall and weigh up to 130 pounds. They have sharp claws on their toes that they use for kicking and can generate an astounding amount of force with their legs. What is a cassowary? Cassowaries belong to the ratite group of flightless birds that also includes ostriches, emus, rheas, and kiwis. There are three extant species of cassowary – the southern cassowary, northern cassowary, and dwarf cassowary. They are native to…
The lesser prairie-chicken is a species of prairie grouse that inhabits the grasslands of the Great Plains in North America. Over the past century, habitat loss from agriculture and development has caused the lesser prairie-chicken population to decline significantly, leading to it being listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Understanding why the lesser prairie-chicken is important can help inform conservation efforts for this iconic grassland bird. Ecological Significance The lesser prairie-chicken plays an important ecological role in the prairie ecosystems it inhabits. As a ground-nesting bird, it is vulnerable to predation and nest failure. However, the lesser prairie-chicken…
Killing an albatross is considered very bad luck in maritime culture. The albatross is a large seabird that is known to follow ships for days or even weeks at a time. They were thought to carry the souls of lost sailors and so killing one would anger the spirits and bring terrible misfortune. Why is it bad luck to kill an albatross? The superstition surrounding killing an albatross dates back centuries and originates from sailing culture. Albatrosses are one of the most majestic birds found across the Southern Ocean and sailors grew to respect them as companions on their long…
The bald eagle is the national bird of the United States and a revered symbol of strength and freedom. But do these majestic birds have the capacity to feel complex emotions like love? As with many aspects of animal behavior and cognition, the answer is complicated. Eagles form life-long pair bonds and engage in bonding behaviors that suggest an emotional attachment between mates. However, whether these behaviors truly reflect the subjective feeling of “love” in the human sense remains debated among scientists. This article will examine the evidence and arguments on both sides of this question. Eagle mating and bonding…