Green Parakeets

The University of Texas-Brownsville campus is a known evening roosting place for green parakeets. While the numbers of birds may be smaller in the summer, there were still quite a few when I was there. I was entertained by this pair.

These are not your typical size parakeets that you might see in a pet store. They are much larger. For more information on them, click here.

Birds of Brownsville

Here are some more birds from my recent trip to Brownsville, Texas.

Spotted on the grounds of the University of Texas - Brownsville:

Golden-Fronted Woodpecker

 

Great Egret

 

Tropical Kingbird

From the Sabal Palm Sanctuary:

 

Juvenile Moorhens

Birding is fun in Texas!

Long-billed Curlew

Birding in Texas is fun! New species to see like this long-billed curlew. The bird guides say that this bird winters here, but it is the middle of summer and they are still in the Brownsville area! I guess they like the heat or something. :)

Long-billed Curlew

Pied-Billed Grebes

We saw this momma Pied-billed Grebe and her youngster on a lake not too far from the CDR. They are small in size and dive when threatened. I also learned that they are rarely seen in flight and prefer to migrate at night. Although they swim like a duck, they do not have webbed feet. Instead of having a webbing connecting all the toes, each toe has lobes extending out on the sides that provide extra surface area for paddling.

Pied-Billed Grebes

Little Sipper

Hummingbird

Song Sparrow

Sweetly Singing Along the Stream

World Bird Wednesday - Cormorant

Double Crested Cormorant - Everett, Washington

Each week, Springman at the Pine River Review hosts World Bird Wednesday. Come birding with us by clicking on the logo above.

Red-Winged Blackbirds

These birds are always entertaining to watch down by our lake.

Red-Winged Blackbirds

World Bird Wednesday - Steller's Jay

The other week when it snowed, one of the visitors to our backyard feeder was this Steller's Jay. You always know they are there without even seeing them as they are quite vocal. Of course they are bullies. What jay isn't?

The Pacific form of the Steller's Jay doesn't have the white eye shadow like the Rocky Mountain ones. I do like the blue streaks on the face. These birds are very common in our area.

Adult Pacific Form Steller's Jay- February 2011

From May 2009

 

Springman at the Pine River Review is our host each week for World Bird Wednesday. This has become one of my favorite memes as I learn more and more about the feathered creatures inhabiting our earth.  Click on the logo above and see what others are sharing this week.

World Bird Wednesday - Green Heron

We made a short stop at the Pine Island Conservation area on North Merritt Island during our trip to Florida. We were not prepared to do any hiking so stayed fairly close to the rental car. Karl heard a rustle in the bushes along the small canal where we were parked. Finally we spotted this guy down on a branch overhanging the water. I had to do more research at home to identify this one.

A cool fact (courtesy of allaboutbirds.org) - The Green Heron is one of the few tool-using birds. It commonly drops bait onto the surface of the water and grabs the small fish that are attracted. It uses a variety of baits and lures, including crusts of bread, insects, earthworms, twigs, or feathers. Clever!

 Green Heron

Springman is the host of World Bird Wednesday. Come bird watching with us by clicking on the logo above.

Juvenile Eagle

When I was out and about today, I was pretty stoked to be able to capture this wonderful juvenile eagle.

Whatchu lookin' at, Willis?

World Bird Wednesday - Royal Tern

Last week, I posted about the Black Skimmers we saw in Cocoa Beach, Florida. In the same group of birds, I captured a picture of this one. At first I thought it must be the female skimmer since males have a tendency for brighter and showier plumage. But through research at allaboutbirds.org, I was able to identify this as a Royal Tern. These birds are only found along ocean beaches. They are close in size to a sea gull.

Royal Tern - Cocoa Beach, Florida

Springman at the Pine River Review is our host each week for World Bird Wednesday. Come bird watching with us by clicking on the logo above.

World Bird Wedneday - Christmas Dinner

When we were at my sister's house in Enumclaw, Washington on Christmas Day, she mentioned having seen a kingfisher swoop down on the community pond and then land in a nearby tree with a goldfish. I am glad I had my camera with me because he did it two more times! These were not small goldfish he was feasting on for his Christmas dinner. It was hard to capture him because of the fading light and having to shoot quickly.

 Belted Kingfisher

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World Bird Wednesday - Red-naped Sapsucker

From a trip to the Methow Valley last April.

 Red-naped Sapsucker

Springman at the Pine River Review hosts World Bird Wednesday each week. Click on the icon above to see more fabulous birds.

Feathered Friends

One of the things I enjoy about the Chicken Dance Ranch and the local surroundings are the birds. I could sit for hours and watch them. Which I often do, camera in hand. I don't know what's what when I see most of them, but I sure do like them.

My favorites are the hummingbirds. We have a feeder just outside of what will be the living room window. The hummers are great entertainers. The most I've seen at once are four of them fighting over who's turn it is to eat. They climb and dive, putting on great displays for a potential mate. There's never a dull moment with the hummingbirds around.

Hummingbirds in Action (Rufous or Calliope still to be determined)

We are also in the migration route for sandhill cranes - heading south in the spring and returning north in the fall. This spring, we were lucky to catch some of them on the journey to the San Joaquin delta area as well as resting after a long day's flight.

Sandhill Cranes Migration

Rest Stop

One day, we took a side trip up to Buzzard's Lake in Okanogan County. I saw the prettiest duck that I later found out was a Ruddy Duck. I think it was courting another duck based on the little noises it was making.

Ruddy Duck

Not too far from our house is a snag by one of the lakes that seems to attract lots of birds. One day I spotted this Red-tailed hawk searching for a meal.

Red-tailed Hawk

This Red-naped Sapsucker was having a good time on an old utility pole in the Methow Valley.

Red-naped Sapsucker

One drawback to having our feathered friends around is their ability to nest in places that they shouldn't. Just the other week, we heard a noise coming from the refrigerator compartment on our camper. Unfortunately, a little tiny bird, species unknown, started nesting behind the frig. We had to dismantle the nest because replacing the refrigerator should something get blocked would be a very expensive proposition. I bought mesh and screened the ventilation holes for the frig to keep the little birdies out. Sorry, guys.

Nest in the Refrigerator Compartment

Look closely and you can see the new screening

On a future post, I will share some of the furry critters that make their home near or on the Chicken Dance Ranch.