The purple finch became the state bird of New Hampshire in 1957. It was proposed by Representative Robert S. Monahan and supported by various organizations. The bird is migratory and nests in forests, feeding on fruits, flowers, seeds, and insects. It is considered a pest by farmers and its range is threatened by urban development […]
The grouse, a relative of turkeys, quails, and pheasants, is Pennsylvania’s state bird. It is known for its courtship displays and thrives in bushy areas on forest edges. The adult grouse weighs 17 to 25 ounces and is brown with black and white patches. It is frequently hunted and attracts bird watchers with its courtship […]
The cardinal is the official state bird of Indiana and six other US states. Male cardinals are bright red with a black mask, while females are duller in color. They are year-round residents and can be found in a wide geographic range. They breed from March to September and are monogamous. In 1933, the Indiana […]
The northern thrush is the state bird of Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. It is known for guarding nests and mimicking sounds. Arkansas also has state symbols such as the Diana Fritillary butterfly, white-tailed deer, and apple blossom. A thrush is the state bird of Arkansas. More specifically, it is the northern thrush that […]
The mountain bluebird, Idaho’s state bird, is a common songbird found in western North America, primarily in the Rocky Mountains. They feed on insects and berries, and nest in aspen, pinyon, and spruce trees. The male helps with the nest, and they are often found on open ranches and forests. Idaho’s state bird is the […]
The American bald eagle became the national bird of the United States in 1782 due to its strength, freedom, and longevity. Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird. The species was protected by the Bald Eagle Act of 1940 and was removed from the endangered list in 2000. Bald eagles can live […]
The northern cardinal is the state bird of Illinois and six other eastern US states due to its abundance and recognizable bright red coloration. It was chosen by schoolchildren in a contest and adopted in 1929. Cardinals can be found in various habitats, including backyards, and are known to frequent bird feeders. Male cardinals are […]
The California Gull is Utah’s state bird, chosen in 1955 to commemorate a pioneer legend of gulls saving settlers’ crops from crickets in 1848. The gull is unique as a state bird and is a medium-sized migratory bird that breeds and nests in Utah. Utah’s state insect is the honey bee, and other state symbols […]
The eastern goldfinch is the state bird of Iowa and is often found at bird feeders. It is a subspecies of the American goldfinch and exhibits sexual dimorphism. Iowa’s state symbol also includes the wild rose, oak tree, and geode, and is known for its corn production and famous plane crash. The eastern goldfinch is […]
Pie birds are ceramic devices shaped like birds that are inserted into pies before baking to allow steam to escape and prevent the pie from becoming too juicy. They also help support the top crust of the pie. Cake birds come in various shapes and serve the same purpose for cakes. They can be decorative […]
Caroll Spinney, who played Big Bird on Sesame Street, was considered for a NASA space shuttle flight in 1980s to renew interest in space among children. However, her suit was too big and NASA selected teacher Christa McAuliffe instead. The Challenger exploded shortly after takeoff, killing all seven passengers on board. NASA eliminated the Space […]
A bird’s beak knife is a curved blade knife used for carving fruit and producing the “tournee cut.” It can be a useful tool in the kitchen and is available in various materials. When selecting a knife, look for one that feels right in your hand and has a solid, durable construction. Care instructions vary […]
The elephant bird, a member of the extinct genera Aepyornis and Mullerornis, was the largest bird to ever walk the Earth, reaching over 3.3 m in height and weighing up to 454 kg. It went extinct around 1649 and lived on Madagascar alongside humans for over a thousand years. The bird was a herbivore and […]
Birds evolved from small predatory dinosaurs in the Jurassic Period, with Archaeopteryx being the earliest known bird. Ratites were large flightless birds, including ostriches and emus, while phorusracids, or “terror birds,” were dominant predators in South America. The largest extinct bird was the elephant bird, while terror birds are the one category of extinct bird […]
A birdbrain is someone who struggles to concentrate on events or conversations and is sometimes seen as stupid or flighty. The origin of the phrase is unclear, but it is thought to refer to the small size of a bird’s brain. The term can be used affectionately or insultingly depending on the context. Most people […]
“Ghetto bird” is slang for police helicopters patrolling low-income and minority neighborhoods. They can be used for tracking suspects or as a deterrent, but some argue they target minorities. Ghettos are regions where minorities live due to economic and social pressures, with limited upward mobility and access to resources. The term is a pun on […]
Lady Bird Johnson was born in 1912 and married Lyndon Baines Johnson in 1934. As First Lady, she promoted environmental protection and helped create the Head Start Program. After her husband’s death, she continued charitable work and served on various boards. She suffered health problems in later years. Claudia Alta Taylor Johnson, better known as […]
The proverb “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” advises to stick with what you have instead of pursuing something uncertain. It originated in Latin and warns against greed. The concept can be applied to various life situations, including gambling. Game theory analysis can help determine the relative values of the […]
