Quick Answer Feeding birds bread can be harmful to them, especially in large quantities. While bread isn’t poisonous to birds, it lacks the proper nutrition they need. Bread has very little nutritional value and can fill up birds without providing much energy. Birds that fill up on bread may ignore sources of healthier food they need. Bread that sits uneaten can also grow mold, attract pests, and lead to unhealthy bacteria in bird habitats. There are better alternatives to offer birds, such as birdseed, fruits, nuts, and mealworms. Small amounts of bread in moderation are less harmful, but it’s best…
Author: Alan Hernbroth
You may have noticed large flocks of small, dark birds with light speckles gathering in your yard or on power lines recently. These are likely European starlings, an invasive species that is very common across North America. Starlings are extremely social birds that form large flocks, especially in fall and winter. If you seem to suddenly have a lot of them around, there are some reasons why they may be attracted to your yard. What do starlings look like? Starlings are medium-sized songbirds, about 8-9 inches long. Their feathers are mostly black with small white or buff speckles. The speckles…
The black kite (Milvus migrans) is a medium-sized bird of prey that is found across much of Asia, Australia, and parts of Europe and Africa. Known for its distinctive forked tail and grace in flight, the black kite has long been a familiar sight soaring over open country and cities. This majestic raptor has captivated human imagination for millennia and is rich in symbolic meaning across its expansive range. The black kite has variously embodied spirits, freedom, vision, protectiveness, aggression, opportunism, and more. Physical Attributes The black kite has several distinctive physical features that contribute to its symbolic meanings: Forked…
Pheasant and chicken are both popular poultry options, but when comparing the two, pheasant emerges as the superior choice for a number of reasons. In this article, we will explore why pheasant is better than chicken in terms of nutrition, taste, sustainability, and cost. Nutritional Value Pheasant provides more nutritional value than chicken. Here is a comparison of the nutritional profiles of 3 ounces of pheasant breast versus chicken breast: Nutrient Pheasant Chicken Calories 140 140 Fat 2g 3g Saturated Fat 0.5g 1g Cholesterol 82mg 72mg Sodium 74mg 73mg Potassium 283mg 192mg Protein 28g 26g Vitamin B6 0.5mg 0.4mg B12…
The Northern Flicker is a medium-sized woodpecker found across much of North America. This bird gets its name from the distinctive bright “flick” of its wings during flight. There are several different subspecies and color variants of the Northern Flicker, which can make identification tricky. Three Main Subspecies There are three widely recognized subspecies of the Northern Flicker: Yellow-shafted Flicker (Colaptes auratus auratus) Red-shafted Flicker (Colaptes auratus cafer) Gilded Flicker (Colaptes chrysoides) Yellow-shafted Flicker The Yellow-shafted Flicker is found in eastern North America. As its name suggests, it has bright yellow feathers under its wings and tail. The yellow shafts…
Birds that hunt for fish have evolved special visual adaptations that allow them to spot and capture aquatic prey from the air. Their unique eyesight gives them an advantage when seeking food in water environments. In this article, we will explore how avian vision differs from human sight and how birds are able to see fish from above the water’s surface. The avian eye Birds have excellent vision compared to humans. Their eyes are larger relative to their body size and contain more photoreceptors – the light-sensitive cells in the retina. This gives them superior visual acuity, allowing them to…
Bullock’s Orioles are striking black and orange birds that breed in western North America and winter in Mexico. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll answer some key questions about where these birds spend the winter months. Do Bullock’s Orioles migrate? Yes, Bullock’s Orioles are migratory birds. They breed during the summer months in parts of western North America, then migrate south to overwinter in Mexico and Central America. The migration allows them to take advantage of abundant food resources during the breeding season, then escape harsh winters where food is scarce. Where is the winter range of Bullock’s Orioles? The winter…
The Nutcracker ballet is a beloved holiday tradition for many families. Based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, the ballet tells the story of a young girl named Clara who is gifted a nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. After Clara falls asleep, her nutcracker doll comes to life and leads her on a magical adventure. There are a few different staged versions of The Nutcracker ballet that have some variations in choreography, set design, and casting. However, there are two main different Nutcracker productions that stand out as distinct versions: the classic Russian Imperial Ballet…
Poultry meat comes from domesticated birds that are raised for their meat and eggs. The most common types of poultry meat come from chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, and quail. Each type of poultry has its own unique flavor, texture, and culinary uses. Chicken Chicken is by far the most popular type of poultry. In the United States alone, over 9 billion chickens are raised for meat every year. Chicken meat is valued for its mild flavor and texture. The most common cuts of chicken include breasts, thighs, wings, and drumsticks. There are many different breeds of chickens raised…
Bird seed flying off the shelves is a phenomenon being observed in many parts of the country this year. Stores are struggling to keep bird seed in stock as demand has surged beyond typical levels. There are a few key factors contributing to the bird seed shortage. Surge in Birdwatching The pandemic has sparked a major increase in birdwatching. With people spending more time at home and outdoors, noticing and learning about birds became a popular hobby. There are now an estimated 60 million birdwatchers in the U.S. This represents a huge growth from pre-pandemic levels. More people feeding and…