People often ask us how to tell one hawk from another—especially when it’s just a dark silhouette against the sky. Field marks can help. They’re a useful entry point. But they’re not the whole story. At Avian Behavior Conservancy, we think birding isn’t just about identification—it’s about...
Picture this: You're on one of our experiences on an early morning when you spot something magnificent. There's Huxley, our yellow-headed vulture, standing tall with his wings spread wide like he's about to take flight – or maybe like he's auditioning for a superhero movie. But...
I love a celebration as much as the next person. But when it comes to fireworks, I’m not talking about the kind that light up the night sky. I’m talking about what we don’t see—the wildlife scattering in fear, the birds abandoning their nests, and...
Tina the burrowing owl spotted it before I did — a tiny flicker of movement that I completely missed. Birds are like humans in that they rely heavily on vision to perceive the world. But what they see — and how they see it —...
Some of our birds are work horses—and some of them are WORK horses when it comes to conservation education. Oakley the Harris’s Hawk, for example, is endlessly versatile. She's a class favorite in our Hawk Walk Falconry Experience, and for good reason. You get to see...
There’s something that really stops you in your tracks when you meet Ripley, our spectacled owl. You might notice her soft, hoarse hoots or the calm way she just hangs out—but if you take a closer look, you’ll see tiny feathers around her beak. And...
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...
Have you ever seen someone run at a flock of pigeons to make them fly or nudge their dog to move? It’s a pretty natural response. As humans, we often feel the need to prompt animals into action. But here at Avian Behavior International, we take...
Have you ever noticed a bird with a feather that just won’t let go, like a stubborn leaf clinging to a branch? That’s exactly what we’re seeing with Aldo, our great horned owl, as he wraps up the final stages of his molt. Molting is...
On March 3, 2022, we recognize the day as World Wildlife Day. While this day was named as a day to raise awareness and reflect on the role of the world’s wild flora and fauna, at Avian Behavior International, our mission is to do more...