Bird Categories Archives - Page 39 of 48 - Window to Wildlife

Common Eider in Superior Wisconsin on January 30, 2015

I made the trip up to Superior Wisconsin in hopes to see the reported rare for this region, the Common Eider. Daryl Christensen made the trip up with me for what would be a very exciting event. We arrived in Superior about 8:15 am and hit Barkers Island as the reported location that this duck had last been viewed. The small open water on each side of the bridge to the island held 4 Mallard Ducks on one side and 8 Common Goldeneyes on the other. The recent reports told of the Common Eider, female, being mixed in the very many Mallards and might be hard to locate? We left the area and traveled some of the city near the bay looking for open water. Everything was froze up. We even traveled the bridge into Minnesota in hopes to spot open water somewhere in the area from above, but had the same result, froze up. We went back to the island and a couple more ducks were present but no Common Eider. At this point we thought we may have lost the chances of seeing the Common Eider. We thought we would take a drive out of town to locate the deer carcass that had been reported on a Hwy 13 road side with a possible Black-billed Magpie. We located a carcass, watched over it for almost 30 minutes with no luck and decided maybe head back into town in hopes the Common Eider has made an appearance. Sure enough, there the Common Eider sat on the ice with approximately 40 other ducks, with some in the water. To say the least, we had two very excited birders making the day complete, each with a new life bird. A drake Northern Pintail was also in the group of ducks that had just came in and it gave nice views. We put together the ducks maybe spend the night way out in open water, during the morning hours they start returning to the small open water near the island bridge, just a thought. Thanks to the finder of this bird and all the birders that kept the continuing reports of this bird coming in. Images were taken on January 30, 2015.

Common Eider

Binomial name: Somateria mollissima

Category: Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Size: 24” long, 38” wing span

Weight: 4.7 lbs

Common Eider with Mallard, male behind

Common Eider hanging out with Mallards, male

Preening

Just out of water with Mallards

Just out of water with Mallards

Common Eider with Mallard, female

Looking for a place to loaf, with Mallards

Taking a break on the ice

Mallard, male front, Common Eider back

Common Eider with Mallard behind, male

Common Eider stretching

Common Eider with Northern Pintail behind, male

Northern Pintail, male

Northern Pintail

Northern Pintail

Northern Pintail

Northern Pintail in Superior Wisconsin on January 30, 2015

By admin | January 29, 2015 - 1:20 pm |February 2, 2015 Bird Categories, Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Leave a comment

The Northern Pintail adult, was one of the other duck species present at the Common Eider location in Superior Wisconsin. The exact location was at the bridge going onto Barker’s Island. Image was taken on January 30, 2015.

Northern Pintail

Binomial name: Anas acuta

Category: Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Size: 21” long, 34” wing span

Weight: 1.8 lbs

Snowy Owl near the Horicon Marsh on January 27, 2015

By admin | January 27, 2015 - 7:21 pm |January 29, 2015 Bird Categories, Typical Owls

2 Comments

I made a run up to the Horicon Marsh this morning to see what was going on. I guess the highlight was a Snowy Owl on a pole. Other species present were a couple of Rough-legged Hawks, 5 Red-tailed Hawks, 5 American Kestrels. No Northern Goshawk today. I watched this Snowy Owl for awhile on the pole as it looked and listen. It gave nice views but never left the pole when I was present. Even though a little sun was in the forecast, it never came out. With mild temps, just another gloomy January day near the Horicon Marsh. Images were taken on January 27, 2015

The yawn

Looking and listening

The stretch

Preening

Looking and listening

The stretch

Preening

Northern Goshawk near the Horicon Marsh on January 22, 2015

By admin | January 22, 2015 - 3:25 pm |January 23, 2015 Bird Categories, Hawks, Kites, Eagles, and Allies

Leave a comment

I made a run up to the area north of Horicon Marsh in Fond du Lac County Wisconsin. Ryan S joined me for the run up with hopes to see the reported Northern Goshawk. When we arrived at 7:20 am the bird was present for about 10 minutes distant from the road. We left the area for a short time waiting for better light but when we returned we could not relocate the bird. We birded the general area till 1:00 pm but could not relocate the Northern Goshawk after 7:20-7:30 am viewing. A nice life bird for Ryan and I. Thanks to Dave G for finding this uncommon bird and those who helped in the ID’ing of it. Other species present 2 Snowy Owls, 1 Merlin, 2 Northern Shrikes, numerous Rough-legged and Red-tailed Hawks. It was a fun day birding!

