Showing posts with label wood warbler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wood warbler. Show all posts
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Saturday, August 24, 2024
Sunday, March 22, 2020
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.
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Northern Parula
In springtime, this delightful small wood warbler can be seen actively moving in upper tree branches seeking insects. The Northern Parula, about the size of a kinglet, is one of those wee birds. This multicolored delicate bird likes moist deciduous evergreen or mixed woods. It can be found near any body of water and beard or Spanish moss is necessary for nesting. Spanish moss will be found in the forests of the South, while beard moss grows in the northern areas.
This is usually a mid- to upper-story canopy bird that hovers for insects, but usually remains out of sight. It is similar to a chickadee clinging to branches upside down. They are actually quite friendly and tame when encountered.
Northern Parula
South Padre Island Convention Center, 2014
A breeder of the east, Northern Parula families are readily found in eastern Oklahoma. The female is a pendulum nest builder in their favored moss of the region. Sometimes clumps of vegetation and tangled vines are used for nest building. At times the female will build a concealing veil above and around the nest, so it might only be visible from under it. It takes about four days to build. Though she is the sole incubator, she leaves the nest quite often to forage. Both sexes feed the young, but the greater share is done by the female.
The original name for the Northern Parula was the Finch Creeper. The species is known to hybridize with the Yellow-throated Warbler, and the offspring are called Sutton's Warbler. They are extremely rare
One of the earliest spring migrants for warblers, this New World Warbler is found on the breeding grounds in April or May, with fall migration from September through mid-October.
Friday, August 24, 2018
Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Yellow Warbler
Sweet-sweet-sweet-little more sweet!
Familiar sounds from a familiar bird that is seen early for migration, many times in late July or August. Wet brushy habitats (second growth) will assure your success on viewing this little beauty, especially around willow and cottonwood thickets, as well as orchards and hedgerows.
Present in most of the country in spring or fall, the Yellow Warbler will be certain to please you with its lovely song and characteristic demeanor. It forages on stems and leaves of trees and bushes. Males will forage higher than females, who seen to prefer a more laid back style of gleaning their insects and spiders.
Male Yellow Warbler
in breeding plumage, Boomer Lake Park
This wood warbler arrives on the breeding ground is late April or May. Though a rare breeder in Oklahoma, it will breed occasionally in the north central or northeast portions of the state. The Brown-headed Cowbird parasitizes many of this species, yet it remains plentiful. The warbler simply builds a second tier upon the nest, lays more eggs, and goes about its business, sometimes as many as six times.
They have one or two broods a year, and the monogamous pair build a cup nest of grass, moss, lichen and spider silk lined with softer material. This can be found in an upturned tree fork or in a dense shrub or bush. Females will sometimes help themselves to nest material from other nests, taking about four days to manage construction. The male does little to contribute to this endeavor, and he will even feed young occasionally. He is busy protecting the female, nest, and territory from interlopers.
Female Yellow Warbler
Boomer Lake Park--Heron Cove
The species has simple needs for territory. It only requires about a half acre of real estate, high singing posts, sufficient foraging areas, and plenty of concealment.
Monday, August 20, 2018
Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Common Yellowthroat
Witchety-witchety-witchery-witchery-witch
This song signifies the Common Yellowthroat, a warbler that isn't always out in the open. It deliberately makes itself scarce, if it is in the vicinity of its nest. They will often hop out of the nest and run along the ground to keep its location under wraps.
The male wears his black mask well and has a bright yellow throat. These warblers are often in the confines of marshes, weeds, reeds, within willows, brush, and tall grass. There are four regional types that differ to some degree, mostly in assorted coloration, but size matters, too, when it comes to these males. There is also a minor difference in dialect. Groupings include the Eastern, West, Southwest, and Pacific varieties. They prefer wet areas, but have been seen in drier locations, as well.
Male Common Yellowthroat
Boomer Lake Park, 2014
These warblers are quite frequently on the move, flitting from grass to plant and back, climbing up and down weed stems, catching insects in midair. Flights are short, and the female is rarely observed.
Wood warblers such as these will dine upon seeds, insects, spiders, and assorted larvae. The nest is built by the female on the ground, usually under assorted vegetation or leaves, or within a short distance from the ground with what resembles a roof.
Juvenile Male Common Yellowthroat
Santa Ana NWR, TX 2017
It is a widespread species, found all over the country and in southern Canada and Mexico. It may winter from southern Texas to the northern portion of South America.
Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Prothonotary Warbler
Tsweet-tsweet-tsweet-tsweet-tsweet-tsweet-tsweet!
These sounds are familiar in wooded, tick infested swamps with a creek or standing water. It is a clear, metallic song, and you should be able to observe this beauty, close to eye level once it gets to know you.
The male has a bright yellow head and breast with steel blue wings and black eyes and bill. The species was named after Catholic clergy due to its primarily yellow attire.
A cavity nester, the pair will flit in and out of the old woodpecker hole that they have chosen, which is anywhere from seven to eighteen feet almost directly over the water. When it is nearly May in Oklahoma, one waits with bated breath for this beautiful bird.
A New World Warbler, or wood warbler, the prothontary is an insectivore, and he will build several incomplete nests, while the female opts to build the real nest. The birds favor insects and snails, which is why they are in favor of living by water, which tends to attract both of those food sources. They will also eat seeds and rely on nectar, if necessary.
Male Prothonotary Warbler
Red Slough, 2016
One of two cavity nesting warblers, it is often a victim of Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism.
These birds will use nest boxes, an old rural mailbox placed in or by the water, as well as old Downy Woodpecker cavities, and is often in the same area as other species of concern, namely the Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Red-headed Woodpecker. They winter in mangrove swamps and lowland forests of creeks and streams in Central and northern South America.
This photograph was taken after trying to obtain one for a couple of years. The bird was practically two feet away from my knees, perched over standing water in a swamp. It had been calling to me, but due to the darkness, I was unable to see it at first. It patiently waited while I got my shots, then returned to the nest cavity, not far from where I was standing. It was worth the eight ticks to finally get this picture.
Male Prothonotary Warbler
Boomer Creek, 2017
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