052425 Muskogee Edition, Birding Today

https://www.muskogeephoenix.com/columns/birding-today-endangered-military-macaws-could-return-to-us/article_14b1d5af-b360-42b2-ab1c-aecbd18ab730.html 

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Rufous-crowned Sparrow

A large, stocky sparrow that is uncommon on arid rocky hillsides or canyons with patches of grass and sparse shrubs.  It is usually solitary unless mated and will not flock.  Much more common in southwestern states like Arizona, it is becoming much less common in Oklahoma.  Its most likely observation spot is either at Black Mesa, Black Mesa State Park, or the Wichita Mountain NWR in the Sunset picnic area in western and southwestern Oklahoma, respectively.

Known for the dark lateral throat striping, the red rear eyeline, pale malars, and split rufous crown with plain gray breast and ground dwelling behavior, it appears to resemble a towhee phylogenically.  It also has a husky descending chatter that seems like it is more mumbled than clear.

                                                           Rufous-crowned Sparrow
                                                          Santa Rita Lodge, AZ 2018

With isolated populations and from twelve common subspecies up to another six more possible,  its populations are often very isolated from one another.

They are insectivores during the spring and summer, then rely on seeds for the winter.

Nests are often predated upon by snakes and a number of mammals, to which the sparrow has adopted a few defense mechanisms.  It uses the drooping wing like the Killdeer, falling from a bush, and the "rodent" run voicing a drawn out alarm call, where all three habits take predators away from the nest.

Its breeding area is a sparsely vegetated scrubland.  The males are very territorial and guard their breeding grounds throughout the year.  When a nest site has been chosen, they will usually rely upon it for many years.  A single brooder, but a clutch replacer when necessary, this species is a victim of the Brown-headed Cowbird.

Rodenticides are also a problem for this species, namely warfarin, since they spend so much of their time on or near the ground.

081218 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-following-birds-during-fall-migration/article_765d29de-1aa0-50b4-9a92-ecd7bb4ab19d.html

The Elegant Trogon, The Holy Grail Bird

The Elegant Trogon or Holy Grail Bird is a spectacular bird that many people hold as reverent.  Though of least concern, this avian is one that is sooner seen than heard, and once you are within earshot of it, which can actually be quite a distance, you will know it immediately.  It's bark is unforgettable and very loud.

Resident is several locations, especially at the Sky Islands of Arizona, as well as Madera Canyon, the Elegant Trogon nests in old woodpecker holes in sycamores and enjoys canyon life.

With only two eggs in an average clutch in the four major mountains of the Arizona-Sonora borderlands, the love affair with the area began nearly a century prior.

The unparalleled male of the species boasts nine colors and once the sunlight hits him at the best position, green to azure blue reflects upon him, casting a tenth hue.  The female's colors are much more sober, the term "copper-tailed," having arisen from her coloration.  The young bird is adapted strictly for camouflage and is undefined, which seems to protect it from predation.

The medium sized birds have a wingspan of approximately a foot, with their weight at their advantage.  They can snatch fruit or a prey item while hovering, then buoyantly retire to a perch to consume or share same.

They have sensory prowess and can remain silent, observing the watcher as much as they are being surveyed.  Like many birds, they can hear a mate calling for roughly a half mile.  They vocalize quite frequently in the spring for territorial reasons, and then the duet begins with the female, prior to nest selection.  Pair bonding also fits into this scenario, and it all becomes necessary when trees leaf out as the year progresses.

These ae dramatic birds in more than one way, and sometimes, it could well be that they also wish to be seen and heard for vanity reasons.  However, life can quickly come to a standstill with audio intrusions for insipient unwelcome human behaviors.

Since these beautiful birds are canyon dwellers, they are protected by most climate extremes due to shield and shade.  Since they are also cavity nesters, that also dampens other negative effects due to climactic action.

Much study has been undertaken on these birds for good reason, and there is still much to be learned as we continue weather shifts and other anomalies that have not yet been recorded and studied for any great length of time.

This photo at the bottom was courteously provided by Skye Bloodgood of AZ.  Thank you, Skye, and the work that you represent for helping birds.

                                           Elegant Trogon by Skye Bloodgood of Tucson, AZ

Birding On a Shoestring: The Final Frontier On Southeast Arizona

                                                                       Cassin's Finch

                                                             Magnificent Hummingbird

                                                  Wild Turkey (Southwestern Subspecies)

  

                                         
                                                               Hammond's Flycatcher

                                                     Wild Turkey (Southwestern Subspecies)

                                                                                Lizard

                                                                         Elf Owl

                                                                      Ground Squirrel

                                                                        Gray Fox

                                                              Lucy's Warbler

This was the final several days of an exciting two weeks in southeastern Arizona.  If nothing else,
I learned that not all species that I wanted to see were available.  On other trips, I'm hoping for the
Elegant Trogon, more hawks and owls, woodpeckers, chickadees, jays, and pit vipers, as well as the gila monster.

I'm pleased with the number of hummingbirds that I was able to locate and photograph, getting about half of them on my first trip.

The climate was drier, not making it seem as hot, and I met some wonderful people along the way that I will retain contact with.

A large part of what I learned was about a non-profit greenhouse that also employs disabled people.
They have the largest number of native plants for Arizona and their honor is for the top spot in the country.  It gives me hope that Oklahoma will be able to support their own native plant community,
and perhaps have many more native birds as a result.

Even though this was a working vacation, it gave me many of the species that I came for, including
a few extra.  This is just the beginning of more trips to Arizona, to learn more about the varied
ecosystems and how they all work together in order to achieve a common goal.

There are many of you, but for now, I wish to thank Carol and Paul, Skye, Nate and Amanda, Janine, and many, many others that made this a trip to never forget.