The band-tailed pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata) is a large, stocky pigeon found in western North America. It makes a variety of sounds, including deep hoots, shorter coos, and rustling wingbeats. The band-tailed pigeon is a medium to large-sized pigeon, similar in size to a rock pigeon. Adults are 14-17 inches long with a wingspan around 2 feet. Their most distinctive feature is a white crescent across the back of the neck. The wings have large white patches on the undersides. The tail has a broad gray band near the end, giving the bird its common name. Band-tailed pigeons live year-round in…
Author: Katie Lawler
The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a well-known bird of prey found on every continent except Antarctica. It is renowned for its speed and aerial hunting skills, and can reach speeds of over 200 mph when diving after prey. One of the most distinctive features of the peregrine falcon is its facial markings, which can vary somewhat between individuals but generally serve to camouflage and protect the bird’s eyes and head during hunts. Key Facial Markings The main facial markings on a peregrine falcon include: Dark Crown Most peregrine falcons have a blackish-brown crown that covers the top and back…
House sparrows (Passer domesticus) are small brown birds that are found throughout most of the world. As their name suggests, these sparrows often live in close proximity to humans, building nests on houses or other man-made structures. House sparrows are active during the day, foraging for food and socializing. But when night falls, their behavior changes dramatically. Here is an overview of how house sparrows spend their nights. Roosting As daylight fades, house sparrows will congregate in large flocks to roost for the night. Roosting sites can include trees, shrubs, barns, abandoned buildings, dense vegetation, and even ceilings or ledges…
During the cold winter months, bird baths can easily freeze over, leaving birds without access to fresh water. Having a reliable source of unfrozen water is crucial for birds to survive the winter. There are several devices available that can help prevent a bird bath from freezing. Choosing the right option depends on factors like your climate, access to power sources, and budget. The most common anti-freeze bird bath devices include electric or solar-powered heaters, de-icers, circulation systems, and covers. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Why Do Bird Baths Freeze? Bird baths freeze because of low ambient temperatures. When…
Yes, White-breasted Nuthatches do peck trees. The White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) is a small songbird of the nuthatch family Sittidae. They are common birds found in deciduous forests and woodlands across much of temperate North America. White-breasted Nuthatches have a distinctive behavior of pecking along tree trunks and branches searching for insects and seeds. Their pecking is both a foraging strategy and a means of excavating nest cavities in dead wood. Description of the White-breasted Nuthatch The White-breasted Nuthatch is a compact, short-tailed songbird measuring 4.7–5.9 in (12–15 cm) in length and weighing 0.6–1.0 oz (16–28 g). It has blue-gray…
The genus Sturnella contains medium-sized songbirds found throughout North and South America. There are several species within this genus, the most widespread being the Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna). Meadowlarks are grassland birds known for their melodious songs and bright yellow underparts. They have long tails and pointed bills adapted for probing the ground in search of insects and seeds. The genus name Sturnella comes from the Latin word sturnus meaning “starling” and the diminutive suffix -ella, referring to the smaller size of these birds compared to true starlings. Meadowlarks belong to the family Icteridae, which includes blackbirds, orioles, and grackles.…
Bills are a characteristic feature of birds, but they are not completely unique to birds. Bills are extended jaws covered in a keratinous sheath and serve a variety of purposes for birds including feeding, grooming, manipulating objects, courtship, and defense. While most birds have bills, some other animals also have structures that could be considered bills or bill-like. Do any other animals have bills? While bills are iconic for birds, several other animal groups also have structures that could be considered bills or bill-like extensions of the jaws: Turtles have a sharp keratinous shell over their jaws that forms a…
Great black-backed gulls are large seabirds that can be found across the northern hemisphere. They are the largest members of the gull family and are known for their imposing size and aggressive behavior. Great black-backed gulls have an average lifespan of around 15-25 years in the wild. Average Lifespan Most sources estimate the average lifespan of great black-backed gulls to be around 15-25 years. However, there have been records of these birds living over 30 years in captivity. Here are some key facts about their typical lifespan: In the wild, great black-backed gulls generally live for 15-25 years on average.…
The Swallow-tailed Kite is a graceful and acrobatic raptor that is found primarily in the southeastern United States. This medium-sized bird of prey gets its name from its deeply forked tail, which gives it excellent maneuverability in flight. Swallow-tailed Kites have a very specialized habitat and range, being found mainly in areas near rivers and wetlands across the Southeast. Understanding where these birds are found can help conservation efforts and give birdwatchers an idea of the best places to look for them. Swallow-tailed Kite Range and Distribution The Swallow-tailed Kite has a relatively limited range concentrated in the southeastern United…
Some of the largest birds to ever live were flightless birds that are now extinct. These massive birds stood much taller and were significantly heavier than even the largest birds alive today. Here are some key facts about the biggest extinct birds: Biggest Extinct Flightless Birds The largest extinct flightless birds belong to a group called ratites. Ratites are birds that cannot fly due to their large size and small or missing keels on their breastbones. Here are some of the largest ratites that lived in the past: Elephant bird – Lived in Madagascar until around 1000 AD. Could reach…