Dark-eyed Junco (Junco phaeonotus)

 
                                                                                      Photo by BarrytheBirder

Juncos are gray sparrows with white outer tail feathers.   They are cool-weather birds that nest mostly in the north or on mountains and spread southward in winter across Canada and the U.S.A., often visiting backyard bird feeders.

For many birders in Canada and the U.S., this is a 'snowbird', visiting only in winter.  Except when paired up for nesting, juncos are usually found in small flocks, feeding on the ground near thickets and forest edges.   

There are several types of Juncos including "Slate-colored Junco", "Oregon Junco", "Pink-sided Junco", "White-winged Junco", "Grey-headed Junco" and "Red-backed Junco".

All of these Juncos have white outer tail feathers, and all but the last have pale pink bills.

Exceptionly, in mountain  forests above 6,000 feet, near the Mexican border,  a "Yellow-eyed Junco" is to be found.   A bright orange-yellow eye gives this Junco a "fierce'look!   They are pale gray above, with a bright rufous back.

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BarrytheBirder

WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis) and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta canadensis)

Photos by BarrytheBirder

There are about 29 species of Nuthatches worldwide, primarily distributed across the Northern Hemisphere.   They are known for being energetic and acrobatic as they climb headfirst down tree trunks.

The White-breasted Nuthatch (pictured above) is the largest North American species.  They have a striking blue-gray back, a black cap, and clean white cheeks and underparts.

They are common year-round residents in mature deciduous forests and at backyard feeders.

The Red-breasted Nuthatch (seen below) is a small, highly active bird featuring a bold black stripe through the eye and a rich rusty-cinnamon belly.  They prefer coniferous forests and are famous for smearing tree resin around their cavity entrances to deter predators.

Two other North American species are the Pygmy Nuthatch (a tiny, highly social bird of the western United States and Canada that favours mature Ponderosa pines) and the Brown-headed Nuthatch (found mostly in the south-eastern United Sates).          

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Barry the Birder

My daughter's first time, close-up encounter with a Swainson's Hawk...

Photo by BarrytheBirder

I have been writing about and publishing photos of Swainson's Hawks in this space since I first noticed them in the spring of 2024 in the Town of Aurora, about 35 kilometres north of Toronto, Ontario.   Swainson's Hawks are widespread in North America, particularly in the U.S. midwest, and notably in Kansas.

They have been moving east into southern Ontario in recent years and I have taken many photos of them and published them in this blog space.

They seemed to have replaced the Red-tail Hawks in this part of the town of Aurora where I live.   My oldest daughter, Allison, lives just a couple of blocks from me in Aurora, and recently had an close-up encounter with one of these impressive raptors in her own backyard.

She was in her backyard, beside her swimming pool when she heard a chorus of birds squawking in the next-door neighbour's back yard.   She stretched up and looked over her backyard fence and came face-to-face (a mere 5' away) with a big Swainson's Hawk that was harassing a gang of American Robins which were fiercely protesting the hawk's presence near their fledgling young Robins.

Allison had never seen a Swainson's Hawk before and she recalls thinking it was huge and very impressive looking (Swainson's are 21" long with a wingspan of 52"!).   The hawk was startled by her presence as much as she was by the hawk's appearance.   The hawk quickly assessed the encounter and took off.   The young Robins were safe but one can't help but wonder how typical this kind of encounter and the potential results happen probably every day at this time of year.

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BarrytheBirder

Blue-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon malimbica)

Here's a attractive bird I didn't know existed until recently.   It is the Blue Breasted Kingfisher and it lives across equatorial, sub-Saharan Africa, found from Senegal to Uganda, Tanzania, northern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and northern Angola.   I am familiar with the Belted Kingfisher of Canada, the U.S.A. and Mexico, and now realize that Kingfishers are to be found in other countries of the world.

There are 118 species of Kingfishers in the world!   Who knew?!?

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BarrytheBirder

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

 

Photos by BarrytheBirder

The Great Blue Heron is a large, grey-blue heron found across lower Canada and the north-central United States.   It has a black stripe that extends above the eyes and a white fore neck streaked with black.   Breeding adults have  yellowish bills and ornate plumes on head, neck and back.   

Their impressive wingspan is 72" (183 cm)!

