Las Aventuras: Arizona Quail and Grouse

Gambel's Quail-male; he is territorial and watching out for his partner and little ones

In Part 3 from my blog series on Arizona birds, we'll examine the chicken like birds that hang out in the state. This is a popular group of birds that visitors and locals alike hope to spy on their walks.  We'll once again examine what's countable and where we can find them.  This group of birds is unique in that humans have played a role in some of the species living here in the state. Let's get started with the native and local species first.  The Gambel's Quail. 

The female Gambel's Quail carefully takes the little ones to safety while the male keeps an eye out for Cooper's Hawks

Gambel's Quail are one of the most easily seen quail in the state. They are found in local parks, around the deserts and foothills of the Arizona landscape.  Most often they are vocal and seen in larger coveys.  But don't get too cozy.  The rest of the quail species can be tricky!

This male Scaled Quail is looking for love from within his territory

Over the years, I have gotten to know the Scaled Quail better.  This quail can be difficult to find during certain times of years.  And while locals who live in their habitat range say that they are backyard birds and easy to spot, this isn't always the case. They are common and widespread in Southeastern Arizona in the grassland range around places like Cochise Lake in Willcox or along the San Pedro Riparian area of Sierra Vista.  And even then, they can be shy.  

These two birds feed safely under the vegetation out of hawk sight

As a birder, I'd give this quail a rating of 3 on the 1-5 difficulty range(5 being most difficult).  People have been known to dip on this quail. When the males are calling, it's easy.  Quail and Grouse CAN be easy to spot during their breeding season ANYWHERE.  But the thing is, birders don't always have the luxury of visiting during their most vocal and visual time period.  So let's go onto EXTREMELY difficult. 

the male Montezuma Quail sits completely still on a rock watching me watching him; there we scream inside of our heads with excitement over our discovery!  YES!  But we barely breath while looking at the bird:)

Montezuma Quail.  Birders say that you never should look for them.  Instead, they'll find you when the time is right. But what if you don't have a lot of time to spare?! This bird is a FIVE on the difficulty scale.  It is a common bird.  But don't take the word "common" to mean that they're easy to spot.  This quail is super intelligent and is quick to disappear at the slightest sound.  And if they can't escape, they will remain completely still until you almost step on them.....and then as you are about to step on them, they BLAST off giving you a near heart attack.  And if you feel stupid for not having better eyes, DON'T.  This happens to so many birders of all skills.   

The good thing is that these birds are often times vocal and have an eerie martian call. Most of the time they are heard nearby but never seen.  Over the years, I have played games with these birds as they have played games with me.  Like the Flammulated Owl(in a later post), it sometimes takes a team to triangulate their positions.  The good part is that they will freeze hoping you won't see them.  If you get great views of this bird, consider yourself blessed by the bird gods. 

The female tries to hide from me.  My team mate signals with his hand that the female is exposed! It took two of us to triangulate her position before she gave up and flew off. 

So for now, I'd like to address the OTHER 2 quails that have been reported in Arizona.  The first 3 are native species and common in their habitat range. The California Quail below was introduced on a hunting ranch many years ago up in the White Mountains. The habitat in that area is unique and not very large.  But it was enough to sustain a population of countable California Quail over the years.  These birds are native from California and up along the Pacific Coast.  They can be found in Utah and Idaho.  They were also introduced in Chile and other countries around the world.  But in Arizona, there is only one spot you can go to see them and count them on your ABA list.  Most of the time, they are heard only birds because the vegetation is thick around the Wenima area where they live.  Arizona birders will chase these birds to come back with only a recording of their calls as a reward for their hard work. Difficulty level is a 4 or 5 due to the location. 

