State Birds

Today I learned an interesting fact: Utah's state bird is the seagull, even though Utah is land-locked. Hmm. It's probably because of the Salt Lake, but still makes you wonder.

So anyway, I started wondering what the other state birds are, and decided to post the list.

Alabama--Yellowhammer
Alaska-- Willow Ptarmigan
Arizona-- Cactus Wren
Arkansas-- Mockingbird
California-- California Valley Quail
Colorado-- Lark Bunting
Connecticut-- Robin
Delaware-- Blue Hen Chicken
Florida--Mockingbird
Georgia-- Brown Thrasher
Hawaii-- Nene
Idaho-- Mountain Bluebird
Illinois-- Cardinal
Indiana-- Cardinal
Iowa-- Eastern Goldfinch
Kansas-- Western Meadowlark
Kentucky-- Cardinal
Louisiana-- Eastern Brown Pelican
Maine-- Chickadee
Maryland-- Baltimore Oriole
Massachusetts-- Chickadee
Michigan-- Robin
Minnesota-- Common Loon
Mississippi-- Mockingbird
Missouri-- Bluebird
Montana-- Western Meadowlark
Nebraska-- Western Meadowlark
Nevada-- Mountain Bluebird
New Hampshire-- Purple Finch
New Jersey-- Eastern Goldfinch
New Mexico-- Roadrunner
New York-- Bluebird
North Carolina-- Cardinal
North Dakota-- Western Meadowlark
Ohio-- Cardinal
Oklahoma-- Sissor-Tailed Flycatcher
Oregon-- Western Meadowlark
Pennsylvania-- Ruffled Grouse
Rhode Island-- Rhode Island Red
South Carolina-- Great Carolina Wren
South Dakota-- Ring-Necked Pheasant
Tennessee-- Mockingbird
Texas-- Mockingbird
Utah-- Common American Gull
Vermont-- Hermit Thrush
Virginia-- Cardinal
Washington-- Willow Goldfinch
West Virginia-- Cardinal
Wisconsin-- Robin
Wyoming-- Western Meadowlark

So there it is.
And did anyone else notice that there are no less than 5 mockingbirds, 3 robins, 4 types of bluebirds, 7 cardinals, and 6 western meadowlarks? As well as 3 goldfinches, and 2 chickadees.
Interesting. :)


source: http://www.50states.com/bird/

Dog Breed of the Month: The Maltese

This is Mitzy the Maltese.

Maltese are playful, spirited, trusting, and loyal. These small 'toy' dogs are very intelligent and love to learn tricks, but may be difficult to housebreak.

Maltese need their owners to be strong 'pack leaders', or the dog will attain some behavior problems, such as excessive barking and being snappish with people. But as long as they have a leader, they will be fine.

Maltese are prone to teeth problems, and should be fed food that will keep their teeth healthy (such as dry dog biscuits). They are also prone to sunburns and weak digestion. It is important to keep them out of the damp.

Maltese are good for apartments, as they are very active indoors, and don't require a yard. They need a daily walk, however, and love to play. They live about 15 years, but if properly treated, can get to the age of 18.

Maltese generally need a lot of grooming, as their hair is usually kept long. Regular shampooing and daily brushing is in order. Be sure to clean the ears eyes and beard regularly. Maltese shed little to no hair, and are good for allergy sufferers.

These playful dogs are good in apartments, but need daily walks and a strong pack leader. They have some health problems, and need a lot of grooming, but these exuberant canines make wonderful pets.


source: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/maltese.htm

Wild Things

Just an update on Wild Things Sanctuary.

This is one of their newest additions: an orphaned squirrel. He was so young when he was found that he hadn't even opened his eyes (he has in the weeks that have followed however). And he is syringe fed a special formula for babies, as shown in the picture.

Here is the Wild Things website once again:
http://www.wildthingssanctuary.org/
or click here.

New York's Pig Problem

Feral hogs are slowly creeping into New York state, and are breeding in the Tioga, Cortland, and Onondaga counties. New York wildlife officials are scrambling to confront the invasion.

If allowed to breed freely in their non-natural habitat, the hogs could cause environmental disaster. They could wreak havoc on crops, and upset the ecosystem. Feral hogs can also carry disease that can spread to other animals.

Adult hogs can weigh up to several hundred pounds or more. They can cause severe damage to places. According to the Ithaca Journal, one woman's front lawn looked like it had been plowed with farm equipment after the hogs went through.

The DEC are buttoning down on controlling the pig problem using traps. My solution? Throw angry birds at them.

