Meet the Black Phoebe

This month, let’s talk about the Black Phoebe. This bird is a member of the flycatcher family. If you live in the Sacramento Valley, you probably have seen them in your yard or in a neighborhood park. Black Phoebes seem to do well living among humans and are not as ‘shy’ as other species of flycatchers seem. 

Adult Black Phoebe, Image by Larry Hickey

Adult Black Phoebe, Image by Larry Hickey

What do Black Phoebes look like?

Black Phoebes are black on their heads, wings, and upper breast. They have a white contrasting belly. Their bill, legs, and feet are black. Males and females look the same. Young (or juvenile) birds have brown feathers (or plumage) and have two light brown wing bars. The feathers of young birds will darken as they age.

Juveniles are brown and have light-brown wing bars, Image by Mary Forrestal

Juveniles are brown and have light-brown wing bars, Image by Mary Forrestal

Where do Black Phoebes live?

The range of the Black Phoebe is from the southern Oregon coast, into California, and down through Central and South America. There are also populations living in parts of the southwestern United States. While there are a few populations that migrate to warmer climates for winter, most Black Phoebes remain in the same area year-round.

Black Phoebes almost always live near a water source. This is because they use mud to build their nests and because water attracts the insects that they eat. They live near streams, creeks, ponds, rivers, and along coastal areas. However, they also are often found living near people’s homes or in neighborhood parks. Just as long as water (or mud) is available, Black Phoebes seem satisfied. 

Black Phoebes often build their nests on vertical surfaces and favor sites with overhead protection. In natural habitats, Black Phoebes nest in rock faces, coastal cliffs, boulders, or tree hollows. In urban or suburban areas, they have adapted well to nesting in man-made structures, such as eaves of buildings, abandoned wells, and irrigation canals (or culverts). By using mud, they can plaster their nests onto walls under the eaves of buildings, creating a perfect nest site. Black Phoebes frequently come back to the same nest or nesting spot year after year! Their nests are built well and last because they are strong. Black Phoebes are also quite territorial; so you usually won’t find another pair nesting close by.

It’s the Black Phoebe female that constructs a cup-shaped nest. She is also the one who sits on the eggs to keep them warm (this is called incubation). The Black Phoebe’s nest has an outer shell made of a mixture of mud and grass and is lined inside with soft plant fibers and/or animal fur or hair. When the young hatch, both parents are active in feeding their babies.

Juvenile Black Phoebe, Image by Dan Brown

Juvenile Black Phoebe, Image by Daniel Lee Brown

What do Black Phoebes eat?

The main diet of the Black Phoebe is insects, mainly flying insects. They will eat bees, wasps, flies, beetles, bugs, grasshoppers, crickets, dragonflies, termites, and spiders. If you see one out in the open, calling frequently, perched low, and dipping and fanning its tail, it is probably busy scanning for insects to eat. When Black Phoebes spot an insect, they quickly take flight, chase the insect, and often catch it in mid-air! Occasionally, Black Phoebes will look for insects while they are on the ground; but, most of the time, they look for food when perched on low branches or on other low perches. Black Phoebes will also catch insects when they are flying over bodies of water. They will sometimes hover in the air and grab spiders on plants or trees. Black Phoebes have even been seen catching and eating small minnows just below the water’s surface!

What do Black Phoebes sound like?

Black Phoebes are quite vocal and have a familiar song and calls. They also use a contact call that is heard sometimes when two birds are flying close to each other. Kaufman describes the call note as a “sharp ringing peep” sound and the song as “thin, shrill whistles.” You can listen to their song and calls below:

These songs and calls of the Black Phoebe are from xeno-canto. More Black Phoebe vocalizations can be found at xeno-canto.org/species/Sayornis-nigricans.

Meet the Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk, Image by Daniel Lee Brown

This month, let’s learn about the Red-tailed Hawk! You can often see this hawk along a roadside either soaring in the air or perched on telephone poles and fence posts as it hunts for food. The Red-tailed Hawk has a vast range in North America, which includes all across the United States. Most Red-tailed Hawks live in their areas year round. Only those that are in the far northern regions migrate south to warmer habitats for the winter.

What does a Red-tailed Hawk look like?