The California Quail, as seen in Pacific Northwest, feed in a large covey

The OTHER quail is known as the Elegant Quail. It's a beauty and a common bird for Mexico.  Many years ago, one was recorded in the town of Douglas.  Many believe it was an exotic bird released from a cage.  And yet the possibility is that this one bird strayed quite a ways outside of its northern most range and got mixed up with a covey of Gambel's Quail.  Quail don't migrate or fly long distances outside of their ranges so for one to show up in Arizona is suspicious.  Either way, one was recorded in this state. 

The Gould's Wild Turkey of the Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon put on a show for us.  This tom is looking for a lady!

Now let's move onto grouse and turkeys.  A nemesis bird for me over the years has been the Dusky Grouse.  It's the ONLY grouse found in Arizona and it's normally seen in the northern parts of the state around places like the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff and near Greer in the White Mountains. 

Wild Turkeys were once almost hunted to extinction in North America.  Today, thanks to conservation efforts, their numbers are healthy and growing.  In Arizona, there are two subspecies of Wild Turkey, the Merriam's(common to most states) and the Gould's(common for Southern Arizona, New Mexico and Northern Mexico).  If you're a bird nerd like me, you'd want to see the differences between the subspecies. Most people wouldn't care because a turkey is a turkey. But to find this Merriam's subspecies, we went to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. To find the Gould's Wild Turkey of Southern Arizona, you'll need to head to the foothills on up into the forests of the sky islands. Further south towards the border, they can be found along riparian corridors. 

Ring-necked Pheasant

Now.  Let's go through the rest of the "game" birds.  Ring-necked Pheasants were introduced to the US decades ago for hunting purposes.  Eventually, several states saw them "naturalize" and become permanent residents around the US.  Today, they continue to release these birds for hunting purposes. In Arizona, the ONLY countable population is found around farm fields bordering California, Mexico and the Colorado River near Yuma, AZ.  If they are found anywhere else in the state, they are not ABA countable. 

Chukar on Antelope Island near Salt Lake City, Utah

Chukars.  Another introduced bird to the US.  Again, several populations naturalized in states like Oregon, Utah and Idaho.  Here in Arizona, the only countable Chukar would be the one found near the Arizona/Utah border. Chukars have been found in other places around the state but are considered survivors from hunters releasing them into the wild for target practice. 

a wild Indian Peafowl at a park in Orange County, CA

Indian Peafowl are not countable.  In California, they are breeding.  But in Arizona, they are considered escapees. 

a Northern Bobwhite in Wisconsin

Finally.  There are two great mentions here.  We cannot forget these Arizona birds.  And it's important to note their status.  The Northern Bobwhite was once commonly found in the southern grasslands of Arizona.  Some even say that there are still small populations that continue along the US/Mexican border.  They are a unique subspecies of Northern Bobwhite that are often called Masked Bobwhite.  

Similar to the Masked Bobwhite, this is another subspecies of Northern Bobwhite in Chiapas, Mexico

This subspecies of bobwhite was wiped out from the area due to cattle grazing.  Today as the Federal Government restores the grasslands of the Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge, it faces the huge task of reintroducing this species back onto their former grasslands. They have a facility that contains 98% of the world's population of Masked Bobwhite. The Phoenix and San Diego Zoos are also involved now to protect these birds from another possible avian flu epidemic.  It has been a decades struggle and their reintroduction has hit many bumps which include disease and domestication. Today, workers are trying something new and perhaps, Arizona will one day have a wild and special population of Northern Bobwhite living freely in the grasslands along the border. 

Greater Sage-Grouse in the Pacific Northwest

And finally, it is important to note that Arizona was once home to a small population of Greater Sage-Grouse in the very northern regions of the state along the Utah border. I remember asking myself this question years ago.  Why couldn't there be Greater Sage-Grouse here?  Over time, I discovered from study and conversations that their ranges across the US and Canada have seen drastic changes over the decades as housing and farming developments destroyed a lot of their habitat.....and leks.  In a recent report, their populations have risen sharply which gives me hope for their future.  Will they ever return back to Arizona?  Is there a lek we don't know about along the border?  These are questions that only time will answer.  

