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  • 160 best bird puns and bird jokes to make you twitter – Growing Family

    160 best bird puns and bird jokes to make you twitter – Growing Family

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    Are you looking for family-friendly jokes and clever puns with a feathered theme?  This bumper list of bird puns and bird jokes has all you need to get everyone smiling.

    As well as being good for a giggle, these funny bird puns and jokes about birds make perfect bird captions for instagram and social media (make sure you check out my nature hashtags copy and paste lists to save time there too).  Birds puns and birds jokes also come in handy for greetings cards, school nature projects, and cute lunchbox notes for the kids.

    male blackbird eating homemade bird feedermale blackbird eating homemade bird feeder

    The best puns about birds and bird jokes

    Ready to dive into the bird-themed silliness?

    Read on for a flock of kid-friendly bird puns and funny bird jokes that will quack you up (two hilarious bird puns in one sentence there 😉 )

    You could also have a go at making my homemade bird feeders with the kids.  This is a nice way to extend the bird-themed fun, and will also encourage your local feathered friends to visit your garden.

    Funny jokes about birds

    Share these funny jokes about birds with the kids for lots of giggles.

    When should you buy a bird?  When it goes cheep.

    What do you call a parrot that flew away?  A polygon.

    What did the duck say when he dropped the dishes?  “I hope I didn’t quack any”. (head this way for more duck jokes)

    Why do hummingbirds hum?  Because they don’t know the words.

    What species of bird works at a building site?  A crane.

    What do birds like to put in their soup?  Crow-tons.

    What’s it called when it’s raining ducks and geese?  Fowl weather.

    Where do birds invest their money?  In the stork market.

    What do you call an eagle with a fever? An ill eagle.

    Did you hear the joke about the broken egg? “Yes, it cracked me up.”

    What do you call a sad bird? A bluebird.

    What is even smarter than a talking bird? A spelling bee. (more bee jokes here)

    owl in field of yellow flowersowl in field of yellow flowers

    What did the bird say when he forgot to revise for his test?  “I’ll just wing it.”

    What do you call a funny chicken?  A comedi-hen.

    How does a bird with a broken wing land safely?  With its sparrow chute.

    What kind of birds do you usually find locked up?  Jail birds.

    What’s a parrot’s favourite game?  Hide and speak.

    Why do birds fly south in the winter?  Because it’s too far to walk.

    How do chickens get strong?  They do eggs-ercise.

    What do you call two birds in love?  Tweethearts.

    Where do crows go for a drink? To the crow bar.

    Did you hear the one about the crow and the telephone pole? He wanted to make a long distance caw.

    Why did the chicken join a band? Because it had the drumsticks.

    What’s a duck’s favourite snack? Quackers.

    What do you give a bird with bird flu? Medical tweetment.

    mother duck with baby birdsmother duck with baby birds

    How do you catch a unique bird?  Unique up on it.

    What do you call a group of chickens playing hide and seek?  Fowl play.

    What type of books do owls like?  Hoot-dunnits.

    Which birds are always depressed?  Bluebirds.

    What do you call an owl who’s all mixed up?  Low.

    What type of birds spend lots of time on their knees?  Birds of prey.

    How do crows stick together in a flock?  Velcrow.

    What do you get if you kiss a bird?  A peck on the cheek.

    What bird film won an Oscar?  Lord of the Wings.

    What kind of bird can carry the most weight? The crane.

    What type of books do snowy owls like to read? Hooo-dunnits.

    Why can’t birds play baseball? Because they’re always ducking or hitting fowl balls.

    What’s a bird’s favourite time of day? Cockatiel hour.

    bluetit eating bird seed from an open handbluetit eating bird seed from an open hand

    Silly bird jokes for kids

    Kids love a silly joke, and these birds jokes are definitely quackers!

    Why did the chicken cross the playground?  Because it wanted to get to the other slide.

    What’s black and white and black and white and black and white?  A penguin falling down the stairs.

    What do you give to a sick bird?  Tweetment.

    Where do royal birds live?  Duckingham Palace.

    What did the tree say to the woodpecker?  Leaf me alone!

    Why did the little bird get into trouble at school?  Because he was caught tweeting on a test.

    What do owls sing when it rains?  Too wet to woo.

    What did the ill chicken say?  I’ve got people-pox!

    Why did the bird fly into the library?  Because he was looking for bookworms.

    Where do ducks go when they are sick?  To the duck-tor.

    What’s a bird’s favourite game?  Beakaboo.

    What do you call a group of chickens dancing? Poultry in motion.

    Where does a peacock go when it loses its tail? A re-tail store.

    What do you call an owl dressed in armour? A knight owl.

    Why didn’t the night owl go to the funeral? He wasn’t a mourning person.

    small bird perched on a branchsmall bird perched on a branch

    What bird can you buy at the grocery store?  A kiwi.

    Why did the chicken cross the road, roll in mud, then cross the road again?  He was a dirty double crosser.

    What do you call a rude bird?  A mockingbird.

    Which bird is always out of breath?  A puffin.

    What does a cat call a hummingbird?  Fast food.

    What has webbed feet and fangs?  Count Duckula.

    How many birds does it take to change a lightbulb?  Toucan do it.

    What do you get if you cross a firework with a duck?   A firequacker.

    What do you call a man with a seagull on his head? Cliff.

    Why did the pelican get kicked out of the restaurant?  Because he had a very big bill.

    What bird is helpful at mealtimes?  A swallow.

    What is an owl’s favourite Beatles song? Owl you need is love.

    Why did the bird join the musical? Because it had perfect pitch.

    What do you call an owl with a low voice? A growl.

    Why don’t birds take sides in politics? Because they appreciate both left and right wings.

    starling perched on a bird feederstarling perched on a bird feeder

    What do you call a penguin in the desert?  Lost.

    Which bird always gets first place?  A peng-win.

    What’s a bird’s favourite kind of maths?  Owlgebra.

    What do chickens do on sunny afternoons?  They have peck-nics.

    Why do seagulls like living by the sea?  Because if they lived by the bay they’d be baygulls.

    What’s the difference between a fly and a bird?  A bird can fly, but a fly can’t bird.

    What steals your toys while you’re in the bath?  A robber ducky.

    What happens when lovebirds break up? They turn into bluebirds.

    Why didn’t the rooster cross the road?  Because it was chicken.

    What kind of bird doesn’t need a comb?  A bald eagle.

    Why do owls get invited to parties?  Because they’re a hoot.

    What do you call a duck who’s always telling jokes?  A wise quacker.

    Knock knock bird jokes

    Try a knock knock bird joke to get kids thinking.

    Knock, knock.  Who’s there?  Baby Owl.  Baby Owl who?  Baby owl see you later, maybe I won’t!

    Knock, knock.  Who’s there?  Kuck.  Kuck who?  Don’t call me cuckoo!

    Knock, knock.  Who’s there?  Twit.  Twit who?  Help, an owl!

    Knock, knock.  Who’s there?  Earl.  Earl who?  Early bird catches the worm!

    Knock, knock.  Who’s there?  Goose.  Goose who?  Goose who it is!

    Knock, knock.  Who’s there?  Hoo.  Hoo who?  Mum, there’s an owl at the door!

    Knock, knock.  Who’s there?  Toucan.  Toucan who?  Toucan play that game!

    Knock, knock. “Who’s there?” Owl. “Owl who?” Owl be seeing you!

    hummingbird on crocosmia flowerhummingbird on crocosmia flower

    Funny puns about birds

    There are so many ways to crack (or should that be quack?) a bird pun, and you don’t have to be a bird lover to enjoy them.  Here are some of my favourites.

    We are not emu-sed

    Going cheep

    Tweetie pie

    Under the feather

    Owl you need is love

    Happy bird-day to you

    Quack the case

    I’m hooting for you

    Poultry in motion

    Eggs-citing

    Nice to tweet you

    That bird joke flew right over your head

    Feather forecast

    Quack me up

    I’ve been waiting owl day

    Beak careful

    Very un-pheasant

    A pheasant surprise

    Winging it

    Do you have a sparrow minute?

    Don’t let anyone clip your wings

    You’re a real hoot

    Love birds

    an owl sitting on a tree branchan owl sitting on a tree branch

    Egg-cellent bird puns that are a real hoot

    Bird enthusiasts will love these silly bird puns.

    Owl night long

    A heavy birden

    Caw me on my cellphone

    Stork raven mad

    Crow away

    One fowl swoop

    You’re owl-some

    Wise quacks

    Im-peck-able

    Toucan play that game

    I’m feeling emu-tional

    Like feather, like son

    That’s ill-eagle

    Carry your birden

    Bird on the street

    Quite ostrich

    Let’s ruffle some feathers

    Very emu-sing

    Stop mocking-bird me

    Get your heron checked

    Put a wing on it

    Tweet dreams

    Owl you need is love

    Irritable owl syndrome

    blue tits on a garden feederblue tits on a garden feeder

    More bird puns

    You’re so tweet

    Fowl play

    Crowing, crowing, gone

    A chirp off the old block

    I think you’re dove-ly

    Season’s tweetings

    Owl by myself

    Going quackers

    No egrets

    Tweetheart

    This is hawkward

    Bird puns fly right over my head

    It’s been a ruff day

    Let’s parrot-y

    Fowl ball

    Keep pecking away

    I’m talon you

    You’re such a comedi-hen

    I know the early bird gets the worm, but that’s just too much to swallow.

    That’s hawk-ward

    Owl or nothing

    Nip it in the budgerigar

    Fowl language

    A little bird told me

    Don’t caw me, I’ll caw you

    Share your favourite bird jokes and puns about birds!

    I hope this list of bird jokes and bird puns for kids has generated chirps of laughter and plenty of material for nature-themed laughs.  If your favourite bird joke or best bird pun isn’t included, please share it in the comments section so we can all enjoy it 🙂

    a year of nature craft and play by catherine hughes and becky goddard-hilla year of nature craft and play by catherine hughes and becky goddard-hill

    More nature-themed fun

    If you like exploring nature with the kids – or just want to try and do it more often – my book *A Year of Nature Craft & Play is a great resource.  It’s filled with 52 nature activities, games and crafts – one for every week of the year – all with easy-to-follow instructions and lots of colourful pictures to get kids engaged and excited.  Find out more about it in my post on nature play.

