Common Nighthawk

P-E-E-N-T!
Do you recognize this call when you hear it?

As young kids we used to watch Nighthawks at dusk with their long graceful wings marked with a crescent moon dart through the sky. No flying insects were safe from these aerial vacuum cleaners with their wide gaping mouths as they maneuvered effortlessly through the sunset sky scooping them up. In a sense, I suppose Nighthawks could be called the Right Whales of the air with their mouths wide open collecting food.

Due to their size and erratic flight path we initially thought Nighthawks were large bats making it easy to see how they coined the name 'Bullbats'. We later discovered their true identity.

As you see pictured Nighthawks have some inordinately large eyes. I suppose this helps them see at dusk and dawn as they swoop down on unsuspecting insects during the twilight hours. The whiskers / bristles surrounding the base of their beak supposedly aid in gathering food and offer protection to their eyes while airborne. Their large oblong nostril openings are interesting.

This particular Common Nighthawk was resting on a limb at Peveto Woods Sanctuary during the daytime. Sitting motionless on a limb coupled with its cryptic coloration makes this guy difficult to spot for both predators and humans alike. So, if you are in the woods and spot a bump on a limb that appears to be somewhat out of place be sure to look closely. It might just be a resting Nighthawk.

In my field guide the Common Nighthawk is listed as a Goatsucker. I seriously doubt if a farmer has to worry about one of these guys sneaking into his barn late at night and milking his goats. Goat milk is not on a Nighthawk's menu. :)

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Dipping, diving and flying the friendly skies.

Keeping an eye on the photographer.

Up, up and away!

Life is GOOD!

Chase anyone?

I'm right on your tail.

Tag, your it!

How many of you watch Synchronized Swimming in the Olympics? If there was a Synchronized Flying sport these guys would stand a good chance. :)

"Mystery Bird" Song

Click the arrow and see if you can ID the bird singing the song. I've heard this bird's song countless times but this is the first time ever hearing this version.

Best of luck, :)

Cameron - May 9, 2012

A trip to Peveto Woods was in order this morning. A freindly couple visiting from Canada pulled up looking for some migrating birds. Not long after, Gary Broussard and Jay Huner also rolled in. It was fun day visiting with fellow birdes and looking for the birds..

A Black-Bellied Plover wearing his tuxedo was pilfering through the seaweed looking for a meal on the beach between Holly Beach and Peveto.

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The early bird (Bay-Breasted Warbler) gets the worm (or in this case a caterpillar?)!

The elegant Ms. Bay-Breasted Warbler was hoping to come across a caterpillar as well.

The Maggies (Magnolia Warblers) were out in numbers bouncing around the woodlot.

A Yellow Warbler was inspecting the limbs / leaves as he foraged for food.

An inquisitive Ovenbird hung around and posed for his picture. Do you see what looks like an eyelash over his right eye?

I'm sure there is an explanation for this but heck if I know what is it. Could it be the "IN" harido among Ovenbirds? Perhaps the 'Spike Look'?

Cute little electric blue / green Damselflies were about the woodlot. Watch out for the spider's web below little Damselfly! If you become entangled in the web it will mean immediate death.

Another Damselfly radiated his electric orange color as he clung to a weed hunting for food. Mosquitos BEWARE!!.

"Will you walk into my parlor?" said the spider to the fly. The spider's silky, gluey almost invisible thread ensnares the unsuspecting Damselfly. The Damselfly was not the only hunter about this morning.

Black-Throated Blue Warbler

It was an exceptional two Warbler Day at Peveto Woods Sanctuary. The Black-Throated Blue Warbler was a lifer. The Bay-Breasted Warbler is only the third one I've seen.

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The Bay-Breasted Warbler primarily skulked through the Live Oak Trees in the shade.

He hopped to the top of the tree and perched on a limb in the sun.

It took about 2.5 hours to find this first-ever, stunning Black-Throated Blue Warlber. It was a lifer and worth the effort to see such a magnificent rare bird..

Another picture of this stunning, rare Warbler.

Tropical Mockingbird

It was a great day birding right across the border at Sabine Woods, Texas. Being outside, talking to fellow birders from states far away as Washington was a treat while in quest of the first United States record for a Tropical Mockingbird.

A cool-looking Chuck-Will's-Widow was perched on a limb not far off one of the trails.

