Feathered Friday: the Barred Owl

I'm a huge fan of the Barred Owl.  Luckily several live nearby and I frequently hear them call from the surrounding woods.  In my developing trilogy Of the Wing, I've owl-encounter scenes in both books 1 and 2.  And though I'd love to continue the tradition, Barred Owls don't live in Ireland, the setting for book 3. Guess I'll need to acquaint myself with some Irish owls.


Till next time . . . Keep birds in your heart!  And joins us next Friday to add another bird to your Online Life List!

Georgia Anne

Feathered Friday: the Northern Mockingbird

Want to become a birder but don't know how? Join me here every Friday--on Feathered Friday--where I'll post an online video featuring the bird of the week. Keep a running list of these birds to add to an Online Life List. Then when you identify the featured bird outside--in your yard, neighborhood, or park--add it to your actual Life List of birds seen or heard. "Collecting" birds is great fun, but more, you open your eyes and ears to a whole new world of beauty and song!

Some families of birds are easier to remember than others. For example, birds in the Family Mimidae are unforgettable because of their ability to mimic other bird songs and nature sounds. I even recall a story about a bird in this family of mimics--can't now think of the species--that could imitate a lawn mower or some other machine. (I'll try to track that story down.) But why explain when you can just take a moment and listen?

Now if you want to read more on the nature of the Mockingbird's song (both males and females sing), then visit the link below for a quick trip to Cornell Lab of Ornithology's web site All About Birds:

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/northern_mockingbird/sounds

If you've been with us from the start of Feathered Friday, you now have eight birds on your Online Life List! If you're new to this blog, then check out the earlier videos to claim these birds. And if any are already known to you (you've seen or heard them in your yard or park or woods), then claim these for your actual Life List. And become a birder with us!

And until next time . . . Keep birds in your heart!

Georgia Anne

Feathered Friday: the Red-bellied Woodpecker

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, has lots of Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and daily I hear the distinctive call of males from the woodland behind my home. The Red-belly belongs to the Family Picidae (the family of woodpeckers). If you're not familiar with his call, listen hear and now. Then next time you're out enjoying the woods or are just nearby one, you might hear the Red-bellied Woodpecker calling out to you. Until next time . . . Keep birds in your heart! Georgia Anne

Feathered Friday: the Hermit Thrush

Week Six in my program Feathered Friday to get you "would-be birders" into the habit, when outside, of thinking and looking for birds. A good way to start is to learn about these birds online so that you can recognize them outside.

This week I chose to feature the Hermit Thrush because, of late, when walking my dog Bridget through the woods I've been hearing their  beautiful songs.  To my ear, the Hermit Thrush sings the most beautiful song of all birds. A pretty big claim, right?  But how can I describe it . . .  you'll hear soon enough in this video and also find how my words utterly fail in the attempt.  Even so, I'll try. When I hear the song of a Hermit Thrush, I think of bells, trickling water, and flutes.  Mix these musical sources together--somehow--and  what results is  heavenly. But you be the judge. In this video (produced by Spring Farm Cares Nature Sanctuary), you'll need to be a bit patient to hear his song, which does not appear until midway through.



In case you're keeping count, thus far the Hermit Thrush is the third thrush to be featured.  The other two birds  in the thrush family  (Turdidae) posted below include the American Robin and the Eastern Bluebird.  Check out their videos below and see what characteristics they have in common.

Until next time . . . Keep birds in your heart!

Georgia Anne