102521 Muskogee Phoenix,Birding Today

https://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/lifestyles/birding-today-birds-are-international-flyers/article_c456320f-0f42-50d5-bbe9-a6c9bc22e851.html 

Wilson's Warbler Is a Common Fall Migrant in Oklahoma

                                                                   Wilson's Warbler

091719

0728-0835/75-78 F/partly cloudy/SSE-3/78-76%/29.98-29.97 Hg and steady

After having caught a glimpse of this bird on Saturday, 091419, It was again observed on Monday, 092319, which was a much better look.

It was heard before it was spotted this date, so my intent was to stick for a photo, since the warbler had been used to finding me in the area.  The hunch paid off that it would do so, and even though it is a rapid mover, my luck came through.  It was observed in a sycamore, and the rest is history.

This was the last day that it was here, apparently continuing on its southern trek.  It was last spotted by writer on 091918.  Most of these fast moving birds winter in Central America.

Oklahoma Winter Bird Profile: Ring-necked Duck

A common winter bird of Oklahoma, the Ring-necked Duck winters on lakes, rivers, ponds, yet very rarely on salt water.  A breeder of the northeast, Boreal Forest, around the Great Lakes, and along western mountains, this striking duck is best identified by the crown at the peak of the head and the ring around the bill.  The male's coloring is also very handsome.  The female has a distinctive white eye ring and a strip at the facial end of the bill.  She is various shades of brown with a gray face.

This diving duck is gregarious and will mix with many other diving ducks on wintering lakes.  Many times they will be observed with scaups.  They will fly directly up from the water without having to get that running start like many other diving ducks.

male Ring-necked Duck

Boomer Lake Park, 2015

'

These are the likeliest of North American ducks to ingest lead shot from the bottom of wetlands, making them very susceptible to lead poisoning.  This is another reason to advocate the eradication of lead shot, as it has a strong effect on our diving duck population.  However it is difficult to remove what has already been deposited in the waterways. 

The ring around its neck is almost never seen.  It is a faint brownish band around the base of the neck, likely seen most commonly by duck hunters.

Pair formation begins in winter.  The pulling back and thrusting forward of the head and rapid nodding of the head will be noted during this time, directed at females of the species.

Climate change predictions indicate that this bird will winter over most of the continental US and breeding areas will be heading in a northerly direction.

This small- to medium-sized diver has an apparent white wedge shaped coloration at the shoulder, which is readily visible while the bird is in flight.

Some of these neotropical migrants will go to Central America and the northern Caribbean.

Oklahoma Migratory Species Profile: Franklin's Gull

Presently on the move through the Plains States, Franklin's Gull has smaller black tips on the primaries than other look-alike gulls.  Note the whitish hindneck and the dark half-hood, which is more extensive than the Laughing Gull on a first winter bird, along with a clean white underwing.  A second winter bird could have a little more wingbar black than an adult.  Its call is also less penetrating than the Laughing Gull.

Commonly referred to as a bird of the prairies, the Prairie Dove will often follow field plowing operations to snatch mice, insects and worms.



                          Franklin's Gull
                            Audubon.org

These omnivores are migratory breeders in central Canada to our northern states, wintering in western South America and the Caribbean.  They are uncommon coastal birds in the US, breeding in colonies near prairie lakes, wetlands, or sloughs on the ground or floating in the water.  If they choose to build a floating nest, it gradually sinks due to penetration of water and must have fresh material added daily.  Older birds will also add to it while parents are still breeding.

Populations will fluctuate with rainfall and drought, so since marsh conditions can change yearly, thus will the breeding birds.

Named after Sir John Franklin, an explorer of the Arctic, this neotropical migrants was first called the Franklin's rosy gull, after its colorful belly and breast.  Early area settlers in the prairie states called it the prairie dove.

It is expected that climate change will also affect this gull, sending its breeding colonies north toward the Hudson Bay of Canada, and possibly out of the US altogether.

Oklahoma Migratory Species Profile: Canada Warbler

This attractive, small warbler is uncommon within shaded deciduous undergrowth in mature forest along low, thick areas and many times along streams.

The necklaced warbler spends less time on the Boreal breeding grounds than most warblers, arriving late and leaving early.  It has also been known to breed along the Appalachians as far south as Georgia.  Due to overbrowsing by deer, deforestation, the wooly adelgid (a killer of hemlock and spruce), this passerine has been losing numbers.  In the Andes, where a large portion of these neotropical migrants overwinter, loss of habitat is hurting them on the opposite end of the spectrum.

