The Art of Ecology
Building visual connections between people and nature.
Tag: bird feeding
Public Perception & Attitudes Towards Bird Feeding
As part of my spring 2023 “Wildlife Education” course (Masters of Environmental Science through Slippery Rock University), I conducted a survey/questionnaire that was designed to examine the public’s perceptions and attitudes towards a bird feeding; a sometimes-controversial wildlife topic. Many feel strongly about why they should or should not feed wild birds. Below are the …
Blueberries – More than a Tasty Snack!
Summer is here, and many of us love nothing more than a big carton of deep blue-ish purple blueberries! Wherever we can get them from the grocery store, farmers markets, or local community agriculture programs is so exciting, but did you know that blueberries are native to the eastern United States? We can go out …
Attract Fruit-eating Birds to Your Backyard
They may seem ultra-exotic and tropical, however fruit-eating birds do live in North America along the East Coast. In fact, while kayaking along the Delaware River in Philadelphia the other week, I had the incredible opportunity to watch a Baltimore Oriole creating a nest! Not all fruit-eaters are mango or papaya-loving tropical birds. Some are …
National Bird Day: Celebrate Right!
Did you know that today is America’s National Bird Day? Discover more about the birds you love and how to celebrate this winter season! Winter Bird Adaptations During the cold days of winter, we often worry about the birds that roam outside of our houses, especially because we can’t hear or see them as much. …
Isn’t A Vulture Just a Vulture….? Uncovering differences between local species.
When looking up in the sky, we can often see vultures hovering and gliding in large circular patterns. With as much deer, fox, raccoon, groundhog, and opossum roadkill as is in this area, it’s not surprising to be able to look up at any point in time and see vultures! Many look up and see …
Creating a Safe Haven for Feathered Friends
So far, we’ve discussed creating a backyard habitat, attracting butterflies and other pollinators, and creating a haven for snakes and beneficial predators, but we haven’t talked about how to get birds to your garden! Aside from the obvious of sticking up a feeder, there are some other great ways to attract your feathered friends! By …
Beautifully Built Bird Beaks & Bills
You have a bird feeder out in your back yard, but you notice that not all of the birds you have seen are visiting it – Why might that be? Well, one answer might be that not all birds are designed to eat the same foods. By looking at the bird’s beak or bill, you …
#YearOfTheBird
Did you know that by 2050, roughly ⅓ of all bird species might be extinct? Protecting these animals is important if we want to not only keep these wonderful birds around for future generations to enjoy, but also to keep healthy ecosystems! Migratory Bird Treaty Act & Protections Fortunately, 100 years ago, one of the …
How do tiny birds survive the cold winter?
We always think of birds as migrating south for the winter (wish I could too!), but obviously, some birds do stick around. There are many bird adaptations to the cold to allow them to stick around chilly Pennsylvania! How do Birds Adapt to the Cold? Birds adapt in many ways that are similar to humans. …
