Trees & Trails: An Adventure In Knowledge

Birds

• The Louisiana state bird is the Eastern Brown pelican. Although there aren't many Pelicans to be found at Burden, just keep your eyes open for the beautiful Cardinal (pictured above) or the gold-breasted Oriole.

• Birds build nests from mud, sticks, leaves, animal fur, feathers, pine needles, and even litter like fabric, yarn, plastic and paper.

• Birds may also make homes in fallen logs, trees or stream banks. Some birds, though not all, will live in man-made birdhouses.

• Birds eat plant and flower seeds, earthworms, insects, small frogs and fish. Larger birds will also eat snakes and rodents.

• Birds spread seeds and help to replenish forests; sometimes they carry seeds for miles at a time.

• Bird anatomy is similar to that of a human- with ears (yes, ears), eyes, a heart, kidneys, bones and a brain.