They perch on the sides of dead or dying trees, and if you’re lucky, you might occasionally find one battering away at a section of wood, as woodpeckers are known to do. This is a bird that looks unlike any other: of course, we’re talking about the Pileated Woodpecker.

Also known as Dryocopus pileatus, the Pileated Woodpecker would have been a much more common sight just a few hundred years ago, when this bird enjoyed abundant access to heavily forested areas throughout the eastern United States. However, in the 18th and 19th century, large swaths of wood clearing contributed to the sharp reduction of Pileated Woodpecker populations. Recently, though, their numbers have seen a healthy rise, making them an increasingly popular bird to look for when outside.

Today, if you’re fortunate enough to spot one, you’ll be able to identify it by it’s pinpointed head plumage and bold streaks of red, black, and white—the immediately identifying traits of this iconic bird. Once you’ve located one, you might find yourself thinking, “What do these birds eat?”.

Photo Credit: Charles de Millie-Isles on Flickr

 

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They’re a common sight throughout most of North America, and to many, squirrels are as cute and furry as they are entertaining. They’re small, too—they don’t bark, and they even seem to have personalities all their own.

Granting all of this, it’s no surprise that squirrels are considered by some to be a great pet. But this all sounds too good to be true…can a cute, friendly, furry little critter that scales trees in a flash and hides nuts in its cheeks really be a manageable pet?

In this article, we’ll be exploring the many reasons why squirrels can become great pets. And, we’ll also be discussing the many lesser-known features of squirrels that can present challenges to prospective pet squirrel owners.

Photo Credit: Pierre-Selim on Flickr

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Due to their uncanny resemblance to rats and mice, bats are often presumed to be flying rodents, a misunderstanding that furthers the animals sour reputation of being a pest.

But, are bats really rodents? Are they even remotely related to Rodentia, the family of mammals that are classified as ‘rodents’?

No, bats are not rodents.  The difference between bats and rodents is based upon their dental structures. The teeth of rodents are highly specialized and have two key features not seen in bat teeth.  Let’s clear up some confusion about the subject while also helping to educate people about the true nature of Chiroptera (bats).

Photo Credit: Gilles San Martin on Flickr

 

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Bats are known for their zig-zagged, often erratic-looking flight paths. They can sometimes seem a little ADD as they dart here and there, constantly shifting their focus from one meal to the next (many bats are insectivores, eating flying insects right out of the air). But, because bats are often sighted in the evening or dusk hours, it’s not always easy to get a good read on them.

The nocturnal behavior bats exhibit can prompt some to wonder: “Do bats fly during the day?”. In this article, we’ll be answering this question head-on, and we’ll be exploring the many reasons by bats take flight at all. And, we’ll be answering some related questions in our ‘Bat Flight FAQ’ located towards the end.

Photo Credit: Diego Lizcano on Flickr

 

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Bats are some of the most populous animals on the planet, and they live on every continent except the arctics. They’ve also been around for a very, very long time, dating back as far as 52 million years ago. For as pervasive and long-lived as bats are, it makes sense to ask the question, “What do bats eat?”.

In this article, we’ll be answering this question by examining the dietary preferences of some of the most common bats while also revealing some interesting facts about this fascinating animal.

Photo Credit: Daniel Speiss on Flickr

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