Nature Area Birds

Nature Area: Birds: 

Nature Area: Birds Authors: Jennifer Cunningham (SMC 2007) a political science major, biology with an environmental concentration minor, and women’s studies minor. She is currently attending law school. Doris Watt, biology professor (email: dwatt@saintmarys.edu) Jennifer in field biology attire The following slides highlight the species seen in the nature area during Field Biology, May 2006, followed by some additional notes.

Canada GooseBranta canadensis: 

Canada Goose Branta canadensis This is the most widespread goose in North America. Flocks travel in a V-formation. Considerable variation in size between various races. Giant race was reintroduced into Indiana and has become an over-populated pest species here and throughout the mid-west. Family: Anatidae. Subfamily: Anserinae. Permanent resident Habitat: Lakes, ponds, bays, marshes, fields; common now in suburbia, golf courses Sexually monomorphic: black head and neck or 'stocking' that contrasts strikingly with the pale breast and white patch or chinstrap that runs onto the side of the head. Voice: A deep musical honking or barking ka-lunk. Food: Grasses, seeds, aquatic plants. Picture Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/

MallardAnas platyrhynchos: 

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos The most common duck in our area; found on waterways dabbling with head underwater, tail up, or in most suburban areas waddling along Family: Anatidae, Subfamily: Anatinae Permanent resident Habitat: Marshes, wooded swamps, grainfields, ponds, rivers, lakes, bays; common in suburbia; previously more common at SMC before early 1980’s when Canada Geese moved in. Sexually dimorphic: Male: glossy-green head and white neck ring, grayish belly with a chestnut chest, curly tail, yellowish bill, orange feet, violet-blue speculum. Female: Mottled brown, whitish tail non-curly tail, bill patched with orange, feet orange. Voice: Male: yeeb- a low kwek; Female: has a boisterous quacking. Food: Aquatic plants, seeds, grass, small aquatic animals, insects. Male Female with ducklings Picture source: http://www.wikipedia.org/

OspreyPandion haliaetus: 

Osprey Pandion haliaetus Large fish-eating diurnal bird of prey, conspicuous dark wrist patches in flight, unique scaley ridges in talons aid in holding on to slippery fish prey. Family: Pandionidae, a cosmopolitan family (worldwide) of one species, related to other hawks (family Accipitridae) but distinctive Permanent resident Habitat: rivers, lakes An osprey pair has recently nested on the SMC side of the St. Joseph River at a man-made platform on convent property south of the Nature Area; osprey populations are recovering in the mid-west after reductions due mostly to pesticides. Sexually monomorphic Voice: call a series of loud 'kyews' Food: mostly fish caught by diving from air and with outstretched raptorial feet Picture Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/

KilldeerCharadrius vociferus: 

Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Common 'shorebird' that inhabits upland habitats; Killdeer usually nest at SMC on gravel next to the old railroad or along the gravel roads around the fields. Famous for its distraction display that looks like the bird has a broken wing when predators approach the nest area. Family: Charadriidae Summer resident Habitat: Fields, airports, lawns, river banks, shores Sexually monomorphic: two conspicuous black breastbands, golden-tawny rump, longish tail, white wing stripe. Voice: Noisy; a loud insistent kill-deeah, kill-deeah, usually while flying; a plaintive dee-ee (rising) often while walking and tail-bobbing. Also a low trill. Food: small aquatic life, insects, some vegetable matter Picture Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/

Mourning DoveZenaida macroura: 

Another common bird that has adapted well to human habitats; Mourning Doves at SMC frequently nest on window ledges at LeMans Hall. Family: Columbidae Permanent resident Habitat: Farms, towns, open woods, scrub, roadsides, grasslands. Sexually monomorphic: soft buffy brown, pointed tail with white spots, pink legs and feet and pale blue eye-ring. Voice: A hollow mournful coah, cooo, cooo, coo. Food: Seeds, waste grain, fruits, insects. Picture Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/ Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura

Yellow-billed CuckooCoccyzus americanus: 

A rather common bird that is rarely seen, the Yellow-billed Cuckoo forages in leafy treetops looking for caterpillars; rather slow-moving and secretive. Its distinctive call often heard on hot summer days gives it the 'predictive' local name of Rain Crow as they are siad to call in the rain. Family: Cuculidae Summer resident Habitat: Woodlands, thickets, farms, orchards. Sexually monomorphic: slim sinuous look, brown back, and plain white breast, long graduated tail with conspicuous white spots, yellow bill. Voice: Song, a rapid throaty ka-ka-ka…kow-kow-kowlp-kowlp-kowlp Food: Caterpillars, other insects Picture source: http://www.wikipedia.org/ Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus

