American kestrels are small falcons found throughout most of North and South America. They are easily identified by their colorful plumage, small size, and characteristic hovering behavior while hunting. Kestrels hover by facing into the wind and rapidly beating their wings to stay in one place above potential prey below. This hovering behavior allows kestrels to scan the ground and detect prey without alarming them by their movement. American kestrels are able to hover due to several key adaptations: Large pectoral muscles to power wingbeats Long, narrow wings ideal for generating lift Light body weight to stay aloft Excellent eyesight…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
The Bird Box Barcelona art installation was unique for several reasons. As a large-scale public art project, it captivated the city while conveying an important message about the environment. In this article, we will explore what made this installation so special and impactful. What was the Bird Box Barcelona? The Bird Box was a temporary art installation placed in Barcelona, Spain in 2016. It consisted of a massive wooden box, over 20 feet tall, which housed hundreds of common birds inside. The public was invited to visit the box and experience the soundscape of birdsong from within. As people approached…
There are a few key channels that often feature shows about painting birds and other wildlife art. Some of the most popular options include PBS, Create TV, and Smithsonian Channel. PBS in particular has a number of acclaimed painting shows that depict birds through art. PBS PBS likely has more painting bird shows than any other network. Some of their most popular programs focusing on wildlife painting include: Plein Air: Painting the American Landscape Big Arts Week Painting with Wilson Bickford Painting with Paulson Bob Ross: The Joy of Painting Plein Air is one of the most acclaimed PBS painting…
Quick Answer Yes, birds are vertebrates. All birds have a backbone and spinal column, which means they are vertebrates. Vertebrates are animals that have an internal skeleton with a backbone. What are vertebrates? Vertebrates are animals that have a backbone and internal skeleton. The vertebral column, also known as the spine or backbone, provides support and structure and protects the spinal cord. Vertebrates include fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Vertebrates have a skeletal system made up of bones that provide structure to the body. They also have a nervous system made up of a brain, spinal cord, and nerves.…
Birds have a respiratory system that is uniquely adapted for flight. Their lungs are particularly sensitive compared to other animals for several important reasons: Small and compact Bird lungs need to be small and lightweight so that birds can fly. Their lungs only make up around 5-7% of their total body volume, compared to around 12% in mammals. This means each lung is smaller with less surface area for gas exchange. As a result, they have less reserve capacity and are more sensitive to any disturbances or irritants. Rigid structure A bird’s lungs are compact and rigid in structure. They…
Bald eagles are present in Florida year-round, but their populations fluctuate throughout the year. Many bald eagles that breed in northern states migrate south to spend the winter in Florida due to its relatively mild climate and abundant food sources. Bald Eagle Breeding Season in Florida The bald eagle breeding season in Florida runs from October through May. Bald eagles build nests and lay eggs during these months to take advantage of the warm weather and abundant food sources. The fledglings leave the nest from March to May. Most breeding bald eagles in Florida are residents that live in the…
Redpolls are small finches in the genus Acanthis that are found throughout the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. There are three species of redpolls that occur in the UK: the Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea), the Lesser Redpoll (Acanthis cabaret), and the Arctic Redpoll (Acanthis hornemanni). The Common and Lesser Redpolls breed in the UK and are resident species, while the Arctic Redpoll is a scarce winter visitor. What are redpolls? Redpolls are lively little birds, about the size of a goldfinch. They have streaky brown plumage, a red forehead, and a black bib. Their most distinctive feature…
American white pelicans are large waterbirds that breed in inland lakes and nest in colonies across North America. During winter, they migrate south to more temperate climates. Here is a quick overview of where American white pelicans spend their winters: Southern United States Many American white pelicans winter along the coasts of the southern United States. Large numbers winter in coastal Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Some key wintering sites include: Laguna Madre in Texas Chandeleur Islands in Louisiana Gulf Islands National Seashore in Mississippi/Alabama Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida Inland, American white pelicans…
Harris’s hawks (Parabuteo unicinctus) are medium-sized hawks that are native to the arid regions of the Americas. They get their name from the ornithologist that first described them in 1830, Edward Harris. Harris’s hawks are unique among raptors because they exhibit a social structure where they hunt cooperatively in groups. This has led some people to believe that Harris’s hawks must be highly aggressive birds. However, the truth about Harris’s hawks is more nuanced. Here is a quick overview of Harris’s hawk aggression: Are Harris’s Hawks Considered Aggressive Birds? Harris’s hawks are not generally considered to be overly aggressive birds…
Thrushes are a family of small to medium-sized passerine birds that occur worldwide. The family Turdidae contains over 400 species that are found in a diverse range of habitats. But what exactly makes a bird a thrush? Taxonomy Thrushes belong to the order Passeriformes, which contains over half of all bird species, including familiar families like finches, sparrows, and crows. Within the order Passeriformes, thrushes belong to the clade Passeri, or songbirds. This clade contains birds that use their vocalizations to attract mates and defend territories. More specifically, thrushes are part of the family Turdidae. This family contains around 170…