Bejeweled Journeyer
If you look closely, you will notice a metal band on the leg of this young Ruby-throated Hummingbird. It serves to identify unique individuals of these tiny birds and allows biologists to track their migration path. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds breed in the eastern USA during the summer, but they spend the winter in lower Central America. This bird was banded on an RTPI project in western Costa Rica and returned to the same site a year later, after it had made another successful trip to North America – a journey of at least 4,000 miles. Impressive for a bird that weighs not much more than a...
Read MoreWild America Nature Festival July 29th & 30th
The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History (RTPI) and Panama Rocks Scenic Park will co-host the first annual Wild America Nature Festival at Panama Rocks on July 29th & 30th. The festival will feature nationally-renowned speakers; a juried fine nature art and craft show and competition; a local food cook-off competition and farmer’s market; live music; live animals, and classes, workshops, and fun activities for all ages! Art lovers will not want to miss the festival’s Wild America Fine Nature Art and Craft Show & Competition, which will feature 40 local,...
Read MoreAmerican Redstart Changing into Fall Plumage
Many of our migratory birds are on their second or third brood for the season already and slowly are starting to prepare for their journey south. Most flashy warblers molt out of their brightly colored breeding plumage in the next few weeks and will start migration once all flight feathers are grown in to the point that they can safely sustain their long journey. Although we have not quite reached Roger Tory Peterson’s notorious “Confusing Fall Warblers” level of alternate plumage yet, the first signs are here. Even though this male American Redstart still displays its characteristic black...
Read MoreWILD AMERICAN SKIES
It was a young Roger Tory Peterson’s close encounter with a Northern Flicker right here in Jamestown which ignited his love for birds. The wild birds of North America were at the heart of his passion for nature and were the impetus for the actions he took to preserve our living world. Venerated for embodying freedom, grace, and beauty in flight, birds inspire a deeper connection with nature and evoke a fascination with exceeding the limits of our earthbound human existence. This summer there are many opportunities to meet and be inspired by these wonderful animals in Chautauqua County. Roger...
Read MoreRose-breasted Grosbeak
This is a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheuticus ludovicianus) photographed by RTPI President Twan Leenders in his backyard in Jamestown, NY. These are medium-sized songbirds with heavy, seed-crushing bills. In his ‘Field Guide to Birds of North America’, Roger Tory Peterson described their song as resembling that of the American Robin, but delivered with more feeling! Have you seen any at your backyard feeders this spring?
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