The Beijing National Stadium, nicknamed the Bird’s Nest due to its design, was originally constructed for the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. Since hosting the Olympics, the stadium has continued to be used for various sporting events and concerts over the years. However, its usage has declined in recent times. Brief history of the Bird’s Nest The Beijing National Stadium was designed by a group of architects led by Pritzker Prize-winning duo Herzog & de Meuron. Construction began in December 2003 and it officially opened in June 2008, just in time for the 2008 Summer Olympics. During the Olympics, the…
Author: Megan Holzman
Birds rarely abandon healthy eggs in an intact nest without good reason. However, there are some circumstances that may lead a bird to leave its eggs or even an entire nest. Understanding the reasons why birds abandon their nests and eggs can help people provide better support for local bird populations. Do Birds Ever Abandon Eggs? Yes, birds sometimes do abandon their eggs. However, birds do not make this decision lightly. Abandoning a nest requires birds to give up their current reproductive effort and forfeit the energy they have invested in producing eggs. It only makes sense for birds to…
The vibrant, iridescent feathers of the kingfisher have held symbolic meaning across cultures for thousands of years. With their striking blue and orange hues, kingfisher feathers have come to embody attributes like peace, prosperity, love, and harmony. What bird has blue and orange feathers? The kingfisher is a family of birds known for their bright, colorful plumage. Most kingfisher species have feathers in shades of blue or green on their backs and wings, and orange or reddish feathers on their undersides. Some of the most vibrantly colored kingfishers include: Common kingfisher – Widespread across Eurasia and parts of North Africa.…
Ross’s geese are a rare subspecies of snow goose that breed in the central Canadian Arctic and winter primarily in California and New Mexico. They are among the smallest geese in North America and are known for their high-pitched calls. Range and Population Ross’s geese have a very limited breeding range centered around the Queen Maud Gulf in the central Canadian Arctic. Their breeding grounds are estimated to be around 90,000 square kilometers. Outside of the breeding season, the majority of the world’s Ross’s geese population winters in California’s Central Valley and New Mexico’s Middle Rio Grande Valley. Smaller numbers…
The European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is a small bird native to Europe and parts of Asia. It was introduced to North America in the late 19th century and has since become one of the most numerous and widespread bird species on the continent. While beautiful and interesting birds, European starlings are now considered an invasive pest species that causes extensive damage. Some key problems caused by European starlings include: Agricultural damage from foraging on crops and livestock facilities Nuisance problems from large flocks in urban and suburban areas Displacement of native cavity-nesting bird species Potential spread of diseases to humans,…
The Bajaj Pulsar NS160 is a 160 cc motorcycle launched by Bajaj Auto in 2017. It sits in the Pulsar lineup between the NS125 and NS200. The NS160 is powered by a 160.3 cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected engine that produces 15.5 hp at 8,500 rpm and 14.6 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm. It comes with a 6-speed gearbox. Some key features of the Pulsar NS160 include perimeter frame, telescopic front forks, gas-charged mono shock absorber, disc brakes on both wheels, tubeless tyres, LED headlamp and taillamp, and digital-analog instrument cluster. The NS160 competes with bikes like the TVS Apache…
Birds make a variety of sounds, from songs to calls to non-vocal sounds like wing flaps. But do they make distinct sounds specifically when mating? This is an interesting scientific question worth exploring. Do Birds Vocalize During Mating? Many birds do vocalize during courtship and copulation. The types of sounds they make can vary by species. Here are some examples: Songbirds Songbirds like finches and sparrows use their songs to attract mates. Males will often sing loudly and repetitively when trying to court females. Females may vocally respond to indicate interest. During mating, pairing vocalizations help synchronize their physical coupling.…
Wild turkeys are capable of flying short distances, typically just enough to get up to a tree branch or other elevated perch. However, they generally prefer walking to flying and will usually only take to the air if startled or trying to escape a predator. How far can wild turkeys fly in a single flight? Most experts agree that wild turkeys can fly between 100-300 yards in a single flight. This is not a long distance compared to many bird species, but it is enough for turkeys to reach safety in trees or other elevated areas when threatened. Here are…
Birds with long tails come in many varieties, but some of the most well-known include peacocks, pheasants, swallows, hummingbirds, and birds of paradise. The extra long tail feathers serve important purposes for courtship, flight, and balance. Peacocks One of the most recognizable birds with a long tail is the peacock. Male peacocks, known as peacocks, have an elaborate and colorful tail called a train. A peacock’s train can have over 200 feathered ocelli, each with an intricate eyespot design. The peacock can spread its train up to 6 feet wide to attract females during courtship. Despite its grandeur, the peacock’s…
The acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) is a medium-sized woodpecker that is found in oak woodlands across western North America. Their range stretches from southwestern British Columbia down through the western United States to California and into Central America. Acorn woodpeckers are best known for their unique habit of storing acorns in storage holes they drill in trees. But where are acorn woodpeckers most abundant within their range? Let’s take a closer look at the habitat and range of this fascinating bird. Acorn Woodpecker Habitat Acorn woodpeckers are found in a variety of oak woodland habitats across their range, but are…
