VerdinMay 04, 2010 – The nest of this acrobatic species is an intricately woven ball of spiderwebs and small twigs. Learn more about the verdin.
CardinalMay 10, 2011 – Find out more about a familiar feathered friend. Discover how their brilliant color can mean success with the opposite sex.
Pileated WoodpeckerMarch 01, 2014 – The pileated woodpecker is one of the largest woodpecker species in North America and its look is unmistakable—a large black bird with white on each side of its neck and a red crest on its head. When it flies, white flashes are visible under its wings. The sound of the pileated woodpecker's hammering carries a long distance through the woods where they live. They drum to attract mates and to establish the boundaries of their territory—warning other males away. They use their beaks to peck and dig under bark to find carpenter ants, beetle larvae, and other insects and will often dig large, rectangular holes in trees to uncover their meals. Some holes are so big that they weaken small, young trees. The birds also strip pieces of bark from trees looking for food. Generally, however, pileated woodpeckers help keep a forest healthy by eating wood-boring insects. A nesting pair of pileated woodpeckers usually makes a nesting hole in a large, older tree. During the day, both parents take turns incubating, or sitting on, the eggs to keep them warm. At night, only the male incubates the eggs. They generally lay four eggs at a time, which take about two weeks to hatch.
Black PhoebeMay 04, 2010 – Discover more about this distinctive black-and-white bird of the American Southwest.
Oak TitmouseMay 04, 2010 – For birders, the oak titmouse's lack of field marks is, ironically, an important field mark.
Bronzed CowbirdMay 04, 2010 – Some think that this bird has a sinister appearance. Discover what makes the bronzed cowbird unique.
Brown CreeperMay 04, 2010 – This bird is quite vocal, but its high-pitched vocalizations are easily missed. Learn how to spot the brown creeper.
Cliff SwallowMay 04, 2010 – These birds like to build large nesting colonies on cliffs, buildings, and under bridges. Learn more on what makes cliff swallows unique.
Common SandpiperMay 10, 2011 – This familiar beach bird lives life on the edge—the water's edge. Find out why. And hear its distinctive call.
American GoldfinchMay 08, 2017 – An American goldfinch soars through the warm spring air, it’s yellow feathers reflecting the sun. Suddenly the bird opens its mouth and chirps a call that sounds like “po-ta-to-chip.” This flier isn’t looking for a salty snack. It’s using this vocalization to communicate with its flock. The bird flies on, continuing its delicious call.
Brown ThrasherMay 08, 2017 – A brown thrasher moves its long bill back and forth through a pile of leaves like a broom sweeping the floor. Leaves scatter into the air as the bird pokes into the soil and finds a small beetle to eat. It quickly digests the tiny insect and then moves on to the next pile of leaves and dirt using its strong beak to thrash around for more food.
Whooping CraneFebruary 25, 2015 – You may weigh more than a whooping crane (and if you don’t you better start getting seconds at dinner), but you probably aren’t taller than one! Adults are about five feet tall, which makes them the tallest birds in North America. But even as tall as they are, whooping cranes weigh only about 15 pounds, thanks to their hollow bones. WHAT’S FOR DINNER? Whooping cranes live in wetlands, marshes, mudflats, wet prairies, and fields. They’re not picky about their meals—they have a varied diet and eat small fish, reptiles, and insects, as well as grains, marsh plants, and acorns. CALL OF THE WILD Whooping cranes really like to 'whoop it up' when it comes to attracting a mate. They call loudly and do what might look like a crazy dance to get attention. They flap their wings, shake their heads, jump up and down, and toss around feathers and grass! These birds are endangered, but scientists have used some pretty interesting tricks to help them survive. First they relocated one flock to Florida, but the birds never learned to migrate. Conservationists were determined to help the birds flourish and thrive, so they used a special trick with another Florida flock. Scientists "taught" the younger birds to migrate by having them follow an ultralight aircraft from Florida to Wisconsin. After the birds bred and hatched their chicks, they’d follow the plane back to Wisconsin! In addition to the year-round Florida flock and the one that migrates from Florida to Wisconsin, another flock flies from Texas to Canada and back again each year. These whooping cranes are really spreading their wings! Text by Laura Goertzel /NGS Staff
