The red-headed house sparrow (Passer domesticus rufus) is a small songbird native to parts of Asia. As their name suggests, red-headed house sparrows are identifiable by their reddish-brown head and upper body plumage. They are one of several color variations of the widespread and highly adaptable house sparrow species. Red-headed house sparrows live predominantly around human settlements like farms, urban parks and gardens. Here they nest in cavities or crevices in buildings and feed on grains, seeds and scraps. Though invasive in some regions, red-headed house sparrows are declining in parts of their native range due to habitat loss and…
Author: Sara Nichols
Gulls are living organisms, which means they are biotic. Biotic factors refer to all living things and their interactions in an ecosystem, including animals, plants, bacteria, fungi and more. On the other hand, abiotic factors refer to all non-living components of an ecosystem, such as sunlight, air, water, soil and climate. As birds, gulls are clearly living creatures and so are considered a biotic part of their environments. Evidence That Gulls Are Biotic There are several key pieces of evidence that demonstrate gulls are biotic: Gulls Are Animals Gulls are animals, specifically birds. As members of the animal kingdom, gulls…
Swallows building nests on houses is a common occurrence, especially in the spring and summer months when they are nesting and raising young. While having swallows nest on your house may seem charming, their mud nests can sometimes cause damage. What kind of swallows build mud nests on houses? There are three main species of swallows in North America that build nests on houses and other structures: Barn swallows Cliff swallows Eaves swallows Of these, barn swallows are the most likely to build nests on residential homes. Cliff swallows tend to nest in large colonies on cliffs or under eaves…
There are a few species of birds that resemble sparrows in appearance but lack a prominent tail. Based on the description provided, the bird in question is most likely either a Dipper or a Pipit. Both birds have plumage and body shapes similar to sparrows, but have very short tails that are not readily visible. Let’s take a closer look at the identification, characteristics, and behaviors of Dippers and Pipits to determine which is the likely match for a “sparrow looking bird with no tail.” Dipper Dippers are unique birds found in aquatic habitats across North America, Europe, and Asia.…
The hooded merganser is a small diving duck found primarily in North America. It gets its name from the distinctive brown crest on the head of the male, which can be raised or lowered. The hooded merganser has a large range across much of North America and can be found in a variety of wetland habitats. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the range and distribution of this fascinating duck. Breeding Range The hooded merganser breeds primarily in forested wetlands across Canada and the northern United States. Its breeding range extends from Alaska across Canada to Nova…
Birds have a unique digestive system that allows them to eat and digest food very quickly in order to power flight. The part of a bird’s digestive system where food is primarily stored before being fully digested is the crop. What is the Crop? The crop is an enlarged, muscular pouch near the base of a bird’s neck, just above the breast muscle. It is part of the esophagus, which connects the bird’s mouth to its stomach. When a bird swallows food, the food passes down the esophagus and enters the crop for storage. The crop allows birds to eat…
Quick Answer Yes, terns do eat worms. Terns are seabirds that feed primarily on small fish, but they will also eat other small marine creatures like worms, shrimp, and aquatic insects. Worms provide a good source of protein and nutrients for terns. The main types of worms terns eat include marine worms like ragworms, lugworms, and sandworms. Terns use their sharp beaks to catch worms near the water’s surface or along the shoreline. Though not their primary food source, eating worms can be an important part of the tern’s diet. Do All Species of Terns Eat Worms? Most species of…
Many people are fascinated by dinosaurs, especially those that resemble modern day birds. One such dinosaur is the theropod dinosaur known as Velociraptor. With its bird-like features and vicious claws, Velociraptor captures the imaginations of both children and adults alike. Introduction to Velociraptor Velociraptor was a mid-sized dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur that lived approximately 75 to 71 million years ago during the late Cretaceous Period. Velociraptor fossils have been uncovered in Mongolia, China, and Russia. The type species is V. mongoliensis. They were bipedal feathered carnivores that could grow up to 6.8 ft (2 m) long, 1.6 ft (0.5 m) high…
The grey partridge and the Chukar are two species of game birds that are popular with hunters. While they share some similarities, there are some key differences between these two birds that are important to understand. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide a quick overview answering the key question – what is the difference between a grey partridge and a Chukar? Then, we’ll dive into more detail in the sections below. Quick Answers – The grey partridge is native to Europe, while the Chukar is native to Eurasia. – The grey partridge has grey and brown plumage, while the Chukar…
Territoriality is a behavior seen in many animal species in which individuals or groups claim an area of habitat as their own and defend it against intruders. Territoriality serves various functions for animals including securing food resources, attracting mates, providing nesting sites or shelter, and protecting offspring. Many types of animals exhibit territorial behaviors including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Territorial animals use various means to demarcate their territories and communicate ownership such as scent marking, vocalizations, visual displays, and direct confrontations. Well-studied examples of highly territorial animals include wolves, lions, bears, small tropical fish like cichlids, and…
