Whispering To Birds

Costa's Hummingbird

No matter where I go now, I see birds.  And they see me.  The magical part is that they don't run(or fly) anymore.  We just stare at each other.  In a two part write, I'll share some of the strange things happening to me while out in the field during my observations.

Northern Mockingbird

Learning a new language can be difficult for many people.  But for me, it's fun and easy.  That's why I teach it to kids and adults. It's what I do and it's what pays the bills.  But I never considered speaking "bird" or "animal" a real thing.  And yet.....

Bewick's Wren

I have been able to interpret calls, replicate some basic bird "pishes", and observe behaviors.  My voice, at first, only attracted Ruby-crowned Kinglets, but now I'm finding Wrens respond to me.  And finally, after many attempts, I was able to capture the Bewick's Wren perfectly on this branch.  And we sat looking at each other for several minutes, curious about the other.  I thought it was so cool.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

I watch people interact with wildlife.  Black-bellied Whistling Ducks are quite humorous.  Two people walked too close to them and the ducks decided to attack the guy's feet.  And yet, when I was in their area, I was able to note that there was an imaginary border between us.  If I moved too close, the alpha duck moved closer.  It was fascinating!

As the swallows return to Southern Arizona, I am learning how to stand still and observe the swallows fly near me!

Hummingbirds are curious birds.  They are like the Chihuahuan dogs of the bird world. They are not afraid of anyone or anything.  To call a hummer out, wear bright colors on your shirts like reds or oranges.  Maybe pull out that old Hawaiian shirt from the closet.  If you feed hummers at your home and they've come to know you, they'll sit and wait for you to begin your morning.  And if you forget to feed them, they'll hover in front of your dining room window and remind you:)  Sometimes they'll feed right out of your hand.  Talk about cool!  Here is a post from my blogger friend Kelly.  She took a video of her buddy Homer.

And I expect as I learn more, my language ability will increase.  I've watched birders call before....and I laughed, but now I don't think it's so funny at all.  It's a real thing and some people can do incredible things with their voices!

So as time flies by, as it does, I will become a sponge and pick up as much as I can.  I don't know everything and never will.  And that's how I go about birding.  There's so much to learn.

Neo-tropic Cormorant

Sometimes, I'll take a lunch break.....

......and "poof".  A Hermit Thrush pops out of nowhere and stares at me eating ice cream.

Hermit Thrush

As I get up early, I walk to my feeders, and discover a hummingbird looking down at me......reminding me to get my butt moving.  They are the first to eat in the morning (as are the Curve-billed Thrashers).

I am dedicated and will learn the ways of the "force".  And so now I leave you in silence to enjoy the various birds from my walks around sunny Arizona. Remember to tread lightly:)

Female Northern Cardinal

Western Tanager

Broad-tail Hummingbird

White-winged Dove

Common Raven next to a Red-tail Hawk

Female Common Merganser(Northern Shoveler on the left)

Inca Dove

Warbler Love

Yellow-throated Warbler

Warblers!  They can drive a birder mad!  Very tricky birds to spot.  Always in the shadows.  Never staying in one spot.

Wilson's Warbler

It's a constant workout for the birder.  They are not an easy spot like say a duck or a hawk or even a sparrow!  They are warblers.  They have certain times scheduled throughout the day and if you don't catch them at the right moment, forget it!

As I narrow my lifelist down, I find that I have to find several warblers:)  I groaned because it's not an easy task.  Plus I was getting lectures from birders.  "You haven't gone to see the Yellow-throated Warbler??!!!!  What's wrong with you??!!  The last time that bird was seen here was 17 years ago!!!"  So I walked the birder hall of shame.  For awhile.  I have a full time job and it's not easy matching up a Warbler's schedule with my own.  They are best seen in the morning.  And that's when I'm teaching.

Chestnut-sided Warbler

It then got me thinking.  Just how many warblers have I seen in my lifetime?  I went through my pics and was surprised at these little discoveries. Usually they just come my way and I take pics.  I don't like to go look for them.

For example, this is the Chestnut-sided Warbler.  It's a rare visitor in Tucson during the winter months.  I just happened to be in the right place at the right time for this bird last year.  I had begun birding when I found this little warbler and had a hard time ID'ing it. Now I think....really? That's an easy one to ID.

Speaking of easy.  You don't even have to be a birder to be assaulted by this regular and common visitor.

 Acting more like a flycatcher, the Yellow-rumped Warbler invades Tucson over the winter months.

                                               They are easily seen and everywhere.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

But don't take their presence for granted as there are other warblers that can and will mix in with their posse.

Check out that rump!  Not bad!  But seriously.  Who in the world gave these birds their names??!!!  Rumps, Tits, Boobies and Dick...cissels.  When you tell non-birders these things, they just start laughing.  Heck even birders laugh when they say the names outloud!  The worst part for me is keeping a straight face when our most awesome and proper English speaking visitors come to the US and look for our American "Tits."  Of course they are referring to the Bushtits, and the Juniper and Bridled Titmouse.  And yet I cannot help but smile.  Such a lovely and proper English with a truly misunderstood word:)  Back to warblers.....:)

And common to the summer months is the Yellow Warbler.  Simple.  Pretty.  And a bit trickier to capture on the camera as this bird likes to be high up in the canopy of trees.  It does come down every once and awhile BUT can be very skittish. 

Yellow Warbler

One would think Yellow would be easy to see.  It's not. 

Whenever I see this warbler, I marvel at the truly simple design of this bird.

Once in awhile you'll catch the warblers taking a bath. Or out in the open.  Don't hesitate.  Take that pic!  You never know when another opportunity will arise.

Getting these birds to come out in the open is nearly impossible!

Take for example this Yellow-breasted Chat!  

Yellow-breasted Chat

Or the American Redstart!!!!! Mother of pearls is that one hard.

American Redstart

While sipping my coffee and reading a book, I heard the Painted Redstart's call and slowly prepped my camera. And waited.  Another very tricky little bird but the call is unmistakable and a heads up that the bird is in the area.

Painted Redstart

This next warbler is one tricky bird.  I never get the name right but it's the Black-throated Gray.  It took several hundreds of shots just to get this one!

Black-throated Gray Warbler

However for a warbler, it was much more cooperative than others.  I could predict the time it would come out and sat waiting for the bird to appear.  Snap. Snap.

While the warbler invasion happens, you have to look really really close because warblers all flock together. And at once.  This Townsend's made a brief appearance and just long enough for me to capture this lovely warbler on camera.

Townsend's Warbler

Another reliable and common warbler is the Orange-crowned Warbler.

Orange-crowned Warbler

It loves the low grasses and reeds.  They are vocal and at times can be easily seen around Tucson.

Plain, yet full of bouncy energy:)

And then there are the Common Yellowthroats which I think are not common at all:)  Look at the striking detail of the male below.

Common Yellowthroat

                                           The female is plainer but still a lovely little warbler.  

And that historic Yellow-throated Warbler?  Yes I was able to capture him on camera.  

He sat nicely on the palm frond for a few seconds before flying off.  So I'm out of the birder's Hall of Shame for now.  But I'm sure there will be more rarities that come our way this year.  Warblers make you work for that lifelist, but it's all worth it by the end of the day.  More coming soon.....