Dear Bird Folks, Which bird can run the fastest? My husband claims that Africa’s ostrich is the fastest, but I’ve always thought that the roadrunner ran even faster. I hope the cartoons didn’t give me the wrong impression. Who’s right? – Sheri, Brockton, MA...

Dear Bird Folks, What is the true story with ostriches sticking their heads in the sand? Do they really do that or is that just a old wives' tale? Are they really trying to hide or are they looking for something? -A. Rose, Orleans   Hello A.., This one is easy....

Dear Bird Folks, Being an eye doctor, I have been wondering how birds protect their eyes while flying. They must come into contact with swarming insects, yet very few of them appear to have eyelashes. Also, how are they able to keep their eyes from drying out while in...

Dear Bird Folks, I recently came across an old column of yours. It was all about the different types of bird beaks. I found the diversity very interesting. This got me thinking about birds’ feet and if they are just as diverse. What can you tell me about bird feet? –...

Dear Bird Folks, I don’t know if anyone has ever taken the time to count the number of feathers that birds have, but I’d like to know which species has the most. I’d bet that title belongs to the ostrich. Am I right? – Jackson, Falmouth, MA   Nope, Jackson, You...

Dear Bird Folks, I spend a lot of time watching birds in our garden. I put out food every morning and get a huge assortment of birds. The list includes lots of Cape Weavers, Rock Pigeons, Cape Turtle Doves, plus the occasional chat, wagtail and bullfinch. After eating...

Dear Bird Folks, I was reading a list of the world’s most dangerous creatures, which included crocodiles, sharks and snakes, but I was surprised to see an Australian bird called a “cassowary” on the list. I’m going to Australia next month. Should I be worried? –...

Dear Bird Folks, I was at a party the other night and we were talking about the enormous amount of birdseed that birds can eat. This led to a discussion about which bird is the heaviest. Everyone was sure that the ostrich is the heaviest bird, but of course it can’t...

Dear Bird Folks, I’m taking a bus tour around New Zealand at the end of October. I won’t have a lot of time to do any serious bird watching, but I’d like to see a kiwi while I’m there. Are they hard to find? Do you think I’ll see one? – Jim, Brooklyn, NY   They...

Dear Bird Folks, I have a question. It seems if two warblers look basically the same, except one has a freckle in a different location than the other, they are given different names and are considered to be two different species. Yet, there are some Great Blue Herons...

Dear Bird Folks, I really enjoy seeing the crows in my yard, so every day or so I put out some scraps of bread for them. It amazes me that a few minutes after tossing out the bread, the crows are on it even though there is not a single bird in sight before I toss the...

Dear Bird Folks, A month ago we bought a birdhouse with a side that opens so we can see the nest and hopefully, the baby birds. A week later a pair of bluebirds moved in, built a nest, and perhaps have laid some eggs. I say "perhaps" because my husband won't let me...