The Diamond Dove is a small, elegant bird native to Australia, where it thrives in the arid and semi-arid regions of the continent. Known for its delicate beauty, this dove can be found across open habitats like grasslands, woodlands, and savannas, often near water sources. Though they are a popular species in captivity, they are just as fascinating in the wild, where their behaviors and survival strategies reflect their ability to adapt to tough environments.

Measuring only 7.5 to 9 inches (19-23 cm) long, Diamond Doves are one of the smallest dove species in the world. Their name comes from the white spots, or “diamonds,” sprinkled across their wings. Their plumage ranges from light gray to brown, and they sport a distinctive orange-red eye ring, which stands out against their soft coloration.

In the wild, these doves are often seen foraging on the ground, searching for seeds from grasses, herbs, and shrubs. Their diet consists mainly of dry seeds, although they will also eat small insects when food is scarce, particularly during and after rainy periods. Diamond Doves prefer to stay close to water, as they need to drink frequently throughout the day. It’s common to see them congregate around waterholes, especially in the morning and evening.

Diamond Doves are typically found in pairs or small flocks, and they are known for their gentle, soft cooing, which plays an important role in communication between mates. They are highly social and will often roost in groups, but they maintain a monogamous bond with one partner. These strong pair bonds are crucial during the breeding season, which varies depending on rainfall. In wetter conditions, they will breed more frequently, taking advantage of the abundance of food.

When it comes to nesting, Diamond Doves build simple, flimsy nests out of grass stems and twigs. They often nest low to the ground, in shrubs or small trees, where they are somewhat protected from predators. A typical clutch contains two white eggs, which both parents incubate for about 13 days. Once the chicks hatch, the parents feed them with a nutrient-rich substance called crop milk, regurgitated from their crops. The young doves fledge after just two weeks, but they remain under their parents’ care for a short time before becoming independent.

Diamond Doves are well adapted to Australia’s often harsh conditions, but their populations tend to fluctuate depending on environmental factors. After significant rainfall, when seeds are plentiful, their numbers can increase rapidly. However, during droughts, they may become less common as they disperse in search of food and water.

Watching Diamond Doves in the wild is a delightful experience for birdwatchers. Their gentle demeanor, soft calls, and elegant appearance make them a standout species in Australia’s diverse birdlife. If you’re visiting the outback or areas near rivers and waterholes, keep an eye out for these tiny jewels moving quietly along the ground, blending perfectly with the dry landscape.

World Migratory Bird Day is a global celebration of one of the most incredible natural phenomena: bird migration. Each year bird migration is celebrated in the spring and fall. This fall, World Migratory Bird Day is today, October 12, 2024. This is a great opportunity to learn about the remarkable journeys these birds undertake, the challenges they face, and how we can help protect them. Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or a casual nature lover, World Migratory Bird Day is a time to appreciate our feathered friends as they travel across continents.

Bird migration is one of the most impressive survival strategies in the animal kingdom. Each year, billions of birds travel thousands of miles between their breeding and wintering grounds. They navigate through changing weather, avoid predators, and face threats from habitat loss, all to reach their destinations. Some species, like the Arctic Tern, migrate as far as 25,000 miles round-trip, making them one of the most well-traveled animals on Earth. These long-distance travelers remind us of the interconnectedness of ecosystems across the globe.

World Migratory Bird Day aims to raise awareness about the importance of conserving the habitats that migratory birds rely on. It’s a day to highlight the challenges birds face, such as climate change, deforestation, and pollution, and to promote ways we can help protect their migratory pathways. From wetlands to forests, the habitats birds need for resting and feeding are under threat, and it’s up to all of us to help preserve these critical areas.

The special theme for the day this year is insects, and the important role they play in the successful migration of many bird species.

To get into the spirit of World Migratory Bird Day, let’s take a look at a few fun facts about migratory birds:

• Longest Migration: The Arctic Tern holds the record for the longest migration. These incredible birds fly from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back every year, covering up to 25,000 miles! That means they see two summers each year, living in nearly constant daylight as they chase the sun across the globe.

• Longest Non-stop Flight
  The Bar-tailed Godwit holds the record for the longest non-stop flight of any bird. These shorebirds fly from their breeding grounds in Alaska to their wintering grounds in New Zealand, a distance of over 6,800 miles.  Like some other amazing migrants, they complete this journey without stopping for food, water, or rest. These godwits may fly non-stop for up to nine days straight! This incredible endurance is made possible by their ability to store large amounts of body fat before migration.