(For those of you not familiar with the iphone app Angry Birds, look it up)

sources: the Ithaca Journal

The Starling

Starlings were brought to North America by the Europeans. They are occasionally resented because they are a foreign bird and have grown very numerous. But they are nevertheless beautiful songbirds and their glossy summer coats as well as their dappled winter feathers are a pleasure to see.

Starlings are found near human dwellings (towns suburbs etc), and roost on wires, trees, and houses. They live in parts of Europe and Asia, and are an invasive species in North America.

Starlings eat seeds, fruits, insects and other small animals like snails and earthworms. Starlings are very competitive, and are not afraid to steal food from other birds. They are just as competitive when it comes to nesting.

Starlings build their bulky nests in cavities like nesting boxes, drainpipes, or on houses. Nesting materials consist of grass, twigs, weeds and other vegetation, as well as feathers, string, paper, or whatever else the birds have found. Female starlings lay 4-7 eggs which are incubated through a period of 12 days. Chicks fledge in 21-23 days. Starlings can have up to three broods per year.




sources: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/european_starling/id
http://www.sialis.org/starlingbio.htm
http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/european_starling.htm

SPCA: Josephine

Josephine is a sweet affectionate kitty who loves people, but doesn't like other cats or dogs. She would love to be an only pet in a quiet house where she can play with a kid and lounge. Josephine can be rather energetic, and she loves playing. She is about 1 1/2 years old, and Really needs a place to call home. Will that place be with you?

You can see Josephine or other animals who need a home at http://www.spcaonline.com/ or click here.

Muskrats

Muskrats are large furry rodents that live in and around water. They can be found near marshes, streams, ponds, rivers, or other bodies of water. They have a hefty, scaly tail and small eyes and ears.

Muskrats build lodges-much like beavers-out of aquatic plants, mainly cattails. These lodges can be up to five feet high and eight feet across. Muskrats also burrow holes in the water's bank, with at least one entrance above the water level. They also build feeding platforms, where they eat.

Muskrats eat a variety of vegetation (rushes, pondweeds, water lilies, acorns), as well as some animals (frogs, snails, fish) in the summer, but in the winter, when food is scarce, the muskrat will feed on the inner walls of it's lodge, which are built large and full for this purpose.

Breeding season for muskrats starts in late winter and ends in September. 10 babies are born in each litter, and a female can have up to five litters per season. Baby muskrats are born without fur, but they gain the covering when they reach two weeks. They also begin swimming at that time. Muskrats are active during the day, but they are even more active at night.

Some musk perfume is made by the secretion of muskrats, but they are not commercial sources for it. Most musk perfume is made from musk deer.

Regretfully, I do not have a picture of a muskrat, but you can view some here.



sources: http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/muskrat.htm
The Animal Kingdom Graystone Press, copyright 1954, NY
http://askanaturalist.com/are-muskrats-used-to-make-perfume/

April fools!

I apologize for not putting up an April Fools post on April Fools day, but I will compensate for that by putting up one now.

So, without further ado, this is what we'll do:
I have ten wild facts about animals, but only nine are true. Can you spot the fake? Or is it April Fools?

1. Denmark has twice as many pigs as they do people
2. Chipmunks eat four times their weight daily
3. A crocodile's tongue cannot move; it is attached to the roof of it's mouth.
4. On average, one hen lays 19 dozen eggs each year
5. Sharks are the only known species that can't get cancer
6. Elephants can smell water from a distance of three miles
7. Dolphins sleep with their eyes open
8. Chickens can't swallow upside down
9. Hummingbirds are lighter than coins
10. All polar bears are left handed








Think you know the answer?








Are you sure?








Well here it is:









APRIL FOOLS! Number 2, "Chipmunks eat four times their weight daily" is false. They eat much less than that.

Oh, and here's the site I got the real facts from:
http://www.factsaboutanimals.net/
and you can click here to go there.

Happy April!

The Goldfinch

Goldfinches live throughout North America. Their natural habitat is woody areas, and thickets, but they can be seen in lawns, roadsides, and open woods.

Goldfinches eat mainly seeds, but tree buds and maple syrup can also be part of their diet.

Nests are made of plant fibers and plant down. They are built in trees or shrubs. The nests are built so tightly that they are waterproof. Goldfinches have 4-6 eggs that hatch in about 2 weeks. Chicks leave the nest by 17 days. Up to three broods can be raised in a season.

Male goldfinches are a brilliant shade of yellow, but females-like the two shown here-are more drab in color.




sources: http://www.all-birds.com/American-Goldfinch.htm
http://www.wbu.com/chipperwoods/photos/goldfinch.htm