At one time, black bears were fairly common throughout most of North America – at least in areas covered with forests. This included every Canadian province and every state (except Hawaii), and even included much of northern Mexico.
All in Wildlife Watching
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Palm Warbler
Palm warblers are cute little birds which are slightly smaller than most sparrows. They are seen for a relatively short time each year throughout the eastern United States during their spring and fall migrations. This is because most palm warblers breed up in the boreal forests of Canada and spend their winters in the warmer climates of Florida and the coastlines of the southeastern US.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Boisterous White-Breasted Nuthatch
When it comes to energetic and highly animated birds in the back yard, one of the first species that comes to mind is the white-breasted nuthatch. This small, sparrow-sized bird is bluish-gray on its back with a black cap on top of its head, and a bright white breast, face and underparts.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: Winter Muskrats
Muskrats are relatively small, nocturnal mammals that prefer to live in marshes and wetlands. They are usually 16 to 26 inches long, but almost half of their length is from their long tail.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The American Coot
As kids, we called the strange-looking, all-black ducks that we saw on local lakes “Mud Ducks”. But they were actually American coots. About the size of a small duck, the American coot (Fulica americana) is black or a very dark charcoal gray, with a white bill and a bright red eye.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Ingenious Gray Squirrel
I hate to say it, but those pesky gray squirrels are ingenious! Anyone who has put out a birdfeeder with peanuts or sunflower seeds knows that it usually does not take squirrels long to figure out a way to get at the seeds.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: Baby Great Horned Owl
Great Horned Owls are first-rate predators. They are the undisputed rulers of the nighttime sky throughout North America, and with wingspans of four to five feet who can argue? They often kill and eat other large birds like hawks, ospreys and even other owls. But those are the large adult owls.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Stinky Striped Skunk
The skunk is certainly one of the most well-known mammals in the United States. Even people who are unfamiliar with wild animals can easily identify a skunk. The reason is simple: just about everyone has smelled the unpleasant and unmistakable odor of a skunk at some time in their life, and they have likely seen pictures of skunks in books or on TV.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: Colorful Wood Ducks
Wood ducks are our most colorful native duck species – and they are very beautiful indeed. Male wood ducks, in particular, are truly unforgettable. They have hints of iridescent green and brown on their head, along with bold black and white markings.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: Swarms of Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers are a common insect all over the United States (and the world, for that matter). There are approximately 11,000 species of grasshoppers worldwide and more than 400 species live right here in the USA.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Brown Creeper Is A Stealthy Insect Hunter
Most birds are great insect hunters. Robins, woodpeckers, barn swallows – there are plenty of birds that hunt insects. One of the most secretive bug hunters, however, is the brown creeper (Certhia Americana).
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Clever And Secretive Red Fox
The red fox is a beautiful, but rarely seen member of our wildlife community. Their bright red fur is hard to forget, and their playful antics can be comical for those lucky enough to see them. Since they are most active at night and very secretive by day, most people never see them.