Although a field of grass might not seem like valuable habitat at first, many birds have adapted to nest in grassland habitats and nowhere else. In North America, birds such as the Bobolink seek out grasslands to raise their young, deftly hiding their nests within the dense vegetation. Very few grasslands and savannas have been protected compared to the area thatās been lost, making them the most at-risk ecosystem on the planet. That means every acre of grassland remaining is even more precious ā to birds, to plants, and to people.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks.Ā BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.Ā
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1:41
From Bobwhite Coveys to Pairs
Throughout winter, Northern Bobwhites gather in groups called coveys to search for food during the day and share warmth at night. These small quail arrange themselves in a circle, with their tails in the center and heads outward, huddled up like a wreath of plump birds to survive frost and snow. But as spring arrives, the coveys disband and bobwhites seek out mates. Males whistle from shrubs and tufts of grass, hoping to catch the attention of a female.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks.Ā BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.Ā Ā
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1:37
The Eagle Eye
Ever heard the term āeagle eye?ā An eagleās vision is incredibly sharp, and its eyes can weigh more than its brain. The secret to the birdās exceptional vision is the density of visual cells ā the rods and cones ā of its retina.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks.Ā BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.Ā
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1:45
Nest Building
Want to try building a nest? Consider this... an average American Robin weighs less than three ounces. An average person weighs 170 pounds, or 1,000 times as much as a robin. A robin's nest, made of grass and mud, weighs about seven ounces, so yours will weigh 450 pounds. You'll need to collect about 350 strands of grass, each about four feet long. And don't forget the mud: 150 pounds of it. You have five days to complete the job. That's 300 mouthfuls of mud.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks.Ā BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.
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1:35
Music to Our Ears
One of Jessica Rugh Frantzās favorite things about being the director of development at BirdNote is getting to hear from listeners about how much they love our programs. Listener support is what makes this show possible. Just like how we love our backyard birds and take steps to help them thrive, we hope youāll do the same for BirdNote by making a donation today.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.Ā Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks.Ā BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.
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South Africa