Swifts are small, fast-flying birds that are found worldwide. They are part of the Apodidae family, which also includes hummingbirds. Swifts got their name from their incredibly swift and agile flight patterns, and they are one of the fastest flying birds in the world. One question that often comes up about swifts is whether they eat mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are a huge nuisance to humans, and anything that helps control their populations is seen as beneficial. So do swifts swoop around eating mosquitoes and keeping them under control? Do swifts eat insects? Swifts are insectivorous birds, meaning insects make up the…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
Birds come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny hummingbird to the towering ostrich. But some of the largest birds to ever fly the skies went extinct long ago. Let’s explore the biggest extinct birds that history and science have uncovered. Introducing the Largest Extinct Birds The largest extinct birds fall into a group known as ratites. Ratites include modern day flightless birds like ostriches, emus, rheas, cassowaries, and kiwis. But during prehistoric times, ratites also included some giant species that would have dwarfed their modern relatives. The largest extinct birds that we know of include: Elephant birds Giant…
Waxwings are medium-sized perching birds that belong to the Bombycillidae family. There are three species of waxwings: Bohemian Waxwing, Cedar Waxwing, and Japanese Waxwing. Waxwings are named for the wax-like tips on their secondary flight feathers, which resemble red sealing wax. Waxwings are sociable birds that often move and feed in flocks. They have elaborate plumage and crested heads, which gives them a unique silhouette when perched. Waxwings mostly eat fruit and berries and are irruptive migrants, meaning they will travel south some years when their food supplies farther north are scarce. Since waxwings primarily eat fruit, many people wonder…
Birds make a variety of vocalizations, ranging from chirps and tweets to squawks and screeches. Whether a bird chirps or squeaks depends on the species, as different birds have evolved unique forms of communication tailored to their environments and social structures. Chirping Many small songbirds like sparrows, finches, and warblers communicate with high-pitched chirps. Chirping allows songbirds to signal over relatively long distances while using little energy. The structure of a chirp consists of very rapid oscillations of the syrinx, the vocal organ of birds located at the branch point between the trachea and bronchi. Short, frequency-modulated signals that sweep…
Telling the difference between a female House Sparrow and a female House Finch can be tricky for beginner birders. At first glance, these two common backyard birds appear very similar. However, with a bit of practice, you can learn how to distinguish these species based on subtle differences in coloration, behavior, habitat preferences, and more. Size and Shape The first thing to look at when trying to identify a female House Sparrow vs. a female House Finch is the bird’s overall size and shape. House Sparrows are chunkier with full, round bodies and short, thick bills. They have fairly large…
The Vogelkop Superb bird-of-paradise is a spectacular bird found in the forests of New Guinea. With its bright plumage and elaborate mating displays, this species has captivated ornithologists and birdwatchers for centuries. One attribute of the Vogelkop Superb that generates interest is its body size and weight. Knowing the mass of a bird can provide insights into its biology, ecology, and evolution. In this article, we will explore what is known about the weight of the Vogelkop Superb bird-of-paradise. Taxonomy of the Vogelkop Superb Bird-of-Paradise The Vogelkop Superb bird-of-paradise belongs to the bird-of-paradise family Paradisaeidae. There are approximately 40 species…
The elephant bird and the moa were two flightless bird species that inhabited the Southern Hemisphere during the late Quaternary period. They share some similarities, which has led some people to wonder if they were actually the same species. However, the elephant bird (Aepyornithidae) and the moa (Dinornithiformes) belonged to two different taxonomic families and had distinct evolutionary histories and anatomical features. Quick Answers Where did the elephant bird and moa live? The elephant birds were endemic to Madagascar, an island off the coast of southeast Africa. The moa inhabited New Zealand, an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.…
Wrens are a family of small, active songbirds found across North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. With over 80 species, wrens are one of the most widespread groups of birds in the world. But what makes them a good bird? Here we will examine the key traits of wrens and what they can offer backyard birders and nature lovers. Quick Facts on Wrens Scientific Name Troglodytidae Size 3.5-6 inches Wingspan 4.7-5.9 inches Weight 0.2-1.05 oz Number of Species Over 80 Common Species House wren, Carolina wren, winter wren, marsh wren As a family, wrens are tiny, energetic birds with upright…
There are two species of pelicans that are occasionally found in Indiana – the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelican. American White Pelican The American White Pelican is the most common pelican species seen in Indiana. Some key facts about American White Pelicans in Indiana: They are very large birds, with a wingspan of up to 9 feet. Their diet consists primarily of fish, which they scoop out of the water with their large bills. They breed in western North America and migrate through Indiana in spring and fall as they travel between breeding and wintering grounds. Major migration…
Birds belong to the kingdom Animalia in taxonomic classification. Animalia is one of the major kingdoms that encompasses all animals, including birds. Taxonomy is the science of classifying organisms and placing them into a hierarchy to understand evolutionary relationships. The kingdom Animalia sits at the top of the taxonomic hierarchy for birds. The Taxonomic Hierarchy for Birds The taxonomic hierarchy groups organisms based on shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships. Here is the full taxonomic classification for birds: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Varies (e.g. Passeriformes, Galliformes) Family: Varies (e.g. Fringillidae, Anatidae) Genus: Varies (e.g. Turdus, Anas) Species: Varies…