My National Geographic Society Field Guide says the Great Blue Heron is common but breeds sporadically across parts of large parts of its range, and a few birds winter far north into their breeding range.

This widespread, large and familiar heron stands patiently at watersides, waiting to spear fish and other creatures.   

It is common in both freshwater and salt water habitats.

They breed across southern Canada to Mexico and Florida and winter from British Columbia and southern New England southward.

                 

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BarrytheBirder

Mallard Duck (Anas platyrhynchos)

Photos by BarrytheBirder

 The Mallard is the largest and most familiar dabbling duck of the North American hemisphere.   It is the ancestor of many domestic ducks, very common and widespread in the wild.   There are an estimated 10 million breeding Mallards in the wild.

They breed from Alaska, Ontario, Quebec, and central New England south to southern California, Arizona, Texas, central Illinois, and coastal Virginia.  They winter from southern British Columbia, the Dakotas, southern Great Lakes region, and New England.

Preening male

Like other dabbling ducks, Mallards spring directly into the air from fresh water, and they often seen flying in pairs or trios, as well as in large flocks.   

Female

The usual call of the female is quack, quack, quack, quack, diminishing in both volume and speed, while the males calls are softer and reedier.

Seldom diving, Mallards feed by tipping tail-up to reach aquatic plants, seeds, and snails...

Mallard drakes are frequently called 'greenheads' due to their iridescent green heads.

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BarrytheBirder

American Crow (Corvus brachyfhychos)

                                                                         BarrytheBirder photos

My Audubon Handbook of Eastern Birds says the American Crow "is a familiar species found just about everywhere, but in very large numbers in areas associated with man's activities, such as farmlands, towns, and rural roadsides."   

They are highly gregarious, can occur in very large flocks, especially at nightly roosting areas in fall and winter.

They breed from north-central British Columbia east to Newfoundland, south to California, east Texas and Florida.

Adults are entirely black, with rather stout bills and legs.   Tails are squared and slightly fan-shaped and their fan-shaped tail distinguishes them from ravens in flight.   Their call is a familiar, slightly descending 'CAW'.

The American Crow is North America's largest crow.

American Crows are gregarious and can occur in very large flocks.

The American Crow is 17 1/2", compared to the Common Raven at 24".

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BarrytheBirder

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

 

                                                                         Photos by BarrytheBirder

The Mourning Dove is the most widespread and native dove in North America, with an estimated 350 to 400 million birds in existence.  Mostly found in open woodlands, many upland habitats, urban and suburban areas, and especially at backyard feeders.  

Its long, pointed white-edged tail is distinctive in flight, while its wings produce a fluttering whistle on take-off.

They usually feed on the ground, primarily on seeds.

They breed from across Canada and south throughout the entire United States.

In warm climates, a pair may produce up to six broods a year!

The Mourning Dove voice produces a slow, mournful cooing, 'cooowaah, cooo, coo, coooo'.

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BarrytheBirder

Northern Flicker - Colaptes auratus

                                                                     Preening

The Northern Flicker is a big brown woodpecker that often feeds on the ground, seeking ants.  When they fly, they flash bright colours under the wings and tail, as well as a white rump.   There are two types of Flicker, the eastern/northern "Yellow-shafted Flicker" (found east of the Rockies) and the western "Red-shafted Flicker (found west of the Rockies), named for the colour of feather shafts in the wings.

The "Yellow-shafted" is found in the northern and eastern North America, and the "Red-shafted" is found in western North America, but the two do interbreed. in southwestern Canada, and the western great plains.

Flickers are common in open woodlands and suburban areas.   They are quite noticeable with their moustachial stripes.

Their calls include a nasal, long, loud series, 'wik-wik-wik-wik"; louder, faster and higher-pitches than the similar call of the Pileated Woodpecker.

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BarrytheBirder

Swainson's Hawks are numerous in Aurora, Ontario...

                                                                                   Photos by Barry the Birder

Swainson's Hawks

at Delmanor Retirement Residence

on rooftop terrace railing

in Aurora, Onrario

Swainson's Hawks are widespread in North America are particularly native to the central, mid-west United States, notably in the state of Kansas.   In recent years, more and more of these raptors are finding their way into southern, Ontario, Canada.