    More family-friendly jokes, puns and quotes

    I’ve got a whole host of nature-inspired lists of family-friendly jokes and puns for you to explore.  There are flower puns and flower jokes, nature puns, plant puns and plant jokes, bee jokes and bee puns, fish puns, cow jokes, bear puns, sunflower puns, ice puns, rock puns, garden puns and garden jokes, gnome puns, cat puns, tree puns and tree jokes, fruit puns and fruit jokes, bean jokes and puns, vegetable puns and vegetable jokes, potato puns and potato jokes, spring puns, Easter jokes, summer jokes, fall puns and fall jokes, art jokes and puns, pumpkin jokes and pumpkin puns, skull puns and Halloween jokes for kids (bookmark these last three for Halloween). And finally, my Christmas jokes for kids are ideal for a good laugh during the festive season.

    There’s also a whole series of quotes blog posts that you might like to check out.  As well as being a lovely source of nature inspiration, you can use them in your social media posts.  There are nature quotes and nature captions, flower quotes, gardening quotes, tree quotes, quotes about sunflowers and waterfall quotes to enjoy.

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    Get ready for some family-friendly laughs with our hilarious collection of bird jokes. Perfect for all ages, these jokes will have everyone chirping with laughter. Whether you're a bird lover or just enjoy a good pun, you'll find something to tickle your funny bone. Click to read the full article!Get ready for some family-friendly laughs with our hilarious collection of bird jokes. Perfect for all ages, these jokes will have everyone chirping with laughter. Whether you're a bird lover or just enjoy a good pun, you'll find something to tickle your funny bone. Click to read the full article!

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    Catherine

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  • The Bird Flu Threat Keeps Growing

    The Bird Flu Threat Keeps Growing

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    Ongoing outbreaks of avian influenza have decimated poultry flocks and wild birds across the United States and worldwide. The virus, known as H5N1, is also increasingly adapting to mammals and has been found in cats, goats, and raccoons. In the US, it has spread to at least 170 dairy herds across 13 states. And in April, health officials confirmed that a dairy worker had caught the virus from an infected cow. This was the first time the virus made the jump from a mammal to a human.

    Now, the number of people becoming infected with bird flu is ticking upward. On July 25, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed an additional three human cases, bringing the total number of US cases to 13 since April. The infections occurred in people who were working directly with infected poultry at an egg farm in Colorado that had reported an outbreak of H5N1 among its birds. All three people have mild symptoms and have been offered Tamiflu, an antiviral drug. The CDC says the risk of H5N1 infection in the general public remains low.

    “These cases are not entirely surprising given that these people were working with infected poultry,” says Stephen Morse, an epidemiologist at Columbia University in New York. “The good news is that so far, there’s no evidence that this has spread from person to person. At that point, we’d really have to ramp up the concern to the level of red alert.”

    The CDC is looking into whether the workers in Colorado were wearing personal protective equipment, or PPE, such as gloves, coveralls, footwear, masks, and goggles. Historically, most human cases of bird flu infection have happened in people who were not wearing recommended PPE, according to the agency.

    The new cases come shortly after another cluster of human infections was identified this month. On July 19, the CDC confirmed six human cases of bird flu among poultry workers at a different facility in Colorado. Those cases were in workers who were involved in the culling of birds infected with H5N1. Once the virus is found on a farm, poultry producers must cull entire flocks. With the latest three infections, Colorado now has nine confirmed cases of bird flu.

    The other four cases—one in Texas, two in Michigan, and one in Colorado—have been linked to exposure to infected dairy cows. The virus likely spread to the workers through raw milk. A study published in May found that the virus can remain stable on milking equipment for at least an hour, increasing its potential to infect people and other animals. Pasteurizing milk, however, kills the H5N1 virus.

    So far, all the US cases this year have resulted in mild symptoms, but in the past, H5N1 has had a lethality rate of around 50 percent. From 2003 to 2023, a total of 878 people tested positive for the virus, and 458 deaths were reported.

    The last time H5N1 caused a major outbreak among US poultry flocks was in 2015, when it wiped out 50.5 million birds. It wasn’t until April 2022 that the US saw its first reported human case of bird flu, in a poultry worker in Colorado. No further cases were reported until this year. “Something has changed,” says Anice Lowen, a flu researcher at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. “Whether it’s due to changes in the virus or changes in the circumstances of exposure is hard to know without more information.”

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    Emily Mullin

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  • New Jersey moves to take bald eagles, ospreys off state list of endangered species

    New Jersey moves to take bald eagles, ospreys off state list of endangered species

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    After decades of efforts to restore populations of bald eagles and ospreys, New Jersey wildlife officials are proposing to take both birds of prey off the state’s endangered species list.

    Once critically threatened in large parts of the United States, populations of both species have recovered significantly thanks to conservation programs. In the 1970s and early 1980s, New Jersey had just one surviving pair of bald eagles. The state now has documented a record 267 nesting pairs, including 255 that laid eggs.

    Ospreys, also known as fish hawks, live mainly along New Jersey’s coast and get their food from the state’s creeks, marshes and bays. Last year, state wildlife experts documented a record 800 occupied osprey nests, up from a low of about 50 in the early 1970s.

