Showing posts with label wild birds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wild birds. Show all posts
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Sunday, September 23, 2018
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, August 18, 2018
Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Belted Kingfisher
Photographers can be birders, but not all birders are photographers, and not all photographers know the difference between a male and a female Belted Kingfisher, as can be seen in this video. However, it was a good video to show how close one can get in a blind.
These uncommon but ubiquitous birds will fish for minnows on any exposed perch just a few feet over water. They will hover, often like the American Kestrel to locate prey, and will even do the same for observers that they know mean them no harm. They also will take lizard, insects, salamanders, frogs, and even mice.
Male Belted Kingfisher
Kingfishers dive headfirst to glean prey from the water and incorporate quick bursts of a couple of wing flaps with several slower ones in order for them to remain aloft and steady.
The only breeding kingfisher in Oklahoma, this pandemic breeder prefers to breed near water where they can set up nesting areas in sand- or mudbanks. Sandy clay soil seems to be the preferred substrate and nesting is near a snag or a dying tree. Nesting usually begins in late April or June.
Their preference for food lends to small fish, and the male will retire away from the nest site. They have a large territory of a mile or better. Young remain in the nest and under care for a good month. They are taught to fish, then the parent will beat the fish almost to unconsciousness to provide good practice for their understudies. Surprisingly, the young are fit to be on their own in about ten days to two weeks.
Female Belted Kingfisher
Their harsh, rattling call can often be heard before they make an appearance.
Most of the kingfishers that I have seen regularly are during the winter months where courtship is at a slow place. Both sexes will appear shy for quite some time, then suddenly they see fit to pair. After pairing, they show themselves occasionally, then get busy with nesting business. in the summer.
Male Belted Kingfisher
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)