Thursday, June 18, 2015

Red Tailed Hawk Facts

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Red Tailed Hawks Eat Many Small Animals


Red tailed hawk facts show that the diet of this bird varies based on availability. They prefer rodents, which make up 85% of the bird’s diet. This includes different types of mice. Red tailed hawks also prey on gophers, chipmunks, squirrels, shrews and bats. They will also eat fish, insects and earthworms if the opportunity arises. In different habitats, the birds are known to feast on snakes and lizards. In rural areas, it is not unheard of for a red tailed hawk to prey on domestic cats and dogs.


Red Tailed Hawks Mate for Life


Once a red tailed hawk has reached the age of two, it is mature enough to find a mate. A male hawk will perform elaborate flying patterns to attract a female. Once a pair of hawks come together, they will stay together for life. They will build a nest together in which the female will tend to her eggs while the male brings her food.


Red Tailed Hawks Are Built for Hunting


Red tailed hawk facts show us that the birds possess powerful talons and beaks that are sharp enough to efficiently hunt their prey. Their feathers and wingspan size enable them to fly effortlessly and soar for long periods, giving them plenty of hunting time.


Red Tailed Hawks Are Sacred in Native American Cultures


Native American culture is often focused around symbolism and respect for animals. The red tailed hawk is considered sacred among Native Americans, and is respected throughout the community. The bird’s feathers are often a part of various ceremonies and rituals. The bird is believed to be connected to the spirit world.


Red Tailed Hawks Can Live Almost Anywhere


Red tailed hawks can be found in many different habitats. As long as there are wide and open spaces in which the birds can hunt, and areas raised from the ground for them to build a nest, a red tailed hawk can make a place home. Their habitat includes deserts, scrublands, grasslands, roadsides, fields, pastures, parks and even tropical rain forests.


Red Tailed Hawks Are Very Vocal


Red tailed hawks have a loud and piercing scream that can be recognized by many. They have different sounds for when they are flying and soaring. Different noises they make may show anger, offer warnings, or protect their territory, based on the situation. The cry is so intense that it is often used as a sound effect in movies.


Red Tailed Hawks Have Amazing Eyesight


Red tailed hawks fly and search for their prey from the sky. Their eyesight is so advanced that they are able to see a small rodent on the ground, even when it is 100 feet below them.


Red Tailed Hawks Struggle to Make It to Adulthood


Almost half of all red tailed hawks do not live to the age of one in the wild. The ones that do survive will typically live to be about 12 years old. Red tailed hawks in captivity can live almost 30 years.


Red Tailed Hawks Are Protected by Law


Federal and state laws prohibit the public from possessing, killing or capturing red tailed hawks. The birds are not considered to be endangered, and these strict laws are thought to be the reason for this.


Red Tailed Hawks Are Important to the Ecosystem


Red tailed hawks are commonly found around farms because of the open landscape that generally surrounds them. They are considered to be an important part of the food chain in these areas because they keep the populations of small mammals, such as rabbits, mice and moles, in control so that crops and farms won’t be overrun.


Red Tailed Hawks Don’t Have to Eat Every Day


Red tailed hawks have a crop, which is a pouch located halfway between their mouth and stomach. Food is stored here and then released as needed for nutrients and energy. If a large enough meal is consumed, the bird may be able to go without eating for a day or two.


Females Are Larger than Males


Red tailed hawks follow the same physical guidelines as raptors, where the female is larger than the male. The male bird weights an average of 2.3 pounds with a length of 24 inches, while the female weights an average of 4.4 pounds with a length of 26 inches.


There Are Over 14 Species of Hawks


Including the red tailed hawk, there are about 14 recognized species throughout North America. They are most popular in the United States, and spend the winters in southern Canada. They can also be found farther south in Central America, and even as far as the West Indies.


Red Tailed Hawks Really Do Have Red Tails


Red tailed hawk facts show that they are covered with brown feathers, varying in shade, and have a red tail. They have yellow feet and legs, and a beak that starts as a white or yellow color and ends with a sharp black point.


The Great Horned Owl Is the Red Tailed Hawk’s Biggest Foe


Red tailed hawks do not have many predators but they do compete with the great horned owl. The owl is larger, and will attack red tailed hawks to either take their food or their nests. The owls typically live in the same areas as the hawk.



Red Tailed Hawk Facts – Facts about Red Tailed Hawks Summary


Red Tailed Hawk FactsRed tailed hawk facts show that this bird is built for hunting, and preys on whatever small animals exist near its habitat, which varies. Red tailed hawks are able to adapt to many different environments. They have incredible flying abilities and use this to attract mates to raise their young with, since they stay with one partner for life. The females are larger than the males but they both share similar physical characteristics.



