Goose hunting is a popular pastime in many parts of the world. Using goose decoys can be an effective way to attract geese when hunting. However, the type of paint used on goose decoys can impact how realistic and effective they are at attracting geese. Choosing the right kind of paint is an important decision when creating or restoring goose decoys. There are several factors to consider when selecting paint for goose decoys including durability, color options, finish, and cost. Read on to learn more about the most common types of paint used on goose decoys and how to choose…
Author: Peter Knight
Raising backyard chickens for eggs is becoming an increasingly popular hobby. Fresh eggs from chickens you raise yourself taste better and are more nutritious than store-bought eggs. Plus, chickens are fun pets with big personalities! But with so many chicken breeds to choose from, it can be tricky to decide which is the best laying hen for eggs. When choosing a chicken breed for egg production, you’ll want to consider factors like egg laying frequency, egg size, feed conversion ratio, predator avoidance, and temperament. The goal is to select a breed that will produce abundant large eggs consistently, remain in…
The disappearance of tree swallows from their normal breeding grounds is a phenomenon that has puzzled bird enthusiasts and scientists alike in recent years. Tree swallows are small, insect-eating birds that are found across North America. They are Known for their bright blue-green plumage and their habit of nesting in tree cavities. However, in many parts of their range, populations of tree swallows have declined steeply in the past few decades. This raises an important question – where did the tree swallows go? The Decline of Tree Swallows Breeding Bird Survey data collected since 1966 shows that tree swallow populations…
Yes, many people use shotguns to hunt birds. Shotguns are one of the most common firearms used for hunting birds because they are versatile, effective, and relatively easy to use compared to other guns. There are a few key reasons why shotguns are a popular choice for bird hunting: Shotguns Are Effective for Hunting Birds Shotguns are effective for bird hunting because they fire multiple pellets, increasing the likelihood of hitting a fast moving target like a bird in flight. The spray of pellets spreads out as it travels, covering a wider area than a single rifle bullet. This makes…
The giant robots known as Jaegers in the Pacific Rim movies are certainly an exciting sci-fi concept. But could such gigantic humanoid fighting machines ever be built in real life? While the technology is still far beyond our current capabilities, there are some signs that we may be headed in that direction one day. What are Jaegers and how do they work? In the Pacific Rim films, Jaegers are enormous robots that stand over 250 feet tall and weigh thousands of tons. They are piloted by two or more human operators who neurally link with the machine to control its…
Barnacle geese are migratory birds that breed in the Arctic and winter in temperate regions. Their annual migratory journey takes them thousands of miles between their Arctic breeding grounds and wintering sites in Europe and along the Atlantic coast of North America. When do barnacle geese migrate? Barnacle geese migrate twice a year, in spring and autumn. The timing of their migration depends on the population: Russian barnacle geese leave their wintering grounds in early April and arrive on the breeding grounds in late May. They start their autumn migration in late August/early September and arrive at their wintering grounds…
Quick Answer Yes, barn swallows can get lice, though it is relatively uncommon. The lice that infect barn swallows are species specific and do not transfer to humans or other animals. However, a heavy lice infestation can be detrimental to the health and survival of nestlings. Do Barn Swallows Get Lice? Barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) are small migratory songbirds found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. They build mud nests on vertical surfaces inside or outside of buildings. Barn swallow nests are often reused year after year. Like all birds, barn swallows can become infested with ectoparasites such as lice. Lice are…
The female black-bellied whistling duck has a distinct appearance that sets it apart from the male of the species. Here is an overview of the key identification features of the female black-bellied whistling duck. Size and Shape The female black-bellied whistling duck is a medium-sized duck, measuring 17-20 inches (43-51 cm) in length with a wingspan of 26-29 inches (66-74 cm). It has a long neck and legs and a rounded body shape. Overall, the female is similar in size and shape to the male, but the female may be slightly smaller on average. The male measures 19-22 inches (48-56…
Flappy Bird was a mobile game developed by Vietnamese video game artist and programmer Dong Nguyen, under his game development company dotGears. The game was released in May 2013 and rapidly became one of the most downloaded mobile games. However, despite its huge success, Nguyen controversially removed Flappy Bird from app stores in February 2014. The sudden removal sparked widespread speculation as to why Flappy Bird was shut down. Flappy Bird’s Mechanics and Gameplay Flappy Bird was an arcade-style game where the player taps the screen to make the bird flap its wings and fly between green pipes. The pipes…
Avian pneumonia, also known as bird flu, is a contagious respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses that primarily infect birds such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese. However, some strains are known to infect and cause illness in other species, including humans. Common Names for Avian Pneumonia Avian pneumonia is most commonly referred to as: Bird flu Avian influenza Fowl plague Some specific strains of avian pneumonia may also be referred to by their alphanumeric designations, such as: H5N1 – A highly pathogenic strain that has caused outbreaks in poultry and some human infections H7N9 – A low pathogenic strain…