    Both species were decimated by habitat loss and the use of pesticides like DDT, which polluted waterways and food sources during and after World War II. Reproductive problems caused by DDT led to bald eagles and ospreys laying eggs that had shells too thin to withstand incubation. The insecticide used to control mosquitos was federally banned in 1972. 

    In the early 1980s, New Jersey began a bald eagle reintroduction program that involved relocating pairs from Canada and fostering them in habitats where they had once been abundant. Populations saw major gains over the last 15 years, particularly in areas around the Delaware Bay. Nesting pairs have more than doubled since reaching 119 in 2012. 

    “The recovery of these species from near extirpation during the 1980s in New Jersey is a dramatic example of what is possible when regulations, science, and public commitment come together for a common purpose,” said David Golden, assistant commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Fish & Wildlife division.

    New Jersey currently lists bald eagles as endangered in the state during their breeding season and threatened during the non-breeding season. Ospreys are currently listed as threatened in New Jersey. Under the proposed rule change, bald eagles’ status would be changed to a species of special concern. Ospreys would be classified as stable.

    NJDEP will accept public comments on the proposed rule change until Aug. 2.

    Bald eagles were removed from the federal list of endangered species in 2007, but they remain federally protected from hunters under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. In Pennsylvania, which has had success with similar restoration efforts, bald eagles were removed from the state’s endangered and threatened species lists in 2014.

    Increased populations of both species have contributed to more frequent sightings in the region, including encounters with injured birds. In Ocean City, a bald eagle that appeared to be stunned was rescued on a residential block in March and taken to a Delaware wildlife refuge to be rehabilitated. And in February outside Harrisburg, a Pennsylvania state trooper rescued a bald eagle that had been injured after it was struck by a car.

    On the Atlantic City Expressway, the Golden Nugget casino opted to keep an outdated billboard advertisement up two summers ago when it was discovered a family of ospreys had made a home on the structure.

    “Many people have worked for years and decades to bring these species back from the brink, including biologists, volunteers, and all those who protect and steward habitat for rare wildlife,” said Kathy Clark, chief of the state’s endangered and nongame species program. “This is an achievement for all those who work on behalf of the natural ecosystems of New Jersey.”

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    Michael Tanenbaum

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  • Make This Simple Rhubarb Leaf Concrete Bird Bath – Garden Therapy

    Make This Simple Rhubarb Leaf Concrete Bird Bath – Garden Therapy

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    Adding a bird bath is one of the best ways to increase the number of songbirds and wildlife in your garden. When set on the ground, birds use it for drinking, bathing, and cooling down. Here’s how to make your own DIY concrete bird bath using a rhubarb leaf!

    The first time I tasted a tart rhubarb stalk dipped in sugar, I was hooked! The flavour is surprisingly complex for a stem, and when matched with something sweet, it’s a little slice of heaven.

    The leaves, on the other hand, are not so tasty (which is good since they are toxic), but it’s such a pity that this prolific plant doesn’t have more culinary uses.

    This DIY concrete bird bath is my attempt to get a little more out of my rhubarb plants. The ruffled and very large leaves make a wonderful mould for a bird bath. Once cast in concrete, these rhubarb leaves will live on forever and supply garden birds with a watering hole.

    Here’s how you can make your own concrete leaf bird bath!

    How to make a concrete bird bathHow to make a concrete bird bath
    This is an easy weekend project.

    Harvesting Rhubarb

    To start this project, you’ll need some big, juicy leaves. We also want to make sure we’re not harming the rhubarb when we pick the leaves.

    Let a new plant grow for two years before harvesting any stocks, and only take one-third of the plant in year three and beyond. After that, you can harvest the plant pretty heavily, leaving the smaller stalks behind after six to eight weeks of pulling off stems for pie and bird baths.

    Follow the steps in this post to harvest rhubarb properly (you’ll twist, not snip).

    For this rhubarb leaf bird bath, choose a firm leaf with a strong shape (if you can find any without holes, then congratulations, you have won the slug war!).

    It’s best to start this project at the beginning of the season when the leaves are strongest and less chewed. A few nibbles or holes are expected in an organic garden and won’t take away from the final project.

    harvesting rhubarb leafharvesting rhubarb leaf
    Choose your leaf carefully, and try to use it fresh for your mould.

    How to Make a Concrete Leaf Bird Bath

    If you’ve never worked with concrete before, this is a great first project to try out. It’s simple but creates a beautiful result that you can display in your garden while helping the local birds.

    Materials

    • Large rhubarb leaf
    • Rubber gloves, protective glasses, and a mask
    • Repair concrete (see note)*
    • Wheelbarrow or large bucket
    • Water source (hose, watering can)
    • Old trowel
    • Plastic drop cloth
    • Vegetable oil or cooking spray
    • Stiff bristle brush
    • Chisel and hammer (optional)

    *Choose a lightweight concrete mix (less gravel) for a smoother finished product. Or, choose a heavier-weight concrete mix (more gravel) if the stones will be in high-traffic areas. The best concrete for small, decorative projects is repair concrete, which has no large pieces of gravel in it.

