The Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) is a small songbird in the sparrow family that breeds in the arctic tundra of northern Europe, Asia, and North America. Some key aspects of its behavior include: Breeding and Nesting The Lapland longspur breeds in open tundra areas with low-growing shrubs and grasses. They typically arrive on their arctic breeding grounds in late May or early June. Lapland longspurs are ground nesters, building domed nests out of grasses, moss, lichens, and leaves on the ground hidden in thick vegetation. The female lays between 2-7 eggs which she incubates for 10-14 days while the male…
Author: Peter Knight
The wren is a small, busy little songbird that is known for its loud and complex songs, despite its tiny size. Weighing in at only 10 grams, the wren may be one of the smallest birds, but it makes up for its size with its boisterous voice and energetic personality. Unique and Complex Songs The wren has one of the loudest songs for its size of any bird species. Its voice is stronger and more penetrating than would be expected from such a tiny creature. Wrens fill their territories with song, using their vibrant voices to establish breeding areas and…
Molecular biology is the study of biology at the molecular level. It focuses on the structure and function of essential biomolecules like DNA, RNA, and proteins and how they interact within cells to bring about biological processes. The basic concepts of molecular biology include: DNA and Genes DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid is the hereditary material present in all living organisms. It contains the genetic information that is passed on from parents to offspring. DNA is made up of nucleotides that are arranged in a double helical structure. Genes are distinct sequences or segments of DNA that contain the code for…
Purple martins are large, dark purple swallows found throughout North America. They are known for their speedy, aerial hunting skills and their distinctive nesting habits, roosting colonially in apartment-style nest boxes or hollowed out gourds. Purple martins are popular backyard birds because people enjoy watching their graceful flight and provide housing for them in hopes that the birds will help control mosquitoes and other insect pests. Do purple martins eat mosquitoes? Yes, purple martins do eat mosquitoes. Like all swallows, purple martins are aerial insectivores, meaning they catch and eat insects while in flight. Mosquitoes, flies, bees, wasps, beetles, butterflies,…
The white bird commonly seen diving for fish in the lakes and rivers of Ontario is likely the belted kingfisher. The belted kingfisher is a medium-sized bird with a large head, long pointed bill, short legs, and scruffy head feathers that form a shaggy crest. Their most distinctive feature is the broad blue-gray band across their white chests and bellies, from which their name is derived. Belted kingfishers are solitary birds that perch alone on branches, posts, wires, or other high vantage points near water, watching for fish. When they spot prey, they plunge headfirst into the water with a…
The spotted owl (Strix occidentalis) is a medium-sized owl native to western North America. It gets its name from the white and brown spots covering its body and wings. Spotted owls are nocturnal birds of prey that hunt small mammals like mice, voles, squirrels, and rabbits. They live in dense, old-growth forests and nest in the cavities of large trees. The spotted owl has been listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act since 1990 due to habitat loss from logging and wildfires. Protecting spotted owl habitat has been controversial because it often requires restricting logging in old-growth forests where…
Quick Answers Snow geese can have negative impacts on their breeding habitats in the Arctic tundra due to their rapid population growth in recent decades. Their intensive foraging can damage tundra vegetation and lead to soil erosion. However, they are a natural part of the Arctic ecosystem and efforts are being made to manage their populations. Overall, snow geese pose complex ecological challenges involving their protection under conservation laws, while also needing population control to limit habitat damage. Snow geese (Chen caerulescens) are striking, white-feathered waterfowl that breed in colonies on the Arctic tundra each summer. Their populations have rapidly…
Kiwi birds are unique flightless birds native to New Zealand. They belong to the genus Apteryx and are closely related to the extinct moa. Kiwis have several interesting features related to reproduction that make them stand out from other birds. Breeding Season Kiwis have a distinct breeding season that lasts from June to March. The exact timing can vary depending on the species and location. For example, North Island brown kiwi mate between June and September, while great spotted kiwi breed between July and March. Kiwis form monogamous pairs only during the breeding season. The rest of the year they…
Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) is a large, long-lived tree native to eastern North America. It is one of the most widespread, abundant, and economically important trees in eastern forests. While Eastern white pine has many advantages and beneficial uses, it also has some drawbacks and disadvantages that should be considered. Growth Rate One potential disadvantage of Eastern white pine is its relatively slow growth rate compared to other commonly planted tree species. On average, Eastern white pine grows around 1-2 feet per year when young. This slow initial growth means it can take decades for Eastern white pine trees…
Birds building nests is a common sight, especially during springtime when birds are preparing for breeding season. But is this complex nest-building behavior something birds are born knowing how to do, or is it a learned skill? The answer is that nest building is driven by instinct, but it also involves learning. Birds are born with the urge to build nests at certain times of year, but they gain building skills through experience. Is Nest Building an Instinctive or Learned Behavior? Nest building is triggered by hormones and the bird’s biological clock. It is an innate behavior, meaning birds do…