As a strong flycatcher, it will flush insects while foraging along leaves and twigs, then darting out to catch escaped protein.  Also watch the ground, as they will forage among the leaves there,  Within dense foliage is can usually be located from a couple of feet from the ground to the higher canopies.  It will feel the effects of climate change as the years pass, and loss of forest due to clear cutting will take its toll.



               Canada Warbler
      Wikipedia/William Majoros

The male will have a darker necklace and a longer tail than the female.  They really are not dimorphic.  This passerine has thicker spectacles than most warblers, and fresh spring coloring will show a bright yellow chest, belly, and throat, as well as a dark gray back.  While nesting, they are often a Brown-headed Cowbird host.

Look carefully for the necklace, which will keep one from identifying it as a Magnolia Warbler and if there is a yellow throat, ID as a Yellow-throated Warbler.  During the fall, it is not difficult to determine the identity of this bird.  The adult male will show strong similarity to the spring male, but sometimes slightly duller with fringing upon the crown.  The female adult will have an olive cast to her upperparts, missing the black in her plumage.

Oklahoma Winter Bird Profile: Brown Creeper

This small, thin brown songbird has a curved bill and creeps along on horizontal branches or upward on trunks of trees.  It is usually solitary, but is known to frequent areas with other songbirds, like chickadees, woodpeckers, kinglets, titmice, or nuthatches.

The American tree creeper is the only member in its family, and it uses its long stiff tail for balance while searching for insects within the bark of trees, where its cryptic coloration serves it well.  It has a high pitched and piercing call, tending to spiral up a tree.  It then flies back down to earth and repeats the process on the same or a different tree.

                                                                     Brown Creeper
                                                           Boomer Lake Station, 2015

Out of the breeding season, they can often be found upon deciduous trees.  The creeper enjoys mature forest with large trees, but surprisingly, is often a victim of window strikes.  The songbird is sometimes used to determine the health of a forest ecosystem by its presence.  Forest management is being changed to increase the numbers of these birds, as well as their comrades, the Marbled Murrelet and Northern Spotted Owl.

The male shares identical plumage with the female, yet he is larger.  There are gray, rufous, and brown morphs within the species, as well as three distinct subspecies.  The Mexican subspecies is found in southwest New Mexico and southeast Arizona.  Eastern birds are paler, short billed and larger, while the western birds are smaller, longer billed, and darker.  Each subspecies shares different dialects.

This neotropical migrant will winter as far south as Central America, yet many spend winters in the central part of the US.  Never expect one of these songbirds at a feeder.

They are Boreal Forest and northeastern and western breeders.

For the Brown Creeper and Species It Surrounds Itself With, See:

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-birds-say-that-spring-is-here.html

Oklahoma Migratory Species Profile: Palm Warbler

This long tailed tail-pumper is a ground forager that breeds in the Boreal Forest of Canada and the northeastern US.  As breeders in the north, they will use evergreen trees and dense cover in boggy habitat.   Similar to a pipit, it can be helpful to confirm the identity with the yellow around the vent and rump as well as the white corners on the tail.  For a warbler, they are on the larger side and have a rounder belly.

Its song is a buzzy trill with a common chek call.  During fall migration, it will often be seen with kinglets, sparrows, Pine, and Yellow-rumped Warblers.  As migrants and winter birds, this songbird will be seen along forest edges, weedy fields, parks, coastal scrubland, and with scattered trees and shrubbery.  The New World Warbler is normally found in the western two thirds of the US, and is called either the Brown Palm Warbler or the Western Palm Warbler.  The Eastern Palm Warbler will be located in the eastern third of the US.

They constantly bob the tail, are on the ground more than other warblers, and are fond of berries as well as protein, sometimes being seen hawking insects if in a tree or on a shrub.  They are more at eye level or below, rather than higher canopies like many other warblers.

                                                          Western Palm Warbler
                                                         Boomer Lake Park, 2018


Palm Warblers are frequently victims of collisions with lighted towers.  It is also suspected that since the better part of these neotropical migrants breed in the Boreal Forest, they are losing population due to peat (moss) harvesting, logging, and tar sands development.

The species will use feeders if they find native plants and a good water source.

Oklahoma Winter Bird Profile: Hermit Thrush

The beautiful Hermit Thrush can be identified from other spotted thrushes by its complete narrow white eye ring, as well as its contrasting reddish tail.  It chooses drier and brushier habitat than most of the other thrushes, foraging upon the ground and can generally be located in habitat similar to the Swainson's Thrush.

There are three distinct subspecies, which include the Taiga or Eastern, Interior West, and the Pacific.  The hardy Eastern birds have thicker bills with pale buffy tips on greater coverts, stocky, and brightly colored.  Interior West are pale and grayer with very limited red wash on the flight feathers.  The Pacific are more spotted than the Eastern, thinner billed than all of them, with white undertail coverts.

