Yellow and Orange-crowned warblers are two similar looking species of small songbirds found in North America. They can be tricky to tell apart, especially for beginner birders. In this article, we’ll go over the key physical differences, behavior, habitat, diet, range maps, taxonomy, and conservation status of both species to help you confidently identify yellow warblers and Orange-crowned warblers. Quick Identification Tips Here are some quick tips for distinguishing between yellow and Orange-crowned warblers: – Yellow warblers have a bright yellow body and breast, while Orange-crowned warblers have yellow underparts and an orange patch on the crown. – Yellow warblers…
Author: Peter Knight
The common murre (Uria aalge) is a medium-sized seabird found across the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Murres are expert divers, using their wings to “fly” underwater in search of fish and other prey. But just how deep can these birds go in their marine hunting expeditions? Here we’ll look at the diving capabilities of the common murre and what allows it to access such deep depths. Quick Facts on Common Murre Diving Before diving into the details, here are some quick facts on how far common murres can dive underwater: Common murres are pursuit divers, swimming underwater to hunt…
Determining if a bird has a fever can be tricky, but it is important for monitoring their health. Some key signs to look for include changes in behavior, increased respiratory rate, feeling hot to the touch, and changes in droppings. Monitoring temperature is the most accurate way to diagnose a fever in birds. What is a normal temperature range for birds? A normal body temperature range for most birds is 100-106°F (37.8-41.1°C). Smaller birds like finches and canaries tend to have higher normal temperatures closer to 104-106°F. Larger birds like Amazon parrots and macaws are often lower, around 100-103°F. Here…
The Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) and Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) are two closely related birds found across North America. Despite their similarities in appearance and behavior, they are considered separate species by ornithologists due to several key differences. In this article, we will explore the distinguishing features that set these meadowlarks apart, including their songs, geographic ranges, morphology, and genetics. Understanding what defines a species and the specific criteria used to delimit the Eastern and Western Meadowlarks provides insight into the fascinating diversity of life. Geographic Ranges The most obvious difference between the Eastern and Western Meadowlarks is their geographic…
Kingfishers are a family of small to medium-sized brightly colored birds characterized by their large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. They are found worldwide near rivers, lakes, and coastlines where they primarily feed on fish and other aquatic prey. Kingfishers are known for their loud, rattling calls that are often described as sounding like a screech or a laugh. While there are over 90 different species of kingfishers found globally, some of the birds that make sounds similar to the iconic vocalizations of kingfishers include: Kookaburras Kookaburras are large kingfishers native to Australia and New Guinea.…
There are some hawks that bear a resemblance to owls due to their facial disk feathers and upright perching posture. The most notable examples are the Northern Hawk Owl and the Crested Hawk Eagle. While they may look somewhat owl-like, they are still classified as true hawks (family Accipitridae). Their owl-like appearance is an example of convergent evolution, where different species evolve similar traits independently. The Northern Hawk Owl The Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) is a medium-sized owl-like hawk that breeds in the northern boreal forests of North America and Eurasia. Here are some key facts about this fascinating…
The common black-hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) is a widespread raptor found throughout much of the Americas. This medium-sized hawk inhabits a variety of wooded habitats and can often be seen soaring over open areas looking for prey. One of the defining features of the common black-hawk is its broad wingspan, which allows it to effortlessly ride thermals while hunting. Typical Wingspan Measurements Most sources report the wingspan of the common black-hawk as approximately 3.3-4.3 feet (1-1.3 meters). More specifically, the typical measurements are: Males: 3.3-3.7 feet (1-1.13 m) Females: 3.6-4.3 feet (1.1-1.3 m) Females are slightly larger than males, which is…
The names of the two birds mentioned in the poem are the albatross and the dove. Let’s dive deeper into the context of the poem to understand where these bird names come from. The poem in question is The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, first published in 1798. This epic ballad tells the story of a mariner who kills an albatross that had been following his ship, leading to a string of tragic events that befall him and his crew. The Albatross The albatross is first introduced in Part I of the poem: “At length did…
The northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is a large bird of prey that inhabits forested areas across North America, Europe, and Asia. As an apex predator, the goshawk plays an important role in controlling populations of its prey species. Goshawks are powerful hunters with a varied diet, preying on birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects. Understanding the goshawk’s key prey species provides insights into its ecological relationships and how changes in prey abundance may impact goshawk populations. Birds as Prey Birds make up a significant portion of the goshawk’s diet, especially during nesting season when goshawks need a stable source of food…
A Muscovy duck wagging its tail can have several different meanings depending on the context. Muscovy ducks use tail wagging and other body language as a form of communication between ducks. Understanding what a Muscovy duck’s tail wagging indicates can provide insight into its emotions and intentions. Alertness Muscovy ducks will often wag their tails when they are alert and attentive. A Muscovy duck that notices something interesting in its surroundings will start to wag its tail rapidly back and forth. This shows that the duck is engaged with its environment and concentrating on something specific. Tail wagging can signify…