Sunday, October 28, 2018
Saturday, October 27, 2018
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
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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 Winter Bird Profile: Ruddy Duck
A stiff tailed duck of winter, the Ruddy Duck male arrives before the female when it is time to breed. Commonly found in the open waters of lakes, sheltered coves, and ponds in a tight cluster, these small, yet robust ducks will sometimes mix with other species.
These prairie pothole, southern Rocky Mountain, and intermountain western breeders construct nests in bulrush and cattails over water. The diving ducks feed upon seeds, other vegetable matter, as well as protein, especially during breeding season.
Ruddy Duck in mid-Dive
Boomer Lake Park, 2015
The Dark-headed variant (nominate subspecies or Andean Duck) breeds in northern Mexico and commonly is found in Mexico and Guatamala in the winter. It is a common resident of the Caribbean, and is also seen in South America where it is both common, as well as rare in the Andes vicinity.
Sometimes remaining locally longer than normal, the males will be observed in their breeding plumage, which includes a bright blue bill, nearly fluorescent white check patch, and a shiny chestnut colored body. The breeding female is a dull brown with white cheek patch, and a dark cap. During the winter, the female has a dark line across the cheek with a dull cheek patch, brown body and crown. The adult male is a little brighter than her in his non-breeding plumage.
With legs that sit far back on the body, they do not move well on land.
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.
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Fall Migration Still Waiting to Top Out or World of Birds On the Rise
Dark-eyed Junco (slate-colored)
Field Sparrow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Field Sparrow
Field Sparrow, View 2
Lincoln's Sparrow
American Goldfinch
American Goldfinch, View 2
Eastern Phoebe
Yellow-rumped Warbler
American Goldfinch, View 3
American Goldfinch, View 4
10-20 - 10-23-18
Last weekend and the first couple of weekdays brought two expected fallouts to Boomer Lake. This turned into the sparrow capital of the world, as well as songbird numbers increased. Being conservative, my opinion was in the neighborhood of a dozen winter Yellow-rumped warblers, but I believe it was close to twenty-five.
Also visiting were Orange-crowned and Nashville Warblers. Making attempts to get from one habitat change to another proved interesting, but just listening to the sounds of the birds that came in together, it was easy to tell what was near. However, finding each species was definitely another story.
After the Palm Warbler find, which was Boomer Lake's first recorded sighting, my spirits were high, and we did manage either a late migrating Gray Catbird, or the breeding catbird from these parts just decided to stay longer.
The Dark-eyed Juncos only stayed for a day, but the American Goldfinches and sparrows were eating every seed in sight.
After a brief sighting of about sixty Franklin's Gulls, Lady Luck asked me to settle down and enjoy the sights. So I did.
What I bring to you was just a basic representation of what I was able to find or at least be in view. The sounds of the Spotted Towhee rang through, it was briefly spotted once, but it has been staying put.
After a couple of days rain, it will be time to see what else flew in. Stand by for more information as soon as possible.
Oklahoma Winter Bird Profile: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
White stripe from bill to belly, less red than black on the head and males' throat, bold white upperwing coverts, and that will likely equal a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker wintering bird. Even rarely, one might even discover the adult black-crowned female. With a similar call to a flicker with the wick-a-wick-a, and Queeh-yah, one will soon spot this uncommon bird, if it is heard. It is usually less active than many other woodpeckers, and will tap quietly. Its small, shallow holes are usually in line vertically, where they will feed upon sap and the insects contained therein.
These woodpeckers have strong, straight bills. In winter they can be found in orchards, favoring deciduous trees. It will hybridize with the Red-naped and Red-breasted Sapsuckers of the west in appropriate zones.
This woodpecker is sometimes considered a pest, as its feeding habits are known to seriously damage trees due to frenzied feeding practices. They will gird trees, meaning that they will remove an entire ring of bark around a tree that insects will permeate.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Northwest Payne County CBC, 2017
Even though the lemony belly can be difficult to observe on perching birds, one's chances will be better on maple, aspen, and fruit trees, due to their strong sap production. Due to its continual work with seeking sap, these woodpeckers tend to help feed insects, hummingbirds, bats, porcupines, butterflies, and warblers with their overzealous work.
The Spanish woodpecker will readily avail itself to back yards for suet, sugar water, jelly, and small pieces of sweet desert, like donuts or Danish.
Look for a photo of an immature Yellow-bellied Sapsucker here:
https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2016/01/first-of-year-spectacular-shots.html
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