Pigeons are common urban birds that can be found in most cities around the world. They live in close contact with humans and share many environments with us. Recently, there have been outbreaks of bird flu, also known as avian influenza, in domestic poultry and wild birds in some parts of the world. This has raised concerns about whether pigeons are at risk of contracting bird flu and potentially spreading it to humans. In this article, we will look at what bird flu is, whether it can spread to pigeons, and the implications if pigeons were to become infected. What…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a small bird in the sparrow family Passeridae that can be found in most parts of the world. The females tend to have duller plumage than the males, but one distinguishing feature is the color of their beaks. Female House Sparrows have beaks that are brown to black in coloration. This is in contrast to the black beaks of the males of the species. Understanding differences between male and female House Sparrows can aid in identification, especially for birders and researchers studying the species. Detailed Explanation of Female House Sparrow Beak Color The beaks…
The common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) is a medium-sized nocturnal bird found throughout much of North America. Often confused with the whip-poor-will, the nighthawk is actually not a hawk at all but belongs to the nightjar family. The nighthawk gets its name from its loud “peent” call which is often heard at dusk and dawn. Read on to learn more about the habits and behaviors of this fascinating bird. Description The common nighthawk is a cryptically colored bird with long, pointed wings and a short tail. Adults measure 8 to 10 inches from bill to tail and have a wingspan around…
Why do birds attack humans? Birds can attack humans for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common include: Defending their nest or young Birds can become very aggressive when defending their nest or young chicks. Many species see humans as a threat during breeding season and will attack unprovoked if they perceive you as getting too close. Protecting food sources Birds that frequent picnic areas, dumpsters, or bird feeders may attack to protect their food source from humans. Gulls and crows are particularly prone to this type of behavior. Territoriality Some birds are highly territorial and will attack…
Having a bird bath in your yard is a great way to provide water for visiting birds. However, one common problem that bird bath owners face is green, algae-filled water. Not only does green bird bath water look unappealing, it can also harbor bacteria and make birds sick if they drink from it or bathe in it. Luckily, there are several effective and easy methods to prevent your bird bath water from turning green. Why Does Bird Bath Water Turn Green? Bird bath water turns green because of algae growth. Algae are simple, plant-like organisms that thrive in standing water,…
Tubenoses are a group of seabirds characterized by having external tubular nostrils on their upper bills. The tube-like nostrils help give these birds an excellent sense of smell, which aids them in locating food across vast expanses of open ocean. Some of the most well-known tubenoses include albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters, and storm petrels. In this article, we will explore what defines a tubenose, how their unique nostrils help them survive in marine environments, and provide an overview of some of the major tubenose species. What are Tubenoses? Tubenoses, also known as tubinares, are a group of seabirds united by their…
A Sabine is a unit used to measure reverberation time in acoustics. Reverberation time refers to how long it takes for sound to decay or fade away after the original sound source has stopped. In rooms and enclosed spaces, sounds can reverberate and bounce off walls, ceilings, and other surfaces before dying away. The Sabine quantifies this reverberation time. What is Reverberation Time? When sound is produced in an enclosed space, the sound waves propagate outward in all directions from the source. Some of these propagating waves hit surfaces like walls, floors, ceilings, furnishings, and people. When a sound wave…
White faced hornets (Dolichovespula maculata) are large, social wasps native to North America. They are known for building gray paper nests, which are often found hanging in trees, under roof eaves, or inside abandoned rodent burrows. However, white faced hornets sometimes build their nest underground as well. Here’s a quick overview of where white faced hornets nest and why they may choose underground locations at times. Quick Facts on White Faced Hornet Nests White faced hornets build nests made of chewed wood fibers mixed with saliva. Nests are enclosed in a paper envelope and contain multiple tiers of hexagonal combs…
The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is the largest grouse species in North America. It is known for its elaborate mating rituals that take place each spring on lek sites. Leks are communal breeding grounds where male sage-grouse gather to perform mating displays and court females. Understanding the sage-grouse’s mating behaviors and rituals provides important insights into this iconic western bird’s reproduction and conservation. When Does Mating Season Occur? The greater sage-grouse mating season occurs in early spring, typically from March through May each year. The timing coincides with the sagebrush flowering and green-up. Mating starts as early as late February…
The history of chicken as a food Chicken has been a part of the human diet for thousands of years. The domestication of the chicken most likely first occurred over 8,000 years ago in Southeast Asia. From there, chickens spread across the world as a source of food. In early societies, chickens were likely kept for both their meat and eggs. However, up through Medieval times in Europe, chicken was considered a rare delicacy and was served primarily on special occasions. Common folk at the time rarely ate chicken meat. It wasn’t until the 20th century that chicken became more…