The bobbing bird that drinks water is a popular novelty toy that demonstrates a scientific principle in an engaging way. It is officially known as a drinking bird or dipping bird, and it became popular in the 1940s. How Does the Drinking Bird Work? The drinking bird is an example of a heat engine that converts thermal energy into mechanical energy. It has a glass bulb body that is partially filled with a colored liquid, usually methylene chloride. Inside the bulb there are two tubes – one tube extends into the liquid while the other has a beak-like open end.…
Author: Peter Knight
Yes, there are several species of birds of prey that live in and around Las Vegas, Nevada. The three most common types of raptors found in the area are hawks, falcons, and owls. Hawks in Las Vegas Some of the hawk species that inhabit Las Vegas and the surrounding desert include: Red-tailed Hawk Cooper’s Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk Northern Harrier Harris’s Hawk The most common hawk in the city is the Red-tailed Hawk. These large raptors have reddish-brown tails and bodies that are mottled brown and white. They are often seen soaring over open areas looking for prey. Red-tailed Hawks build…
A galah is a type of cockatoo found in abundance across Australia. With their distinctive pink and grey feathers, galahs are a familiar sight in the Australian wilderness. However, “galah” has also become a commonly used term in Australian slang with an altogether different meaning. In slang, calling someone a “galah” is an insult implying the person is a fool or idiot. The phrase became popular in the 20th century, though its exact origins are uncertain. Some sources suggest it derives from the perceived stupidity of the galah bird itself. The galah’s antics and inability to find food itself have…
Counting large numbers of birds can be a challenging task. When populations reach into the hundreds or thousands, it becomes impractical to directly count every individual. Ornithologists have developed several techniques to estimate bird numbers efficiently and accurately in these situations. The best methods provide a good balance of feasibility and scientific rigor. This article will discuss the most common protocols used for counting large bird populations. Why Estimate Rather Than Directly Count? Trying to directly count thousands of birds would be extremely time consuming. Imagine trying to tally up every bird you see in a large wetland filled with…
Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease that affects the respiratory, digestive and nervous systems of birds. Avian flu is caused by influenza Type A viruses which occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Wild birds can carry the virus in their intestines and spread it to domestic birds through direct contact or through contaminated equipment, vehicles, feed, cages or clothing. There are many different strains of avian influenza viruses. Most cause few clinical signs in birds, but some are more severe and…
Crows are highly intelligent birds that exhibit complex behaviors. One interesting crow behavior that has been observed is placing rocks in water. In this article, we will explore the evidence for this crow behavior and try to understand why crows might put rocks in water. What is the evidence that crows put rocks in water? There are several credible reports of crows inserting rocks and other objects into water. Here are some examples: In Seattle, crows were observed repeatedly dropping rocks into a flood control canal. The crows would find rocks on the ground, fly over the canal, and then…
Bird sound editing software allows users to record, edit, and analyze bird vocalizations. This type of software is commonly used by ornithologists, birders, and nature sound recordists to study bird behavior, identify species, and create rich soundscapes. With the right tools, users can isolate, remove background noise, adjust volume levels, add effects, and more to enhance bird recordings. Why Edit Bird Sounds? There are several reasons why someone may want to edit bird vocalizations: Improve recording quality – Remove background noise like wind, traffic, talking etc. Adjust volume levels. Enhance certain frequencies. Study bird behavior – Slow down or speed…
Crows are highly intelligent and social birds that often engage in complex behaviors. One behavior that is commonly observed is crows fighting with each other. When crows fight, it can have several meanings and causes behind it. Establishing Dominance One of the main reasons crows will fight is to establish dominance and pecking order within their social groups. Crows live together in large extended family groups called murders. Within these groups there is a social hierarchy, with dominant breeding pairs at the top. To maintain this hierarchy, crows will spar with each other regularly. This establishes which birds are dominant…
Roadrunners are fast-running ground birds that live in the southwestern United States and Mexico. They inhabit arid landscapes like deserts, grasslands, and scrublands. Roadrunners are able to survive in hot, dry environments thanks to special adaptations like getting most of their water from their food and cooling off by releasing heat through their thin nasal passages. What is the geographic range of roadrunners? There are two species of roadrunner birds – the greater roadrunner and the lesser roadrunner. The greater roadrunner has the larger range, extending from central California, southern Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and…
Royal terns are a species of seabird found across much of the Americas. They are large, graceful birds with distinctive orange-red bills and a shaggy black crest on the top of their heads. Royal terns get their name from the ornate, feathered “crowns” on their heads, which resemble the ceremonial headwear of royalty. These medium-large terns breed in colonies on sandy or rocky beaches and islands along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, as well as on islands in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. They spend their winters along coastlines from the southeastern United States to Brazil. Royal terns…