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Have you ever seen two Chuck-Will's-Widows sitting together on the same log? These two guys were statuesque in the shade making it easy to miss while walking the trails. A special thanks to Robby Bacon for pointing these out.

The Grackles guys were strutting their stuff trying to impress the ladies.

Finally, the long-awaited Tropical Mockingbird with its l-o-n-g tail flew up and landed in a tree nearby. It was weird seeing a Mockingbird minus its white wing bars.

What do you think about the white on the underside of its tail feathers? The red on its throat was puzzling.

A good look at its dark wings and white bands on the end of its tail feathers.

The Tropical Mockingbird stretched revealing its dark wings and tail feathers with white bands at the tips.

How do you suppose this guy got here and how will he know where home is in order to return?

During the course of the day the Tropical Mockingbird was flying back and forth to a Live Oak Tree where a Northern Mockingbird had a nest. I'm not certain of his involvement but it does seem suspicious.


What About the Origin of the Tropical Mockingbird?
What About Feather Wear?
Much discussion has been generated regarding the origin of the Tropical Mockingbird as it relates to feather wear. Below are magnifications of its wing feathers and its tail feathers. What are the similarities and differences between birds in the wild vs caged/captive birds as related to feather wear? It will be interesting to hear the committee's verdict and succeeding explanation of how they determined the origin of the Tropical Mockingbird.

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Left-Click on the Image. Check out the wing wear and tail feather wear. It appears there is wear on all of its tail feathers but only minimal wear to the 7th, 8th and 9th primaries from the tip of his/her wing. Would this pattern of wear be more typical for a caged bird or would this pattern of wear be more typical for a wild bird?

The Rare Black-Whiskered Vireo

My friend Cody Conway phoned me Wednesday. He felt it might be a good day to go birding just across the border at Sabine Woods, Texas due to the successive days of the north winds. I was able to go and he happened to be spot on. It was the best day birding this spring for me. Cody managed to chalk up twenty-five Warbler species by 11:00 AM. No telling what number he could have reached had we stayed longer.

Aside from the multitude of warblers and other birds present in the woodlot, the highlight of the day was watching a Black-Whiskered Vireo skulking through the trees. I've had the good fortune of seeing and photographing one BWVI in my lifetime making this moment all the more special. It was difficult tracking the Vireo through the trees with all the leaves and limbs in the way trying to secure a good picture. The image below is not the best image but an experienced birder would have no trouble ID'ing this bird.

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The Black-Whiskered Vireo hopped from the protection of the canopy to an open limb and posed for his picture. Wouldn't you know it, a limb was obscuring part of him from view yet his tell-tale black whiskers were clearly visible. :)

Finally, finally, finally the moment arrived. The Black-Whiskered Vireo popped in the open offering a much appreciated opportunity for his picture. It was a pleasure to cross paths with this bird once again and come away with a few pictures to remember him by.

Cameron - April 12, 2012

This Glaucous Gull was 'hanging out' with the birds on the shell pile in front of the East Jetty Observation Tower today. It was surprising to see how large this gull was in comparison to other gulls nearby. More than likely It is probably the one same one someone spotted a while back.

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Where's Waldo? Do you see the Long-Tailed Duck amongst the vast array of shorebirds collected on the shell pile? This picture shows only a portion of the shell pile in front of the East Jetty Observation Tower.

The Long-Tailed Duck has been hanging out in front of the East Jetty Observation Tower for at least a couple of weeks. Will it still be hanging around or will it be playing hide and seek? The daunting task of locating the Long-Tailed Duck among the rest of the birds was now at hand. It is sort of similar to finding the proverbial needle in a haystack.

After glassing the vast array of birds on the shell pile time after time after time for the LT Duck, it appeared to have moved on or was in such a position as to not be clearly seen for an ID. Finally, finally, finally, one of the ducks at rest happened to turn his head slightly to the side revealing its white mask. At last, the long awaited Long-Tailed Duck revealed itself! It's funny how a slight turn of the head makes all the difference in the world for ID purposes. The needle in the haystack was located today.

Mother Nature's Finest Flying Maching, the Peregrine Falcon, will literally tear your head off (note picture). The headless Sora in the talons of the Peregrine certainly never stood a chance. The Peregrine Falcon was working the area between Holly Beach and the Cameron Ferry.

