Chickadees are small songbirds in the family Paridae that are known for their ability to withstand frigid winter temperatures. Of the North American chickadee species, the Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) has the largest range and is found across much of Canada and the northern United States. Black-capped Chickadees have adaptations that allow them to survive temperatures well below freezing. In this article, we will explore how chickadees are able to tolerate extreme cold. Winter adaptations Chickadees have several key adaptations that help them deal with cold winters: Fluffy feathers – Chickadees grow extremely fluffy feathers in the fall that provide…
Author: Megan Holzman
Falconry, the ancient art of hunting with trained birds of prey, has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years. However, becoming a licensed falconer requires passing a comprehensive exam demonstrating sound knowledge and proficiency. So how difficult is the falconry test? What is the falconry test? The falconry exam, administered by each state’s wildlife agency, covers care, handling, training, health, facilities, laws and regulations relating to falconry. The test has both written and practical components. The written test covers topics like raptor biology, diseases, equipment, methods and ethics. The practical exam evaluates your skills, facilities, training and handling techniques.…
Great egrets are elegant, white wading birds found near water throughout much of the world. During the breeding season, great egrets develop colorful plumes used for courtship displays. The breeding plumes of great egrets are quite spectacular, featuring long, lacy feathers in shades of green, blue, and reddish-pink. While their bright white plumage remains throughout the year, these colorful breeding plumes only appear for a few months each spring. Appearance of Great Egrets Great egrets (Ardea alba) are fairly large wading birds, standing around 3 feet tall with a wingspan of around 5 feet. Their most distinctive feature is their…
Birdman, the music mogul and founder of Cash Money Records, recently went off on Instagram comedian Druski in a heated online exchange. Their beef seemingly came out of nowhere, leading many fans to ask: what happened between Birdman and Druski to cause such animosity? The Start of the Beef The tensions between Birdman and Druski began in early October 2022 when Druski posted a parody video on his Instagram. The video showed Druski dressed up as Birdman, satirizing his style, mannerisms, and notable traits like wearing sunglasses indoors and kissing men on the lips. While presented as a harmless joke,…
The roadrunner is a fast-running bird that lives in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Known for its speed, the roadrunner can run up to 15 miles per hour to catch prey like insects, lizards, snakes, and small mammals. With its unique appearance and speedy running, the roadrunner has become a state symbol and sports mascot. But in what states is the roadrunner officially designated as the state bird? The Roadrunner Species There are two species of roadrunner – the greater roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) and the lesser roadrunner (Geococcyx velox). The greater roadrunner is the largest species, with an average…
Crows are one of the most intelligent species of birds known today. Their intelligence has fascinated scientists and bird enthusiasts for decades. Crows belong to the corvid family, which also includes ravens, jays, magpies, and nutcrackers. Recent research has uncovered the remarkable cognitive abilities of crows, especially in areas such as problem-solving, tool use, and social behavior. Crows stand out from other birds because of their unusually large and developed brains compared to their body size. The brains of some crow species have as many neurons as the brains of some non-human primates. The ratio of their brain weight to…
Owls have long been associated with wisdom, knowledge, and intelligence. Their large, forward-facing eyes give them a studious and solemn appearance. Their ability to see well at night and hunt with stealth has linked them to mystery and magic. But are owls truly symbols of knowledge, or is this just a popular myth? Owls in Ancient Cultures The association between owls and knowledge goes back thousands of years. In ancient Greek mythology, Athena, the goddess of wisdom, was often depicted with an owl as her companion. The owl was seen as a protector and mentor. Ancient Greek coins featured an…
Larry Bird is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. During his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics, Bird led the team to three NBA championships and was a 12-time NBA All-Star. Known for his clutch shooting, crafty passing, and fierce competitiveness, Bird had many memorable games throughout his illustrious career. But which game stands out as Bird’s single best performance? Bird’s 60-point game in 1985 One game that certainly stands out is March 12, 1985 when Larry Bird scored 60 points against the Atlanta Hawks. This was a career-high scoring night for Bird, who shot 22/36…
Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease affecting birds worldwide. Avian influenza viruses are classified into two categories based on their ability to cause disease in poultry – low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). LPAI strains cause mild symptoms in birds while HPAI strains can cause severe disease with high mortality rates in domestic poultry. Some strains of avian influenza viruses such as H5N1 and H7N9 can also infect humans. When was avian influenza first discovered? The first known outbreak of avian influenza occurred in Italy in 1878 when…
Bird call apps have become increasingly popular in recent years as a tool for identifying birds by their songs and calls. In New Zealand, there are a number of bird call apps available to help users identify the wide range of native bird species found around the country. Introduction to bird call apps A bird call app is a software application designed to help users identify birds by species based on their vocalizations. The apps typically contain audio recordings of bird songs and calls that users can listen to and compare with birds they hear outdoors. By matching the sounds,…