Northern Goshawk

Binomial name: Accipiter gentilis

Category: Hawks, Kites, Eagles, and Allies

Size: 21” long, 41” wing span

Weight: 2.1 lb

Birding in the South Kettle Moraine State Forest in Waukesha County Wisconsin on January 19, 2015

By admin | January 19, 2015 - 3:10 pm |January 19, 2015 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

Leave a comment

I did a little birding in the South Kettle Moraine State Forest in Waukesha County and came across a bird feeder with some common winter birds. A few of the species that showed were Black-capped Chickadees, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers, White-breasted Nut-hatches and American Goldfinches. These birds gave a little spark to an otherwise slow day. Images were taken on January 19, 2015.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

White-breasted Nuthatch

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker hiding the seed

Black-capped Chickadee

American Goldfinch

Snowy Owls near the Horicon Marsh on January 16, 2015

By admin | January 16, 2015 - 8:41 pm |January 19, 2015 Bird Categories, Typical Owls

6 Comments

I made another run up near Horicon Marsh to see what was happening. For the most part the day was slow but there was some excitement at times. One Snowy Owl put on a show a few times going for prey and just off hunting. One time going for prey it got something out of sight in the cattails. On another long run I think its prey off the ice but it was fast action and I missed it. Some sun was in the forecast I read for today, but it was just another cloudy day, cold with low winds. It always amazes me the speed these birds have as they travel long distances in only seconds. Images were taken on January 16, 2015.

Going for the prey!

Snowy Owl

Binomial name: Bubo scandiacus

Category: Typical Owls

Description: Adult males are mostly white with a few dark feather tips. Adult females and juveniles are white with dark scalloping on chest, back, wings, and tail. Yellow eyes, black beak, and feathery feet.

Size: 20”- 28” long, 49” – 59” wingspan

Weight: 3.5 lb. – 6.6 lb.

Habitat: Wide open, treeless spaces such as shorelines, lakes, open fields, and agricultural sites.

Diet: Small mammals such as rodents, lemmings, voles, mice, rats, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, and other birds such as shorebirds, songbirds, ducks, geese, and pheasants.

Nesting: The female builds a nest on a mound with good visibility. She scrapes away the top layer of soil and, over several days, presses her body into the ground to make a depression. She will lay a clutch of 3 to 11 eggs and incubate them for about 5 weeks. Both parents will defend the nest and care for the hatchlings which are born pure white. The same nest may be used year after year.

Notes: Snowy owls are considered the heaviest owl in North America, weighing about a pound more than its closest contender, the Great Horned Owl. A snowy owl was featured in the Harry Potter series when Harry received his pet, Hedwig. It is also the official bird of Quebec.

Going for the prey!

Going for the prey!

Going for the prey!

Going for the prey!

Across the ice to a hunting perch!

Across the ice to a hunting perch!

Hunting

Takes flight for potential prey!

Two Snowy Owls in this image, doc shot.

Snowy Owls and more near the Horicon Marsh on January 14, 2015

By admin | January 14, 2015 - 7:19 pm |January 17, 2015 Bird Categories, Typical Owls

1 Comment

I decided to make a run up to Horicon Marsh this morning. I had not been up there yet this winter and it was time. I met Dave Frerik up there early am and we had an exciting morning with 2 Snowy Owls, at least 6 Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Harrier and a couple of American Kestrels being the highlights. Gloomy day with just a few snow flurries and cold temps, definitely felt like winter. Images were taken on January 14, 2015.

Snowy Owl, female

It captures a vole here, it is in the front!

