With their special water-resistant plumage, ducks are made for water. But did you know that several species of duck actually require trees when it comes to breeding? Some ducks are cavity nesters. We've recently added one of these cute little cavity-nesting ducks to Birdorable. The Bufflehead is one of the smallest species of duck to live in North America. They're just about 14 inches long, and they use cavities excavated by Northern Flicker woodpeckers! They also use nestboxes, as in the photo below.

Besides the Bufflehead, some other ducks that nest in cavities or nest boxes are: Hooded Merganser; Black-bellied Whistling Duck; Wood Duck; Common Goldeneye; and Common Merganser.

Did you know that all penguins practice fasting during the year? Prior to fasting, penguins build up a thick fat layer which will provide energy during the fast period. Penguins fast for two reasons. First, some species don't leave their nesting grounds during the entire courtship, breeding and incubation period. Their food is found in the water so they are unable to feed if they don't leave the nesting grounds. Penguins also fast during seasonal molt.

When their new waterproof feathers are just growing in, they are unable to enter the water to feed. Different penguin species have different fast lengths. The male Emperor Penguin has the longest fasting period during breeding season. While preparing and caring for chicks, a male Emperor Penguin will fast for an incredible 90 to 120 days!

If you can't get enough of this extreme avian species, be sure to check out all of Birdorable's cute penguin t-shirts & gifts.

In the melodious world of North American songbirds, the stage is often dominated by males, their vibrant songs ringing through the air to woo potential mates and declare their dominion. However, nestled within this chorus is a voice that defies the conventional roles assigned by nature—the female Northern Cardinal. This striking bird, with her subtle beauty and remarkable vocal abilities, stands out as an exceptional exception to the rule.

Unlike the majority of female songbirds, who typically remain silent, the female Northern Cardinal shares the stage with her male counterpart, contributing her own songs to the soundscape. This rare behavior is not just a mere chirp or call but a complex song that serves similar purposes: attracting mates and asserting territory. Among the most captivating performances is the "whisper song," a tender duet sung by a pair of Northern Cardinals perched closely together, an intimate moment of avian communication that captivates the lucky listener. The "whisper song" in this audio clip features a pair of Northern Cardinals perched close together.

The female Northern Cardinal doesn't just echo the melodies of her male partner; she brings her own repertoire to the ensemble, showcasing a range of vocalizations that challenge our understanding of songbird behavior. Her voice adds depth to the dawn chorus, enriching the biodiversity soundtrack of our backyards and woodlands.

Next time the sweet serenade of a Northern Cardinal graces your ears, remember that the singer might not be the flamboyant, fiery red male often depicted in birdwatching guides and folklore. Instead, it could very well be the female, her muted tones of brown and red blending into the foliage, as she proudly proclaims her presence through song.

For those intrigued by the captivating world of the Northern Cardinal and eager to dive deeper into their study, Cornell's All About Birds provides an extensive resource. This platform offers insights into not only the Northern Cardinal but also the vast array of avian species that decorate our skies, each with their own stories, songs, and secrets waiting to be uncovered.

The female Northern Cardinal reminds us of the complexity and diversity of nature, urging us to listen more closely and appreciate the nuanced performances that unfold in the world around us.

Cedar Waxwings boast a range of unique features and behaviors that set them apart in the bird world. From their distinctive appearance to their unusual dietary habits, here are some cool facts about the Cedar Waxwing, offering a glimpse into their lives and habits:

• Waxy Red Tips: Cedar Waxwings are named for the distinctive waxy red tips on their secondary feathers, which increase in number and size as they age.
• Fruit Lovers: These birds have a strong preference for fruit and can survive on a fruit-only diet for several months.
• Cowbird Chicks Struggle: Brown-headed Cowbirds that hatch in Cedar Waxwing nests often don't survive due to the high-fruit diet of the Waxwings.
• Intoxicated Behavior: Waxwings can become drunk from eating overripe, fermenting berries, sometimes leading to flocks colliding with windows.
• Unique Vocalization: Cedar Waxwings don't sing traditional songs but communicate with quiet trilling or buzzing sounds.
• Tail Band Coloration: While typically yellow, some Cedar Waxwings developed orange tail bands in the 1960s in the northeastern U.S., a change attributed to non-native honeysuckle berries in their diet.
• Polite Eating Habits: These birds eat in shifts, with one group feeding first before giving way to the next, displaying more courteous behavior than most birds.
• Group Names: A group of waxwings is called an "ear-full" or a "museum" of waxwings.
• Birdorable Feature: The Cedar Waxwing has been a part of the Birdorable collection since September 2006. Check out our cute waxwing t-shirts and gifts!

The Azure-winged Magpie, a member of the crow family, is an enchanting bird that captures the imagination with its striking coloration and intriguing geographical distribution. With the classic shape reminiscent of a European Magpie but displaying a more slender profile, these birds boast a blend of elegance and mystery that is hard to overlook. The black caps sitting atop their heads contrast beautifully with the vivid azure blue of their feathers, creating a visual spectacle that is both striking and serene.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Azure-winged Magpie is its highly unusual distribution. In Europe, this bird finds its home exclusively in the southwestern part of the Iberian Peninsula, a notably small area when considering the bird's overall global presence. However, what truly piques curiosity is the existence of another population of Azure-winged Magpies living more than 5,000 miles away in eastern Asia, spanning across China, Korea, Japan, and Mongolia. The vast distance separating these two populations presents a biological and historical puzzle that has intrigued scientists and bird enthusiasts alike.

The mystery of their separated populations has sparked various theories over the years. One possibility is that their range was once continuous, stretching from Europe to Asia, but was fragmented, perhaps by climatic changes such as an Ice Age. Another theory suggests human intervention, proposing that early explorers might have transported the birds from the Far East to Spain and Portugal. However, recent genetic analyses have provided fascinating insights, indicating that both populations indeed share a common ancient ancestor but were separated well before the age of European exploration in the Far East. This revelation adds a layer of deep historical mystery to the narrative of these birds, suggesting a separation that occurred thousands of years ago, for reasons still not entirely understood.