37 posts
Kentucky’s state bird, the northern cardinal, is a year-round resident in Berea. With striking red feathers and crest and black faces, male cardinals are the subject of much “redbird” folklore, typically signifying messages from loved ones and/or good luck. Females have their own elegant warm brown coloring and
November 02, 2025
Trick or Treat! If local birds could choose Halloween costumes, many would undoubtedly don the iridescent feathers of the male peacock. Blue peacocks hail from India and Sri Lanka, while green peacocks live in Myanmar and Java. Peafowl, the name given to both males and females, are the largest members
October 26, 2025
The barred owl asks the question with its call
October 19, 2025
Great blue herons frequent creeks and marshes all around Berea and are typically year-round residents. With a wingspan of more than 6 feet, and sometimes reaching a standing height of nearly 5 feet, great blue herons are the largest herons in North America. They can hunt during the day or
October 12, 2025
Brown-headed cowbirds were so named because they follow herds of grazing animals, such as buffalo and later cows, eating the insects disturbed by the herd. But today cowbirds are best known for being “brood parasites.” They don’t build nests. Instead, they lay eggs—often dozens of eggs in a
October 05, 2025
Carolina chickadees often hang upside down to gather berries, seeds, and insects under branches. They may hide, or cache, food for times of scarcity, tucking seeds and insects under bark, or leaves, or even house shingles. Chickadees are known to modify their signature chickadee-dee-de-dee call by adding more “dees” at
September 28, 2025
The northern yellow-shafted flicker is a colorful feast for the eyes with bright yellow feathers under its wings and tail and a body adorned with patches of red, gray, tan and black. The northern flicker is a woodpecker but prefers to forage for ants and beetles on the ground with
September 21, 2025
Cedar waxwings are sleek, elegant birds with their black masks and yellow tipped tails. They are named for the small red drops of wax on the tips of secondary feathers on their wings. Cedar waxwings love to eat fruit and may descend in large numbers on berry-laden trees. They have
September 07, 2025
The cooing sound of mourning doves often conjures up memories of expansive summer days, even though these birds are year-round residents in Kentucky. Mourning doves mate for life and one pair may raise 5 or 6 broods of young in a year. Mourning doves are also known for the distinctive
August 31, 2025