Birds

Wildlife Resources Commission Investigates Dead, Injured Brown Pelicans

Gurnal Scott — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:27:01 +0000

State wildlife officials are continuing to investigate the deaths and injuries of brown pelicans along the North Carolina coast. They say more than 200 of the birds have been found.

NC Organization Helps Save Ducks In Trinidad

Laura Candler — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:09:18 +0000

In 2009, Sylvan Heights Bird Park received a call from the US Embassy in Trinidad, asking them to help restore two species of nearly-extinct native ducks, the White-Faced Whistling Duck and the Bahama Pintail. Four years later, they are celebrating the successful introduction of individuals of both species back into Trinidad, a promising sign for the health of native populations.

What's Inside The Brains Of Songbirds

Alex Granados and Frank Stasio — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:08:32 +0000

Scientists are learning fascinating things by studying songbirds. Sophisticated microscopes are able to see the smallest level of detail in the brain and determine how it changes in response to learning. Researchers at Duke University are using this technology to study the brains of songbirds and determine what implications their findings could have for humans.

Carolina Parakeet

Frank Stasio and Alex Granados — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:24:00 +0000

Today, parakeets are creatures of the tropics, but one breed in particular was native to the forests of the Eastern United States, including North Carolina. The Carolina Parakeet went extinct in the early 20th century, but continues to fascinate the public.

Study: Climate Change Altering Bird Migration

Eric Hodge — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 12:13:00 +0000

There's more evidence that climate change is altering bird migration patterns. A new study from UNC-Chapel Hill finds some species along the east coast are migrating three-to-six days earlier than they were just ten years ago. Allen Hurlbert is an assistant professor of biology at UNC. He says birds face problems if they get the timing wrong.

Climate Change Forcing Tropical Bird Migration

Jeremy Loeb — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:10:00 +0000

A new study out of Duke University finds global warming is forcing tropical birds in Peru to migrate to higher elevations. But it also finds they're migrating at a slower rate than the world is warming.

Another Wave of Pelican Deaths Hits the Coast

WUNC News — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Dead and injured pelicans are washing up on North Carolina shores. Around 20 dead birds were found on North Topsail Beach earlier this month. Many had severely broken wings.

Pelican Blown Off Course Released in NC

Will Michaels — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:14:00 +0000

A brown pelican blown off course nearly a year ago by Hurricane Earl has been released into the wild on the North Carolina coast. The seabird nicknamed "Ralph" was found injured on the roof of a building in Nova Scotia last September. Ralph was transported earlier this year to the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter in Newport. The nickname stuck despite the fact that Ralph is a female. Clinic supervisor Maria Rush says Ralph completed the rehabilitation process this weekend.

Wildlife Officials Investigate Bald Eagle Shooting

Jeremy Loeb — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 19:11:00 +0000

The US Fish and Wildlife Service and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission are investigating the shooting of a mature bald eagle in Warren County near the Virginia border. They're offering a $2,500 reward for anyone with information that leads to a conviction.

Pelican Blown Off Course Calls NC Home

Will Michaels — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 19:10:00 +0000

A brown pelican that ended up in Canada after after being blown off course by Hurricane Earl has arrived in North Carolina. A wildlife organization in Nova Scotia nursed the injured seabird after it was found there last September. The species' natural habitat generally extends from the coast of northern Virginia to Peru. The pelican, nicknamed Ralph, arrived at the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter in Newport this morning after he was deemed healthy enough to travel.

Clinic supervisor Maria Rush says the first step in Ralph's rehabilitation is reintroducing him to his own kind.