The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is a large wading bird found in North America. As an apex predator, great blue herons have few natural predators once they reach adulthood. However, young herons, eggs, and even adult herons may get eaten by other opportunistic predators. In this article, we’ll take a look at what eats great blue herons throughout their life stages. Eggs Great blue heron eggs are vulnerable to predators due to the fact that they are left unattended for periods of time in open nests while parents are away fishing. Some animals known to eat great blue heron…
Author: Peter Knight
Lady Bird Johnson, wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson, was a lifelong Democrat. As First Lady from 1963 to 1969, she advocated for beautification of the nation’s cities and highways through conservation and architectural improvement. She also supported the political career of her husband, who enacted major Democratic legislation like the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act during his presidency. Though less politically active before becoming First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson consistently aligned herself with the Democratic Party throughout her life. Lady Bird’s Background Claudia Alta “Lady Bird” Taylor was born in 1912 in Karnack, Texas. Her father was…
The common merganser and the hooded merganser are two similar species of diving ducks found in North America. While they have some similarities, there are a number of key differences between these two types of mergansers. Quick Answers Here are some quick answers to the key differences between common and hooded mergansers: The common merganser is larger and has a shaggier crest on its head. The hooded merganser has a distinctive fan-shaped white crest that looks like a hood. Common mergansers have red-orange bills while hooded mergansers have black bills. Hooded mergansers prefer small ponds and rivers while common mergansers…
The scissor-tailed flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) is a unique and striking bird known for its exceptionally long, forked tail. This graceful flycatcher is found in the southern Great Plains of the United States during the spring and summer. If you’ve been lucky enough to spot one of these birds, you may be wondering what it means. Let’s explore the symbolism and significance of seeing a scissor tail bird. What is a Scissor Tail Bird? The scissor-tailed flycatcher is a medium-sized bird measuring approximately 13-15 inches in length. However, its tail makes up nearly half of its body length at 5-9 inches…
The answer to the question “What bird picks food out of crocodile teeth?” is the Egyptian plover. The Egyptian plover is a small wading bird found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. It has a symbiotic relationship with crocodiles and Nile monitors where it feeds on parasites and food stuck in their teeth. This curious bird behavior has earned them nicknames like “crocodile bird” and “crocodile dentist”. In the wild, here’s how the relationship works: How the Egyptian Plover and Crocodile Relationship Works StepDescription 1The Egyptian plover approaches the crocodile stealthily along the shoreline or while the crocodile is basking. 2 When within…
The osprey, also known as the sea hawk or fish eagle, is a large bird of prey that is found across the northern hemisphere. These magnificent raptors were once widespread in the UK, but populations declined dramatically in the 20th century due to persecution, egg collecting and habitat loss. By 1916, ospreys were extinct in England and Wales. In Scotland, just one breeding pair remained, at Loch Garten in the Highlands. Since then, ospreys have made a slow recovery through reintroduction projects and natural re-colonisation. One of the key sites for their return has been Loch Arkaig in Lochaber, western…
Ostriches and lions are two very different animals that live on separate continents and evolved for different environments. Ostriches are flightless birds native to Africa, while lions are large felines that inhabit grasslands and forests across parts of Africa and Asia. Though they seem to have little in common, an interesting question arises regarding the vocal abilities of male ostriches and whether they can produce roars similar to those of lions. This article will examine the evidence around this question and provide a definitive answer based on zoological research. Vocalizations of Male Ostriches Ostriches communicate through a variety of sounds.…
What is birdshot retinopathy? Birdshot retinopathy is an inflammatory eye condition that causes damage to the retina and vision loss. It is considered an autoimmune disease, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the retina. The name “birdshot” refers to the scattered white spots that develop on the retina, which resemble a birdshot pattern from a shotgun. Birdshot retinopathy is a rare disease that mainly affects Caucasians between the ages of 30-60 years old. Women are affected approximately twice as often as men. What are the symptoms of birdshot retinopathy? The main symptoms of birdshot retinopathy include: Blurred vision or…
Making loon calls can be a fun and rewarding hobby for bird enthusiasts or nature lovers. The common loon is a beautiful waterbird found across North America. Male loons use their distinctive calls to communicate with others and defend their territory. By learning how to imitate loon calls, you can experience these majestic birds up-close without disturbing them. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started making your own loon calls. We’ll cover the different types of loon calls, the materials you need, step-by-step instructions, tips for practicing and using your new skill,…
The ruddy duck is a small, stout duck with a reddish-brown body, black cap, and bright blue bill. The male has a distinctive sky-blue bill in the breeding season and a gleaming white cheek patch. The female is brown-bodied with a duskier face and has a grayish bill. Ruddy ducks are diving ducks found primarily in North America. Their breeding habitat is marshy ponds and lakes across much of Canada and the United States. They nest in dense marsh vegetation near water. The northern populations migrate south to winter in the southern parts of the range. One distinguishing feature of…