On September 1st, 1914, a legend passed in the aviary at the Cincinnati Zoo. That legend was a single pigeon, named Martha, after George Washington’s wife. Martha was the last of her kind, and with..
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Topics: Curious Nature, Birding
I have a confession to make. Like all domestic cats, my indoor cat, Ryu, is a killer. That’s right. He escaped onto the patio one day in July and took out two birds. Did he eat them? No. He simply..
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Topics: Curious Nature, Birding
You’re out enjoying an evening on the lake when you notice a strange bird floating along the surface of the water. It’s not quite a duck, too small for a goose, and more awkward than a graceful..
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Topics: Curious Nature, Birding
Imagine this, you see a medium-sized, black-and-white waterfowl with a white crescent on its face, bobbing on the surface of Heart Lake (Flat Tops). Suddenly, it dives. What species was that?
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Topics: Curious Nature, Birding
“Are you my mother?” the little bird appeared to say, looking up at the larger bird feeding him small seeds and delicious insects. At this point, the baby bird was naked as a jaybird, so to speak,..
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Topics: Curious Nature, Birding
There’s an old folktale I remember from my childhood, about the magpie building its nest. According to the story, the magpie was the only bird at the time who knew how to build a nest. The magpie’s..
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Topics: Curious Nature, Birding
The peregrine falcon is a bird of many contradictions. Officially designated Falco peregrinus, or “wandering falcon,” they are known for exceptionally long migrations, yet have been held captive by..
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Topics: Curious Nature, Birding
The community is bustling as herons, egrets, and ibises come and go from the large cottonwood tree. While most birds nest in mated pairs, a few nest communally, sharing the warmth and protection of..
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Topics: Curious Nature, Birding
Birdwatching isn’t always easy. Birds don’t sit still for long, and they certainly don’t come close and spin around so we can see all their markings. And when you start looking up little yellow birds..
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Topics: Curious Nature, Birding
“Romantic” and “affectionate” are not typically terms used to describe ravens, which are often associated with mystery and death. However, as we learn more about the lives of these intelligent birds,..
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Topics: Curious Nature, Birding
A local high-mountain dweller has evolved an ingenious way to beat the empty belly blues during long Colorado winters. It’s the Clark’s Nutcracker: a tiny-brained individual bird in the jay family..
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Topics: Curious Nature, Birding
Throughout the spring and summer, you may see Swallows darting and sailing overhead while singing out their favorite songs. The beauty of their flight and harmonious sounds are a treasure in the..
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Topics: Curious Nature, Birding