Rough-legged Hawk

Snowy Owl at the Lake Express in Milwaukee on January 4, 2015

By admin | January 4, 2015 - 8:54 pm |January 5, 2015 Bird Categories, Typical Owls

1 Comment

I did some birding today along the lakefront in Milwaukee and there was a little excitement. The Snowy Owl was present at the Lake Express and gave nice views. After about 15 minutes it took flight to its normal hangout. Mike W showed up and we hit Jones Island as a place he suggested. Mike picked out a American Wigeon right away. Also present were 5 male Northern Pintails, 4 male American Black Ducks, a male and female Wood Ducks that stayed hung tight together. Other species present about 300 Mallard Ducks, some Common Goldeneyes, Lesser Scaups and Common Mergansers. I hit a few beaches and the normal common gulls. Lakeshore State Park had 3 Glaucous Gulls. All and all a fun day out birding other than the falling snow and winds. Some documentation shots. Images were taken on January 4, 2015.

Glaucous Gull 2nd cycle, Lakeshore State Park doc shot

Glaucous Gull (#1) 1st winter Lakeshore State Park – doc shot

Glaucous Gull (#2) 1st winter right, Glaucous Gull (#2) 2nd cycle left - doc shot Lakeshore State Park

Glaucous Gull 2nd cycle left, Glaucous Gull (#2) 1st winter Lakeshore State Park – doc shot

American Wigeon, rare sight on this date, doc shot

American Wigeon, rare sighting on this date, doc shot

Red-tailed Hawk at the Lake Express Milwaukee Wisconsin December 23, 2014

By admin | December 23, 2014 - 10:12 pm |December 24, 2014 Bird Categories, Hawks, Kites, Eagles, and Allies

1 Comment

I did some birding along the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning and there was nothing exciting to report in the places I stopped at. The Snowy Owl was still present at the Lake Express and located where it is typically hangs out at, the pipe. The highlight of the day for me was watching a pair of Red-tailed Hawks hunting at the Lake Express. As I watch one it eyed up its prey in a field and went for it. The prey won this time as I got back into its hole in the ground. Another observation I made today was a Red-tailed Hawk in a large puddle, could have been taking a bath which I must have missed. Minutes later it was up in the middle of a branched tree with it wings spread out dry them like a Double-crested Cormorant does. The sun shined for a whole 15 minutes today! With the mild temps and light winds it was nice to get out birding for a couple hours this morning. Images taken on December 23, 2014.

I see my prey!

It is here somewhere!

It got away!

Up looking for the next catch!

Doing a balancing act here with higher winds!

American Three-toed Woodpecker in Burnett County Wisconsin on December 10, 2014

By admin | December 11, 2014 - 10:36 am |December 13, 2014 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

2 Comments

The American Three-toed Woodpecker that had been reported in Burnett County was found at the location that was reported. A very rare bird for the state of Wisconsin, and what I read is viewed by few people because the location of it’s habitat. Chris W, Daryl C and I made the trip up leaving very early Wednesday morning getting there shortly after light. Deb P met up with us there and joined the group. It was a gloomy morning with low winds, just a few inches of snow on the ground with temps mild in the low 20’s, and balmy. This bird came into the area reported a few times for nice viewing. When the bird came into viewing, it worked different trees continually pecking non stop, at the tree it landed on. It moved to a few different trees on occasion continually pecking and as I remember not even stopping to look in the direction we were. With the continued action of the feeding bird, higher more than low in the heavily twigged trees, just to get a couple of photos was a challenge. After the short time of viewing the American Three-toed Woodpecker, we traveled north and east of that area looking for boreal species in boreal habitats for the rest of the day. What a beautiful part of the state! A couple of the highlights were 2 adult American Bald Eagles working a deer carcass near a roadside and a flock of 300 plus Pine Siskins. We saw many flocks of Common Redpolls too working the roadsides high and low for seeds. No Hoary Redpolls to be found. Many thanks to Jim H, a local birder for finding this exciting bird and getting the report out for others to enjoy. I have also just now received information in a email of a person that knows someone that had viewed this species 2 miles from where it is currently being seen in 2013. I am waiting to hear back from the contact person on any other information on this event. When you see a report like Jim’s, one always has to wonder how many rare birds could be out there that are missed. A life bird for me and a state life bird for the others! It was just a full day of excitement getting out and spending the day birding with some great birders and friends. I did take a couple so-so images to share, you just have to take what you can get with conditions given. Images were taken on December 10, 2014.

