Quick Answer Yes, the red-winged blackbird is a very common bird found throughout California. The red-winged blackbird is a medium-sized songbird that is a year-round resident in most of the state. Overview of the Red-winged Blackbird The red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is a familiar sight across North America. This blackbird gets its name from the bright red shoulder patches on the wings of the male birds. Females are mostly brownish-streaked black. Red-winged blackbirds are medium-sized songbirds measuring 6.7 to 9.1 inches in length with a wingspan of 12.2 to 15.8 inches. They weigh between 1.1 to 2.7 ounces. Males are…
Author: Peter Knight
The black-bellied whistling duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) is a whistling duck species found in the Americas. As their name suggests, these ducks have a black belly and make a clear whistling call. Black-bellied whistling ducks are medium-sized ducks that inhabit marshes, ponds, and rivers, often in urban and suburban areas. They are social birds that feed and roost in large flocks. A key aspect of black-bellied whistling duck biology is their nesting habits. Specifically, there has been some debate over whether black-bellied whistling ducks build nests in trees or solely on the ground. Understanding where these ducks nest helps inform their…
Goldfinches are small songbirds that are popular among gardeners and birders. Male goldfinches have brightly-colored yellow and black feathers, earning them the nickname “wild canaries.” Like many bird species, goldfinches form pairs during breeding season. Understanding goldfinch pairing behavior can help people attract and care for these colorful birds. Do goldfinches mate for life? Goldfinches do not mate for life. Rather than having lifelong partners, goldfinches form temporary pair bonds only during breeding season. These seasonal pairs stay together just long enough to build a nest, lay eggs, and raise a brood of chicks. Goldfinch pairs usually start forming in…
House finches are small, sociable songbirds that are native to the western United States. However, they have become established in the eastern United States after being introduced from the west in the 1940s. As a result, house finches are now found across most of North America. Their rapid spread and ability to thrive in human-modified environments has led some people to consider them an invasive species. This article will examine the background of house finches in the US and evaluate whether they can be considered invasive. What are house finches? House finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) are small passerine birds in the…
The spotted owl is a medium-sized owl native to western North America. It gets its name from the white spots on its head, neck and upper body. Spotted owls live in old-growth forests and depend on large trees for nesting and roosting. They mainly eat flying squirrels and woodrats. The spotted owl has been declining in numbers since the early 1900s due to habitat loss from logging and wildfires. They were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1990. Since then, efforts have been made to protect their remaining habitat on public and private lands. Why are spotted…
Brandt Miller’s age is not immediately obvious or publicly known. However, with some research and deduction, it is possible to estimate his approximate age. Brandt Miller is an American football wide receiver who currently plays for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Broncos in the 7th round of the 2020 NFL draft after playing college football at Coastal Carolina. This provides the first clue to determining Miller’s age, as we know he was eligible for the NFL draft in 2020. When Was Brandt Miller Drafted? The 2020 NFL Draft took place from…
Finches are popular pet birds that are relatively easy to care for. With proper housing, nutrition, and care, finches can live 5-10 years in captivity. Here is an overview of the basics of finch care and maintenance: Housing Finches should be kept in a cage large enough to allow them to fly short distances. A good rule of thumb is to provide at least 1.5 cubic feet of space per finch. The bar spacing on the cage should be less than 1/2 inch to prevent escapes. Place the cage in a warm, draft-free area away from direct sunlight and noisy…
Grey Owl was the pseudonym of Archibald Belaney, a British man who gained fame as a conservationist and Native American imposter in Canada in the early 20th century. Though he presented himself as an Indigenous person and lived in the wilderness, his true identity was a closely guarded secret for much of his life. Early Life Archibald Belaney was born in September 1888 in Hastings, England. His parents were from Scotland and after their divorce when he was young, Belaney was raised primarily by his aunts. From a young age, he was interested in Native American culture after reading about…
The scarlet tanager is a small songbird known for its bright red coloring during breeding season. But beyond their flashy plumage, scarlet tanagers are also identifiable by their distinctive vocalizations. Here’s a closer look at the sounds scarlet tanagers make and what their calls and songs communicate. Scarlet Tanager Song The song of the male scarlet tanager is a repeated series of choppy notes that sound like “chip-burr.” The “chip” notes are higher-pitched and more clipped, while the “burr” is a lower, buzzy trill. This song is often described as sounding like a Robin’s song, but hoarser and more disconnected.…
Quick Answers Yes, there are several species of stork that live in Africa. Some of the most widespread African stork species include: Abdim’s Stork Woolly-necked Stork Saddle-billed Stork Marabou Stork Yellow-billed Stork Storks can be found throughout much of Africa, inhabiting wetlands, grasslands, savannas, and other open habitats. Most African storks are migratory, traveling between Africa and Europe or Asia to breed. However, some species like the Marabou Stork are residents that live in Africa year-round. Storks are large, long-legged wading birds that can be found on every continent except Antarctica. There are 19 species of stork worldwide, and at…