Naturally
I was off to see the wizard—an ologist of some kind with many letters behind his name. A cardinal sang. I looked out the window, and a brilliant redbird brightened my day. I took it as a good sign.
I listened harder. Sandhill cranes made prehistoric-sounding calls that cut through the morning like a cleaver and could be heard from 2.5 miles away. They produce the sound on the ground and in flight.
A mourning dove called coo-ah, coo, coo, coo or hul-a, hoop, hoop, hoop. The dove was named for its solemn, mournful song. Mourning doves can fly 55 mph.
Knock, knock, who’s there? A woodpecker drumming on a tree. It’s a woodpecker’s whatness.
Blackbirds and robins fill the cheep seats in the trees. By returning in the spring, they perform community service.
Maple tree branches suffer toothy mayhem as squirrels chew on them. The cambium layer, just under the bark, contains sugary sap squirrels find appealing, and the bark and cambium layer can be a source of nutrients during times of scarcity. Squirrels might use the bark and twigs for nest-building materials. Squirrels have continuously growing teeth and chewing helps wear them down.
Q&A
George Downs of New Ulm wrote, “I have a question about bird feeding. During the winter, we enjoyed multitudes of sparrows at our birdfeeders in the yard, and large numbers of finches entertaining us at our window-box feeder. For the past two weeks the sparrows have all but disappeared and there have been no finches at the box at all. Is this a migratory pattern or just a return to natural feeding? We had good feeder action last summer that picked up as the cold months arrived. Is the pattern we have observed normal? Also, will they return once natural sources have been depleted?” Bird populations fluctuate seasonally and from one year to the next for a range of reasons. There is normal variation, but fluctuating food supplies/requirements, predator populations, stale seeds and changes to local habitat can impact bird numbers. They’ll be back.
“Do birds urinate?” Birds do produce pee, but it’s different than mammal pee. Bird pee isn’t stored in a bladder but mixes with feces. Birds release a white paste with some dark components all in one dropping, which contains both urine and feces. This is what we lovingly call “bird poop.” Ostriches, the biggest birds in the world, are the only birds known to release the two substances separately.
“What gnaws on deer sheds?” Deer shed their antlers annually in late winter or early spring, and the dropped antlers are called sheds. Sheds are a valuable food source, a tool for teeth maintenance and a source of calcium and minerals for various animals, including squirrels, mice, chipmunks, raccoons, opossums, bears, foxes, coyotes, porcupines, rabbits, dogs, groundhogs, otters, beaver and deer chew on antlers.
“Why are spiders in my shower?” They are there because they enjoy a dark, secluded environment that offers moisture and dampness, shelter, prey availability and the opportunity to see naked humans. I enjoy the company of spiders. Maybe it’s because I read “Charlotte‘s Web” by E. B. White at an early age, long before I saw the movie “Annie Hall,” wherein Annie Hall called the film’s protagonist Alvy (Woody Allen) at 3 a.m. because of a spider in her bathroom. Alvy arrived and admonished, “I told you a thousand times you should always keep a lotta insect spray. You never know who's gonna crawl over.” Alvy called it a major spider the size of Buick and demolished the bathroom with a tennis racket and might have hit the spider. An Entomology Today study found peppermint oil and chestnuts showed apparent repellent effects on some spider species. Lemon oil didn’t have a significant impact on any of the species tested. The test didn’t include all spider species.
“Why do geese fly in a V-formation?” It’s because the lead goose is usually a veteran female named Verna, Velma or Virginia. Occasionally, a male named Virgil gets to fly at the front just to shut him up. Scientists have determined that the V-shaped formation conserves energy. Each bird flies slightly above the bird in front of them, resulting in a reduction of wind resistance. The birds take turns being in the front, falling back when they tire from acting as a windbreak. This allows the geese to fly long distances before they must stop for rest. A V-formation aids the communication and coordination within the group. Fighter pilots often fly in a V-formation for aerodynamic efficiency and tactical advantages. This configuration allows maneuverability, enhanced visibility, and a potential for reduced fuel consumption. Plus, it looks cool.
Thanks for stopping by
“Birds are little miracles.”—Amy Tan.
“Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing.”—Wernher von Braun.
Do good.
©Al Batt 2025
American goldfinches molt twice a year. The brilliant yellow the males change into each spring brings a flying gold mine. Goldfinches are dimorphic, meaning males and females differ in appearance. They don’t nest until late June or early July when milkweed, thistle and other plants have seeds, which goldfinches incorporate into their nests and feed to nestlings. Until then, they wander in search of food. Photo by Al Batt.