Bird Vision Birds enjoy sharper vision than humans. Birds can see certain light frequencies–including ultraviolet–that humans cannot see. In fact, many songbirds have feathers that reflect ultraviolet light. This light is used to communicate species, gender, and perhaps even social standing. Birds can see this ultraviolet light under normal, daylight conditions. Humans require the assistance…
The wild turkey is our largest upland game bird. The wild variety is slimmer and has a few color differences than its closely related domestic cousin. They all came from the same original wild stock. The domestic Turkey is thought to be among the most stupid of birds. They have been reported to actually stand…
A favorite winter bird that generally arrives in the Midwest and Great Plains states in late November to early December that has a huge appetite for Nyjer seed at our thistle feeders is the Pine Siskin. Many of these birds breed from southern Alaska across Canada to Newfoundland down to the upper Great Lakes region…
Purple Finch (Bird of the Month) – What a privilege it is to have Purple Finch in our area this winter. These finches differ from our more common nesting bird, the house finch. The purple finch breeds in the evergreen forests of the northern parts of the country and corresponding sections in Canada. It has…
The Eastern Bluebird is one of three varieties of bluebirds that are native to North America. The other two are the Mountain Bluebird and the Western Bluebird. These two bluebird varieties live in areas true to their names, far to the west of us. The Mountain Bluebird however can be found nesting in western regions…
What a joy it is to attract the Rose-breasted Grosbeak to our feeders after they have wintered in Central and South America. This little finch, which weighs about 1-3/4 ounce, has had a long trip to its nesting territory. The Nature Center has banded these birds in past years and it is always exciting to…
In the spring and early summer, we may have noticed a bird with a stiff flap and glide flight pattern, reminiscent of a Sharp Shinned Hawk. But closer inspection reveals the male Mourning Dove in a courtship flight, then returning to his favorite “cooing” perch. In flight he has a whistling sound as doves often…
The Northern Flicker is one of the largest and most beautiful woodpeckers in North America. We receive numerous calls each year along with customers stopping by Wild Bird Habitat asking about this bird that they occasionally see in their yards. It does not frequent feeders and bird baths as often as other woodpeckers, but when…
The Red Tail is our most common and widespread North American Hawk. It is also one of the largest and most powerful of our hawks. If you see a large hawk in the summer, sitting in trees or on a light pole, it is probably a Red Tail. Though they are common, there is a…