Red Tailed Hawk Facts
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Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Halloween Facts

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Trick-or-Treating Started in the Middle Ages


Halloween facts show that trick-or-treating has its roots in an ancient Middle Age practice where the poor would dress up in costumes and go from door to door, begging for either money or food. They would exchanges prayers for these items. A common treat given was a soul cake, which was a small cake that represented a soul being freed from purgatory, but only once the cake was eaten.


Halloween’s Origins Are Based on Celtic Traditions


Halloween is believed to have started in Ireland. The Celtic Pagans would end the summer harvest with a celebration called Samhain. This also signaled the end of the calendar year, and was believed to be the day on which the dead could visit the living world. People would wear masks and carry lanterns throughout the town with the intent of confusing spirits and deterring evil entities.


Halloween Symbols Have a Long History


Bats, spiders and black cats were not just randomly chosen symbols to use on Halloween decorations. They all have ties to Wiccans are often associated with bad luck. Black cats are a common costume for children and adults, while images of spiders and bats can be found on many Halloween decor items. Scarecrows are also a common symbol and are linked to one of the original meanings of the Halloween celebrations, the end of the summer harvest.


Candy Corn Was Not Made for Halloween


Halloween facts reveal that this candy was originally sold from March until November and was commonly known as “Chicken Feed”. The box even had a rooster on it. It wasn’t until after World War II that the candy was marketed as a Halloween treat, focusing on the candy’s harvest colors.


The Name Halloween Has Catholic Influence


Halloween facts show that the Catholic holiday Hallow-mas was the start of the modern Halloween’s name. Hallow-mas was a 3-day holiday that honored saints and focused on praying for the deceased. The pope declared that this holiday would start on October 31, called All Hallow’s Eve, and last until November 2, because this is when Samhain, the Celtic celebration, was held and the church was trying to draw new followers in. Over time, All Hallow’s Eve turned to All Hallow’s Even and eventually Hallowe’en, which was then shortened to the word we know today.


Halloween Is the Wiccan New Year


Wicca is still a practiced religion today, and Halloween marks the beginning of a new year according to the Wiccan calendar. The Celtic festival of Samhain marked the end of the calendar year in Ireland and Scotland during the period in which is was celebrated, and it was believed that spirits could enter into the living world on this day.


Trick-or-Treating Stopped for Several Years in the United States


The tradition of trick-or-treating was brought to America by Irish immigrants, and became increasingly popular during the early 20th century. The first documented trick-or-treating was in 1927. The tradition was stopped during World War II when sugar was being rationed. After the war, the tradition was brought back, as it was widely portrayed in radio programs and newspaper cartoons.


Halloween Is the Second Most Commercialized Holiday


In the United States, Halloween is the second most popular holiday in terms of money spent on celebrations, beaten only by Christmas. Over two billion dollars are spent on candy alone, with another 4 billion spent on costumes and decorations. The past few years have shown an increase in annual spending. The average American spends about $70 on themselves for Halloween.


The World Bonfire Comes from Halloween Traditions


During the Celtic celebration of Samhain that focused on the end of the year’s harvest, fires would be lit as a symbol that the sun would return after the dark winter. Priests would often throw cattle bones in to the blaze, and the term bone fire was eventually shortened to bonfire.


Turnips Were Carved Before Pumpkins


Pumpkin carving is a North American tradition that originated from a Celtic practice. The Celts would hollow out turnips and then carve faces into the skin of the vegetable. They would place candles inside the turnips and use them to light up their windowsills, or carry them as lanterns, to ward off evil spirits.


Candy Tampering Is Not Common


Many parents fear that their children’s Halloween candy will contain razors or poison. This is thankfully very rare though. There have actually only been two cases where candy was tampered with, and in both cases it was a family member who was responsible for the wrongdoing. In one case, a child’s father laced his son’s candy with cyanide to collect on insurance money. The other case involved a child who accidentally consumed heroin, and his parents added the drug to his candy to cover up the incident.


Halloween Is Full of Strange Superstitions


It is said that if a person wears their clothes inside out on Halloween and walks backwards, they will see a witch at midnight. In Scotland, it is believed that girls can see images of their future husbands if they hold wet sheets in front of a fire on Halloween. If dating, a girl would see the image of her boyfriend in a mirror at midnight if they were walking down the stairs.


Halloween Varies in Each Country


Mexico celebrates Halloween on November 1 and 2, where it is known as the Day of the Dead. Some other countries do not widely support the celebration of Halloween, and some people in France and Australia, in particular, fight the tradition and consider it a negative American influence on their culture.



Halloween Facts – Facts about Halloween Summary


Halloween FactsHalloween facts show how far back in history the holiday goes. It has been influenced by many cultures, and many of today’s Halloween traditions can be traced back through the centuries. There are many spooky and interesting superstitions associated with the day. The holiday becomes more popular each year and is sure to change through future generations while still being based on the original celebrations.



Halloween Facts
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