In the image above, you can see a microscopic view of an owl’s specialized feathers. Owls are known for their silent flight and they are able to do so through the evolutionary modifications of their feathers. The leading primary, or the outermost flight feather, has serrations in it to break up the air flow, creating a silent flight. The other flight feathers are also special in the tiny details of structure, also helping with noise reduction.
The cover image also shows an illustration of a bird outline and highlighting the bone structure within and the different flight feather regions.
The cover image also shows an illustration of a bird outline and highlighting the bone structure within and the different flight feather regions.
Owl Pellets
Pellets are the left-over, indigestible parts of a prey item that gets compacted and regurgitated by birds of prey, especially in owls. Other species also create pellets as well, but owls are more well-known to do so. After catching prey, an owl will swallow it whole, maybe eating several prey items before needing to rest and begin the first stages of digestion. The food enters their crop, a special organ that birds have, where food is initially broken down, the digestible portions continuing on to the stomach. What is leftover is compacted into a pellet and regurgitated. Pellets typically contain fur, feathers, bones, and other tough organic materials. Studying owl pellets is useful because we can tell the diet of the species, the health of the individual, and what prey items are available in the environment. Dissecting owl pellets is a delicate but fun process, carefully pulling it apart and separating fur from bones, then identifying the prey species based on the many bone fragments!
Pellets are the left-over, indigestible parts of a prey item that gets compacted and regurgitated by birds of prey, especially in owls. Other species also create pellets as well, but owls are more well-known to do so. After catching prey, an owl will swallow it whole, maybe eating several prey items before needing to rest and begin the first stages of digestion. The food enters their crop, a special organ that birds have, where food is initially broken down, the digestible portions continuing on to the stomach. What is leftover is compacted into a pellet and regurgitated. Pellets typically contain fur, feathers, bones, and other tough organic materials. Studying owl pellets is useful because we can tell the diet of the species, the health of the individual, and what prey items are available in the environment. Dissecting owl pellets is a delicate but fun process, carefully pulling it apart and separating fur from bones, then identifying the prey species based on the many bone fragments!
Feathers
Feathers may be a birds best asset, in flight capability or mate attraction, but keeping feathers you find is actually prohibited without a permit. This is under accordance of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). This law was put into act to protect native species and migratory species from poaching and unregulated killing. This even includes feathers found from regular molting and window kills. Some exceptions apply: non-native species (House Sparrow, European Starling, Eurasian collared dove, Rock pigeon) and open-hunting waterfowl and game birds. You can still take photos and observe the feather, just make sure to put it back!
Feathers may be a birds best asset, in flight capability or mate attraction, but keeping feathers you find is actually prohibited without a permit. This is under accordance of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). This law was put into act to protect native species and migratory species from poaching and unregulated killing. This even includes feathers found from regular molting and window kills. Some exceptions apply: non-native species (House Sparrow, European Starling, Eurasian collared dove, Rock pigeon) and open-hunting waterfowl and game birds. You can still take photos and observe the feather, just make sure to put it back!
Eggs
Birds belong to the class of Aves, in which all species lay eggs for reproduction, and are oviparous. All birds' eggs are hard-shelled with the shell made of mostly calcium carbonate. This is a semi-permeable membrane that still allows for air and moisture to pass through while protecting and supporting the growing embryo inside. The eggs are soft inside the mother bird, then gain materials as they pass through the reproductive tract, such as the albumin and yolk. While the egg is still soft, it has the opportunity to become fertilized. Birds will still lay eggs without becoming fertilized. Bird eggs are unique to the species and thus can also be used for species identification.
Eggs range in size proportional to the adult bird, with Kansas' smallest of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird with eggs being 0.3 x 0.5" to the largest of Kansas being the Bald Eagle, with eggs being 2 x 3". Clutch size, or how many eggs are laid, varies with several factors such as food availability and how much the parents are involved with raising their young. Often times, only the female broods, or sits on the eggs to keep them warm, but the males in some species will also spend time brooding. The eggs are incubated for an average of 1.5-2 weeks, typically in late spring. Birds are born either altricial or precocial, meaning born helpless and needing care from the parents or are "ready to go" once hatched. Songbirds are typically altricial while geese and ducks are typically precocial.
