Extinct in the Wild: Guam Rail
Scientific Name: Gallirallus owstoni Historic Range and Habitat: Most habitats on Guam, including forest, savanna, scrub, secondary grassland, fern thickets and agricultural areas, foraging along field edges and roadsides. What … Continue reading
Brown Pelicans: An Endangered Species Recovery Success Story (Written for the Ecotone Exchange)
Photo courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It was a warm, sunny autumn afternoon and I was out for a stroll at my favorite spot on this Earth. October … Continue reading
Extinct in the Wild: Hawaiian Crow
Scientific Name: Corvus hawaiiensis, also known as ‘Alalā (Cry like a child) Historic Range: The Hawaiian Crow is native to the Big Island and was most populous in upland forests, … Continue reading
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
All photos by Maymie Higgins It is the first Saturday in April and I am sitting at my home office desk. As always, I have my laptop positioned so that … Continue reading
The Mystery of Bird Songs and Calls
“A robin feathering his nest Has very little time to rest While gathering his bits of twine and twig Though quite intent in his pursuit He has a merry tune … Continue reading
What Is That Crazy Bird Doing?!
Every spring, I am presented with stories by friends who want to know why birds are behaving in certain ways. Or sometimes they just want to explain to me why … Continue reading
Carolina Wren
Scientific Name: Thryothorus ludovicianus Where Carolina Wrens Live: Southeastern United States, north to Wisconsin and Michigan, southern Ontario, New York, and southern New England in brushy thickets, lowland cypress swamps, … Continue reading
Turkey Vulture
Scientific Name: Cathartes aura The word vulture comes from the Latin vellere, which means to pluck or tear. Cathartes aura means either “golden purifier” or “purifying breeze,” quite a poetic … Continue reading
Pelican Island: The First U.S. National Wildlife Refuge
Bird feathers are incredible. They help control body temperature, provide power for flying and come in a wide array of vibrant colors. Some feathers are so beautiful that they were … Continue reading
Red-shouldered Hawk
Scientific Name: Buteo lineatus Where Red-shouldered Hawks Live: Forests and swamps with dead trees or other perches nearby from which to observe and hunt. Range includes eastern and northeast United … Continue reading
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Scientific Name: Tyrannus forficatus Where Scissor-tailed Flycatchers Live: Savannas with scattered trees, shrubs and patches of brush in the southern Great Plains, south Texas and just over the border into … Continue reading
Roseate Spoonbill
Scientific Name: Ajaia ajaja Where Roseate Spoonbills Live: Mangrove swamps, mud flats and other marsh type habitat from southern Georgia and Florida, south through Central America down to Argentina. What … Continue reading
Hyacinth Macaw
Scientific Name: Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus Where Hyacinth Macaws Live: Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay in semi-open habitats, usually in forests that have a dry season that prevents the growth of a tall … Continue reading
How Do You Take Your Eggs?
Eggs. What comes to mind when you read that word? I think of my favorite summertime breakfast served on a table with fresh cut roses from my garden. It’s the … Continue reading
American Kestrel
Scientific Name: Falco sparverius Where American Kestrels Live: Open areas such as meadows, grasslands, deserts, parks, farm fields, cities, and suburbs. Kestrels need access to trees for nesting cavities during … Continue reading
Eastern Bluebird
Scientific Name: Sialia sialis Where Eastern Bluebirds Live: Meadows, field edges, golf courses and other open areas surrounded by trees that offer suitable nest holes or perhaps even nest boxes … Continue reading
Day Three of Twelve Days of Arctic Animals: Arctic Tern
Scientific Name: Sterna paradisaea Where Arctic Terns Live: The Arctic Tern has a circumpolar range, spending breeding season in the Arctic and subarctic regions of Europe, Asia and North
Day One of Twelve Days of Arctic Animals: Snowy Owl
Scientific Name: Nyctea scandiaca or Bubo scandiacus “Nyctea” is Greek for nocturnal (most owls are nocturnal but snowy owls are not), “scandiaca” is Latin and an ancient name for the
The Whisker Chronicles 
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