Painted Buntings are brightly colored songbirds that can be found in the southern United States. Providing the best food for these beautiful birds requires understanding their natural diet and nutritional needs. What do Painted Buntings eat in the wild? In their natural habitat, Painted Buntings are primarily seed eaters. During breeding season, adults mostly consume seeds from grasses and weeds. They supplement their diet with insects like beetles, caterpillars, ants, and spiders. The young are fed insects almost exclusively for their high protein content which aids growth and development. Here are some of the main seeds and insects that wild…
Author: Peter Knight
The bird calming formula refers to a nutritional supplement designed specifically for pet birds. It contains a blend of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and herbs that help reduce stress and anxiety in birds. Some of the common signs of stress and anxiety in pet birds include excessive vocalization, feather plucking, aggressive behavior and overpreening. The bird calming formula helps create a sense of relaxation and contentment in birds. What are the ingredients in the bird calming formula? The key active ingredients in most bird calming formulas include: L-theanine – An amino acid found in green tea that has a tranquilizing…
The Arctic tern undergoes the longest migration of any bird in the world. This incredible seabird breeds in the Arctic during the summer months, then migrates down to the Antarctic for the winter, with some individuals flying over 90,000 km round trip each year. But just how long does this epic journey take from start to finish? The Arctic Tern’s Range The Arctic tern has a circumpolar distribution, meaning it can be found breeding in Arctic and subarctic regions all the way around the northern hemisphere. The main breeding range includes northern parts of Europe, Asia, and North America -…
Birds singing after a storm is a common phenomenon that many people have noticed. The songs can sound particularly loud and melodious after periods of wind, rain, thunder and lightning. But why exactly do birds sing following storms? There are a few key reasons. To Re-Establish Territories Stormy weather often blows birds into unusual places. Gusty winds may carry them into foreign areas or they may take shelter in unfamiliar trees and bushes. This can lead to confusion over their territories. Birds sing after storms to re-establish their territories and make their locations known. Loud, vivid songs alert rival males…
Drawing birds can seem daunting at first, but with practice and by following some key tips, you can greatly improve your bird drawing abilities. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know to start drawing realistic, beautiful birds. Learn Bird Anatomy and Proportions Before you can draw a convincing bird, you need to understand the anatomy and proportions that make up their form. Here are some key things to study: The bird’s body is made up of the head, torso, two wings, tail feathers, and two legs/feet. Birds have smooth, round heads that are proportionally quite…
When it comes to avian endurance flying, few species can match the staying power of the albatross. These large seabirds are masters of soaring flight, using wind currents to travel vast distances over the open ocean without flapping their wings. Albatrosses have been recorded flying continuously for many hours and covering thousands of miles without rest or refueling. But which albatross species reigns supreme as the champion of extreme long-distance flight? Researchers have discovered that the Wandering Albatross has the longest recorded non-stop flight of any bird. This mighty ocean wanderer is built for endurance, with a giant wingspan reaching…
The Brown Creeper is a small North American songbird that is known for its habit of creeping up the trunks of trees as it forages for insects. With its cryptic brown plumage and quiet disposition, the Brown Creeper tends to go unnoticed by many birders. However, these birds have some interesting behaviors when it comes to nesting that are worth learning about. One question that often comes up is whether Brown Creepers use nest boxes. In this article, we’ll explore the details around Brown Creeper nesting habits and preferences to find out if these birds utilize nest boxes. Brown Creeper…
Birdseye maple is a type of hardwood that is valued for its distinct pattern that resembles tiny eyes. This unique pattern occurs naturally in some maple trees and is prized by woodworkers for its decorative appearance. But is this beautiful hardwood actually expensive compared to other types of maple or other hardwoods? Let’s take a closer look at birdseye maple prices. What Makes Birdseye Maple Special? The unique pattern in birdseye maple is the result of small, densely packed knots that form in the wood. These knots are clusters of twisted wood fibers that create tiny circular or oval shapes…
The California thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum) is a medium-sized songbird found in chaparral, desert scrub, and other brushy habitats of western North America. As their name suggests, thrashers are known for vigorously shaking or “thrashing” through dense vegetation as they forage for insects, spiders and small lizards on the ground. One of the most distinctive features of the California thrasher is its vibrant vocalizations, which consist of a wide variety of musical whistle-like phrases, chatters, and harsh calls. In this article, we’ll explore the unique sounds produced by the California thrasher and what their various vocalizations may communicate. The Song of…
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White is a delightful children’s novel that can appeal to a wide range of ages. When determining if it’s an appropriate book for a child, there are a few key factors to consider. Reading Level The Trumpet of the Swan is approximately a 4th grade reading level, according to standardized measures such as the Flesch-Kincaid scale. This means the vocabulary and sentence structure are not too challenging for most elementary school students. The story contains some advanced vocabulary words that are usually explained in context. There are occasions of more complex descriptive language…