The voice is like that of most spotted thrushes, an ethereal flued whistle without the clear rising and falling, which is due to the syrinx, the double vocal organ at the base of the bird trachea.  The thrushes have some of the most advanced organs in the world, leading to a dual sound, much like the ability of the twelve string guitar.

                                                                   Hermit Thrush
                                                NW Corner Payne County CBC, 2017

The most hardy of the thrushes, this passerine migrates earlier in the spring and returns to its home base later in the fall in late September-October.  It is likely the only thrush to be found in most of the US in the winter.  Those that do migrate will be in flight overnight, except the Pacific Northwest, which usually remains there.  This thrush is more related to the Mexican Russet Nightingale-Thrush than to its own US family members, and usually can be found singing from a high perch.

Often found during the Christmas Bird Count, this unusual bird of never ending wonder has been described in many written works.

East of the Rockies, this bird is usually a ground nester, and West of the Rockies, it nests in trees.  This neotropical migrants finds its way as far south as Central America in the winter.

To See Interior West Hermit Thrush and Birds of Arizona:

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2018/05/birding-on-shoestring-wilds-of-arizona.html

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.

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.

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

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 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.

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Gray Catbird

This video on assorted avian mimicked voices was a remarkable rendition by a California Gray Catbird.  Never have I heard such accomplished material, for this is what I would expect from an older bird that has seen many breeding seasons.  A bird like this could easily have his choice of mates, for a female would easily realize how special he really is for the valuable syrinx that he has.

A uniform gray bird with a black cap, long black tail and rufous undertail coverts, this is a gorgeous and remarkable bird once it opens its mouth.

Common to uncommon in brushy thickets in woods, along forest edges, parks, often in damp shaded areas, as well as generally solitary.  However, the exception is when the male sings from an exposed perch to attract a female or protect his territory.  This species forages at ground level for berries, insects, and other invertebrates.

                                                                 Gray Catbird
                                                        South Padre Island, TX 2015

Mimic thrushes like this are talented, as well as natural mimics, and one of ten in the Mimidae family.  The harsh mew of this bird is especially diagnostic in the field, especially if heard near the ground.  Females also sing, though rarely, and not nearly at as much of a volume.  Catbirds, like Northern Mockingbirds, often sing at night.

Rather tame, it will respond readily to pishing calls and will come quite near.

Catbirds are late spring migrants, arriving on breeding grounds from May to June, and fall migration is between late August and September.  Birds residing on the coast sometimes choose not to migrate.

The Brown-headed Cowbird parasitizes this species, but may not in Oklahoma.  In other locations, the female simply ejects cowbird eggs.  The territoriality of the Grey Catbird is restricted to the area of the nest site.  The female does most of the nest building, though the male will provide the supplies.  He will even actually point out possible sites by sitting on branches and moving twigs about as though constructing a nest.  Incubation is solely by the female.  The male doesn't feed her very much during this time.  The species is known to double brood.

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Anhinga

As can be best determined, the Anhinga no longer breeds in Oklahoma, but once did so.  Foremost authority on breeding birds, data from the late George Miksch Sutton listed this bird as a breeder in 1937 in McCurtain County, most likely at Red Slough WMA which did not exist then.  After a period of time, the bird was sighted by a well-known biologist at Red Slough in 1974, when it was first recorded on eBird, still observed recently as a species.

There were later breeding records in Sequoyah County from 1971 to 1972(last seen as a species in 2014 via eBird), and at Little River NWR from 1991-1993( last seen May of 2018 as a species via eBird).

The snake-bird is uncommon, and found in wooded swamps, as well as along canals and ponds.  They tend to form small groupings, roosting in trees over water.  It has the attributes of both diving and water birds, which serve it well.  They are often confused with cormorants, but are much larger and have a thinner build.

                                                                 Male Anhinga
                                                      Estero Llano Grande, TX 2017

Male water crows are beautiful in breeding plumage with green lores, a black crest and silver offsets on the wings and upper back.  The body appears to look like a glossy greenish black.   While submerged in water, often the head and bill are the only parts of the bird seen.  The tail is used as a fan-shaped rudder.

As breeding birds, they are colonial with nests no greater than a dozen, anywhere from six to twenty feet over water.  Branches, twigs and leaves are used for construction from substrate to lining.  Nest sites are sometimes reused over the years.

