As I looked out my window I spot an uninvited guest arriving. It settles on a branch near one of my sunflower feeders and begins looking around. A little larger than a robin, but smaller than a crow, this hawk did not come for the seeds. Visitors to the Draper Museum Raptor Experience https://centerofthewest.org/explore/greater-yellowstone-natural-history/raptor-experience will […]
For many people, owls are a favorite bird. One of the most common owls in the United States is the small Screech-owl. There are currently three species of Screech-owl found in the United States – Eastern, Western, and Whiskered. At one time the Western and Eastern Screech-owls were considered the same species as they are […]
Raptors worldwide regularly dine on a wide variety of prey. In the wild we can thank raptors such as Red-tailed Hawks and Rough-legged Hawks for killing thousands of pests including mice, rats, and voles. Many urban areas can give credit to peregrine falcons for helping out with their pigeon and starling problems. Across the globe, […]
Screech-owls are small, common owls found throughout the United States. Although two different species, the Eastern and Western Screech-owls are so similar that the best way to identify them is often by their distinct calls. Easterns have a call that descends in pitch, while Westerns have a steady call that increases in tempo similar to […]
Vulture populations are declining worldwide. Even a vulture whose stomach acids can kill deadly diseases, can’t handle pesticides, certain veterinary drugs, and lead from spent ammunition. Sadly, because they feed together, they will also die together when ingesting these dangerous substances. Vultures are important to ensure the health of humans and the ecosystems in which […]
World wide, many vulture populations are in trouble, yet they are one of the most essential birds. According to the National Geographic article, Bloody Good (2016), of the 23 species of vultures, only 7 are listed as least concern. Four are near threatened, three are endangered, and nine are critically endangered, including the California Condor. So […]