Source: http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/podcasts/thisbirdinglife/episode5.mp3
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Female house finch?
First, I want to thank each person who responded so quickly and thoroughly to my last post.
I am wondering now if this bird is perhaps the female house finch (the last one was the male - perhaps this is his mate). This little lovely just appeared at my feeder a few minutes ago.
This is SUCH FUN!
There is another bird that I can't quite get a good picture of, but would like help identifying. They are dark grey/black on top, and white underneath. They are quite small. I will post the best pic I have of him - sorry though - it isn't too clear. What might this one be?
Thanks in advance for your expertise and words of wisdom to this rank-and-file n00b!
Source: http://www.whatbird.com/forums/forums/thread/22645.aspx
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Paradise Lost
Artist, author, and naturalist Julie Zickefoose reads Paradise Lost, an essay from her latest book, Letters from Eden.
Source: http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/podcasts/thisbirdinglife/episode12.mp3
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hawk in Costa Rica
I photographed this hawk near Cahuita National Park in Costa Rica in December 2007. The guide identified it as a chicken hawk - which I understand is a general term for any hawk that preys on chicken. Looking through the books I have at home, I thought it might be a common black hawk or maybe a zone-tailed hawk. Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Source: http://www.whatbird.com/forums/forums/thread/22196.aspx
Monday, January 14, 2008
The Perils and Pitfalls of Birding
Recorded from his live presentation at the Space Coast Birding Festival, Bill Thompson, III, reveals the humorous side of bird watching.
Source: http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/podcasts/thisbirdinglife/episode6.mp3
Woodpecker Damage - Helps and Tips
A few days ago I was alerted by my wife that a woodpecker was destroying one of our window frames. I could not believe it! This bird was actually pecking away at one of my home's window frames and doing some serious damage. Wow!
After some research I found some interesting facts concerning the habits of these woodpeckers and I share them herewith is this summary from University of Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island GreenShare Factsheets
Woodpecker Damage
Woodpeckers are 17 to 40 cm (7 to 15 inches) long, have short legs, sharp-clawed toes and stiff tails. Most woodpeckers feed on wood-boring insects, insects on trees and the ground, vegetable matter, berries or tree sap. The northern flicker (Colaptes auratus) is responsible for most woodpecker damage to homes in the Northeast. It is identified in flight by a yellow or salmon tint under the wings and tail feathers. Flickers have black spots on a tannish-white breast and belly. Males have a black or red mustache extending from the gape of the beak to below the eyes. The hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus) and downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) also occasionally cause problems.
Damage:
Woodpeckers hammer on the sides of houses and other buildings to attract mates, to establish and/or defend a territory, to excavate nesting or roosting sites, and to search for insects. Wooden shingles, cedar or redwood siding, metal or plastic guttering, television antennas and light posts are selected as drumming sites because these materials produce loud sounds. Woodpeckers frequently damage cedar, rough pine and redwood siding and some synthetic stucco exterior finishing. Plywood and Masonite are less frequently damaged.
Control:
Woodpecker damage can be prevented or eliminated with several techniques including visual repellents, loud noises, exclusion and alternate construction materials. It is important to take immediate action to reduce damage, as woodpeckers are not easily driven from their territories or pecking sites once they have become established.
- Large holes serve as visual attractants to woodpeckers and should be promptly repaired. Cover the holes with aluminum flashing, tin can tops or metal sheathing, and paint them to match the siding. If damage occurs near areas that provide perch sites, eliminate these sites with metal flashing or other materials. If a single board on the house is serving as a toe hold, heavy fishing line or stainless steel wire can be tightly stretched approximately 2 inches outward across the landing site.
- Hawk silhouette mobiles and 18 cm (7-1/2 inch) diameter shaving or cosmetic mirrors that enlarge the image seem to be successful frightening devices. Hawk mobiles with a wing span of about 55 cm (22 inches) and a length of 27 cm (11 inches) can be constructed from cardboard, half-inch Styrofoam or quarter-inch plywood. Paint the mobiles black or another dark color. Hang two hawk mobiles from the eaves near the damaged area with heavy fishing line. On each side of the house where damage occurs, one or two shaving mirrors attached flat to the wood with the enlarging lens outward will frighten woodpeckers. Alternatively, try placing black plastic strips (cut from 4- or 6-mil plastic), 25 to 40 mm (1 to 1-1/2 inches) wide and approximately 3/4 m (2 to 3 feet) long, pinwheels with reflective vanes, or aluminum pie tins (preferably 30 cm (12 inches) in diameter) near the damaged area to frighten woodpeckers. Allow the wind to blow the strips, pinwheels and pie tins freely. Owl effigies generally are unsuccessful for frightening woodpeckers. Where woodpeckers are persistent, use two or more of the above frightening devices simultaneously.
- Some woodpeckers are frightened away with persistent loud noises such as banging pots and pans together, firing toy cap guns or yelling. Other woodpeckers are discouraged by deadening the sound-producing area by filling the hollow space behind the wood.
