Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Golden-winged Warbler

Golden-winged Warbler
 The golden-winged warbler is a colorful songbird that nests in the Eastern United States. They breed in tangles and shrubby habitats with a lot of cover. They nest on the ground usually using a plant to support the nest. The nest is typically made up of leaves, grasses, bark and other vegetation. The birds will often fly with food to fake nest sites to keep predators from locating the nest. They typically produce one brood per year. Once the youngsters fledge the family will typically move to a more mature forest habitat for the remainder of the summer then head down to Central and northern South America for the winter.
Golden-winged Warbler
 The population of the Golden-winged warbler has been decreasing by roughly 8% per year for the last 45 years. Like many bird species habitat loss is one of the primary causes of their population decrease. In particular the loss of shrub-scrub habitat for breeding has had a devastating effect. Females are also very sensitive to human disturbance and may abandon the nest when there are people around. Finally the golden-winged has also been hybridizing with the similar blue-winged warbler creating two unique plumages, the Brewster's and Lawrence warblers. The golden-winged warbler is very important here in Minnesota because approximately half of the remaining world population nests in northern Minnesota. The top photo was taken during migration in the southern part of the state and the bottom was taken on breeding territory in northern Minnesota.



Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Fox Sparrow

Fox Sparrow
 The fox sparrow is a large sparrow that is found in North America. They breed across northern Canada, Alaska and the western United States. They winter in the southern United States and along the Pacific Coast. Here in Minnesota we only see them during migration. To me fox sparrows are a sign that spring is not far off. They are one of the earlier migrants that I see. Actually I usually hear them much more often then I see them. Fox sparrows often forage through the old leaf piles exposed by the melting snow searching for seeds and insects to eat.
Fox Sparrow
Fox sparrows get their common name from their red color which is similar to that of the red fox. The truth is however, that there are different variations of fox sparrows living in different geographical regions. There are people that do consider them 4 different species. Most fox sparrows are considered red fox sparrows. These are the brightest in color and found throughout most of Canada and Alaska. The sooty version of the fox sparrow are darker and more brown then red. They are found along the Pacific Coast of Canada and Alaska. The slate-colored fox sparrow has a gray head and back and are found in the Rocky Mountain Region. The final version is the thick-billed which have a thicker bill then the others and are found in California.



Thursday, February 13, 2014

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Eastern Bluebird


Eastern Bluebird
The eastern bluebird is a small brightly colored song bird that is found in the eastern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America. Birds living in the northern portion of the range are migratory and head south for the winter. Birds living in the southern portion of the range are year round residents. Eastern bluebirds prefer open habitat with some trees but very little undergrowth. They are often found in areas close to people, such as parks, golf courses, and farm fields. Because of this, and their bright color, they are commonly recognized by many people. They are also the state bird of Missouri and New York.
Eastern Bluebird
 Eastern bluebirds are cavity nesters. They nest in woodpecker excavations, tree cavities or nesting boxes. The female builds the nest by herself and it is made up primarily of grasses. Both parents help to raise the young and they often have two broods per year. They eat primarily insects, dropping down from a perch to grab an insect on the ground or snatch it from the air. They also eat berries and fruit, particularly during the winter when insects can not be found. Occasionally they will take larger prey such as a lizard or small snake.



Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Dickcissel

Dickcissel
The dickcissel is a small songbird that breeds in the open fields and grasslands in the central portions of the United States from the Dakotas to Texas in the west and Ohio to Alabama in the east. Like many passerines the male dickcissel is much more brightly colored then the female. Immature males look more like the females and usually do not breed until they get their adult plumage.
Dickcissel
Dickcissels eat seeds and insects and so most migrate into Central America and northern South America during the winter. In the fall individuals join together into large flocks in staging areas around the US. As the migrating birds begin to move south the flocks join together into larger flocks. On their wintering grounds it is not unusual to find flocks of millions of birds wintering together. Not all dickcissel migrate though. Small numbers typically stay in southern portions of the breeding range where some food is still available. Dickcissel do breed in parts of Minnesota primarily the southern and western portions of the state where the habitat is more open and flat.