Some of the American Avocets flew by the Observation Tower in their stunning breeding plumage. What gorgeous birds they are!

I left the jetties and headed to Peveto. Although I saw no warblers it was delightful to meet some friendly and interesting birders from Mississippi and New Orleans.

Broad-Tailed Hummingbird

A first ever Broad-Tailed Hummingbird made his debut in our back yard on 11/22/2011. He stayed for a day then was gone with the wind.

Much to our delight, another Broad-Tailed Hummingbird arrived on 3/9/2012. Are these two hummers the same? I don't know but it is fascinating watching this little fella sporting around the sugar water feeder in our back yard. Erik Johnson's Louisiana Winter Hummer Report documents fourteen Broad-Tailed Hummingbirds in our state this winter so we feel truly blessed to see this little western guy with his big tail on two occasions. Hopefully he will hang around for a while and will remember us in the future.

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Checking out a flower in our garden.

Saturday Night Fever - You Should be Dancing Yeah!

Check out the pose below. Could this little guy be the reincarnation of John Travolta who starred in Saturday Night Fever (1977)?

A true story of our backyard discotheque. :)

Out of nowhere lady Broad-Tailed Hummers swarmed to our back yard and gathered round the rose bushes as the King of Disco hovered in preparation of performing his aerial version of John Travolta's Saturday Night Fever. The King's mastery of movement was sensational taking disco to a new level. He owned the air space and dazzled the ladies with his spiraling, twisting moves complete with raised wings. Not to be outdone by even Michael Jackson, the King threw in an occasional moon walk along with his XXX rated hip and pelvic gestures. A few faint lady hummers put their tiny wings to their forehead and toppled backward from their perches as the King of Disco's performance was entirely too hot for them to bear. All hummers joined in a little line dance in conclusion of the King's sensational performance. A great time was had by all. The King of Disco took a bow and slowly flew off into the sunset. There is already talk of him being nominated for an Academy Award after his spectacular performance.

Good to the last drop. Could it be Maxwell House? Check out this image for an up close and personal look.

It will be fun planting winter hummer plants in our yard this spring. Hopefully some winter hummers will find these plants and stay a while.

Migration Hopefuls This Spring

Neotropical songbirds are among the most beautiful birds in the world. What treasures will the 2012 migration bring this spring? This Easter Egg Hunt on steroids will soon be upon us with Golden Eggs everywhere. Birders are among the friendliest people I know and a delight to be around. They are eager to share with others pointing out birds thereby perpetuating their passion for birding. As the days grow warmer and the vegetation begins to green a sense of excitement is in the air anticipating their arrival.

The birds pictured below are not the only ones I wish to see this spring however it wouild be especially delightful to catch a glimpse of them.

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This Black-Whiskered Vireo was sitting in a tree calling at Peveto Bird Sanctuary my first year birding. I had no idea of its ID at the time but was ecstatic after examining its picture at home discovering what it was. Hopefully one will surface this spring but if not its memory lives on through its picture..

We were awestruck and dumbfounded one morning as we first stepped foot in Peveto. This brilliant colored male Western Tanager with his flaming red head flew by. What a great start for the day! Wouldn't it be nice if another showed up this spring?
 

There is something about a Canada Warbler you just never grow tired off. I haven't seen many but look forward to seeing them again.

A recluse Mourning Warbler hopped up from the bushes yielding a picture one day at Peveto. I've never seen one that much in the open. Hopefully another will be around soon.

A Lesser Nighthawk resting on a limb is always a sight to behold. This one was in the tree right in back of Dave's Pond at Peveto.

The Northern Parula is not a review list bird but it is one you just never grow tired of seeing.

The Swainson's Hawk is not a neotropical songbird but is one of my favorite hawks and I love seeing them. My favorite hawk is the Harris's Hawk. I've seen one at a distance a few years back sitting atop a utility pole on Highway 90 close to Rayne, LA. Hopefully a Harris's Hawk will surface one day and will be close enough for a picture this fall.

Best of luck this Sprng! :)

Grackles With Attitudes

Grackles have a bluish, purplish, iridized sheen to them at times and some really have attitudes!
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"Don't look at me in that tone of voice!!!"

"Okay, now listen to what I have to say!!!"