Variations On A Warbler Theme

July 6, 2016Songbirds, TravelKate St. John

Connecticut, Mourning and MacGillivray's warblers (illustration by Louis Aggasiz Fuertes in National Geographic, public domain from Wikimedia Commons) — Connecticut, Mourning and MacGillivray’s Warblers (illustration by Louis Aggasiz Fuertes, public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

When Louis Aggasiz Fuertes drew these birds they were all the same genus, Oporornis. This made sense because Connecticut, mourning and MacGillivray’s warblers are similar in appearance and habits. All three breed in northern forests where they are shy, secretive skulkers, nesting and feeding on the ground.

The Connecticut warbler (at top) is the hardest to find, so hard that his nest wasn’t discovered for 70 years after the species was described. His breeding grounds in the bogs and moist forests of Minnesota, Wisconsin, upper Michigan and central Canada are protected by mosquitoes! Birds of North America says, “Its secretive behavior and preference for breeding habitat in remote areas with abundant insect life has made it very difficult to study.” No kidding!

The mourning warbler (middle) has a wider distribution. He breeds in second growth forests from British Columbia to Newfoundland and into the northern tier of Pennsylvania. He’s one of the few warblers that benefits from human disturbance, preferring to nest in clearcuts 1 to 10 years old. I usually see him during spring migration at Magee Marsh, Ohio.

MacGillivray’s Warbler (bottom) prefers second growth too, but he breeds at low to moderate elevations in the Rockies and Sierras. I saw my first MacGillivray’s warbler (Life Bird!) in Glacier National Park in burned areas that are the dry mountain equivalent of a clearcut.

For many years the Oporornis genus calmly hummed along until two discoveries upset the apple cart.

Everyone thought these species never met on their breeding grounds … and they don’t … except for one spot in the Peace region of British Columbia near Dawson Creek where in 2009 Irwin et al. discovered that mourning and MacGillivray’s warblers hybridize.

Then in 2010 DNA evidence split the Oporornis genus. Now the Connecticut warbler stands alone, though many websites and field guides have not caught up.

Old: Oporornis = [Connecticut, mourning, MacGillivray’s and Kentucky warblers]. Geothlypis = [common yellowthroat]
New: Oporornis = [Connecticut]. Geothlypis = [common yellowthroat, mourning, MacGillivray’s and Kentucky warblers]

In appearance and ancestry, these birds are variations on a warbler theme.

(illustration by Louis Aggasiz Fuertes in National Geographic, public domain from Wikimedia Commons)

Hope’s in Charge For Now

July 5, 2016Bird Behavior, PeregrinesKate St. John

Hope and Terzo band colors showing, 4 July 2016(photo from the National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh) — Hope and Terzo with band colors showing, 4 July 2016 (photo from the National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh)

A lot has happened at the Cathedral of Learning peregrine nest in the past two weeks.

On June 21 a new female peregrine, Magnum, appeared on the falconcam. She came to the nest several times through June 23 and bowed with Terzo, the resident male. Her presence meant that the previous female, Hope, was gone.
At midday June 24 Hope returned to the nest and has been bowing with Terzo ever since.
On June 27 this year’s fledgling, C1, visited the nest and made loud begging sounds.
On July 2, Chad Steele photographed Magnum at her own nest site, the Neville Island I-79 Bridge.

During these changes I was off the grid and couldn’t answer your questions. Here are some long awaited answers.
.
Did anyone see Hope and Magnum fighting?

No. We never saw anything, stuck on the ground with our poor field of view. My guess is that Hope and Magnum chased each other without making physical contact.

I see two peregrines at the nest. Please tell me if it’s Hope and Magnum and if they are fighting.

Magnum is gone for now. However, you can tell the difference between courtship and fighting by observing the birds’ postures and actions:

Courtship: Two peregrines standing apart from each other, chirping and bowing low = male+female strengthening pair bond. This is good.

Fight: Two peregrines with talons locked (feet are connected), trying to peck at each others’ throats, wings open, leaning backwards to avoid each others’ beaks = 2 birds of the same sex fighting. Here’s a slideshow of a fight in 2007 between two males at the Cathedral of Learning.

Why are the females competing now outside the nesting season? Are they competing for Terzo?

They’re not competing for Terzo at all. They’re competing for the Cathedral of Learning, a prime nest site worth winning at any time of year. It’s better than a bridge.

Does Terzo’s preference determine which female wins? Since Hope was there first, will Terzo leave if he prefers Magnum?

No. Unlike humans who bond with their mates and then find a place to live, peregrines bond to the nest site and then mate with whoever is there. If another female wins the site — no matter who it is — Terzo will mate with that female. He will not leave the site unless a new male ousts him.

Will Hope keep the Cathedral of Learning site?

We don’t know. We can tell that Hope is a weak owner because other females have made it to the nest three times in April & June. A strong owner would never let other females get into the nest. It never happened during Dorothy’s reign.