Photo not mine.  This is from Tucson Daily Photo

I love the chicken birds. In Arizona, you can reliably count on 5 species of grouse, quail and turkey.  The question is. Can you find them all? I still need to find that darn Dusky Grouse!  My next series will be on Grebes and Loons.  Until next time.....

Birding Washington Island

Historic and still operational lighthouses dot the shores of Lake Michigan

If you ever wanted to experience a piece of "AMERICANA", Wisconsin is the place to visit.  Washington Island attracts tourists from all over the world during their summer months.  It is part of the infamous Door County experience.  My Dad likes to road trip and suggested we go to the island.  Last year we went to the island but didn't bring our car!  To make matters worse, we didn't check the train schedule and were stuck at port. Never again. 

And so we waited in line. The lighting in Wisconsin this time of year is unique. It has that sunny, golden "Somewhere in Time" haze.  Maybe it's just me but the photos have a different feel than from the ones I take in other places. 

Eventually we parked our car onto the ferry and seated ourselves in a shady spot in the passenger area. 

Washington Island is a beautiful place to bird.  Here you'll find one of Wisconsin's unique birding hotspots while also enjoying the laid back atmosphere of the island. 

Double-crested Cormorants hang out on a buoy at the Washington Island harbor

I've seen quite a few of the Wisconsin birds already so there wasn't anything in the lifer category to chase.  But I was curious about the prairie habitat in the middle of the island.  I wanted to understand better how Northern Bobwhite survived in certain sections of the island.  This species of bird doesn't go this far north in its' range.  Plus it's on an island. So I spoke with the locals about their birds.  We found lots of nesting Bobolinks and Eastern Meadowlarks in the area. 

American Lady on Lavender

While planning for this trek, my nephew asked me what my favorite bird was and I had a hard time answering his question.  I like them all but I especially like gulls, sparrows, grouse and parrots. Owls are also pretty neat but grouse are super interesting!

As we drove around Washington Island, I spotted my first pair of "chickens":)  The Ring-necked Pheasants casually crossed the road.  My Dad stopped the car and I quickly got out to make sure the birds wouldn't get hit.  You gotta watch these Illinois tourists. They're known to the Cheeseheads as FIBs. According to Urban Dictionary, a FIB(or #$%@ing Illinois Bastard) refers to people from Illinois, how they drive and act.  They drive really fast at home but slower than an old lady with a walker when they're vacationing in Wisconsin plus they don't know where they're going.  Locals call them rude.  But Wisconsinites also recognize that this subspecies of humanity brings lots of money with them:) This is a long standing joke? between the two states. Anyhow, I am thankful that this driver eventually slowed down for this pair of pheasants.  

 How can I explain Door County?  It's like going back into the 1950's.  There are a lot of richy rich tourists.  They are mostly white and cleanly dressed people who would make great extras in the movie "Dirty Dancing."  If you're saying to yourself, "Ugh.  Why would I want to go there?" Well, you gotta look past the vacationing crowds of people. There's more to Door County than cherry wine, cheese curds and perch dinners.  

Wisconsin culture is a fascinating one because it is so unique from the other states in the US. Many of the people have an accent and a fun sense of humor that you'll mostly understand if you down several beers. I always forget how much drinking people do here. At a grocery store, I burst out laughing when a guy frantically asked where they sold all their "booze". It's been awhile since I've heard that word:) And what they lack in "booze" is made up with lots of creamy and delicious dips and meats and cheeses. The next day, I'd lock myself up in my room wondering how I put on 10 pounds!  Generally speaking, my hobbit kind are the most friendly people you'll ever meet.  Sometimes Often, they make off colored jokes that may offend most people but because this state is comprised of many small towns similar to the world of the Shire, they are often excused due to their genuine sincerity and friendly demeanor. 

