8 Types of Falcons

Subject: Discover the Magnificence of Falcons - A Comprehensive Guide for Avid Bird Watchers!

Today, I am thrilled to share with you an in-depth exploration of eight remarkable falcon species that will undoubtedly fuel your fascination and deepen your appreciation for these magnificent creatures. So, grab your binoculars and join me on this thrilling falconry adventure!

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) Let's start with the peregrine falcon, often considered the fastest bird in the world! Discover how it achieves its remarkable speeds, learn about its hunting techniques, and marvel at its incredible adaptability.

Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) The largest and most powerful falcon species, the gyrfalcon, is a true symbol of strength and grace. Delve into its breeding habits, explore its Arctic habitat, and uncover the secrets of its successful hunting strategies.

Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) Renowned for its incredible endurance and agility, the saker falcon has long been a favorite among falconers. Journey through the vast steppes of Central Asia to witness this falcon's remarkable hunting prowess.

Merlin Falcon (Falco columbarius) Although small in size, the merlin falcon is a fierce predator capable of outmaneuvering larger birds in mid-air. Learn about its unique hunting techniques, nesting habits, and the challenges it faces in urban environments.

Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus) With its striking appearance and remarkable versatility, the lanner falcon has captured the hearts of bird watchers across the globe. Discover its global distribution, explore its hunting techniques, and marvel at its adaptation to various habitats.

Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) This distinctive falcon species is well-suited to the wide-open spaces of North America's prairies. Unearth the mysteries behind its unique hunting behaviors, nesting habits, and discover how it has adapted to survive in arid environments.

Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis) Found in the grasslands and savannas of the Americas, the aplomado falcon is a true beauty. Dive into its conservation efforts, uncover its breeding rituals, and witness its breathtaking aerial acrobatics.

Kestrel Falcon (Falco tinnunculus) Last but certainly not least, the kestrel falcon, often considered the most widespread falcon species, is a master of adaptation. Learn about its diverse hunting techniques, explore its nesting habits, and understand how it thrives in varied landscapes.

Whether you're an experienced ornithologist or just starting your bird watching journey, this comprehensive guide will provide you with a wealth of knowledge about these captivating falcon species. We'll cover their physical characteristics, habitats, migratory patterns, hunting strategies, and the conservation efforts dedicated to preserving their existence.

By understanding the unique qualities of each falcon species, we can contribute to their conservation, helping to protect these magnificent birds and their habitats for generations to come.

Happy bird watching!

Inca Dove

Subject: Discover the Fascinating World of Inca Dove Birds!

Originating from the arid regions of the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America, the Inca Dove (Columbina inca) is a small, slender bird that has found its place in the hearts of bird watchers worldwide. With its soft, muted plumage and intricate markings, this dove possesses a subtle beauty that often goes unnoticed by the casual observer. However, take a closer look, and you will be amazed at the intricate details and remarkable adaptations possessed by this species.

One of the most remarkable features of the Inca Dove is its unmistakable call. While many dove species produce a simple cooing sound, the Inca Dove has a distinct, rhythmic "nooooorrrr" call, resembling the sound of a fast, repeated sewing machine. This unique vocalization is sure to catch the attention of any bird enthusiast, instantly setting the Inca Dove apart from its avian counterparts.

In addition to its enchanting call, the Inca Dove possesses a range of fascinating behaviors that make it a joy to observe in its natural habitat. These birds are known for their specific courtship rituals, where males engage in a distinct display of "bowing" to attract potential mates. This courtship behavior showcases the Inca Dove's elegance and adds an element of grace to the bird's already intriguing personality.

When it comes to nesting, the Inca Dove exhibits a remarkable adaptability. While other dove species build bulky nests in trees, the Inca Dove prefers to construct its nests in more unusual locations. These birds are known to utilize a wide variety of nesting sites, including cacti, shrubs, and even human-made structures such as outdoor light fixtures or window ledges. This versatility showcases the resourcefulness and resilience of this species, making it an excellent case study for bird enthusiasts interested in avian adaptations.

