Birdwatching in Marquette County

While birdwatching in Marquette County, I was able to photograph Eastern Bluebirds, a Red-headed Woodpecker, and others on October 26, 2013. Images were taken near a small water source where birds were coming and going, bathing, preening and drinking.   To see the gallery of images, please click here.

Rufous Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird photographed in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on October 27, 2013. 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: … Continue reading

Yellow-rumped Warblers and Cedar Waxwings Sharing Berries

Yellow-rumped Warblers and Cedar Waxwings sharing the berries of a cedar tree in Waukesha County.  Photographs taken October 19, 2013. Yellow-rumped Warbler Binomial name: Setophaga coronata Category: Wood-Warblers Description: Both males and females have gray streaks, white on wings, and yellow rumps.  Males have black streaking on slate blue backs … Continue reading

Red-headed Woodpecker Storing Acorns

A Red-headed Woodpecker storing acorns for the winter in Marquette County, WI.  Photographs taken October 13, 2013. Red-headed Woodpecker Binomial name: Melanerpes erythrocephalus Category: Woodpeckers and Allies Description: Red head with black back and white underparts.  The wings are black with white wingtips.  Adult males and females have identical plumage … Continue reading

White-Tailed Kite

White-Tailed Kite near Leola Marsh, Adams County, Wisconsin.  Photographed on September 30, 2013. White-Tailed Kite Binomial name: Elanus leucurus Category: Hawks, Kites, Eagles, and Allies Description: White with black shoulders and wingtips; elongated wings and tail.  Red eyes and yellow legs. Size: 14” – 17” long, 35” – 40” wingspan … Continue reading

Harris’s Sparrow

Harris’s Sparrow photographed at Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha, WI on September 25th and 26th, 2013. Harris’s Sparrow Binomial name: Zonotrichia querula Category: Emberizids Description: Brown face and back, both overlaid with black markings especially crown, face, and throat.  White on wings and underparts.  Pink bills and legs. Size: 6.7″ … Continue reading

Leucistic Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Leucistic Ruby-throated Hummingbird photographed in Waukesha County on September, 18 2013. Leucistic Ruby-throated Hummingbird Binomial name: Archilochus colubris Category: Hummingbirds What is Leucism?  Leucism is an uncommon condition in birds.  This condition is caused by a genetic mutation which prevents pigments, particularly melanin, from being deposited evenly in the bird’s … Continue reading

Western Sandpiper

Western Sandpiper at Bradford Beach, Milwaukee, WI.  Photographs taken September 11, 2013. Western Sandpiper Binomial name: Calidris mauri Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies Description: Brown feathers on back with white underparts.  Dark legs and bill. Size: 5.5” – 6.7” long, 10.2” – 14.6” wingspan Weight: 0.8 oz. – 1.2 oz. … Continue reading

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Royal Catchfly

I had another opportunity to photograph the Ruby-throated Hummingbird in my backyard, this time enjoying Royal Catchfly (Silene regia).  As I mentioned in my last post on this fascinating species (Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Bee Balm), these hummingbirds favor red tubular flowers most of all.  Royal Catchfly, a native of Missouri, … Continue reading