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Brewer’s Sparrow, Sagelands Singer
One of the most musical and complex bird songs in the US is that of the Brewer's Sparrow. It's a veritable aria, ringing forth from the sagebrush of Eastern Washington's Columbia Basin. Shrub-steppe …
Published on 2 years, 8 months ago
Recycle Your Eggshells to Help Nesting Birds
Female birds need to eat calcium to have enough of the mineral to lay their eggs. But it can be hard to find enough of it to eat in nature. We can help our backyard birds by offering them some extra …
Published on 2 years, 8 months ago
The Eagle Eye
Ever heard the term “eagle eye”? An eagle’s vision is incredibly sharp, and its eyes can weigh more than its brain. The secret to the bird’s exceptional vision is the density of visual cells – the ro…
Published on 2 years, 8 months ago
Magpies Help Each Other Remove Tracking Devices
Tracking birds can be tricky — even with GPS technology. Around 70% of bird species are just too small to carry a GPS battery. But recently, Australian scientists developed GPS trackers that looked l…
Published on 2 years, 8 months ago
Stefania Gomez - Swifts
Each September, thousands of Vaux's Swifts roost in the chimney of Chapman Elementary School in Portland, Oregon, a stopover on their southern migration. Crowds gather every night to watch the specta…
Published on 2 years, 8 months ago
A Kettle of Vultures
In the daytime, hot air rises as the sun heats the ground. The rising column of air is called a thermal, and it’s the perfect way for a Turkey Vulture to hitch a ride. Like an elevator to the skies, …
Published on 2 years, 8 months ago
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet Tunes Up
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is one of the smallest songbirds on the continent, weighing in at just a little more than half a chickadee. Mostly green and hard to spot, it hovers in mid-air as it catches …
Published on 2 years, 8 months ago
Nest Building
Want to try building a nest? Consider this... An average American Robin weighs less than three ounces. An average person weighs 170 pounds, or 1,000 times as much as a robin. A robin's nest, made of …
Published on 2 years, 8 months ago
Cuckoos - Tent Caterpillar Birds
One of two species of cuckoos in North America, the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, pictured here, lives in broadleaf forests throughout the East and riparian stands in the Southwest. They were common breeding…
Published on 2 years, 8 months ago
From Bobwhite Coveys to Pairs
Throughout winter, Northern Bobwhites gather in groups called ‘coveys’ to search for food during the day and share warmth at night. These small quail arrange themselves in a circle, with their tails …
Published on 2 years, 8 months ago