Eastern Kingbird

Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus

I mostly see the Eastern Kingbird during the spring and fall migration, and the sighting of the bird below on August 21, 2013, is a heads-up that the fall migration is underway. The longer wings of the Eastern Kingbird are aerodynamically adapted for the sustained flight at high speed, which is necessary for the long migration to Central America. A male and female often nest together in successive years but the birds do not migrate together, which implies they independently return to the same geographic area in the spring. 

The genus and species name are identical, which emphasizes the description. Tyrannus means tyrant, so this bird has a reputation for aggressiveness if the nest or territory is threatened.  

The spring photos below were on June 11, 2013. The changes in the feather coloration imply this is a juvenile. The feather change cannot be a molt, because the Eastern Kingbird molts after migration. 

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.

Howell, Steve N. G. Molt in North American Birds. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. New York. 2010. 

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.

Savannah Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow - Passerculus sandwichensis

Savannah Sparrows feed on the ground and often flush to a perch, rather than to the ground, and this behaviour helps distinguish the Savannah from other sparrows in my area. The bird below flushed to a perch close to the Elbow Valley Constructed Wetland.

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 Birds. Alfred A Knopf, Inc. New York. 2000.

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

More Gadwall Ducklings

More Gadwall Ducklings - Anas strepera

The Glenmore Runoff Reservoir was home to at least five families this spring and summer and the following photos are ducklings from one of the families. 

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 Birds. Alfred A Knopf, Inc. New York. 2000.

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

Spotted Sandpiper Alarm Display

Spotted Sandpiper Alarm Display - Actitis macularia

This Spotted Sandpiper tried to lure me away from a chick and she was successful because I never did see the chick. The photo was taken at the end of a "broken wing" display. The sandpiper parent ran along the side of the river with the wing in an awkward position. 

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 Birds. Alfred A Knopf, Inc. New York. 2000.

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

American Goldfinch

American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis 

Goldfinches time their nesting such that the chicks hatch about the same time as the thistle flower turns to seed. Recently we enjoyed a mating display performed over the tree line of the garden.

This female goldfinch looks as if she is "willing" the thistle bud to suddenly open and instantly turn to seed.


Thistles have been flowering for weeks and there are lot of seeds. The goldfinch are now less common at the feeders because their natural food choice is abundant and closer to their nests.

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 Birds. Alfred A Knopf, Inc. New York. 2000.

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