This is an interesting question that many bird enthusiasts may wonder about. Sparrows are common backyard birds found throughout North America. There are many different species of sparrows, each with their own distinct size, coloration, and habits. Two of the most recognizable sparrow species are the fox sparrow and the song sparrow. But which one is larger? Let’s take a closer look and compare the sizes of these two types of sparrows. Fox Sparrow Overview The fox sparrow (Passerella iliaca) is a large, boldly marked sparrow species found in North America. They are chunky sparrows with a wingspan around 9.1-10.2…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
The tufted titmouse is a small songbird that is a familiar sight at bird feeders across much of North America. With their prominent crested heads,gray bodies, and bold black eyes, these active birds stand out among other feeder visitors. Though tufted titmice may seem tiny, especially compared to larger relatives like crows and jays, they still pack a lot of weight onto their small frames. Exactly how much does one of these crested critters weigh? Read on to find out. The Average Weight of a Tufted Titmouse On average, tufted titmice weigh between 20 and 28 grams (0.7 to 1…
House wrens are small, active songbirds that are found throughout most of North America. They get their name from their tendency to nest in all kinds of man-made structures near human habitation like garages, sheds, birdhouses, and holes in buildings. House wrens build a nest out of twigs and fill it with sticks and grass to hold their tiny eggs. After the eggs hatch, both parents work hard to raise the chicks by constantly bringing them insects to eat. Within two weeks, the chicks are ready to leave the nest. This process of a baby bird leaving the nest before…
Birds of prey and scavengers will readily eat mice and rats, viewing them as a food source. Other bird species tend to avoid mice and rats, but may eat them in some situations. Whether birds eat mice and rats depends on the individual species and circumstances. Birds That Will Eat Mice and Rats Here are some of the bird species known to prey on mice and rats: Owls – Owls are nocturnal hunters with exceptional eyesight and hearing. They regularly prey on mice and rats. Hawks – Hawks are daytime hunters that prey on small mammals, including mice and rats.…
Pishing is a sound that birdwatchers make to attract small birds closer for better viewing. It involves making a high-pitched “pish pish pish” sound with the lips to mimic the call of a bird. This tricks small birds into thinking another bird is in distress, so they come closer to investigate or mob the source of the sound. Pishing allows birders to see shy birds up close that might otherwise remain hidden in vegetation. When done properly, pishing can bring sparrows, wrens, warblers, vireos, chickadees, nuthatches and other small passerines within just a few feet of the observer. It is…
The blue bird depicted in the Twitter logo is not actually a sparrow but rather represents a mountain bluebird. This type of bird was chosen for the Twitter logo because of its association with freedom and nature. The specific mountain bluebird in the logo has never been given an official name by Twitter. The History of the Twitter Logo Twitter was created in 2006 as a microblogging and social networking platform. The original Twitter logo was simply the word “Twitter” spelled out in plain text. In 2010, Twitter unveiled a new logo design that featured a small blue bird icon…
Snow geese are large white geese that breed in the Arctic regions of Canada and migrate south through the Great Plains states like Kansas during their annual fall and spring migrations. Many waterfowl hunters eagerly await the arrival of snow geese each fall in hopes of getting out in the field and bagging some of these birds. So, can you hunt snow geese in Kansas? The short answer is yes, snow goose hunting is allowed in Kansas during specific seasons designated by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Overview of Snow Goose Hunting in Kansas Kansas provides opportunities for…
Female Red-winged Blackbirds are brown for several important reasons related to their biology and ecology. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide quick answers to key questions about why female Red-wings are brown. Quick Answers Why are female Red-winged Blackbirds brown? Here are the quick answers: Camouflage – Brown plumage provides better camouflage for sitting on nests. Gender differences – Brown coloration distinguishes females from the black and red male plumage. Nesting role – Females alone incubate eggs and brood young, so they benefit more from camouflage. Evolution – Brown females have likely evolved through natural selection as more camouflaged individuals…
Cranes are majestic birds that can be found across Nebraska. During migration seasons, thousands of cranes stop in Nebraska as they travel between their breeding and wintering grounds. According to recent surveys and estimates, there are between 500,000 to 600,000 cranes that migrate through Nebraska each spring and fall. Crane Migration in Nebraska Nebraska’s central location along the Central Flyway, a major north-south migratory route for birds in North America, makes it an ideal stopover point for cranes. The Platte River valley provides ideal roosting and feeding habitat for migrating cranes in the spring and fall. There are two main…
The pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) was once a common sight in forests across North America. Known for its loud, distinctive call and excavation of large cavities in trees, this crow-sized woodpecker played an important ecological role in many forest ecosystems. However, over the course of the 20th century, this iconic bird underwent a dramatic population decline for multiple reasons, ultimately going extinct in the early 2000s. What is the pileated woodpecker? The pileated woodpecker is the largest woodpecker species found in North America. Adults reach 15-19 inches in length with a wingspan around 30 inches. Their most identifiable features include…