These monogamous birds breed in their second or third year.  Males establish territory by taking old nests or building new framework.  They will display upon these structures by bowing, wing-waving, and feather ruffling.  Females respond to the nest and repeat this behavior.  Pairing occurs shortly thereafter, as well as copulation.  The male will gather nesting material and the female places it where she will.  A few days later after construction is complete, egg laying begins.  Hatchlings are bald, but begin to gain a tan down in a couple of weeks, followed by a white one.

These neotropical migrants only migrate if in the extreme north and south of their ranges.

Hanging Out In the Lower Rio Grande Valley with the Birds:

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2017/02/representatives-of-days-3-through-5-in.html

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Louisiana Waterthrush

Having a sweet, clear and musical song, this uncommon bird seeks standing water undergrowth in wood swamps where bald cypress, cottonwood, tupelo, weeping willow, etc. are found.  The migrants of spring will be within dense brush adjacent to water.  These are one of the early birds in spring to arrive, and they look for bubbling springs in the remotest of habitat to perch to sing their lovely, lilting song.

This thrush-like new world warbler breeds in the eastern part of Oklahoma, enjoying many wet areas.  It it has a plain brown back with a white belly and a streaked breast with buff flanks.  The bright white eyebrow will separate this bird from the almost identical Northern Waterthrush, which also is seen in the area in summer.   It bobs while it walks, like the Spotted Sandpiper.

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2018/08/oklahoma-breeding-bird-species-profile_15.html

                                                             Louisiana Waterthrush
                                                            High Island Texas, 2015

When establishing territory, the male will sing nonstop, but when he finds a mate, his singing is then restricted to the morning.  Breeding habitat is near running water and dense vegetation to build a nest in a mud bank, in a rock crevice or within roots of trees.  This behavior is very similar to the American Dipper.  https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2018/07/species-profile-american-dipper.html

The warbler forages in leaf litter seeking ground insects, or salamander and small fish if the insects are rare.  They also depend upon flies, aquatic insects, and mollusks.

They are a declining species due to loss of habitat, channelization of rivers, impounding streams to create reservoirs, and pollution.  It is also threatened by logging, excessive irrigation, urbanization, and gas drilling.

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: House Wren

This upbeat and cheerful, bubbly sounding wren is common in dense, moist brushy patches, overgrown gardens, and thick hedgerows.  It has a thin, small eyebrow and is faintly barred with pale underparts.

Nesting in the northern segment of Oklahoma, it avoids drier uplands, choosing both natural and artificial nest cavities.  Dense, heavy woodlands are preferred for both living and breeding.

The most common wren has about the widest range of any song wren and besides nesting in the usual wren spots, has even been known to nest inside occupied houses.

                                                                   Marsh Wren
                                                             Boomer Creek, 2015

Fond of spiders and insects, as well as insects more inclined to be on the wing, it will also consume snail shells for calcium and grit.

Males usually arrive upon breeding grounds about nine or ten days before females, and the immatures are shortly after the adult males.  Males will nest in the same territory or not far from it.  Females like to return to the previous nesting areas, so the male will have plenty of possible sites for her to choose from.  Almost half of the males will have a second mate within his territory, and about the same chance for him pairing with the same original individual the next season.

Musician wrens are very competitive for females while courting and will displace a rival about half the time.  He will even go so far as to destroy the eggs and nestlings of another pair.  Being known for puncturing the eggs of other species, the House Wren does it merely for survival of the species, and perhaps to increase food sources.

Nesting cavities will have a one inch diameter entrance with a twig bottom substrate.  Nest cups are made with feathers, grass, and other soft material.  The species is double-brooded.

Who was around the House Wren today?

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-secret-of-wood.html

                                                     House Wren, Gray Eastern Subspecies

                                                  Three Lakes area, Miami-Dade County, FL

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Northern Rough-winged Swallow

These uncommon brown swallows nest in sandbanks, road cuts, soft cliffs, or in crevices of manmade structures where they can gain purchase.  The young birds in the video were waiting to be fed, and it gave a nice view of them gaping.  Juveniles also have cinnamon-colored wingbars.  They are solitary nesters, and  sometimes several pairs will nest somewhat near one another, which is not as close as Barn Swallows.  They prefer open areas with open substrate, but don't always nest in commercially made structures.

Nesting from April through July, they are single brooded, and it tends to be rarest in the southwest part of Oklahoma, but likely nests in the open woodlands with nearby water.  Sometimes they use old kingfisher, squirrel, or Bank Swallow holes that are still useable.  They have a twig nest at the end of a burrow, which the female incubates for about two weeks.  Both parents feed the young, who leave the nest in about three weeks.

                                                      Northern Rough-winged Swallows
                                                             Boomer Lake Park, 2017

Summer residents in nearly the entire country, the white undertail coverts are seen while they are in flight, and their shorter, square tails are also noted during that time.  The leading edges of the outer primaries lack the barbules that most birds have, hence the name "rough-winged."