Furthermore, the Inca Dove's feeding habits provide another interesting aspect of their behavior. These birds are predominantly seed eaters, utilizing their specialized beaks to crack open even the toughest of shells. Their diet consists of a wide array of seeds, including those from grasses, weeds, and even cultivated crops, making them a vital component of their ecosystem. By studying their feeding habits, bird watchers can gain valuable insights into their ecological niche and contribute to the broader understanding of the natural world.

With their widespread distribution and adaptability, Inca Doves offer bird watchers a unique opportunity to study and appreciate these avian wonders across various ecosystems. Whether you find yourself in the deserts of the southwestern United States or the tropical regions of Central America, the chance of encountering an Inca Dove is never too far away.

To enhance your bird watching experiences, I encourage you to keep a keen eye out for the Inca Dove and document your observations. Through photography, field notes, and even citizen science programs, we can contribute to the collective knowledge of this fascinating species. Not only will you gain a deeper understanding of the Inca Dove, but you will also contribute to the conservation efforts aimed at protecting their habitats.

In conclusion, the Inca Dove is a species that deserves our attention and awe. From its delightful call to its enchanting courtship rituals, these birds provide endless opportunities for bird watchers to indulge in the wonders of the avian world. By exploring their behavior, distribution, and ecological significance, we can enrich our understanding of the natural world and contribute to its preservation.

Black Oystercatcher

 

Black Oystercatcher

(Haematopus bachmani)

The Black Oystercatcher is an eye-catching black bird seen on the shores of western Canada and USA and part of Mexico. It is found from the Alaska Aleutian Islands to the southern coast of the Baja California.

This bird is the only example of the family (Haematopodidae) covering most of its area, joining slightly beside the American Oystercatcher (Haematopodidae palliatus) on the shores of Baja California. Locally, it is mostly mentioned to as the Black Oystercatcher, even though this name is likewise used regionally for the African  Oystercatcher and also the Blackish Oystercatcher.

Although the species is not thought to be in danger, its world population is estimated between 9,000 to 11,000.

It feeds on offshore invertebrates, especially mollusks like chitons, mussels and limpets. It will also eat barnacles, crabs and malacostracan crustacean.

Black-billed Cuckoo

Black-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus erythropthalmus

• It is a cuckoo.

• She will find other bird's nest and lay her eggs in it.

• They family east of the Rockies along the edge of wooded areas.

• South America is their choice to migrate. 

• This cuckoo will occasionally be a visitor to Europe.

• Their nest can be found in shrubs or in a small tree, even found near the ground.

• These birds wander and feed in trees or shrubs. 

• They mostly eat insects, particularly tent caterpillars, but in addition they like some snails, berries and other birds eggs.

• Their call is a fast continual cuucuucuu

• Adults have a black beak and a tail that is long and brown. 

• The head and the upper parts of its body is brown and the breast underparts are white. 

• The eye has a red ring around it. 

• Youngsters are dull, and the ring around the eye is green.

Red-shouldered Hawk

 Red-shouldered Hawk  Buteo lineatus

• Red-shouldered Hawks will come back to same area every year and usually same nest. Story has it that one lived in a territory every year for 16 years in south California.

• Both male and female will build each nest or freshen up a previous year’s nest.

• The American Crow will often attack this hawk, however payback has been known to happen. They have a rivalry at which they take food from each other and take after each other. And both will team up to chase  a Great Horned Owl out of their area.

• When they reach 5 days old, these nestling hawks are able to shoot their poop out of their nest. If you find the poop on the ground you know that an active nest is around.

• The Red-shouldered Hawk has 5 subspecies. The 4 forms in the eastern USA  reach out to each other, however the western form are over a 1000 miles away. Largest is the northern form. The southern Florida form is the palest, having a gray head.

• They live in bottom land hardwood stands in the eastern USA. Also in  deciduous swamps, and conifer forests.

• They hunt and kill other animals in the forests.  These hawks eat mostly small mammals, amphibians, lizards and snakes.

Tufted Titmouse

Tufted Titmouse 

 Scientific Name Baeolophus bicolor

Tip:

The word titmouse comes from the Old English words, tit (a tiny animal or entity) and mase (little bird), basically denoting 1 very small bird.

