Cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) are small white herons that are often seen closely accompanying cattle and other large grazing animals. This unique relationship between cattle and cattle egrets provides benefits to both species. Cattle egrets forage for insects stirred up by the movements of cattle and other livestock, while the cattle are cleaned of bothersome pests that the egrets eat. This symbiotic relationship has developed over thousands of years and continues to this day on farms and ranches worldwide. Cattle benefit from cattle egrets in several key ways: Insect control Cattle egrets eat insects like flies, ticks, and grasshoppers that…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
The European robin, known simply as the “robin” in Europe, has a different name in French. In French, the robin is called the “rouge-gorge”, which translates literally to “red throat”. The Origin of the French Name Rouge-Gorge The French name “rouge-gorge” refers to the distinctive red throat and breast of the European robin. This small songbird has olive-brown upperparts and a white belly, but its most recognizable feature is the orange-red patch on its throat and upper breast. The first known use of the name “rouge-gorge” dates back to the late 16th century in France. It is derived from the…
The great grey shrike (Lanius excubitor) is a fascinating predatory songbird found across northern North America, Europe, and Asia. With its striking black mask and habit of impaling prey on thorns and barbed wire, the great grey shrike stands out as a unique bird. But despite its charisma, the great grey shrike faces declines across much of its range. So is the great grey shrike rare? Let’s take a closer look at this question. In short, the great grey shrike is increasingly rare in parts of its range, but still common enough overall to be considered a species of Least…
There are a number of birds around the world that make sounds similar to a dripping faucet. The dripping faucet sound is actually a pretty common vocalization for certain avian species. But what bird in particular is most known for making this distinctive gurgling noise? Let’s take a look at a few of the top contenders. Northern Flicker One bird that is famous for its dripping faucet call is the Northern Flicker. This medium-sized woodpecker breeds across much of North America and can be found in forests, woodlots, and even suburban parks and backyards. The Northern Flicker drums on trees…
Quick Answers Puffins are seabirds that belong to the auk family. While they are not commonly eaten, their meat has historically been consumed in certain cultures, especially among indigenous communities in parts of the Arctic. Puffin meat is very dark and fishy tasting due to their diet of small fish and crustaceans. They have a very high fat content which can make their meat unpalatable. Most parts of a puffin are edible including their meat, liver, and eggs. However, puffins are not farmed for food but rather hunted from wild populations. Their conservation status is a concern and sustainability needs…
When it comes to building or buying a birdhouse, one of the most common questions is “Can a birdhouse be too big?”. The short answer is yes, a birdhouse can absolutely be too large for the types of birds you are trying to attract. However, there are a few factors to consider when determining the ideal size for a birdhouse. In the opening paragraphs, it’s important to cover the basics of birdhouse sizing and explain why size matters when it comes to birdhouses. The main points to touch on are: Different bird species prefer different birdhouse dimensions based on their…
House sparrows (Passer domesticus) and bluebirds (genus Sialia) are two common backyard bird species in North America that often utilize similar nesting habitats. This has raised questions among bird enthusiasts and researchers about whether these species compete with each other, and if so, how this competition affects their populations. What are house sparrows and bluebirds? House sparrows are small birds native to Europe and Asia that have been introduced around the world by humans. They are very adaptable generalists that can thrive around human habitation. Bluebirds are native North American species that nest in cavities like old woodpecker holes and…
Flappy Bird was a popular mobile game that was released in 2013 and quickly became a phenomenon. The game was simple – players tapped the screen to make the bird flap its wings and navigate between Mario-style pipes. Despite its basic gameplay, Flappy Bird was incredibly difficult and addictive. At the height of its popularity in early 2014, it was reportedly earning $50,000 per day in ad revenue. However, creator Dong Nguyen decided to unexpectedly pull the game from app stores in February 2014, citing negative press over its addictive nature. This sparked a surge in demand from nostalgic gamers…
The lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) is a species of prairie grouse endemic to the shortgrass prairie ecosystem of the Great Plains in North America. Once abundant across much of the southern Great Plains, habitat loss and fragmentation have caused the lesser prairie-chicken’s range to decline by over 90% since the 1800s. Today, the lesser prairie-chicken is considered a vulnerable species and is under review for protection under the Endangered Species Act. However, through conservation efforts focused on habitat restoration and protection, there is hope that lesser prairie-chicken populations can recover. Here are some key facts about this iconic grassland bird:…
Great blue herons are large wading birds found throughout North America. They are most active during the day, stalking shallow waters to catch fish, frogs, and other prey. However, some interesting nighttime behaviors have been observed in this species. In this article, we’ll take a look at what great blue herons do at night and discuss whether they can truly be considered nocturnal or crepuscular. What are great blue herons? The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is the largest heron in North America. These stately birds stand about 4 feet tall, with a wingspan reaching up to 6 feet wide.…