With their bright red plumage and melodious songs, northern cardinals are backyard favorites that captivate birdwatchers. It’s understandable why cardinal devotees may contemplate keeping these beautiful songbirds as pets. However, while visually striking, cardinals do not actually make good pets. There are substantial legal restrictions, housing and care challenges, and conservation impacts that make keeping … Read more
With their elegant white plumage and slender builds, egrets are a common sight along shorelines and wetlands throughout Florida. Several egret species reside in or migrate through the Sunshine State, attracted by an abundance of streams, marshes, and estuaries that provide ideal habitats. In this article, we’ll explore the different types of egrets in Florida … Read more
When you look to the skies and see a large bird gliding in the wind, how can you tell if it’s a hawk or an eagle? Though they may seem similar at first glance, hawks and eagles have distinct differences when it comes to their physical characteristics and behaviors. With over sixty species of hawks … Read more
Birds come in a spectacular array of colors and varieties, but some of the most visually striking species have bright red feathers on their heads. These dazzling red crowns and crests make the birds easy to spot and recognize, even amongst the green forests or gray cityscapes they inhabit. In this article, we’ll highlight some … Read more
Blue jays are familiar backyard birds in many parts of North America, recognized by their bright blue, white, and black feathers. These chatty songbirds are a delight to watch as they vocalize and hop around in small flocks. During spring breeding season, one bird behavior you may observe is female blue jays gathering nesting material … Read more
The vibrant red headed sparrow is a small songbird notable for the male’s striking bright red crown and nape feathers. As a member of the Emberizid family alongside similar birds such as juncos and towhees, the red headed sparrow displays the trademark conical beak perfect for consuming seeds and insects. Approximately six inches in length, … Read more
Have you ever heard that it’s good luck if a bird poops on you? This idea may seem silly or even gross, but it’s a common superstition that can be traced back centuries. Though we may grimace at the thought of being a target, some optimists see an avian bomb landing on their head or … Read more
The sight of a bright blue egg in a nest often takes people by surprise. As common as brown or white eggs are in nature, coming across a vivid blue one stands out as unusual. But there are actually a number of bird species that lay blue or bluish-colored eggs. The shade can range from … Read more
The haunting hoots of an owl piercing the night sky is a familiar sound to many. These mysterious calls often make us wonder – why do owls hoot in the first place? The reasons behind owls’ vocalizations are more complex than you may realize. Owls hoot for a variety of reasons depending on factors like … Read more
Among the over 10,000 species of birds that inhabit the diverse ecosystems of our planet, some stand out for their uniquely impressive beaks. Several bird groups have evolved elongated, specialized bills to help them expertly access food resources. The length and shape of these beaks match perfectly with the birds’ preferred diets. In this article, … Read more
