Red knots are medium-sized shorebirds that breed in the Arctic and migrate long distances to wintering grounds across the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Australasia. Understanding where red knots live throughout their annual cycle provides important insights into their ecology and conservation. Breeding Range Red knots breed in the high Arctic tundra during the summer months of June and July. Their breeding range extends from northern Canada across Greenland, Svalbard, and northern Russia. In North America, key breeding areas for red knots include: Northern Canadian territories like Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon Coastal regions of Hudson Bay Arctic islands like Ellesmere…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
Golden Eagle syrup was a popular pancake syrup brand that was manufactured by the Clinton Company in Clinton, Iowa from 1905 to the late 1980s. The brand had strong regional popularity in the Midwest, but production eventually ceased due to changing consumer preferences and consolidation in the syrup industry. When was Golden Eagle syrup first produced? Golden Eagle syrup first started being produced in 1905 by the Clinton Company in Clinton, Iowa. The company was founded in 1881 as a starch manufacturer and expanded into corn syrups and pancake syrups in the early 1900s. Golden Eagle became their flagship syrup…
Tufted puffins are seabirds that breed along the coasts of the North Pacific Ocean and spend their winters far out to sea. Understanding where tufted puffins go during their annual migrations can provide important insights into their biology and conservation. The tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) is a medium-sized seabird in the alcid family. It breeds in large colonies on islands and coastal cliffs from California to Alaska and across the northern Pacific to Russia and Japan. Its distinctive breeding plumage includes golden head plumes, a large yellowish bill, and white “eyelashes.” Tufted puffins spend most of their lives offshore and…
There are many words in the English language that describe bad or unpleasant smells. Some common words used to describe bad smells include stench, stink, reek, funk, odor, and malodor. Stench The word “stench” refers to a very strong and offensive smell. Synonyms for stench include reek, stink, and funk. A stench is often unpleasant and overpowering. Examples of things that can produce a stench are trash, body odor, rotting food, sewage, and skunk spray. The word stench has its origins in Old English and is related to words like “stink” and “stanch.” Here is an example sentence using the…
The least tern (Sternula antillarum) is the smallest member of the tern family Sternidae found in North America. This migratory seabird breeds in coastal areas across North America and winters along the coasts of Central and South America. The least tern nests in a simple scrape on open, sandy beaches or flats along coastlines, rivers, and lakeshores. Its specific nesting habitat requirements make it vulnerable to disturbance and habitat loss. Understanding the details of the least tern’s nesting ecology is key to conservation efforts for this species. What time of year does the least tern nest? The least tern returns…
Mexican red head parrots, also known as amazon red head parrots, are medium-sized parrots native to Mexico and parts of Central America. They are popular as pets due to their striking bright green plumage accented with red patches on their head, wings, and tails. But one of the main questions people have about Mexican red heads is: do they talk? Can Mexican Red Heads Talk? Yes, Mexican red head parrots have the ability to mimic human speech and learn words and phrases when kept as pets. However, the extent to which an individual Mexican red head will talk can vary…
Opening Summary The 1996 comedy film The Birdcage starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane is considered a modern classic. One of the most memorable scenes involves Williams’ character Armand falling down a flight of stairs. This pratfall gets big laughs from audiences, which raises the question – was Robin Williams’ fall scripted or was it an accident caught on film? Let’s take a closer look at the evidence surrounding this famous movie moment. About The Film The Birdcage was directed by Mike Nichols and based on the 1978 French comedy La Cage aux Folles. It focuses on a gay cabaret…
The common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) is a medium-sized blackbird that is ubiquitous across much of North America. However, in recent decades, grackle populations have been steadily declining in many parts of their range. This article will explore the potential reasons behind the grackle decline, including loss of habitat, competition with other species, disease, and climate change. Quick answers to key questions in the opening paragraphs provide an overview of the topic: What bird species is in decline? The common grackle, a medium-sized blackbird found across much of North America. How severe is the decline? Grackle populations have declined by over…
There are a few potential reasons why your bird may be shaking its neck. Some of the most common causes include: Molting Molting is the process where birds shed old feathers and grow new ones. This usually happens 1-2 times per year. During the molt, birds will often shake their necks to loosen old feathers and help new pin feathers emerge. The molting process can cause irritation and itchiness, leading to increased neck shaking. Preening Birds preen to clean and maintain their feathers. Preening involves using the beak to distribute oils across the feathers to keep them flexible and waterproof.…
White-breasted nuthatches and woodpeckers are two types of birds found in North America that look somewhat similar but have distinct differences. Both birds frequent trees and can be seen foraging on trunks and branches, but their behaviors, physical characteristics, and habitat preferences set them apart. Understanding how to identify these birds based on quick visual cues can help birdwatchers appreciate the diversity found even among species that occupy similar ecological niches. Quick Identification Cues There are a few quick ways to tell white-breasted nuthatches and woodpeckers apart: Location on trees: Woodpeckers cling vertically to tree trunks. White-breasted nuthatches often forage…