Articles on Birding

Need Help with raising/releasing Cedar Waxwings

sgands — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:05:00 GMT

Can anyone tell me if it is the norm for Cedar waxwings to nest in September in North East PA? I am concerned as to when and where to release the babies I have raised to flegling age. They are doing well, but I am concerned about when to release and if they will survive the cold temps here. I was considering releasing them at a friends house in Charlottesville, VA but have recently noticed that there are trees all around my property with little blue berries. I haven't been able to spot any other Waxwings since their parents tried to find the tree I mistakedly cut down on 9/5/09--they didn't find the nest....so I have been raising them. They are now eating mostly fruit and today I left them berries from those trees to see what happens

I am also concerned about when to release them---if I could fly around and feed them in the trees and shrubs I think they could go now....but only one seems really ready...and there are at least three good hunting cats in my area...so my plan at the moment is to acclement them to the surrounding area by my bird feeders in their cage and give them some flying time outside there cage in my spare room where I made a make shit perch by the window and a tree for them (branch of the tree i cut in a flower pot). I am feeding them less and giving them more fly (free) time.

After all my work and getting them this far....I would hate for them not to make it....

Loving bird caretaker

Tweety turns 65 this week

Matt — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:19:53 GMT

Received this from a friend of mine. Interesting what age will do to a bird.

Cedar Waxwings in So CA

Curlybird — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 22:11:20 GMT

I am in Irvine, CA (So CA) and would really really like to add a Cedar Waxwing to my life list (including a photo). Can anyone tell me what type of habitats they are usually found? Or if any of you are in So CA, do you know any good hotspots to find them?

a LOL bird moment

Matt — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 03:14:32 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T1vfsHYiKY

fast pigeons

Matt — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 04:31:21 GMT

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2009-09-09-pigeon-faster_N.htm

human carried ants impact birds

Matt — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:30:55 GMT

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/47358/title/Ants_in_the_pants_drive_away_birds

Chinese water torture on the environment.

raptor ate humans

Matt — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:30:45 GMT

This would be great, think of going birding and not coming back...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090911/ap_on_sc/as_sci_new_zealand_killer_eagle

Maybe there is hope for the ivory billed too

Matt — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:23:25 GMT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8250000/8250215.stm

A parrot the size of a hummer...

Matt — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 06:59:17 GMT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8236000/8236410.stm

Bird videos

Carolann — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:38:57 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/show?p=S3vPSi1o5nM My son sent me this link for a series about birds done by the BBC. It is fabulous and free. Check it out.

Carolann

incestuous peregrine falcons

Matt — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:29:52 GMT

Thought you might enjoy this letter I got today. Interesting stuff.

Hello Friends,

I hope each of you are well and enjoying the outdoors during this summertime. I have have been in my "office" observing Peregrine Falcons every day since March '09. By choice I spend every day, all day, outside in one of the worlds most beautiful coastal areas, observing wild Peregrine Falcons. I also enjoy the privilege of hanging out with some of the finest people in our world, the San Diego City Lifeguards. I count myself as one very fortunate man.

I am sure many of you are aware of the Peregrine eyrie (nest) at Torrey Pines. It has been well publicized since last year historic fledging event. This year the Peregrines at Torrey Pines, Sid and Xena. moved their eyrie to a hole much higher up on the cliffs. Last years eyrie was only 60 feet above the beach and there was always human activity just below the site. Xena and Sid's new site is at a much higher elevation, in a sandstone hole that I investigated along with Scott Francis back in 2006. This year I observed both Peregrines in and around their new eyrie and took a photos of them in March (see attached photo). From April up to last week, 3 volunteer observers helped me monitor the site. They each kept notes of Peregrine activities. Thanks to their efforts I can report the following good news; Xena and Sid produced 4 new Peregrines, 1 tiercel (male) and 3 falcons (females). They started fledging on May 17, the male fledgling being first out of the eyrie by jumping down to another hole in the cliff below the eyrie. After fledging the young Peregrines flew to the top of the bluffs and were observed and photographed by many visitors to the Guy Fleming trail over the last several weeks. All four fledglings are now in dispersal mode, expanding their flight range and seeking out their own territory, far from their parents .

At my main monitoring site (my office), I monitored the Peregrines, Sid and Nancy, everyday, all day for 80 days. They successfully produced one falcon (female) that fledged on June 9, at 42 days old. Lots of you are probably wondering just like myself, why just one fledgling? Early in the incubation phase, there was a juvenile "intruder falcon" that made several forays into their eyrie. This intruder falcon always showed up when Sid was taking his turn incubating the egg(s). The intruder falcon actually landed in the eyrie, forcing Sid out, then it would walk around (looking for scraps of food). Sid would fly out and dive bomb the the eyrie site, sometimes forcing the intruder falcon to fly out, where he would engage it in mid-air chases and combat . This intruder showed up four different times during egg incubation. It is very possible that while this intruder falcon was in the eyrie that it walked on and broke eggs. We will never know because there was never any Investigative nest entry this year (to band the eyase and collect egg shell fragments). Images of the intruder Falcon and Sid can be see on my website, under the "New" Intruder Falcon gallery.

