The loggerhead shrike is a fascinating yet increasingly rare songbird found across North America. With its hooked beak and predilection for impaling prey on thorns and barbed wire, the loggerhead shrike has earned names like “butcher bird” and “little gray executioner.” However, due to habitat loss and other factors, loggerhead shrike populations have declined significantly in recent decades. If you want to observe this unique bird in the wild, knowing where to look is key. In this article, we’ll explore the best places to spot the loggerhead shrike, provide tips for successful shrike-spotting, and discuss why habitat conservation is vital…
Author: Peter Knight
Burrowing owls are small, long-legged owls that live in underground burrows and get their name from their unique nesting behavior. They are found in grasslands, deserts, and other open areas throughout North and South America. With their round heads, expressive eyes, and tiny size, burrowing owls often capture people’s attention and make them wonder if these owls could make good pets. Can burrowing owls legally be kept as pets? In most areas, it is illegal to keep burrowing owls as pets. Burrowing owls are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the United States, Canada, and Mexico which makes…
Mourning doves are a common bird species found throughout North America. With their soft coos and graceful flight, these petite doves are pleasant visitors to backyards and bird feeders. As with any wild animal, there are right and wrong ways to interact with mourning doves in order to keep them healthy while enjoying their presence. Quick Answers Here are some quick answers to common questions about feeding mourning doves bread: While mourning doves will readily eat bread, it should not make up the bulk of their diet. Bread lacks the protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals that mourning doves need to…
The white-winged dove is a medium-sized dove native to the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean islands. As their name suggests, these birds have distinctive white stripes on their wings that can be seen when in flight. White-winged doves are prolific breeders, capable of raising multiple broods per breeding season. How many eggs do white-winged doves lay per clutch? On average, a female white-winged dove will lay 2 eggs per clutch. The normal clutch size ranges from 1 to 3 eggs. They often reuse the same nest multiple times in a single breeding season, laying a new…
There are a handful of bird species that can be found living all across the globe. Birds that have extremely large ranges tend to be migratory species that travel long distances seasonally. The ability to fly allows certain avian species to traverse oceans, mountains, forests, deserts, grasslands, and more with relative ease compared to other types of wildlife. Here we will explore some of the most ubiquitous bird species that inhabit every continent and region on Earth. Arctic Tern The Arctic tern is perhaps the champion of avian world travelers. This small seabird undertakes a mind-boggling round-trip migration from pole…
When it comes to feeding wild birds, using a high quality bird seed can help attract more species to your backyard. The type of bird seed you use makes a big difference in the types of birds you will see. The best wild bird seed provides a variety of ingredients that different bird species prefer. It also consists of human-grade ingredients that are fresh and full of nutrients to support avian health. Read on to learn more about choosing the best quality bird seed for wild birds. What types of ingredients should high quality wild bird seed contain? The highest…
The purple martin (Progne subis) is the largest member of the swallow family in North America. These aerial acrobats have some unique nesting habits compared to other bird species. Purple martins do not build their own nests in nature but instead rely on cavities for nesting sites. Their nesting preferences have adapted them to be dependent on human-provided housing in many areas. Understanding where purple martins nest naturally gives insight into their biology and ecology. What kind of nests do purple martins use? Purple martins nest in enclosed cavities, either natural or artificial. They do not build an open cup…
Getting scarlet tanagers to come to your bird feeder can be a rewarding experience. With their brilliant red bodies and black wings, these striking birds will add a pop of color to your backyard. However, scarlet tanagers can be shy and elusive, so attracting them takes a bit of patience and strategic planning. What do scarlet tanagers eat? The first step is understanding what scarlet tanagers like to eat. In the wild, these birds forage for insects and fruit. Some of their favorite foods include: Bees Wasps Flies Butterflies Moths Dragonflies Damselflies Caterpillars Spiders Berries Figs Mulberries This diet is…
Birds can get sick just like any other animal. When birds become ill, antibiotics may be necessary to treat bacterial infections. However, not all antibiotics are safe or effective for use in birds. Choosing the right antibiotic is important to properly treat illness in avian patients. This article will discuss the best antibiotics for use in birds, providing quick answers to key questions pet owners may have about medicating their feathered friends. What types of infections require antibiotics in birds? Many common bacterial infections in birds can be effectively treated with antibiotics. Some infections that may require antibiotic therapy include:…
Bird populations have been in decline in the UK for decades. Once common species like the house sparrow and starling have seen their numbers drop dramatically. There are a number of factors contributing to the decline of UK birds. Habitat Loss One of the major drivers of bird declines is habitat loss. As natural and semi-natural habitats like woodlands, grasslands and wetlands have been lost to urbanization and agricultural intensification, birds have lost the places they need to feed, nest and shelter. Farmland birds that nest in hedgerows, field margins and other uncultivated areas have been hit hard as these…