Take for example this sign.  My first reaction was, "NOOOOO!!! Inappropriate!!"  Then, both of us burst out laughing.  There is a logic to the Wisconsinite.  How many of us read the usual state made signs?  I know that I often overlook them, but when they are written like the sign above, it grabs the tourist's attention with a shock or laugh and at the same time delivers their message, "Stay Out!"  Or in this case, who knows?!

Washington Island is a great place to bring your family. Or just fix your hair while having a drink.  There are great restaurants, museums, trails, and shops.  And there are state parks.  So back to my point, if you aren't crazy about tourists, no worries.  There are so many open spaces around the island to escape.  And birders always find those spaces:)

While birding, it's hard not to get distracted by places with lavender fields.  The color purple.  It gets me every single time.  

Anyhow, we stopped at this fun lavender shop on the way back from our Northern Bobwhite conquest.  These birds are a bit tropical and prefer the warmer climates.  In Wisconsin, the Northern Bobwhite is rare for most parts of the state and considered a species of special concern. The winters are too cold for them and their survival rate isn't very successful (especially among the females). Many live for only ONE year!  I've been following this population of Northern Bobwhite on the island now for a few years.  So how were they surviving on an island in Lake Michigan?!!

Not one to wait for answers, I spoke with the local naturalist on the island at the nature center.  Apparently hunters released these birds and several other grouse species for their shooting pleasures.  It still didn't explain why there have been consistent reports of breeding on a yearly basis around the island.  I studied the area via satellite and scratched my head. Locals also reported that the past several winters had been fairly mild. Cities along the lake also enjoy a milder winter due to Lake Michigan's warmer waters. Okay.  But what about food and shelter when there were weeks of blizzard and sub zero temps? I've seen this bird in Chiapas.  Sub-zero temps are almost impossible to survive. Especially for a warmer climate bird like the Bobwhite. 

Red Admiral

Then it came time to explore the general area.  There was the appropriate prairie land for them to nest.  It was lined by forest, etc etc.  BUT how did they survive winter?  Well right across from the prairie, there was a home with feeders and lots of places to keep warm.

Layers of work go into finding birds.  Sometimes, it's all for ONE bird.  Historical reports, satellite images, speaking with local residents and birders in the area along with habitat requirements usually answer so many of my questions.  It's part of the game and detective work that goes into birding. A special shout out to Melody Walsh, a resident birder of the island, who was my virtual guide throughout the whole process. The layout of the island is interesting.  The forest area had breeding warblers.  The interior held the grassland species. And the waters surrounding the island held a healthy number of lake birds. 

The perimeter of Washington Island is forest and the central prairie area is protected from the harsh winter winds off the lake.  Around October and November, the tourism season ends and the island goes quiet until spring again.  To make your trek to the island successful, you'll need to look at the ferry schedule times here. To stay on the island, you'll need to book in advance. Another island, known as Rock Island, is a camping/hiking only trip. This year, Rock Island had a nesting pair of Peregrine Falcons, a first in decades!

Wisconsin days fly by much too quickly.  The sunset is around 8:15 PM giving one the impression that they can play outside all day.  Then I saw the time and was shocked by how my body had been tricked!

My ebird report for Washington Island can be found here. If you are interested in more information about the Door County Outdoor experience, Magill Weber has written a book on the best hiking and biking trails around the area. She grew up in this area and in her book, she'll take you to many of the popular natural areas in this part of the state. This is for nature enthusiasts who don't want to spend all their time shopping:) On my next trek, I join friend, naturalist and birder Nancy Gill as we explore Horicon Marsh State area. Until next time, happy birding!!

That Sinking Feeling

Northern Bobwhite hanging out in some of my favorite kinds of plants...Agaves and Mother-In-Laws Tongue(or at least a variety of it)

During the week, I had been looking forward to the day trip to El Ocote. There were some very special birds in this area that I had wanted to observe better.  Apparently, there was a huge sinkhole full of nesting Green Parakeets and a pair of Bat Falcons hanging out in this huge crater sized locale. 

