Black and American oystercatchers are two similar looking shorebird species found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America. Both are large, strikingly colored black and white birds with long, bright red-orange bills used for prying open mollusks. While they occupy the same coastal habitats and fill the same ecological niches, there are several key differences between these oystercatcher species in terms of appearance, distribution, behavior, breeding and conservation status. Appearance Black and American oystercatchers look nearly identical at first glance. However, there are some subtle differences in plumage and morphology that allow keen birders to distinguish between the…
Author: Peter Knight
Quick Answer Turkey vultures are generally quiet birds that do not vocalize much. They rarely make noises at night, with a few exceptions: Young turkey vulture chicks in the nest may make begging calls to their parents at night when hungry. Adults may make grunts, hisses or bill snaps when disturbed at the roost at night. Turkey vultures sometimes vocalize at night when interacting with their mates at the roost. Overall though, turkey vultures are mostly silent at night. Their vocalizations are typically limited to grunts, hisses and bill snapping when threatened or alarmed. Turkey vultures do not sing, call…
Vastu Shastra is an ancient Indian science of architecture and design that aims to create harmony between the built environment and nature. It provides guidelines on various aspects like site selection, building layout, orientation, spatial planning, proportions, colors, materials etc. One of the key aspects of Vastu is the association of different directions with specific deities, elements, colors etc. This forms the basis for recommendations on placements and orientations in a house or building. Birds have a special significance in Vastu as they are considered messengers of peace and prosperity. Their images and paintings are widely used for enhancing positive…
The Ferruginous Hawk is a large bird of prey found in the open habitats of western North America. With its light coloration, reddish-brown back and legs, and pale underparts, the Ferruginous Hawk is well-camouflaged in the arid grasslands and deserts that make up much of its range. This impressive raptor can have a wingspan of over four feet, making it one of the largest hawks in North America. Though widespread, the Ferruginous Hawk has suffered population declines throughout the 20th century and is considered a species of conservation concern. However, populations appear to have stabilized more recently. If you want…
No, baby spoonbills are not called teaspoons. Spoonbills are a type of large wading bird found in wetlands around the world. Their distinctive spoon-shaped bill gives them their name. Baby spoonbills look similar to adult spoonbills, just smaller. They do not have any special or alternate names. Spoonbills get their name from their unique bill shape. Their bills are long, broad, and flat at the end, resembling a spoon or spatula. This allows them to forage for food by swinging their bill from side to side in shallow water, catching small fish, crustaceans, and insects. When spoonbills hatch from eggs…
Crossbills are unique finches found across North America and Eurasia. Their crossed mandibles allow them to efficiently extract seeds from conifer cones. While crossbills can be challenging to find due to their nomadic nature, there are strategies birders can use to increase their chances of observing these remarkable birds. In this article, we will discuss how to find crossbills by understanding their biology, behavior, habitat preferences, seasonal movements, vocalizations, and utilizing tools like eBird alerts. With persistence and the right approach, you can add these irregular winter finches to your life list! Understanding Crossbill Biology and Behavior Crossbills are specialist…
Yes, chimney swift birds do migrate. Chimney swifts are small birds that nest in chimneys, hollow trees, and other human-made structures during the spring and summer. When fall arrives, chimney swifts migrate south to their wintering grounds in South America. When do chimney swifts migrate? Chimney swifts migrate in the fall, heading south to their wintering grounds. The timing of their migration depends on a few factors: Location – Swifts in more northern areas migrate earlier than those further south. Weather – Cool temperatures and lack of flying insects signal swifts to migrate. Age – Adult swifts migrate first, followed…
Manx shearwaters are medium-sized seabirds that breed on islands off the coasts of Europe and North America. They are known for their epic migration journeys across the Atlantic Ocean. But exactly how far do they travel on these remarkable journeys? Migration Overview Manx shearwaters nest in colonies on islands from May to September. After the breeding season ends, they migrate south towards South America. Their wintering areas are along the coasts of Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Chile. In the spring, they make the return migration back north to their breeding islands. The total round trip migration can cover over 10,000…
Field sparrows (Spizella pusilla) are small songbirds found throughout much of North America. They get their name from their preference for nesting and foraging in open fields. The field sparrow is considered a common species, but populations have declined in some areas due to habitat loss. One of the defining features of field sparrows is their nests and eggs. Field sparrow nests are neat, compact cups made primarily of grasses and fine weed stems. They are built low to the ground in shrubs, small trees, or vines. The eggs are whitish or pale blue in color with reddish-brown blotches. The…
The brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a large seabird found on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North and South America. Pelicans belong to the order Pelecaniformes, which contains just pelicans, gannets, boobies, cormorants, darters, and frigatebirds. The brown pelican is one of only two pelican species found in North America, the other being the American white pelican. Brown pelicans are long-necked, large-bodied birds with huge pouched bills for catching fish. They are graceful fliers and can be seen soaring and gliding low over the ocean surface. The brown pelican was endangered in the 1960s due to DDT poisoning but…