American Three-toed Woodpecker

Binomial name: Picoides dorsalis

Category: Woodpeckers and Allies

Size: 8.75″ long, 15” wingspan

Weight: 2.3 oz

Habitat: They prefer boreal forests with mature or old growth larch, pine, fir and spruce. They can also be found in areas flooded, logged or burned with dead trees that have large infestations of boring beetles or insect outbreak.

Diet: Bark beetles larvae and boring beetles. Other insects are also eaten along with various fruits.

Nesting: A nest cavity is excavated by both adults in a dead tree or limb. Both adults incubate the eggs for an average of 13 days and young part from the nest on an average of 24 days.

Cool fact: A bird that is not seen by most people because of boreal habitat it typically lives in.

American Three-toed Woodpecker working the tree, distant doc shot

American Three-toed Woodpecker doc shot

American Three-toed Woodpecker flaking in the bark, doc shot

American Bald Eagles in in a tree taking a break from trips to the deer carcass they are feeding on.

Pine Siskin feeding on Alder seeds.

Common Redpolls on the back roads in Burnett County

Common Goldeneye and Greater and Lesser Scaup Ducks at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin December 7, 2014

By admin | December 7, 2014 - 2:55 pm |December 8, 2014 Bird Categories, Ducks, Geese, and Swans

3 Comments

Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin has been giving nice views of Greater and Lesser Scaups and Common Goldeneyes. Numbers are not high there in the park but a few to enjoy. The open water on the big lake has 1,000’s of these species right now along with and some Bufflehead, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers. The Snowy Owl over at the Lake Express Ferry was near its hangout, the culvert pipe coming out of the ground. It was inside it this morning, later in the morning it appeared to be outside of it next to it. It seemed like there were many spectators there waiting for close up views when I checked a few times this morning. Images were taken on December 7, 2014.

Greater Scaup, female adult

Common Goldeneye, male 1st winter

Common Goldeneye, male adult

Lesser Scaup, female adult

Greater Scaup, male adult, on the beach.

Greater Scaup, female adult, on the beach.

Greater Scaup adults, female left – male right, on the beach.

Greater Scaup, females watching a piece of ice go by!

Common Goldeneye, male adult, looking at you!

Greater Scaup, female adult

Common Goldeneye, male adult

Common Goldeneye, female adult

Long-tailed Duck at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee Wisconsin December 6, 2014

By admin | December 6, 2014 - 3:20 pm |December 6, 2014 Bird Categories, Ducks, Geese, and Swans

1 Comment

I birded the Milwaukee lakefront this morning and the highlight of the day was a adult female Long-tailed Duck. Jym M. found the gorgeous Long-tailed Duck hanging out in the boat dock area there. Thanks Jym! I ran into Jym while birding Bradford Beach looking through gulls. I had looked hard and ran into other birders looking for the reported Kumlien’s Iceland Gull Jym found yesterday with no luck at numerous gull hangouts. Lots of gulls along the lakefront this morning, I just could not find anything odd. The Snowy Owl was still hanging out in the culvert pipe at the Lake Express Ferry catching sun. Images were taken on December 6, 2014.

Long-tailed Duck

Binomial name: Clangula hyemalis

Category: Duck, Geese, and Swans

Size: 16.5” long, 28” wing span

Weight: 1.6 lb.

Note: Long-tailed Duck formally known as Oldsquaw

Stretching

Tail shot

Looking at you!

