The orange breasted leaf bird is a small, colorful bird found in the forests of Southeast Asia. With its bright orange chest plumage and vivid green upperparts, the orange breasted leaf bird is unmistakable. But beyond its striking appearance, this little bird has many interesting traits that make it a unique species. What does the orange breasted leaf bird look like? The most noticeable feature of the orange breasted leaf bird is the bright reddish-orange patch on its chest and throat. This vivid coloration stands out against the rest of the bird’s green plumage. The upperparts of the orange breasted…
Author: Peter Knight
Flightlessness has evolved in several different classes of birds over time. Some of the most well-known flightless birds come from the ratite group, which includes ostriches, emus, rheas, cassowaries, and kiwis. Ratites are believed to have evolved from flying ancestors, with flightlessness arising independently multiple times. There are also some flightless waterfowl, rails, grebes, pigeons, and songbirds. Overall, there are around 60-70 species of flightless birds alive today. What are the characteristics of flightless birds? Flightless birds share several anatomical adaptations for a grounded lifestyle. Their wings are typically small and underdeveloped. The keel on their breastbone, where flying birds…
The gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) is the largest of the falcon species, with wingspans reaching up to 1.5 meters. They are found across the Arctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Gyrfalcons are highly prized for use in falconry due to their speed and power. However, they are not naturally found in the United Kingdom. Quick Facts on Gyrfalcons Largest falcon species in the world Wingspan up to 1.5 meters Found across Arctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia Not naturally found in the United Kingdom Highly prized for falconry Gyrfalcons are the largest falcon species, with wingspans reaching…
Ash-throated flycatchers (Myiarchus cinerascens) and great crested flycatchers (Myiarchus crinitus) are two similar-looking bird species found in North America. While they occupy overlapping ranges and fill similar ecological niches, there are several key differences between these two types of flycatchers. Identification Ash-throated and great crested flycatchers can be tricky to tell apart at first glance. However, with a bit of practice, birders can learn to distinguish these species based on a few key identification points. Size and shape: Ash-throated flycatchers measure around 6.3-7.5 inches in length, while great crested flycatchers are slightly larger at 7.1-8.3 inches long. Both species have…
Storks are large wading birds that are most commonly associated with delivering babies thanks to European folklore. While storks do not actually deliver human infants, they are unique and fascinating birds that can be found living in various parts of the United States. Quick Facts About Storks in the US There are two main species of stork that live in the US: Wood Storks White Storks Wood storks are the only stork species that breed in the United States. They live predominantly in the southeastern states. White storks are rare visitors that sometimes migrate through the United States but do…
Yes, you can hunt woodcock in New York during the designated woodcock hunting season. Woodcock are a popular game bird among hunters in New York. When is woodcock season in NY? The woodcock hunting season in New York typically runs from October 1 to November 14 each year. Here are the specific 2023 woodcock hunting season dates for New York: Northern Zone: October 1 – November 14 Southern Zone: October 15 – November 28 The Northern Zone covers most of upstate New York north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary. The Southern Zone includes Long Island, New York City, and Westchester…
Hornbills are a family of bird found in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia and Melanesia. There are over 60 different species of hornbill that vary in size and color but share common features like large, downward-curving bills and loud, whooping calls. When it comes to eating habits, hornbills are omnivores that feed on a diverse diet of fruit, insects, small vertebrates and more. So are hornbills predators that hunt for prey or do they fall victim and become prey themselves? The answer is complex and depends on the particular hornbill species and other factors. Hornbills as Predators Most…
Bowerbirds are a family of birds found in Australia and parts of New Guinea known for the unique and elaborate courtship displays of the males. The males build specialized structures called bowers to attract potential mates. The bower serves as a courtship arena where males can show off their decorating skills and vocal abilities to visiting females. The complexity of the bower, decorations, and courtship display varies greatly among the different bowerbird species. What are bowerbirds? Bowerbirds belong to the bird family Ptilonorhynchidae, comprising 20 species in 8 genera. They are medium-sized passerines native to Australia and New Guinea. The…
The Hermit Thrush is a small North American songbird that is known for its beautiful and melodious song. This shy forest-dwelling bird has a distinctive coloration that helps it blend into its woodland habitat. So what exactly is the color of a Hermit Thrush? Description of the Hermit Thrush The Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) is a medium-sized thrush that measures around 16–18 cm in length. It has a slim body, a rounded head, and a fairly long tail. The wings are rounded and when open reveal cinnamon-colored wing bars on a darker olive-brown background. The most distinctive features of the…
The American black duck (Anas rubripes) is a large dabbling duck found in eastern North America. It is very similar in appearance to the female mallard, though the black duck has a darker body and somewhat different facial coloration. The American black duck breeds mainly in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States, and winters along the Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida, and inland as far as Texas. The American black duck holds an important place in North American waterfowl hunting traditions and remains a popular game bird today. However, due to habitat loss and competition from mallards, black…