Time to water birds. Easy. Throw some water in a tub and leave it for the birds to drink. Wrong!
Let's face it, it's been hot out. Summertime, we all get very thirsty. Birds are migrating all over the country and they also get hot and thirsty. In the desert heat, water is an even more vital part of a birds survival, not just during migration, but year round. A well maintained birdbath can even attract birds that don't eat seeds and over time they will rely on you for a fresh drink.
Not all birds will drink alike. For example, some larger birds prefer a birdbath or water feature, while tiny birds like a dripping hose and Hummingbirds love a fountain that bubbles. A variety of offerings will only increase your yard bird populations.
Typically, birds like water low to the ground, close enough to a tree for safety. If they get all wet it's harder for them to take off in flight, so if you don't have a shady tree near by, leave the water in an open area so they can watch for prey birds and cats.
Water depth is probably the most important aspect. The goal is to mimic a natural setting by making a shallow pool of water with a gentle slope, so the birds can wade into the water. Gentle circulating shallow water is even better. Adding sand or stones in the bottom of an over turned metal or plastic trashcan lid, or an old frying pan, would be ideal. Cement or glass birdbaths sold at garden centers are not the best choice for a few reasons, but mainly they are hard to keep clean and birds don't like a slippery surface. You can add a few branches or twigs across the waters edge, but again, they need to feel safe to walk on them.
Whether you're using a shallow pan or deep dish, it is critical to change the water every day. Yes, every day. Bathing birds can leave water unsanitary for other birds, some even leaving nestlings fecal sacs in the water. That dirty water will cause algae to grow, and invite mosquitoes. Studies indicate mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus are most often found in birdbaths. For that reason alone, the water must stay fresh. If algae has developed, scrub the container with a few drops of bleach and water. Let it dry and wash it again. If it won't clean, get a new dish!
While it seems like a lot of work...the birds need us. Water is being used by humans at such a rapid pace, the birds are not always able to find enough in their natural habitats. Thank you for reading my post and happy birding!
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Birthday Birds, Family and Friends
Wow. What a week. Make that, two weeks. Let me apologize in advance, this will be a long read.
April is a month filled with family birthdays. We started April 16th, with Grandson Daniel III turning 4 yrs old. Where did the time go? They had a pool party with over 20 kids. It was a huge splash!
Then, my husband David's Birthday was Friday, April 19th. We celebrated Thursday to surprise him. The kids came for dinner and cake. Sadly, he spent the rest of the weekend in terrible tooth pain, a problem resolved Monday, with an extraction and pain meds! Maybe it was too much cake?! Naw. No such thing. We were really getting concerned that our special trip for my birthday would have to be cancelled. Thankfully he 'pulled' through (pun intended). Snicker.
Yea! The birthday plans we made back in September were in full swing! Being a bird addict, I'm sure you can guess what I wanted to do? Yep. Birding. Getting hubby on board wasn't hard. The place we reserved to camp was called, "Dead Horse Ranch." He likes cowboys. It's a win,win. The event, Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival. We shorten it to "Birdy Verde."
http://birdyverde.org/index.html.
Thursday: "Orville", our pop up, (get it?) was locked and loaded by 8:30 am. The trip north is a mere 3 hour drive. We took everything but the kitchen sink and that's only because we already had a sink in the pop up. Two laptops, two cameras, two bikes, one TV...you get the idea. David even got himself a Vortex 10x36 mm Monocular, to use with his good eye! http://tinyurl.com/cyta39v
Once there, I ran down the dirt trail to sign in at the registration tent. Whoops, no waivers in hand, ran back up to camp for Dave's signature on the form. But wait. A mama Black-chinned wanted to show me her nest. We were there 1/2 hour and I spot this little gem. Now I'm really getting pumped!
Checked in: The schedule was in place:
My next surprise was a small group of Cedar Waxwings. (Because they eat so much fruit, Cedar Waxwings occasionally become intoxicated or even die when they run across overripe berries that have started to ferment and produce alcohol, http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/cedar_waxwing/lifehistory)
These birds didn't appear to be drunk!
At dusk, I 'caught' this catcher, sitting pretty.
