Determining the oldest killed Canada goose is not straightforward, as precise age records have not been kept for the majority of harvested geese. However, examining available data can provide estimates of the maximum lifespan and longevity of Canada geese to determine the plausible oldest individuals. What is the average lifespan of a Canada Goose? On average, Canada geese live for 10-24 years in the wild according to bird banding and survey data. The average lifespan tends to be on the lower end of this range, with most living less than 20 years. In captivity, with protection from predators and accidents…
Author: Peter Knight
Ravens are remarkable birds that have captured human imagination for centuries with their intelligence, adaptability, and longevity. Of the many corvid species (the family that includes crows, jays, and ravens), ravens are among the longest-living birds. Determining the maximum lifespan of ravens is difficult, but experts estimate the oldest ravens may live around 30 years in the wild. Captive ravens have been known to live even longer, with some exceeding 40 years of age. What is the average lifespan of a raven? The average lifespan of a raven in the wild is 10 to 15 years. This estimate is based…
Goldeneye ducks, with their striking green and white plumage and bright yellow eyes, are a treat to see for any birder. But just how rare are these beautiful waterfowl? In this article, we’ll examine the status and distribution of goldeneye ducks to determine if they should be considered a rare bird species. What are goldeneye ducks? There are two species of goldeneye duck – the common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) and the Barrow’s goldeneye (Bucephala islandica). Both inhabit lakes, rivers, and coastal areas across northern North America, Europe, and Asia. Key identifying features include: Bright yellow eyes Iridescent green head with…
Lazuli Buntings are stunningly beautiful little songbirds that stand out with their bright blue feathers. However, you don’t see them as often as some other bird species. This leads to the question – are Lazuli Buntings rare? The short answer is that Lazuli Buntings are not considered globally rare birds, but their populations have been declining in some areas, making them a species of conservation concern. Lazuli Buntings are classified as a species of “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This means they are not currently vulnerable to extinction on a global scale. However, more locally,…
White woodpeckers are medium-sized birds that are found in forests across North America. They have striking black and white plumage and a distinctive red crest on the tops of their heads. White woodpeckers use their strong, chisel-like beaks to hammer and excavate nesting cavities out of dead trees. But what do these interesting birds eat? Insects Insects make up the majority of the white woodpecker’s diet. Their favorite insect foods include: Beetle larvae Ants Termites Caterpillars Grasshoppers Crickets Spiders White woodpeckers use their powerful beaks to chisel, pry, and hammer into trees to find insects hiding in the bark or…
Finches are small songbirds in the family Fringillidae. There are many different species of finches found around the world, each with distinct plumage coloration and markings. When it comes to finches with red backs, there are a few different species to consider. Red-backed Fairy-wren One finch species that has a distinct red back is the Red-backed Fairy-wren (Malurus melanocephalus). This finch is found in Australia and New Guinea. The male has a bright blue head, wings, and tail, with a reddish-orange back and whitish underparts. The female is duller overall, with brown plumage on the head, back, and wings, and…
Juncos are small sparrows that are common across much of North America. They have dark gray plumage on their head, wings and tail, with white bellies. Juncos are ground foraging birds that tend to hop along the ground looking for seeds and insects to eat. Here are some key things to know about what juncos like to eat: Seeds Seeds make up a large part of the junco diet. They often forage on the ground for dropped or scattered seeds from grasses, weeds and other plants. Some of their favorite seeds include: Grass seeds Weed seeds like dandelion and plantain…
Primary feathers are the large flight feathers located on the distal portion of a bird’s wing. They are critically important for enabling flight and are frequently lost and regrown through the process of molting. Molting is the regular shedding and replacement of feathers that occurs so that birds can maintain strong, functional plumage. The rate at which primary feathers regrow depends on the species, age, diet, time of year, and whether the bird is going through a major molt or just replacing a few feathers. On average, most songbirds take between 30-70 days to fully regrow their primaries. However, there…
The herring gull is a seabird that can be found along the coasts and waterways of Red Dead Redemption 2’s map. While not as common as other bird species in the game, the herring gull does have a few specific locations where it tends to appear. Along the Dakota River One of the most reliable spots to find herring gulls in RDR2 is along the Dakota River, particularly around Bard’s Crossing. This small town in the west of the map features a railroad bridge that crosses the river, and herring gulls can often be seen flying and resting along the…
If you’ve had goldfinches visiting your yard or feeders and then suddenly noticed they are gone, there are several possible reasons for their disappearance. Goldfinches are migratory songbirds that breed across much of North America. Their spring and summer range extends northward into Canada, but they retreat southward for the winter. If it’s late summer or fall, the goldfinches may have already started their southern migration. However, there are other factors that could also explain their absence. Did the goldfinches migrate? The most likely reason goldfinches disappeared from your yard is because they have migrated south for the winter. Goldfinches…