Red-tailed Hawks have long, broad wings and short, wide tails. A Red-tailed Hawk can be positively identified when flying overhead by the dark line on the top edge of the inner part of its underwing. These darkened lines on the upper wing edges are called patagial markings. No other raptor in our region has this characteristic. Another way to identify a Red-tailed Hawk is when you see its red tail! That makes sense. Actually, the tails of adult Red-tailed Hawks are red on top and whitish below; but the red color shows through the white when they are soaring up in the sky. It’s good to keep in mind that young birds won’t have red tails until they are around two years old! Most Red-tailed Hawks have light-colored abdomens with a streaky darker band that runs across the belly and continues under their wings. Birderwatchers call this the belly band. Red-tailed Hawks usually have dark heads. Their backs, shoulders, and upper wings are a rich brown color and often there are mottled white patches or markings on the back shoulder area. The descriptions of individual Red-tailed Hawks can be quite unique and they vary in color from region to region as well.

Red-tailed Hawk,
Image by Daniel Lee Brown

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk,
Image by Daniel Lee Brown

Where do Red-tailed Hawks live?

Red-tailed Hawks live in many different habitats. They are frequently seen in open country, agricultural areas, and are seen sailing over homes or developed areas too. Red-tailed Hawks usually require some amount of open space with trees nearby. They build their nests in tall trees, often the tallest tree in a cluster, or on cliff ledges, towers, nest platforms, and occasionally buildings. Both the male and female help with nest building and incubation (keeping eggs warm by sitting on them). After the young hatch, the male usually brings food to the nest and the mother then feeds the brood.

What do Red-tailed Hawks eat?

The Red-tailed Hawk diet is mainly small mammals, like voles, rats, rabbits, and ground squirrels; but they also eat birds and reptiles. Occasionally, they will eat bats, frogs, and toads. The Red-tailed Hawk does most of its hunting from a perch. However, they also may hunt while flying. 

Red-tailed Hawk, Image by Daniel Brown

Red-tailed Hawk, Image by Daniel Lee Brown

What do Red-tailed Hawks sound like?

The call of the Red-tailed Hawk is a loud, high-pitched, hoarse scream. It will immediately get your attention! Since the call of the Red-tailed Hawk is much more dramatic than that of other raptors, their call is often used in movies and television shows or commercials. Bald Eagles, for example, have much weaker or softer calls. You can listen to the call of a Red-tailed Hawk below.

These calls of the Red-tailed Hawk are from xeno-canto. More Red-tailed Hawk vocalizations can be found at xeno-canto.org/species/Buteo-jamaicensis.

Meet the Nuttall’s Woodpecker

Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Image by Dana J. Miller-Blair

This month let’s talk about a bird you may frequently hear and see in your yards, the Nuttall’s Woodpecker. The Nuttall’s is one of several woodpecker species that can be seen in our region. It was named after an English naturalist named Thomas Nuttall in 1843. Nuttall’s Woodpeckers are found primarily in California (and sometimes in northern Mexico) to the west of both the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Cascades.

What does a Nuttall’s Woodpecker look like?

Nuttall’s Woodpeckers are about seven inches long and are mostly black with white barring (or spots) on its back, wings, and outer tail. They have a black face with white stripes and have a short black bill. Nuttall’s Woodpeckers have a white belly with black spots running along the sides of their bellies. The male has a red “crown” patch on the back of its head. Juvenile birds look a lot like the adults; except they have some white color on their heads.

Two Nuttall’s Woodpeckers, Image by Larry Hickey

Two Nuttall’s Woodpeckers, Image by Larry Hickey

Where do Nuttall’s Woodpeckers live?

Nuttall’s Woodpeckers are “cavity nesters” which means they use holes inside live or dead trees to lay their eggs and protect their young. A new cavity is created every year; and this is usually the job of the Nuttall’s male. The entrance hole is about two inches wide. Nuttall’s Woodpeckers usually nest in cottonwood, willow, sycamore, or oak trees. They even line the bottom of their nest cavities with wood chips to help cushion their eggs! Both parents help with incubation (sitting on the eggs) and raising their young. Young birds leave the nest at about one month after hatching. After Nuttall’s have finished raising their young, their old nests are frequently used by other birds that are incapable of making cavities. While Nuttall’s Woodpeckers prefer oak woodlands and riparian areas (land near rivers or streams); they will go anywhere there are trees and often are seen in populated areas.

