The Dramatic Size Difference Between Parasitic Cowbirds And Their Host Species
The difference in size isn’t always this extreme but it can be even more dramatic than some of the examples I’ve included here.
Category: Bird Oddities
Male Red-tailed Hawk In A Downward Takeoff
What In The World Is This American Crow Doing?
Three weeks ago I documented some very puzzling behavior from an American Crow at Farmington Bay WMA.
A Bird In Flight Enigma And A Surgical Update
Two unrelated post subjects this morning, one mysterious and one clinical. Clinical comes first so we can get it out of the way.
Feeding Behaviors Of Pied-billed Grebes
I have one suggestion for bird photographers, especially if you’re interested in behaviors. Don’t ignore our pugnacious friends the Pied-billed Grebes, particularly when they’re feeding. You’ll be sorry… (13 photos)
Loggerhead Shrike With An Attitude (+ conclusive proof it isn’t an act)
To the casual observer Loggerhead Shrikes may seem like just another songbird but in reality they’re fierce little predators whose prey includes arthropods, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, roadkill and carrion. “Wannabe raptors” indeed.
An Angry, Frustrated And Frightened Barn Swallow
Have you ever accidentally (or on purpose, c’mon – admit it!) had your fingers stuck together by superglue? If so this swallow knows how you felt.
Two Hooded Mergansers, A Fish And A Possible Behavioral Mystery
One-footed Merganser Running Across The Water
An Unusual Cormorant Fishing Technique
It isn’t known if this is a novel technique unique to only a few individuals or it’s more widespread among cormorants but just hadn’t been seen or recorded before. Either way, I think it’s fascinating.
Pissed Off Bald Eagle Giving Me The Finger
Yup, that’s what I said.
I took this shot nine years ago and never opened the image until last night (I’m probably going to catch hell from readers for that…). It had three surprises waiting for me when I finally saw it full screen.
A One-winged, One-legged Short-eared Owl?
Cormorant Landing On Water (+ a related physics question)
Sometimes I observe this phenomenon when birds land on water and other times I don’t. I believe it depends on the landing style of the bird but I’m trying to figure out how and why it happens.
Farmington Follies
During hunting season you just never know what strange sights you might see at Farmington Bay.
Some Evidence Regarding The Sense Of Smell In Red-tailed Hawks
Or the lack thereof…
Two days ago I encountered this juvenile Red-tailed Hawk on an unlikely and extremely foul-smelling perch.
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Male Red-tailed Hawk In A Downward Takeoff
What In The World Is This American Crow Doing?
Three weeks ago I documented some very puzzling behavior from an American Crow at Farmington Bay WMA.
A Bird In Flight Enigma And A Surgical Update
Two unrelated post subjects this morning, one mysterious and one clinical. Clinical comes first so we can get it out of the way.
Feeding Behaviors Of Pied-billed Grebes
I have one suggestion for bird photographers, especially if you’re interested in behaviors. Don’t ignore our pugnacious friends the Pied-billed Grebes, particularly when they’re feeding. You’ll be sorry… (13 photos)
Loggerhead Shrike With An Attitude (+ conclusive proof it isn’t an act)
To the casual observer Loggerhead Shrikes may seem like just another songbird but in reality they’re fierce little predators whose prey includes arthropods, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, roadkill and carrion. “Wannabe raptors” indeed.
An Angry, Frustrated And Frightened Barn Swallow
Have you ever accidentally (or on purpose, c’mon – admit it!) had your fingers stuck together by superglue? If so this swallow knows how you felt.
Two Hooded Mergansers, A Fish And A Possible Behavioral Mystery
One-footed Merganser Running Across The Water
An Unusual Cormorant Fishing Technique
It isn’t known if this is a novel technique unique to only a few individuals or it’s more widespread among cormorants but just hadn’t been seen or recorded before. Either way, I think it’s fascinating.
Pissed Off Bald Eagle Giving Me The Finger
Yup, that’s what I said.
I took this shot nine years ago and never opened the image until last night (I’m probably going to catch hell from readers for that…). It had three surprises waiting for me when I finally saw it full screen.
A One-winged, One-legged Short-eared Owl?
Cormorant Landing On Water (+ a related physics question)
Sometimes I observe this phenomenon when birds land on water and other times I don’t. I believe it depends on the landing style of the bird but I’m trying to figure out how and why it happens.
Farmington Follies
During hunting season you just never know what strange sights you might see at Farmington Bay.
Some Evidence Regarding The Sense Of Smell In Red-tailed Hawks
Or the lack thereof…
Two days ago I encountered this juvenile Red-tailed Hawk on an unlikely and extremely foul-smelling perch.