Has anyone seen Magnum recently?

Yes. On July 2 Chad Steele, peregrine monitor from Canton, Ohio, photographed Magnum at her home nest site, the Neville Island I-79 Bridge. His photos confirm her identity.

Magnum at the Neville Island I-79 Bridge, 2 Jul 2016 (photo by Chad Steele)

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How is this year’s fledgling, C1?

C1 is so mobile that it’s hard to keep track of her. Anne Marie Bosnyak saw her this morning, July 5, on St. Paul’s steeple. We also know she visited the nest on June 27, whining loudly. Is she as loud as her mother? Perhaps.

C1 visits the nest, 27 June 2016 (photo from the National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh)

p.s. As you watch the falconcam, here are band colors and numbers to look for:
Hope: black/green 69/Z + Green on right leg
Terzo: black/red N/29 + Silver on right leg
Magnum: black/red 62/H + Purple on right leg
C1 (juvenile, brown and cream-colored plumage): black/green 06/BR + Silver on right leg

(nest photos from the National Aviary falconcams at Univ. of Pittsburgh. photo of Magnum in flight by Chad Steele)

On July 4: Advocate for Eagles

July 4, 2016Birds of PreyKate St. John

I was “off the grid” in Montana when the American Bird Conservancy sent an important message about a proposed eagle management plan that would weaken protection for eagles. (!) Now there’s only one day left — July 4 — to make your voice heard.

Here’s the message and the link for you to comment.

THE LAST DAY TO COMMENT IS JULY 5!

From the American Bird Conservancy, info@abcbirds.org:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is taking public comment until July 5 on an eagle-management plan that could weaken protections for eagles, including the issuing of 30-year permits to wind energy and other companies that allow the “take” (or harm) of thousands of eagles. Please help us strengthen the rule by submitting a comment today.

Under the proposed plan—also called the Eagle Take Rule—industry would not be required to have mortality data collected by independent, third-party experts; share mortality data with the public; or take critical factors like proper siting of wind turbines into consideration. We have sent our own, extensive comment letter to FWS and urge you to raise your voice as well. (Please see our press release for additional information.)

To endorse the following letter, which will be submitted as an official comment to elected officials, please fill out the form at this link. Thank you!

American Bird Conservancy | P.O. Box 249 | The Plains, VA 20198 | 888-247-3624

Note: When I submitted my comment I got an automated reply from my Congressman saying my message has to include my home address. Oops! I didn’t type my address inside the message. Make sure you do that.

(photo of bald eagle by Chuck Tague)

Big Sky and Mountains

July 3, 2016TravelKate St. John

Snowy peak, Mount Jackson, Glacier National Park, Montana, 30 June 2016 (photo by Kate St. John)

At Montana’s Glacier National Park, June 27-30, 2016. The sky is big and so are the mountains.

Big Sky at Upper Saint Mary Lake, Glacier National Park, 28 June 2016 (photo by Kate St. John) — Big sky at Upper Saint Mary Lake, Glacier National Park, 28 June 2016 (photo by Kate St. John)

This thunderstorm missed us completely.

Thunderstorm coming over the mountains, 28 June 2016 (photo by Kate St. John) — Thunderstorm coming over the mountains, Saint Mary, Montana, 28 June 2016 (photo by Kate St. John)

Clouds and mountains, Glacier National Park, 30 June 2016 (photo by Kate St. John)

Sky reflected in a pond at Josephine Lake, Glacier National Park, 29 June 2016 (photo by Kate St. John)

Sunrise as seen from the Red Eagle Trail, 30 June 2016 (photo by Kate St. John) — Sunrise along the Red Eagle Trail, 30 June 2016 (photo by Kate St. John)

Saint Mary Lake seen from the west, 30 June 2016 (photo by Kate St. John) — Saint Mary Lake as seen from the west, Going To The Sun Road, Glacier National Park, 30 June 2016 (photo by Kate St. John)

(photos by Kate St. John)

The Element Of Surprise

July 2, 2016Mammals, TravelKate St. John

Grizzly bear (photo from Wikimedia Commons)

While visiting Glacier National Park on a Road Scholar birding trip this week, we heard that a mountain biker was killed by a bear just south of the Park. The incident made international news.

When a bear kills someone, wildlife officials investigate by collecting information on what happened, DNA samples of the bear and, ideally, the bear itself. If it’s clear the bear was predatory (if it ate or wanted to eat the person) then the bear is euthanized. If it was defending itself or cubs, officials weigh the evidence and it often goes free.

As of this writing the investigation is still underway, the bear hasn’t been found, and it’s not confirmed that it was a grizzly. The only thing we know for sure is that everyone was surprised — the bear, the victim, his fellow cyclist, and the local community. Montanans are especially surprised and saddened because the victim was a very knowledgeable local resident, an officer in the U.S. Forest Service who knew all about bear safety.