Thursday night, after some quick hugs from our camping friends (more on that later)...I did the "Owl Prowl." We spotted a Western Screech Owl and Great Horned, twice each ...no photos. The guide, Bob Miller, was really fascinating. He lives in the Salton Sea area and has a book about the birds of that region. His profile, blog and book can be found here, http://blog.southwestbirders.com/ centered around Salton Sea.
Trip Description: We will be prowling our way around the park in an attempt to spot the great horned owl, the barn owl, and perhaps the western screech owl. They have all been seen here in the past. Bring along a flashlight as well as your binoculars.
Friday! My Birthday. It was time to meet Cynthia White and go warbler hunting with Homer Hansen!
Trip description, "Warblers are challenging to identify and Homer is not only knowledgeable; he can help you to master this skill. You’ll visit appropriate habitats, and with Homer’s skill, you will soon be able to keep up with the best. Species that might be seen include Black-throated Gray, Nashville, Grace's, Lucy's, Virginia's, and Yellow Warbler, Painted Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, and Yellow-breasted Chat. Box lunch included. Homer will be presenting a workshop on Thursday afternoon where he will go over the basics of warbler ID. We recommend attending this workshop in preparation for this field trip."
Our first stop was Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness, located within the Coconino National Forest of Sedona, AZ. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Rock-Secret_Mountain_Wilderness
Next stop, Page Springs Fish Hatchery. Warblers were singing high and low, but were very hard to find. Homer heard an Oven bird, sighting it would have made the rare bird alert list. Maybe he'll go back...alone!
Which reminds me, Homer got a kick out of my story about, "Homer, My Hummer." I sent him the link to my blog post about Homer. Now they will now each other, sort of.
Besides spotting Yellow-rumped Warblers, Black-throated Gray Warblers, Lucy's and Grace's, there were Painted Redstarts, Summer Tanagers and a Cassin's Kingbird.
The entire day was full of birds, sun, sweet people, and we had a crazy bus ride (understatement) back to camp.
After the warblers, a walk far too long for me personally...it was time to party at the campsite! Our friends, mentioned earlier, Bonnie and Libby, with their Bernese Mountain dogs Halle and Yogi, were down from Flagstaff. We threw on some blue cheese burgers and they brought over some lovely cheese cake! Yummo. Libby's birthday was a few weeks back, so we had a triple celebration. We spent the night talking away, all the while knowing we had to be up early for the canoe trip. David gave me some gifts, my favorite being the new birding/camera vest from Sportsman's Warehouse. I'm so lucky and so spoiled.
Saturday: Canoeing!
Description: On this, our signature trip, we will be taking canoes down the Verde River for a different perspective of the riparian habitat. We will beach the canoes at a private residence and be treated to a home-made brunch. Experienced paddlers pilot every canoe so you can sit back and enjoy the river’s surprises. There’s always the chance that you might get wet so wear shoes and clothes that can take the water. Shorts are recommended depending on weather. This trip is dependent upon the water flow.
Because I had a miss hap with my stress level and food intake, I awoke with a swollen face. Exactly one year of this crazy hive condition and I'm really getting good at trudging through the weirdness. Angioedema is what I get and is characterized by deep swelling around the eyes and lips, so I needed to be with a good canoe guide...Chip set me up with Bob. In his role as the expert, we stayed in lead postion of 12 canoes which allowed me to have the ride of my life! Bob (Morgan?) was my hero, I got to see all the birds before they were scared away.
Chip Norton, a man filled with vast bird knowledge and a big heart....
Surprisingly, I took this photo of a male Summer Tanager from the canoe.
We dock canoes, head up an embankment to the quaint Mattia's Ranch. (Only one canoe rolled on landing). In the yard were cages full of geese, turkeys, goats and sheep. First thing I notice is a pizza oven. Oh shoot, I can't eat tomato pizza. We'll have to eat later. I sit quietly, but I'm starving. Soon enough, the hostess Lee Mattia comes over and drags me to her husbands brick oven, "make her a pizza, no tomato!" I'm turning red as the oven fire by then. After some teasing...Ron was so sweet. He let me pick each ingredient...pesto sauce, home made mozzarella, fresh sausage, turkey (from his farm), olives etc. When it was done..everyone wanted a piece! Noooo...it's mine! Ron said so. Lee, is an amazingly gracious person. She kept checking in on me. She gave us a tour of their home and her Cantina room where she caters parties. She and I talked like long lost kin and I didn't want to leave. Vans were honking. Bummer, I had to go. We hugged goodbye and then I kissed the cook!
