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Why Do Birds Migrate? Evolution, Advantages, and Triggers of Bird Migration

Posted on by Rita Shaw

 

Why Do Birds Migrate? The Science and Evolution of Long-Range Migration

Half of the bird species on Earth migrate (Elphick, p. 10), making a regular and predictable journey to a new range to breed in spring, and returning in the fall. Other animals migrate, of course: caribou, whales, monarch butterflies—but birds are the most obvious. Why do birds migrate?

Evolution of Bird Migration

A variety of factors have shaped bird migration over time: climate and climate change, geography and continental drift, and competition between species and populations for limited resources.

Ice ages are thought to have played a part, making large areas of Earth uninhabitable for long periods. Jonathan Elphick points out that climate fluctuations between ice ages have been common and sometimes rapid, putting intense pressure on species directly affected (p. 8). Birds that were able to move to more hospitable ranges and survive had an advantage over those …

Birdwatching at Kilauea Point Wildlife Refuge in Hawaii

Posted on by Rita Shaw

Kilauea Point Wildlife Refuge is well-known for its great bird-watching spots. The entire refuge spans 203 acres, allowing it to house many different species of wildlife, including the Hawaiian geese native to the area. The marine life that can be seen from Kilauea Point include manta rays, dolphins, sea turtles, and even the large humpback whales during the winter months. The Kilauea Point Wildlife Refuge is open seven days a week and closed on certain holidays, so call ahead if you will be traveling on one of these dates.

Birdwatching at Kilauea Point Wildlife Refuge in Hawaii: Red-footed boobies and tropic birds

One of the most common types of birds to watch at Kilauea Point Wildlife Refuge is the red-footed booby. You will see many of these nests on the eastern set of cliffs. Tropic birds are another unusual species …

Bird Watching: Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

Posted on by Rita Shaw

There is a large maple tree in our front yard. If you look closely at the trunk, you will notice horizontal lines of little holes all along the trunk. This is a sure sign that there is a yellow-bellied sapsucker in the area.

The yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) reminds me at first glance of a little larger version of a downy or hairy woodpecker. [See my articles on the Downy Woodpecker and on the Hairy Woodpecker.] It is 8½ inches and mottled black and off-white. The male has a red chin and throat, while the female has a white chin and throat. Both have red crowns; although, you might notice some females with a black crown or a crown with just a few red feathers. Both have white shoulder patches that are easily noticed on their folded wings. …

Become a Birdwatcher, It's Easier than You Think

Posted on by Rita Shaw

Have you ever woken up really early in the morning and heard the birds just going crazy? That’s happened to me several times over the past few months and, while I am not a morning person, I cannot help but enjoy the beautiful chaos of all those birds calling out at once. It’s like a cafeteria or an auditorium with everyone talking at once. Or like the instruments tuning up before the concert begins, going through their practice runs when no one is really listening. I love it!

It’s amazing that most of us have so many wild birds living all around us that we don’t even notice. So maybe it’s time to take notice. One way to start doing that is to bring them to your backyard. And if they’re in your backyard already, bring them out of the …

Summer Birdwatching Advice

Posted on by Rita Shaw

Birdwatching is a fantastic hobby, easy to pick-up and fairly simple to start doing. Even for American’s living in the densest urban and concrete jungles, birds are usually still present. Thanks to the plethora of affordable digital cameras and spotting scopes, plus the wonders of bird identification made easy both online and in low-priced birdwatching guides, the hobby has never been more accessible. This summer is a great opportunity to start this hobby and here are a few pointers to get you outside and birdwatching like a pro!

Become familiar with the more common species of birds in your area. Most major cities have birdwatching groups and websites where you can learn about the local birds. Be sure to pick up a bird species guide, like the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America or the The …

Bird Watching: Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Posted on by Rita Shaw

A hawk recently grabbed a bird right at my front window. I knew that it was only a matter of time. It had been perching in the pine tree where we have most of our birdfeeders for quite awhile. This is not normal behavior. Hawks usually do not hang out close to our home. They will fly around occasionally looking for prey, but they do not perch in trees so close to the house. (Perhaps the snow and frigid temperatures are causing them to modify their behavior.) Also the blue jays are not around as much to sound the alarm. [See: Bird Watching: Blue Jays] Whatever the reason, this hawk finally got something to eat not more than 5 feet from the front of the house. As I watched it sit for a moment in my front yard before flying …

Birdwatching Tools 101

Posted on by Rita Shaw

So you’d like to go birdwatching, but don’t know what to bring? Here’s the tools a beginner might need out on the field. Keep your dog out of your way with some toys from DoggieToys.Deals

  1. Binoculars or a Camera.

You are unlikely to see a bird within a few feet of yourself for more than a few seconds, but with these birdwatching tools, you can still have that experience. Using a camera or binoculars also prevents the need to go closer and closer to the birds. Doing so can cause them stress. However, zooming in on birds is both stress-free for them, and guilt-free for you.

Cameras are especially useful because they can immortalize your birdwatching experience. If your camera is a digital camera, you can even transfer your photos onto your computer and see the birds in greater detail. …

Birdwatching for Beginners

Posted on by Rita Shaw

What is the most pleasant way to watch time fly? Birdwatching!

Birdwatching, or birding, is a popular pastime. Observing wild birds in their natural environment is relaxing and fascinating. What a peaceful way to spend a day!

This has been called the Number-One Spectator Sport in America. Can you believe it? More people watch birds than any professional sporting event!

Does that mean there are more oriole enthusiasts than Orioles fans? More redwing blackbird buffs than Redwings rooters? More cardinal-lovers that Cardinal boosters? Yes!

For fledgling birdwatchers, here are a few helpful instructions. These may help you to spy your favorite birds on the fly.

 

Select an appropriate habitat.

Find out where the birds live, and seek out the ones you want to see. In North America, if you are patient and you know where to look, you …

Adam: The First Gardener and Birdwatcher

Posted on by Rita Shaw

The first gardener must have also been a bird watcher, I am sure. Genesis chapter two tells the story about him. In Genesis 2:8, God created a garden. It was complete with plants, trees and a river. He put a man there to take care of it. The Bible calls the man Adam. In the garden, God brought all the animals and birds that he created to Adam to name. Birdwatchers have been trying to identify birds ever since, but Adam simply named them, giving each bird and each animal dignity and a place in the society of the garden of Eden.

In Geneses 2:22 Eve was created. Now Adam had company in the garden. He dressed the garden with tools he had to learn how to make and use. It must have been interesting to see how he fitted …

Quick Guide to Yellow Birds of Orange County CA: A Guide for Common Birds with Yellow Plumage in Southern California

Posted on by Rita Shaw

Many birds call the unique vegetation of Southern California home, but it is those with a flash of yellow that often catch the eye. Here’s a quick guide to help hikers and other casual observers identify one yellow bird from another.

Wilson’s Warbler

Look for this bird especially in the spring and fall. It has a yellow belly and breast and an olive-colored back and wings. The long tail, yellow face and black cap make this small (less than five inches) Southern California bird easy to identify.

Pacific-Slope Flycatcher

About the same size as the Wilson’s warbler, this bird is most commonly seen in the summer in Orange County. Its yellow belly and chest are not as bright at the Wilson’s warbler, and its back is more olive-brown in color. Look for the distinctive white eye ring, orange lower bill …

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  • Why Do Birds Migrate? Evolution, Advantages, and Triggers of Bird Migration
  • Birdwatching at Kilauea Point Wildlife Refuge in Hawaii
  • Bird Watching: Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
  • Become a Birdwatcher, It's Easier than You Think
  • Summer Birdwatching Advice
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