They feed over water more often than not, and are excellent for low level flight over varied terrain.  They are found from sea level to six thousand feet, often snatching insects from the top of the water.

                                                      Northern rough-winged Swallow
                                                          Patagonia Lake SP, AZ 2018

The species has declined over the past four decades, likely caused by pesticides, pollutants, climate change, and insecticides.  All of these factors have also been affecting other birds like other swallows, swifts, nightjars, and flycatchers.  In view of this, there are many questions affecting the health of the air, or aeroecology, another ecological system.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow and the Birds of Southeast Arizona:

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2018/05/birding-on-shoestring-american.html

Northern Rough-winged Swallow and the Birds of Boomer Lake:

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2017/04/springs-migrants-have-been-dropping-in.html

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Great Crested Flycatcher

Queeep! Wheeeep! or Krreeep! 

The Great Crested Flycatcher is common in mature deciduous forests, woodlots, shrubby habitat, old orchards, or parks usually found foraging for insects and berries from mid- or upper story branches.  Rarely in the open, this is a large and secretive flycatcher who still takes pride in sallying for insects.

Seen before it is heard, this large flycatcher arrives in Oklahoma in early April.  It is unmistakable with a bright sulphur belly and rufous wings and tail, located in eastern and central parts of our fine state.

                                                             
                                                               Great Crested Flycatcher
                                                               Boomer Lake Park, 2016

This cavity nester will use snags, birdhouses, live trees, and many manmade structures for nesting purposes from May through June.  Usually single brooded, the female will build the nest and  incubate, yet both sexes will handle the care of the young.  This insectivore is rarely located on the ground.  These birds tend to weave unusual items into their nests like snakeskin or plastic, simply because they can do so and find them out of the ordinary.  The former nest snag pictured above is no longer standing.  It met its demise a couple of years ago in a storm.

In the east, where most of these birds breed, males tend to congregate for roosting, but will arrive at the nest cavity shortly after sunrise to handle feeding the young birds.  Some of these roost sites in a large, old territory can have a couple of hundred unmated females and unsuccessful breeders.  As soon as the young are old enough to do so, they will also join these groups.

Usually avoiding coniferous forests, like those found in the boreal forest, the great crested favors second growth forest with open canopy landscape.  They enjoy many insects and spiders, and will consume fruit and berries to a smaller degree.

If you wish to attract a pair of these beautiful and unusual birds to your yard with the correct habitat, simply have a 1 3/4 inch hole in your bluebird nest box.  You can easily obtain a proper sized spade bit or hole saw for the job.

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2016/06/fruits-of-their-labors.html

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2016/06/potpourri-for-birding-soul.html

The above links shows more photos of  Great Crested Flycatchers with other birds seen that day!

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Baltimore Oriole

Here, here, come right here, dear

A common bird of open deciduous woods or tall trees, this solitary bird forages in mid- to upper level story trees for larvae and insects.  It will also eat fruit unless it is during breeding season.  Nectar is also a favorite from tubular flowers in any season.

This male icterid received its name from the colors on Lord Baltimore's coat of arms.  It was also once named the Northern Oriole until the name split with the Bullock's Oriole.  The two species will readily hybridize.

The passerine is located in the Nearctic during the summer, mostly in the eastern portion of the US.  Some of these birds have been known to spend winters in the southern states, but they also do the same as far north as Maine, where one spent two out of three winters in Downeast Maine.

These blackbirds enjoy tall trees but will not resort to forest living,. Their adaptability can keep them happy in riparian areas, parks, orchards, forest edges, or stands of trees along rivers, as well as other similar and suitable habitat. 

                                                             Male Baltimore Oriole
                                                           Boomer Lake Park, 2014

When paired, the female constructs the nest on the outer parts of limbs, an intricately woven basketlike pouched structure.  It is on a horizontal limb at a fork, and has been known to withstand hurricanes.  They prefer to nest in elm, oak, cottonwood, willow, maple, and apple trees, where the most insects congregate to feed on smaller bugs.

During migration, it is best to provide the darkest fruits possible, as well as an ample supply of water for drinking and bathing.  They also enjoy dark jellies and hummingbird and oriole feeders.

Raptors, other icterids, squirrels, and domestic cats are normal predators of this species, as well as their young.

To see more photos of the Baltimore Oriole with other birds on those days:

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2016/06/pass-out-cigars-we-are-parents.html

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-charge-of-boomer-brigade.html

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2015/06/with-love-from-birdie.html

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2015/06/birds-of-feather-photographed-together.html