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Sizing Up Sharp-shinned Hawks
Sharp-shinned Hawks are swift, bird-catching predators. The male is jay-sized. The female stands a head taller and weighs almost twice as much. Female birds of prey are most notably bigger than males…
Published on 5 months, 2 weeks ago
'What is a birder?' with Rosemary Mosco
Rosemary Moscoe’s latest book is a tongue-in-cheek guide that defines many of the terms that you might hear on a bird outing, like calling a particularly cute bird a "birb" or shortening the word bin…
Published on 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Shorebirds Watch Their Feet
Greater Yellowlegs — not surprisingly — have bright yellow legs and feet. And why? While foraging through shallow water, a yellowlegs can keep track of its legs by the color, which contrasts with the…
Published on 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Canada Jays Save Food for Later
While camping in the mountains, you might see this Canada Jay (formerly known as the Gray Jay — but before that, as the Canada Jay!), boldly swooping into your camp. This handsome jay’s big, black ey…
Published on 5 months, 2 weeks ago
How Writer Amy Tan Helps Backyard Birds
Writer Amy Tan’s work is known all over the world. And thanks to her latest best-seller, The Backyard Bird Chronicles, she’s now also known for her deep love of birds. Tan not only spends time intera…
Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago
The Colors of Chicken Eggs
Except around Easter, chicken eggs usually come in a predictable range of colors: white, brown, and sometimes pale blue or green. Chickens are descended from the Red Jungle Fowl of Southeast Asia, wh…
Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago
The Plover and the Hurricane
Piping Plovers are tiny, sand-colored shorebirds that nest on the beach. They’re threatened in much of their range. But plovers have gotten a boost from something rather surprising: hurricanes. Super…
Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago
Pigeon Guillemots Have Fun
Although many seabirds utter groans and croaks, the Pigeon Guillemot produces a lovely series of trills and whistles. As part of their courtship, they fly side by side in large circles and loops, a p…
Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago
Why Are Blackbirds Black?
Why are blackbirds black? One possible answer is that black is conspicuous against just about all of Nature's backgrounds. Blackbirds, like this flock of Red-winged Blackbirds and Yellow-headed Black…
Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago
How Nestlings Leave the Nest
Young birds leave their nests in different ways. Some shuffle tentatively along the nearest branch and practice flapping their wings, while others take the "big leap." Which path they take depends up…
Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago