Sunday, September 30, 2018
Oklahoma Winter Bird Profile: Savannah Sparrow
Similar to some subspecies of Song Sparrow, the usual yellow wash on the lores of the Savannah Sparrow is usually present. The eyebrow also shows paler tones, the bill is pinkish and smaller, and there is evidence of a crest. Savannah is usually thinner and less robust, and will form loose flocks in winter, away from other sparrow species. It is generally available in open fields, perched upon weeds or fences, perhaps atop the ground. They are also less likely seen in brushy habitat, enjoying marshes and fields.
One of the first species of this bird was found in Savannah, Georgia, hence its name. Pacific and Mexican breeders are resident, and the remainder are migratory birds. Oddly Alaskan and interior races are the palest, and coastal southwest birds are the darkest of all species.
Savannah Sparrow
Boomer Lake Park, 2015
There are many regional variations of this bird, both subspecies and forms. The Ipswich is larger with pink-brown streaks, and very pale gray. They winter on the east coast and breed in Maritime Canada.
Belding's is a Mexican/Southern California bird with a very thin median crown stripe and darker overall with heavier streaking.
The Large-billed is a Mexican subspecies that rarely crosses the border, and has a heavy, large bill.
Forms include the grayish typical adult with fine streaking, a streaked back minus the scaled pattern, and a short notched tail. The reddish typical adult has a small bill with reddish streaking on the sides.
There are and were other subspecies, which we will not cover, as the likeliness of seeing them will generally be a moot point unless one intends to become a sparrow specialist.
Due to the fact that these birds nest on or near the ground, most farmers in the north or west will do a late mow of their fields in order to keep these populations as least concern.
I mention all subspecies and forms as they are so varied, and it would be wise to record their images if possible to aid in identification. This sparrow will not be cut and dry, so next discussed will be the Song Sparrow in the series.
Saturday, September 29, 2018
Oklahoma Winter Bird Profile: White-throated Sparrow
Poor Sam, Peabody, Peabody, Peabody or
My Sweet Canada, Canada, Canada
Many times near openings in openings in mixed woods, along brushy understory, or woodland edges, this classic sparrow has a powerful song for such a small bird. A stocky and dark brown-red sparrow, the gray breast is either understreaked or coarsely mottled.
The offset white throat has sharp delineation and the yellow lores are another identification point.
Attracting this beautiful songster to a feeder will not be difficult if it is near a thicket for rapid cover.
This late fall migrater can be a slow mover to its southern sources and moves mostly at night. The tan striped supercilium (eyebrow) adult is more drab and the white striped supercilium adult is more brightly colored. Oddly, one of each tends to make a pair and it has been noted in studies that the white-striped adult is the more aggressive.
White-throated Sparrow
Boomer Creek Park, 2015
This ground forager enjoys fall berries and in the winter likes grass and weed seeds. A good way to be attractive to the species is to have an unmowed section of back yard for its feeding pleasure. Wintering birds are most common in the south and east and not difficult to find in Oklahoma and as far west as the Pacific coast, especially when it belts out song.
Mostly a Canadian breeder, this bird is very susceptible to window strikes and is a prey choice of many smaller raptors.
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Oklahoma Winter Bird Profile: Harris's Sparrow
Uncommon and local, the wintering flock chooses brushy areas around riparian corridors near water. The species tends to mix well with other sparrows and stands out for its size as our largest sparrow.
Adult songbirds have a lovely color, including the characteristic white face and belly, as well as light gray or brown cheeks. Only breeding in central Northern Canada in the Nunavet and Northwest Territories of the Boreal Forest, this sparrow is definitely one to be noticed, with the pink bill setting off its good looks.
As a lover of the grassland ecology, it is no surprise that this perching bird chooses to winter in the southern Great Plains through central Texas with open woods and brush piles, as well as the edges of bordering states. Harsh weather tends to force them from the prairie provinces of Canada.
Harris's Sparrow
Boomer Lake Park 2016
Named by John James Audubon after amateur American ornithologist and naturalist Edward Harris, its song will usually be carried from a high perch. They are expected to arrive in the Great Plains commonly through the month of November and early December, though early migrants have been recorded. It will sometimes visit feeders for outstanding views of its countenance. A group of Harris's Sparrows is known as a poll.
Immature birds will show a brown striped head, with a more orange toned bill. This species will likely be affected by climate change due to logging, fires, and soil change on the breeding grounds, which will influence its preferred brushy habitat.
This bird only breeds in Canada, and is only native there and in the US.
Friday, September 28, 2018
Oklahoma Winter Bird Profile: Red Fox Sparrow
The Red (Taiga) Fox Sparrow is the most brightly colored Fox Sparrow that winters in Oklahoma.
It comes to the southern Great Plains area around October to mid-November and stays until early April, when it goes back north for breeding purposes. It is widespread locally over the entire state except the Panhandle, which is lacking in brush and trees.
Associates of many other wintering sparrows, they are also ground foragers, as backward scratchers within leaf litter seeking insects, fruit, and seeds, similar to towhee behavior.
This large sparrow is the most prolific of all of the Fox Sparrows with the largest swath of migratory and breeding range, especially in the Boreal Forest. Depending upon the races or forms, their coloration can vary from foxy red to dark brown to gray.
Red (Taiga) Fox Sparrow
Boomer Creek Park, 2015
Out of the breeding zone, these are generally solitary birds, occasionally in small groups. Their distribution has changed somewhat due to human proclivities involving logging and both natural and set fire regimes. Both of these create a heavy understory, which this bird finds very appealing.
This stocky sparrow is larger than the Song Sparrow and more brightly colored. Sometimes confused with the Hermit Thrush, it has a much different GISS (general impression, shape, and size) and coloration will not change with the season.
It is a long- to short-distance migrant, whereby the Alaskan population may go as far southeast as Florida. The Sierra Nevada subspecies is an altitudinal migrater, and the remainder are more of a short distance mover.
As can be seen thus far in the winter bird profiles on sparrows, this will be another easy sparrow to identify.
Oklahoma Winter Bird Profile: White-crowned Sparrow
more, more, more cheezies
This common bird has dialects all over the country to denote where it is from. These birds are observed in the winter in Oklahoma in brushy or weedy areas. They will feed in flocks on the ground and when disturbed, will all fly back to cover. Our adult East Taiga subspecies has a pink bill and white head stripes.
A Boreal Forest breeder, as well as portions of western states, these sparrows are resident in most of the southern US. Gambel's sparrow enjoys shrubby and woody thickets, as well as hedgerows, forest parks, and gardens in many open areas. Because of its wide range and distribution, it is often seen, especially during migratory events in the same areas.
East Taiga White-crowned Sparrow
Boomer Lake Park, 2015
Just like most sparrows, the white-crowned hops and scratches, but will sometimes hawk for insects in flight.
The undulating flight with alternate flapping is a characteristic of many birds like this one. This sparrow can show a strong preference for certain territories and be within a flock of a dozen to four dozen birds in winter, especially in agricultural fields and back yards. They can be attracted by brush piles and sunflower seeds if you'd like to see more of them.
They prefer seeds, buds, and berries, and like most breeding birds base their diet upon protein sources in spring and summer.
Most of this species migrates at night. The northern and mountain region subspecies are strongly migratory, with the Pacific birds usually resident to their region. Alaskan birds are known for orange bills and the Pacific coast birds have yellow bills, while the remainder share the pink bill, including the Rocky Mountain subspecies.
The Gambel's sparrow is very familiar to the eastern and mountain subspecies, but will not have black lores, yet the bill is more orange. Nuttall's sparrow is a very regional non-migratory coastal bird of the Pacific, restricted to parkland and restored scrub.
Known for the short series of clear whistles followed directly by buzzy tones, it gets easier to tell when they are in the area if one enjoys birding by ear. Once the GISS (general impression, shape, and size) is learned, one should have no trouble picking out young birds, who have brown as opposed to black head markings. The bill is just as short and the tail is just as long in comparison to an adult.
Thursday, September 27, 2018
Oklahoma Winter Bird Profile: Lincoln's Sparrow
Often a mild winter resident of Oklahoma in dense thickets and overgrown fields, some of the Lincoln's Sparrows are already moving in from northern US and Boreal Forest breeding grounds. These sparrows tend to like grassy patches around trees and brush near water sources. Generally solitary, they will mix with other flocks of sparrows.
This streaked brown and buff sparrow clearly shows malted-milk sides with a black streaked breast and white belly and throat. The buffy mustache stripe is bordered with brown lines. The crest commonly moves up and down when the bird is intrigued or alarmed, but is not a clear delineator of the species.
The medium sized sparrow is not as dainty as it appears and is a skulker. It often is missed in migration, so tune your ears to its sound. Pishing will draw it out, but never do that to any bird in the winter so they may conserve energy when they need it the most.
Lincoln's Sparrow
Boomer Lake Park, Winter 2017
This New World sparrow covers most of North and Central America in subalpine woods, thickets, and even subarctic streams, fens, swamps, wet meadows, and mountain meadows of the western US. Alders, willows, spruce, tamarack and thick ground vegetation will draw it within.
If one hears the characteristic double scratch of a sparrow, look carefully for the source on the ground, as it could well be the shy migrant. Flitting from one spot to another, Lincoln's will incessantly chip when faced with an intruder's approach.
Enjoying grasses, weeds, insects, seeds, grains, and invertebrates, they can be expected in September or October as migrants. Expect it for Christmas Bird Count if in the appropriate area in Oklahoma.
This bird was named by John James Audubon for his friend, Thomas Lincoln of Dennysville, Maine. It was originally called Tom's Finch after the man that shot it for Audubon.
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Oklahoma Migratory Species Profile: Nashville Warbler
A small plain, short-tailed warbler, with complete eyering, the Nashville Warbler is generally uncommon. It breeds in both the northern and western parts of the US, as well as southern Canada. It does not migrate far, still enjoying a small part of the US in California and Texas, as well as Mexico and northern Central America. They do not migrate across the Gulf of Mexico as many warblers do.
This bird was found by ornithologist Alexander Wilson near Nashville, Tennessee in 1881, and was aptly named as a bird of the eastern part of the country at that time. It's climatic range is sending it north.
This common summer resident of the eastern US is closely related to the Orange-crowned Warbler.
Occasionally, one may be so lucky to see the red crown patch in both sexes, but it is even more rarely seen in the female of the species.
Nashville Warbler
Boomer Lake Park, Spring 2017
They will be found in mixed species flocks during migration, as many warblers tend to be observed. During fall migration, they can be found low as opposed to the spring and summer, when they are found higher in hardwood trees. They are insectivores, enjoying caterpillars, beetles, flies, etc.
There are two distinct populations, which include the Western breeding subspecies (or Calaveras Warbler, which is duller colored) that wags its tail, and the Eastern, which does not. The species commonly migrates through Oklahoma in both the spring and fall, including the Panhandle.
They are seldom parasitized by the Brown-headed Cowbird, and are threatened by climate change.
This warbler is a ground nester, found under brushy vegetation or small trees.
Monday, September 24, 2018
Oklahoma Vagrants: Black-billed Cuckoo
More uncommon than local in woods with willows or alder and dense undergrowth, the Black-billed Cuckoo is believed to inhabit more of Oklahoma in the dense woods than originally thought. While migrating in both spring and fall, the species can be found occasionally in the southern states. Generally found east of the Rocky Mountains, they can also be observed in Canada. Winter ranges are in the southwestern part of South America in humid tropical forests.
This is a slender cuckoo with a dark and decurved thin bill with small white spots on the gray-brown tail. It is just as large as the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and much shyer.
This elusive bird can be heard both day and night, skulking around concentrated forests and thickets. They actually favor a wide range of habitat, most commonly located around edges of mixed or mature deciduous forests. Abandoned farmland or parks can even be appealing to them as long as they can be well hidden and along the outskirts of these locations with a source of water.
Black-billed Cuckoo
High Island, Texas 2015
As many cuckoos are obligate brood parasites, this cuckoo incubates its own. Chicks have sparse white down contrasting with dark skin. They also have wart-like protuberances on the tongue and in the mouth, but that is normal for the species.
First seen at Rose Lake in 1976, the Black-billed Cuckoo made an appearance most recently at the Illinois River east of Tahlequah in May of 2018. There have been several other sightings between the first and last notation.
During outbreaks of the gypsy moth, the Black-billed Cuckoo seems more abundant, as they tend to flock toward these areas, especially during breeding bird surveys. They also show a predisposition for webworms, cicadas, and tent caterpillars.
During a tent caterpillar outbreak, they lay eggs earlier, could produce larger clutches, and may even behave more in an obligate parasite manner. Not only will females lay eggs in the nests of other Black-billed Cuckoos, but they will also lay eggs as interspecific parasites, by choosing other species of songbirds.
Sunday, September 23, 2018
Oklahoma Vagrants: Anna's Hummingbird
Larger than many hummingbirds, Anna's males' red throat and crown (and female's red central throat patch) are good distinguishing characteristics. Not seen in many places, this is the most common hummingbird within oak/chapparal habitat of the Pacific coast and it is native.
Range expansion is sending this delightful bird north to British Columbia, where it is becoming common. As a medium sized hummingbird, the broad tail extends beyond the wingtips while seated, and the bill is short and straight.
As collectors of nectar, these hummingbirds are excellent pollinators of an assortment of plants, most notably tubular flowers. Early in the twentieth century, this bird was only found in Baja California as well as California. Exotic plants brought it north, and due to range expansion for the simplest of reasons, it was found to do well in other climates and take nectar from introduced species of plants..
Found in 2010 in Oklahoma at both a private residence in Cherokee County, as well as proven at another residence in the fall in Comanche County, these are the only two instances known on eBird.
Male Anna's Hummingbird
Pima County, AZ 2018
Anna's frequently hybridizes with Costa's Hummingbird. In the 1860s or thereabouts in Mexico, a hybrid was located in Mexico and was named Floresi's Hummingbird. After a number of years, this extremely rare bird was discovered in California and was learned to be a hybrid of Anna's and Allen's Hummingbirds. Nearly three decades later, also in California, the rare Violet-throated Hummingbird was noted as a mix between the Black-chinned Hummingbird and Anna's. Perhaps there will be more to add to this saga at a later date.
The Anna's is believed to consume more insects than any other hummingbird, which most likely adds something to its strong constitution, especially during the winter. It can stay in some areas that no other hummingbirds will go during that season. This fact could also lend to why this bird is so far reaching in hybridization for survival and its sometimes unlikely appearances in other climate zones.
Oklahoma Vagrants: Black-throated Sparrow
The Black-throated Sparrow is known for arid desert scrubland, and that is where such areas on the Oklahoma Panhandle give one exactly what asked for since 1974. They are frequently seen in the open upon the ground or on twiggy shrubs in canyons. 2018 has been the year of sightings in Oklahoma in both spring and fall at Easter Pageant, as well as a few other sparse observations in Cimarron County. They are still not often seen here.
A small sparrow with striking marks that include the black throat and bib, the singing male has a notable call in the spring. The species feeds on seeds and insects, and can occur up to 7,000 feet elevation. They are often under cacti and shrubs, and if proper habitat can be cultivated, they will come to feeders. Insects are usually only consumed during the breeding season and seeds for the remainder of the year.
Black-throated Sparrow (Texas subspecies)
Rio Grande Valley, Texas 2017
Frequent hosts to the Brown-headed Cowbird, some of the young sparrows will not survive. Other problems include excessive heat, fire suppression, and loss of habitat due to urbanization.
The desert sparrow can withstand a great deal of heat, obtaining necessary water from food sources. Resident birds remain in the southern US, while northern breeders tend to join them there, as well as in Mexico.
See the Western Subspecies of this bird with others in Arizona:
https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2018/05/birding-on-shoestring-wilds-of-arizona.html
Saturday, September 22, 2018
Oklahoma Vagrants: Vermilion Flycatcher
pete-pete or pete-a-weet
Uncommon and local in diverse mixes of brush, trees, riparian woodlands, agricultural areas, savannah, grassy openings near water, and in desert habitat, the Vermilion Flycatcher will enamor you. The usually solitary bird will sally for small flying insects like a typical flycatcher from an open perch.
This spectacular red passerine of the south and southwest is a star in its own right. The species is dimorphic, and the female is very similar to the Say's Flycatcher with her peach colored belly.
From Alaska to central South America, the wide range is enjoyed by this neotropical migrant, which encompasses over seven million square miles globally.
Males will bound across the high canopy while fluttering and singing a solicitous song in the spring to a chosen female. They will fluff out the feathers, perform aerial acrobatics, and then swoop down to the perch from where they came. The male will offer the female a butterfly to seal the deal.
Male Vermilion Flycatcher
Patagonia Lake SP, Santa Cruz County, AZ
2018
First found in Oklahoma in the twenty-first century, Darwin's flycatcher has visited the panhandle quite often, and has even made guest appearances in other parts of the state. It has even been as far as the state of Maine.
A species of least concern and one not to be easily forgotten, the Galapagos flycatcher will bring a smile to one's face with its friendly nature. Both parents care for the young, and the male will handle parental duties while the female begins a second clutch. These small flycatchers are insectivores.
Land development and water redirection caused a serious problem in the lower Colorado River Valley for this bird. It has rebounded and is spreading its wings as can be seen with its diverse range in other locales.
Other Birds Seen with the Vermilion Flycatcher:
https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2018/05/birding-on-shoestring-american.html
https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2017/02/representatives-of-days-3-through-5-in.html
Friday, September 21, 2018
Oklahoma Vagrants: Steller's Jay
A common jay in thick coniferous forest and mature woods of the West, Steller's Jay might also be observed in oak woods and other adjacent wood. They will also be plentiful in campgrounds, back yards, and parks. Small groups of these omnivores often feed together upon insects, seeds and fruit, they can even entertain at bird feeders for black oil and striped sunflower seeds, and are excellent for removing picnic food. Their attraction is to whole raw peanuts, and they will also accept the shelled variety. Cracked corn is also favored, and suet will be accepted in the winter months. They also eat their share of protein, including lizards, eggs, nestlings, snakes, and rodentia.
The long dark crest, dark blue and black upper body, and lacking white on the wings will be a good indication that you're visiting with the mountain jay. Social with humans at picnic areas and camp sites, they will compete with the Gray Jay in its range.
First located on the Oklahoma Panhandle in 1970, it appears more often today, but is still yet to arrive in any recent numbers. Seen only in Cimarron County, mostly in winter, it has arrived more often in 2017 and 2018 than it did in the past. It came to the Benton Ranch in spring of 2018, which is as far east as it has been.
Steller's Jay
Pima County, AZ 2018
Bold, relentless, and aggressive, the Blue Jay has been overlapping the long-crested jay's territory, which is no longer the only crested jay found west of the Rockies. For those of us acquainted with the Blue Jay in our region, the pine jay varies in its own regional locations. Both Steller's and Blue Jays interbreed to hybridize where ranges overlap. It has been argued that their distinction as a species is a moot point.
Black-brown headed birds of the north become bluer headed as one travels south. Eastern birds on the Great Divide have white marks over the eyes (Interior West subspecies). The far west birds have little white on the head or none at all (Pacific subspecies).
This handsome corvid was named after German naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller, who was the first European to record them in 1741. It is also a known mimic, like any other member of the corvidae, and enjoys victimizing small songbirds with this talent with its raptor impersonations, as well as other beings and objects.
Oklahoma Migratory Species Profile: Piping Plover
Since 1957 the Piping Plover has been visiting Oklahoma. Its first eBird recorded sighting was at Moffett Bottoms in Sequoyah County. Expanding over the years, this led to multiple reports in 2018, including its first appearance at Meridian Technology Ponds on 04-25-18 in Stillwater. Its first occurence on The Panhandle was in 1995 at Optima Reservoir.
Since there is a large breeding cluster just north of Oklahoma and into the Boreal Forest area, it is not unusual that the most northern birds make a short pit stop in various locations within Oklahoma. Migration begins in August for some of the plovers, and by mid-September, most of them are in their winter range, which is the Caribbean, the south Atlantic coast, and the Gulf of Mexico.
In the 1900s, this little shorebird suffered the effects of the millinery trade. Then in the 1940s, the species rebounded, only to be knocked down again after World War II. Fortunately for many species, the Migratory Treaty Bird Act of 1918, and the subsequent Endangered Species Act of 1986 afforded them a much better chance on the east coast.
Piping Plover
wildlife.ohiodnr.gov
This wee plover was named for its most plaintive whistle, sharing a beach habitat with the Least Tern, Wilson's Plover, and the Black Skimmer. Nesting in scrapes like many shorebirds, the adult modus operandi is the broken wing display to avert danger to themselves. Plover chicks resemble cotton balls on legs, and have also been compared to wind-up toys.
The only way to tell the adult male from he female is the fact that he has a thicker chest band than the female during breeding season. They blend very well with sandy beaches, so if the bird is on the move, it will sooner be observed than the stationary example.
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Oklahoma Vagrants: Royal Tern
Our New Year's Day present in 1989 was the arrival of a Royal Tern at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City, then in 2008, it managed to return. In 2008, Red Slough was the lucky location for this stately tern. Sadly, it has not been seen since, so what might we be waiting for?
The Royal Tern is a large tern with a bright orange-red bill. It is common, and found on open salt water along beaches, oceanfront inlets, and backwater bays. They are also plunge divers usually in salt water, and very rarely found in fresh water. These neotropical migrants have a completely black cap during breeding season only, and for the remainder of the year appear to resemble a bald man, with black around the ears and the back of the head.
They are usually present year round in their breeding range, and should be expected on the Gulf coast and the southern Atlantic Ocean.
Royal Terns (rear)
South Padre Island, Texas 2014
These vagrants are colonial nesters that usually breed at four years of age and only lay one egg, very rarely two. When the young hatch, they leave the nest and join others in a creche, which is a group of young birds. The parents continue to feed them, each bird recognizing family members by the sound of their voice. The young will migrate south with the parents, some heading as far as Ecuador and Argentina.
This species sometimes feeds at night, mostly eating fish and small crustaceans, as well as squid and shrimp. On the Atlantic coast, they favor blue crab.
Oklahoma Vagrants: Tri-colored Heron
A small heron with slender neck and bill, the Tricolored Heron forages in shallow water and will sometimes join other heron species when prey is abundant. It is a resident heron in the southern states and can be a vagrant in the northern US and Canada.
Often running in the water and stirring up silt from the bottom of its chosen venue, it behaves somewhat like the Snowy and Reddish Egret in its dance routine for prey. Often mantling to cast shadows to entice killifish and minnows, they will follow the Double-crested Cormorant or Pied-billed Grebe to snag what delicacies that they have left behind.
Favoring coastal estuaries, the Louisiana Heron could well be the single bird apart from the others, so no heron shapes bears not watching. Most predominant at Red Slough, they can also be found at Lake Hefner, Arcadia Lake, or Great Salt Plains where one of the earliest was found in 1980 in Oklahoma.
Tri-colored Heron
Bolivar Flats, TX 2015
The male selects breeding sites, and they are colonial nesters, often with others of the heron clan. The female is in charge of nest building, while the male gathers the material. The stick platform has a hollow within, which is lined with fine materials.
Climate change seems to be sending this species in a northeasterly direction, which is not uncommon.
The Tri-colored Heron is the only dark heron with a white belly.
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Oklahoma Migratory Species Profile: Black Tern
kef, kip,or kyip
Smaller than most terns, but slightly larger than the Least Tern, the Black Tern has dark gray wings and back, and a buoyant flight on broad wings. For breeding plumage, they have a black body.
Though uncommon and local, migrants can be found on any body of water from open ocean to marshes. It is found quite frequently all over Oklahoma during times of spring and fall migration.
Some local populations are declining due to wetland degradation with cattail growth, draining and agricultural growth in wetlands, invasive or exotic fish species, lake acidification, overfishing, and pesticides. Eutrophication is another problem that will only increase, and this is caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus obtained from fertilizer runoff. This depletes oxygen for fish, which the Black Tern depends upon for minor food sources, but it does depend a great deal upon insects. Of course, these chemicals result in excessive water plant growth and that also causes oxygen depletion for the ecology of this tern.
Black Tern
Boomer Lake Park, May 2017
Breeding habitat is in the Northern US and across Canada in small to large freshwater marshes containing emergent vegetation and areas of open water. The species nests semi-colonially in this vegetation, particularly cattail rootstalks. Muskrat houses are occasionally used, but the substrates are smaller and lower than used by Forster's Terns.
North American Black Terns migrate to northern coastal South America or to the open ocean.
The American subspecies will show as a vagrant to Great Britain and Ireland.
Vagrants of Oklahoma: Great Kiskadee
KREEtaperrr, Kiskadeee, Christopher, BEE-tee-WEE
Whatever dialect you choose, the raucous Great Kiskadee will say something that you will understand. This handsome passerine perches conspicuously in treetops in small groups, and due to its coloration, it is very easy to locate.
Common is dense woodlands, as well as around a water source, this perching songbird sometimes consumes fish, lizards, insects, and berries.
Seen only from spring through summer and until migration, a Great Kiskadee presented itself at Red Slough in McCurtain County in 2012. It had been seen several times during that stretch, but was the only time recorded on eBird. As several people there would agree, it was a very eye-catching vagrant.
Open and second growth wood lots appeal to them, as do scrubby irrigation channels, and suburbs when in a breeding area. In the tropics and subtropics, they are within shade-grown coffee farms, and citrus and banana plantations.
Great Kiskadee
Lower Rio Grande Valley, TX 2017
These bold large flycatchers will eat animal or vegetable matter, human offerings, and even steal cat and dog food from the dishes.
Commonly found in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas as a permanent resident, this is one subspecies out of ten seen worldwide. In 1957, the large flycatcher was introduced to Bermuda to control the large number of lizards. It has proliferated to this day, and was never interested in Caribbean amphibians as a food source. Only rarely will it migrate to Arizona.
In flycatcher fashion, it will mob hawks and larger birds due to its nature.
More of the Great Kiskadee and the Lower Rio Grande Valley:
https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2017/02/birding-on-shoestring-days-11-through-13.html
https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2017/02/days-one-and-two-of-birding-lower-rio.html
Monday, September 17, 2018
Oklahoma Vagrants: Fulvous Whistling-Duck
pi-piTEEEW or pitheeew
Found in small flocks in shallow ponds or grassy marshes, this colorful duck can be active at night. It also whistles continuously while in flight. They run to take off while in the water, and will stretch the neck and legs down while landing.
This species started coming to Hackberry Flats in 2010 and still does so to the present day, but more often now. It appears that this is the only location in the state that it frequents other than possibly Red Slough, but it was not in McCurtain County in 2018.
The fulvous tree duck is known to wander hundreds of miles in roving flocks, yet unlike the Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, they rarely perch in trees.
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
TX 2015
Both diurnal and nocturnal this cavity nester breeds in southern Louisiana and Texas, and has large global range. This rust colored duck with gray bill, long legs, and a distinctive white band is shown across the tail while in flight. Though the are herbivorous, the female will partake of worms, insects, and mollusks prior to egg laying. A quarter of her diet will consist of cereal grains while she is incubating.
They are susceptible to power line collisions and have trouble with pesticides used in rice crops, but despite this, as well as hunting, it still manages to be a species of least concern in its large sweep in the southern hemisphere.
Sunday, September 16, 2018
Oklahoma Vagrants: Cassin's Finch
Uncommon in western montane coniferous forests, this finch has a more pointed and longer bill than the Purple Finch, as well as a longer primary projection. The most distinguishing characteristics between House Finch and Purple Finch are the short, deeply forked tail and the peaked head. They usually forage upon the ground, feeding on fruit, insects, buds, and conifer seeds.
First seen in Oklahoma in 2000, the American rosefinch has steadily become more common and was observed several times during 2018 at the Black Mesa Bed in Breakfast in winter, as well as New Year's Eve, as well as once in spring. It was also seen in the spring this year in Guymon. In Oklahoma, they appear to be moving west to central to likely survive climate change over the next few decades.
These birds breed throughout western conifer belts of the interior mountains between 3,000 and 10,000 feet. They favor most pines, spruce, and quaking aspen. Some prefer open sagebrush scrub with interspersed western juniper. Breeding numbers tend to change as the food supply does over yearly periods. Some northernmost birds will migrate south for the winter, yet others choose not to do so.
Cassin's Finch
Madera Canyon, AZ 2018
In late summer and early fall they will flock with Red Crossbills, Pine Siskins, Evening Grosbeaks, and other assorted birds of the mountains to forage and seek out salt through mineral deposits. In the winter, they migrate to lower valleys, or altitudinal migration.
Oklahoma Vagrants: Acorn Woodpecker
ja-cob, ja-cob or wake-up, wake-up
Common in oak woods or mixed oak woods, this gregarious and clownlike appearing woodpecker gathers acorns to store in drilled poles, buildings, or trees.
Discovered in Oklahoma in 2012 at the Wichita Mountains NWR, as a single bird, it hasn't been seen since--yet.
Acorn Woodpecker
Madera County, AZ 2018
Half of its diet consists of acorns and the other half is insects (usually ants), fruit, seeds, and sometimes eggs from other birds. Acorns are stashed for the winter, which might stimulate the need to breed. There are sometimes so many in granaries, they cannot all be eaten, and some will rot. Others will be stolen, some will be lost, and others will be oak trees. Acorn Woodpeckers will also consume sap from trees, as well as the insects found in the sap. Sometimes they will even investigate the sap wells of sapsuckers.
Due to the huge cache, these locations will be guarded very well. Thieves tend to include squirrels and jays. Not all Acorn woodpeckers will use storage areas, sometimes just using natural tree cavities, and bark cracks will suffice. If these sometimes magnificent stores are eaten, the woodpeckers will go to Mexico to winter.
During breeding season, family members will help with brooding and feeding, as well as other birds that might join together to defend the valuable storage granaries. Older birds of the season might hold jobs as helpers to learn how to successfully raise young. Breeding coalitions are usually brothers and sisters, and inbreeding is very rare, due to the nature of unsuccessful breeding. When several females nest together, they generally deposit all eggs in one nest cavity. When all the females begin to lay, they will no longer destroy eggs that might have been in the cavity.
Non-native species, like European Starlings, are always a threat to nest cavity success in woodpecker families, especially in urban and semi-urban areas. Mature forests are paramount to the needs of these woodpeckers. Human preservation of oak and pine-oak stands are a necessity to the strength of the species, as well as conservation of snags and intact dead limbs.
Saturday, September 15, 2018
Oklahoma Vagrants: Lesser Black-backed Gull
This rare but increasing winter resident from Europe tends to come to Oklahoma on practically a yearly basis. First noticed in 2008 at Boomer Lake Park in Stillwater, this gull comes to Oklahoma frequently in winter, as well as other parts of the state, including Lake Hefner, Lake Yahola, Keystone Dam, and other areas including the Panhandle. It usually mixes in among the Ring-billed and Herring Gulls, usually noted for its larger size, smudged dark spot around the eye, and pale yellow juvenile legs.
They are usually found all over the Atlantic coast in winter, then gradually lessen as they get to inland areas of the US. It looks similar to the Herring Gull, but is a little smaller and the bill shape also helps to give away its identity.
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Boomer Lake Park, 2016
It is suspected that these birds come from Greenland or Iceland, where the latter has had older colonies. As of 2007, two different birds paired with two Herring Gulls to become nesting birds in the States, which was in Maine and Alaska. It first arrived in the US in 1934.