What do Nuttall’s Woodpeckers eat?

Although you find Nuttall’s Woodpeckers frequently among oak trees, they are not really fond of acorns. They like to eat insects and really enjoy eating both adult beetles and beetle larva. They also eat caterpillars, ants, bugs, termites, and millipedes, in addition to, berries and other fruits, poison oak seeds, and sap. They flutter their wings to help themselves balance when searching for food on small twigs. Nuttall’s don’t use their bills to drill when they look for insects under the bark of trees. Instead, they use their bills to pry and flake away pieces of bark; and then to probe to find insects. One can actually watch them turn their heads from side-to-side when they peer into bark crevices seeking insects!

You may see and hear the Nuttall’s Woodpecker in your backyard.

You may see and hear the Nuttall’s Woodpecker in your backyard. Image by Mary Forrestal

What do Nuttall’s Woodpeckers sound like?

Like many birds, you frequently can hear a Nuttall’s Woodpecker before you spot one. They have a rattle-like call that is quite loud and it quickly becomes a familiar sound to many birdwatchers. Nuttall’s Woodpeckers also drill or “drum” at the bark of trees. (heard in second recording below). Woodpeckers of all species do this for three reasons: either to communicate with other birds or claim a territory, to drill a hole for a nest, or to sometimes look for insects or sap. You can listen to the Nuttall’s Woodpecker below:

These sounds and calls of the Nuttall’s Woodpecker are from xeno-canto. More Nuttall’s Woodpecker vocalizations can be found at xeno-canto.org/species/Dryobates-nuttallii.

Meet the Western Bluebird

Male Western Bluebird, Image by Mary Forrestal

No matter how many times you’ve seen one before, there isn’t a more beautiful site than to see a Western Bluebird perched on a park fence. They seem at home in the suburban park setting.

Western Bluebirds, along with American Robins and Hermit Thrushes, are members of the Thrush family. Like many thrushes, they are social birds. Except when nesting, flocks of Western Bluebirds are often seen feeding together. Their year-round range is from California, into the southern Rocky Mountains, Arizona, and New Mexico in the Untied States and most of Mexico. Their breeding range extends up to the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and Montana. Depending on how far north they were nesting, some Western Bluebirds do migrate to warmer areas in the winter. It is interesting that, unlike most songbirds which migrate during the night, Western Bluebirds migrate mainly in the daytime!

What does the Western Bluebird look like?

The Western Bluebird male and female look a little different from each other. Like many birds, the male has more pronounced or bolder feather color. Male birds have bright blue colored wings, heads, throats, as well as part of their backs. Males also have a deep rust-orange color on their chest and shoulder areas along with a gray belly. Female Western Bluebirds are also blue and orange; but their color is duller overall. Females lack the bright blue feathers on their heads and throats that males have. Western Bluebirds have short tails and have thin, straight bills. Young or juvenile birds look quite different from their parents. They are brown and gray, with blue only on their tails and part of their wings. Juveniles also have light colored spots on both their chests and backs.

Male Western Bluebird, Image by Mary Forrestal

Female Western Bluebird, Image by Mary Forrestal

Juvenile Western Bluebird, Image by Mary Forrestal

Where do Western Bluebirds live?

Western Bluebirds nest in “cavities” or holes. Unfortunately, their bills aren’t able to dig the holes that they need for nesting. So, frequently Western Bluebirds will use cavities made by woodpeckers in the past. They seek holes in both live and dead trees. Western Bluebirds also nest in man-made boxes or other man-made holes. Once a pair has chose a nesting site, the females do most of the work to construct the nest inside.

What do Western Bluebirds eat?

Western Bluebirds like to eat both insects primarily in summer and rely more on fruits and berries in the winter. They like the berries of mistletoe, juniper, and elderberry. Western Bluebirds will perch on low tree limbs or fences and then jump down when they spot an insect to eat. They are also seen catching insects in mid-air and looking for insects inside tree canopies.

Female Western Bluebird with Bug, Image by Mary Forrestal

What do Western Bluebirds sound like?

