Hello again, Eastern Kingbird!

Since beginning this blog well over two years ago, I've posted four times on the Eastern Kingbird (6/29/09; 5/13/10; 5/20/10; 7/25/10) and, as this is my public "birding journal," you can expect to see many more.

One of the joys of birding is getting to know, over the years, your avian neighbors. Each time I post on the Eastern Kingbird, I try to add some new fact or personal observation of his or her behavior. This time I'll add that the kingbird likes to return to his same perch atop tree or bush after flying out for an insect, a behavior I've observed.

Last week on the pasture above my house, I again saw my friend returned from his winter's stay along the Amazon to spend his spring and summer here in central Pennsylvania. It's incredible to think about.

This Eastern Kingbird, perched atop a pear tree, didn't exactly cooperate for his first photo shoot of the season, but maybe next time. Until then . . . keep birds in your heart!

Georgia Anne

Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Friends

Look who came to visit my black-oil sunflower seed feeder? My first Rose-breasted Grosbeak of the season. In prior years, I've seen a good many grosbeaks but not of late, last four to five years. So you can imagine my delight on seeing this male. Will keep a look out for him today but thus far--no sign. I suspect he was just passing through unlike the large flock of American Goldfinch and smaller flock of House Finch that await my seed offerings every morning.

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

Georgia Anne

My New Noisy Neighbor the Belted Kingifisher

Last week I was outside one evening when I heard a bird's chatter. At first I thought it was a Carolina Wren scolding me. But then I really listened. No, this sound was much louder and more like a harsh rattle or an old tin noisemaker, the kind you spin while holding its crank. (Last time I posted on the Belted Kingfisher was on 11/03/2009.) Then it hit me--I was hearing a Belted Kingfisher. And sure enough as I looked out toward the pond, there was the big-headed fish catcher, circling low over my pond, making quite the racket.

He took exception at my being there and quickly flew high into the trees banking one side of the pond. He was, however, quite accommodating and let me take numerous photos, none however that were very good, given it was past 7:00 pm, the light quickly fading. Not until he flew over the pond into a naked walnut tree did I get a good photo, not one of color but a great silhouette shot. (See directly above. Don't you just love his punk look?)

Much to my delight and surprise, the kingfisher has been here for several days, getting quite active and noisy in the evenings, though I just heard him a moment ago, rattling away. Yesterday I caught another image, one that better displays his attractive slate blue coloring. The female can be distinguished from the male by a reddish brown (rufous) band that runs across her belly.

Maybe I'll go out for a moment and see what my visitor is up to. Here's hoping he's eating well!

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

Georgia Anne

Where's the Ring on the Ring-necked Duck?

Early naturalists are known for naming many birds after features not the least noticeable (to you and me) while watching them on the wing, perched in a tree, or paddling in a pond. That's because people naming birds did so with the specimens, typically dead, right in their hands for close observation. This explains why few people seldom see the rosy blush for which the Red-bellied Woodpecker is named or, in this case, the purplish-brown ring of the male Ring-necked Duck. (I don't know whether the female sports this neck ring or not . . . but since it's impossible to see, doesn't it really matter?) Much more apparent, as is shown in my photos, is their ringed bills, plainly visible in both males and females.

A few days ago, my pond was visited by a pair of female Ring-necked Ducks, shown above separately. Unlike the more striking two-toned male, mostly iridescent black with light flanks, the female is a study in buff and browns, with a deeper toned crown. She has a light face patch, white eye-rings and a white ring on her bill. Pretty enough by my standards. How about yours?

According to one of my favorite online birding sites (All About Birds), the Ring-necked Duck is . . . "The most common diving duck to be found on small ponds in migration . . . " which I suppose explains their visit to my humble pond. So, here's hoping they come again next year!

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

Georgia Anne

Great Blue Heron

For the last week or so I've unintentionally interrupted a Great Blue Heron attempting to fish in my pond. It's happened now three times. Well, just moments ago I caught sight of him stepping every so gingerly out around my pond. Herons are very wary and I'm certain he saw me peering out at him from behind a sheer curtain in my kitchen. Tiptoeing away so as not to startle him, I grabbed my camera and returned hopefully to click a shot through the gap in said curtain.

But my heron was already on the move, pacing away from the pond, suspicious and on alert. Even so I got this blurry shot and am happy for it!

The Great Blue is the largest North American Heron and can stand as tall as 54 inches. Many times through the years I've attempted to watch a Great Blue hunt at my pond, but his patience typically outlasts mine. These birds strike a pose and hold it so long that even cautious fish forget that someone is standing over them ready to strike!

It's been raining hard here for hours, but the heron doesn't seem to mind. Here's hoping, this time, he gets his fish.

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

Song Sparrows and Brush Piles

According to an online birding resource I just discovered (see link farther below), "the Song Sparrow will sing as many as 20 different melodies with as many as 1,000 improvised variations on his basic theme." Which finally explains why I can't always recognize a Song Sparrow when I hear one--they're always changing the tune on me. Ha!

But I do get good practice listening since every year several Song Sparrows nest in the large brush piles I provide them for exactly that purpose. You see, Song Sparrows like to build their nests on the ground but also out of sight (predators) and out of the weather. A tangled mess of dead tree branches and long grasses provide just the right mix for my birds.

The other day I heard this male singing his spring song in preparation for mating. And where do you think he perched? On a sapling walnut tree beside this this lovely nesting location. You see, he wants to show a would-be mate what a good provider he'd make. After all, didn't he find this brush pile?

So if you'd like some Song Sparrows to sing in your back yard, don't keep it too tidy. Leave a brush pile and a water source. And who knows? A Song Sparrow soon might be singing for you.

http://www.wild-bird-watching.com/Song-Sparrow.html

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

Georgia Anne

Canada geese drop by for a visit

As typical, March has been full of weather surprises--warm one day and snowing the next. A six-inch snowfall during the night of March 6th created what to my eyes looked like a whipped-cream wonderland. Yet by the evening of the 7th much of the snow had already melted. And by the 9th, my emerald green pond was clear and open for business, just in time for a small group of Canada Geese.

These four flew in around noon and stayed until dusk. They were very cordial, permitting me a photo shoot. I invited them back next year. Here's hoping they'll come.

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

Georgia Anne Butler