The most interesting Peregrine Falcon news to occur this year was the discovery of a new coastal eyrie up in LA county. The adult Peregrines breeding at this site are Portia and Edge, who were born at my La Jolla site in 2007! Yes that's right, brother and sister, the first scientifically documented Incestuous mating pair of Peregrine Falcons here in California. Their photos (showing their band numbers) were posted on an Internet nature photography site. I was informed about the photos by Jeff Sipple (who has been banding Peregrines in LA and OC for 25 plus years). Shortly thereafter I got in touch with the photographer who took the photos. He not only invited me to his home, but he and a friend both agreed to monitor the new site and keep a nesting chronology, and photo-document the Peregrine activities. I spent one day at this site and observing both Portia and Edge. We watched as they copulated a few different times during the day. The result of their mating is two beautiful fledglings, one tiercel and one falcon. They are now in dispersal mode.

You can view much of my Peregrine Falcon observations on my newly updated website www.sharpeyesonline.com. Please take time to view the home page slide show, as I think you will enjoy the variety of images. If you click on the "Portfolio" button you will see that I have created several new galleries that show various types of Peregrine Falcon behavior. I have also posted new Red-tail Hawk, Northern Harrier, Wetland and Shorebird galleries. You can view larger photos and read detailed descriptions of some on my images by going to the "Links" page and clicking on my Flickr Blog.

I want to thank each of you has have made purchases from my website Storefront, supporting my volunteer work. Also a special thank you to Ruth and Gene for your financial and moral support this past year. I hope each of you will consider visiting my storefront and purchasing a photo, giclee on canvas or other gift product. If you do not find the image you would like please contact me and I will make sure it gets put up in the Storefront. I will also consider "custom" print request and photo assignments. Thank you for supporting my work.

I wish each of you the best and hope you all take the time to get outside and observe nature.

Cheers, Will

P.S. Attached are photos from my website and one that is on display a the SD Natural History Museum "Best of Nature" photography show.

www.sharpeyesonline.com

"It is not enough to understand the natural world; the point is to defend and preserve it" Edward Abbey

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better" Albert Einstein

Why flamingoes stand on one leg

Matt — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:34:21 GMT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8197000/8197932.stm

35 MPH through 2"

Matt — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:47:11 GMT

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/5931521/Photograph-swallow-flies-through-two-inch-gap-at-35-miles-per-hour.html

Ebird appeal to birders

Jim Penny — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:23:35 GMT

Folks,

As has been discussed before, there is a tool that can be very helpful to you for recording and retaining your observations, for sharing your observations, and for getting news of other subjects and activities of interest to a birder.

Ebird has pointed out that there are sections of the country and areas within a State that have very little to no documented observations. Our efforts in submitting observations can help the overall study and protection of birds.

Try signing up for free and start using the Site. It can be accessed at : http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

Bird Intelligence

andrewmoquin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:14:33 GMT

The level of intelligence in birds, as a scientific inquiry, has not been as thoroughly researched as similar questions regarding primates and other mammals.

However, there is a general belief that they are more intelligent, as a class, than the reptiles, and that many species are just as intelligent as mammals of comparable size.

Because birds lack forelimbs with which to modify their surroundings, it is often difficult to test for intelligence as we would define it for mammals.

Traditionally, biological science has maintained that most actions performed by birds that may indicate intelligence are merely ingrained instinctual behaviours and that birds are unable to learn.

While parrots have the distinction of being able to mimic human speech, studies with the African Grey Parrot have shown that some are able to associate words with their meanings and form simple sentences.

Along with parrots, the crows, ravens, and jays (family Corvidae) are perhaps the most intelligent of birds. read more

House Sparrows Endangered !!!!

thekiwi — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:35:18 GMT

The cuckoo has become one of Britain's most threatened birds, joining a red list of the 52 most vulnerable species.

Others on the list, which now accounts for 21% of all Britain's bird species, include the lapwing, yellow wagtail, the house sparrow and the starling.

The 2009 list was published by the RSPB charity on behalf of a range of conservation bodies like the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and the British Trust for Ornithology.

The last survey was compiled in 2002.

The RSPB said the continued decline of widespread farmland and woodland birds is a theme which has developed since then.

Lapwing, a formerly widespread wading bird, and the hawfinch, a woodland bird largely confined to England, have both joined the red list in the latest assessment.

"An increasing number of charismatic, widespread and familiar birds are joining the list of those species most in need of help; this is scandalous," said Mark Avery, the RSPB's Conservation Director.

"When the RSPB was formed 120 years ago, few would have been concerned about the cuckoo, lapwing, starling or house sparrow.

