Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedorum

The Cedar Waxwings arrived back on May 28, 2013. The larger Bohemian Waxwings were last seen two months ago on March 25. The Cedars hang out over the summer and the Bohemians enjoy the area in the winter.






Cedar Waxwings nest later than most spring migrants, in part to coincide with the ripening of the summer berries, which are an important part of their diet. Even though they nest late, these birds often have two broods. They also eat a lot of insects and take them from perches, much like flycatchers. 

These birds are named for their fondness for the berries of the Eastern Red Cedar.

The red color at the tips of the wings is due to a bright red carotenoid (astaxanthin), derived from the diet, and concentrated in the flat expanded extensions of the rachis that project beyond the feather vanes. The red color has a "waxy" appearance, which led to the name. 

References

The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta. Federation of Alberta Naturalists. 2007.

Baicich PJ, Harrison CJO. Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds. Princeton UP. 2005.

Beadle D, Rising J. Sparrows of the United States and Canada. Princeton UP. 2003.

Fisher C, Acorn J. Birds of Alberta. Lone Pine Publishing. Edmonton. 1998.

Sibley David A. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior. Alfred A Knopf, Inc. New York. 2001.

Tudge Colin. The Bird. Crown Publishers. New York. 2008.

Tree Swallow

Tree Swallow Tree Disaster

Tree Swallows flit around my back yard a lot. They feed on the insects over the pond below the house. The Tree Swallows routinely investigate the bird houses on my fence every year but a couple has only chosen this site once in the last 8 years.

There are nesting boxes along the highway fence that borders the Elbow Valley Constructed Wetland and the swallows always nest in these boxes.

This year I happened upon a conventional nest along the Elbow River, about a hundred meters from where the Bank Swallows nest. I spotted a Tree Swallow flying into a hole in an old tree about ten meters back from the edge of the river. A flicker and and a Starling nest hole were within twenty meters of the site, so I am a regular visitor in the area.

The photo above shows a Tree Swallow in the nest hole. There were several excavated holes. The holes immediately above and below were not more than a few centimeters deep. There is another nest hole, not visible in the photo, to the right and a meter above the occupied hole.

The first observation of the nest hole was on May 26, 2013. The photos above were taken on May 27, 28, and 29. On May 30 I did not see the swallow in the nest hole.

This morning, to my great surprise, the tree was gone! Further investigation revealed that the tree had fallen down. The lower nest hole was facing downwards and to the side and the upper nest hole was facing right down and there was no reasonable access to this hole. There were obvious twigs (nest material) in the upper hole. In the lower hole (the one in the above photos) I could not see anything.

While I investigated the fallen tree several Tree Swallows landed on a living tree above me and they were clearly making a lot of excited noise. I presume these were the parents. 

I decided to try to rearrange the log so that there was easy access to both nest holes. After this was accomplished I realized that the lower hole would be flooded in rain, so I created a roof to protect this hole. The upper hole (with twigs evident inside, and therefore more likely than not a true nest site, had excellent access and no risk of flooding. The nest holes, however, are both at ground level, and therefore clearly at risk from four-legged predators.  

 Lower nest hole with log roof. 

Upper nest hole, with satisfactory orientation to avoid flooding. This orientation is no different than the side of the upright tree.

I wondered why the tree had fallen over. The old tree was dead and the stump was rotten. The tree was already leaning over. However, there was no real wind last night. Nearby I found a new empty beer can and also evidence where a ground log had been recently removed. Clearly some boys had been around. I suspect, sadly, that the boys pushed over this tree. 

Beer can. Evidence that boys were recently hanging out at the site. I hike this trail almost every day and the beer can was new. 

Site were a log on the ground was recently moved. The Elbow River is visible at the top left. Likely the boys lifted up this 8 to 10 cm diameter log and threw it into the river. 

Savannah Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow - Passerculus sandwichensis

This sparrow has a wide North American distribution, which is reflected in the name. Savannah refers to the city in Georgia and the species name refers to Sandwich bay in the Aleutian Islands off Alaska. 

The Savannah is the only species in the genus and there are many subspecies, which in the future might be split into distinct species. Some authorities group the Savannah in the genus Ammondramus, which in Alberta includes Baird's, Grasshopper, Le Conte's and Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows. The Savannah tends to flush early and to a perch, whereas Ammondramus sparrows often wait until you are almost upon the bird and then flush to another ground site.

Savannah Sparrows are double and sometimes treble-brooded.

References

The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta. Federation of Alberta Naturalists. 2007.

Baicich PJ, Harrison CJO. Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds. Princeton UP. 2005.

