Woodpeckers are such unique and beautiful birds! Their bold plumage and clownish attitudes are perfect for the camera, and many are regular at backyard feeders. Woodpeckers also entertain with laughing calls, but sometimes, the joke goes a bit too far. As we know, woodpeckers love to peck, and once in a while, they hammer their beaks in the wrong places. Why do woodpeckers peck into houses? How can we keep woodpeckers from damaging a home?   Wood-Loving Creatures Woodpeckers can’t help pecking into wood. It’s what they do, and it’s part of what makes these beautiful birds unique. In gener ..read more

Ducks are funny, unique, and beautiful birds. Part of their charm stems from their odd, flat beaks. They use them to eat vegetation, small creatures, and, when they can get it, bread. As much as these waterbirds love that duck junk food, bread is actually really bad for them. No matter how much they quack for it, do them a favor and refuse to succumb to their pleas! Instead, give ducks food that’s good for them and just let them feed on their own. Regarding good food for ducks, one of the most common questions is if ducks eat fish. It seems to make sense, after all, they do live in aquatic hab ..read more

Ducks are such beautiful and fun birds! They live on just about any wetland, are easy to watch, and are a great addition to every farm. It’s also easy to take care of ducks and they are pretty common in the wild. However, ducks do have lots of predators, and they are popular gamebirds. Have you ever wondered how long ducks live? Can they live many years or do they have naturally short lifespans? See this article to learn all about the lifespans of ducks!   Key takeaways: Like most other birds, ducks have many predators, which is part of the reason why ducks have bigger broods. A duck’s l ..read more

Parrots are some of the most colorful birds on the planet. Plumaged in brilliant red, yellow, blue, and green, parrots are a feast for the senses! Most parrot species have bright colors, but there are a few exceptions. One of those special “non-conformist” parrots is a bird that bucks the trend with dark plumage and a gothic look. Officially known as “Pesquet’s Parrot”, this unique bird also goes by another name: the “Dracula Parrot”! What are Dracula Parrots, and how did they get that name? Do they really drink blood?   Pesquet’s Parrots a.k.a Dracula Parrots Pesquet’s Parrots don’t look ..read more

North Carolina is a great place to see owls! Several owls make their home in the state, including Barn Owls, Barred Owls, and Eastern Screech Owls. But do you know where to find them? And how many species even live in North Carolina?   North Carolina’s Owl Populations Even though North Carolina is not filled with dozens of different species, there are still some common owls living in the forests. Based on eBird data, in the last year alone, six owl species were spotted, plus, over time, there have been even rarer sightings.   Barred Owl Photograph © Greg Lavaty. Range: A permanent ..read more

Owls are fascinating birds! Their hooting calls echo in the dark of the night but we hardly ever see them during the day. Their nocturnal behavior also makes them tough birds to study. Like other birds, owls build nests and lay eggs but what are their relationships like? How do they find mates and when they do find one, do they mate for life?   Key takeaways: While most owls do form lifelong bonds, others do not. Owls are caring mates – they are there for their mates, and fathers help take care of the young ones.   The Bonds Between Owls Most owls form long-term pair bonds, but do ..read more

Ducks are such attractive and easy birds to watch! They often occur in flocks that forage and take flight together. Sometimes, while watching them, I notice pairs of ducks within the flock. These are male and female ducks that stay near each other, interact, and really look like a couple. Ducks pair together, but do they mate for life? What are duck relationships like?   The Bonds Between Ducks Ducks form pairs for mating but they don’t have life-long pair bonds. Geese and swans can mate for life but most ducks have other mating strategies. While they might have just one mate during the b ..read more

Ducks are such unique and beautiful birds! Ducks are fun to watch as they dabble and dive in local waterways, and male ducks can have impressive iridescent plumage. These popular waterbirds also have unique beaks. Watch a duck at close range or zoom in with a spotting scope and you might notice another interesting feature. Those duck bills aren’t as flat and smooth as they appear. In fact, it looks like they have teeth! Do ducks really have teeth? Would a duck bite hurt?   Key takeaways: Ducks do not actually have teeth. The serrations or teeth-like objects are actually called lamellae ..read more

The Indian Runner Duck is a domestic duck species with an upright posture, originating from Southeast Asia. Bred for eggs and meat, they are agile on land and enthusiastic foragers. They come in a variety of colors and plumage patterns from black to various browns to white. Let’s discover more interesting facts about them!   Who Are They? The Indian Runner Duck is a distinct breed of domestic duck known for their upright posture and variable plumage. They are characterized by their tall, slim build, resembling a wine bottle or a bowling pin. The origin of Indian Runner Ducks can be trac ..read more

Birds with bright colors, loud calls, and fantastic, exotic looks! How can you not love parrots? In Costa Rica, I’m fortunate to see beautiful White-fronted Parrots, and Crimson-fronted Parakeets fly over my neighborhood. These wonderful birds flash red and green as they fill the air with shrieking calls. Other types of parrots lend their colors to tropical forests from Australia to Africa, and the Amazon. Which brings us to the main question – how many types of parrots are there, and where do most of them live?   The Parrot Family & Species The parrot family is huge! There are close ..read more