Snowy Owl at the Lake Express in Milwaukee Wisconsin November 29, 2014

By admin | November 29, 2014 - 6:31 pm |November 29, 2014 Bird Categories, Typical Owls

1 Comment

I made a run into Milwaukee to see the Snowy Owl at the Lake Express that had been reported. When I arrived at 8:00 am, the Snowy Owl was no where to be seen. I birded other parts of the lakefront with nothing major to report. I stopped at the Lake Express one more time before leaving the lakefront and the Snowy Owl was present. It was sitting out near a pipe, moved 10 feet from that location in the next couple hours and remained a very long distance from the best viewing point. The first Snowy Owl sighting of the season is always a special treat no matter how far away it is from viewing. It was a pleasant day out on the lakefront with mild temps, some sun early and low winds. It was a fun day too seeing some old birding friends and meeting some new. Images of the beautiful female Snowy Owl were taken on November 29, 2014.

Snowy Owl

Binomial name: Bubo scandiacus

Category: Typical Owls

Size: 20”- 28” long, 49” – 59” wingspan

Weight: 3.5 lb. – 6.6 lb.

Habitat: Wide open, treeless spaces such as shorelines, lakes, open fields, and agricultural sites.

Diet: Small mammals such as rodents, lemmings, voles, mice, rats, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, and other birds such as shorebirds, songbirds, ducks, geese, and pheasants.

Glaucous Gull at Bradford Beach on Milwaukee’s Lakefront November 14, 2014

By admin | November 14, 2014 - 4:11 pm |February 12, 2015 Bird Categories, Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

1 Comment

I birded a good portion of the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning. The second time I checked out Bradford Beach I spotted a very large gull with some Ring-billed Gulls, it was an adult Glaucous Gull. Not your everyday gull on the lakefront, but we do see a few during the winter months. I had hit that beach earlier in the morning and it was empty. These gulls are always moving around. Off the shorelines were some Bufflehead, Scaups, American Coots, Red-breasted Mergansers, Horned Grebes along with the usually Mallards. About 15 American Robins were eating berries off the trees just south of the entrance to Bradford Beach parking lot. Bruce joined me for some shooting of the Glaucous Gull. It was a cold morning, overcast with a stiff wind, sure felt like winter. Images were taken on November 14, 2014.

Glaucous Gull

Binomial name: Larus hyperboreus

Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Size: 27” long, 60” wing span

Weight: 3.1 lb

Habitat: This large gulls breeding grounds are in the northern arctic. It spends its winters farther north than most gulls on coasts, lakes, urban areas, dumps and agricultural fields. Mostly breeds along shorelines of the seacoast, rivers and lakes, also refuse dumps. These gulls are usually not found inland.

Diet: It captures prey such as plovers, small ducks, ptarmigans, auks, birds, small mammals and invertebrates. It also scavenges dead fish, carrion, garbage and dead animal matter.

Nesting: The nest is a shallow bowl constructed of twigs, grasses, sedges, moss and sometimes feathers. The nest is located on cliff edges, grass slopes above cliffs, islands or ponds on the tundra. 3 eggs are usually laid brown in color with dark brown spots.

Glaucous Gull with a Herring Gull behind and Ring-billed Gulls all around.

Glaucous Gull with a Herring Gull behind and mostly Ring-billed Gulls all around.

Glaucous Gull with the Ring-billed Gulls.

With fish below

Eating with fish below

Eating with fish below

Fish below

Eating the fish

Eating the fish

Glaucous Gull Milwaukee Lakefront December 4, 2012

Glaucous Gull North Point Sheboygan Wisconsin November 21, 2011

Glaucous Gull North Point Sheboygan Wisconsin November 21, 2011

American Kestrel at the Lake Express Ferry on the Milwaukee Lakefront November 12, 2014

By admin | November 12, 2014 - 5:54 pm |November 13, 2014 Bird Categories, Caracaras and Falcons

1 Comment

While birding this morning at the Lake Express on Milwaukee’s lakefront an American Kestrel, male was present. This species is commonly seen at this location or within a couple of blocks of the ferry. I watched it for 15 minutes and in that amount of time it flew to the ground 4 times and picked up fairly large insects and ate them. I would like to say the insect was a little bigger than a grasshopper and also had narrow clear wings. So not sure what the insect was. Bradford beach had one Juv. Great Black-backed Gull. The rest of the lakefront from Northpoint south to the Express I thought was very quiet. Images were taken on November 12, 2014.