Beadle D, Rising J. Sparrows of the United States and Canada. Princeton UP. 2003.

Fisher C, Acorn J. Birds of Alberta. Lone Pine Publishing. Edmonton. 1998.

Sibley David A. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior. Alfred A Knopf, Inc. New York. 2001.

Tudge Colin. The Bird. Crown Publishers. New York. 2008.

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia 

The species name refers to the red spots. 
Yellow Warblers prefer willow thickets close to water. The willows along the Elbow River offer good nesting sites. This male Yellow Warbler was feeding on Aspen seeds in the Elbow Valley Constructed Wetland.

Yellow Warblers are frequent victims of Brown Cowbird parasitism. These birds, however, can recognize the intruder egg and the response is to build a new nest on top of all the existing eggs (warbler and cowbird) and to lay new eggs. Five layers have been reported! 

References

The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta. Federation of Alberta Naturalists. 2007.

Baicich PJ, Harrison CJO. Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds. Princeton UP. 2005.

Beadle D, Rising J. Sparrows of the United States and Canada. Princeton UP. 2003.

Fisher C, Acorn J. Birds of Alberta. Lone Pine Publishing. Edmonton. 1998.

Sibley David A. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior. Alfred A Knopf, Inc. New York. 2001.

Tudge Colin. The Bird. Crown Publishers. New York. 2008.

Western Meadowlark

Western Meadowlark - Sturnella neglecta

Lewis and Clark overlooked the Western Meadowlark. They considered the species the same as the Eastern Meadowlark. The species name reflects this oversight. 

The beak muscles are strong enough to pry apart holes in the soil, vegetation, mud, or bark. The eyes are positioned so the bird can see through the gape of the open beak, which helps with foraging for food. This feeding technique is called "gaping." 

The Western Meadowlark is double brooded. 

References

The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta. Federation of Alberta Naturalists. 2007.

Baicich PJ, Harrison CJO. Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds. Princeton UP. 2005.

Beadle D, Rising J. Sparrows of the United States and Canada. Princeton UP. 2003.

Fisher C, Acorn J. Birds of Alberta. Lone Pine Publishing. Edmonton. 1998.

Sibley David A. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior. Alfred A Knopf, Inc. New York. 2001.

Tudge Colin. The Bird. Crown Publishers. New York. 2008.

Spotted Sandpiper

Spotted Sandpiper - Actitis macularia


The species name means "spotted."

This Spotted Sandpiper was sitting on a rock by the Bow River at Inglewood, facing into a strong wet rainy wind.

The "tail bobbing" behaviour (teetering) characteristic of this shorebird happens because the bird flexes the legs. One theory to explain teetering is that the maneuver might help the bird to identify prey.  

Most Spotted Sandpipers are spotted on the shoreline or flying low over the water from shore to shore. This sandpiper seemed out of the normal habitat. Perhaps this shorebird dreamed of being a passerine?

The Spotted Sandpiper catches insects on the wing or on the ground and also forages for worms, fish, spiders, and crustaceans. 

The female might mate with more than one male in a season. Only one percent of birds mate in this fashion (polyandry - from the Greek for "many men"). If the female does mate again, the male takes care of the first brood. 


References

The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta. Federation of Alberta Naturalists. 2007.

Baicich PJ, Harrison CJO. Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds. Princeton UP. 2005.

Beadle D, Rising J. Sparrows of the United States and Canada. Princeton UP. 2003. 

Fisher C, Acorn J. Birds of Alberta. Lone Pine Publishing. Edmonton. 1998.

Sibley David A. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior. Alfred A Knopf, Inc. New York. 2001.

Tudge Colin. The Bird. Crown Publishers. New York. 2008.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Rose-breasted Grosbeak - Pheucticus ludovicianus

Alberta is at least a part-time home to four grosbeaks. The Rose-breasted and the Black-headed are around in spring and summer. The Evening and Pine are winter residents. The former are in the Cardinal family, the latter in the Finch family. 

The species name means "from Louisiana," which is not accurate since the bird is only a migrant in the Southern states. 
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak has two broods a season, which makes for a busy spring and summer. Eggs are incubated for 12 to 14 days and the young are dependent on the adult for about 3 weeks. The male feeds the first brood while the female prepares the second nest. 

The Rose-breasted in the photos visited my feeders on May 13, 2011. My records indicate visits on May 24 and June 11, 2009, June 27 and July 14, 2010, and May 13 and June 18, 2011. These gorgeous birds are due for a visit.  

One year my daughter Christine visited in the spring and I remarked that it was too bad that a Rose-breasted Grosbeak was not around. Christine looked up and replied, "like that one Dad." Amazing coincidence!