"Now these birds are some of our greatest conservation priorities. Most shocking is the more recently observed and drastic decline of summer-visiting birds, typified by the cuckoo."

Other visitors at risk include the wood warbler, and tree pipit.

Their addition to the red list is highlighting the concern that many long-distance migratory birds nesting in Europe and wintering in Africa are increasingly in trouble, the RSPB said.

Three species of seabird join the list for the first time.

The Balearic shearwater - a smaller relative of the albatross - visits Britain from its Mediterranean breeding grounds regularly each autumn.

This seabird, which the RSPB said is thought to face a higher risk of global extinction even than the giant panda, is the rarest bird to regularly occur in the UK.

Highlighting concerns about the fortunes of seabirds around the northern coasts of the British Isles, the Arctic skua has joined the red list, as has the familiar herring gull.

However, six species: the stone-curlew, woodlark, quail, Scottish crossbill, bullfinch and reed bunting, have been removed from the 2002 red list, largely because of a recovery in their numbers or range, or a better understanding of their populations.

Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers

spottedowl — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:38:00 GMT

Another way to tell the difference between Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers is to look at their tail feathers. The Downy has bars or spots on the feathers, whereas the Hairy doesn't.

This method isn't very useful if you can't see the white tail feathers clearly , though.

Having lunch from lunch's perspective

Birdie Num Nums — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:00:39 GMT

I've always wanted to see what this would look like. Check the link here. Talk about not knowing what hit you. what's the bird?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/15/amazing-video-of-fish-bei_n_167116.html

Juvenile? Immature?

NightWing521 — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:01:23 GMT

Many checklists and birdbooks talk about these words as if they have distinct meanings, but I've never been able to find a definition for them.

Does anyone know the 'birding' meaning of these two words? Sources, please.

NightWing

Need info on wild Green-cheeked Conures

gertie — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:38:16 GMT

Sorry to bug everyone with a parrot question, but I have a Green-cheeked Conure and I've looked all over the place for a good source of info on their natural/native food sources, nesting, mating, etc., and can't find one with anything more than the most basic info. The most I know is their natural range in South America.

Can anyone point me to a good source of info? I want to give him as natural, happy and satified a life as I possibly can. He's my friend and I love him very much. :-)

Thanks! Have a great weekend!

:-)

Flying Penguins!!

joshc — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 01:39:09 GMT

Here is a little laugh for ya.....Flying Penguins!!!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2008/04/01/video-exclusive-first-ever-images-of-the-world-s-only-flying-penguins-89520-20369322/

Question about certain terms used commonly in bird species' names....

MoJoWaxSwinger — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:53:20 GMT

I have always wondered what certain words/terms mean in the birding world. Not terms used to describe or anything, terms used in the species acutal name.

These are the ones I want to know...

-Semipalamated

-Ferriginous

-Pied

-Pileated

Anyone know what they describe??

Also, how does one pronounce these words...

-Pileated...... is it PILE-ated? Or PIE-lated? Or PIE-elated?

-Ibis...... is is EYE-biss?? Or IB-is??

Thanks guys.... just trying to increase my bird knowledge.... One day, I will be teaching people this stuff! When I am in Costa Rica with the Honeycreepers and Trogans and Queztals I will remember all I learned on Whatbird.wom in my first year of birding. (I am actually hoping to go to Costa Rica in January to volunteer my time to help protect and preserve the habitiat or the extremly endangered Harlequin Toad.....I don't know if I have been selected yet).

My second semester (only 3 years inbetween the first and second....) starts in Sept. and I can not wait to dig into Bio 201, Conservation Tech...and an elective at SCSU (southern CT) about birding/ornithology with highly regarded CT birder.... don't ask for the name though! =) (I forget things....)

World Mirgratory Bird Day

WMBD — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:59:55 GMT

Perhaps some of you bird enthusitasts might be interested in this one:

World Migratory Bird Day 2008

This year’s WMBD on 10 – 11 May will focus on the theme “Migratory Birds – Ambassadors for Biodiversity’. The event, which has taken place in May for three years running, is a global awareness campaign that aims to inspire people to take action for the conservation of migratory birds.

Birds are some of the best indicators for the status and trends of biodiversity around the world, as they inhabit virtually all the ecosystems in the world. Throughout their annual cycle, migratory birds cross many countries and continents, some of them from the tundra to the tropics, linking different ecosystems. By conserving them and their environment, we ensure the conservation of biodiversity on a wider scale.

If you want to participate in World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) and learn more about some of the interesting activities being planned all over the world please have a look at: www.worldmigratorybirdday.org

Two NEW Species!!!

joshc — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:06:57 GMT

Two new species of birds has been discovered!!!! One is a dazzling brush-finch from Columbia, and the other a very spectacular babbler from India. I have provided links to some pages with pics of these amazing birds!!

The new brush-finch >>> http://www.proaves.org/article.php?id_article=232

The new babbler >>> http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/09/060912-new-bird.html