How could such a thing happen? Imagine this: A mountain biker is traveling downhill fast on a silent bike on a narrow trail through a thicket. There’s a bear in the thicket but there is no sound to warn the bear and no time for it to move away. Bears have a chase instinct and will pursue things that are moving fast. UPDATE JULY 3: The cyclist collided with the bear before the fatal attack.

Here’s more about what happened near West Glacier, Montana:

Hopes Dimming But Search Continues for Bear that Killed Cyclist Near Glacier Park

Were we worried about bears while visiting the park? No. We followed the guidelines on what to do in bear country. These are from the Glacier National Park website:

Never travel alone. Don’t trail run. (There were 11 of us walking and birding.)
Carry bear spray and know how to use it. (Our guide carried this form of pepper spray that has a special nozzle.)
Make human noise especially talking, singing, clapping or calling out at regular intervals. NPS says, most bear bells are not enough. (We talked a lot!)
Never leave food, garbage and scented items unattended. Always secure them. (We were always with our food, packing in and packing out.)
Be aware of your surroundings, especially when you are near bear foods, running water or thickets. Notice bears signs. (Our guide showed us bear claw marks and dig-outs.)

Bear attacks are extremely rare events. There would be even fewer if we could eliminate the element of surprise.

(photo from Wikimedia Commons. Click on the image to see the original.)

p.s. We never saw any bears at all, not a grizzly, not even a black bear. It would have been nice to see a grizzly on a distant hillside from the car — but only under those circumstances!

Dipper or Ouzel

July 1, 2016Songbirds, TravelKate St. John

Question: What songbird …

Lives along streams in western North America?
Looks like a plump, dark gray robin with a short tail?
Bobs his tail like a Louisiana waterthrush?
Does “push-ups” like an angry wren?
Swims and dives as if he was a duck?
Has white nictitating membranes (third eyelids) for seeing underwater?
Eats only underwater prey?

Answer: A bird who has two names — the American dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) or water ouzel.

“Dipper” describes his behavior. While looking for prey from the water’s edge, he dips his body up and down as if doing push-ups on his legs. This action gives him two perspectives while looking through the water’s refraction: high view and low view.

“Ouzel” is an Old English word that now means “like a blackbird,” except that the water ouzel is not like any blackbird.

In fact this water-loving species is unlike any songbird in North America.

That’s why I came out west to see him at Glacier National Park.

p.s. Life Bird! I even saw one feeding his young, thanks to Denny Olsen, our Road Scholar birding guide.

(video from JVCdude on YouTube)

One Note

June 30, 2016Beyond Bounds, Songbirds, TravelKate St. John

Varied thrush (photo by Eleanor Briccetti via Wikimedia Commons)

30 June 2016, Glacier National Park

Spring starts late in the northern Rockies so many birds are still singing here in Glacier National Park. Fortunately the varied thrush is one of them.

In the breeding season the varied thrush (Ixoreus naevius) is a shy bird of mature western forests. He sings from the top of a conifer for 10 to 15 minutes but the trees are so tall that he’s hard to find. If he wasn’t singing we’d never know he’s there.

His song consists of one note that lasts two seconds. He pauses 3 to 20 seconds and then sings again, a different note. The disembodied sound echoes in the canyons.

Like all thrushes his syrinx allows him to blend two sounds so his note has a burry quality. It sounds like this:

“Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius meruloides)” from xeno-canto by Richard E. Webster. Genre: Turdidae.

This song is unique in North America and easy to identify by ear.

Just one note.

(photo by Eleanor Briccetti via Wikimedia Commons)

See It Before It Melts

June 29, 2016TravelKate St. John

Saint Mary Lake at Glacier National Park (photo by NPS via Wikimedia Commons)

29 June 2016

Many National Parks are named for their defining feature. One has a Grand Canyon, another has Great Smoky Mountains, and yet another has Glaciers. The canyon and the mountains won’t disappear but the glaciers are melting so I’m at Glacier National Park this week to see them.

Glacier National Park was the brainchild of George Bird Grinnell who fell in love with the place on his first visit in 1885. Over the next 25 years he returned several times and advocated for the land to become a national park. His dream was realized on May 11, 1910.

The scenery here is breathtaking — a 1,583 square mile wilderness of majestic mountains, U-shaped valleys, gorgeous lakes and (for me) many Life Birds.

In the early 1900’s there were more glaciers than there are today. According to Wikipedia: “Of the estimated 150 glaciers which existed in the park in the mid-19th century, only 25 active glaciers remained by 2010. Scientists studying the glaciers in the park have estimated that all may disappear by 2030 if the current climate patterns persist.”

The glacier named for Grinnell himself is melting, too. In 1850 it filled the entire valley. By 2009 most of the valley contained an iceberg lake. And now …