References

The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta. Federation of Alberta Naturalists. 2007.

Baicich PJ, Harrison CJO. Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds. Princeton UP. 2005.

Beadle D, Rising J. Sparrows of the United States and Canada. Princeton UP. 2003. 

Fisher C, Acorn J. Birds of Alberta. Lone Pine Publishing. Edmonton. 1998.

Sibley David A. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior. Alfred A Knopf, Inc. New York. 2001.

Tudge Colin. The Bird. Crown Publishers. New York. 2008.

Marbled Godwit

Marbled Godwit - Limosa fedoa

The Marbled Godwit is the most common large shorebird in Alberta.

Most scolopacids (shorebirds) breed at higher latitudes in Alberta. However, the Marbled Godwit is one of the five species of shorebirds that breed further south in freshwater wetlands in the Great Central Basin of North America. The other four are the Long-billed Curlew, Willet, Upland Sandpiper, and Wilson's Phalarope. The Spotted Sandpiper breeds along the sides of a river or lakeshore. 

The dark tip of the bill is likely due to the presence of melanin, a chemical that hardens feathers and bills.
  
References

The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta. Federation of Alberta Naturalists. 2007.

Baicich PJ, Harrison CJO. Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds. Princeton UP. 2005.

Beadle D, Rising J. Sparrows of the United States and Canada. Princeton UP. 2003. 

Fisher C, Acorn J. Birds of Alberta. Lone Pine Publishing. Edmonton. 1998.

Sibley David A. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior. Alfred A Knopf, Inc. New York. 2001.

Tudge Colin. The Bird. Crown Publishers. New York. 2008.

Ruddy Duck

Ruddy Duck - Oxyura jamaicensis

The oxyurini are "stiff-tailed" ducks. The tails are stiff enough to be used as a rudder. The duck below is turning.

The male Ruddy Duck stays with the brood after hatching. The only other duck to remain with the female after the chicks hatch is the Masked Duck.

Parasitic egg-laying is practiced by the Ruddy Duck, both within and between species, and this likely accounts for reports of nests with up to 25 eggs! 

Sir Peter Scott introduced the Ruddy Duck to the UK in the 1940's. There were no other "stiff-tailed" ducks in the UK. However the introduced ducks migrated to Spain, and bred with White-headed Ducks and the dominant Ruddy genes became a problem for the native White-headed species.

References

The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta. Federation of Alberta Naturalists. 2007.

Baicich PJ, Harrison CJO. Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds. Princeton UP. 2005.

Beadle D, Rising J. Sparrows of the United States and Canada. Princeton UP. 2003. 

Fisher C, Acorn J. Birds of Alberta. Lone Pine Publishing. Edmonton. 1998.

Sibley David A. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior. Alfred A Knopf, Inc. New York. 2001.

Tudge Colin. The Bird. Crown Publishers. New York. 2008.

Calliope Hummingbird

Calliope Hummingbird - Stellula calliope

At 25 grams, the Calliope is the smallest bird in North America. Amazingly, this tiny bird migrates 8900 km in a year!

The Calliope is sufficiently distinct to warrant a unique genera. There are 18 species of hummingbird in North America. 

In the courtship display the Calliope can climb up to 30 or 40 meters before the dive.

References

The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta. Federation of Alberta Naturalists. 2007.

Baicich PJ, Harrison CJO. Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds. Princeton UP. 2005.

Beadle D, Rising J. Sparrows of the United States and Canada. Princeton UP. 2003. 

Fisher C, Acorn J. Birds of Alberta. Lone Pine Publishing. Edmonton. 1998.

Sibley David A. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior. Alfred A Knopf, Inc. New York. 2001.

Tudge Colin. The Bird. Crown Publishers. New York. 2008.

Ring-necked Duck

Ring-necked Duck - Aythya collaris

This duck has a confusing name. The ring is around the bill not the neck. Apparently the duck was named by an ornithologist who had access only to museum specimens. Even so, where is the ring?

These ducks are divers and the Ring-necked use only the feet (not the wings) for underwater propulsion. The feed primarily on vegetation

The white eye-ring is well demonstrated in this female. 

References

The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta. Federation of Alberta Naturalists. 2007.

Baicich PJ, Harrison CJO. Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds. Princeton UP. 2005.

Beadle D, Rising J. Sparrows of the United States and Canada. Princeton UP. 2003.

Fisher C, Acorn J. Birds of Alberta. Lone Pine Publishing. Edmonton. 1998.

Sibley David A. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior. Alfred A Knopf, Inc. New York. 2001.

