Cooperative breeding, also called communal breeding, occurs in about 3% of the world’s bird species. This happens when more than two birds of the same species work together in rearing […]
The Draper Museum Raptor Experience
The Draper Museum Raptor Experience is an exciting live raptor education program at the Draper Natural History Museum in Cody, Wyoming. The Draper is one of five museums at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which embraces the Spirit of the American West. What better way to celebrate the wildness of this wonderful area than by sharing some of its most spectacular wild animals with our guests. Visitors to the Center have the unique opportunity to get an up close and personal view of some of Wyoming’s most recognized predators – the birds of prey!
Hunting Methods of Insect Eating Birds
Insect Diets Insects supplement or make up the major part of the diets of many birds from small perching birds to raptors. Here at the Draper Museum Raptor Experience (https://centerofthewest.org/explore/greater-yellowstone-natural-history/raptor-experience) […]
Northern Harriers: The Hawks That Resemble Owls
How Northern Harriers are Similar to Owls A Northern Harrier flies low over the grasslands with a flock of Red-winged Blackbirds following it. Commonly mobbed by blackbirds, sparrows, starlings, swallows, […]
Kleptoparasites: Pirates in the World of Birds
Morality of Surviving In a letter to his daughter, Benjamin Franklin revealed that he wished the Bald Eagle had not been chosen as our national symbol. His reasoning was that […]
How Birds Survive Cold Temperatures
Here in Wyoming the average December low temperature is 17 degrees Fahrenheit. Add wind and you will have sub-zero wind chill temperatures. Yet many of our birds do not migrate […]
Mobbing: What It Is, and Why Do Mobbed Birds Put Up With It
Whether you are a bird watcher or not, you have probably seen a larger bird being harassed by one or more smaller birds. This behavior is called “mobbing” and you […]
