Eastern Bluebird

♂ Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis

The Eastern Bluebird can be spotted throughout the eastern half of the United States, into the southern portions of Canada, and down through parts of Central America. They are often seen perched on wires, posts, or clear branches where they sit searching for prey. As mainly insectivores, this species plays an important role influencing insect community composition. A significant population decline during the 1930s was partially attributed to pesticide use, but also climate change, competition with non-native species, and habitat loss. Populations have since increased with help from nest boxes and better land management. The sky blue feathers of the male Eastern Bluebird have established this species as a good omen by groups such as the Navajo Indians.

Tarantula Webs

Web of the Texas Brown Tarantula, Aphonopelma sp.

The construction and use of webs by spiders is unique per species and provides a way to help identify the spider. Some families of spiders use the web not to catch prey, but to create a dry attachment system while others get their common name from the webs they create. The tarantula, as a burrowing spider, uses its web in a variety of ways including as a tripwire and for lining the burrow walls. With captive tarantulas, the wall web lining of the burrow is replaced with what is called a molting mat, a bowl shaped web to aid with the process of molting.

Strangler Fig

Strangler Fig, Ficus

Many species of tropical strangler vines are of the fig family and thus are referred to as strangler figs. The common names comes from the pattern of growth of these vines upon a host tree which eventually leads to the death of the tree. As strangler figs may live for hundreds of years, the host death is not always a result of the vine, but rather age of the host. By this time, the strangler has establish itself enough that it still flourishes and lives without its host. These strangler figs are commonly covered with other vines that may not be strangers, and is often a source of food and shelter for epiphytic plants, and animals including various birds, mammals, reptiles, and bats.

White-breasted Nuthatch

White-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis

Found throughout most of North America, the White-breasted Nuthatch is a common feeder bird. They forage by creeping up and down tree trunks where they search out hidden insects. Often confused for other nuthatches, this particular species prefers deciduous trees but can be found in mixed deciduous and coniferous forests. The common name nuthatch comes from their tendency to whack large nuts into tree bark, then with their bill thus hatching the nut. The White-breasted Nuthatch does not migrate, and does scatterhoard surplus food, especially closer to winter.

Lavender

English lavender(?),  Lavandula angustifolia

One of the most well-known and cultivated aromatic shrubs, lavender comes in a wide variety of species and commercial uses. Lavender can be separated into three main groupings: English lavenders, non-English lavenders, and Lavandins, also known as English lavender hybrids. Each one has its own purpose, whether in terms of gardening tolerances or purpose such as for cooking or for use as an essential oil. The effectiveness of lavender for anxiety has been very thoroughly researched. While it is sometimes recommended for other uses such as colic, toothache, vomiting, and dementia among other concerns, the amount of evidence to back up these claims is still insufficient.

Australian Brush Turkey

Australian Brush-turkey, Alectura lathami

The Australian Brush Turkey can be spotted along the eastern and northeastern coast of Australia. This species has a large variety of habitats it can be found in from rainforests to drier scrubs, from mountains to lowland regions. The family Megapodiidae of which the brush turkey belongs are often referred to as mound builders. They passively incubate the eggs, burying them under mounds of decaying matter which the chicks must then dig out of. For the Australian Brush Turkey, the males maintain the mound which several females lay their eggs in. The bill of the bird is used to assess temperature. Matter is added or removed as needed, and holes are dug for ventilation when the necessity arises. Hatchlings are fully feathered once they emerge from the mound and are given no additional parental care. This species is often referred to as a nuisance as it commonly damages gardens while searching for food. Unlike it's cousin of the Galliformes order, the Wild Turkey, the Australian Brush Turkey is known for its bad taste and is therefore not hunted.

Wild Turkey

Wild Turkey(s), Meleagris gallopavo

With a spotted range throughout North America, this native bird has played an important role as a food source to Native Americans and to the economy. It is one of the only two birds originating in the New World that were successfully domesticated in Europe. While the Europeans domesticated the bird in the 1500s, there is evidence that this species was domesticated even earlier during the Late Preclassic (300 BC-AD 100) by Mayans. In relation to the European domestication, there are two different forms of this species: the wild turkey and the domesticated turkey. They can be distinguished by the white tail tip the domesticated form retained from the Mexican subspecies compared to the chestnut-brown tail tips of the wild turkeys.

The wild turkey is widespread in part thanks to introduction into previously uninhabited areas, of which include Hawaii, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand. One reason for this introduction process is the popularity of this species as a game bird. As such, they are not legally protected and current estimates put the population as increasing. Wild turkeys prefer mature open woodlands, particularly oak and pine forests, and are more attracted to areas recently burned which results in desired food plants increasing. While the typical lifespan of a wild turkey is close to two years, there are records of wild turkeys living more than a decade. Typical predators include, but are not limited to: humans, coyotes, fox, opossum, skunks, mink, weasels, raven, crow, squirrels, chipmunks, and various snake species.