American Kestrel with large insect in bill.

American Kestrel

Binomial name: Falco sparverius

Category: Caracaras and Falcons

Size: 9” long, 22” wing span

Weight: 4.1 Oz.

Habitat: They prefer open areas of grasslands, meadows and deserts with sparse vegetation and trees. They usually are seen on top of a pole, posts, fence or on a telephone wire. On top of these posts, poles, etc the American Kestrels will face the wind and balance themselves.

Diet: Mice and voles are common foods for the American Kestrel. They also eat in insects such as dragonflies, butterflies, moths and grasshoppers. They have also been known to eat squirrels, gophers, bats, small birds such as House Sparrows, lizards and snakes. Prey is usually taken off the ground.

Nesting: Nest cavities are used with no nesting materials. Sometimes other birds nest cavities are used. Typically 4-5 eggs are laid that are white and light pink in color.

Cool fact: Smallest falcon in North American also called the “Sparrow Hawk”

American Kestrel eating the insect.

Doc shot for insect ID.

Doc shot for tail spread.

Doc shot for insect ID, grasshopper.

Hunting!

American White Pelican at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 29, 2014

By admin | October 29, 2014 - 3:19 pm |October 29, 2014 Bird Categories, Pelicans

1 Comment

I was just heading out the door this morning when I got a text message from a friend Bruce that he had located an American White Pelican at McKinley Beach. The bird was viewed previously by other birders at least a week ago, if this is the same bird. If it is, it some good hiding places. An American White Pelican is a common bird, but it is a special sighting on the lakefront in Milwaukee. I have preciously viewed them up in Sheboygan on the lakefront there. When I arrived at the location it was present. This location was on the lake side of the large rocks just east of the beach. I notified Jym M of the bird after receiving the text from Bruce as I knew Jym had been on the hunt for this bird for his Milwaukee Co. list. Jym arrived in a few minutes later, and he was all smiles, congrats Jym! The bird did some extensive preening while we were present. After preening it took to the water and then took off to the south. A fun birding moment for all of us and thanks to Bruce for the early text message this morning! Also present close by were about 12 Snow Buntings, 20 Female Surf Scoters out a ways, a couple of Horned Grebes and the Glaucous Gull. Images were taken on October 29, 2014.

American White Pelican

Binomial name: Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Category: Pelicans

Size: 62” long, 108” wing span

Weight: 16.4 lbs

Stretching

Stretching

Stretching

Stretching

Preening

Preening

Preening

Grooming

Stretching

Stretching

Grooming

Preening

Preening

Preening

Preening

Grooming

Preening

Rufous Hummingbird at Black Earth Wisconsin October 26, 2014

By admin | October 26, 2014 - 7:46 pm |October 28, 2014 Bird Categories, Hummingbirds

1 Comment

Rufous Hummingbird, thought to be hatching year male. I received and email late morning from a friend in Black Earth Wisconsin who was pretty sure she had Rufous Hummingbird coming to her feeder. She sent me some great images and I thought I better check it out. I arrived around 1:30 pm. The bird came to the feeder within minutes after I arrived, I was hardly set up. The feeding was short and the bird feed on the opposite side of the feeder from where I was. I had notified Cynthia and she arrived a bit later. I the bird showed one more time briefly. We then had a good 2.5 hour lull with now bird. There was at least one other feeder at a neighbor’s house that Cynthia had spotted so who knows where the bird was hanging out. I got very few images of this bird. Thought to be confirming images to ID this bird were taken on October 27, 2014 by Kyle and Cynthia B. Thanks to Ann W. for contacting me about this bird. Hopefully the bird shows in the morning and continues for others to view. If the bird shows in the morning I will post Ann’s email address and you can contact her. She is open to visitors to view this bird. It has been an exciting fall for me with vagrant hummingbirds as in the last 8 days I have viewed the 1- Anna’s, 3- Rufous. Images were taken on October 26, 2014 at Black Earth, Dane County Wisconsin.

Rufous Hummingbird in Waukesha County Wisconsin on October 24, 2014

By admin | October 24, 2014 - 7:41 pm |October 24, 2014 Bird Categories, Hummingbirds

1 Comment

With a little sun this afternoon I decided to run out to Eagle in Waukesha County. I thought I would try for a couple more shots with some sun of the Rufous Hummingbird as I heard it is still being viewed. There was a small crowd of birders when I arrived. When I was there the Rufous was pretty consistent coming to the feeder. Those feedings were about every 25-30 minutes. When it showed, it gave nice views dipping into the feeder for nectar about 5 times, then off in a flash! Nobody ever really could follow to where it was perching. Birders came and went while I was there. Even though there have been a couple Rufous Hummingbirds in the last 2 years in the state, still a life bird for many that were present. All and all a beautiful day to be out birding with warm temps and nice sunshine. It was nice to see a few old birders and meet some new ones too. Thanks again to Danielle and Raef for being such nice hosts and allowing birders in to see this beauty on their property! Images were taken on October 24, 2014.

Rufous Hummingbird

Binomial name: Selasphorus rufus

Category: Hummingbirds

Description: Primarily rust-colored feathers with a small patch of white on the chest. Red-orange patch on throat. Short wings and a slender, slightly sloping bill.

Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan

Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.18 oz

Habitat: Open broadleaf forests, orchards, meadows, parks, swamps, and yards

Natural Range: West Coast from Alaska to Mexico and Rocky Mountains, wintering in the Gulf Coast and Southeastern Atlantic states. They are occasionally, although rarely, found in cold-weather areas such as the Midwest due to their surprising hardiness.

Diet: Tree and flower nectar, small insects, and hummingbird feeders

Nesting: The males may mate with several females but do not care for the young. The female provides all parental care, building a nest in a protected tree or shrub. They favor either deciduous or coniferous trees such as spruce, cedar, maples, pines, birch, and hemlocks. The nest is made out of bud scales, lichen, spider silk, and dandelion or thistle down. The same nest may be used year after year and not necessarily by its previous occupant. The female will lay 2-3 eggs at a time, laying 1 brood per summer. She incubates the eggs for 15-17 days, and the young remain in the nest for 15-19 days.

Notes: This high-strung bird is considered extremely aggressive and will chase other animals from feeders or its nest including larger birds, chipmunks, and even other hummingbirds. Like other hummingbirds, Roufus Hummingbirds are adept flyers and can hover, dart, and perch with ease. They have even been seen to pluck insects out of midair.

Rufous Hummingbird in Waukesha County Wisconsin on October 23, 2014

By admin | October 23, 2014 - 9:21 pm |October 24, 2014 Bird Categories, Hummingbirds

4 Comments

This afternoon I received a message from a friend in Eagle Wisconsin that said she had a hummingbird coming to her feeder this morning that she did not recognize. She thought possible Rufous. I headed out there and Anne Morretti was right behind me when I arrived. She also heard the news. The bird was there moments after we arrived on a feeder. She said she was just going to take the feeder down last Sunday but it had got put off. Danielle and Raef the property owners were anxious to find out what exact species this was. We took some photos as the sky turned grey and later rained pretty good. The Rufous continued to feed during the rain. We are assuming at this point it is a Rufous Hummingbird. I posted many images of the bird in hopes that we can ID it 100%. If anyone can call this bird something else or can find the marks to confirm it’s ID as a Rufous please let us know. I have seriously not studied the bird images yet myself as wanting to get the post up. The property owners are willing to let others in to view this beautiful bird well out it normal range. A big thank you to Danielle and Raef for getting the word out on this bird and letting others in to view it. They also had a beautiful leucistic Ruby-throated Hummingbird visit them last year, 2013 for a few days. 2 incredible birds coming to one residence. I have included an image from that event at the bottom of these images. The Rufous Hummingbird images were taken on October 23, 2014. It was another exciting birding day with 3 vagrants in just 5 days! (I have recently added an image at the bottom here of the best tail spread I have. Is it enough to confirm this bird as a Rufous)?

