Bird watching is a popular hobby for people of all ages. It allows you to connect with nature and observe beautiful birds up close. To attract birds to your backyard or garden, one of the best things you can do is set up a bird feeder. Bird feeders provide birds with a reliable source of food and give you a front-row seat to all the avian action. What are the benefits of having a bird feeder? There are many advantages to having a bird feeder in your outdoor space: It attracts a variety of colorful bird species to your yard.…
Author: Peter Knight
The colour of a female blackbird varies depending on the subspecies. Most female blackbirds have brown or grey-brown plumage that helps camouflage them while nesting. However, some subspecies can have black, reddish-brown or even yellow plumage. The colouration provides protective coloration to avoid predators spotting them on the nest. Let’s explore the different colours of female blackbirds in more detail. Common Blackbird The common blackbird (Turdus merula) is found throughout most of Europe, Asia and North Africa. The female common blackbird has brown plumage with some streaking on the breast and throat. The shade can range from warm reddish-brown to…
Geese are large waterfowl birds that belong to the Anatidae family, which includes ducks, swans, and other waterbirds. While geese primarily graze on grasses and aquatic vegetation, they will also readily consume seeds and grains. Knowing what types of bird seed attract geese can help bird enthusiasts better cater to these birds. There are a few key factors to consider when selecting bird seed for geese: High carbohydrate content – Geese enjoy bird seeds with lots of carbohydrates and energy to fuel their active lifestyles. Seeds like corn, wheat, milo, millet, and barley are excellent choices. Pellet or mix -…
There are a few birds that make a call that sounds similar to a cuckoo clock. The most common bird that people associate with a “coo coo” sound is the common cuckoo. Cuckoos are widespread birds found throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. The common cuckoo is known for its distinctive two-note “coo-coo” call. When people hear this repeating two-note call, it reminds them of a cuckoo clock. However, there are other birds around the world that make sounds reminiscent of a cuckoo clock too. Keep reading to learn more about what birds sound like a coo coo clock. Common Cuckoo…
Telling apart a house sparrow from a song sparrow can be tricky for beginner birders. While both are small, brown, streaky sparrows, there are some key differences in appearance, behavior, habitat, and voice that can help you distinguish these two common backyard birds. Size and Shape House sparrows and song sparrows have similar sizes and proportions, but careful observation reveals some subtle differences: House sparrows are smaller, about 5-6 inches in length. Song sparrows are slightly larger, about 6-7 inches long. House sparrows have a fuller, rounder head and a shorter, thicker bill. Song sparrows have a flatter crown and…
Birds make a variety of sounds that serve different purposes in their daily lives. From melodic songs to raspy squawks, bird vocalizations are complex forms of communication between individual birds and entire flocks. One of the most familiar bird sounds, especially in the morning, is the light, high-pitched chirping we associate with small songbirds. But what exactly is the word used to describe this iconic bird chirp? The Onomatopoeia for Bird Chirping In linguistics, onomatopoeia refers to words that phonetically imitate or resemble the sound they describe. For example, “buzz” mimics the sound of a buzzing insect, while “crash” evokes…
The White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) is a medium-sized sparrow native to North America. It is a highly recognizable bird with bold black and white stripes on its head. White-crowned Sparrows breed in forests across northern North America and winter in the southern United States and Mexico. They are found year-round in the coastal northwest from southern Alaska to northern California. This article explores the range and distribution of the White-crowned Sparrow across its breeding, wintering, and year-round ranges. Breeding Range White-crowned Sparrows breed across forested areas of Canada, Alaska, and the northern United States. Their breeding range stretches from: Eastern…
The bird population has been declining at an alarming rate in recent decades. According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, the overall bird population in the United States and Canada has declined by 29% since 1970. This steep drop has ornithologists and conservationists concerned about the future of our avian species. But what exactly is causing the bird population decline? There are a few key factors at play. Habitat Loss One of the biggest threats facing birds is habitat loss and degradation. As forests are cleared, grasslands plowed, and wetlands drained for human development, birds lose the places they…
Birds have the remarkable ability to keep their heads stable even when their bodies are moving. This is accomplished through a specialized mechanism called head stabilization. Head stabilization allows birds to keep their vision steady, which is critical for spotting food, avoiding predators, and navigating through their environment. So what exactly is this important bird adaptation called? Birds have various physiological and behavioral adaptations that allow them to fly. One of the most important is head stabilization, which enables them to keep their visual field steady and oriented properly. Without head stabilization, birds would not be able to see clearly…
Birds make a variety of sounds that serve different purposes in their daily lives. The most recognizable bird sounds are bird songs, calls, and alarm calls. Birds primarily use vocalizations to communicate with other birds, but some species can mimic sounds they hear in their environment as well. Understanding the diversity of bird vocalizations provides insight into avian communication, behavior, and ecology. What are the main types of bird sounds? Birds make three main types of vocalizations: Songs Bird songs are often longer, more complex vocalizations used primarily by male birds to defend territories and attract mates. Songs tend to…