Forum Role: Bird Academy
Active Since: September 27, 2019
Topics Started: 0
Replies Created: 52

Forum Replies Created

Viewing 20 posts - 1 through 20 (of 52 total)
  • Elizabeth
    Bird Academy
    Hi Joni. Thanks for your question. Unfortunately it is not possible to download course content for offline use at this time. A stable internet connection is required. Hopefully you are able to view the videos, then head out into the woods to practice what you’ve learned.
  • Elizabeth
    Bird Academy
    Hi Dixie. The pictures used as references in this course are found in the PDF available on the main course page. You can also access the PDF through this link. Happy painting!
  • Elizabeth
    Bird Academy
    Chirps are just a way to keep track of how active users are in the discussion. They are calculated based on each user's participation–1 point (or chirp) for replying to someone, 5 points for starting a new topic.
  • Elizabeth
    Bird Academy
    Hi Debbie. Chirps are just a way to keep track of how active users are in the discussion. They are calculated based on each user's participation–1 point (or chirp) for replying to someone, 5 points for starting a new topic.
  • Elizabeth
    Bird Academy
    Hi Jenny. Here is the link to the pdf: https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/How-to-Paint-Birds-with-Jane-Kim-Course-PDF_221216.pdf The link can also be found on the first page of the course.
  • Elizabeth
    Bird Academy
    You are correct—this is a female Northern Cardinal. Have you tried the Photo ID option in the Merlin app? With a photo as good as this, it would steer you in the right direction. Enjoy the course and happy birding!
    in reply to: Around the Feeder #937405
  • Elizabeth
    Bird Academy
    Hi Maureen! Since you have a recording, I suggest you try Merlin's Sound ID feature. You can import your file directly into Merlin. Please see the Sound ID Help Center for more information about how to do it.
  • Elizabeth
    Bird Academy

    @ginbudjim Yes, they are also called Eurasian Goosanders.

  • Elizabeth
    Bird Academy
    These ducks are Common Mergansers. Note the narrow, pointed bill; shaggy crest; and white chest.
  • Elizabeth
    Bird Academy
    Hi Angeleque. Thanks for reaching out. You raise some interesting points. You can find more information about the data collection methods and statistical calculations by reading the original article published in Science. It is available here. If you do not have access to the full article, you can read a draft version here. The calculation about bird mortality by cats comes from this article in Nature. The authors conducted a systematic review to determine the impact of cats on wildlife. Finally, The Washington Post recently highlighted a study showing citizen scientists produce accurate data. Find it here. The research paper itself is also available at this link. I hope these resources answer your questions and help you feel more confident in the data presented. The decline of birds is an ongoing challenge of our times.
  • Elizabeth
    Bird Academy
    This is a Black-crowned Night-Heron . Note the stocky body, black cap, and black back with lighter belly and wings.
  • Elizabeth
    Bird Academy

    @Annekathryn The recommendations for Massachusetts can be found here. While the do-not-feed recommendation has been lifted, Massachusetts suggests finding other ways to attract birds to your yard such as planting native plants, adding water features, and putting up bird houses.

  • Elizabeth
    Bird Academy
    Hi Jerry, If you are just trying to avoid the mobile app but want to report to eBird, you can submit observations online. Go to https://ebird.org/submit and follow the prompts: choose a location, date, observation type, then the species you saw or heard.
  • Elizabeth
    Bird Academy
    Forum moderator Lee Ann van Leer suggests:
    "You can use eBird.org/explore to hone in on where large roosts are being seen in the winter. There is a place on eBird where you can look at the "high count" for a species in a certain state or at the county level. That will let you know where you can find an area to search for a large roost in winter.  In some cities they frequent the same spot every night but in other areas the roots move around from place to place every night and even move to several spots during the course of the night. I was super lucky one year that the local crow roost of several thousands spent  part of two nights at my house! That was amazing to listen to them yammering away much of the night and communicating with each other.  I highly recommend when it is safe to travel, finding a crow roost some winter. It is a great experience."
    Give that a try, and let us know if you find a crow roost!
    in reply to: Roosts #848662
  • Elizabeth
    Bird Academy
    Hi William. Thank you for your concern about the birds. Connecticut lifted its do-not-feed recommendation in August, so you are good to go with feeding! Please find more details in a joint statement from the Lab of Ornithology and the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine here.
  • Elizabeth
    Bird Academy

    @Annabeth As Laura mentioned, it is a duck, so we can start there. It has a black belly and chestnut chest, with a lighter wing stripe. These features tell us it is a black-bellied whistling-duck. Although Laura thought the legs were orange or yellow, in the photo they appear pink, which is also characteristic of the species. Hope this helps!

  • Elizabeth
    Bird Academy
    The oldest crows were the 19 year olds. They have had four individuals reach 19.
  • Elizabeth
    Bird Academy
    Dr. McGowan is good friends with Dr. John Marzluff at UW, but they have only co-authored one paper on crows. In 2020 the American Ornithological Union voted to absorb the Northwestern crow (Corvus caurinus) into the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos).
    in reply to: Roosts #843851
  • Elizabeth
    Bird Academy
    The boobook owls and barking owl are members of the Ninox genus of owls. There are more than 30 species of boobook. The barking owl, Ninox connivens, is related but a separate species.
    in reply to: Who Is That Owl? #840098
  • Elizabeth
    Bird Academy
    You can revisit course content at any time. Go to My Courses, then click on Growing Wild. Scroll down to view the Course Content. Click Expand All to choose the exact topic you want to view. From there you can answer the discussion question. Alternatively, you can go to the discussion board directly. Scroll down on the page and click on Join a Discussion Group. Click on the Growing Wild group, then find the topic you want to comment on. If you have additional issues please contact Customer Service.
    in reply to: Enjoy and Share #826207
Viewing 20 posts - 1 through 20 (of 52 total)