Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Common Nighthawk

Easily seen around fields, ponds, lakes, and other open clearings, the Common Nighthawk has a familiar peent, peent, peent that you will easily learn to recognize.  Even though "hawk" is in the name of this bird, it is not a hawk, but a nighthawk in the nightjar family.  In comparison to nightjars, they have smaller heads, long pointed wings, and are seen during the day, as opposed to only being noticed at night or twilight (crepuscular).

Seen all over the continental US, they are solitary birds and form groups when migrating or foraging.  They are quite conspicuous during daylight hours, but once they are at rest upon the ground on upon a tree branch, their cryptic coloration keeps them very well hidden.

The most remarkable thing about the bullbat is the tiny bill, which can open into a gaping cavern.   During courtship, males also perform a stunning aerial display for females.  The bullbat performs steep dives with downflexed wings and ending in a rush of air that creates a booming sound.  It can be heard in the above video, which is one reason why it was chosen to illustrate this piece.

                                                                Common Nighthawk
                                                                 Aransas NWR, 2016

The bugeater often takes advantage of the attraction of insects to street- or stadium lights.  They are almost exclusively insectivores, though it is rare that they may consume vegetation.

There is no nest that is built, as the two eggs are lain directly upon flat ground in the forest.  The female can move them several feet from the original position.  Both sexes incubate in day and night shifts, as well as tend to the needs of the young.  Feeding is done by regurgitation, and the young are kept on a night shift.  Eggshells are removed or consumed to keep predators away from the area.

Even if a carnivore is in close proximity, the nest will rarely be abandoned.  If so, it is done with much fanfare and consternation.  Domestic animals, snakes, owls, hawks, crows, coyotes, raccoons, etc. are the usual culprits.

Pesticides and the lack of gravel roofs are contributing problems to localized declines.  Many rubber roofs now have gravel pads for this reason.

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Barn Owl

An uncommon raptor that nests in old barns, caves, or occasionally dense trees and other abandoned structures, this night owl usually roosts during daylight hours.  Flying on silent wings, the solitary hunter glides over marshes, brushy areas, agricultural lands, and open grasslands of Oklahoma.

Generally heard only at night, the dark-eyed wonder tends to hiss and screech.  A ghostly appearing and silent bird, the ghost owl hunts for mice and voles and they are able to see very little movement in the night.  Since they can see in the ultraviolet spectrum, they easily observe the urine trail of rodents, which they are able to easily locate.

White owls swallow their mice, voles, or rats whole, then they cough up pellets twice a day.  One can earn a great deal from these pellets, especially ecosystems, which is another topic altogether.

                                                                       Barn Owl
                                                              Osage County, OK 2016

Surprisingly, the females are showier than males, making this raptor a dimorphic species.  A top quality female will be more reddish- and more heavily spotted on the breast.  This may have something to do with the fact that they are less susceptible to parasitic flies and other disease.  This quality appears to keep the male more attentive to the nest and it inhabitants when the young hatch.

Sweet heart owls become mature for nesting in their first year, so if there is an owl in your area and there is increased screeching, chances are good that breeding activity is in order.

Nest boxes can attract a breeding pair of these unusual owls, since they do not build their own nests.

This is a valuable resource for building nest boxes if you live in the right location or have access to one.  You could even donate a box to a bird rescue organization or a national wildlife refuge.  Loss of habitat always has a negative effect on birds.

https://modernfarmer.com/2014/05/build-barn-owl-nest/

It is imperative that in order to do their jobs effectively that mankind cease the use of rodenticides and other detrimental poisons to other living raptors.  Once in the body of the affected animal, the poison will not only eliminate the unwanted pest, it will also eradicate raptors such as these.  Help a Barn Owl and other birds today.

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Long-billed Curlew

                   
Usually solitary, this uncommon denizen of the grasslands uses its long, decurved bill to probe deeply into mud and sand for crabs, and also enjoys shrimp when out of the breeding season.  During this period of time, it will also be located in mudflats, wetlands, flooded fields under six inches deep, beaches and tidal estuaries.  A rare visitor of the Oklahoma panhandle, the species once was seen in other northwestern counties.

This nesting bird, nicknamed sicklebill or candlestick bird, of the short grass prairie, does not need water nearby and will forage chiefly on grasshoppers, earthworms, and other invertebrates.  Breeding habitat can also include combinations of sage and cactus on gentle hills, agricultural lands, or grazed mixed grass prairie.

                                                              Long-billed Curlew
                                                            Cimarron County, OK

Small flocks will arrive on breeding grounds and foraging and core areas are then established.  These are often sandy areas, and flight displays and calls will be given above these locales, which will alert one to a nesting ground.  Area meadows are also used to forage within, and flight displays will also be observed here, as well.  This extended territory will be defended and unwanted strangers will be removed.

Nest sites are damp hollows or long sloped riparian areas.  Curlews will nest in loose colonies and the nests are often by dried cow dung for purposes of concealment.  There are four or five eggs in the nest, and they are single brooded.  Chicks are precocial, so they can move about on their own power in a short amount of time.

After families are raised, the flock will depart by the first half of August and winter in southern coastal areas from central and western North America.

