Birds build intricate and carefully constructed nests to lay their eggs in and raise their young. But do they ever incorporate spikes or other sharp objects into the bottoms of their nests? This is an interesting question to consider from both a biological and evolutionary perspective. Do any birds use spikes in their nests? Some birds do in fact incorporate spikes and thorns into the bottoms of their nests. The most well-known example is the loggerhead shrike. This predatory songbird is found across North America and is nicknamed the “butcher bird” for its habit of impaling prey on thorns or…
Author: Katie Lawler
Painted buntings are brightly colored songbirds that migrate through and breed in parts of the southeastern United States, including South Carolina. Here’s a quick overview of how long painted buntings stay in South Carolina each year: Spring Migration Painted buntings start arriving in South Carolina in early April. The males usually arrive first, followed by the females about 1-2 weeks later. They continue to pass through and settle into breeding territories through May. Breeding Season Painted buntings nest and breed in South Carolina primarily from May through August. The breeding season reaches its peak in June and July. Fall Migration…
The Forster’s Tern (Sterna forsteri) is a medium-sized tern belonging to the Sternidae family. Often called the White-winged Black Tern, it breeds in marshes and wetlands across North America and migrates to coastal areas of Central and South America for the winter. Forster’s Terns are elegant flyers known for their aerial acrobatics and plunging dives for fish. They are distinctive with their black caps, white foreheads, bright orange-red legs and bills, and long, forked tails. Read on to learn more about the identification, behavior, habitat, diet, and conservation status of this beautiful sea bird. Identification Forster’s Terns are medium-sized sea…
Western bluebirds are a small, insect-eating songbird found in the western United States. Their diet consists mainly of insects and spiders, with some small fruits and berries as well. Common food sources for western bluebirds include grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, caterpillars, ants, wasps, and spiders. They use their slender beaks to pluck insects from trees, shrubs, and the ground. During the fall and winter months, they rely more heavily on fruits from trees like junipers, sumacs, and dogwoods. Understanding what western bluebirds like to eat can help people provide food sources to attract these colorful songbirds to their yards. Insects and…
Birds often exhibit fascinating behaviors that capture our attention. One such behavior that many bird enthusiasts have observed is a little dance or jig that birds will do. This peculiar phenomenon where birds bob their heads, hop around, and otherwise dance has led many to ask: why do birds do a little dance? There are a few key reasons experts have identified that explain this quirky bird behavior: Attracting mates Defending territory Communicating with flock members Adjusting their position on a perch Understanding the context and details of when birds dance provides insight into their motivations. By exploring the unique…
Swallows are small passerine birds in the family Hirundinidae. There are around 90 species of swallows worldwide, and they are found on every continent except Antarctica. Swallows are aerial insectivores, meaning they catch and eat insects in flight. Some of the most widespread swallow species include the barn swallow, tree swallow, bank swallow, and cliff swallow. As with all wild bird populations, swallows are susceptible to a variety of infectious diseases and parasites. Their migratory nature means that swallows can pickup and transmit diseases across large geographic areas. Understanding swallow diseases is important for monitoring the health of wild bird…
Yes, the word “swallow” has two different meanings in English. The most common meaning of swallow refers to the action of passing food or drink down the throat and into the stomach. For example, “I swallowed the pill with a glass of water.” However, swallow can also refer to a type of small bird in the Hirundinidae family. These swallows are known for their aerobatic flight and spend most of their time flying and foraging for insects while in flight. The verb “to swallow” As a verb, “to swallow” means to make food, drink, medicine, etc. pass down the throat…
Providing clean, fresh water is one of the most important things you can do for the health and wellbeing of your pet birds. But with so many water filtration products on the market, it can be confusing to know which type of filtered water is safe for birds to drink. In this article, we’ll look at the different types of water filters, examine the pros and cons of filtered water for birds, and offer recommendations on the best filtration methods for your feathered friends. The importance of clean water for birds Clean, contaminant-free water is essential for birds for the…
Yes, the red-breasted nuthatch is considered a songbird. Songbirds are a group of small- to medium-sized passerine birds that use their vocal organ, called a syrinx, to produce musical sounds. The red-breasted nuthatch is a small songbird that belongs to the nuthatch family Sittidae. It is characterized by its short bill, blue-gray upperparts, cinnamon underparts, black cap and eye stripe, and reddish-brown breast. The red-breasted nuthatch produces a variety of vocalizations including a nasal yank-yank call and a kwee-kwee-kwee song. Its ability to produce these musical sounds classifies it as a songbird. What are the characteristics of a songbird? Songbirds…
Barred owls (Strix varia) are medium-sized owls native to North America. They get their name from the horizontal brown and white barred pattern on their chest and belly feathers. Barred owls have expanded their range dramatically in the past century, partially due to human changes in forest habitat. This range expansion has brought barred owls into closer contact with humans across much of the eastern and western United States. While barred owl attacks on humans are extremely rare, their large talons and aggressive territorial behavior can make them potentially dangerous. Understanding the factors that contribute to barred owl aggression and…