• Highest Flyer: The Bar-headed Goose is known for flying over the Himalayas during its migration, reaching altitudes of up to 29,000 feet. That’s higher than Mount Everest! These birds have specially adapted bodies that help them thrive in thin, oxygen-poor air.

• Nonstop Warbler: The Blackpoll Warbler, a small songbird, makes a nonstop flight over the Atlantic Ocean during its fall migration. It flies for about 72 hours straight, covering up to 1,500 miles without stopping for food or water. This is the longest migration taken by any species of warbler. Talk about endurance! 

• Impressive Commuters 
  The Red Knot is a long-distance migratory bird, covering up to 9,300 miles each year. These birds breed in the Arctic and migrate to coastal areas as far south as South America, including Tierra del Fuego. Red Knots rely on specific stopover sites along their migration route, where they refuel by eating small invertebrates, particularly horseshoe crab eggs. Their migration is one of the longest known among shorebirds.

• Massive Flocks: Some migratory birds travel in enormous flocks. The Snow Goose, for example, can be seen flying in groups of thousands as they head south for the winter. Their synchronized flight patterns, often in the iconic V-formation, help conserve energy during long migrations.

• Magnetic Navigators: Many migratory birds, like the European Robin, have a special ability to sense the Earth’s magnetic field. This internal compass helps them find their way, even across vast distances and unfamiliar terrain. Scientists are still studying exactly how this works, but it’s clear that birds have an impressive sense of direction!

• Flight Not Required
  The Adélie Penguin, native to Antarctica, undertakes a journey of up to 8,100 miles each year. Unlike flying migratory birds, Adélie Penguins travel by walking, swimming, and sliding on their bellies. These penguins migrate between their breeding colonies and feeding grounds, navigating across vast distances of ice and sea. They are known for their tough, cold-enduring lifestyle, thriving in some of the harshest environments on Earth.

One of the best ways to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day is to spend time outdoors observing birds. Many species are in the middle of their migration in the middle of October, making it a prime time to catch sight of birds passing through your area. Head to a local park, wetland, or nature reserve with your binoculars, and see which migratory birds you can spot. You might see a flock of geese flying overhead, or a tiny warbler flitting through the trees, refueling for its long journey.

Another great way to participate is by supporting conservation efforts. Many organizations work to protect migratory bird habitats and reduce the threats they face. Donating to these groups, participating in citizen science projects like eBird, or planting native trees and shrubs in your backyard are all great ways to help.

World Migratory Bird Day is a time to marvel at the extraordinary feats of these birds and to reflect on the importance of preserving their habitats for future generations. Whether you’re a birdwatcher, conservationist, or just someone who loves nature, this special day is a reminder of how birds connect us across countries and continents.

As autumn paints the landscape in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, birds are busy preparing for the changing season. While fall signals migration for many species, for others, it's a time to feast and get ready for winter. The connection between birds and fall foliage goes beyond beauty – the seasonal shift brings changes in food availability, shelter, and behavior. Let’s explore how birds interact with the fall landscape and how they make the most of autumn’s bounty.

One of the key changes in autumn is the abundance of food. Trees and shrubs bear fruits, seeds, and nuts that many bird species rely on to fuel up before and during the winter. For example, species like the American Robin and Cedar Waxwing feast on berries from trees such as dogwood, holly, and crabapple. The birds take advantage of the seasonal fruit boom to build up fat reserves that will sustain them through colder months and fuel their migration. In fact, fall is one of the best times to see these birds foraging in large flocks, hopping from tree to tree in search of ripe berries.

In addition to fruit-eating birds, seed-eating species like the Northern Cardinal and House Finch find autumn to be a time of plenty. As trees shed their leaves, seeds from maples, oaks, and other trees fall to the ground, providing an easy meal. You might see these birds foraging among fallen leaves, using their strong beaks to crack open seeds and nuts. For backyard birdwatchers, autumn is a great time to put out seed feeders, as many species will readily visit for an easy snack.

Fall foliage also provides changes in shelter for birds. As the weather cools, birds seek out cozy roosting spots to stay warm during chilly nights. The dense foliage of evergreen trees, such as pines and spruces, becomes a favorite hiding spot for birds like chickadees and nuthatches. These trees offer protection from the wind and cold, as well as cover from predators. Even as deciduous trees lose their leaves, their branches still offer birds places to perch and find refuge.

Some birds, like the Eastern Screech-Owl, rely on tree cavities that become more visible as leaves fall. These natural hollows make perfect roosting spots and can also serve as nesting sites. Woodpeckers, which may have created these cavities for raising chicks earlier in the year, return to them in the fall for warmth and safety. If you’re walking through a wooded area in autumn, keep an eye out for these birds peeking out from tree holes!