    Leaf bird bathLeaf bird bath
    The bowl doesn’t need to be too deep to be effective for the birds.

    Make It!

    Wear protective gloves, glasses, and a mask, and mix the concrete according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

    While the measurements and mixing instructions will be on the package, in general, you will want a large container to mix a whole bag at once. An old wheelbarrow is ideal as the height makes mixing a bit easier.

    First, add the concrete to the container, then pour the recommended measure of water into the center. Stir thoroughly and use immediately. The consistency should be on the drier, firmer side. Add more dry mix if it is too runny.

    Rhubarb leaf bird bath step 1 mixing concreteRhubarb leaf bird bath step 1 mixing concrete
    You can also use a bucket for mixing.

    Build a firm mound in the soil in the shape you want your bird bath to take.

    Rhubarb leaf bird bath step 2 dirt moundRhubarb leaf bird bath step 2 dirt mound
    Your mound will determine the shape of your bowl.

    Lay the plastic drop cloth over the mound and place the leaf, vein-side up, on it.

    rhubarb leaf on plasticrhubarb leaf on plastic
    Make sure the leaf’s vein is facing upwards to get the best imprint.

    Spray the back of the leaf thoroughly with cooking spray or brush with oil.

    Rhubarb leaf bird bath step 3 spraying oil on leafRhubarb leaf bird bath step 3 spraying oil on leaf
    Any vegetable oil will work for this.

    Pile the concrete onto the leaf and pat it all around to compress the concrete and remove air bubbles. Spread the concrete to just 1/2″ from the edge of the leaf and gently round the extra 1/2″ of the leaf over the edge of the concrete. This will give the edges a more refined look.

    covering rhubarb leaf in concretecovering rhubarb leaf in concrete
    Use your gloves to smooth out the edges for a more refined look.

    Wrap the concrete in plastic and allow it to dry for 12 hours if the outside temperature is hot and dry or 24 hours if it is cooler and more humid.

    Rhubarb leaf bird bath wrapped in plasticRhubarb leaf bird bath wrapped in plastic
    Avoid doing this project if rain is in the forecast.

    Gently peel off the leaf before the concrete is set, being mindful that it can easily break or crack at this stage. Generally, it’s preferable to wait until the concrete is completely dry to unmold it, but often, this leaves more plant material behind in the crevices.

    Rhubarb leaf bird bath step 7 removing rhubarb leafRhubarb leaf bird bath step 7 removing rhubarb leaf

    Allow the concrete to cure completely according to the package instructions, then use a stiff bristle brush to scrub off any remaining plant material. You may also use a chisel and hammer to remove any concrete that has escaped the confines of the leaf, leaving the bird bath in a finished but still natural shape.

    Set the concrete bird bath upright in the garden, on a raised wood stump or atop some overturned clay pots.

    DIY concrete bird bathDIY concrete bird bath
    Leaving it closer to the ground will also allow other local wildlife to use the bird bath.

    Caring for Your Concrete Bird Bath

    Your concrete bird bath will handle the sun, the rain, and anything the warm weather can throw its way. But once the cold creeps in, you might want to retire your bird bath for the year.

    Concrete is a porous material that is prone to cracking and chipping if not properly maintained. You can’t let water freeze in it, as this will cause small cracks.

    Before the winter, drain it and bring it indoors where it is dry. Alternatively, you can drain it and cover it with something like a tarp until the springtime.

    concrete leaf bird bathconcrete leaf bird bath

    Frequently Asked Questions About Concrete Bird Baths

    Is concrete safe for bird baths?

    Concrete is safe for birds and one of the most effective ways to make a bird bath. The leaf imprint keeps them beautiful as well as functional for the birds.

    Many bird baths you buy have been glazed for appearance and to make them easier to clean. But birds don’t like the glazing, finding it slippery and uncomfortable while trying to use the water.

    Can you fix a broken concrete bird bath?

    If your DIY concrete bird bath becomes cracked, you can resurface it. To do this, you will spread a layer of new concrete atop the old one, ensuring it’s moist and clean before applying the new layer of concrete. Apply the layer of concrete, then use a new leaf or two to get a new imprint.

    Make a Bird-Friendly Backyard

    Rhubarb Leaf Concrete Bird Bath

    Attract more songbirds to your garden with this easy weekend project.

    • Safety gear (rubber gloves, face mask, apron, eye protection, etc.)

    • Wheelbarrow or large bucket

    • Water source

    • Old trowel

    • Plastic drop cloth

    • Stiff bristle brush

    • Chisel and hammer (optional)

    • Large rhubarb leaf
    • Repair concrete *see note
    • Vegetable oil or cooking spray

    • Put on protective gloves, glasses, and a mask. Mix the concrete according to the package instructions. The consistency should be on the drier, firmer side.

    • In your garden bed, build a dirt mound in the shape you want your bird bath to take.

    • Lay a plastic sheet overtop and place your rhubarb leaf on the plastic with the leaf vein facing up.

    • Spray the leaf with cooking spray or brush with oil.

    • Add a layer of concrete onto the leaf, gently patting it to remove air bubbles and to take its shape. Spread until you’re ½” away from the leaf’s edge, then gently round the edge of the leaf over the concrete to give the edges a refined look.

