H.J. Ruiz – Avian101 – Page 772 – "My Backyard Visitors" – All about birds

Cowbirds are Here! – Part One

Last Saturday I filled the feeders early since it had rained the late evening before and most birds were very hungry. As soon as I finished with my morning chorus I went to get my camera ready by then I saw a mob of birds outside! Northern Cardinals, House Finches, Mourning Doves and at least a dozen Brown-headed Cowbirds a bit later I saw, Red-winged Blackbirds, Song Sparrows, an American Goldfinch, a Common Grackle, an Eastern Towhee and some Northern Mockingbirds.

A couple of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were there but they’re not part of the mob.

I centered my attention to the Cowbirds since they were almost absent from my backyard this year.

When you see the photos I’m posting today, take notice of the molting and changing of coloration of their feathers in the male cowbirds.

I have to tell you an anecdote that happened to me the day before: I was watching TV after lunch when I heard a sound that came from the kitchen’s glass door. I took a look outside at the patio near the door and saw a small bird lying on its back shaking its legs in desperation. I immediately picked it and found no wound or any kind of injure. It seemed to be in a daze but started to react rapidly I showed it to my 3 year old Tyler to pet it and then I returned outside and all I had to do was open my hand and it flew freely in a hurry.

This bird was a young female Brown-headed Cowbird!

Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – avian 101

Tags: birds, Brown-Headed Cowbird, Interesting information, nature, photography, photos of birds

Yeah!

In all the hoopla about changes of climate and variations of birds migratory habits I found myself in an extraordinary situation when I discovered a foreign species in my backyard! I’m proud to say and feature a Red-crested Cardinal in today’s post.

Although it is not a new addition to my Bird List since I had photographed one previously in a foreign Country. Let me give you a bit information about this bird species:

The Red-crested Cardinal (Paroaria coronata) is a bird species in the tanager family (Thraupidae). It is found in northern Argentina, Bolivia, southern Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and heavily degraded former forest. Among other regions, it is found in southern part of the Pantanal.

The Red-crested Cardinal has been introduced to the islands of Hawaii and Puerto Rico but is not known to occur in mainland USA.

Looking at the photos I’ve noticed that the bird has been ringed, a red ring around one of its legs. I’ve sent an email with attached photograph to Audubon Society of Atlanta but I have not gotten a reply yet.

I have a group of photos here for you! Enjoy!

Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101

Tags: birds, important information, Interesting information, nature, photography, photos of birds, Red-crested Cardinal

Molting Time!

Molting is a natural process of renewal of certain parts of the body. Although this process happens to a number of animals I will refer to birds only on this post.

Birds shed their feathers and get new ones several times during their lifetime. It doesn’t happen all in one day but gradually in a way that would not impede their flight ability or hinder them of any other functions. The reasons for shedding or molting vary for all birds.

At this time I have many of the birds in the process of molting and other just getting their first sets of feathers because of their young age.

Regardless of how scruffy they might look now, you know that at the end of the molting they will look colorful and beautiful!