After the ride we went antique hunting in Old Town Cottenwood. Fun times and a must do.
Sunday: No set schedule. After a sad farewell to our two favorite camping companions...breakfast was eggs, turkey sausage, hash browns, fruit and Starbucks instant coffee. Our son Joe's 35th Birthday was the 28th. He spent the day doing what he loves, fishing! He caught a 26.5 lb walleye in Pier, South Dakota.
We headed over to see the Lagoons at the campgrounds. Some nice birds were hanging out there too.
Sunday night: Steak off the grill and reflections. Going home in the morning is always bittersweet.
Monday: Still under attack by hives, we make it back in one piece. Special thanks to David. His calm driving and easy nature made for a nice drive home. (We silently both knew...not having the Karmel greet us would be hard). David is my rock.
As we pull in the drive...something colorful catches my eye. OMG...what is that? Speaking of rocks...there's a bird painted rock perched by the front door. I start to squeal. Our daughter was by to water plants, she must have left it for my Birthday. How sweet.
We come inside and I find a large hand made card and hand painted bird house...Katrina!!! The card was telling me a migration of rock birds has arrived and I need to hunt them down in the yard! She and the kids have painted 15 rock birds for us to discover. From pure joy, I start crying and running all over the yard...
All birds are 'present' (get it?) and accounted for! She even made Homer the hummer, in two profile views. In all my life I have never been so overwhelmed and touched by a gift. She knows how to get right to my very core. I have no words. Katrina, I dedicate this photo to YOU.
The Chat and Oven bird were heard by Homer and not seen by me.
April is a month filled with family birthdays. We started April 16th, with Grandson Daniel III turning 4 yrs old. Where did the time go? They had a pool party with over 20 kids. It was a huge splash!
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| Note: There is still frosting on his face! |
Yea! The birthday plans we made back in September were in full swing! Being a bird addict, I'm sure you can guess what I wanted to do? Yep. Birding. Getting hubby on board wasn't hard. The place we reserved to camp was called, "Dead Horse Ranch." He likes cowboys. It's a win,win. The event, Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival. We shorten it to "Birdy Verde."
http://birdyverde.org/index.html.
Thursday: "Orville", our pop up, (get it?) was locked and loaded by 8:30 am. The trip north is a mere 3 hour drive. We took everything but the kitchen sink and that's only because we already had a sink in the pop up. Two laptops, two cameras, two bikes, one TV...you get the idea. David even got himself a Vortex 10x36 mm Monocular, to use with his good eye! http://tinyurl.com/cyta39v
Once there, I ran down the dirt trail to sign in at the registration tent. Whoops, no waivers in hand, ran back up to camp for Dave's signature on the form. But wait. A mama Black-chinned wanted to show me her nest. We were there 1/2 hour and I spot this little gem. Now I'm really getting pumped!
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| Black-chinned Hummer. |
Thursday: 4:00PM~Welcome Wine Social, Jay's Bird Barn,Tent, Free
7:00PM-9:00 PM~Owl Prowl, Bob Miller
Friday: 7:00 AM-3:00 PM~Watching Warblers, Box Lunch, Homer Hansen
Sat: 8:00AM-1:00PM~Cadillac Canoe Brunch, Chip Norton, Host: Ron Mattia's Ranchette
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| Mission: The Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival provides a unique recreational experience to anyone interested in the natural world and fosters awareness of the importance of habitat for the enrichment of all life in the Verde Valley. |
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| Jay's Bird Barn was the Sponsor. Turns out, he grew up a block from our house! http://www.jaysbirdbarn.com/ |
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| David Mizejewsk, Keynote Speaker http://birdyverde.org/Festival%20Details2012/Keynote_Speaker/index.html |
My next surprise was a small group of Cedar Waxwings. (Because they eat so much fruit, Cedar Waxwings occasionally become intoxicated or even die when they run across overripe berries that have started to ferment and produce alcohol, http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/cedar_waxwing/lifehistory)
These birds didn't appear to be drunk!