    • Wrap the concrete in plastic and allow it to dry for 12 hours if hot or 24 hours if it’s cooler outside.

    • Gently peel the leaf off the concrete before it’s fully dry.

    • Let the concrete cure fully according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

    • Use a stiff brush to scrub off any remaining plant materials.

    • Set your bird bath out in the garden!

    For a smoother finish use lightweight concrete mix. For high-traffic areas, use heavier-weight concrete. Repair concrete is great for small, decorative projects.

    Pin image for how to make your own DIY rhubarb leaf bird bath using an actual rhubarb leaf!Pin image for how to make your own DIY rhubarb leaf bird bath using an actual rhubarb leaf!

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    Stephanie Rose

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  • DEC warns of attracting bears waking this spring

    DEC warns of attracting bears waking this spring

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    DELMAR, N.Y. (NEWS10) -The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) says after hibernating through the winter, bears are back on the hunt for food. Bear encounters are more common during the spring and early summer as their fat reserves have been depleted.

    “They’re going to be looking for readily available food sources on the landscape and that brings them to close proximity to people when there’s unnatural food sources that people have provided,” stated Big Game Biologist, Brendan Quirion.

    To prevent this, the DEC recommends keeping farm animals like chickens and bees behind electric fences and storing trash and recycling bins in a secure area. Bird feeders may also attract more than just feathered friends.

    “Bird feeders aren’t really necessary this time of year to feed the birds, there’s going to be plenty of food for birds throughout the spring and summer. And so you can take those bird feeders down so that way bears won’t access them,” explained Quirion.

    At WildBird Junction in Delmar, Lance Raffe said not all bird feeders and seeds will attract bears. “Hummingbird feeders throughout the summer are usually pretty safe. We usually recommend a Nyger feeder for the finches because that’s also another seed that bears typically are not interested in.”

    Alternatives to bird feeders are also available. “One way is with water. All birds need water. Planting native plants, fruit and berry and nut producing plants in your backyard, are a good way to attract birds year-round without filling a feeder at all,” added Raffe, the owner of WildBird Junction.

    The DEC advises bird enthusiasts to empty their bird feeders and pick up any seeds from the ground. Intentionally feeding bears is illegal and dangerous, as officials want the bears to stay safe and independent. If you come into close contact with a bear, the DEC recommends making noises, like clapping your hands and raising your voice, to let the bear know you are there.

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    Anthony Krolikowski

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  • Great Lakes Pigeon Rescue allows homeless, injured birds to fly anew at Maple Park, Illinois shelter, volunteer’s Oswego home

    Great Lakes Pigeon Rescue allows homeless, injured birds to fly anew at Maple Park, Illinois shelter, volunteer’s Oswego home

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    OSWEGO, Ill. — In the hands of owner Blanca Uribe, a retired racing pigeon named Astrid gets the exercise she needs through “happy flappies,” moving her wings while being held because she’s paralyzed, and can’t use her legs or feet.

    Astrid is one of several special needs pigeons cared for or fostered by Uribe and her husband, Guillermo Alvarez, at their Oswego home, through the non-profit organization Great Lakes Pigeon Rescue.

    “I’ve loved pigeons since always; I’m a bird person,” Uribe said. “But my husband, he developed a love for pigeons; he loves me, so he loves the pigeons now.”

    Uribe serves as medical director and vice president of Great Lakes Pigeon Rescue, founded by Chicago-area pigeon enthusiasts. The multi-state rescue and foster network serves homeless domestic pigeons as well as injured, non-releasable feral pigeons in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan.

    “We just started a network, started to get to know each other, and just decided to go for it to give the pigeons a better chance,” Uribe said. “They need a home, they need health care and they need just someone to take care of them.”

    Besides the organization’s Maple Park shelter housing hundreds of birds, pigeons are fostered with volunteers at their homes in the Great Lakes region. Alvarez said living with the pigeons that his wife cares for has been an eye opener.

    “Before seeing the great work that the folks at Great Lakes Pigeon Rescue do, I didn’t see pigeons,” Alverez said. “I’m amazed at how bonding they are, how amazing pets they are, how loving they are and how smart they are.”

    RELATED: Viral potty-trained pigeon lives lavish life in New York City

    Max, a city pigeon who was rescued as a newborn after falling from an elevated train track in Chicago, is closely bonded with Alvarez. She, along with many of the other pigeons in the house, are free to walk around and fly as they please, wearing specialized “pigeon pants” to prevent accidents.

    “The pigeon pants really make a difference to the pigeons and the owners because it’s not like we can control when they want to go potty,” Uribe said. “We dress them up in the morning, and then they can go out and about and do their thing.”

    Uribe said one of the reasons she loves pigeons is because they’re misunderstood. Seen as “dirty” birds by many, Uribe points to their intelligence and cleanliness as a reason they make great pets.

    “When I’m taking a shower, some of them will literally knock on the door,” Uribe said. “They are really clean creatures; they always want to take a bath.”

    Alvarez and Uribe also care for pigeons with missing eyes and legs and other birds with other injuries. After the pigeons have recovered and are cleared to leave, Great Lakes Pigeon Rescue finds suitable homes, and ships them to new owners all over the country.

