Hummingbirds have captivated humans for millennia with their beauty, speed, and magical hovering abilities. Their unusual traits have led some to wonder if these tiny birds serve a divine purpose. In this article, we’ll explore the evidence for and against the idea that hummingbirds are messengers from God. Hummingbird Symbolism and Folklore Hummingbirds have accumulated rich symbolic meaning in many cultures throughout history. Here are some examples: In Aztec mythology, deceased Aztec warriors were reincarnated as hummingbirds and traveled to paradise. Some Native American tribes considered the hummingbird a messenger who bridged the natural world and spirit realm. The Aztecs,…
Author: Peter Knight
Birds that copy whistles are often songbirds. Songbirds have the ability to mimic sounds and whistles they hear in their environment. Some common songbirds known for mimicking whistles include mockingbirds, starlings, lyrebirds, and mynas. Why do some birds copy whistles? There are a few key reasons why certain birds copy whistles and other sounds: To attract mates – Male songbirds will often mimic sounds to show off their vocal skills to female birds. To define their territory – Birds use mimicked calls to let other birds know that an area is occupied and to ward off intruders. To blend into…
Gray catbirds are medium-sized songbirds that breed across much of North America. They get their name from their distinctive cat-like meowing call. Gray catbirds are monogamous and form mating pairs during the breeding season. Here is a quick overview of how gray catbirds find mates and reproduce: Breeding Season: Gray catbirds breed between May and August across most of their range. Courtship: Males sing complex songs and perform display flights to attract females. Pairs preen each other’s feathers to strengthen the bond. Nest Building: The female builds the nest out of twigs, leaves, vines and bark. It is cup shaped…
Both male and female mourning doves make calls, but the male’s call is louder and more frequent. The mourning dove got its name from its distinctive vocalizations that sound like mournful coos. Their cooing and calling serves several purposes related to courtship, claiming territory, and signaling alarm or contentment. While both sexes vocalize, it is often the louder male coo that draws the most attention. Male Mourning Dove Call The male mourning dove’s call is a loud, plaintive coo-OO-oo-coo-coo that can carry for a half mile or more. The coo begins softly and smoothly increases in volume. It is often…
Birdsong is the vocalizations and calls that birds use to communicate. While birdsong may sound musical to our ears, it does not meet the criteria to be considered true music. There are several key differences between birdsong and music that prevent birdsong from being classified as such. Music is composed with intent Music is created with the deliberate intent of making music. Composers think carefully about melody, rhythm, harmony and structure when writing music. There is a creative process involved in crafting music that does not happen naturally in the animal kingdom. Birds do not actively compose or create their…
Birds have the amazing ability to fly through the sky without falling down. This seems like it should be impossible – after all, gravity pulls everything down towards the ground. Yet birds are able to overcome gravity and stay aloft by flapping their wings. So how exactly do birds fly without falling? The key to understanding bird flight is their wings. A bird’s wings are shaped in a way that allows the bird to push air downwards as it flaps its wings. According to Newton’s third law of motion, whenever a bird pushes air downwards, the air pushes the bird…
What is conjunctivitis? Conjunctivitis, often called “pink eye,” is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the thin transparent tissue that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye. In finches, conjunctivitis is most commonly caused by infection, irritation, or allergies. The most common infectious causes are bacteria like Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Chlamydia psittaci, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. Viral infections like Poxvirus avium are less common. Irritants like dust, dirt, smoke, and ammonia fumes can also irritate the conjunctiva. Allergies to things like pollen, bedding materials, or food ingredients can sometimes trigger conjunctivitis…
Painted buntings are stunning little songbirds that live in the southern United States. They are known for their bright, rainbow-colored plumage that gives them their name. While painted buntings do frequent backyard feeders in some parts of their range, attracting them to feeders can be a challenge. Here is a look at what you need to know about painted buntings and bird feeders. An Overview of Painted Buntings The painted bunting (Passerina ciris) is a small North American songbird found along the southern Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. They range from North Carolina down through Florida and west to Arizona, with…
Wrens are small, active songbirds that can be found across North America. They build domed nests out of twigs, grasses, moss, and feathers in sheltered spots like shrubs, trees, or human-made structures. Wrens lay between 4-8 eggs at a time and will have multiple broods over the course of a breeding season. Both male and female wrens participate in feeding and caring for their young. But just how often do parent wrens deliver food to their chicks? The feeding frequency depends on a few key factors. Number and Age of Nestlings The number and age of nestlings plays a significant…
Muscovy ducks are a type of domesticated duck that originate from South America. They are large ducks with black and white feathers and bare red skin on their faces. In recent decades, feral populations of Muscovy ducks have become established in certain parts of North America, including parts of Tennessee. This has raised questions about the status and impact of Muscovy ducks in Tennessee. What are Muscovy ducks? Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata) are a large domesticated duck species that traces its ancestry to the Muscovy Duck in South America. They are large, heavy bodied ducks that can weigh up to…