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| Sadly, this group of 8 or so stayed in the shadows. |
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| Ceder Waxwings. |
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| Ash-throated Flycatcher. |
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| Same bird from the back. |
Trip Description: We will be prowling our way around the park in an attempt to spot the great horned owl, the barn owl, and perhaps the western screech owl. They have all been seen here in the past. Bring along a flashlight as well as your binoculars.
Friday! My Birthday. It was time to meet Cynthia White and go warbler hunting with Homer Hansen!
Trip description, "Warblers are challenging to identify and Homer is not only knowledgeable; he can help you to master this skill. You’ll visit appropriate habitats, and with Homer’s skill, you will soon be able to keep up with the best. Species that might be seen include Black-throated Gray, Nashville, Grace's, Lucy's, Virginia's, and Yellow Warbler, Painted Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, and Yellow-breasted Chat. Box lunch included. Homer will be presenting a workshop on Thursday afternoon where he will go over the basics of warbler ID. We recommend attending this workshop in preparation for this field trip."
Our first stop was Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness, located within the Coconino National Forest of Sedona, AZ. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Rock-Secret_Mountain_Wilderness
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| Cynthia! You are so precious. Thank you for spending the day keeping me entertained. Love my gifts. |
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| Yellow Warbler |
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| Great Blue Heron preening on cliffs of Sedona Trails. |
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| Fuzzy image of a cute Black Phoebe. |
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| A House Wren is a common backyard bird over nearly the entire Western Hemisphere...but I'd never seen one! |
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| Warbler walks: Looking for a 2.5" bird in a ginormous tree! |
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| The group spotted this mama bc hummer at our lunch break. |
Besides spotting Yellow-rumped Warblers, Black-throated Gray Warblers, Lucy's and Grace's, there were Painted Redstarts, Summer Tanagers and a Cassin's Kingbird.
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| Page Springs Fish Hatchery parking lot, a double swallow-tailed butterfly. |
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| Bonnie and Halle. |
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| Libby, with Halle and Yogi. |
Saturday: Canoeing!
Description: On this, our signature trip, we will be taking canoes down the Verde River for a different perspective of the riparian habitat. We will beach the canoes at a private residence and be treated to a home-made brunch. Experienced paddlers pilot every canoe so you can sit back and enjoy the river’s surprises. There’s always the chance that you might get wet so wear shoes and clothes that can take the water. Shorts are recommended depending on weather. This trip is dependent upon the water flow.
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| Wearing my new present to the canoe adventure. Ready to get wet, but hoping I don't. |
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| David with his guide, Mary. |
Because I had a miss hap with my stress level and food intake, I awoke with a swollen face. Exactly one year of this crazy hive condition and I'm really getting good at trudging through the weirdness. Angioedema is what I get and is characterized by deep swelling around the eyes and lips, so I needed to be with a good canoe guide...Chip set me up with Bob. In his role as the expert, we stayed in lead postion of 12 canoes which allowed me to have the ride of my life! Bob (Morgan?) was my hero, I got to see all the birds before they were scared away.
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| Bob in the middle, sitting with Chip and Steve. |
Chip Norton, a man filled with vast bird knowledge and a big heart....
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| Chip Norton, our bird guide. President:Verde Watershed Associationhttp://verderivergreenway.org/who-we-are.php |
Surprisingly, I took this photo of a male Summer Tanager from the canoe.
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| Male Summer Tanager. |
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| Lee standing by, "Horned Lady" glass work done by Ron. |
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| Ron at his oven, he made the oven too. |
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| He earned a kiss. |
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| Five buildings full of stuff on one lot. |
Sunday: No set schedule. After a sad farewell to our two favorite camping companions...breakfast was eggs, turkey sausage, hash browns, fruit and Starbucks instant coffee. Our son Joe's 35th Birthday was the 28th. He spent the day doing what he loves, fishing! He caught a 26.5 lb walleye in Pier, South Dakota.
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| Happy Birthday, Joe! |
We headed over to see the Lagoons at the campgrounds. Some nice birds were hanging out there too.
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| Red cliffs and water = amazing views. |
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| Bullock's Oriole just wouldn't come into plain view. |
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| American Coot. |
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| Common Yellowthroat. |
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| The Great-tailed Grackle shows off. |
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| Red-winged Blackbirds were everywhere. |
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| Even the females. |
Sunday night: Steak off the grill and reflections. Going home in the morning is always bittersweet.
Monday: Still under attack by hives, we make it back in one piece. Special thanks to David. His calm driving and easy nature made for a nice drive home. (We silently both knew...not having the Karmel greet us would be hard). David is my rock.
As we pull in the drive...something colorful catches my eye. OMG...what is that? Speaking of rocks...there's a bird painted rock perched by the front door. I start to squeal. Our daughter was by to water plants, she must have left it for my Birthday. How sweet.
We come inside and I find a large hand made card and hand painted bird house...Katrina!!! The card was telling me a migration of rock birds has arrived and I need to hunt them down in the yard! She and the kids have painted 15 rock birds for us to discover. From pure joy, I start crying and running all over the yard...
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| Katrina's gift of art is in each and every feather. |
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| Plant I named, "Angel and her butterfly." |
Thank you all who have read this entire post...while it was long, so was our trip. My heart is filled with love, from family, friends, birds, and Birthdays! I'm so blessed. Thank you. <3
Bird List, no counts, just names I can remember, all 64 of them.
Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos n
Common Merganser, Mergus merganser
Gambel's Quail, Callipepla gambelii n
Double-crested Cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus n
Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias n
Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura n
Common Black-Hawk, Buteogallus anthracinus n
Harris's Hawk, Parabuteo unicinctus n
Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis n
Osprey, Pandion haliaetus n
American Kestrel, Falco sparverius n
American Coot, Fulica americana n
White-winged Dove, Zenaida asiatica n
Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura n
Western Screech-Owl, Otus kennicottii n
Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus n
Broad-billed Hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris n
Anna's Hummingbird, Calypte anna n
Belted Kingfisher, Ceryle alcyon n
Gila Woodpecker, Melanerpes uropygialis n
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Picoides scalaris n
Northern Flicker, Colaptes auratus
Gilded Flicker, Colaptes chrysoides n
Black Phoebe, Sayornis nigricans n
Ash-throated Flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens n
Cassin's Kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans n
American Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos n
Common Raven, Corvus corax n
Violet-green Swallow, Tachycineta thalassina n
Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis n
Verdin, Auriparus flaviceps n
Bewick's Wren, Thryomanes bewickii n
House Wren, Troglodytes aedon n
Marsh Wren, Cistothorus palustris n
American Robin, Turdus migratorius n
European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris n (I)
Cedar Waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum
Phainopepla, Phainopepla nitens n
Virginia's Warbler, Vermivora virginiae n
Lucy's Warbler, Vermivora luciae n
Yellow Warbler, Dendroica petechia n
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dendroica coronata
Black-throated Gray Warbler, Dendroica nigrescens n
Yellow-throated Warbler, Dendroica dominica (A)
Grace's Warbler, Dendroica graciae n
American Redstart, Setophaga ruticilla n
Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapillus (C)
Common Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas n
Painted Redstart, Myioborus pictus n
Yellow-breasted Chat, Icteria virens n
Spotted Towhee, Pipilo maculatus n
Abert's Towhee, Pipilo aberti n
Chipping Sparrow, Spizella passerina n
White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys n
Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis n
Lazuli Bunting, Passerina amoena n
Indigo Bunting, Passerina cyanea n
Summer Tanager, Piranga rubra n
Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus n
Great-tailed Grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus n
Bullock's Oriole, Icterus bullockii n
House Finch, Carpodacus mexicanus n
Lesser Goldfinch, Carduelis psaltria n
House Sparrow, Passer domesticus n (I)
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Bouncing Back With Birds
Yes, it's been a while since my last post.
Since February 26th, we've been faced with many life challenges that have gotten in the way of my birding. Not to get too personal...but that day...we said good bye to our dog Karmel after 12 years. (That's a blog post I'm not ready to write, yet). The same day, we find out hubby has a serious health problem and there's more rat damage to our vehicles. My car was in the shop for two weeks. Needless to say, it all knocked the wind out of me. I've been slowly dusting myself off, yet today, hubby is in serious tooth pain. It seems as though life drama just keeps kicking our butts.
Seriously, there's no sense in asking, "why us God"? We're too blessed to feel like victims. However, stress is not my friend and it makes me physically sick, so I must stay calm. Dr.'s orders.
For many years my stress reliever is and has been...BIRDS!
All hours of the day and night, I go sit outside and before long I realize...I'm smiling! With each chirp, I feel less tired and more optimistic. Then, I can't wait to tell my friends about the charming birds who've been by the yard.
In fact, a few birding events are scheduled to help us heal from our loss and deal with stress. This coming week, we're going to the Birdy Verdy Festival http://birdyverde.org/Festival%20Details2012/index.html and there will be many bird stories and photos to share. Friday (my Birthday), will be spent with Homer Hansen and Cynthia Gabert White on a warbler watch. We'll also see our friends Libby and Bonnie, who we met in Patigonia. Our campsites are next to each other and they are so adorable, I can't hardly wait to catch up. Saturday, David and I are scheduled to take a canoe ride. Yahooo. No doubt, all 5 days will be so much fun!
So, now you've all been updated on my drama filled world. Sorry no bird photos were uploaded this time and I promise to share some good news next time I blog!
Happy birding everyone. Please send them all my way...I need the visits right now. Chirp chirp.
Since February 26th, we've been faced with many life challenges that have gotten in the way of my birding. Not to get too personal...but that day...we said good bye to our dog Karmel after 12 years. (That's a blog post I'm not ready to write, yet). The same day, we find out hubby has a serious health problem and there's more rat damage to our vehicles. My car was in the shop for two weeks. Needless to say, it all knocked the wind out of me. I've been slowly dusting myself off, yet today, hubby is in serious tooth pain. It seems as though life drama just keeps kicking our butts.
Seriously, there's no sense in asking, "why us God"? We're too blessed to feel like victims. However, stress is not my friend and it makes me physically sick, so I must stay calm. Dr.'s orders.
For many years my stress reliever is and has been...BIRDS!
All hours of the day and night, I go sit outside and before long I realize...I'm smiling! With each chirp, I feel less tired and more optimistic. Then, I can't wait to tell my friends about the charming birds who've been by the yard.
In fact, a few birding events are scheduled to help us heal from our loss and deal with stress. This coming week, we're going to the Birdy Verdy Festival http://birdyverde.org/Festival%20Details2012/index.html and there will be many bird stories and photos to share. Friday (my Birthday), will be spent with Homer Hansen and Cynthia Gabert White on a warbler watch. We'll also see our friends Libby and Bonnie, who we met in Patigonia. Our campsites are next to each other and they are so adorable, I can't hardly wait to catch up. Saturday, David and I are scheduled to take a canoe ride. Yahooo. No doubt, all 5 days will be so much fun!
When we return, I've signed up for route #173 for Tucson's Spring Bird Count. http://www.tucsonbirds.org/. and have received all the GPS coordinates, 11 in total. Still hoping I find a partner to come along as it will be a lot of work going alone. Please feel free to message me if you're interested.
So, now you've all been updated on my drama filled world. Sorry no bird photos were uploaded this time and I promise to share some good news next time I blog!
Happy birding everyone. Please send them all my way...I need the visits right now. Chirp chirp.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Lesser Verses More (American) Goldfinch
However, because it's a cold day, snowing outside, which is very rare for our region and because it's time for wintering goldfinches to invade the backyard, they seemed like a good bird to evaluate for a post. To help out...I've found and inserted an image from Birding is Fun.com.
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| Image from Birding is Fun. http://www.birdingisfun.com/2011/04/backyard-birding-american-vs-lesser.html |
First, lets look at the Lesser Goldfinch in Adult male "Western form". They are a small and compact songbird with a black crown, short pointy gray bill, lemon-yellow underparts that contrast with black and white patterned wings and an olive back. "Texas" males show solid black back and bright yellow underparts. While male birds in the southern and eastern parts of the lesser goldfinch's range have a black back and western and northern birds have an olive green back, both share the bright yellow underparts.
While you can't see this bird's tail, back or underpants, it's short pointy gray bill and dark cap are giveaways.