    “I always cry when I let them go,” Uribe said. “It’s always heartwarming to know that one of our rehab pigeons, especially the special needs, is going to a good home.”

    For more information on Great Lakes Pigeon Rescue, visit greatlakespigeonrescue.org.

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    CCG

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  • 10 Easy Pieces: Bird Watering Holes – Gardenista

    10 Easy Pieces: Bird Watering Holes – Gardenista

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    A garden is brought to life by birds, not only with the sound of their singing but the sight of their constant activity, from dawn to dusk. Water, too, is an essential component of a garden with vitality. More than a trickling decoration, it brings in the insects that attract birds; it cleans the birds, and hydrates them. There is really no point in putting out seed without fresh water—which can be as simple as a few bowls (shallow enough for a bird to stand in), on the ground near shrubs, on a wall, on a makeshift pedestal.

    People who love birds know that formality is a human, rather than avian interest, and that informal watering holes enhance any space. One of the most memorable aspects of designer Cleve West’s last garden at the Chelsea Flower Show (in 2016) was a trio of large rocks with indents carved into them for holding water. He does the carving himself, and on occasion still makes the kind of bird baths that birds like; there is one for sale now at Lichen Antiques.

    Above: Campo de’ Fiori have a range of carved and weathered limestone planters in oval (above), round, square or rectangular shapes, starting at $116.25 for an interior dimension of approximately 4″. If a vessel has straight sides, bees and other insects will find it difficult to get out. Add large stones that emerge above water level or keep the water shallow. Moss is also helpful.
    Above: A bird will be happy with a wide bowl, or overturned dustbin lid. For more focused beauty in utility, Manufactum sells sensible birdbaths of granite-ceramic (aka Granicum) with an island to hop on to in the centre. €99.90; stainless steel stand also available.
    The classic concrete bowls and planters that Swiss designer Willy Gruhl designed for Eternit in the 1950s have been used very effectively over the years for water as well as soil (by blocking the drainage holes). This vintage one is $3,200 at 1stdibs.
    Above: The classic concrete bowls and planters that Swiss designer Willy Gruhl designed for Eternit in the 1950s have been used very effectively over the years for water as well as soil (by blocking the drainage holes). This vintage one is $3,200 at 1stdibs.

    Above: Water evaporates more quickly from smaller vessels—a good reason to keep them topped up with fresh water instead of letting it stagnate. Made in New Hampshire by Dances with Stone, these hand carved river stones are given bathing-sized indents, with two small stone offcuts supplied to keep each mini pool in place. Available to order via Etsy from $80, and starting at a size of roughly 7-9” in length.

    Above: Corten Steel curved water bowls by the Pot Company range between two- to over six-feet in diameter. Starting off as a blue steel, it naturally weathers, developing a coat of rust that prevents further erosion. The Pot Company is  trade only (and comes recommended by designer Sheila Jack) but they retail at various online outlets including Harrod Horticultural, where prices start from £159.

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  • Scientists Pinpoint Growth of Brain’s Cerebellum as Key to Evolution of Bird Flight

    Scientists Pinpoint Growth of Brain’s Cerebellum as Key to Evolution of Bird Flight

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    **EMBARGOED UNTIL 7:01 P.M. ET TUESDAY, JAN 30**

    Evolutionary biologists at Johns Hopkins Medicine report they have combined PET scans of modern pigeons along with studies of dinosaur fossils to help answer an enduring question in biology: How did the brains of birds evolve to enable them to fly?

    The answer, they say, appears to be an adaptive increase in the size of the cerebellum in some fossil vertebrates. The cerebellum is a brain region responsible for movement and motor control.

    The research findings are published in the Jan. 31 issue of the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

    Scientists have long thought that the cerebellum should be important in bird flight, but they lacked direct evidence. To pinpoint its value, the new research combined modern PET scan imaging data of ordinary pigeons with the fossil record, examining brain regions of birds during flight and braincases of ancient dinosaurs.

    “Powered flight among vertebrates is a rare event in evolutionary history,” says Amy Balanoff, Ph.D., assistant professor of functional anatomy and evolution at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and first author on the published research.

    In fact, Balanoff says, just three groups of vertebrates, or animals with a backbone, evolved to fly: extinct pterosaurs, the terrors of the sky during the Mesozoic period, which ended over 65 million years ago, bats and birds.

    The three species are not closely related on the evolutionary tree, and the key factors or factor that enabled flight in all three have remained unclear.

    Besides the outward physical adaptations for flight, such as long upper limbs, certain kinds of feathers, a streamlined body and other features, Balanoff and her colleagues designed research to find features that created a flight-ready brain.

    To do so, she worked with biomedical engineers at Stony Brook University in New York to compare the brain activity of modern pigeons before and after flight.

    The researchers performed positron emission tomography, or PET, imaging scans, the same technology commonly used on humans, to compare activity in 26 regions of the brain when the bird was at rest and immediately after it flew for 10 minutes from one perch to another. They scanned eight birds on different days.

    PET scans use a compound similar to glucose that can be tracked to where it’s most absorbed by brain cells, indicating increased use of energy and thus activity. The tracker degrades and gets excreted from the body within a day or two.

