Showing posts with label wren. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wren. Show all posts
Sunday, September 5, 2021
Sunday, July 26, 2020
Sunday, September 9, 2018
Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Bewick's Wren
Three subspecies comprise this species--Eastern, Southwest, and Pacific. The Southwest is paler (grayer), Eastern is unmarked brown with a pale gray belly, and the Pacific has a gray belly with a lengthy white supercilium.
The tail is more often held upward and flicked sideways which will show the white corners, especially when the species is in flight. It is thinner than the Carolina Wren and not nearly as colorful. Its syrinx allows it nearly two dozen melodies depending upon its range.
Preferring river and streamside, hedgerows, parks, farmhouses, suburbia with trees, and open woodland with thick undergrowth, this gentle bird appears tame and is quite approachable. It is rarely more than ten feet above ground while gleaning insects from leaves, tree trunks and branches. It blends into its surroundings quite well, so it could be difficult to see, unless it is a singing male atop a tree.
Bewick's Wren
Boomer Lake Park, Dec. 2016
This cavity nester will choose old woodpecker holes, sheds, abandoned buildings, birdhouses, tree cavities, etc. These sites are similar to those of the House Wren, which is more aggressive and will easily evict the Bewick's Wren if it so chooses.
It is strictly an insectivore, most interested in larvae, spiders, eggs, assorted insects, and small invertebrates.
They reside year round in the west and central states. Once the House Wren has migrated in the fall, Bewick's Wren may choose to overnight in its former nest cavity. What few are in the east will migrate between September and October to early November. It is suspected that both Carolina and House Wrens may have driven it away for the most part from eastern regions due to their more dominant natures.
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
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
Saturday, August 4, 2018
Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Carolina Wren
A remarkable little bird that sometimes visits feeders, the Carolina Wren can be seen fairly frequently under the right conditions. This little dynamo appears to have excess energy and likes dense brushy tangles within the woods or riparian areas. Its call and song repertoire features many unusual sounds that many do not associate with only one species. From personal experience, there are approximately thirty calls and songs that are associated with this wren.
Most common year round in the southeastern part of the country, this energetic bird finds some of the most unusual locations to build a nest. It has been known to use cavities, spring wreaths, laundry on the line, planters, forgotten hats in sheds, a rubber boot, and even inside grills. Its creative locations for nesting either provide complete privacy or it sticks out like a sore thumb. Either way, the Carolina Wren will provide hours of unusual entertainment and an appropriate study subject for the budding ornithologist.
Juvenile Carolina Wren
(note lack of orange-buff wash
on breast, belly, flanks)
This bird is not as shy as one would think, as it will even join other species in raising an alarm for intruders. Being in the right place at the correct time, a cat was observed prowling and on the hunt for unsuspecting protein. A Northern Cardinal first began the alarm call, was joined by another bird that I cannot recall, and the third hero was a Carolina Wren. Watching this with complete fascination, I also became the fourth participant with a pishing call. The cat was so dismayed with the unwanted attention, it disappeared into the tall grass on the water side of a local lake. All parties victorious, they didn't mind my presence in the least until they became comfortable again. They soon went their separate ways to continue their quest for sustenance.
Adult Carolina Wren
The Carolina Wren is a known victim of Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism, especially in April.
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