The call of the Western Bluebird is a strong, low-toned whistle sound. Their song is not heard as often and is actually just a series of their call notes! You can listen to both the call and the song of the Western Bluebird now:

These songs and calls of the Western Bluebird are from xeno-canto. More Western Bluebird vocalizations can be found at xeno-canto.org/species/Sialia-mexicana.

Nature Bowl 2021: The Family Challenge Edition!

Nature Bowl Flyer Picture1.jpg

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife Announces

Nature Bowl 2021: Family Challenge Edition

Your challenge is to work together as a family to complete fun and educational nature-themed games and activities. Enjoy a scavenger hunt, find and become native species, invent a family game, figure out nature snapshots and create a nature commercial!

The Nature Bowl 2021: Family Challenge is open to all Californian families with school-age children. The contest runs from March 15 through May 14, 2021.

For more information, visit https://wildlife.ca.gov/Regions/2/Nature-Bowl

Sign Up Today by contacting genelle.treaster@wildlife.ca.gov

Nature Bowl Flyer Picture2.jpg

Meet the Belted Kingfisher

Male Belted Kingfisher, Image by Daniel Lee Brown

There are many species of kingfishers in the world, but only one, the Belted Kingfisher, inhabits North America. Their range extends from the northern parts of Canada, Alaska, throughout the United States, and down as far south as Panama in Central America.

Belted Kingfishers are very independent and solitary birds. You will often see them perched alone, over a body of water looking for food. Some Belted Kingfishers must migrate south in the winter to find water that isn’t frozen. However, in the Sacramento area, Belted Kingfishers stay year-round.

What does the Belted Kingfisher look like?

Belted Kingfishers are quite handsome birds with their stunning slate-blue feathers and bright white collar and belly. A tall crest of blue feathers is present on top of their heads and they have a striking slate-blue chest band.

Female Belted Kingfishers have a rusty-orange colored belly band, in addition to the blue chest band. This rusty-orange color also runs down the females’ flanks. Juvenile birds of both sexes have a faint or spotty rusty-orange belly band, like their mothers. This orange band disappears as the male Belted Kingfisher matures into adulthood. 

Female Belted Kingfisher, Image by Ray Rozema

Where do Belted Kingfishers live?

Look for Belted Kingfishers anywhere there is a smooth flat surface of water. You can find them near rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, estuaries, and coastlines. They build their nests in river levees or other types of banks. Belted Kingfishers dig their tunnels in these banks. They purposely avoid choosing nesting sites with lots of trees. Tree roots make it much too difficult to dig tunnels!

What do Belted Kingfishers eat?

Belted Kingfishers are mainly carnivores and prefer small fish and crayfish over other types of foods. If fish aren’t available, they will eat small amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, butterflies and moths, and other insects. Rarely, they even eat berries.

The Belted Kingfisher hunts by perching on a branch, overlooking a body of water; or by hovering (remaining in one place in the air, using rapid wing beats) over a body of water. When prey is spotted, Belted Kingfishers plunge into the water, head first. They have a special membrane that covers and protects their eyes as they enter the water.

What do Belted Kingfishers sound like?

The call of the Belted Kingfisher will most certainly get your attention! Their loud, rattle-like call is usually the first signal that a Belted Kingfisher is near. You can listen to them calling now:

These sounds and calls of the Belted Kingfisher are from xeno-canto. More Belted Kingfisher vocalizations can be found at xeno-canto.org/species/Megaceryle-alcyon.

A Bird Call - A Bird Song

What’s the Difference?

So what is the difference between a bird call and a bird song? They are both ways for birds to communicate. Humans, however, have put bird vocalizations into two main groups because birds use calls and songs on different occasions and for different purposes.

Calls are used to share a bird’s location with others in their species or to warn them of suspected danger. Calls are usually short in duration and are made up of just a few notes. Both male and female birds use calls. Birds’ calls are frequently heard throughout the year. This is not the case with songs. Calls are sometimes used to notify other birds in their flock, or family group, that a newly discovered food source is nearby. Young birds use begging calls to tell their parents that they wish to be fed.

