The Okinawa rail (Gallirallus okinawae) is a flightless bird endemic to the Japanese island of Okinawa. As its species name suggests, the Okinawa rail is unable to fly. But how did this bird lose its ability to fly? And could it ever regain the power of flight? In this article, we’ll explore the evolution, anatomy, and behavior of the Okinawa rail to understand why it can no longer fly. Quick Facts on the Okinawa Rail – Scientific Name: Gallirallus okinawae – Listed as Endangered by IUCN – Endemic to Okinawa Island, Japan – Flightless bird, unable to fly – Grows…
Author: Peter Knight
Up a great bird adventure was a beloved animated film released by Pixar in 2009. The movie told the story of an elderly widower named Carl Fredricksen who ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to South America, realizing a lifelong dream of adventure with his now deceased wife Ellie. Along the way, Carl befriends a young wilderness explorer named Russell and has run-ins with a rare but adorable flightless bird named Kevin. The film was a huge critical and commercial success upon its release, praised for its imaginative story, vibrant visuals, memorable score, and poignant themes…
The killdeer is a medium-sized plover found throughout North America. They are distinguished by their large eye rings, black breast bands, and loud piercing calls. But where did their unusual name “killdeer” come from? In this article, we’ll explore the origins of the killdeer’s name, examine some of their unique characteristics and behaviors, and try to understand how this shorebird got its identity. What is a Killdeer? The killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) is a member of the plover family Charadriidae. It is a common and widespread shorebird found throughout temperate North America. Some key facts about the killdeer: Length: 9-11 inches…
Love bird fried rice is a popular Chinese-inspired fried rice dish made with rice, vegetables, and meat or seafood. The name “love bird” comes from the tradition of sharing this dish between couples or feeding it to each other in an intimate gesture. This aromatic fried rice is packed with flavor and texture, making it a delicious one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights or impromptu dinners. What are the origins of love bird fried rice? While the exact origins of love bird fried rice are unclear, it likely emerged as a variation of yangzhou fried rice, a classic Chinese fried…
Being able to identify birds by their sounds is an invaluable skill for any birdwatcher or nature enthusiast. Thankfully, technology has made this easier than ever with a variety of bird identification apps now available. But with so many options to choose from, it can be tricky to know which app is the best fit for you. When looking for a great free bird song identification app, there are a few key factors to consider. Ease of Use First and foremost, you’ll want an app that is intuitive and easy to use. The best bird ID apps have clean interfaces…
Eagle cams have become increasingly popular over the past decade, allowing people all over the world to get an up-close view of eagle nests through live streaming video. Eagle cams provide a fascinating glimpse into the daily lives of eagles as they engage in courtship rituals, lay and incubate eggs, and raise their young. Some of the most popular eagle cams are set up to chronicle the activities of bald eagles, America’s national bird and a beloved symbol of strength and freedom. But which eagle cam attracts the most viewers and has the largest online fanbase? Let’s take a closer…
Common terns are elegant, medium-sized seabirds that are found across much of the Northern Hemisphere. They are known for their aerial agility and musical calls. An interesting aspect of common tern biology is their mating habits. In particular, many people wonder – do common terns mate for life? Quick Answer No, common terns do not mate for life. They display serial monogamy, meaning they have a different mate each breeding season. However, a mated pair will stay together for the entirety of one breeding season to cooperate in raising their chicks. Elaboration Common terns form breeding pairs each spring when…
Rufous is a reddish-brown color that gets its name from the Latin word “rufus” meaning red. There are a few different accepted pronunciations of rufous: Pronounced “Roo-fus” The most common pronunciation is “ROO-fus”, with the emphasis on the first syllable. This follows the standard English pronunciation of words ending in “-ous”. Some example words pronounced this way include famous, courageous, and outrageous. Pronounced “Roof-us” A second option is to put the emphasis on the second syllable: “roof-US”. This follows the typical pronunciation of words in English derived from Latin words ending in “-us”. Examples following this pattern include census, radius,…
The rhinoceros, often referred to as the rhino, is a large, primitive-looking mammal that has existed on Earth for millions of years. With their characteristic horn(s) and thick, protective skin, rhinos are designed to withstand threats in their environment. However, despite their intimidating size and features, rhinos still have to deal with predators. So do rhinos have any natural predators? Quick Answer Yes, rhinos do have some natural predators, although they are not abundant. The main predators of rhinos include lions, tigers, hyenas, wild dogs, and crocodiles. However, most predators will usually only attack young, sick, or injured rhinos, as…
Bird songs have fascinated humans for centuries. The melodious tunes are pleasing to our ears, but also raise interesting scientific questions about how and why birds sing. Specifically, researchers have long debated whether bird songs are innate (genetically programmed) or learned through experience. This article will examine the evidence on both sides of this debate and discuss what it reveals about the origins of bird vocalizations. Innate Song Development Many observations suggest that some components of bird songs are innate rather than learned. First, bird songs appear to develop even without exposure to adult tutors. For example, isolated zebra finch…