Towhees are small songbirds found throughout North America. There are three main species of towhees: the Eastern Towhee, the Spotted Towhee, and the Canyon Towhee. Towhees build nests on the ground or in low bushes and lay 3-5 eggs per clutch. The eggs hatch after about 12-14 days of incubation. Once the chicks hatch, both parents work together to feed and care for them until they are ready to leave the nest, or fledge. So how long does it take for towhee chicks to grow and develop enough to fledge? Incubation Period The incubation period, or the time it takes…
Author: Peter Knight
There are several bird species that rely solely on drinking nectar for their nutritional needs. Nectar is a sugary liquid produced by plants, typically in flowers, to attract pollinators like birds, bats, and insects. Birds with specialized adaptations for drinking nectar are called nectarivores. Some examples of birds that only eat nectar include hummingbirds, sunbirds, lories, and lorikeets. Hummingbirds Hummingbirds are found only in the Americas. There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds, all of which subsist entirely on nectar. Their long, slender beaks and tongues are perfectly adapted for accessing nectar, even from the deepest tubular flowers. Hummingbirds…
The female snowy owl has beautiful, striking plumage that helps her blend into the Arctic environment. Her feathers can range from pure white to barred patterns of brown and white. But one of the most eye-catching features of the female snowy owl is her vibrant yellow eyes. When it comes to her actual feather coloration, there is some variation across individuals, but overall the female’s plumage tends to be more heavily marked with dusky brown bars and spots compared to the male. So what color exactly is a female snowy owl? Let’s take a closer look at her gorgeous plumage.…
Feeding birds can be a rewarding experience for many people. It provides an opportunity to connect with nature and observe wildlife up close. However, it’s important to feed birds responsibly by offering foods that meet their nutritional needs. So is it ok to feed birds lard? Let’s take a closer look. What is Lard? Lard is a rendered form of pork fat. It’s sometimes used in cooking or baking. Lard contains a high percentage of saturated fat. Here are some key facts about lard: Lard comes from fatty tissues found on pigs. The fat is rendered by heating it to…
The pink-footed goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) is a medium-sized goose species that breeds in the high Arctic tundra of Greenland, Svalbard, and Iceland. It is migratory, wintering in northwest Europe, especially Ireland and Great Britain. The pink-footed goose gets its name from its pink legs and feet. These colorful feet help differentiate it from other grey goose species like the greylag goose. One distinguishing feature of the pink-footed goose is its calls. The species has a repertoire of honks, bugles, and high-pitched yodels that it uses to communicate. Understanding what a pink-footed goose sounds like can help birdwatchers identify the species…
The daily bag limit for wood ducks in Kentucky is 3 per day. This limit applies statewide during the regular duck season. There are also additional limits and regulations that waterfowl hunters in Kentucky need to be aware of when hunting wood ducks. Kentucky Wood Duck Regulations Here are the key regulations for hunting wood ducks in Kentucky: Daily limit: 3 wood ducks per day Possession limit: 6 wood ducks in possession after 2 or more days of hunting Wood ducks count as part of your total daily duck limit of 6 ducks per day No more than 4 mallards…
There are a few different kinds of black water birds that have orange beaks. Let’s go through some of the most common options. The most likely candidate is the American Coot. However, there are also some other birds that could potentially fit this description like the Common Moorhen. We’ll explore the key features of each to determine which black water bird with an orange beak is being referred to here. The American Coot The American Coot (Fulica americana) is a very common black water bird with an orange beak. It is found across North America in ponds, marshes, and lakes.…
Birds flying in a V formation is a common sight, especially for migratory birds like geese, ducks, and swans. But why do they fly this way and what kinds of birds are most likely to fly in a V shape? Why Do Birds Fly in a V Shape? There are a few key reasons why certain birds fly in a V shape: It saves energy. When a bird flies behind another bird, it benefits from the updraft of air created by the flapping wings of the bird in front. This allows the trailing birds to conserve energy during long migrations.…
The pileated woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in North America and makes quite sizable nest cavities in trees. The holes they excavate are large enough to attract other species looking for a ready-made home, like ducks, owls, bats, and even raccoons. But just how big are the nest holes made by these charismatic carpenter birds? Let’s take a closer look at the details. Pileated Woodpecker Facts The pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is a crow-sized bird, 15-19 inches long with a wingspan of 26-30 inches. They have a distinctive bright red crest on the head and black and white plumage on…
The condor is a large bird of prey that is well known for having a bald head. There are several hypotheses for why the condor has evolved this unique physical trait. Thermoregulation One of the main hypotheses is that the lack of feathers on a condor’s head helps with thermoregulation. The condor is native to South America where temperatures can get very hot. Having a bare head may help dissipate heat more efficiently to keep the condor from overheating while it is flying during the day. The bare skin on their head also helps condors deal with high temperatures when…