Belted KingfisherMegaceryle alcyon: 

Robin-sized large-headed large-billed noisy fish-eating resident along waterways; although sometimes seen flying over campus, our kingfishers center their activities along the St. Joseph River. Family: Alcedinidae Permanent resident Habitat: Streams, lakes, bays, coasts; nests in holes they dig in banks. Sexually similar bluish gray and white birds but dichromatic with female sporting a rusty orange flank and breast band not present in male. Voice: A loud dry rattle. Food: Mainly fish acquired by diving from a perch or hovering Picture Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/ Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon

Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinus: 

A zebra-backed large woodpecker with a red cap, white rump, and light reddish belly. Family: Picidae Habitat: Woodlands, groves, orchards, towns Sexually dimorphic: male’s red cap covers complete crown, female’s starts behind the eye and onto the nape but is not red in the frontal area. Voice: Note, kwirr, churr, or chaw. Muffled in Flicker-like series. Food: Tree-boring insects Picture Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/ Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus

Downy WoodpeckerPicoides pubescens: 

A small woodpecker with a white back and belly and a small bill. Family: Picidae Permanent resident Habitat: Forests, woodlots, willows, river groves, orchards, shade trees. Sexually dimorphic: females have no red on their heads, males have a red patch on the back of the crown. Voice: A rapid whinny of notes, descending in pitch. Food: Tree-boring insects Picture Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/ Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens

Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitus: 

Kingbird-sized flycatcher with cinnamon wings and tail, a gray breast, and a yellow belly. The only eastern flycatcher that has a long rust tail. Family: Tyrannidae Summer resident Habitat: Woodlands and groves. Sexually monomorphic Voice: Whistled wheeep! and rolling prrrrreee. Food: Flying insects Picture Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/ Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus

Eastern Wood-PeweeContopus virens: 

A sparrow-sized flycatcher with 2 narrow white wing bars. No eye-ring. Family: Tyrannidae Summer resident Habitat: Woodlands, groves. Sexually monomorphic Voice: Whistled pee-a-wee and pee-ur. Food: Flying insects. Picture Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/ Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens

Black-capped ChickadeeParus atricapillus: 

Small, tame acrobat is distinctively patterned with a combo of black cap and bib, white cheeks. Sides buffy. Family: Paridae Permanent resident Habitat: mixed and deciduous woods; willow thickets, groves, shade trees. Visits feeders, where it eats suet, sunflower seeds. Sexually monomorphic Voice: call a clearly enunciated chick-a-dee-dee-dee. Song, a clear whistle, fee-bee-ee. Food: Insects, seeds, acorn masts, berries. Source: Eastern Birds by Peterson Picture Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/ Black-capped Chickadee Parus atricapillus

Tufted TitmouseParus bicolor: 

Small, gray, mouse-colored bird with a tufted crest, commonly seen at feeders and in mixed flocks with chickadees in winter. Family: Paridae Permanent Resident Habitat: woodlands, shade trees, groves; feeders. Sexually monomorphic: gray back, whitish belly, buffy flanks, large black eyes and black around bill. Voice: Whistles peter, peter peter or here, here, here. Food: Insets, seeds, acorn masts, and berries. At feeders: suet and sunflower seeds. Source: Eastern Birds by Peterson. Picture Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/ Tufted Titmouse Parus bicolor

White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensis: 

Small bird most often seen climbing down tree trunks or branches headfirst, also often heard as it almost constantly calls a nasal nyet, nyet, nyet. Family: Sittidae Permanent resident Habitat: Forests, woodlots, groves, river woods, shade trees; visits feeders. Sexually similar: gray back, white belly with a black cap (blacker in males) and beady black eyes on a white face, undertail coverts are chestnut. Voice: Song, a rapid series of low, nasal, whistled notes on one pitch. Whi whi whi or who who who. Food: Bark insects, seeds, nuts; attracted by suet, sunflower seeds. Source: Eastern Birds by Peterson Picture Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/ White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis

Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensis: 