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| Lessor Goldfinch Male |
So with all that information we should be able to tell them apart. Sounds easy right? Then how about this chick? Is it a Lessor or an American? My guess, it's a Lesser. Mainly because her parents were here and I saw their black backs! I cheated.
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| Baby Lessor Goldfinch Photo © Kelly Rishor |
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| Mama Lesser Goldfinch |
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| Mama Lessor Goldfinch |
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| Male Lesser Goldfinch |
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| Male American Goldfinch http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Goldfinch/id |
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| Photo – American Goldfinch in Winter © Putneypics |
Image and info from http://birding.about.com/od/Identify-Bird-Families/ss/American-Goldfinch-Identification_3.htm. American goldfinches are most confusing in winter when they are totally without their bright breeding colors. Both males and females look similar in winter, with these field marks…
- Head: The head is a warm tan color that may show a yellow or gray wash, though the extent of the color varies widely.
- Bill: The bill remains sharply pointed in winter but turns a dull dark gray or black.
- Throat: Winter American goldfinches have varying amounts of yellow on their throat, though the color is usually dull and can be hard to see. A brighter finch may have more yellow extending onto the upper breast or to the cheeks.
- Wings: In winter, the black wings contrast less with the dull body but still show one wide white wing bar, no matter which gender the bird may be.
- Plumage: The overall coloration of winter American goldfinches is a dull tan with a warm brown or yellow wash. The underparts are slightly paler than the upperparts.
- Legs and Feet: Even in winter, the legs and feet of these goldfinches remain pale.
The goldfinch’s main natural habitats are weedy fields and floodplains, where plants such as thistles and asters are common. They’re also found in cultivated areas, roadsides, orchards, and backyards. American Goldfinches can be found at feeders any time of year, but most abundantly during winter, hence my posting. I've been seeing more of these little guys in recent weeks, as they really love the tall pine trees in our backyard, most likely for the pine cone seeds.
- Well, I hope this helps you half as much as it has helped me. I'll promise to do my best calling them by their correct species name in the future!
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Birding in Tortolita Mountains
Our recent cold snap left me feeling horribly cooped up, so I decided to go hiking and birding. Also, I wanted to try out my new camera harness, fanny pack and hat, all gifts from Christmas. One problem, I had no idea where to go, so I closed my eyes spun in a circle and stopped facing north, looks like Tortolitas or bust!
New territory for me, the Tortolita Mountains border the northwest edge of the Tucson valley, near the towns of Oro Valley which is where we live. They are the smallest of Tucson's mountain ranges, however they still feature rugged peaks, gullies, canyons and tall saguaros. To get started, I printed out a map from the website http://www.marana.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/1314 and decided to shoot for the Upper Javelina Trail. Chosen not because the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort can be seen from the trail, but because it looked like the quietest and least traveled. (Going alone, I also let hubby know where I'd be.)
Initially, the Wild Burro Trail weaves in and out of a dry riverbed before getting to the split off where the Upper Javelina Trail starts. The signs were so lacking at the parking lot and along the trail that I was a bit lost, even with my map. And, I wasn't the only one lost. A small group of ladies couldn't find their way back to the parking lot, so I took a quick cell phone photo to note where we were. Letting go of ever finding my exact trail destination, it was time to relax and just watch for birds.
Within minutes of settling in to enjoy the surroundings, I spot a Red-tailed hawk on a tall saguaro. Wow...they are a pair and in an early courtship display. Because hawks can fly at 40 miles per hour and are typically high in the wind currents I was excited to get a few images, even if they far away. And unless they are standing side by side, don't ask me which is the female or male!
Also, I see a pair of Towhees, Phainopepla, Gila woodpeckers, a few Cactus Wrens...I start writing a list. Then I spot these little Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. I chased them from bush to bush and barely catch a photo.
Another one of my favorites came along to eat mistletoe, a Mockingbird.
Seriously, I rarely hike without a visit from a hummingbird!
Now, I 'm taking in the scenery and the desert's beauty centers my core. I feel alive!
Around the trail signs, in the grasses of the dry river bed were several bird species. I saw sparrows, a cardinal and heard many other bird calls. Sadly, people kept passing by and scaring them off. Shortly after that, I decided to go home myself.