Image by Daniel Lee Brown

Songs are used when birds are claiming or protecting their territory or to attract a mate. Songs are also used for family bonding. They are frequently heard in the spring months and are more complex and musical than calls are. It was previously thought that male songbirds did most of the singing; but we now realize that many females also sing. The female Northern Cardinal is a good example of this and is extremely vocal. Birds that sing songs are usually inhabitants of dense areas or areas of low visibility, such as in forests, jungles, dense scrubland, or areas with tall grass. Birds that inhabit open areas, such as lakes, don’t have as much need for songs because they are more easily seen. Some species of birds have many different songs and some species only have one song. Odd as it may seem, there are songbirds that seldom sing or do not sing songs at all. Jays almost never sing and Cedar Waxwings do not sing at all.

Image by Mary Forrestal

Image by Larry Hickey

Starlings and Mockingbirds imitate songs of other songbirds and may imitate other sounds as well.

Image by Daniel Lee Brown

DAN_BROWN_NOMO_SAC_CO_CA_2015-01-21_DAN_2500_2887.jpg

Image by Daniel Lee Brown

There are some birds that do not have either calls or songs. These include storks, pelicans, and some species of vultures. However, most birds do have calls and many have both calls and songs.

Birds do not have a good sense of smell and must depend on vision and hearing for their survival. Therefore, their calls and songs are extremely important for communication out in the wild. There are other kinds of sounds that some birds make that aid in communication. Woodpeckers peck at or “drum” on trees. Here is the drumming of a Nuttell’s Woodpecker.

Nuttals Woodpecker nesting Fair Oaks.JPG

Image by Larry Hickey

 

Other birds make sounds with their wings or tails that help them communicate with one another. Here is the sound the male Anna’s Hummingbird makes with its tail feathers during an aerial dive display.

 
Anna's Hummingbird Lincoln MF2.JPG

Image by Mary Forrestal

Want to learn more about Bird Songs? Check out these great resources:

  • The recordings of bird songs and calls used in this article were originally shared on xeno-canto.

  • This video from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

  • The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has this interactive page of birds and their songs.

  • This article from National Audubon has some fantastic owl sounds.

Meet the Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing 2.jpg

Cedar Waxwing, Image by Ray Rozema

Cedar Waxwings are delightful birds and fairly common here in the Sacramento Valley. Most of the time, they fly in flocks and often show up in our yards. Cedar Waxwings are very social birds. There have been several reports of waxwings seen passing berries, one-by-one, down a row of birds! By using this technique, several birds obtained food that was difficult to reach. 

In the summer, Cedar Waxwings nest all across Canada and in the northern most states. But in fall and winter, many fly south in large flocks into the central and southern parts of the U.S. They can fly as far south as Central America and the northern part of South America. Cedar Waxwings do not have set migration routes. They fly in search of food, wherever it takes them.

What does a Cedar Waxwing look like?

Cedar Waxwings are a treat to see because they are very unique-looking. Both males and females look alike. Adult birds have a group of pointed feathers on top of their heads, which is called a crest. A bold black color covers their eyes and faces and resembles a mask. They have pale yellow abdomens, gray upper tail and wing areas, brown heads, chests, and necks, and have bright yellow band on the tip of their otherwise dark tails. Young birds also have these yellow tail tips; but they look different from their parents. They have streaky bodies and do not have dark masks (or only have faintly colored masks). Often on Cedar Waxwings, you can see a wax-like red (or orange) substance on the tips of a particular set of flight feathers. This unusual and brightly-colored substance on their wings is why they are called waxwings. The color is related to the kind of berries the Waxwing has been eating! 

Image by Chris Conard

Cedar Waxwing, Image by Chris Conard

What does the Cedar Waxwing eat?

Cedar Waxwings love berries and can remain healthy by eating only berries for several months of the year. Most other bird species need a more varied diet. Cedar Waxwings move around from location to location in search of berries and eat the berries by swallowing them whole! Waxwings have the anatomy to do this; humans do not, so please don’t try this yourself. Cedar Waxwings also enjoy other fruits, including apples and cherries, and they eat insects and cedar cones too.

Image by Larry Hickey

Cedar Waxwings, Image by Larry Hickey

How do Cedar Waxwings make their nests?