The minute we arrived into this area, my heart began to beat quickly.  Was that a Northern Bobwhite I heard?!!!  I scrambled out of the van and was astounded by several of these ground birds casually singing out in the open.  This was a bird I thought I would never see and yet here, this "black headed" subspecies hung out singing its' "BOBWHITE!" song. Things were already looking pretty good.  So many birds were calling from different areas that I didn't know where to begin.  

Boat-tailed Flycatcher

Meanwhile back in the van, our birding group began to drop like flies.  Sometime during dinner the night before, the participants ate or drank something deadly. It literally created a massive $*^t storm. We got up for the trek early in the morning and my beloved Helen, in her most British and polite way, told us that she would not be joining us.  It got Helen!  Meanwhile on the other day trips, the plague began to hit and take out many of the birders in their vans. One man couldn't control himself and ran into the bushes.  Another man crumpled to the ground because he lost his strength.  And yet another, fell madly ill and passed out in the back for the entire trek.  What was going on?! Everything after Wednesday night changed the energy of our tours for the rest of the week.  

Fine-lined Hairstreak, Arawacus sito. Thank you Doug Taron for the ID This butterfly is CRAZY. The "tentacles" at the end of this butterfly kept moving and I thought there was something wrong with the butterfly, but it's a distraction mechanism!!!!!  The head is actually opposite and "moving tentacles" are a distraction for predators.  EPIC BUTTERFLY!

Martin was with us again on the trip and we set out to explore this AMAZING place! I really liked hanging out with this guy. Both of us had the same ideas about where we should focus our attentions.  My life bird at 600 was the Green Parakeet and I still didn't have any decent photo documentation.  But here in the sinkhole, I had an opportunity to see several thousand of them!  Their voices echoed from within the rock walls. 

Couch's Kingbird

I did not have enough time in this location so I had to really pick and choose the birds I wanted to see. If I had the time?  I would have rented a room in one of their stone cabins and spent a week there.  I would have eaten at the restaurant and studied the ancient markings on the inside of the sinkhole's walls. But I only had a couple hours. So time was ticking again. Black-headed Saltator or view the mass of parakeets around the sinkhole?  The sinkhole won.  Thousands of these birds live there and at dawn they create quite the spectacle as they spiral out of the hole. 

The Elf, Microtia elva

I ran up the stairs and stood at the edge looking down.  It was something special. 

"Sinkhole of Parrots" 

While waiting for a flock of Green Parakeets to rise from the pit, I watched an Altamira Oriole hang out in the subtropical vegetation. 

Streak-backed Oriole

Then it began.  The rise. A choir of squawking parakeets circled from below the pit slowly rising in a swirl until they were eye level with our birding scopes and cameras. 

Green Parakeets

Their brilliant green made a dramatic statement against the muted rock face.  

A little abstract bird art.  I was feeling a bit creative in this magical location

Eventually the birds would land and we would get to see them better. 

I felt guilty so I returned back to the van and checked up on our fallen.  Two were feeling better, but the other was out stone cold. Please let him be sleeping. 

Holcosus chaitzami, Taxa Teiidae, Sauria or common name Chaitzam's Ameiva/Not much is known about this lizard

When we arrived back to our hotel that day, we were greeted by lots of unpleasant stories.  One person was escorted to his room because he could not walk.  I heard some people calling it a case of the "turista" while others declared it to be "Montezuma's Revenge."  Either way, I felt terrible for the group.  I also discovered that Helen had returned back home to Britain:(  I never got to say good-bye to her.  Dinner that night was reduced to half and would continue to diminish by Friday night.  For many, their last supper would be spent elsewhere. 

I could not afford to get sick.  These last two days were my biggest days yet.  I had never birded the Pacific lowland habitat and it was the single biggest highlight for me besides this trek to El Ocote.  So I'm already organizing a future trek to these areas again with a trip to Palenque and Belize in mind.  As for the sick? Well I'm happy to report that everyone is feeling better again.  Stay tuned for more....