Birds belong to the class of Aves, in which all species lay eggs for reproduction, and are oviparous. All birds' eggs are hard-shelled with the shell made of mostly calcium carbonate. This is a semi-permeable membrane that still allows for air and moisture to pass through while protecting and supporting the growing embryo inside. The eggs are soft inside the mother bird, then gain materials as they pass through the reproductive tract, such as the albumin and yolk. While the egg is still soft, it has the opportunity to become fertilized. Birds will still lay eggs without becoming fertilized. Bird eggs are unique to the species and thus can also be used for species identification.
Eggs range in size proportional to the adult bird, with Kansas' smallest of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird with eggs being 0.3 x 0.5" to the largest of Kansas being the Bald Eagle, with eggs being 2 x 3". Clutch size, or how many eggs are laid, varies with several factors such as food availability and how much the parents are involved with raising their young. Often times, only the female broods, or sits on the eggs to keep them warm, but the males in some species will also spend time brooding. The eggs are incubated for an average of 1.5-2 weeks, typically in late spring. Birds are born either altricial or precocial, meaning born helpless and needing care from the parents or are "ready to go" once hatched. Songbirds are typically altricial while geese and ducks are typically precocial.
Nests
Nearly all birds will build a nest to lay their eggs in and to raise their young. But as all species are different and have different abilities, there are many types of nests that can exist. Many passerines will make a nest of sticks, grasses, and other soft materials, and will build their structure in the branches of a tree. Some birds prefer a nesting cavity to build their nest, such as a nook or hole in a tree or in a bird house that we build for them. Swallows will build nests of mud and grass, attaching them to the sides of river banks or to human structures. Some birds will build their nests on the ground, amongst pond reeds, a pile of pebbles, or even just a shallow depression in the ground. Antarctic penguins don't even bother with making nests as the conditions are too rough for the egg. Birds such as weavers will build and weave an elaborate nest, some species even building a false entrance to prevent predators from getting to their eggs. The Sociable Weaver make their nests together in a giant mass. The Common Tailorbird sews its nest from live leaves, using their needle-like beak. Bald Eagles, which mate for life, will return to the same nest every year, reinforcing it. One of the largest nests got to be 10' wide and 20' tall! On the other hand, the Bee Hummingbird's nest is about the size of a sewing thimble, which is fit for the worlds smallest bird. Some birds don't need to build their own nests, such as the invasive House Sparrows, which often steal nests, or the nest-parasites such as Cowbirds and Cuckoos, who lay their eggs in other nests for a different bird to raise.
Nearly all birds will build a nest to lay their eggs in and to raise their young. But as all species are different and have different abilities, there are many types of nests that can exist. Many passerines will make a nest of sticks, grasses, and other soft materials, and will build their structure in the branches of a tree. Some birds prefer a nesting cavity to build their nest, such as a nook or hole in a tree or in a bird house that we build for them. Swallows will build nests of mud and grass, attaching them to the sides of river banks or to human structures. Some birds will build their nests on the ground, amongst pond reeds, a pile of pebbles, or even just a shallow depression in the ground. Antarctic penguins don't even bother with making nests as the conditions are too rough for the egg. Birds such as weavers will build and weave an elaborate nest, some species even building a false entrance to prevent predators from getting to their eggs. The Sociable Weaver make their nests together in a giant mass. The Common Tailorbird sews its nest from live leaves, using their needle-like beak. Bald Eagles, which mate for life, will return to the same nest every year, reinforcing it. One of the largest nests got to be 10' wide and 20' tall! On the other hand, the Bee Hummingbird's nest is about the size of a sewing thimble, which is fit for the worlds smallest bird. Some birds don't need to build their own nests, such as the invasive House Sparrows, which often steal nests, or the nest-parasites such as Cowbirds and Cuckoos, who lay their eggs in other nests for a different bird to raise.