Even though a pair will search for a nest site together, it's the female Cedar Waxwing that makes the final decision on where the nest will be constructed. The nest site is usually in a fork or “v” of two branches. The nest is woven with twigs, grasses, cattail down, blossoms, string, and horsehair, and many other materials. Imagine this….. it takes more than 2,500 trips to the nest and 5-6 days before the nest is finally completed! It is also common to see several nests, or colonies, fairly close together in the same tree. This species is truly quite social and cooperative with one another. You can see a picture of a Cedar Waxwing on her nest at the USGS website.

What do Cedar Waxwings sound like?

Even though they are classified as songbirds, Cedar Waxwings do not have a song! They only make a few call notes. Their calls are generally heard when they are flying and have been described as a thin, high-pitched whistle or trill. Because Cedar Waxwings usually fly in flocks, you often hear lots of them calling together. Two terms have been given for a flock of Cedar Waxwings. One is an “ear-full.” You may come to understand the first term, “ear-full,” after listening to them. You can click on the box below to listen now. The second term for a flock of Cedar Waxwings is a “museum.” Perhaps this is because they are such attractive-looking birds. What do you think?

This recording of the Cedar Waxwing is from xeno-canto. More Cedar Waxwing vocalizations can be found at xeno-canto.org/species/Bombycilla-cedrorum.


So if you have never noticed or seen Cedar Waxwings, hopefully you will sometime soon. Listen for their calls and then look high in the trees around you. Perhaps they are perched there enjoying a fabulous meal.

Meet the Dark-eyed Junco

Dark-eyed Junco, Image by Daniel Brown

Dark-eyed Junco, Image by Daniel Lee Brown

Now here is a bird you may often see in your own yards, the Dark-eyed Junco! It is a member of the sparrow family. They are frequently seen feeding on the ground and sometimes make ticking-like calls as they fly up to trees or bushes. This species is one of the most common birds on the continent; but you will only see them here in the Sacramento Valley from Fall through Spring. In summer, they nest and raise their young in coniferous forests or mixed woodlands, both to the west and east of us and also in Canada and Alaska. There are a few populations of Dark-eyed Juncos which live in other areas of the U.S. that do not migrate and stay in their areas all year long! Most Dark-eyed Juncos do migrate, however, and can be seen throughout much of the U.S. in the winter. They primarily eat seeds but during the nesting season will eat insects as well.

One of the interesting things about this bird is that its color patterns can be very different from bird to bird. Their appearance may make you believe that they are not the same species; but in fact they are. They have “coats” of many colors! (Hint: you can often suspect that you have spotted a Dark-eyed Junco when you observe their white outer tail feathers as they fly away.)

Dark-eyed Junco, Image by Ray Rozema

Dark-eyed Junco, Image by Ray Rozema

Female Dark-eyed Junco,
Image by Mary Forrestal

It’s the female that chooses the nest site and builds most of the nest. The nest site is usually on sloping ground, a low rock face, or amid the tangled roots of an upturned tree. Nests are sometimes in trees; but usually no higher than 10 feet. Males sing from treetops to defend their nesting territory. When around people, juncos may nest in or underneath buildings. Both parents help feed the young. Young birds leave the nest 9-13 days after hatching! 

Go outside and look on the ground in your backyard today. You may very well see a Dark-eyed Junco! 

Here are the calls and songs that Dark-eyed Juncos make:

These songs and calls of the Dark-eyed Junco are from xeno-canto. More Dark-eyed Junco vocalizations can be found at xeno-canto.org/species/Junco-hyemalis.

Kids' Christmas Bird Count

For more than 100 years, birders all over the world have looked forward to December, the time of the Christmas Bird Counts. Data gathered from these counts, or CBCs as they are known, is enormously valuable to scientists and other researchers regarding the abundance and distribution of the world’s bird species.

Read more about last year’s Kids’ and Teen CBCs.

Read more about last year’s Kids’ and Teen CBCs.

This year, the pandemic has changed this long tradition. The Kids’ and Teen CBCs for the Sacramento Area have been cancelled. However, while disappointing, this does not mean that children and their families must give up counting birds this winter. Instead, your family can choose a site: a backyard, a nearby park, a school yard, a nature center such as Effie Yeaw, and count the birds you see at that site. There are many options where one might find wintering birds in the Sacramento area.