Tudge Colin. The Bird. Crown Publishers. New York. 2008.

Northern Flicker - Female Daytime Incubation

Northern Flicker

This female responded to my phishing on May 20, 2013. Females have the daytime incubation shift. The male will take over for the night duties.

I saw a flicker emerge and fly from the hole on May 7th and the excavation was still in progress on April 27th. Somewhere between these two dates the nest was completed and egg laying started. The usual clutch is 6 to 8 eggs, and a week is necessary to lay a daily egg. 
If I presume egg laying started on or just before May 7th, then by today, the eggs must all be laid, and incubation has been in progress for two weeks for the first egg. Incubation takes 11 to 13 days, which suggests the first egg might have already hatched.

The nestlings will be fed by the parents and will be strong enough to feed at the nest hole by 3 weeks of age. As such, I might be lucky to see this activity in the days just before June 11th and for the week or so after.

References

The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta. Federation of Alberta Naturalists. 2007.

Baicich PJ, Harrison CJO. Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds. Princeton UP. 2005.

Beadle D, Rising J. Sparrows of the United States and Canada. Princeton UP. 2003. 

Fisher C, Acorn J. Birds of Alberta. Lone Pine Publishing. Edmonton. 1998.

Sibley David A. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior. Alfred A Knopf, Inc. New York. 2001.

Tudge Colin. The Bird. Crown Publishers. New York. 2008.

Rufous Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird - Selasphorus rufus

The first garden hummingbird this season was a female Rufous Hummingbird that was attracted to a clematis.  The flowers were not out, which confused me until I saw the bird grab a "cotton ball" mass of fluffy seeds from the blooms of the prior year. The soft seeds will line the cup of the nest. 

Insects are a principle food source. The insects inside the tubular flowers are sucked up with the nectar. The Rufous Hummingbird also catches insects on the wing from a perch, much like the flycatchers. These birds are also known to use the wind of their wings to disturb leaves on the ground, which exposes insects underneath. 

The iridescence of the feathers on the gorget is amazing. The feather structure amplifies specific wavelengths of light and only reflects the light directly ahead of the bird. 

The feathers do not lie flat and are raised upward at an angle with a v-shaped trough that runs along each barb. The iridescent surface is precisely positioned so that it reflects light directly ahead. Within the iridescent surface of the barbule are layers of microscopic discs, each filled with tiny air bubbles. Each disc has an optical thickness of half the wavelength of the reflected color. Light of the"correct" wavelength is "added together" and light of other wavelengths is canceled out. 

References

The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta. Federation of Alberta Naturalists. 2007.

Baicich PJ, Harrison CJO. Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds. Princeton UP. 2005.

Fisher C, Acorn J. Birds of Alberta. Lone Pine Publishing. Edmonton. 1998.

Sibley David A. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior. Alfred A Knopf, Inc. New York. 2001.

Tudge Colin. The Bird. Crown Publishers. New York. 2008.

Northern Flicker

Northern Flicker - Enjoying the View

On April 19, 2013 I saw a male flicker working on the nest hole for this nest.  A flicker was hard at work on April 27 and on May 7 I saw a flicker emerge from the nest hole and fly across the river.  Yesterday, on May 11, I saw the male poking his head out of the hole. I watched for about ten minutes. He seemed to be enjoying the view.  

The flicker has a eye membrane to protect the bird from flying pieces of wood. 

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - Syphyrapicus varius

The species name was chosen when the Red-breasted and Red-naped Sapsuckers were also included in this species. 

Sapsucker drill regularly spaced holes in horizontal parallel rows. The holes are drilled at a slightly upward angle, which allows the sap to run into the woodpecker. The tongue is adapted with a brush at the end to lap up the sap as well as any insects attracted to fluid. 





















Sapsuckers often choose a dead aspen to create a nest. The gourd-shaped cavity is about 14 inches deep and five inches in diameter. The nest hole is one and a quarter to one and a half inches wide. 


References

The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta. Federation of Alberta Naturalists. 2007.

Baicich PJ, Harrison CJO. Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds. Princeton UP. 2005.

Fisher C, Acorn J. Birds of Alberta. Lone Pine Publishing. Edmonton. 1998.

Kaufman K. Advanced Birding. Peterson Field Guides. Houghton Mifflin Company. Boston. 1990. 

Scotter GW, Ulrich TJ, Jones ET. Birds of the Canadian Rockies. Western Producer Prairie Books. Saskatoon. 1990. 

Sibley David A. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior. Alfred A Knopf, Inc. New York. 2001.

Tudge Colin. The Bird. Crown Publishers. New York. 2008.