At the parking lot was the trail mascot... a sunbathing Cactus Wren. Looks like he was as happy to see the sun as I was!
All in all, the hike was fun. Don't think it will be on my favorites list. Maybe I'll try again when water is running down the sandy river beds? We'll see. Oh speaking of running down river beds, I spotted a herd (6) of Javelina from the parking lot. Maybe how the trail got it's name?
My bird list: Hike 2.5 hrs.
On the way home I saw a pair of Red-tail hawks (maybe the same pair) perched on a utility pole.
Any time you want to see prey birds in Tucson, just drive Tangerine Boulevard!
New territory for me, the Tortolita Mountains border the northwest edge of the Tucson valley, near the towns of Oro Valley which is where we live. They are the smallest of Tucson's mountain ranges, however they still feature rugged peaks, gullies, canyons and tall saguaros. To get started, I printed out a map from the website http://www.marana.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/1314 and decided to shoot for the Upper Javelina Trail. Chosen not because the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort can be seen from the trail, but because it looked like the quietest and least traveled. (Going alone, I also let hubby know where I'd be.)
Initially, the Wild Burro Trail weaves in and out of a dry riverbed before getting to the split off where the Upper Javelina Trail starts. The signs were so lacking at the parking lot and along the trail that I was a bit lost, even with my map. And, I wasn't the only one lost. A small group of ladies couldn't find their way back to the parking lot, so I took a quick cell phone photo to note where we were. Letting go of ever finding my exact trail destination, it was time to relax and just watch for birds.
Within minutes of settling in to enjoy the surroundings, I spot a Red-tailed hawk on a tall saguaro. Wow...they are a pair and in an early courtship display. Because hawks can fly at 40 miles per hour and are typically high in the wind currents I was excited to get a few images, even if they far away. And unless they are standing side by side, don't ask me which is the female or male!
 |
| In The Distance a Red-Tailed Hawk |
 |
| Red-tailed Hawk |
 |
| Courtship Display |
 |
| Back to Perch |
Also, I see a pair of Towhees, Phainopepla, Gila woodpeckers, a few Cactus Wrens...I start writing a list. Then I spot these little Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. I chased them from bush to bush and barely catch a photo.
 |
| Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher |
 |
| Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher |
 |
| Northern Mockingbird |
 |
| Anna's Hummingbird |
 |
| Naming This, "Italian Tablecloth Rock" |
Alas! I find the trail head. Only after I was attacked on my arm by a jumping cholla. I'll let wikipedia explain that drama. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cylindropuntia_fulgida.
 |
| Trail Head |
Around the trail signs, in the grasses of the dry river bed were several bird species. I saw sparrows, a cardinal and heard many other bird calls. Sadly, people kept passing by and scaring them off. Shortly after that, I decided to go home myself.
 |
| Black-throated Sparrow and White-crowned Sparrow |
At the parking lot was the trail mascot... a sunbathing Cactus Wren. Looks like he was as happy to see the sun as I was!
 |
| Itchy Cactus Wren |
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| Cactus Wren and Arizona state bird |
All in all, the hike was fun. Don't think it will be on my favorites list. Maybe I'll try again when water is running down the sandy river beds? We'll see. Oh speaking of running down river beds, I spotted a herd (6) of Javelina from the parking lot. Maybe how the trail got it's name?
 |
| Javelina |
My bird list: Hike 2.5 hrs.
| 1 | Anna's Hummingbird | ||||
| 1 | Northern Cardinal | ||||
| 2 | Northern Mockingbird | ||||
| 2 | Abert's Towhee | ||||
| 3 | Northern Flicker | ||||
| 4 | Red-tailed Hawk | ||||
| 4 | Phainopepla | ||||
| 4 | Black-throated Sparrow | ||||
| 6 | Gila Woodpecker | ||||
| 6 | Blue-gray Gnatcatcher | ||||
| 10 | Cactus Wren | ||||
| 12 | White-crowned Sparrow | ||||
On the way home I saw a pair of Red-tail hawks (maybe the same pair) perched on a utility pole.
 |
| Maybe the Female On The Right? |
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| Amazing Bird |
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