This slim resident of brushy hedgerows is most often heard before it is seen, its cat-like meow call is distinctive. Family: Mimidae Summer Resident Habitat: Undergrowth, brush, thorn scrub, suburban gardens. Sexually monomorphic: Slate-gray body, black cap, chestnut undertail feathers. Voice: Catlike mewing call, song a complex long combination of many sounds. Food: Insects, fruits Picture Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/ Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis

American RobinTurdus migratorius: 

A large thrush commonly seen in spring and summer hopping around lawns catching earthworms. Robins appear to leave in winter but many gather in flocks and overwinter in floodplain forests. Family: Turdidae Permanent resident Habitat: forests, woodlands, and gardens. Sexually dimorphic: back and wings are gray, underparts are orangish-red (darker in males), dark head (black in males, dark gray in females), yellow bill; young have gray spotted breasts. Voice: Song cheerily, cheer up, cheer up, cheerily, cheer up Food: Invertebrates, especially earthworms, and fruit Picture Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/ American Robin Turdus migratorius Male

Wood ThrushHylocichla mustelina: 

Largest of the Hylocichla thrushes, the Wood Thrush is a frequently studied species used as an indicator of high quality large forest tracks. Heavily parasitized by cowbirds, this species reproduces most successfully in large forests rather than in small woodlots with lots of edge habitat. Family: Turdidae Summer resident Habitat: mature deciduous woodlands Sexually monomorphic: larger and plumper than other brown thrushes but smaller than a robin; rusty brown on back of head and back, large roundish dark spots over belly. Voice: Song long, melodious, flutelike. Food: Insects, worms, snails, berries, fruits Picture Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/ Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina

Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorum: 

This species is most often seen in large flocks feeding on fruiting trees. They are social most of the year, only pairing up during their breeding season, which doesn’t begin until late summer when many fruits ripen. Family: Bombycillidae Permanent resident Habitat: open woodlands, fruiting trees, orchards; in winter, widespread, irregular. Monomorphic: soft buffy gray-brown over most of body, lighter on belly, under tail, black mask and pointed crest, yellow band on end of tail, some adults have waxy red tips on secondaries (not correlated with sex or age). Young birds grayer, softly streaked below. Voice: A high thin lisp or zeee; sometimes slightly trilled. Food: Mostly fruits and berries, some insects Picture Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/ Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum

Red-eyed VireoVireo olivaceus: 

Vireos are insect-gleaning birds that appear more sluggish and sneaky than the next group, the warblers. They are most often heard and not seen. Family: Vireonidae Summer resident (click on picture to see breeding and winter ranges); one of many species of 'neotropical migrants' that winter in Central or South America and breed in North America. Habitat: Woodlands, shade trees, groves Sexually monomorphic: gray cap contrasting with the olive back, strong black-bordered white eyebrow stripe, dark red eye. Voice: Song short abrupt phrases separated by pauses repeated up to 40 times per minute hour after hour ('hello, how are you? I am fine….')1 Food: Mostly insects. Picture Source: http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com http://www.leo.lehigh.edu Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus 1 Imagined by D Watt.

Warbling VireoVireo gilvus: 

Another vireo species; this one has a dark eye rather than a red one as in the previous species. Warbling Vireos are especially abundant along the trail near the river. Family: Vireonidae Summer Resident Habitat: Deciduous and mixed woods, aspen groves, poplars, shade trees. Sexually monomorphic: similar to the Red-eyed Vireo but with a black eye and lacks black boarder on the eyebrow stripe. Voice: Song a languid warble; the best way to identify summer vireos is by their distinctive song since it is very unlikely you will see one or identify its eye color. Click on this link to listen to the Warbling Vireo song: http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/152/_/target.aspx The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology describes the song as 'If I sees you, I will seize you, and I'll squeeze you till you squirt!' Food: Mostly insects. Picture source: http://www.wikipedia.org Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus

Slide22: 

