Nature is full of awe and birds are a prime example of how fascinating the fauna on earth is. Some of this wonder, however, can come with a side of apprehension. Seeing as it’s Halloween, below are seven examples of how birds can be just a bit unsettling, whether it be the way they stare with those red eyes, their means of communication, or, in the case of the Loggerhead Shrike, their predilection for impalement.
Don’t Look at Me!
Red-eyed Vireo
Bird eyes come in all colors and as the name states, the Red-eyed Vireo has a crimson iris. Or at least the adult vireo does; juveniles have brown eyes that will not turn ruby red until they are two years old. This songbird’s bright red eyes are due to the compounds guanine, hypoxanthine, leucopterin and xanthopterin, as well as other factors such as pigment organelles. But this is not the case for all red-eyed birds; even though two species may have similarly colored irises, the science behind those hues could differ. Other than the feature for which it is named, this bird is known for its love of song and can sing for hours. If you are searching for the Red-eyed Vireo, you will probably hear it first.
Red-eyed Vireo, Herndon, Virginia
Sheryl Hopkins/Audubon Photography Awards
Horned Grebe
The Horned Grebe is one of several grebe species that has intense red eyes. Along with that trait, the adults display quite a striking appearance in the summer with their bright yellow feathers or “horns.” This waterbird, along with loons and other grebes, have legs far in the back of their body and therefore experience difficulty walking on land. To become airborne, they need to run across the water’s surface. A concerning matter about these birds is that if they land on the ground, rather than on water, they almost certainly cannot get back up into the air. Sometimes they may mistake parking lots or roadways for bodies of water and become stranded. When this happens, they need wildlife services for aid.
Horned Grebe, Coon Rapids Dam, Minnesota
Steven Broste/Audubon Photography Awards
Black-crowned Night Heron
Look out for the Black-crowned Night Heron the next time you are at the Lincoln Park Zoo. The Chicago attraction houses the largest population of Black-crowned Night Herons in Illinois, even though these birds aren’t technically part of the zoo. They chose to make Lincoln Park their home. To spot one of these birds, look for a stocky heron smaller than a goose but larger than a crow. Juveniles have mainly brown feathers with white spots and streaks, and bright yellow eyes. Adults are covered in light gray plumage for the most part, with black feathers on the top of their head and back, and they are the ones who sport the red eyes; their large eyes gather light and help them see in darkness. But what’s truly frightening about Black-crowned Night Herons is that if something were to happen to the Lincoln Park Zoo colony, they’d be nearly extinct in Illinois. Ecologists have been working to entice these herons to spread out into multiple locales, but so far efforts have been futile. There is speculation that the herons like the zoo specifically because of their red wolf neighbors. The birds aren’t worrying about wolf attacks up in a tree, but they are concerned about snakes, possums and raccoons eating their young. The wolves keep the smaller predators away, and the herons stay in place.
Black-crowned Night Heron
Jeffrey Davidson/Audubon Photography Awards
What Am I Hearing?
Common Loon
If you’re near a body of water and hear a haunting yet beautiful call, reminiscent of wolves, look out for the Common Loon. Their poignant wail takes you back to a time when feral nature reigned supreme – and it may be because Gaviiformes, the order of birds that includes loons, are roughly 55 million years old. The loon lineage can be traced back to the early Eocene epoch with Nasidyes ypresianus, the oldest known loon. This howl is thought to be a contact call used for various reasons; for example, mates may be separated and they cry out to locate each other. Loons are also known for their tremolo call, which normally indicates distress or alarm, and for their yodel that commonly signifies a territorial claim. Similar to grebes, loons have legs in the back of their body and need an expanse of water to take off into flight. If you ever spot a loon stuck in a parking lot or on the road, please call wildlife services for help.
Click here to hear examples of what the Common Loon sounds like!
Common Loon, adult and chick
Richard Pick/Audubon Photography Awards
American Barn Owl
Imagine a ghostly visage gliding soundlessly through darkness, and then out of nowhere a horrifying scream that shatters the silence. Given its otherworldly appearance and discordant screech, it is little wonder that the Barn Owl has attracted strong feelings, some quite negative, from different cultures throughout the centuries. The shriek is quite jarring to hear even from a recording. But it is quite versatile, with variations of the call holding different meanings. For instance, it can be more conversational in nature or serve as a warning. Just this year, the Barn Owl has been split into three species by ornithologists: Eastern, Western and American Barn Owl. The latter, specifically found in the Americas, has made a comeback in Illinois in recent years and you may be able to spot one in Chicago.