    Of the 26 regions, one area — the cerebellum — had statistically significant increases in activity levels between resting and flying in all eight birds. Overall, the level of activity increase in the cerebellum differed by more than two standard statistical deviations, compared with other areas of the brain.

    The researchers also detected increased brain activity in the so-called optic flow pathways, a network of brain cells that connect the retina in the eye to the cerebellum. These pathways process movement across the visual field.

    Balanoff says their findings of activity increase in the cerebellum and optic flow pathways weren’t necessarily surprising, since the areas have been hypothesized to play a role in flight.

    What was new in their research was linking the cerebellum findings of flight-enabled brains in modern birds to the fossil record that showed how the brains of birdlike dinosaurs began to develop brain conditions for powered flight.

    To do so, Balanoff used a digitized database of endocasts, or molds of the internal space of dinosaur skulls, which when filled, resemble the brain.

    Balanoff identified and traced a sizable increase in cerebellum volume to some of the earliest species of maniraptoran dinosaurs, which preceded the first appearances of powered flight among ancient bird relatives, including Archaeopteryx, a winged dinosaur.

    Balanoff and her team also found evidence in the endocasts of an increase in tissue folding in the cerebellum of early maniraptorans, an indication of increasing brain complexity.

    The researchers cautioned that these are early findings, and brain activity changes during powered flight could also occur during other behaviors, such as gliding. They also note that their tests involved straightforward flying, without obstacles and with an easy flightpath, and other brain regions may be more active during complex flight maneuvers.

    The research team plans next to pinpoint precise areas in the cerebellum that enable a flight-ready brain and the neural connections between these structures.

    Scientific theories for why the brain gets bigger throughout evolutionary history include the need to traverse new and different landscapes, setting the stage for flight and other locomotive styles, says Gabriel Bever, Ph.D., associate professor of functional anatomy and evolution at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

    “At Johns Hopkins, the biomedical community has a wide-ranging set of tools and technology to help us understand evolutionary history and link our findings to fundamental research on how the brain works,” he adds.

    In addition to Balanoff and Bever, other authors of the study are Elizabeth Ferrer of the American Museum of Natural History and Samuel Merritt University; Lemise Saleh and Paul Vaska of Stony Brook University; Paul Gignac of the American Museum of Natural History and University of Arizona, M. Eugenia Gold of the American Museum of Natural History and Suffolk University; Jesús Marugán-Lobón  of the Autonomous University of Madrid; Mark Norell of the American Museum of Natural History; David Ouellette of Weill Cornell Medical College; Michael Salerno of the University of Pennsylvania; Akinobu Watanabe of the American Museum of Natural History, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Natural History Museum of London; and Shouyi Wei of the New York Proton Center.

    Funding for the research was provided by the National Science Foundation.



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    Johns Hopkins Medicine

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  • Jaws drop as woman greeted with flock of bald eagles

    Jaws drop as woman greeted with flock of bald eagles

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    An unexpected sight at a landfill dump in Alaska has left the internet in shock after the footage gained millions of views on TikTok.

    The video was posted by @erynwhittern two days ago. It shows the moment she was at the landfill dump in the city of Unalaska and saw an impressive number of bald eagles hanging around the area.

    Alongside the clip, the caption reads: “You could say I was SHOOK. There was even more when I turned around the other direction.” Among all of the trash at the dump are tons of birds, picking at the trash and scavenging for anything they can find.

    The bald eagle is a significant symbol of the United States, having been its national bird since 1782. Featured on the Great Seal of the United States, it appears in many government institutions and on official documents, making it the most-pictured bird in America.

    Thousands of commenters were stunned by the footage and rushed to share their reactions in the comments.

    “So you’re telling me the bald eagle is the pigeon of Alaska?” posted one commenter, while another TikTok user wrote: “Bald eagles: Fancy seagulls.”

    “Is this normal?” asked a third. “I’m scared because they running from something or know something we don’t.”

    A fourth added: “My cousins are from Unalaska, and they called them dump chickens.”

    It is true that the presence of bald eagles in Unalaska is not unusual. The Alaska.org tourism site says that the bald-eagle population on the island has fluctuated over the years, sometimes reaching as high as 700. The site describes bald eagles in Unalaska as plentiful as pigeons in other cities, offering visitors a rare opportunity to observe the national symbol up close.

    Pictures of bald eagles scavenging for food around the coast. Internet users have been stunned after one woman arrived at the local landfill dump to see eagles flocking to the area.
    Carol Gray/Getty Images

    Most of Alaska’s landfills and municipal dumps attract bald eagles, with these raptors being savvy opportunists always in search of easy meals, according to Alaska.org. Unalaska’s City Landfill, situated 2.2 miles out of town along Summer Bay Road, provides a reliable food source, drawing eagles in large flocks. The eagles are known to compete with ravens and seagulls for human debris, making landfills a hot spot for observing these majestic birds.

    Others shared their frustration, with one commenter saying that he had been trying to get a glimpse of the birds; he even paid $500 for a tour in Alaska, only to find that they are all at the dump.

    “Bald eagles love trash water is what I learned when I worked at the landfill,” wrote another commenter.

    Newsweek reached out to @erynwhittern via TikTok for comment.