The frogmouth bird is often confused for an owl due to some similarities in appearance, but they are actually very different birds. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide a quick overview comparing frogmouths and owls to help clarify why frogmouths are not classified as owls. Quick Comparison: Frogmouths vs Owls Frogmouths and owls share some physical traits like large eyes, flat faces, and rounded bodies. However, there are some key differences: Frogmouths belong to the order Caprimulgiformes along with nightjars. Owls belong to the order Strigiformes. Frogmouths have wide, heavy bills. Owls have curved, narrow beaks. Frogmouths build flimsy nests…
Author: Peter Knight
Birds have extremely lightweight skeletons compared to other animals. This light skeleton is a key adaptation that allows birds to fly. The light skeleton reduces overall body weight, enabling birds to become airborne with less effort. There are several reasons why the skeleton of birds is light: Pneumatic Bones Many of the bones in a bird’s skeleton are hollow or pneumatic. This pneumaticity lightens the overall weight of the skeleton. In birds, the skull bones, vertebrae, ribs, sternum, and humerus typically contain hollow spaces filled with air. For example, the humerus, which is the long bone in the wing, is…
Mallard ducklings hatch covered in downy feathers that help insulate them and keep them warm. Their coloration as newly hatched ducklings depends on their sex. Male Ducklings Male mallard ducklings tend to have yellowish downy feathers when they first hatch out of their eggs. The yellow down helps camouflage the baby male ducks in their environment since they blend in with the summer grass and vegetation where mallard nests are typically built. This provides an extra layer of protection from predators when the ducklings are most vulnerable in their first few days of life. The yellow down feathers are also…
Vulture Aid is a Perk-a-Cola introduced in the Zombies map Buried in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. It provides several unique abilities to help players survive longer against the zombie hordes. Vulture Aid Perks and Abilities Here are the key things Vulture Aid allows you to do in Black Ops 2: See and Collect Ammo from Dead Enemies One of the main effects of Vulture Aid is that it causes dead zombies to release glowing ammo packs. These ammo packs contain random ammo types for any of your equipped weapons. Standing near the ammo allows you to collect it…
Lovebirds are a type of small parrot known for forming strong bonds with their mates. Here is an overview of how lovebirds live in the wild and as pets. What are lovebirds? Lovebirds belong to the genus Agapornis and are native to Africa. There are 9 different species of lovebird, with the most popular kept as pets being Fischer’s lovebirds and peach-faced lovebirds. Lovebirds get their name from their tendency to form monogamous pair bonds that can last their entire lifetime. Some quick facts about lovebirds: – Size ranges from 5-7 inches long – Lifespan 10-15 years in captivity -…
Arctic terns are seabirds known for their long yearly migration from the Arctic to the Antarctic. They breed in the far north during the summer months before embarking on an extraordinary journey southwards in the autumn. Their migration is the longest of any bird species on Earth. Arctic terns are notoriously aggressive birds when it comes to defending their nests and young chicks. Their fierce nature earned them the nickname “sea swallows” from early Arctic explorers who witnessed their bravery firsthand. Today, Arctic terns continue to show incredible ferocity against any perceived threat. But why are they so aggressive? The…
The Canada Goose Hybridge jacket is designed to be waterproof and provide protection against the elements. Here is a quick overview of the key facts about the Hybridge’s waterproofing: Waterproof Rating The Hybridge jacket has a waterproof rating of 10,000mm. This refers to the waterproofness of the outer fabric and indicates how much water pressure it can withstand before leaking. 10,000mm is considered a high degree of waterproofing and suitable for very wet conditions. Outer Material The outer shell of the Hybridge jacket is made from Goose’s proprietary Feather-Light US fabric. This 3-layer fabric consists of an outer polyester layer…
The kakapo is a critically endangered parrot that is native to New Zealand. Once widespread across the country, the kakapo population declined significantly after the arrival of humans and introduced predators like cats and rats. Today, there are only around 200 kakapo remaining, making them one of the rarest birds in the world. Kakapo Population Over Time When the first Polynesian settlers arrived in New Zealand about 700 years ago, the kakapo was still common and widespread. However, the kakapo population began to decline as humans hunted them for food, fur and feathers. The introduction of predators like cats, rats…
The hermit thrush is a medium-sized North American thrush known for its beautiful and haunting song. Its scientific name is Catharus guttatus and it belongs to the family Turdidae. Hermit thrushes breed in the northern parts of North America and winter in the southern parts of the United States and Mexico. They are migratory songbirds that travel long distances between their breeding and wintering grounds. The hermit thrush is considered one of North America’s finest songsters with its flute-like song that has been described as “the finest sound in nature” by famed naturalist Henry David Thoreau. But what exactly is…
Birds are a popular type of pet for many people. There are numerous species that have been domesticated over the years to live in close proximity with humans. When it comes to determining the most common domestic bird, there are a few leading contenders. Chickens One of the clear frontrunners for most common domestic bird is the chicken. The chicken has a long history of domestication stretching back thousands of years. There are records of chickens being kept as far back as 4000 BC in China. Over the centuries, keeping chickens for their eggs and meat became incredibly common worldwide.…