The Cooper’s hawk is a medium-sized hawk found throughout North America. It is considered an accipiter, which is a type of hawk adept at flying swiftly through dense vegetation in pursuit of small bird prey. Cooper’s hawks have slate gray upperparts, pale underparts with reddish barring, and a long banded tail. Their size, shape, and behavior make them similar to other accipiter hawks. Physical Characteristics Cooper’s hawks are crow-sized raptors that measure 13 to 20 inches in length with a wingspan of 24 to 35 inches. Their relatively long tails and short, rounded wings allow for agile flight through congested…
Author: Peter Knight
White-winged doves (Zenaida asiatica) are medium-sized birds found in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. As their name suggests, these doves have distinctive white markings on their wings that can be seen when they are in flight. But just how big do these birds get? Here’s a look at the size of white-winged doves from different perspectives. Body Length The body length of a white-winged dove ranges from 28-34 cm (11-13.5 inches). This puts them on the larger side of the dove family. For comparison, mourning doves average 23-34 cm (9-13 inches) in length. White-winged doves…
The Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) and Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina) are two similar looking species of warblers found in North America. They can be tricky to distinguish between for beginning birders. However, with some practice looking at key field marks, songs, habitat preferences, and range, identifying whether you have spotted an Orange-crowned Warbler versus a Tennessee Warbler becomes much easier. In this article, we will go over the key similarities and differences between these two confusing warblers. We’ll cover how to identify them by sight and sound, when and where they can be found, and other interesting facts about each…
Barred owls (Strix varia) are increasingly being viewed as a significant threat to the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina), a species that has been declining across its range for decades. Understanding the nature of this threat and how best to address it is an important concern in spotted owl conservation efforts. Quick Introduction to Barred and Spotted Owls Barred owls and spotted owls are both medium-sized owl species that nest in tree cavities or broken treetops. Historically, they occupied separate geographical ranges, with spotted owls largely confined to old growth forests west of the Rocky Mountains and barred owls…
The Eastern Towhee is a large sparrow found in eastern North America. With its black hood, reddish sides, and bright white belly, the Eastern Towhee has a very distinctive appearance. If you’ve seen an Eastern Towhee before, you may find yourself wondering what other birds look similar. In this article, we’ll take a look at some birds that share visual characteristics with the Eastern Towhee and could potentially be confused with this species. Birds With Black Hoods/Heads One of the most recognizable features of the Eastern Towhee is its black head and throat. This striking black hood sets it apart…
Kingfishers are a group of small to medium sized birds in the family Alcedinidae. There are over 90 different species of kingfisher found worldwide, with about a dozen species native to Australia. Kingfishers are brightly colored birds with large heads, long, pointed beaks, short legs, and stubby tails. They are found near waterways and wetlands across Australia, where they dive to catch fish and other aquatic prey. Quick answers to key questions What types of kingfishers are found in Australia? There are 12 species of kingfisher native to Australia, including: – Azure kingfisher – Red-backed kingfisher – Sacred kingfisher -…
The Galapagos Islands, located about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, are home to a diverse variety of bird species. Many of these birds are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else in the world. The isolation of the Galapagos Islands has allowed unique species to evolve and thrive there. The Galapagos Islands were made famous by Charles Darwin’s voyage there in 1835. Darwin studied the islands’ endemic species, including the birds, and his observations contributed to his theory of evolution by natural selection. Today, the Galapagos Islands are a protected national park and UNESCO…
Birds are remarkable creatures that have evolved over millions of years to become experts at flying. Their wings and feathers are perfectly designed to provide lift and allow them to soar through the skies. However, this delicate balance can easily be disrupted if a bird’s wings become contaminated with oil. Oil coats the feathers and affects their ability to repel water and maintain the aerodynamic structure needed for flight. This article will examine whether birds can still fly if their wings and feathers become oiled and what the impacts are. How Do Bird Wings and Feathers Enable Flight? Bird wings…
The green-tailed towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) is a large sparrow found in the western United States and Mexico. This striking bird has colorful plumage and a long tail, earning it the nicknames “calico bird” and “rainbow bird.” But just how wide are the wings on this songbird? Let’s take a closer look at the wingspan of the green-tailed towhee. Quick Answer The average wingspan of an adult green-tailed towhee is approximately 8.3 inches (21 centimeters). Average Wingspan of the Green-Tailed Towhee After analyzing measurements from hundreds of green-tailed towhee specimens, ornithologists have determined that these birds typically have a wingspan around…
There are a few potential reasons why your bird may be puffed up and not moving very much. When birds puff themselves up, it is usually a sign that they are trying to stay warm or feel sick. A lack of movement can indicate illness, fatigue, or simply resting. While this behavior may seem concerning, there are things you can do to help get your bird feeling better. Why Is My Bird Puffed Up? Trying to Conserve Body Heat One of the most common reasons for a bird fluffing up its feathers is that it is cold. Birds will puff…