The bird’s eye view, also known as the aerial view, is a view from a very high vantage point as if seen by a bird in flight. This view allows the observer to see the landscape and spatial relationships between objects from above. The bird’s eye view is a common perspective used in cartography, photography, filmmaking, and visual arts. By looking straight down from an imaginary vantage point high above, the viewer can see a broad overview of a scene in one glance. This perspective reveals information that cannot be seen from an eye-level view, allowing patterns, contexts, and connections…
Author: Peter Knight
Young pigeons, also known as squabs, require special care and feeding in their first few weeks of life. As baby birds, squabs have very specific nutritional needs that must be met for them to grow and thrive. In the wild, parent pigeons feed their babies “pigeon milk” which is produced in their crops. However, when raising domesticated or rescued young pigeons yourself, you’ll need to provide an appropriate substitute diet. Read on to learn what and how to feed very young pigeons. What do baby pigeons eat in the wild? Baby pigeons are called squabs and are completely dependent on…
The Ruddy Turnstone is a small wading bird that is found across the northern parts of the world. These colorful shorebirds breed in the Arctic and subarctic regions and migrate long distances to spend the winter on coastlines almost worldwide. Understanding where Ruddy Turnstones live throughout the year provides insight into their amazing migrations and ability to thrive in diverse environments. Breeding Range Ruddy Turnstones breed in the far northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Their breeding habitat centers on the Arctic tundra. This biome provides ideal conditions for nesting and raising chicks to fledging. In North America,…
Quails are prolific egg layers that can produce eggs on an almost daily basis under optimal conditions. The laying frequency depends on factors like the breed, age, diet, lighting conditions and overall health of the bird. On average, most quail hens will lay between 200-300 eggs per year. This averages out to about 1 egg every 1-2 days. However, during peak production periods, they are capable of laying an egg almost every day. What is the average number of eggs a quail lays per year? The average number of eggs a quail lays per year ranges from 150-300. The exact…
North Dakota’s state bird is the western meadowlark. The western meadowlark was officially adopted as the state bird of North Dakota in 1947. Some quick facts about the western meadowlark: Quick Facts About the Western Meadowlark Scientific name: Sturnella neglecta Physical description: Medium-sized songbird with yellow breast and black v-shaped band on chest Habitat: Grasslands, prairies, meadows Diet: Insects, seeds Lifespan: Up to 10 years Conservation status: Least concern The western meadowlark is a distinctive songbird found in grassland habitats across central and western North America. It is the state bird of 6 U.S. states including North Dakota, Kansas, Montana,…
Roseate spoonbills are a distinctively colored type of wading bird found in coastal areas of North America, South America, and the Caribbean. Known for their unique spoon-shaped bill and bright pink plumage, these birds tend to feed and nest in large flocks called colonies or rookeries. This prompts the question – what is the proper collective noun used to describe a group of roseate spoonbills? Basic Facts About Roseate Spoonbills Let’s start by reviewing some quick facts about the roseate spoonbill: Scientific name: Platalea ajaja Average length: 28-32 inches Wingspan: 46-54 inches Average weight: 2-3.5 pounds Distinctive features: Long, spoon-shaped…
Pelicans are large waterbirds known for their characteristic pouch that they use to scoop up fish from the water. However, pelicans are opportunistic feeders and will eat other prey besides fish if given the chance. This leads to an interesting question – will pelicans eat birds if they have the opportunity? Quick Answer Yes, pelicans will eat birds if they can capture them. Although fish make up the majority of a pelican’s diet, they are also known to feed on amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans, and occasionally birds. Pelican Diet The diet of pelicans consists mainly of fish, but can vary somewhat…
Quick Answers The shoebill stork, also known as whalehead, is a large wading bird found in tropical east Africa. Shoebills are not generally aggressive towards humans but can attack if they feel threatened, especially when defending their nests and chicks. While shoebill attacks are rare, the birds’ large size and sharp bill can inflict serious injury. Caution is advised when approaching a shoebill nest. Overall, shoebills tend to avoid humans if given adequate space. The shoebill stork (Balaeniceps rex) is a fascinating and unique-looking bird that inhabits the freshwater wetlands of east Africa. With their intimidating stature, sharp bill, and…
Kingfishers are a diverse family of birds found on every continent except Antarctica. There are over 90 different species of kingfishers that inhabit a wide range of habitats from forests to coastlines. Some kingfisher species are widespread and can be found across multiple continents, while others have tiny geographic ranges limited to a single river basin or island. So are there kingfishers living in the United States? The short answer is yes, the United States is home to several kingfisher species. However, the diversity and distribution of kingfishers in the US is much more limited compared to tropical regions like…
The northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is a medium-sized songbird found across much of the United States. Known for its complex songs and aggressive territorial behavior, the northern mockingbird is the state bird of 5 different states but not Washington. This raises the question – are there northern mockingbirds in Washington state? Northern Mockingbird Overview The northern mockingbird is a member of the mimic thrush family, Mimidae. Some key facts about the northern mockingbird include: – Scientific name: Mimus polyglottos – Other common names: Southern Mockingbird, Mocker – Size: 8.3–10.2 in (21–26 cm) in length with a wingspan of 12.2-13.4 in…