For some birds, fall is not just about food and shelter – it’s also a time for social gatherings. Flocks of birds, such as blackbirds and starlings, often form large groups in the fall, moving together through fields and woodlands. These gatherings help birds find food more easily and offer protection from predators, as there is safety in numbers. You might see these birds swirling through the sky in massive flocks, especially in rural areas where food sources like grain fields are plentiful.

Birds that don’t migrate also take advantage of the fall landscape to prepare for winter. Jays, nuthatches, and some woodpeckers are known for caching food, storing nuts and seeds in hidden spots to eat later when food becomes scarce. Blue Jays, for example, collect acorns in the fall and bury them in the ground, using their sharp memory to retrieve them when needed. This behavior not only helps the birds survive but also plays a role in the dispersal of seeds, as some of the buried acorns may eventually grow into new oak trees.

For birdwatchers, fall is a special time to observe these seasonal behaviors. As birds interact with the changing landscape, they provide a glimpse into how nature adapts to the cooler weather and shorter days. From foraging in colorful foliage to roosting in sheltered tree cavities, birds make the most of autumn's unique opportunities.

Setting up feeders in your yard with seeds, fruits, nuts, and suet can attract a variety of species that are preparing for winter. You can also plant native trees and shrubs that bear fruit in the fall, providing natural food sources for birds like robins and waxwings. Watching the interactions between birds and their autumn habitat is a reminder of how intricately connected animals are to their environment, and how every season brings its own challenges and rewards.

The Red-headed Woodpecker is one of the most striking birds in North America, easily recognizable by its bold crimson head, white body, and black wings with large white patches. This vibrant bird stands out in both appearance and behavior, making it a favorite among birdwatchers. With its distinctive look and fascinating habits, the Red-headed Woodpecker has earned its place as one of the most interesting species of woodpeckers.

Unlike many woodpecker species, the Red-headed Woodpecker doesn’t solely rely on drilling into wood to find food. While they do forage for insects beneath tree bark, they are also skilled at catching insects in flight. These birds are particularly agile in the air, swooping and snatching insects in mid-flight, much like flycatchers. This impressive ability sets them apart from other woodpeckers that stick to more traditional foraging methods. Finding food in unique ways contributes to Red-headed Woodpeckers being considered the most omnivorous woodpecker species in North America.

Red-headed Woodpeckers are also known for their habit of storing food. In autumn, they collect nuts, seeds, and even insects, hiding them in cracks in trees or under bark to eat during the colder months. This caching behavior is crucial for their survival in winter, when food can be scarce. Gruesome fact: their favorite insects to cache are grasshoppers, who are frequently put away while still alive! The insects are crammed into hiding holes so effectively they can never escape. 

These woodpeckers are cavity nesters, which means they create nest holes in dead or decaying trees. Both males and females work together to excavate a hole where they will raise their young. The availability of dead trees, or snags, is vital to their breeding success. Sadly, the removal of these dead trees for land development has contributed to the decline in Red-headed Woodpecker populations in some areas. Efforts to preserve and maintain these habitats are essential for the species' conservation.

Another fascinating aspect of the Red-headed Woodpecker is its vocalizations. These birds are quite vocal, using a variety of calls to communicate with each other. Their most common call is a loud “queeah” sound, which is often used to defend their territory. They also drum on trees to signal their presence and to communicate with mates.

Though they are striking to look at and fun to watch, Red-headed Woodpeckers face a number of challenges in the wild. Habitat loss due to deforestation and the decline of dead trees for nesting has led to a decrease in their numbers. Conservation efforts are focused on maintaining the natural habitats these birds rely on, particularly preserving old forests and encouraging the growth of oak trees, whose acorns serve as an important food source for the species.

Red-headed Woodpeckers range throughout much of the eastern and central United States, with populations ranging as far north as southern Canada. They typically live in open woodlands, particularly areas with oak and beech trees, as well as in orchards and suburban areas with large, old trees. They’re most active during the warmer months, and in some parts of their range, they may migrate short distances to find better food supplies in winter.

Here are some more fun facts about the Red-headed Woodpecker:

• Multiple Roles in the Ecosystem: Red-headed Woodpeckers play an important role in their ecosystems, not only by controlling insect populations but also by helping with seed dispersal. When they store nuts and seeds, some of them are never retrieved, leading to the growth of new trees.

• Flexible Diet: Their diet includes insects, fruits, nuts, and even small animals like mice. This flexibility in food choice helps them survive in a variety of environments and through different seasons, and gives them the most-omnivorous title as mentioned above.