- Woodpeckers can be kept from under eaves by attaching hardware cloth or plastic netting to the eaves, angling it back to the siding below the damaged area, and fastening it securely. Alternately, fasten the netting under the eaves, stretch down the side of the house 7.5 cm (3 inches) from the siding, and securely attach close to the ground.
- Woodpeckers occasionally damage houses to obtain insects in the wood. Insecticides or wood preservatives may deter woodpeckers by killing the insects.
- Few chemicals that have objectionable tastes and odors are effective for repelling woodpeckers and none are currently registered for that use. Sticky bird repellents (Tanglefoot® or Roost-No-More®) applied to siding and other areas may discourage woodpeckers because they create a tacky footing. However, some of the sticky bird repellents stain wood in hot weather. Test repellents on a small, out-of-sight area before applying extensively.
- All North American woodpeckers are primarily cavity nesters which excavate their own cavities, but some species occasionally use existing cavities or nest boxes. Placing cavity-type nest boxes on buildings in the vicinity of northern flicker damage has shown some success. Nest boxes are worth trying where other methods have failed. Nesting woodpeckers defend their territories and keep other woodpeckers away. Construct nest boxes from wood with a 6.5 cm (2 1/2-inch) diameter entrance hole 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 inches) above the floor. Inside dimensions should be about 15 x 15 cm (6 x 6 inches), and the total height should be between 56 and 65 cm (22 to 26 inches). A front-sloping, hinged roof will shed rain and provide easy access. Fill the box with sawdust to entice the bird to remove the sawdust to the desired level. By removing the sawdust, the bird is fooled into constructing its own nest.
====================================================
Adapted from the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1999
Pesticides are poisonous! Read and follow all safety precautions on labels. Handle carefully and store in original containers out of reach of children, pets or livestock. Dispose of empty containers immediately, in a safe manner and place. Pesticides should never be stored with foods or in areas where people eat.
When trade names are used for identification, no product endorsement is implied, nor is discrimination intended against similar materials. Be sure that the pesticide you intend to use is registered for the state of use.
The user of this information assumes all risk for personal injury or property damage.
For more information, call the URI CE Gardening and Food Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-1011 or (401)874-2929 from outside Rhode Island; Monday-Thursday between 9 am and 2 pm.
University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension provides equal program opportunities.
After some research I found some interesting facts concerning the habits of these woodpeckers and I share them herewith is this summary from University of Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island GreenShare Factsheets
Woodpecker Damage
Woodpeckers are 17 to 40 cm (7 to 15 inches) long, have short legs, sharp-clawed toes and stiff tails. Most woodpeckers feed on wood-boring insects, insects on trees and the ground, vegetable matter, berries or tree sap. The northern flicker (Colaptes auratus) is responsible for most woodpecker damage to homes in the Northeast. It is identified in flight by a yellow or salmon tint under the wings and tail feathers. Flickers have black spots on a tannish-white breast and belly. Males have a black or red mustache extending from the gape of the beak to below the eyes. The hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus) and downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) also occasionally cause problems.
Damage:
Woodpeckers hammer on the sides of houses and other buildings to attract mates, to establish and/or defend a territory, to excavate nesting or roosting sites, and to search for insects. Wooden shingles, cedar or redwood siding, metal or plastic guttering, television antennas and light posts are selected as drumming sites because these materials produce loud sounds. Woodpeckers frequently damage cedar, rough pine and redwood siding and some synthetic stucco exterior finishing. Plywood and Masonite are less frequently damaged.
Control:
Woodpecker damage can be prevented or eliminated with several techniques including visual repellents, loud noises, exclusion and alternate construction materials. It is important to take immediate action to reduce damage, as woodpeckers are not easily driven from their territories or pecking sites once they have become established.
- Large holes serve as visual attractants to woodpeckers and should be promptly repaired. Cover the holes with aluminum flashing, tin can tops or metal sheathing, and paint them to match the siding. If damage occurs near areas that provide perch sites, eliminate these sites with metal flashing or other materials. If a single board on the house is serving as a toe hold, heavy fishing line or stainless steel wire can be tightly stretched approximately 2 inches outward across the landing site.
- Hawk silhouette mobiles and 18 cm (7-1/2 inch) diameter shaving or cosmetic mirrors that enlarge the image seem to be successful frightening devices. Hawk mobiles with a wing span of about 55 cm (22 inches) and a length of 27 cm (11 inches) can be constructed from cardboard, half-inch Styrofoam or quarter-inch plywood. Paint the mobiles black or another dark color. Hang two hawk mobiles from the eaves near the damaged area with heavy fishing line. On each side of the house where damage occurs, one or two shaving mirrors attached flat to the wood with the enlarging lens outward will frighten woodpeckers. Alternatively, try placing black plastic strips (cut from 4- or 6-mil plastic), 25 to 40 mm (1 to 1-1/2 inches) wide and approximately 3/4 m (2 to 3 feet) long, pinwheels with reflective vanes, or aluminum pie tins (preferably 30 cm (12 inches) in diameter) near the damaged area to frighten woodpeckers. Allow the wind to blow the strips, pinwheels and pie tins freely. Owl effigies generally are unsuccessful for frightening woodpeckers. Where woodpeckers are persistent, use two or more of the above frightening devices simultaneously.