To be consistent with past CBC dates, you’ll want to count birds the first weekend in January, that is January 2nd or 3rd. Count all the birds you see and keep track of them. This can be for half an hour or all day. Hopefully, you will want to enter them in the citizen science database, eBird. Check out the videos below to learn more about eBird. And if you need help identifying the birds you see, we recommend Merlin Bird ID. You can learn more about Merlin below as well.

Participating in this year’s Christmas Bird Count is a great way to engage with nature and spend some fun time outside. Enjoy!

Introduction to eBird

eBird Tutorial

 

Merlin Bird ID

 

Meet the Hermit Thrush

Hermit Thrush.JPG

Hermit Thrush, Image by Larry Hickey

Every fall, birdwatchers in the Sacramento area look forward to the arrival of the Hermit Thrush. The Hermit Thrush migrates from several northern states (including Alaska) and Canada. The species comes to our area because food is more available and to enjoy the milder winter climate.  Hermit Thrushes are in the same family group as the Robin. Just like Robins, Hermit Thrushes like to eat berries, insects, and sometimes invertebrates.  

Can you see the triangle spots on the bird’s breast?

Can you see the triangle spots on the bird’s breast?

The Hermit Thrush often perches in one spot for a while; so you can frequently get a good look at it. There is nothing flashy or colorful about the Hermit Thrush. They are a grayish-brown bird that has triangular-shaped little spots on their breast and have reddish-brown tails. However, their sweet nature appeals to many who spot them. Often people refer to them as being their favorite bird.

Many think that the song of the Hermit Thrush is one of the most beautiful of all bird songs. Sadly, in the Sacramento area, we don’t hear them sing all that often. Hermit Thrushes usually save their delightful song for when they are in their breeding grounds, which are to the north and east of us. However, you CAN hear their calls here. Many species of birds have both songs and calls. You can listen to the Hermit Thrush’s song and calls below:

This is one of the calls that the Hermit Thrush makes


This is another call of the Hermit Thrush

This is the song of the Hermit Thrush


These songs and calls of the Hermit Thrush are from xeno-canto. More Hermit Thrush vocalizations can be found at xeno-canto.org/species/Catharus-guttatus.

So now, perhaps it’s time for you and your family to go out and see if you can find (or hear) a Hermit Thrush! Good luck!

Northern Mockingbird – The Great Imitator

Did you know that a bird can imitate the sounds of other birds?

Although many species of bird imitate other birds, the Northern Mockingbird is the best known in North America for doing it. It can learn up to as many as 200 sounds. It imitates not only birds but also other animals and mechanical sounds such as a car alarm and lawn  mowers, a gate opening. Scientist cannot say for certain why  mockingbirds mimic the sounds of birds, other animals, or objects. Click here for a sample of some of the sounds you may hear.

 

Why do mockingbirds sing through the night?

In addition to being good mimics, mockingbirds are also some of the loudest and most constantly vocal of birds. They often sing through the night, or when the moon is full. Do you ever wonder why the mockingbird sings at night when most birds sleep? Wouldn’t you think that the  bird would be announcing his exact location to every cat on the block? Doesn’t the volume generated by the cacophony of loud sounds from the bird’s diaphragm and breast muscles take a lot of energy and rob the mockingbird of energy it needs to hunt for food for himself and his family? Some research has discovered that a  “sonic sparring” is happening between principalities within a neighborhood, each of which produces their food and provides the shelter they need forever. So the next time you are awakened in the early morning hours by a chorus of non-stop songs from a male mockingbird, remember it may not only be to attract a mate, but to protect its turf!

Fun Facts About Hummingbirds

Q: Have you ever wondered what a hummingbird’s colorful patch of throat feathers is called?

A: The feathers are called a “gorget” (pronounced gor-git). The term comes from a period when a knight-in-armor wore a metallic collar – or gorget to protect his throat. The gorget is found on many males, particularly those found in North America, and they are iridescent. 

Hummingbird at Fountain 2.JPG

Q: What fountains do hummingbirds prefer?

A: Hummingbirds prefer places that are easy for them to perch and take advantage of the water. Fountains with small bubblers and rough textures such as slate slabs. These are best options because they give the birds plenty of space to access the water where they feel safe and comfortable.

Hummingbirds also love to drink from water hoses.

Hummingbird with hose2.JPG
Hummingbird with Hose.JPG

Q: How can I attract more hummingbirds to my backyard?

