Explore the Outdoors!
Read all about the animals you can find right at your doorstep! From the smallest birds to reptiles and rodents!
Northern Cardinals are not particularly picky when it comes to their dietary preferences, however, there are limits to what size and hardness they can handle in their food. Therefore, cardinals cannot eat whole acorns because their beak is not shaped for the purpose. Birds like woodpeckers, crows, and bluejays are stronger and have a more…
If you’ve been outside in springtime, you may have seen young birds that are not quite babies and not quite adults. These little fledglings are everywhere in springtime, but what is so special about these immature birds? Fledgling is the state a bird enters after being a “nestling” (baby) and can be compared to the…
Groundhogs are a common sight in many backyards across North America. These furry creatures may look cute and cuddly, but they can be a nuisance when they start digging up your garden! Groundhogs are herbivores and eat grasses and vegetables and fruits most of the time. However, they may eat insects, nuts, and mushrooms from…
Robins are a type of bird that is found in North America. They are brown and red or orange in chest color and have a white belly. Their beak is short and their body is rounded. For a backyard bird, the robin is medium in size (bigger than sparrows but smaller than crows) and they…
Rainbow lorikeets (Trichoglossus moluccanus), also known in daily jargon as “Loris”, are parrot species that reside in Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong. They have a very colorful appearance and can be found both in the wild and as pets. Rainbow lorikeets that live in the wild have a specific diet of nectar and pollen…
The babies of the American Goldfinch are referred to as nestlings. At this stage in life, the little ones are still very much dependent on their mother for survival. As far as diet goes, food will be brought to them by both parents. This diet of baby Goldfinches consists mainly of softer insects like worms…
Crows are big black birds that you’ll be quite familiar with if you spend time in cities or in your own backyard. Crows belong to the Corvidae family (their family has a lot of members including jays, ravens, magpies, rooks, and many other types of birds) and I have previously written about where Blue Jays…
Gophers are omnivores but mostly herbivores. They eat plants, such as flowers, roots, and tubers. But gophers also enjoy grasses, fruits, and grains. Gophers don’t generally eat animals unless they need to survive in extreme conditions or if they are starving. So, gophers are mainly herbivores that do to a lesser extent prey on smaller…
When you talk of a groundhog most people probably think that they only eat plant-based food like tomatoes, squash, grass, and flowers. But they do also eat animals, just not as much as greens! Groundhogs will eat other animals but mainly in the form of smaller insects as a source of animal protein, but they…
Oregon is a great place for birdwatching, with its diverse landscapes and rich birdlife. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common backyard birds in Oregon. These birds are easy to spot and can be enjoyed by both novice and experienced birdwatchers alike. So if you’re interested in getting into…