mourning doves are a species of ground-feeding dove native to north america. they are one of the most common and widespread bird species of north america, partially due to them being able to have up to 6 clutches in a year. they are named for their distinct song, which is said to sound like a person in mourning.
the hooded warbler is a migratory songbird, with a breeding range throughout the united states and parts of canada, and a winter range in central america. like other warblers, the hooded warbler feeds off of insects, either by finding them in foliage or catching them from the air. females are partially greenish and lack the black ‘hood’ of the male.
leia’s eye area always dries up after a bath first, leaving her looking like she’s wearing a green mask :’)
yellow-throated vireos are a small songbird found in southeastern north america and central america. vireos are rarely seen at backyard birdfeeders unless insects are an offering; insects and berries make up the majority of their diet.
just put up the camera & foraging toy! the first one is very easy – i have no doubt they’ll use it. it’s a wooden block with holes and grooves to remove treats from – something that some of my backyard birds like nuthatches already have mastered by removing insects from bark. i just kinda want to introduce the toys slowly, give them practice, and make them feel successful so they aren’t immediately discouraged if they can’t figure out a complex toy on the first try. they seem a little wary about it so it may take a few days to post results!
they’re already using it! ill post videos as soon as possible!
bird of the day: peregrine falcon
the peregrine falcon is a large (crow-sized) falcon found on every continent besides antartica.
not only is the peregrine falcon the fasted bird, they are the fastest animal on the planet. peregrines reach over 200mph during dives for prey.
these falcons most often prey on birds, but occasionally also eat small mammals, reptiles, and even large insects.
peregrine falcons have been used for falconry by humans for over 3000 years. they are a popular choice, and known to be skilled in retrieving gamebirds.
peregrine falcons are known to thrive in urban environments, preying off of pigeons, starlings, rats, and other abundant urban animals. they naturally nest on cliff faces, and many buildings have areas that mimic this layout for nesting sites.
throughout their range, there is quite a bit of difference in coloration. their colors vary based on what continent and area they are from.
peregrine falcons were once in danger due to use of the pesticide ddt. after bans were put in place on ddt and breeding programs restored peregrines to the wild, their numbers rebounded. they are currently rated least concern by the iucn.
today's bird 