The common black hawk is a medium-sized bird of prey that is found in many parts of North and South America. Identifying a common black hawk can be tricky for beginner birders, but there are some key characteristics to look for. What does a common black hawk look like? Adult common black hawks have blackish-gray plumage on their back and wings, with a black tail that has 2-3 white bands. Their chest is grayish with fine black barring. Their belly is white with heavy black barring that gives them a scaled look. Their head is also blackish-gray. Common black hawks…
Author: Peter Knight
Birds can be a nuisance in backyards and gardens, as they eat seeds, flowers, vegetables, and fruits. Many gardeners have tried various methods to deter birds from feasting in their outdoor spaces. One popular suggestion is using the strong scent of garlic to repel birds. What is the theory behind using garlic to repel birds? The theory behind using garlic to repel birds is that the strong odor will overwhelm birds’ sensitive sense of smell, essentially creating an unpleasant environment that deters them from sticking around. Birds have a very keen sense of smell, so it is believed they will…
What is Poultry Meat? Poultry meat refers to the meat that comes from domesticated birds that are raised specifically for their meat. The most common types of poultry meat come from chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese. Chicken Meat Chicken is by far the most popular type of poultry meat consumed worldwide. Chicken can be divided into several categories: – Broilers/Fryers: Young chickens under 13 weeks old, weighing 2.5-4 pounds. This is the most common type of chicken meat. – Roasters: Chickens 3-5 months old, weighing 5-7 pounds. – Capons: Castrated male chickens 4-8 months old, weighing 7-10 pounds. Capons have…
Birds are amazing creatures that have the ability to fly freely through the skies. However, when kept in cages, their natural behaviors become restricted and they lose the ability to thrive. Birds in captivity often exhibit signs of boredom, stress, and depression. This raises an important question – why can’t birds be joyful in a cage? Birds are meant to fly Birds have light hollow bones, powerful flight muscles, aerodynamic bodies, and wings meant for flying. Unlike land animals, birds evolved to float on air currents, to soar, glide, and maneuver through the skies. This grants them immense freedom. Their…
The Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) is a medium-sized seabird in the Alcid family that is known for its distinctive bright orange bill and white “mask” of feathers. Puffins are pelagic seabirds that spend most of their lives at sea, coming ashore only to breed. They are found along the coasts of the North Pacific Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean. Tufted Puffins were once common along the west coast of North America, with large breeding colonies found from California to Alaska. However, in recent decades, populations have declined substantially in many areas. This has led to concern over the current…
The Bomb bird is one of the key characters in the popular Angry Birds video game franchise. Known for its ability to cause destructive explosions, the Bomb bird has a unique personality that sets it apart from the other Angry Birds. An Overview of the Bomb Bird Physically, the Bomb bird appears as a round, black bird with a short beak and feet. It has large, round eyes and eyebrows that are constantly furrowed, giving it a perpetually angry expression. The Bomb bird’s most distinguishing feature is the burning fuse protruding from the top of its head. In terms of…
The Birdville Independent School District recently announced the selection of Dr. Walter Scott Davis as their new superintendent, following the retirement of Darrell Brown. Dr. Davis brings over 20 years of experience in education to Birdville ISD, having previously served as a high school principal, assistant superintendent, and deputy superintendent in neighboring districts. His hiring marks an exciting new chapter for the district as it looks to build on its successes. About Birdville ISD Birdville ISD is located in northeast Tarrant County, Texas and serves the communities of Haltom City, North Richland Hills, Watauga, and parts of Fort Worth, Richland…
Pileated woodpeckers are large, striking birds that inhabit mature forests across much of North America. With their bright red crest, black and white plumage, and loud, hammering calls, these woodpeckers are hard to miss. Though they are year-round residents across their range, pileated woodpeckers do not necessarily stay in one small area all the time. Their movement patterns can vary depending on the time of year and availability of resources. In general, pileated woodpeckers establish a home range which they will defend against other pileated woodpeckers, but they may locally wander within that range or even seasonally migrate short distances…
Grosbeaks are a group of finches found across North America. There are several species of grosbeaks, including the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Black-headed Grosbeak, Blue Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak, and Pine Grosbeak. Grosbeaks can be found in a variety of habitats, from forests to grasslands to urban parks and backyards. Their large conical bills make them easy to identify. This article will focus specifically on whether grosbeaks can be found in the state of Indiana. What are grosbeaks? Grosbeaks belong to the Cardinal family of birds known as Cardinalidae. There are around 15 species of grosbeak across North America. They range in size…
Falcon fruit, also known as yingtao, is a unique fruit that grows in the southern regions of China. This bright red fruit is known for its tart, sweet taste and soft flesh – somewhat similar to a cherry or cranberry. While not very common outside of Asia, falcon fruit does have some interesting properties that make it worth learning about. What is Falcon Fruit? Falcon fruit comes from the Chinese hawthorn tree, which produces small red berries approximately 1-2 cm in diameter. The fruit grows in clusters, with each berry containing a large seed in the middle. While the berries…