There are many surprises in the natural world. Some are due to our own false interpretations and conclusions, others are due to misinformation we have been given, as well as information that at one time was considered true but has been disproven.
12 Days of Christmas and Its Birds
It’s likely you are familiar with the carol, “Twelve Days of Christmas.” Moreover, you have probably sung it. But, have you ever noted how many birds are within the lyrics? To save you the time of counting, I’ll just tell you. There are six birds given as gifts in the song. If you do not […]
Turkeys, Thanksgiving, and Our National Bird
10 Interesting Facts About Turkeys 1) Did you know turkeys have a name sake? Turkey vultures received their common name because their naked head resembles the featherless heads of turkeys. 2) If wild turkeys become excited, the color of their bald heads can change in seconds. As a result you may see turkeys with faces […]
Spiders, Webs, and Birds
Many small birds utilize spider’s webs as they go about their daily lives. Although webs can bring benefits, they also present hazards. In this blog, I will cover both the usefulness and the dangers of spiders and spider webs in the lives of birds. Spider Webs Offer Good Building Materials Spider webs are made of […]
Vultures: Fallacies and Truths
Charles Darwin was certainly not impressed with Turkey Vultures when he first saw them. He noted, “These disgusting birds, with their bald, scarlet heads, formed to revel in putridity.” Yet he seems to have had a better opinion of condors when he wrote, “It is truly wonderful and beautiful to see so great a bird, […]
Eagle Size, Taxonomy, and Exceptions
When people think of eagles, they generally think of a large bird. If asked, “what makes an eagle different from a hawk?” the answer understandably often includes the statement that eagles are larger and more powerful than hawks. In the United States, we have the Bald Eagle and the Golden Eagle. Both are large powerful […]