Cooper’s Hawk
I completely forgot to post these two photos of a young Cooper’s Hawk from last month, so here they are now. This individual was going after a Song Sparrow that had taken cover in a brush pile. It really seemed as if more accipiters remained in the Northeast during the extreme December record heat with more prey to find than usual in very cooperative weather conditions. What do you think is harder – hunting on a 60 degree sunny day with a light southerly breeze, or finding a meal when several inches of snow is falling in 20 degree temperatures with a bitter northerly flow? I...
Read MoreAmerican Goldfinch
This American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is still molting into its wintering look while enjoying the pine cones on this black pine tree. Though not native, black pines are a huge fall magnet for birds, and this one tree alone also had Black-capped Chickadee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and White-throated Sparrow in it. Will we be seeing conifers filled with White-winged and Red Crossbills soon? Or at least more Pine Siskins and Common Redpolls in the area? Perhaps so judging by how many American Goldfinch seem to have moved recently, and the reports of other finches to our north.
Read MoreTailless Song Sparrow
Considering it is migration time for our sparrows that usually means they are not undergoing a molt. They need those feathers to fly! This Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) looked like it was losing a few, though, and it certainly lost a tail. This can happen after a near miss from a predator… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreSongless Song Sparrow
This is the songless Song Sparrow, a member of the now much quieter species as we head out of the breeding season and into migration. It is almost frightening to have a sudden lack of song from these prolific singers. In only a couple months there will be hundreds upon hundreds filling up all sorts of earthy habitats around us, making me wonder – as always – what bird is of what subspecies and if we shouldn’t have more than one thing that we call a “Song Sparrow”…then again, Melospiza melodia works so well. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach...
Read MoreNonstop Song
How do Song Sparrows even have time to breed and raise young? All they do is sing, sing, and sing…
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