The call is a deeper laugh than the Herring Gull. which also helps to draw attention to it. Young birds have scaly dark brown feathers with black primaries, a neat pattern on the wings, and takes four years to mature. They are also omnivores, like most other gulls, and will join other species at a local dump, or eat invertebrates and fish at bodies of water. They are also kleptoparasites.
Oklahoma Vagrants: Crested Caracara
Seen as early as 2002 in the Perry area, which is as far north and east as has been reported in Oklahoma, and at Red Slough in winter of 2018, the Crested Caracara gets around as an accidental or vagrant bird.
The caracara is a raptor, and very unlike a regal falcon. Even its physical attributes say that it was classified incorrectly: long legs, habits of a scavenger, rounded wingtips, and it flies low in search of prey.
Known as the northern caracara, these birds are found in scrub, deserts, grasslands, and up to ten thousand feet above sea level.
Often on foot, they capture their prey running upon the ground and overtaking it. They require a running start in order to become airborne, and once they do, their flight is strong and they can soar well, in order to scan for ground prey.
Adult Crested Caracara
January 2017, TX
As opportunists, they will join vultures at carrion, overturn rocks for insects, fish in shallow water, and eat nearly anything, even fruit. However, their bill is not useful for opening large prey, so they require a larger animal or a vulture to do that.
Since the caracara feeds upon carrion, its face is bare in order to permit cleanliness. Perching upon small trees or fenceposts, this falcon is not known for swift and acrobatic flights. It would rather scan for vultures on the way to prey.
The northern crested caracara is common in Mexico, as well as Central and northern South America. Due to recent bad weather in and around Cuba, it may not be as common there as it once was.
Stick nests are built in mesquites, palms, live oak, palmetto, cactus, shrubs, or even upon the ground if absolutely necessary. Where populations are endangered (Florida in 1987), temperature increases caused loss of habitat.
Friday, September 14, 2018
End of Summer Birding Fun in Central Oklahoma
Bald Eagle
Neotropic Cormorant
One of this year's young Green Herons
Juvenile Belted Kingfisher
Hovering Belted Kingfisher
Same Belted Kingfisher
Molting Mallard Drakes
August 31 - September 14, 2018
It was a cooler, cloudier, and wetter month, mostly due to Atlantic hurricanes and tropical storms, namely Gordon, which caused a lot of damage on the east coast. Sadly, Florence reared her ugly head and caused some deaths before she turned into a tropical storm. May the people there recover from that devastating event.
Let this bring you all joy from the people of Oklahoma. There is a lot of beauty that we have to offer, and our birds are some of the birds that you also see during this time of year.
Migration is still happening, though slowly in these parts. It is suspected that some birds are taking a slightly different flight pattern, and there are some still raising young, as can be evidenced here at Boomer Lake Park with eggshells on the ground.
One of our Green Herons that was hatched this year is pictured above. It has grown into a good, healthy bird from what can be observed. There should still be another one or two around somewhere, unless they have already gone elsewhere. Since they are nomadic birds, it is possible that they have already headed south.
In the meanwhile, keep your feeders filled, as birds are moving south, including warblers and water and shorebirds. There is still much to be seen if you're in the right place at the right time.
It is true that much of the wild fruit on trees and shrubs has already been consumed. There are plenty of insects for food sources, as well as some wonderful fishing opportunities for birds that require sustenance.
Happy birding!
Oklahoma Vagrants: South Polar Skua
Rare from Antarctic nesting grounds, a few of these birds can rarely pass on either of our open oceans from May through October. They practice kleptoparasitism, like many open water birds and eat fish on the open water.
Once known as MacCormick's skua, this predatory large seabird nests off the edges of Antarctica, hence the name. Having a very large migratory range, some may winter as far north as Greenland.
Large birds to many of us, they are actually small in comparison to skuas in general. They have both light- and dark morph birds, where the light subspecies contrasts beautifully with a dark upperside. The dark adult shows a pale crescent and nape with uniform dark upperparts.
During the second week of August 2013, this territorial bird visited the dual county area of Lake Overholser, both Canadian and Oklahoma Counties, where it sustained itself on eight Cattle Egrets, a far cry from the normal fish diet. Brian Marra obtained a beautiful photo of the skua attacking a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron on 8 August, which follows:
copyright, Brian Marra 2013
Thusly, Mr. Marra was a witness of some very rare natural history observed by few humans. This is the only eBird sighting in Oklahoma at this time. Oddly enough, several Cattle Egrets made it to the Goose Island area of Boomer Lake in Stillwater a short time after the skua arrived in Oklahoma.
This stocky, gull-like bird has been observed at the South Pole. A bird to be reckoned with during breeding season, it has flown directly at a person's head in order to protect its nest. One photographer in 1911, said that he was nearly blinded by one of the species' members.
Skuas begin nesting when six or seven years of age, and those short summers have their toll on the process. Even though the female lays two eggs, the older chick will eat the younger or drive it away and it dies. If the older chick survives, it battled the effects of the wind successfully.
The Adelie Penguin youngster can also be a formidable foe, as those flippers are perfect for apprehending a meal, which would be the well-feathered baby skua. It is all due to survival of the fittest in that fierce climate. The skua brings those survival instincts into adulthood, and it must eat.
Conversely, this skua enjoys the eggs of penguins, but the Brown Skua usually eats them first.
The species is normally a pelagic bird and only visits land while breeding.
Casual Birds of Oklahoma: Lewis's Woodpecker
A common bird of the west, it was unheard of in Oklahoma until it arrived in 2013 at Taylor Lake in Grady, and it still remains today at Fort Towson in Choctaw. It remained at Lake Carl Blackwell from November 2014 - March 2015. Perhaps it will be located again in the fall of 2018. It certainly has been in quite a few places in Oklahoma.
This bird was named by ornithologist Alexander Wilson for Meriwether Lewis of Lewis and Clark fame. Lewis discovered this species while surveying areas for the Louisiana Purchase in 1804-06.
It may look like a woodpecker, but it appears to be a cross between a crow and a flycatcher. There is also no other woodpecker with the same color scheme. For a woodpecker, even the bill is thinner than most. In appropriate light, this bird is dressed with a dark green back, dark red face, pink belly, and gray collar.
Lewis's Woodpecker
Lake Carl Blackwell, 2014
Flight is slow with frequent gliding and it perches upright on bare branches to sally after insects.
When the Lewis's Woodpecker was at Lake Carl Blackwell, it had a beautiful intact snag all to itself, and it would fly from it to pine trees for a short time, then return. Once that snag was no more, neither was the bird.
These birds are threatened by changing forests due to fire suppression, logging and grazing. These events will result in high densities of pines of the same age, as well as few standing nest snags.
This bird enjoys sitting out in the open, as opposed to heavy cover like most woodpeckers do. It forages for berries and nuts, and in the fall will shell and store same in cracks and crevices of trees to consume in winter. It will even partake of food at feeders, but has an aggressive nature.
The male constructs a nest in a cavity in a dead tree branch. The female will incubate during the day and the male takes over at night. Incubation is just under two weeks, and the young will leave the nest cavity in four or five weeks.
Now that the woodpecker is appearing more and more, it has lost its accidental status, and might just well become a breeding bird at some point. After all, they do like large cottonwoods along creek beds, and those ponderosa pines are always attractive and always will be, which we do have here in Oklahoma. We are right next door to states that have them breeding there, so it makes sense that they are exploring for more territory, especially with rising temperatures over the past decades.
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Birds of the Sea: White-winged Scoter
A large and dark sea duck, this bird has a thick neck and a more wedge-shaped head than the other species of scoters. Seen both on the east and west coasts of the United States in winter, this uncommon duck nests on large lakes of the boreal forest as well as in Alaska.
The most recent observation in Oklahoma was in January of 2018 at Ponca City Lakes, Lake Murray in Love, and several times at Lake Waurika. It turns up in Oklahoma during many winters, which is much warmer that the northern breeding grounds at that time of year. The only instance it was observed in Stillwater, was at Meridian Technology Ponds in November of 2017. Ducks had also been found at Sooner Lake by this writer in 2015 and had also been seen there in 2010.
Female White-winged Scoter
Sooner Lake, OK 2015
At one time, breeding was common in North Dakota at Devils Lake and Stump Lake in Nelson County (possibly in the 1950s), but now has only been occasionally seen in the winter, last sighting in 2017. Since it is now a Boreal breeder, it is logical that they would be in the area occasionally.
In fresh water, they feed upon insects and crustaceans, and in salt water, they enjoy crustaceans and mollusks, especially mussels and clams.
Oklahoma Coastal Vagrants: Brown Pelican
This thirty million year old bird hasn't changed much according to fossils. It may appear to have a comical physique and ungainly in its skin, but that could not be further from fact. This common coastal bird of the east and west coasts is an accomplished fisherman with spectacular plunge dives that many an Olympic swimmer strives to share form.
This unusual diving bird performs twisting lunges in shallow waters of bays, lagoons and oceans. Coasting just inches above the water, the graceful and elegant flight of the pelican can be mesmerizing.
Like the Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, and other birds, the Brown Pelican was affected by DDT in the late 1960s and early 70s. The deadly concoction was banned by the EPA in 1972, which gave this beautiful species a chance to return in numbers, through the help of the Endangered Species Act. At that time it was seriously imperiled, as nest sites are upon the ground or island cliffs. It was released from its endangered status in 2009, not that long in the past.
Brown Pelican, 2017
Even though this is a bird of salt water, they are known to stray from time to time. For a ten day period in December of 2016, one Brown Pelican was upon the waters and upon land of Boomer Lake Park in Stillwater, OK. It has also managed to be in several other locales, usually in key areas of the state during this decade, like Great Salt Plains, Lake Overholser, and others.
Squadrons of this bird can be found in coastal waters, observed relaxing and fishing. Their most well known feature is the gular pouch, which can hold up to three gallons of water and is strained out before consuming its assorted delicacies.
This is a small bird in comparison to the other seven species of the world, at eight pounds and fifty-one inches in length with a six to seven foot wingspan. They require four pounds of fish each day and their remarkable eyesight can aid them up to seventy feet in the air before that inevitable dive.
Not only can that pouch scoop up food, but it also is an aid in cooling the bird during the heat of the season. They will also steal fish from other birds, eat prawn, and seize prey when schools of fish are passing near the water's surface.
As a colonial nester, the state bird of Louisiana can be seen breeding there, as well as on Pelican Island in Florida, which Ding Darling named the first national wildlife refuge.
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