Purple Martins

 Masses of martins have begun returning to the trees by Nebraska Medical Center just south of  44th and Farnum Streets in Omaha.  This happens every year.  Each evening, the martins begin returning to these trees about half an hour before sunset, and numbers increase for about an hour as the birds settle into their roosting spots for the night. It is a spectacular sight, with tens of thousands of purple martins returning to the area each night through August and often into September – until all the birds have migrated. If you have the chance, stop in to watch it some evening.

Is fall migration starting early?

Yesterday a customer reported seeing her first hummingbird of the fall migration. Another reported seeing a junco. And at the Fontenelle Nature Association Bird Club meeting last night,  Rick Schmid  reported seeing a Black-Throated Green Warbler in Fontenelle Forest.  What are you seeing?

Red-winged Blackbirds

 

       In summer, Red-winged Blackbirds are commonly seen along rural roadsides. They particularly  seem to prefer wet ditches and marshy areas. Males are easily recognized by the red markings, called “epaulets,” on their wings. The male birds flash these epaulets when defending their territory and singing to attract a mate. They can also cover and hide their epaulets, which they do much of the time. This especially happens when a male is intruding on another male’s territory. Female Red-winged Blackbirds look nothing like their male counterparts. Consequently, they are often misidentified.  The female is brown-and-white streaked, with a brown bill and a white streak above each eye.
     Seeds  and insects make up the preponderance of Red-winged Blackbirds’ diets. They will also feed on some berries and small fruits. But during the breeding season, they eat mostly insects. These birds forage mostly while on the ground.
     Flocks of Canadian and northern U.S. Red-winged Blackbirds migrate south for the winter. Populations in the southern and western U.S. and Central America are not migratory. In winter, Red-winged Blackbirds can form huge concentrations, with up to a million birds roosting in one area at night. During the daytime, they will disperse from the roosting area in search of food.
     Male Red-winged Blackbirds are one of the most polygamous of all bird species. As many as fifteen females have been observed to be nesting in the territory of one male, but on average a male will have approximately five females in its territory. Males fiercely defend their territories during breeding season.  They perch on a tall weed or other stalk and sing,  showing their epaulets. They do not hesitate to attack much larger animals, including  hawks, crows or people. Much of the male’s time is spent defending its territory from other males and predators.
     Female Red-winged Blackbirds build their nests in three to six days. The nest is an open cup made of vegetation, lined with fine grass and attached to tall weeds or grasses.  They usually lay three to four eggs and incubate them for 10-13 days. Both parents feed the hatchlings.The fledglings will leave the nest 11-14 days after hatching. Second broods are rare.

Bald Eagles

 

  Did you watch the wedcam video of the eagle’s nest in Decorah Iowa?  Bald Eagles live throughout a large part of North America, primarily in the U.S. and Canada, and are usually found near rivers and bodies of water. Numerous nests have been spotted in Iowa and Nebraska in recent years, mostly along or near water. They are opportunistic feeders and prefer to eat fresh fish, but will also take dead ones if they are available. When fish are scarce, they will eat birds, mammals and carrion.
     When hunting, Bald Eagles usually start from a high perch and glide down to catch their prey in its talons, sometimes in flight, sometimes on the ground. They are known to wade into shallow streams or rivers for fish. Occasionally, eagles are pulled into the water while trying to catch large fish, especially when there are many fish concentrated in an area. These birds are surprisingly good swimmers, using their wings to mimic a motion that is similar to the butterfly stroke.
     Although they usually hunt alone, Bald Eagles have been observed hunting in groups from time to time. When they do, one bird chases prey towards its hunting partner.
     Bald Eagle nests, usually found in very tall trees, are massive and can take months to build. They usually measure about 5 feet wide and 3 feet tall and are made of sticks and branches. They can be reused and added to from year to year. The biggest recorded Bald Eagle nest was about 9 feet wide and 18 feet tall.
     The female usually lays two eggs, sometimes one to three. Both parents incubate the eggs, and they are very careful around the eggs while in the nest. They will even clinch their toes to possibly prevent the eggs from being punctured by their talons.
     Babies hatch in about 35 to 46 days and one parents remains at the nest almost constantly at first. Both parents bring food for the young until they leave the nest in 10 to 12 weeks. Young eagles will still be fed for a month after fledging. 
     Juveniles gradually spend time on their own away from their parents and learn to hunt by trial and error. They may eat a lot of carrion, especially fish, till they master hunting live food. 

   Bald Eagles faced many perils in the 20th century, mostly due to human interactions. They have been on the ‘endangered species’ list and moved to the ‘threatened’ list. With breeding pair introductions in many states, their numbers have been increasing, but they still have a long way to go to reach their pre-20th century estimated population.

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks

I had a female rose-breasted grosbeak at the feeders in my suburban yard for a few days. Hence, this article.

     Say the name rose-breasted grosbeak and most non-birders look at you like you have either lost your mind or are saying something derogatory.  Those of you fortunate enough to have this delightful bird visit your birdfeeder or bath during the summer months, however, know that neither is the case.  Slightly smaller than a northern cardinal, this neotropic migrant calls the forests of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa home (western Nebraska is the home of the black-headed grosbeak).
     Like many songbirds, grosbeaks (“gros” referring to the large cardinal-like bill) are sexually dimorphic.  The male is adorned with a rose-colored chest, black head and back and a striking mix of white, black, and rose wings.  Meanwhile the female wears the drab browns, save for a splash of pink or salmon under each wing, of a bird intent on hiding herself,  nest and eggs or young from would-be predators.
     Upon arrival from the tropics, where they overwinter, males begin singing their robin-like melodic song from perches high in the trees, often hidden among the leaves.  They also have a distinctive, sharp call that sounds much like a squeaky hinge.  While males sing, females set about constructing the nest.  Comprised of twigs, leaves and grasses, the rather flimsy nest will become the home for 3-5 colorful eggs that will hatch in 13-14 days.  The young will leave their nest 9-12 days after hatching.  Due to a rather quick nesting cycle, pairs will often attempt a second brood during mid-summer.
     The diet of grosbeaks is a combination of insects, seeds and berries; therefore, it is possible to attract them to a feeder of sunflower seeds, in particular.  A bird bath is also a great way to attract these and many other species of summer breeding birds.
     Do you have a chance at seeing a rose-breasted grosbeak in your yard?  Well, if you live adjacent to or nearby a woodland or forest, the answer is yes.  If not, chances are not as good but by maintaining your feeding station during the summer and fall, you might catch a glimpse of one or more during the fall migration.  Regardless, find a forest or woodland during the summer and try and find this wonderful bird — you will not be disappointed!

Isn’t Spring Awesome?

Hummingbirds are here! So are many species of warblers, rose-breasted grosbeaks and many more species.

White-throated sparrows are here. My backyard was crawling with the last evening. They were singing this morning.

Indigo Buntings are here.

Brown thrashers are back in the Omaha area!

Orioles are here!