Baltimore Oriole
Those Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) do love to stay high in the canopy of trees, and often enough all you can do is catch a quick glance of orange and black zipping by. If you know their call you probably end up hearing them far more than seeing them. This adult male did give me a minute to snap his shot as he came down to the mid-levels. He and his mate were busy feeding, and I presume they have a nest and eggs already on the way. If you have a pair in your neighborhood and would like an even better viewing opportunity then I suggest putting out half of an orange or two in your yard....
Read MoreAmerican Tree Sparrow
Hello, winter! This little blast of frozen precipitation and cold is not going to last for long, but it is a big reminder of what season we are actually in. I thought this American Tree Sparrow (Spizella arborea) looked like a classic winter photo, with low light and a chilly feeling on appropriately bare branches for a wintering species. Do you have any in your yard or at your bird feeders? We are nearly to the New Year when those birding lists will be starting over once again… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreTufted Titmouse
Entering the holiday season also means that we are getting into feeding season in our yards as our little songbird friends turn to us for an extra snack or two. Are your bird feeders set up and filled with food yet? The Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) is one of the more curious, frequent and friendly backyard birds, looking to drop down on feeders for a big sunflower seed to take and crack apart. The species also hoards food, taking some of what you put out and storing it somewhere for later. Who knows, maybe you were planning a winter vacation – they want to be prepared! If you...
Read MoreCooper’s Hawk
I have been posting many photos of migrant songbirds lately, and here is one of their predators – the Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii). This raptor of the forest is an extremely agile and talented flier, able to navigate through thick woodlands in pursuit of prey. You may recognize them from your yard as they are frequent bird feeder guests, targeting hungry passerines. They seem to be less adept at capturing prey in open areas like this one, unable to fully utilize their maneuverability and relative speed as they do in more dense habitat to surprise and outwit songbirds. This...
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