Latest posts
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Ask SIB: Can birds choke on large food?
Question: I recently encountered a dead Laughing Gull on the beach with a fish in it’s mouth. Could have he choked on this? I’ve seen birds eating extremely large items without any apparent problem. Response: A Google search didn’t result in many responses. When humans choke, it’s because food (often poorly chewed) gets lodged in
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Ask SIB – What are these birds doing?
I was recently bike riding near the fire station and saw these Snowy Egrets in the marsh hopping around and flapping their wings. What were they doing? -Anonymous Answer: These are Snowy Egrets and according to The Cornell Lab All About Birds, Snowy Egrets hop for a couple of reasons – foraging for food and
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Ask SIB – When should I clean out my Bluebird nest box?
Question: Our Bluebirds just left the nest yesterday, should we clean out the box? Answer: Eastern Bluebirds in the Carolinas can have up to three nesting cycles per season. If possible, it’s a good idea to clean out the nest after each brood fledges, and definitely at the end of breeding season. To learn more
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Ask SIB: “Why do Birds Knees Bend Backwards?”
Question: This week, while birding on Ocean Winds, my group saw a Wood Stork sitting in a strange position as if their knees were bent in the wrong direction. Can you explain? Answer: One of the lesson’s I enjoyed teaching to the PA Master Naturalist classes was on animal structure. In the world, certain structures exist
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Ask SIB: What is Brown-headed Cowbird doing?
Question: Have researched this question to no avail! We have tons of Brown headed Cowbirds this time of year on the feeders and on the ground. Often a male or two puffs himself up, tucks his head in, and naps on the ground under the largest feeder. Seems like a risk with all the birds
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Ask SIB – American Oystercatcher U5
One of our Facebook followers asked the question below: Q: I found a photo of U5 that I took 8 years ago. How long do oystercatchers usually live? Cindy Moore Johnson A: We found this on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website, All About Birds: “The oldest American Oystercatcher was at least 23 years, 10
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Ask SIB: Why are Yellow-rump Warblers flittering
Question: There have been a large number of Yellow-rumped Warblers at my feeders this fall and winter. Over the past month I’ve noticed that when they land on a bird feeder or on a tree limb they will flutter and open their wings and flash their yellow rump. I don’t believe that they nest here
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Ask SIB: What do I post in eBird?
Question: I’m preparing for a trip to Florida and I’m confused about which birds should be posted in eBird and which should not. Some of the birds that led to my confusion are Monk Parakeet, Nanday Parakeet and Black Swans? Can you give me some guidance? – Judy Morr Answer: The question above was sent
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Ask SIB: Are Egrets and Herons the same thing?
Question: Are Egrets and Herons the same thing? – SIB Member at recent SIB Bird Walk Answer: SIB’s Bob Mercer provided this response: The short answer—Egrets and herons are closely related. Generally, Egrets are white birds and Herons dark, but that does not really tell the true story. The scientific study of taxonomy separates all
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Ask SIB: What is going on with recent reports of dead birds?
Question: A friend recently asked if we have heard of reports of dead birds on Seabrook Island Beaches. They have heard reports of at least 9 dead birds on Kiawah recently. Do you know what could be causing this? – Anonymous Answer: Seabrook Island Birders has not heard of any increase in dead birds on