Bufflehead Duck (Bucephala albeola)

Photo by BarrytheBirder

"Often nests in old Flicker holes"

The Bufflehead is a small duck (smallest duck in North America - 13 1/2") with a large, puffy greenish-purple head, steep forehead and short bill.   It is often called the "butterball".   It is chunky and energetic and may seem quite tame.  The male is glossy black above, white below, with a large white patch on the head.   In flight, males show white patch across entire wing.

Buffleheads nest in woodlands near small lakes and ponds.  During migration and winter, they are found also on sheltered bays, rivers and lakes.

They breed from Alaska, Manitoba, and central Quebec, and winter along both coasts and on interior lakes and rivers.

Because of their small size, they often nest in old Flicker holes.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Hummingbird silliness...

Photo by BarrytheBirder

Question: Why do hummingbirds hum?

Answer: Because they don't know the words.

Sorry, BtheB

Ephemeral wings...

                                                                        Photos by BarrytheBirder  

Flicker of bright wings,

A sip of nectar's sweet kiss,

Summer whispers by.

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BarrytheBirder

Red-tailed Hawks to Swainson's Hawks...

BarrytheBirder

I am 84 years old.   I became interested in birding in my early twenties, and one bird I became very attracted to in my early years was the Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis).

They were prevalent in my part of southern Ontario, a few kilometres north of Toronto, and quickly became my hawk.

Decades let, when I became 80 years of age, I saw my first Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni).   I saw it four years ago, over the Town of Aurora, Ontario, where I now live.

Photos by BarrytheBirder

Swainson's Hawks are prevalent in the plains and prairies  of the central and western U.S.A., but do drift eastward to be seen in Ontario, as in my case.   I am now a bit fanatical about this 'Buteo'.   I see them many times a day over Aurora and I am particularly impressed with hoe they soar with up-tilted wings in high teetering, vulture-like flight.

I believe, in fact, that the Swainson's Hawks soar even higher than the Red-tailed Hawks.   The two birds are very similar in in size and measurements.   My Nastional Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern America says the following about the Swainson's range: ...nests on plains and prairies...primarily a fall migrant in eastern North America, rarely in southern Florida and south Texas.

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BarrytheBirder

Swainson's Hawks confrontation in Aurora, Ontario...

A Swainson's Hawk swoops in from the left...

...for a seemingly head-to-head confrontation with another Swainson's Hawk on the right.

But they instantly parted and disappeared befor I could get a third picture.   Oh well, next time maybe.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry the Birder

How fast is a hummingbird?

Photos by BarrytheBirder

Hummingbirds routinely reach flight speeds of 38 to 48 km/h (20 to 30 mph), but during courtship dives, males can achieve maximum velocities ranging from 88 to 86 km/h (55 to 60 mph).

Relative to their wee size, these are among the highest speeds ever recorded for any invertebrate.

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BarrytheBirder

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)

Photo by Barry the Birder

Hundreds of times a day

she visits the feeders,

seemingly insatiable.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Peregrine Falcons at Keswick...

Photos by BarrytheBirder

Lots of Peregrine Falcons continue to appear in southwest Keswick, Ontario, on the Ravenshoe Sideroad.   They are found atop huge nests atop the light towers of the big baseball park and perch on much of the agricultural irrigation equipment on the north Holland Marsh lands.  They feed on nearby fish in the south end of Lake Simcoe and in the north Holland River.

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Barry the Birder 

Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera)

                                                                    Painting by Phil Chadwick

Phil Chadwick is a one-time resident of King Township, Ontario.

Usually a locally uncommon warbler of open second growth, woodland edges, and  brushy pastures.   Adult males have a yellow crown, grayish-blue upperparts, with noticeable black throat and ear patch.

They breed from central Minnesota through the Great region to southern New England, south in the Appalachians to northern Georgia.

They are declining in some areas, due apparently to competition with Blue-winged Warblers.   This bird winters mostly in the tropics.

Phil Charwick artwork is available at fineartamerica.com., Santa Monica, California.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry the Birder

Swainson's Hawks continue to fill Aurora's skies

                                                                                                      Photos by BarrytheBirder 

Several Swainson's Hawks, particularly endemic to the west-central U.S.A., and Kansas in particular, continue to inhabit southwest Aurora, north of Toronto, Ontario.   They have seemingly replaced the Red-tailed Hawks that used to frequent the area.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder