Wichita Mountains NWR Starring the Black-capped Vireo

                                                                 Longhorn Steer

                                                                Longhorn Steer

                                                               Black-capped Vireo

                                                               Black-tailed Prairie Dogs


04-20-19
80s-1030-1430 hrs-partly cloudy

Prior to the Upper Rio Grande Valley jaunt, half a day was spent at the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge in Comanche county at Little Baldy.  My target bird was the recently endangered Black-capped Vireo, which was delisted about nine months ago.  The better part of the time at Wichita Mountains was spent trying to obtain a photo, which fortunately was successful.  This vireo had been very susceptible to predation by the Brown-headed Cowbird, an obligate brood parasite.  Biologists worked with keeping the cowbird away from the nesting Black-capped Vireos here at the Wichita Mountains NWR, which is why they were removed from endangered status.  As long as this has a long-term effect, the species will be more successful, just like the Kirtland's Warbler was able to do with the Brown-headed Cowbird.

Also discovered were longhorn steer and the black-tailed prairie dogs, all five of which are young animals.

Also observed were Cliff and Barn Swallows, as well as nesting Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Mourning Doves, Black-chinned Hummingbirds,  Turkey Vultures, Northern Cardinals, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice,  Carolina Wren, and the Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle).