Snowy owls are majestic birds of prey that live in the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. They are known for their beautiful white plumage that helps them camouflage into the snowy landscapes where they make their home. Though snowy owls may seem familiar, there is more to these amazing birds than meets the eye. Here we will explore 3 fun facts you may not know about these fascinating raptors! They Are One of the Largest Owl Species Snowy owls have a wingspan ranging from about 4 to 5 feet, making them one of the largest owl species in…
Author: Peter Knight
Mother birds have an incredible ability to recognize and feed their own chicks in the nest. This is remarkable given that many bird species, such as chickens, ducks, and songbirds, often lay eggs in communal nests containing both their own and other mothers’ offspring. So how do mother birds know which baby is theirs to feed? How do mother birds recognize their chicks? Mother birds rely on several cues to identify their chicks in a mixed brood nest: Appearance – The color patterns and markings of chicks offer clues to their identity. Mothers may recognize distinctive spots, streaks, or eye…
Birds have evolved many adaptations that allow them to swim effectively. While not all species of birds can swim, many aquatic and marine birds are excellent swimmers. In this article, we will explore the anatomy, physiology, and behavior that enables swimming birds to propel themselves gracefully through the water. Buoyancy One of the most important factors that enables swimming birds to stay afloat is their buoyancy. Buoyancy is an object’s ability to float in water and is determined by its density. Objects less dense than water will float, while objects denser than water will sink. Birds have lightweight, pneumatized bones…
Quails are small ground-dwelling birds that are popular gamebirds. They have some distinctive features on their heads that help identify them. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the parts of a quail’s head and what they are used for. Beak The most prominent feature on a quail’s head is its beak. The beak is a bird’s mouth and is used for eating, grooming, manipulating objects, courtship, and defense. A quail has a short, curved beak that is perfect for cracking open seeds and grains, their main diet. The upper mandible of the beak slightly overlaps the lower…
Quick Answer No, purple finches and house finches are not the same species. They have distinct differences in their appearance, behavior, habitat, and distribution. Purple finches are larger, have more streaked plumage, a notched tail, and a stouter beak than house finches. House finches are smaller, have more uniform plumage, a squared tail, and a more conical beak. Purple finches are more solitary while house finches are highly social. Purple finches breed in northern forests and winter in the eastern US and Canada while house finches breed across North America and are non-migratory in the southern parts of their range.…
Swans are elegant waterfowl known for their grace and beauty. They spend the majority of their time floating on the water or swimming in lakes, ponds, and rivers. Swans perform a variety of behaviors and activities in the water that are essential to their health, development, and survival. Swimming and Paddling Swans spend most of their time in water paddling around lakes and ponds or slowly swimming along rivers. Their webbed feet allow them to paddle efficiently on the water’s surface. Swans use their feet like paddles to propel themselves forward through the water. They alternate moving their webbed feet…
Many species of birds spend most of their lives at sea, only coming to land periodically to breed and raise their young. Of these seabirds, the one that likely spends the least amount of time on land is the Audubon’s shearwater. Key Facts About Audubon’s Shearwater Scientific name: Puffinus lherminieri Range: Tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide Size: 25-30 cm long with a 65-75 cm wingspan Diet: Squid, fish, crustaceans Lifespan: Up to 22 years in the wild The Audubon’s shearwater is a medium-sized seabird in the Procellariidae family. It gets its name from the American naturalist and painter John James…
Brown Creepers are small, well-camouflaged birds that live in woodlands and forests across North America. They have a very specialized diet consisting primarily of insects and spiders that they find hiding in the bark of trees. Quick Answer Brown Creepers eat insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates that they find under loose tree bark. Their main prey items include beetles, moths, flies, ants, aphids, and spiders. They use their long, curved bills to probe and pry off bark to expose hiding insects. What does the Brown Creeper’s Diet Consist of? The Brown Creeper has a very specialized diet that relies…
Cardinals attacking cars is a strange but not unheard of phenomenon. Male cardinals in particular can become quite territorial during breeding season and may attack their own reflection in car mirrors or windows thinking it’s a rival male. While startling, these attacks are generally harmless and there are some steps you can take to deter overzealous birds. Read on to learn more about why cardinals go after cars and what you can do to stop them. Cardinal Behavior Cardinals are year-round residents across much of North America. As spring arrives, males become increasingly aggressive as they seek to establish breeding…
There are two species of swans that can be found in the Chesapeake Bay area – the mute swan and the tundra swan. The mute swan was introduced to North America from Europe in the late 1800s and has become established along the Atlantic coast, including in the Chesapeake Bay. The tundra swan is a native species that migrates through the region in large numbers each winter. In this article, we will look at the history, population status, and ecology of both species in the Chesapeake Bay. Mute Swans The mute swan is a large, white waterfowl native to Europe…