Bird droppings can do extensive damage to a vehicle’s paint job if left unattended. The acidic nature of bird poop can eat away at the clear coat finish, leaving permanent etching that mars the paint’s smooth surface. This damage not only detracts from the appearance of the vehicle, but can also lead to further corrosion issues if left untreated. Many car owners have experienced the frustration of finding their vehicle splattered with bird droppings. While a quick cleanup is ideal, it’s not always possible to wash off fresh droppings right away. So how long can bird poop remain on a…
Author: Peter Knight
Birds eating zombie snails is an intriguing concept that captures the imagination. At first glance, it may seem like something out of a horror movie. However, there are some real-world connections between birds and so-called “zombie” snails that make this question worthy of investigation. In the natural world, nothing occurs without reason. So, if birds are eating zombie snails, there must be an ecological explanation. To understand if and why birds eat zombie snails, we need to first understand what is meant by “zombie snail.” What are zombie snails? Zombie snails refers to snails that have been infected by a…
The California condor is one of the rarest and most endangered birds in the world. As of October 2023, there are around 500 California condors living in the wild or in captive breeding programs. Quick Facts on California Condors Here are some quick facts about the California condor population: In 1982, there were only 22 California condors left in the world. The wild California condor population reached a low of 27 birds in 1987. Through captive breeding and reintroduction programs, the population has rebounded to over 500 birds today. There are currently around 160 California condors flying free in the…
Building an aviary for your birds does not have to be an expensive endeavor. With some planning and DIY skills, you can construct a functional and safe enclosure for your feathered friends on a budget. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through all the key considerations and steps for building an affordable aviary from scratch. What is an Aviary? An aviary is an enclosure used to house and display birds. Unlike regular bird cages, aviaries are much larger and allow birds more space to move around and engage in natural behaviors like flying, climbing, and foraging. Aviaries come in…
The question of whether birds can learn language has fascinated both scientists and bird enthusiasts for decades. Some species of parrots, like the famous African grey parrot Alex studied by scientist Irene Pepperberg, have demonstrated the ability to learn hundreds of words and combine them in contextually appropriate ways. But does this constitute real language learning, or is it simply conditioning and mimicry? Here we’ll look at the evidence on both sides of this debate and examine what it tells us about avian intelligence. Key Questions – What evidence is there that some birds can learn elements of human language?…
The idiom “bird’s eye view” refers to seeing something from an elevated perspective to get an overview of the whole. It originated from how birds flying high above have a broad view of the landscape below them. The term is often used figuratively to describe gaining a comprehensive understanding of a situation. What is an idiom? An idiom is a common phrase that has a meaning beyond the individual words. Idioms are culturally-ingrained metaphors, often based on stories or experiences that create vivid mental images. While the literal words may not make logical sense together, the figurative meaning is widely…
The Purple Finch is a small but vibrantly colorful songbird found across much of North America. With its bright reddish-purple head and breast contrasting with its brownish body and wings, the Purple Finch is unmistakable in appearance. Though locally common in some areas, the overall population of Purple Finches has declined in recent decades, leading some birders and ornithologists to consider them relatively rare compared to related finch species. What is a Purple Finch? The Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) is a species of finch native to North America. They belong to the Fringillidae family, which includes various other finches such…
Chestnut-backed chickadees (Poecile rufescens) and black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) are two similar songbird species found in North America. Both are small, active birds with black caps and white cheeks that belong to the chickadee family Paridae. However, there are several key differences between these two species when it comes to appearance, habitat, behavior, diet, and more. Keep reading to learn all about how to distinguish chestnut-backed chickadees from their black-capped cousins! Appearance The most obvious visual difference between chestnut-backed and black-capped chickadees is the coloration on their backs and flanks. As their names suggest, chestnut-backed chickadees have reddish-brown backs and…
Birds of prey, also known as raptors, include species like eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, and vultures. They are carnivorous birds that hunt and feed on small animals like rodents, insects, fish, and other birds. While some raptors like eagles and vultures can grow quite large, reaching wingspans of over 7 feet, others are surprisingly small and compact. Let’s take a look at some of the world’s smallest birds of prey. Pygmy Falcon The Pygmy Falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus) is considered the smallest species of falcon in the world. It is a tiny but fierce predator that inhabits Africa south of the…
The barn owl is one of the most widespread species of owl, and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Barn owls prefer open country and are found most commonly in agricultural areas. They get their name from their habit of nesting in barns and other manmade structures. Barn owls can be found across much of North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. However, they are absent from extremely cold regions like the far north of Canada, Alaska, and Siberia. Barn owls can adapt to a wide variety of habitats as long as there are open areas for hunting…