Baby keel-billed toucans, called chicks or fledglings, are born completely helpless after 16-20 days of incubation. These remarkable tropical bird babies develop their iconic colourful beaks gradually over many months whilst remaining in tree cavity nests for 6-8 weeks. Toucan chicks are altricial, meaning they’re born blind, naked, and entirely dependent on their
The Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) is Central America’s most iconic bird, famous for its massive rainbow-coloured beak that can grow up to 20 centimetres long. These remarkable birds serve as vital seed dispersers in tropical rainforests, have surprisingly lightweight beaks despite their size, and are the national bird of Belize.
Magpies are not inherently bad luck. This belief stems from ancient folklore and Christian traditions that portrayed these intelligent birds negatively. The famous rhyme “One for sorrow, two for joy” reflects old superstitions, but modern science shows magpies are actually remarkably intelligent corvids that play important ecological roles. Whether you see
Magpies are highly territorial birds that fiercely defend their established territories throughout the year. These intelligent corvids maintain complex social structures whilst aggressively protecting their nesting sites, feeding grounds, and breeding areas from intruders. Understanding magpie territoriality helps explain their bold behaviour and provides crucial insights
Magpies are among the most intelligent and adaptable birds in the world, renowned for their striking black and white plumage and their remarkably diverse diet. These omnivorous birds have evolved sophisticated foraging strategies that allow them to thrive in various environments, from rural farmlands to bustling urban centres. Understanding what magpies eat provides
Yes, owls can see exceptionally well at night, but they cannot see in complete darkness. Their extraordinary night vision comes from specialised anatomical adaptations including enormous eyes (up to 5% of their body weight), tubular-shaped eyeballs, extremely high concentrations of rod cells in their retinas, and a reflective layer called
Blackbirds typically live for 2-4 years in the wild, with an average life expectancy of 3.4 years. However, the oldest recorded blackbird lived to an impressive 21 years and 10 months. Captive blackbirds can survive up to 20 years when protected from natural threats and provided with consistent food sources. Understanding
An owl predominantly symbolises wisdom and knowledge, especially in Western cultures, due to its association with Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom. However, owl symbolism varies dramatically across cultures, representing everything from spiritual insight and intuition to death and misfortune. In modern contexts, owls have
An owl pellet is a compact mass of undigested parts of an owl’s prey, containing bones, fur, feathers, and other indigestible materials, that is regurgitated through the bird’s beak. These pellets form in the owl’s gizzard and are expelled regularly, typically once per day, providing
While large owl species like the Great Horned Owl can and occasionally do attack cats, especially smaller ones, such incidents are relatively rare. Most cats are too large for owls to carry away, though kittens and very small cats (under 5 pounds) may be at risk. The greatest danger comes from