Bird Bones
As a vertebrate, birds share many of the bones that we do, but there are also many differences in the class that has adapted to flying. Some of the biggest differences in our bones are the coracoid, wishbone, sclerotic ring, pygostyle, and sternum. The coracoid connects the sternum to the scapula, aiding in the movement required for flight. The wishbone, also known as the furcula, is the fused clavicles, which helps manage energy output during flight. The sclerotic ring is a special bone that supports the eye in all types of bony animals except amphibians and mammals. The pygostyle is a specialized tail bone which serves as the attachment site for the tail feathers. Almost every vertebrate also has a sternum, but the sternum of a bird is specialized and enlarged, serving as attachment to the pectoral muscles, which are largely used in flight.
To learn more about bird anatomy of bones, organs, and muscles, visit https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/features/birdanatomy/
As a vertebrate, birds share many of the bones that we do, but there are also many differences in the class that has adapted to flying. Some of the biggest differences in our bones are the coracoid, wishbone, sclerotic ring, pygostyle, and sternum. The coracoid connects the sternum to the scapula, aiding in the movement required for flight. The wishbone, also known as the furcula, is the fused clavicles, which helps manage energy output during flight. The sclerotic ring is a special bone that supports the eye in all types of bony animals except amphibians and mammals. The pygostyle is a specialized tail bone which serves as the attachment site for the tail feathers. Almost every vertebrate also has a sternum, but the sternum of a bird is specialized and enlarged, serving as attachment to the pectoral muscles, which are largely used in flight.
To learn more about bird anatomy of bones, organs, and muscles, visit https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/features/birdanatomy/
Effect of Outdoor Cats on Birds
A part of my research has been looking at the effects of outdoor domestic cats on bird populations, as that is a common topic for debate and conservation. The general research conducted by Cornell and other accredited sources has found that the main reason to bird populations in decline is due to climate change and habitat loss. For my own personal studies, I tracked and cataloged the species and numbers of birds I saw for about three years on my property while having my two outdoor cats have free-range. My cats did catch birds, but would also catch many other prey species (rodents and snakes), and were also not the only predators to prey birds in the area (bobcats, foxes, hawks, owls). The data I collected showed that my two cats did not have an effect on bird populations. When they did catch birds, the species that they caught most often were ones that were in high density, ground foraging, or already injured in some way.
I would like to continue my research on a larger scale, tracking various cats and the bird populations in their territories. The types of cats that cause the most environmental damage are feral colony cats, who are not cared for by humans and get the bulk of their diet from hunting. Domestic cats that are cared for by humans do not have the impact on the environment that some people may think, and calling for all cat owners to bring their cats inside would have minimal, if any, effect of bird populations.
A part of my research has been looking at the effects of outdoor domestic cats on bird populations, as that is a common topic for debate and conservation. The general research conducted by Cornell and other accredited sources has found that the main reason to bird populations in decline is due to climate change and habitat loss. For my own personal studies, I tracked and cataloged the species and numbers of birds I saw for about three years on my property while having my two outdoor cats have free-range. My cats did catch birds, but would also catch many other prey species (rodents and snakes), and were also not the only predators to prey birds in the area (bobcats, foxes, hawks, owls). The data I collected showed that my two cats did not have an effect on bird populations. When they did catch birds, the species that they caught most often were ones that were in high density, ground foraging, or already injured in some way.
I would like to continue my research on a larger scale, tracking various cats and the bird populations in their territories. The types of cats that cause the most environmental damage are feral colony cats, who are not cared for by humans and get the bulk of their diet from hunting. Domestic cats that are cared for by humans do not have the impact on the environment that some people may think, and calling for all cat owners to bring their cats inside would have minimal, if any, effect of bird populations.