Whether or not you can have a bird of prey feather is a fascinating question. Birds of prey, also known as raptors, include eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, and more. Their feathers play an important role in flight, hunting, and protection. However, it is generally illegal for members of the public to possess feathers and other parts from native wild birds in many countries. There are some exceptions though, so let’s take a closer look at the feasibility and legality of having a raptor feather. Why Do Birds of Prey Have Specialized Feathers? Birds of prey have evolved specialized feathers to…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
Birds can see color much better than humans can. Their eyes have four types of color receptors, compared to only three in human eyes. This means birds can perceive ultraviolet light and see a wider range of colors. Understanding what colors attract birds is an interesting science project that can provide insight into avian vision and behavior. Birds use color vision for finding food, choosing mates, and other critical behaviors. Their color perception abilities also allow them to spot predators and avoid danger. The prevalence of bright plumage and elaborate displays in birds demonstrates the importance of color in their…
Blue scale quail (Coturnix chinensis) are a popular domesticated quail breed known for their beautiful blue colored feathers. As with most quail breeds, blue scale quail hens are prolific egg layers, able to produce a high number of eggs over a relatively short period of time. This makes them a favored breed for both small scale backyard egg production as well as larger commercial quail farming operations. But just how many eggs can you expect a blue scale quail to lay? Read on for a detailed look at blue scale quail egg laying habits and production. Blue Scale Quail Egg…
Birds produce sounds in a variety of ways, the most common being through their syrinx. The syrinx is located at the bifurcation of the trachea into the two primary bronchi and has been likened to the human larynx. It contains membranous tissues that vibrate as air passes through, producing sound. The size and shape of a bird’s syrinx determines the timbre, pitch, and volume of its vocalizations. Songbirds, parrots, and hummingbirds have more complex syrinxes capable of a wider range of vocalizations than birds like chickens or pigeons. The syrinx is controlled by pairs of muscles that allow birds to…
Brown creepers are small brown songbirds that belong to the family Certhiidae. They are found throughout much of North America, particularly in forests. Brown creepers are known for climbing up tree trunks and branches as they forage for insects hidden in the bark. Their physical adaptations, behavior, habitat, diet, and other key identifying traits make the brown creeper a fascinating bird to observe. What does a brown creeper look like? Brown creepers have streaked brown upperparts which provide camouflage against tree bark. Their underparts are whitish. They have a long, slender, curved bill which is perfect for probing under loose…
The Caspian tern (Hydroprogne caspia) is the largest tern in the world. Despite its large size and formidable appearance, this seabird has a number of weaknesses that can make it vulnerable in certain situations. Small population size One of the main weaknesses of the Caspian tern is its relatively small global population size. The total number of mature Caspian terns in the world is estimated to be somewhere between 150,000-200,000 individuals. While this may seem reasonably large, it is small compared to many other bird species. As a result, the Caspian tern is classified as “Near Threatened” on the IUCN…
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a viral infection that can infect not just birds, but also humans and other mammals. There are many different strains of bird flu virus that vary in how severe they are. The most common strain that wild birds like ducks carry is low-pathogenic avian influenza A viruses which tends to cause minor illness in birds. However, some strains like H5N1 are highly pathogenic and can cause severe illness and death in ducks and other birds. Can duck hunters get bird flu from hunting ducks? Yes, duck hunters are at risk of contracting…
The northern cardinal is one of the most recognizable and popular backyard birds in North America. The bright red plumage of the male cardinal against the more muted brownish-gray plumage of the female is a classic example of sexual dimorphism in birds. However, this iconic difference in coloration between male and female cardinals is not present immediately after the birds hatch. Newly hatched cardinal nestlings have drab gray down feathers that obscure their future vibrant plumage. So what colors do immature male cardinals display as they molt from their initial juvenile plumage to their distinctive scarlet red adult feathers? Let’s…
Running a rain bird sprinkler system manually is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. Rain bird sprinklers are designed to provide efficient and convenient watering for lawns and gardens. Knowing how to manually operate your system gives you more control over when and where you water. What is a Rain Bird Sprinkler System? Rain bird is a popular brand of in-ground and automated sprinkler systems for watering lawns and gardens. Their systems consist of an electronic controller unit connected to a series of underground PVC pipes with sprinkler heads placed around the lawn or…
The piping plover is a small, pale colored shorebird that nests on beaches across North America. Piping plovers are considered a threatened or endangered species in many parts of their range due to habitat loss, human disturbance, and predation. Understanding how rare piping plovers are provides important context for conservation efforts aimed at protecting these vulnerable birds. How many piping plovers are there? The total global population of piping plovers is estimated to be about 8000 breeding pairs. In the United States and Canada, surveys have found approximately 5000 pairs along the Atlantic coast and 2000 pairs in the Great…