Rufous Hummingbird

Binomial name: Selasphorus rufus

Category: Hummingbirds

Description: Primarily rust-colored feathers with a small patch of white on the chest. Red-orange patch on throat. Short wings and a slender, slightly sloping bill.

Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan

Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.18 oz

Habitat: Open broadleaf forests, orchards, meadows, parks, swamps, and yards

Diet: Tree and flower nectar, small insects, and hummingbird feeders

Best tail spread I could come up with, is it enough to confrim this bird as a Rufous)?

Best tail spread I could come up with, is it enough to confirm this bird as a Rufous?

Pied-billed Grebe Lakeshore State Park Milwaukee Wisconsin October 23, 2014

By admin | October 23, 2014 - 8:20 pm |October 25, 2014 Bird Categories, Grebes

Leave a comment

I birded the lakefront in Milwaukee last Thursday morning and it was pretty slow. The Glaucous Gull was still at Bradford Beach but that was the big event there. I think the Glaucous Gull has been present in the area since October 8, 2014. Lakeshore State Park was also slow except for a Pied-billed and Horned Grebe in their nonbreeding plumages. Later in the day I received the message on the Rufous Hummingbird in Waukesha County, the reason I am posting these images a little late. Images were taken on October 23, 2014.

Pied-billed Grebe nonbreeding plumage

Pied-billed Grebe

Binomial name: Podilymbus podiceps

Category: Grebes

Size: 13” long, 16” wing span

Weight: 1 lb.

Habitat: Breeds across North America in ponds and lakes that are seasonal or permanent. On those waters it prefers thick stands of emergent vegetation, sloughs and bays. If waters are frozen the will go to salt water.

Diet: Diving for fish, occasional plant material, crustaceans (mainly crayfish), and aquatic insects. Their feathers are also part of their diet along with giving them to their young. Feathers help in digestion to prevent damage by bones.

Nesting: The nest is open bowl shaped made of vegetation, typically floats and is anchored by emergent vegetation. The female lays 3-10 light blue eggs, sometimes twice a year that both parents help incubate. The young are feed by both parents and are typically carried around on the adult backs.

Cool Facts: Small bird, stocky, short necked that dives up to 30 seconds at a time. They are known to dive for food with young on their back. Adults have a black ring around their chicken like bill during breeding season. A shy, not sociable bird that is sensitive to disturbances, are rarely found in flocks.

Pied-billed Grebe nonbreeding plumage

Pied-billed Grebe nonbreeding plumage

Pied-billed Grebe nonbreeding plumage

Horned Grebe nonbreeding plumage

Horned Grebe

Binomial name: Podiceps auritus

Category: Grebes

Size: 14” long, 18” wing span

Weight: 1 lb.

Habitat: Breeds on small to medium sized, vegetated areas of shallow freshwater ponds and marshes. The breeding range is from northern central US north to northern regions of Canada and Alaska.

Diet: In summer mostly feed on aquatic insects which they get off the top of the water. They also eat crustaceans which they get diving under water. In winter their diet includes fish, crustacean and small aquatic animals.

Nesting: The nest is a pile of wet plant material that is floating or sometimes on a rock. It is an open bowl and located near the water’s edge as this since the grebe legs are back far and they cannot walk well. The female lays 3-7 eggs white to light brown or light blue-green. The young are feed by both parents and can swim and dive usually the next day after hatching. The young often ride on the back of the parents back like loons do.

Cool Facts: This grebe eats some of its own feathers and they sit in their stomach and act as a filter and hold fish bones and other things till they are digested. One of the smaller grebes that is an excellent diver and swimmer that can stay under water for very long periods of time.