Tropical Birds
Glenda Gibbons
Latest Articles
Mockingbirds belong to the Family Mimidae. There at least thirty-five known species of mockingbirds in the world, twelve of them in North America. Their species is then sorted into varieties such as Mimus polyglottos, also known as the Northern Mockingbird. Whatever name this vocal songster travels under, it’s for sure that ...
It bears emphasis that the Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) was obviously not always known as a chimney-dweller. Humans can take a certain amount of pride in the fact that we have helped in the survival of at least one species. Perhaps the most commonly known swift is the Chimney Swift.
There is a common misconception that Purple Martins eat mosquitoes as part of their regular diet. In a seven year study of Purple Martins by the Purple Martin Conservation Association in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, the diets of parents to young show absolutely no mosquitoes.
Swallows, Martins, and Swifts... (oh my!)
An introduction to swallows, swifts, and martins. These are summer migrants that are welcome guests in any garden or on any farm. Able to consume their weight in mosquitos and other flying insects, this quality alone means that these birds never outstay their welcome!
The Magnificent Frigatebird; Nature's Original Aerialist
What impresses me the most about the frigatebird, and immediately draws my attention upward is the immense size of the bird. A frigatebird resembles a giant-sized swallow; once you’ve seen it, you’ll always be able to identify one.
We birders are lucky; we have a non-stop fashion parade passing right over our property 24 hours a day. However, along with our love of birds comes the responsibility of informing others about the dwindling lands and territories in which our bird friends try their best to adapt and to live ...
Migration; The Mississippi Flyway
At one time, it was actually believed that birds hibernated by burrowing in the ground. Thanks to the many wonderful birders and birding organizations around the world, we are now assured that this speculation is just not so!
Truth is; birds navigate with skills that would rival even the best human pilot! ...
Migration: The Incredible Journey
Those of us who live in the northern and Midwest United States, tend to think of our bird friends as living “here” in the summer. In truth, it’s the opposite way around.
Most birds fly to the northern hemisphere to breed, and then by summer’s end, the fledglings are ready to fly ...
Flycatchers are visible in North America only in the summer months, breeding in the southwest regions of the country. They winter in the areas from Mexico down to Panama and South America. There are many different species of flycatchers, but perhaps the most flamboyant of these is the scissortail.
It was perched on a pasture fencepost in my yard the time I first noticed it. What drew my attention first, was the beak. To me, it was clearly a heron's beak. The bird appeared dark in sunlight, but I could recognize the long neck when it stretched, then took to ...