- Some woodpeckers are frightened away with persistent loud noises such as banging pots and pans together, firing toy cap guns or yelling. Other woodpeckers are discouraged by deadening the sound-producing area by filling the hollow space behind the wood.
- Woodpeckers can be kept from under eaves by attaching hardware cloth or plastic netting to the eaves, angling it back to the siding below the damaged area, and fastening it securely. Alternately, fasten the netting under the eaves, stretch down the side of the house 7.5 cm (3 inches) from the siding, and securely attach close to the ground.
- Woodpeckers occasionally damage houses to obtain insects in the wood. Insecticides or wood preservatives may deter woodpeckers by killing the insects.
- Few chemicals that have objectionable tastes and odors are effective for repelling woodpeckers and none are currently registered for that use. Sticky bird repellents (Tanglefoot® or Roost-No-More®) applied to siding and other areas may discourage woodpeckers because they create a tacky footing. However, some of the sticky bird repellents stain wood in hot weather. Test repellents on a small, out-of-sight area before applying extensively.
- All North American woodpeckers are primarily cavity nesters which excavate their own cavities, but some species occasionally use existing cavities or nest boxes. Placing cavity-type nest boxes on buildings in the vicinity of northern flicker damage has shown some success. Nest boxes are worth trying where other methods have failed. Nesting woodpeckers defend their territories and keep other woodpeckers away. Construct nest boxes from wood with a 6.5 cm (2 1/2-inch) diameter entrance hole 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 inches) above the floor. Inside dimensions should be about 15 x 15 cm (6 x 6 inches), and the total height should be between 56 and 65 cm (22 to 26 inches). A front-sloping, hinged roof will shed rain and provide easy access. Fill the box with sawdust to entice the bird to remove the sawdust to the desired level. By removing the sawdust, the bird is fooled into constructing its own nest.
====================================================
Adapted from the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1999
Pesticides are poisonous! Read and follow all safety precautions on labels. Handle carefully and store in original containers out of reach of children, pets or livestock. Dispose of empty containers immediately, in a safe manner and place. Pesticides should never be stored with foods or in areas where people eat.
When trade names are used for identification, no product endorsement is implied, nor is discrimination intended against similar materials. Be sure that the pesticide you intend to use is registered for the state of use.
The user of this information assumes all risk for personal injury or property damage.
For more information, call the URI CE Gardening and Food Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-1011 or (401)874-2929 from outside Rhode Island; Monday-Thursday between 9 am and 2 pm.
University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension provides equal program opportunities.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Gull on the Mississippi River in Iowa
Unseasonably warm weather. Lots of ring-billed gulls, eagle,s hawks, etc., but this guy seemed noticeably larger and darker than the ring-billed gulls.
Source: http://www.whatbird.com/forums/forums/thread/22004.aspx
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
A Postcard from Tikal
Visiting Guatemala and the ancient Mayan city of Tikal, Host Bill Thompson, III, Julie Zickefoose, and Jeff Gordon discuss tropical birding and the birds of Tikal from the top of a Mayan temple.
Source: http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/podcasts/thisbirdinglife/episode7.mp3
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Hepatic Tanager?
Hello,
I am just returned from a trip to Belize, where I saw lots of new (for me) birds. I have a few that I am still trying to confirm. I am thinking this one may be a Hepatic Tanager. Any opinions?
Source: http://www.whatbird.com/forums/forums/thread/21800.aspx
Monday, January 07, 2008
A Five Hawk Experience
Host Bill Thompson, III, interviews bird artist Keith Hansen, who describes a mind-blowing hawk encounter outside of his Bolinas, California art studio.
Source: http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/podcasts/thisbirdinglife/episode8.mp3
Sunday, January 06, 2008
help me id this bird please!
Hello, I live in Manhattan and was stunned to find a huge bird on my fire escape clutching a rather unfortunate pigeon. I couldn't find my camera in time but this bird was at least 2 ft. tall w/ golden eyes and a curved beak. It's feathers seemed flecked with brown,white and a goldish color, I think it's feet were yellow. This website identified it as a peregrine falcon but the picture was quite different from what I remember seeing....any other ideas?? Thanks
Source: http://www.whatbird.com/forums/forums/thread/21692.aspx
Saturday, January 05, 2008
A Conversation with Kenn Kaufman
Birding all-star Kenn Kaufman talks about his life with birds, his early days as a bird watcher, his latest field guides, the great Roger Tory Peterson, and the future of birding.
Source: http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/podcasts/thisbirdinglife/episode9.mp3
A Conversation with Lang Elliott
Lang Elliott, the mighty maven of bird sound in North America, talks about his inspiration and renowned work in recording nature sounds.
Source: http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/podcasts/thisbirdinglife/episode10.mp3
Adventure on Rapa Nui
Tropical birding expert Alvaro Jaramillo took a side trip to Rapa Nui (Easter Island), which became one of the best experiences of his birding life.
Source: http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/podcasts/thisbirdinglife/episode11.mp3
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