Click here to hear examples of what the Barn Owl sounds like!
American Barn Owl, King county, Washington
Raghav Mehta/Audubon Photography Awards
Mute Swan
The Mute Swan is not actually mute - it can, for instance, make grunting quacks and hiss aggressively. Although some people find their calls creepy, most are wary of this bird because of its defensible bellicosity toward people who come too close, especially when there’s a nest or chicks nearby. The adult Mute Swan, easily pictured with white feathers and an orange beak, is quite a large bird with a wingspan of 208-238 cm. Brought to the U.S. from Europe for their beauty, these waterfowl currently rule over foraging and breeding sites. They also have immense appetites and can eat around 8 pounds of food/day. Preventing vegetation overgrazing and ensuring that native birds can thrive alongside Mute Swans is an ongoing concern.
Click here to hear an example of what the Mute Swan sounds like!
Mute Swan
Steve Green/Audubon Photography Awards
Please Stay Away…
Loggerhead Shrike
The Loggerhead Shrike has a distinctive and disturbing way of preparing dinner. These winged Vlad the Impalers will take their prey and spear them onto a thorn or barbed wire. About the size of robins, they can take down insects, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and other birds. Because their legs aren’t as powerful as other predatory birds, they need a way to stabilize their meal while they tear at its flesh, and thus comes the need for impalement. This skewering method is also a convenient way to store their meals. Sometimes they have to wait for the toxins in an insect to break down, and having a cache of carcasses nearby is convenient for females as they brood, and during the winter when food may be hard to find. Arguably the most terrifying bird on this list, a songbird with the soul and beak of a raptor, the Loggerhead Shrike has been nicknamed the “butcherbird” and “thorn bird.” Sadly - although maybe not for insects and other small animals - the Loggerhead Shrike population is in steep decline. We must do more to identify why this is the case and reverse the trend.
Loggerhead Shrike, Grizzly Island, California
Janeen Hermon/Audubon Photography Awards
If you go birding later today, see if you can spot some of these birds (if you dare)! And above all, stay safe and have fun!
Sources
Red-eyed Vireo:
Bird Eyes Come In an Amazing Array of Colors—but Why Is a Mystery | Audubon
Red-eyed Vireo - American Bird Conservancy
Horned Grebe:
Horned Grebe Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Horned Grebe | Audubon Field Guide
BioKIDS - Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species, Podiceps auritus, horned grebe: INFORMATION.
Black-crowned Night Heron:
Report Your Black-crowned Night-Heron Sightings
Black-crowned Night Heron Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Night Heron Departures — ABNC.
Common Loon:
https://academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/article/196/4/1431/6643590?login=false
The Ancient Loon Struggles With Modern Threats — Menunkatuck Audubon Society
Paruk, J. D., D. C. Evers, J. W. McIntyre, J. F. Barr, J. Mager, and W. H. Piper (2021). Common Loon (Gavia immer), version 2.0. In Birds of the World (P. G. Rodewald and B. K. Keeney, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.comloo.02
Recognizing a Stranded Loon | BirdNote
Common Loon Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Common Loon | Audubon Field Guide
American Barn Owl:
Know Your Nocturnal Neighbors: Nine Owl Calls to Listen For
American Barn Owl Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Barn Owl | Audubon Field Guide
Barn Owl | The Story of Illinois
Barn Owl I Owl Research Institute.
Barn Owl | Audubon Field Guide
Marti, C. D., A. F. Poole, L. R. Bevier, M.D. Bruce, D. A. Christie, G. M. Kirwan, J. S. Marks, and P. Pyle (2024). American Barn Owl (Tyto furcata), version 1.1. In Birds of the World (S. M. Billerman, B. K. Keeney, and M. G. Smith, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.brnowl.01.1
Mute Swan:
Mute Swan Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Mute Swan - Michigan Invasive Species
Mute Swan | Audubon Field Guide
Loggerhead Shrike:
Loggerhead Shrikes: Tales from the Larder | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Loggerhead shrike | Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
What Makes Shrikes Unique? Spiked Snacks, Shrieking Calls + More
Loggerhead Shrike Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology