When you think of a vulture, you might picture a hunched scavenger circling ominously overhead or lurking by a roadside carcass. Maybe you’ve even heard the myth that vultures are dirty, dangerous, or waiting for something to die. But at Avian Behavior International, we’re on...
Ever thought about what happens when a species spreads into new territory? I recently asked this question myself at a scientific conference I attended after hearing about black vultures and barred owls expanding their ranges. For many of us, this seems simple: if an animal is...
At Avian Behavior International, we’re always excited to introduce you to our incredible birds and share their unique roles in the natural world. This week, we’re focusing on Larue, our crested caracara, and why scavengers like him play an essential role - not just in...
When it comes to understanding intelligence in the animal kingdom, birds present a fascinating challenge. The world of birds is incredibly diverse. Where there are 6000- 7000 species of mammals, there are over 10,000 species of birds, each with its own unique set of behaviors,...
Barn Owls in Mythology and Pop Culture At our first ever Family Farm Day at Avian Behavior International on June 2, 2018, we learned how virtually anyone could set up a barn owl nest box in their yard and enjoy not only the thrill of watching...
Even living in the city, we are lucky to find wildlife all around us. In fact, San Diego County, known as a biodiversity hotspot, is the most biologically diverse county in the US, according to the Nature Conservancy[1]. It is also home to around two hundred...
2017 was a whirlwind year for us at Avian Behavior International, and we have so many people from our San Diego community and beyond to thank for that. The birds we raised and trained here in 2016 have all been successfully moved to Omaha’s Henry Doorly...