Kiwis and elephant birds may seem like an unlikely pair to be related. After all, kiwis are small, flightless birds that live in New Zealand today, while elephant birds were giant, flightless birds that lived in Madagascar until they went extinct within the last few thousand years. However, despite their differences in size and geography, kiwis and elephant birds do in fact share a common ancestor. Both kiwis and elephant birds belong to an ancient group of birds called palaeognaths. The palaeognaths originated over 80 million years ago and were once widespread across the southern supercontinent Gondwana. As Gondwana broke…
Author: Peter Knight
There are a few hawk species that can make vocalizations resembling a cat’s meow. This is an interesting adaptation that likely helps these hawks mimic other animals as a strategy to capture prey or defend territory. Identifying which hawks make this cat-like call can be tricky for birders, but with some audio clues and visual confirmations, certain species stand out as the top “meowing hawks.” Red-shouldered Hawk The red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) is a strong candidate for hawks that sound like cats. This medium-sized raptor inhabits forests and wetlands of North America and is known for its loud, whistling calls.…
The National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is home to over 600 birds from around the world. It provides visitors with the opportunity to observe rare and endangered species up-close. While the Aviary is home to the birds, it also functions as a zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden – offering lots to see and do during a visit. But just how long do people tend to spend exploring this popular Pittsburgh attraction? Average Visit Duration According to data collected by the National Aviary, the average time visitors spend at the attraction is between 2-3 hours. This allows enough time to leisurely…
Angry Birds 2 is a popular physics-based puzzle video game developed by Rovio Entertainment. Players use slingshots to launch various birds at pigs stationed in or around structures with the goal of destroying all the pigs on the level. Each bird has its own unique abilities that can be used strategically to solve the puzzles. There are many different birds to choose from in Angry Birds 2, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. However, based on various factors like damage potential, versatility, and overall usefulness across many levels, some birds stand out as more useful than others. Damage Potential…
The roseate spoonbill is a large wading bird found in coastal areas of the southeastern United States, the Gulf Coast, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean islands. Known for their distinctive pink plumage and spatulate bill, roseate spoonbills nest and feed in shallow wetlands, marshes, and estuaries. One key habitat for roseate spoonbills in Florida is the Indian River Lagoon, a 156-mile long estuary on the state’s Atlantic coast. In this article, we will examine the presence and status of the roseate spoonbill population within the Indian River Lagoon system. Overview of the Indian River Lagoon The Indian River Lagoon…
Yes, wild birds will readily eat apple slices as a food source. Apples provide nutrients like carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are beneficial for wild birds. Offering apples is an excellent way to attract different bird species to a backyard or bird feeding station. Here are some quick facts about feeding apple slices to wild birds: Many backyard bird species enjoy eating apples including blue jays, woodpeckers, mockingbirds, robins, thrushes, orioles, and finches. It’s best to offer thinly sliced apples so birds can access the flesh and juice. Apples can be left in half slices or quarter slices on…
Birds with stunning, electric blue wings are a sight to behold. The vibrant, neon coloring on their feathers makes them stand out against green forests or cloudless blue skies. But what kinds of birds have this brilliant blue plumage? Here’s a look at some of the most dazzling blue-winged birds found around the world. Blue-winged Kookaburra The blue-winged kookaburra (Dacelo leachii) is a large kingfisher species found in northern and eastern Australia and southern New Guinea. True to its name, the wings on the blue-winged kookaburra are a brilliant, electric shade of blue. When opened in flight or display, the…
Quick Answer No, lark and skylark are not exactly the same thing. While they are closely related birds and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there are some key differences between larks and skylarks: Skylarks are a specific type of lark found widely across Eurasia and North Africa. The common skylark is the most widespread species. Lark refers to the overall family Alaudidae, which includes over 90 species found worldwide. Skylarks belong to this larger lark family. Skylarks are distinguished by their longer hind claws and tendency to sing in flight. Larks encompass a broader range of species with more…
Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. This fungus lives in the environment, often in soil that contains large amounts of bird or bat droppings. People can get sick with histoplasmosis if they breathe in the microscopic fungal spores. Histoplasmosis is sometimes called “cave disease” because people can get it from disturbing soil in caves that have bat droppings. The most common symptoms of histoplasmosis infection are fever, cough, and fatigue. Most people exposed to the fungus don’t get sick. When illness does occur, it’s often mild with flu-like symptoms that go away without treatment. However,…
Why should I take my bird to the vet? Taking your bird to the vet regularly is one of the most important things you can do as a bird owner. Even if your bird seems perfectly healthy, annual checkups allow the vet to detect any potential health issues early, when they’re easiest to treat. Some key reasons to bring your bird to the vet include: Preventative care – Checkups allow the vet to assess your bird’s overall health. The vet can make sure your bird is at a healthy weight, check for parasites, test blood, and more. Vaccinations – Certain…