Urban Quark

Birds of Prey

Bird Information
White - Breasted Nuthatch: The Upside - Down Acrobat of the Woods

White - Breasted Nuthatch: The Upside - Down Acrobat of the Woods

June 9, 2025, 5:08 pm EDT
The Wood Duck: North America’s Jeweled Waterfowl and Living Work of Art

The Wood Duck: North America’s Jeweled Waterfowl and Living Work of Art

June 30, 2025, 3:04 pm EDT
Ceyx pictus: The Diminutive African Pygmy Kingfisher of Sub-Saharan Wetlands

Ceyx pictus: The Diminutive African Pygmy Kingfisher of Sub-Saharan Wetlands

June 3, 2025, 5:10 pm EDT
The Lilac-breasted Roller: Africa’s Iridescent Avian Jewel with a Spiritual Name

The Lilac-breasted Roller: Africa’s Iridescent Avian Jewel with a Spiritual Name

June 30, 2025, 3:07 pm EDT
The Charming Blue Tit: A Tiny Jewel of European Woodlands

The Charming Blue Tit: A Tiny Jewel of European Woodlands

June 5, 2025, 4:32 pm EDT
More in Birds of Prey
The Striking White - Crowned Sparrow: A North American Avian Wonder

The Striking White - Crowned Sparrow: A North American Avian Wonder

The White - Crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) is a captivating songbird that graces the landscapes of North America. With its distinct appearance and charming melodies, it has long been a favorite among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

The Elusive Black - Capped Gnatcatcher: A Tiny Jewel of the Arid Southwest

The Elusive Black - Capped Gnatcatcher: A Tiny Jewel of the Arid Southwest

The Black - Capped Gnatcatcher (Polioptila nigriceps) is a diminutive yet captivating bird that has fascinated ornithologists and birdwatchers alike. Native to the arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, this species stands out for its distinctive appearance and unique ecological niche.

The Adaptable Curve - Billed Thrasher: A Sonorous Songster of the Southwest

The Adaptable Curve - Billed Thrasher: A Sonorous Songster of the Southwest

The Curve - Billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) is a distinctive bird species that commands attention with its unique appearance and melodious calls. Native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, this avian inhabitant has carved a niche for itself in arid and semi - arid landscapes.

Great Egret: A Majestic Bird in the Natural World

Great Egret: A Majestic Bird in the Natural World

The great egret, scientifically known as Ardea alba, is a large and widely - distributed wading bird. It inhabits most tropical and warmer temperate regions globally, being more common in some areas like the Americas. With its all - white plumage, yellow bill, and black legs and feet, it presents an elegant appearance.

Yellow - Headed Siskin: A Vivid Jewel of the Avian World

Yellow - Headed Siskin: A Vivid Jewel of the Avian World

The yellow - headed siskin, Spinus notatus, is a strikingly beautiful small bird that stands out with its vibrant plumage. With a bright yellow head, chest, and underparts contrasting sharply against its black - and - white patterned wings and back, it is a true spectacle in the wild. Native to South America, this species has become a favorite among birdwatchers for its colorful appearance and cheerful chirps.

White - Winged Dove: A Soaring Symbol of the Southwest

White - Winged Dove: A Soaring Symbol of the Southwest

The white - winged dove, Zenaida asiatica, is a medium - sized bird renowned for its distinctive appearance and gentle cooing calls. Native to the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico, this species stands out with its pale gray - brown plumage and the prominent white wing patches that flash during flight, adding a touch of elegance to its movements.

Hooded Oriole: A Vivid Ornament of the Avian Realm

Hooded Oriole: A Vivid Ornament of the Avian Realm

The hooded oriole, Icterus cucullatus, is a small yet strikingly beautiful bird that enchants with its vibrant plumage. Males boast a brilliant orange body, contrasting sharply with a black hood that extends over their head and down their back, while females display more subdued yellow - olive tones. This colorful species is a true gem in the habitats it inhabits.

Pine Siskin: A Tiny Dynamo of the Forest Canopy

Pine Siskin: A Tiny Dynamo of the Forest Canopy

The pine siskin, Spinus pinus, is a small, energetic finch known for its striking plumage and lively demeanor. With a brown - streaked body accented by bright yellow wing bars, these birds add a splash of color to the coniferous forests and open woodlands they inhabit across North America. Their small, pointed bills are perfectly adapted for extracting seeds from cones.

White - Breasted Nuthatch: The Upside - Down Acrobat of the Woods

White - Breasted Nuthatch: The Upside - Down Acrobat of the Woods

The white - breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis, is a distinctive and agile songbird that stands out in North American woodlands. With its striking combination of a white underbelly, blue - gray upperparts, and a black cap and nape on males (gray on females), it has a unique appearance. This small bird is renowned for its ability to climb headfirst down tree trunks, a behavior rare among birds.

Bold Black-Headed Gull Steals Food Directly from Puffin's Beak

Bold Black-Headed Gull Steals Food Directly from Puffin's Beak

In a dramatic display of avian thievery, a black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) was recently captured on camera snatching a meal straight from the beak of a puffin in a coastal colony. The incident, observed on a rocky outcrop near the Scottish Isles, highlights the opportunistic feeding behavior of these gulls, which often resort to piracy to secure an easy meal.

Ramphastos ambiguus: The Yellow-Throated Toucan of Central and South American Rainforests

Ramphastos ambiguus: The Yellow-Throated Toucan of Central and South American Rainforests

Ramphastos ambiguus, the yellow-throated toucan, is a striking avian species endemic to the lush rainforests of Central and South America. Renowned for its vibrant plumage and distinctive call, this bird stands out as a charismatic inhabitant of tropical canopies, playing a crucial role in the region’s ecosystem.

The Peacock: Nature’s Ornate 'King of Birds' and Symbol of Splendor

The Peacock: Nature’s Ornate 'King of Birds' and Symbol of Splendor

Hailed as the "King of Birds" (outshining the mythical phoenix in real-world grandeur), the peacock captivates with its resplendent plumage, long revered as a symbol of good fortune and nobility. A member of the pheasant family, this majestic bird comprises two species: the blue peacock native to South Asia—India’s national bird—and the green peacock, a critically endangered resident of Southeast Asia and China’s Yunnan province, protected as a national first-class animal.

The Wood Duck: North America’s Jeweled Waterfowl and Living Work of Art

The Wood Duck: North America’s Jeweled Waterfowl and Living Work of Art

Scientifically named Aix sponsa—Latin for "bird as beautiful as a bride"—the wood duck is a petite tree-dwelling waterfowl measuring 47–54 cm. Native to North America’s lakes, wetlands, and forested waterways, it feasts on acorns and aquatic insects, blending arboreal agility with aquatic grace.

The Bohemian Waxwing: A Northern Forest Jewel in Silken Plumage

The Bohemian Waxwing: A Northern Forest Jewel in Silken Plumage

Scientifically named Bombycilla garrulus, the Bohemian waxwing is a medium-sized songbird of the Passeriformes order, measuring 18 cm in length. Inhabiting boreal forests across northern North America and Eurasia, it undertakes minor winter migrations, feasting primarily on berries and boasting a lifespan of around 13 years.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos: The Majestic American White Pelican of North America

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos: The Majestic American White Pelican of North America

The American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) stands as one of North America’s most iconic large waterbirds, celebrated for its striking appearance and impressive aerial prowess. With its snowy plumage and imposing size, this species is a familiar sight in the continent’s freshwater lakes, rivers, and coastal estuaries, where it plays a vital role in aquatic ecosystems.

1 2