Most people are familiar with the sight of birds building nests in preparation for raising their young. However, it is commonly thought that only female birds participate in nest construction. This raises the question – do male birds make nests too? The answer is more complex than a simple yes or no. There are over 10,000 species of birds, and nesting behaviors can vary greatly between them. However, some general patterns emerge when looking across species. In the majority of bird species, the female takes the lead in nest building and males play little or no direct role. There are…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
The blackbird family, known scientifically as the Turdidae, is a large and diverse family of songbirds found worldwide. The family includes many familiar birds such as robins, bluebirds, and thrushes. In North America alone, there are over 30 species in the blackbird family. So who exactly makes up this varied bird family? What birds are considered blackbirds? When most people think of a blackbird, they picture the common blackbird, which is an all-black songbird found throughout Europe. However, the blackbird family contains many species that are not all black. The common thread linking these birds is that they are medium-sized…
Yes, herons do fly. Herons are medium to large wading birds that are members of the Ardeidae family. They have long legs, long necks, and long pointed bills that allow them to skillfully hunt for fish, amphibians, and small mammals in shallow water. Anatomy Herons have a number of anatomical adaptations that allow them to fly effectively. Their bodies are lightweight with hollow, pneumatic bones. Their breastbones are fused into a solid plate which provides support for the large flight muscles attached to their wings. Their wings are broad and rounded and they have long primary feathers that allow them…
The bird-of-paradise is known for its elaborate courtship dances and bright, colorful plumage. But why does this bird go to such lengths to attract a mate? The answer lies in the competitive and complex mating rituals of the bird-of-paradise. To Attract Females The main reason the male bird-of-paradise dances is to catch the eye of female birds and convince them to mate. The dances are part of their courtship ritual. Each species has a unique dance moves that show off the male’s vibrant feathers, flexibility, stamina, and health. Females observe these displays and choose their mating partner based on who…
Woodpeckers are known for drilling holes in trees to find insects, building nests in tree cavities, and making loud drumming noises to communicate and attract mates. However, there is one particular species of woodpecker that exhibits the rather unusual behavior of collecting and storing acorns: the acorn woodpecker. The acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) is a medium-sized woodpecker found in oak woodlands across the western United States and Mexico. As their name suggests, acorn woodpeckers have a strong ecological association with oak trees and acorns. Acorn woodpeckers collect acorns and store them in unique structures called “granaries” or “acorn woodpecker granary…
Cooper’s hawks are a medium-sized hawk native to North America. They are skilled hunters and prey primarily on other birds. Cooper’s hawks have a distinct juvenile plumage that differs from the adult plumage. The length of time a Cooper’s hawk remains in its juvenile plumage can vary. Juvenile Plumage The juvenile plumage of Cooper’s hawks differs noticeably from the adult plumage. Juvenile Cooper’s hawks have brown upperparts with white undersides and vertical brown streaks. Their tails have narrow brown bands. Their eyes are yellow. The brown upperparts provide good camouflage as the young hawks sit in trees. The brown vertical…
Crows are highly intelligent birds that can become problematic at bird feeders, scaring away smaller desirable songbirds. While crows themselves are amazing creatures, many bird enthusiasts want to deter crows from their feeders but allow smaller birds to access food. There are several effective techniques to scare away crows without harming them or impacting other birds. Why Do Crows Come to Bird Feeders? Crows are omnivorous opportunistic feeders. They will eat anything from insects and worms to fruits, seeds, nuts, eggs, young birds, and small animals. Bird seed at feeders is an easy meal for crows. Since crows are so…
The term “cuckoo” is most commonly used to refer to the female of the cuckoo bird species, which is known for laying eggs in the nests of other bird species for them to raise. However, cuckoos have males as well, so the male version of a cuckoo simply refers to the male cuckoo bird. Cuckoos are parasitic birds that belong to the Cuculidae family. There are over 140 different species of cuckoos, and they are found throughout the world, except for Antarctica. Both male and female cuckoos exhibit “brood parasitism,” which is the practice of laying eggs in the nests…
Birds exhibit a wide variety of mating systems and social behaviors. While some species do form monogamous pairs, many others have different arrangements such as polygamy, promiscuity, or solitary living. Let’s take a closer look at the evidence on avian relationships. Monogamy in Birds Monogamy refers to a mating system where a male and female form an exclusive pairing during at least part of the breeding season. This allows both parents to cooperate in raising young. Monogamous pairs may stay together for a single season, multiple seasons, or life. Researchers estimate that about 90% of bird species are at least…
Cats and birds have a long and complicated history together. While some bird species get along fine with cats, others see felines as a threat and will aggressively defend their territory, eggs, or young against cats. This is especially true for larger bird species that view house cats as potential predators. So what kinds of birds are most likely to go on the offensive and attack cats? Birds Most Likely to Attack Cats Here are some of the bird species most likely to swoop, dive bomb, or chase cats: Crows – Crows are very intelligent, social birds that mob potential…