Tip: Plural of titmouse is titmice.



tufted titmouse song

The Titmouse’s tune is a fast-repeated, distinct whistle: peter-peter-peter. These birds continue doing this for about 12 times in sequence or possibly up to 36 songs presented each minute. Females sometimes perform a calmer form of the song.

tufted titmouse call

Titmouse calls tend to be high-pitched and mechanical. A real tickly, chickadee-like tsee-day-day-day is among the most typical. Tufted Titmice additionally offer picky, scolding call sounds and, anytime predators happen to be spotted, a strong irritation call which alerts other titmice on this threat.

tufted titmouse food

Tufted Titmice feed on primarily insects during the summer time, such as beetles, wasps, ants, stink bugs, treehoppers and caterpillars, and also snails and spiders. They likewise feed on acorns, nuts, beech nuts, seeds and berries. Studies with the birds show they constantly pick the biggest seeds they are able to while scrounging.

tufted titmouse nest

Nest Information -Titmice construct cup-shaped nests within the nest hole making use of moss, damp leaves, bark strips and grasses. They will cover that cup using very soft elements for example fur, cotton, hair and wool, in some cases pulling hair right from living animals. Natural scientists evaluating older nests have discovered opossum, mice, horses, raccoon, dogs, red squirrels, fox squirrels, rabbits, cats, cows and hair from humans in their nests. The nest building will take 6 -11 days. Tufted Titmice nest either in a natural hole or occasionally an older woodpecker home.

tufted titmouse habitat

Tufted Titmice stay in deciduous forest or perhaps varying evergreen-deciduous woodlands, usually in locations having a thick cover and lots of tree varieties. They're also frequent in orchards, suburban areas and parks in the eastern United States. Usually discovered at low heights, Tufted Titmice are typically almost never experienced at heights over 2,000 feet. in the eastern United States.

tufted titmouse eggs

Its eggs tend to be less than one inch long and tend to be cream colored or white having light brown or light purple patches.

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing

 Bombycilla cedrorum

Cedar Waxwing couples search for nesting locations with each other, however the female definitely makes the selection.

Cedar waxwing the baby birds will be born helpless, naked and blind.

A cedar waxwing nest usually includes 4 to 5 eggs that are incubated to a time period of 12 and to 14 days.

The Cedar Waxwing favors woodland perimeters or even open forests for a basic home.

They also love parks, orchards and gardens having shade trees plus stay in places that alders, maples and dogwoods flourish.

cedar waxwing definitely will grab insects in order to include some proteins in their eating routine.

The cedar waxwing will rapidly take flight out of their perch and catch insects in the air to enjoy.

Insects such as stoneflies, mayflies, moths and dragonflies fall prey to the cedar waxwing.

The Cedar Waxwing really is a brownish bird having a crest plus a black face mask.

The Cedar Waxwing is among the handful of North American wild birds which specializes in feeding on fresh fruits.

The Cedar Waxwing is surely a stylishly attractive bird having distinctive markings.

From time to time a cedar waxwing may become intoxicated or maybe die as a result of feeding on berries which have spoiled.

The cedar waxwing also will eat flowers and sap.

The majority of the cedar waxwing eating habits includes varieties of all types of berries and fruit.

Exclusively the female cedar waxwing sits on the eggs, and it is given food from the male while sitting there.

In the wintertime, the cedar waxwing can be found all over the southern part of Canada, all over the United states and southwards as far south as Panama.

Appearing extremely sociable birds, the cedar waxwing is frequently observed in flocks ranging in proportions of 5 to more than 45.

Making a nest requires a female Cedar Waxwing 5-6 days and nights and could call for over 2,600 separate travels into the nest.

They sometimes spend less time by using nest components from different birds' nests, such as nests of Yellow-throated Vireos, Robins, Yellow Waeblers, Eastern Kingbirds and Orioles.

Not like numerous birds which regurgitate plant seeds of fruit they will eat, the cedar waxwing eliminates the plant seeds within the excrement.

Open woodlands, hedgerows, orchards, thickets and community gardens would be the favored environments of the cedar waxwing.