In flight, the largest shorebird will show rusty wing patches.  It struts instead of walks, and the impossibly long decurved bill is an identifying feature.  Graceful and with a purpose, it has pale cinnamon underparts.


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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.

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Cooper's Hawk

Peak migration for hawks is usually in late September, so now is the time to brush up on your ID skills.  You will be comparing species that could be side by side, and you could see a dozen or two every minute.  The largest conflict is between Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, and the jury could still be out on those sightings.

The adult Cooper's hawk will be wearing a dark cap and will have a paler nape.  It also has white undertail coverts conspicuously displayed in flight, and since the Northern Goshawk is not seen in Oklahoma with any regularity, you will have a Cooper's.  It is also best to focus on the rounded tail shape and long length.  Their flight is a flap, flap, glide, not constant flapping.  Also observe head size and the leading edge of the wing.  An adult male Coop will also have gray cheeks.  They will also be more apt to be found on a fencepost than a Sharpie.

                                                              Adult Cooper's Hawk
                                                                Boomer Lake Park

As an accipiter, they have relatively short rounded wings and long tails.  They are bird and small mammal eaters, and they could be found in your front yard or the deep woods.  They can pour on the speed or they can glide into your feeders with very little warning.  If you hear a bang on your front storm door and find a dead bird, the culprit is likely the Cooper's Hawk.  Wingbeats are also choppy and stiff.

The two age classes are adult and juvenile, or first year.  The first year is buff-white with thin, chocolate streaks and could be found only on the breast or upper belly.

                                                              Juvenile Cooper's Hawk
                                                                 Flying Off with Gull
                                                                   Boomer Lake Park

We all know that the hen hawk is larger than the Sharpie, but you must not rely on size, because they are rarely side by side.  Know the other characteristics that have been outlined with practice, and you'll not go wrong.

A breeder of the mature forest, nests are in large deciduous trees at the crotch or next to a trunk in a coniferous tree.   The chicken hawk prefers deciduous trees in many cases.

                                                                                       

                          Cooper's Hawk

                       Liana Winters Smith

 Single brooders from April through July in Oklahoma, the male selects the nest site, and builds most of the structure.  He remains attentive to her needs from courtship through the nestling process.    Young birds fledge after a little more than a month, and they remain dependent for another month.

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Orchard Oriole

The Orchard Oriole (an icterid) is a blackbird, as many other birds that sport black in their coloring.  They are uncommon in areas with isolated tall trees or where there are scattered shade trees, orchards, parks, and farmsteads.  Grasslands will also be considered if suitable nest sites are in the vicinity.  They prefer being in habitats with water, a solitary species, and glean insects and larvae and will take fruit and nectar at birdfeeders.  They are also attracted by trumpet shaped flowers for nectar.

A deep russet or burnt orange color, the male will sing at treetops to attract the yellow-green female, and is the smallest of the orioles.  Females make themselves attractive to males by head bowing, begging with rapid wing fluttering and a high whistle, and seesawing by alternately lowering and raising the head and tail.

                                                                     Male Orchard Oriole
                                                                       Boomer Lake Park

Experienced males will reach the breeding grounds first, followed by females, then the first year males.  These passerines do not compete with the Baltimore Oriole, possibly considering it an ally.  They will share large trees (oaks) with Eastern Kingbirds, the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, American Robins, and other birds.

                                                               Juvenile Orchard Oriole
                                                                     Boomer Lake Park

Nests average about twenty feet high in crotches or forks of broadleafed trees, but willows or cottonwoods may also be used due to good shade.  It is a hanging basket made of woven fibers, but tends to be wider than deeper than the Baltimore Oriole.  They are single brooded, breeding from May through July in Oklahoma.

Females will occasionally be confused with New World Warblers, especially if the tail has been lost due to a predator's action.

                                                              Female Orchard Oriole
                                                                  Boomer Lake Park

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Very limited as an Oklahoma breeding species even now, the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron is located in diverse habitats.  Sometimes it is found in saline or fresh water, but is usually seen in quiet, tree lined river habitats.

This bird is not as nocturnal as could be considered, and can be quite active during daylight hours.

It roosts in trees like other herons, often hidden from view within foliage.  It can also be found on the ground in dense reeds or shrubs and will usually forage upon crabs, mussels, fish, crayfish, and other crustaceans.  They favor edges of ponds or streams while walking in the water at twilight or early morning.  They are dependent upon the tide in mudflats.

                                                   Adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
                                                               in breeding plumage
                                                      Estero Llano Grande NWR, 2017


Night-Herons usually nest in small colonies and groups, atypical of other herons.  They are generally near or over water.  Both parents will feed their young, usually via regurgitation or dropping food directly in the nest itself.  When the young are old enough to learn how to forage, this instruction is usually done at night.

These birds are thinner than the Black-crowned Night-Heron with a dark, thin bill.  Juveniles have small white spots, whereas the Black-crowned will have broad blurry streaks and larger white spots on the wing coverts.  The immature Yellow-crowned takes nearly three years to molt into full adult plumage.

                                             Second Summer Yellow-crowned Night-heron

                                                       Boomer Lake Park, Sept. 2016

                                                                     (Heron Cove)