A: Grow native plants that have lots of nectar to attract these energetic birds. Nectar is a sweet, liquid substance produced by the flowers of plants.  It is made in glands of the plants called nectaries. Hummingbirds need this  sweet (sugar) solution to fuel their high energy lifestyle. Did you know that they flap their wings around 60 times per second, have hearts that beat on average 1,200 times per minute, and stick their tongue in and out of a feeder 13 times per second?

A common trait that many nectar producing plants have is that they are long and tubular. Examples include red columbine, bee balm, trumpet honeysuckle, cardinal flower, and red buckeye. Insects have a hard time reaching the nectars in these types of flowers; but hummingbirds with their long beaks and tongues, are perfectly adapted.

Q: How long do hummingbirds live?

A: Depending on the species hummingbirds live on average 3 to 5 years; but have been known to live up to 12 years.

Anna’s Hummingbird on Nest by Larry Hickey

Anna’s Hummingbird on Nest by Larry Hickey

Q: What do hummingbirds make their nests out of ?

A: Common items used to build hummingbird nests includes spider silk/ webs, lichens, moss, bark fragments, leaves, feathers, fur, and plant fibers.

Planting a Seed

Northern Flicker, William Pond Recreation Area by Gesna Clarke

Northern Flicker, William Pond Recreation Area by Gesna Clarke

Planting seeds in kids to recognize, respect and appreciate nature begins at an early age and in your own backyard. Kids are naturally curious; so what better place than the backyard to start a conversation about birds and ways to create and maintain a healthy and safe environment for local birds who consider your yard their home or birds who drop by during seasonal migration.

Prepare a birding tool kit that includes binoculars, pencils, note and sketch pads, and  birding field or activity guide to help your kids get started.

Below are a few recommended field and activity guides for kids of different ages.

Help your kids learn to respect birds and their habitat. One example is by modeling how to quietly observe a bird’s behavior from a distance, so the bird is not frightened and flies away.

Work with your kids and explore ways to support birds who live in or stopover at your backyard.   

  • Build a birdhouse or bird feeder

  • Identify a corner in the yard to start a kids’ native plant garden. The garden will attract more birds to the yard

  • Build a DIY water source in one or two locations in your backyard.

What other things can you and your kids do to create a bird friendly community in your own backyard? Put on your thinking cap and start planting those seeds to introduce your kids to the wonderful world of birding!

Exploring Nature from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife

California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Laura Drath, Nature Bowl Coordinator, has provided the pdfs below. These pdfs include several activities to encourage students to stay connected to nature in their neighborhoods.

Activities and Resources

Life Forms

Human Life Forms

Students are encouraged to send their completed activities, photos of their nature journals and observations, or anything else they’d like to share. They can email these directly to the CDFW. With permission, CDFW will share some of their work on their website. CA Fish and Wildlife are eager to see what students come up with and how they are learning about and enjoying nature in their neighborhoods!  

4th Annual Teen Christmas Bird Count Jan. 5, 2020

Twenty teens, parents, and leaders eagerly trekked the trails of William B. Pond Recreational Area in search of birds in the fog - a perfect time to learn how to listen for birds. 

As the walk wrapped up, the fog was burning off and we found we had a total of 59 species of birds, 11 of them being new to this count. 

Thank you to Teen Leaders/Mentors:  Craig DeMartini, Cliff Hawley, David Rosen, Sandra Steurer, and Jane Van Kessel, who made the bird world very engaging to our teens and their families. 

We ate lunch at our traditional Mexican restaurant and had our drawing for door prizes.  Thank you to the SAS membership for donating so many exciting items to choose from.  What a good way to get our teens started in the study and appreciation of birds. 

Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
Image by Larry Hickey

Trip highlights mentioned by participants included:  seeing a Cooper’s and Sharp-Shinned Hawk for comparison, flashy color on Ruby-Crowned Kinglets, Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers, very cute Bufflehead, and seeing deer swimming in the river as they crossed.  Notable finds were:  Greater White-Fronted Geese and Pine Siskins flying over, a lone Gadwall, Yellow-Billed Magpies, a Hermit Thrush, and Phainopepla.

Bufflehead, Image by Ray Rozema

Bufflehead,
Image by Ray Rozema

by Wendy Warren Money