Category: Birds

Mourning Dove Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior

The mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) belongs to the family Columbidae and it is the most common North American bird. The dove is capable to achieve high speeds during flight. It is also known as turtle dove, American mourning dove, and Carolina pigeon. The total population of mourning dove is estimated at 475 million worldwide. Mourning…
Brown Thrasher Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior

The brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) is most commonly found across the central and eastern United States. It belongs to the family Mimidae which also includes mockingbirds. The brown thrasher is the national bird of the state Georgia. The bird resembles much with wood thrush in its physical appearance. Brown thrashers are omnivores. Brown Thrasher Facts…
Cactus Wren Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior

The cactus wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) is the largest wren species in North America. The bird is native to the central Mexico and southwestern United States. Cactus wren belongs to the family of Troglodytidae. The bird is generally common in much of its range but is threatened in the southern California. It is a state bird…
Rouen Duck Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Reproductive Behavior

The Rouen duck is one of the domesticated breeds of duck species. It is thought to develop from the wild mallard duck. They make one of the most familiar table breeds. Rouens are extremely slow to achieve maturity age. Rouen Duck Facts Adults average 9 – 12 lb (4.1 – 5.4 kg) in weight. They…
Emu Bird Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior

The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is one of the largest birds in the world—second only to ostrich. It is the largest flightless bird in Australia. Emus are able to reach the speed of 30 miles per hour in short bursts. It is thought to travel great distances in search of plants and insects. Emus are generally…
Southern Cassowary Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior

The southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) is a large flightless bird—one that is typically found in the mainland Australia including Queensland and New Guinea. Unlike many other birds, the double-wattled cassowary is primarily known for its aggressive behavior. The cassowary is also one of the oldest living birds. It is also known as double-wattled cassowary. Southern…
Galapagos Penguin Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior

The Galapagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) is one of the smallest penguin species and it is native to the Galapagos Islands. The bird is not only smaller in its size but it has the smallest population of penguins. Galapagos penguin is the only penguin species that is found in the northern Hemisphere. There are around 1,500…
Tawny Frogmouth Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior

The tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides) is a medium-size Australian bird that typically hunts during night. The bird is believed to have adapted many different habitats within its range. Unique among its features is that it camouflages itself in a way that neither a predator nor any prey can see it roosting on a tree. The…
Ruby Throated Hummingbird Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior

The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is a tiny bird that breeds all along the Central and North America. It is a hummingbird species and like a typical hummingbird the ruby throated bird is thought to display astonishing feats of flight. It is able to fly not only backwards but can also hover upside and down.…
Oriole Bird Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior

The Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula) is a small North American bird and it earns its name because of its coat that reminds us of the Lord of Baltimore. It is a migratory species. The bird is primarily known for its sweet song. The Baltimore oriole has got brilliant bright-colored plumage. They are often heard than…
African Fish Eagle Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior

The African fish eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) truly lives up to its name as it skillfully seizes the fish from the water surface and drags it to the land where it tears it apart. The eagle typically breeds all along the sub-Saharan Africa. They fancy living in areas that provide large water bodies such as lakes.…
Arctic Tern Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior

The Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) is a medium-size seabird that has inspired biologists not only for its elegant style but also for making the longest migration of any living animal. It is widely distributed in many parts of North America, Europe, and Asia including Arctic regions. Arctic terns are highly migratory and the only bird…
Black Vulture Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior

The black vulture (Coragyps atratus) belongs to the New World vulture and it is a large bird of prey. The American black vulture or black vulture occurs in the Central Chile, southeastern United States, Uruguay and many other countries. Like typical vultures, black vultures are also scavengers as they primarily feed on carrion. Black Vulture…
Passenger Pigeon Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior

The passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) is an extinct pigeon that was once widespread throughout North America. It was possibly the world’s most abundant bird in those times with the total population of almost three billion. The extinction of a bird that was once numbered in millions leaves biologists to wonder how it went extinct. The…
Black Capped Chickadee Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior

The black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is a small North American bird that is mostly found in the mixed and deciduous forests. It is thought to lower down its temperature when the outside temperature drops. Studies further show that the black-capped chickadee is able to recall things for e.g. she could remember caches where she put her food.…
Piping Plover Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior

The piping plover (Charadrius melodus) is a small bird that is typically found along the sand beaches of North America. The bird is nearly the size of a sparrow and the black band that goes across its neck makes it rather unique among other birds. One cannot see it especially when the bird stands still…
Andean Condor Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior

The Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) is the biggest vulture in South America. Like most other vultures, Andean condor is also a scavenger feeding primarily on carrion. They are thought to fly as high as 18,000 feet and are able to spot animal from that height. Unlike any other bird, Andean condor has got the largest…
Robin Redbreast Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior

The European robin or Eurasian robin (Erithacus rubecula) is a small bird that relies on insects for consumption. The bird is also known as robin redbreast. There seems to be no real difference between male and female. Robin birds are one of the Britain’s loved birds that are known for their sweet songs. In the…
Atlantic Puffin Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior

The Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) is a small and tough seabird and the only puffin species native to the Atlantic Ocean. It is thought to breed in Greenland, North Atlantic islands, Norway, and Newfoundland. Part of the bill and the legs are completely orange while the rest of plumage is greyish black to white in…
Turkey Vulture Facts | Anatomy, Diet Habitat, Behavior

The turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) is the most common of the cathartid species. It is thought to occur from Canadian border all the way to the southern tip of South America. Except for the subspecies C. aura aura turkey vultures are non-migratory. They belong to the true vultures of the New World and their physical…
California Condor Facts | Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior

The California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is the only New World vulture to have survived to date but it is the rarest of the birds. The condor is the largest bird of North America. It was once widespread throughout the southern North America but now the range is reduced to northern Baja and British Columbia. The…