The belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) is a medium-sized bird found across North America. With their top-heavy bodies, blue-gray plumage, and raspy calls, these ragged-crested kingfishers are a familiar sight around waterways large and small. But are belted kingfishers endangered? Let’s take a closer look at the status of this iconic bird. Belted Kingfisher Overview Belted kingfishers are stocky, short-tailed birds measuring 28-35 cm (11-14 in) in length with a wingspan around 58 cm (23 in). Their ragged crest slopes down to meet a heavy bill, perfect for spearing fish. The male has a single blue-gray band across his white chest,…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
Frigate birds are a remarkable species of seabird known for their large wingspans and ability to soar effortlessly over the ocean for hours and even days at a time. One of the most distinctive behaviors of frigate birds is their ability to puff up their striking red throat pouches to impressive sizes. But why do frigate birds puff up their throats, and what purpose does this unique behavior serve? What is throat puffing? When frigate birds puff up their throats, they inflate their throat pouches, or gular skin, which stretches and expands to allow the birds to swallow large amounts…
Ospreys are large birds of prey that are found near waterways and coastlines around the world. They have several unique adaptations that allow them to be excellent hunters and fishers. However, their large size and adaptations for hunting fish lead some to wonder – can ospreys get stuck in water if they land on the surface while hunting? Osprey Hunting Adaptations Ospreys are raptors in the family Pandionidae. They have several key adaptations that make them great at hunting fish: Large talons – Osprey have large, curved talons on their feet that are specially adapted for catching fish. The talons…
Quick Answer Goldfinches can have black markings on their wings, but their wings are not completely black. The exact wing coloration depends on the species and geographic location. American Goldfinches found in most of North America have black wing markings. European Goldfinches usually lack black on the wings entirely. Do American Goldfinches Have Black Wings? The American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a small North American songbird in the finch family. The breeding male American Goldfinch has bright yellow body plumage, a black forehead, a black tail with white markings, and black wings with white bars: Appearance Body Part Color Head…
Having a properly functioning sprinkler system is crucial for keeping your lawn and garden healthy, lush, and beautiful. While most sprinkler systems have automatic timers that turn on at preset times, there may be occasions when you need to manually turn on your sprinklers. Manually starting your sprinkler system is a simple process that just requires locating the correct valve and turning it to the “on” position. In this article, we’ll walk through the step-by-step process for manually turning on your sprinkler system so you can water your lawn or garden whenever needed. Locate the Sprinkler System Valves The first…
No, a piping plover and a sandpiper are two different species of shorebirds. While they occupy similar coastal habitats and bear some superficial resemblance, they can be distinguished from each other in several key ways. Appearance The piping plover is a small, stout shorebird with sandy colored upperparts, a white underside, and orange legs. Adults have a black breastband, a black bar across the forehead, and an orange bill with a black tip. In flight, piping plovers show a white rump and tail with dark edges. Sandpipers comprise a large family of shorebirds with over 30 different species. There is…
Quick Answer Yes, great horned owls are nocturnal and do come out at night. They are most active in the hours around dusk and dawn when their prey is also active. Great horned owls hunt under the cover of darkness. Do Great Horned Owls Only Come Out at Night? Great horned owls are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. However, they are not exclusively nocturnal and may sometimes be active during the day as well. Here are some key points about great horned owl activity patterns: Great horned owls do most of their hunting at night when…
Juncos are small sparrows found across North America. They are a familiar sight at backyard bird feeders during the winter months. Juncos exhibit sexual size dimorphism, meaning that males and females differ in size. This raises the question: are female juncos bigger than males? Quick Answer Yes, female juncos tend to be slightly larger than males. The size difference is subtle, but becomes apparent when comparing male and female juncos side-by-side. On average, females have longer wings, tails, and bills than males. The weight difference ranges from 2-15%, with females weighing more than males. Structural size and mass are the…
Great egrets and snowy egrets are two similar-looking species of white herons that can often be confused with each other. While they share some physical similarities and overlapping ranges, they are actually two distinct species with some key differences. Quick Answers Here are some quick answers to common questions about great egrets and snowy egrets: Great egrets and snowy egrets are not the same species – they are closely related but distinct species. The most noticeable difference is size – great egrets are larger. Great egrets have longer legs, necks, and bills than snowy egrets. Snowy egrets have bright yellow…
The phrase “hey sweetie” is not a typical bird call, as most bird vocalizations consist of chirps, squawks, and melodic songs rather than human speech. However, some birds can mimic human speech to a limited degree if raised in captivity. The bird most well-known for mimicking human speech is the African Grey Parrot. However, other bird species like mynah birds, budgerigars, and some corvids may also mimic speech. So if a bird were to say “hey sweetie,” it would most likely be a pet African Grey Parrot that had been trained to say those words. Birds Known for Mimicking Human…