BirdCapeMay.org

Q: Do Turkey Vultures pee on their own legs?

A: Yes, and it serves two very important functions. First, a vulture will urinate on its legs because as the water evaporates it helps them to cool off. Second, the urine contains strong acids from the vulture's digestive system, which kills any bacteria (like a sanitizer) that may be on the birds legs after a meal.

Since a vulture's diet consists mostly of carrion, they have many special adaptations to help them stay healthy; such as their bald head. A feathery head would trap pieces of carrion and therefore unwanted bacteria.

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves."
-John Muir

Q: Why do hawks migrate?

A: The migration of hawks is directly related to the availability of food. Food availability is closely linked to climate and seasonal changes such as those that take place every autumn and spring.

For example: Sharp-shinned Hawks feed on forest songbirds, most of which eat insects. When North American insects hibernate or die at the first frost, sometime during autumn, songbirds move south for their food source and Sharp-shinned Hawks follow.

Q: What are the common species of hawks that migrate through the eastern US?

A: There are 16 species of hawks, listed below, that commonly migrate through the eastern United States. Some are more abundant than others and some are common in parts of the region but never seen in other areas.

Red-tailed Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Sharp-shinned hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Northern Goshawk
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Osprey
Northern Harrier
Turkey Vulture
Black Vulture
Bald Eagle
Golden Eagle

Click here for more information on hawk migration in Cape May.

Q: I was at the Seawatch last year and I had one question. Do jaegers have non-breeding or winter plumage?

A: Yes. It resembles juvenile plumage but lacks barring on the underwing coverts. Also, the long tail feathers may be absent.

Coverts (def.): a feather covering the bases of the quills of the wings and tail of a bird.

Q: What are feathers made of?

A: Keratin, which is the same material that fingernails and hair consist of.

Q: Is there anything I can do to help stop the decline of Red Knots?

A: Yes! A school club called Friends of the Red Knot is dedicated to getting the Red Knot put on the Endangered Species List. You can read about the club, its goals, and its activities and accomplishments on the club's website, http://www.friendsoftheredknot.org.

Q: Is a "Sparrowhawk" a real bird?

A: Yes, "Sparrowhawk" is an old name for American Kestrel.

Q: Why are nightjars called "goatsuckers"?

A: The nightjar family name is Caprimulgidae. The name is from the Latin words: caper meaning "goat" and mulgeo meaning "to milk" or "to suck". People used to believe that "goatsuckers", or nightjars, sucked milk from goats during the night.

Today we have a better understanding of the species in this family and know that the former beliefs are untrue.