• Strong Defenders: Red-headed Woodpeckers are territorial and are known to aggressively defend their nests and food caches from other birds, including larger species like crows.

• A Bird of Many Colors: Juvenile Red-headed Woodpeckers don’t develop their namesake red heads right away. Instead, they have brownish-gray heads, and it can take up to a year for their adult plumage to fully come in. Youngsters do have the contrasting white and dark wing patches, making them as easy to recognize and identify as adult birds in the field.

• Master Acrobats: These birds are skilled climbers, using their strong tail feathers to balance against tree trunks while foraging. They can often be seen scaling trees with ease, hopping up and down the bark in search of food.

Red-headed Woodpeckers are truly remarkable birds, with their vivid colors, unique foraging techniques, and clever food storage strategies. While their populations have seen some decline, efforts to conserve their habitats are helping to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy these beautiful birds. Whether you spot one in your backyard or catch a glimpse of one in the wild, the Red-headed Woodpecker is sure to leave a lasting impression!

As the crisp air of October sweeps across the Northern Hemisphere, millions of birds are on the move, migrating to escape the cold and find food. Fall migration is in full swing this month, and bird enthusiasts have the chance to witness this incredible natural phenomenon. From songbirds to raptors, birds of all shapes and sizes are heading south, some traveling thousands of miles. Let’s take a look at a few species on the move in October, where they’re headed, and how birdwatchers can catch a glimpse of them along the way.

First, let's think about the robust and charismatic little Ruby-throated Hummingbird. After spending the summer in the eastern United States and parts of Canada, these tiny birds embark on an incredible journey south to Mexico and Central America. Along the way, they stop to refuel at feeders and flowers. If you live in their range, keeping your hummingbird feeders up through the end of the month may give you the chance to see these little travelers on their way out. Planting native flowers that they like to visit is a great way to naturally attract these flying jewels and help them along their journey.

Songbirds like the White-throated Sparrow and the Dark-eyed Junco are also on the move in October. These species breed in the northern parts of North America, including Canada and Alaska, and migrate southward to spend the winter in parts of the United States. White-throated Sparrows often visit backyard feeders, giving birdwatchers a great chance to observe them up close. Dark-eyed Juncos, commonly known as "snowbirds," can be seen hopping around under feeders as they arrive in southern wintering areas. In some regions, these birds signal the arrival of cooler weather.

Another spectacular group of migratory birds active in October is raptors. Species like the Broad-winged Hawk and the Sharp-shinned Hawk are heading to Central and South America for the winter. October is a great time to visit hawk-watching sites, where enthusiasts gather to witness large groups of raptors known as "kettles" soaring overhead. Locations like Hawk Mountain in Pennsylvania and Veracruz in Mexico are famous for their massive raptor migrations. Here in Florida we have the United States' southernmost hawk watch site with the Florida Keys Hawkwatch at Curry Hammock State Park. Some hawks travel over 4,000 miles during their migration, a truly awe-inspiring feat of endurance. 

Waterfowl, including species like the Northern Pintail and the Snow Goose, are also on the move in October. These birds migrate from their northern breeding grounds in Canada and Alaska to wintering spots in the southern United States and Central America. Flocks of Snow Geese can number in the thousands, making for a breathtaking spectacle. Wetland areas and wildlife refuges are excellent places to observe migrating waterfowl as they stop to rest and feed during their journey.

One of the longest migrations in the world is undertaken by the Arctic Tern, a bird that travels from its Arctic breeding grounds to the Antarctic, covering up to 25,000 miles each year! Though Arctic Terns pass through more northerly regions in September, some can still be spotted heading south in early October. Coastal birdwatching sites are the best places to observe these incredible long-distance travelers.

If you’re interested in seeing migratory birds in October, there are several ways to increase your chances. Visiting known bird migration hotspots is one of the best options. Places like the Point Pelee National Park in Canada, Cape May in New Jersey, and many points along the Mississippi Flyway are prime spots for migration viewing. Many of these locations also host birding festivals in October, where birdwatchers gather to celebrate and observe the migration.

For backyard birders, setting up feeders with seeds, suet, or nectar can attract migratory species as they stop to refuel. Keeping an eye on the sky is also a good idea, as you might spot flocks of geese or kettling raptors flying overhead. Morning and late afternoon are often the best times to see birds in migration, as they are actively moving to find food and resting spots.

October is a magical time to witness bird migration. Whether you're watching Ruby-throated Hummingbirds buzzing through your garden or spotting a kettle of hawks soaring high above, there are plenty of opportunities to experience birds on the move this fall.