The North American family of Wood Warblers consists of a variety of brightly colored (or not) small neotropical migrants that mostly eat insects, by gleaning, flycatching, or probing. The two most numerous during migration are the Nashville and Tennesee (next slide) Warblers, when their songs almost drown out human conversation. Their peak migration date usually coincides with SMC graduation in mid-May when the trees ring with their songs. Many move on to Canada to breed including these two species. Family: Parulidae Transient Habitat: cool open mixed woods with undergrowth, forest edges, bogs; mostly in trees during migration. Sexually monomorphic: Nashville has white eye-ring and a yellow throat and belly; Tennessee has white throat and belly, light stripe over eye; neither has wing bars common to other parulids. Voice: Nashville song 2 parts: Seebit, seebit, seebit, seebit, titititititi; Tennessee song, staccato, 'similar to the Nashville Warbler’s song, but louder, and more tirelessly repeated.'1 Food: Mainly insects Nashville (top) and Tennessee (bottom) Warblers Illustration by Louis Agassiz Fuertes Picture Source: http://www.answers.com/ Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla andamp; 1 Eastern Birds, Roger Tory Peterson

Chestnut-sided WarblerDendroica pensylvanica: 

Chestnut-sided Warbler Dendroica pensylvanica One of several wood warbler species that do stay and breed in northern Indiana. This species is at its southern-most range in northern Indiana and its rarity make it a super special find breeding along SMC’s nature trail. Family: Parulidae Summer resident Habitat: successional stages of old fields, bushy pastures, powerline right-of-ways Dimorphic: male with darker chestnut sides, greener crown, otherwise sexes similar in plumage Voice: song 'please please pleased to meet’cha' Food: mostly insects Picture source: sdakotabirds.com

Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbula: 

One of our showiest summer birds, Baltimore Orioles can be attracted to hummingbird feeders or halved oranges early in the spring (mid- to late April) as they arrive on migration. Family: Icteridae Summer resident Habitat: Open woods, elms, shade trees; builds pendulous nest that often hangs from the tip of a branch. Sexually dimorphic: male flame-orange and black with a solid-black head, female and young olive green-brown above, burnt orange-yellow below Voice: Song rich, piping whistled notes Food: mostly flowers and fruits early, feed on insects later and to young John J. Audubon print copy: Picture Source: http://www.princetonaudubon.com Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula

Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalis: 

The quintessential Christmas card bird, the cardinal is a common bird in Indiana the year round. It is the most common state bird (seven including Indiana). Family: Fringillidae Permanent resident Habitat: woodland edges, thickets, suburban gardens, towns. Sexually dimorphic: Male red with pointed crest and a black patch at the base of its heavy triangular orange bill; female buff-brown with some red on the wings and tail, orange bill. Immature similar to female, but all brown with a dark brown bill. Voice: Song clear loud slurred whistles, lowering in pitch. Several variations. Food: Seeds, insects, small fruits Picture Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/ Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis

Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianus: 

Another neotropical migrant, this large finch is seen mostly at feeders in springtime. It nests in the canopy of tall trees, and both male and female incubate the eggs and sing from the nest. Family: Fringillidae Summer Resident Habitat: Deciduous woods, orchards, groves, thickets Sexually dimorphic: Male black and white with a large triangle of rose-red on the breast and a thick pale bill. Female streaked brown and white, broad white wing bars, striped crown, and broad white eyebrow stripe. Voice: song, rising and falling passages similar to a robin’s song Food: Seeds, insects, fruits Picture Source: male: http://www.wikipedia.org/ female: http://www.sialis.org Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus

Indigo BuntingPasserina cyanea: 

A small finch commonly found along fence rows and other old field or edge habitats during late spring and summer. This is very much a successional stage species, rarely found inside forests, but much more common along the SMC trail now that the canopy has been opened up. The male sings loudly from an exposed perch but in spite of his bright coloration is difficult to see against the sky. Family: Fringillidae Summer Resident Habitat: Brushy pastures, bushy wood edges, briar tangles. The nest is usually located in one of these brushy tangles. Sexually dimorphic: male bright blue, female plain brown. Voice: Song, lively, high, strident; notes usually paired: 'sweet-sweet, chew-chew, sweeter-sweeter, sweeter than you' Food: seeds, insects, and small fruits Picture Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/ Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea

American GoldfinchCarduelis tristis: 

A small finch with deeply undulating flight common throughout our area. Family: Fringillidae Permanent Resident Habitat: patches of thistles and weeds, dandelions on lawns, roadsides, open woods, edges; in winter, also feeders. Sexually dimorphic: Male bright yellow and black in summer, female greenish yellow; sexes more similar in winter and resemble summer female. Voice: Song sustained, clear, light, canary-like. Picture Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/ American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis

Slide29: 

List of Bird Species Banded by Dr. Watt at Saint Mary’s since 1983 Canada Goose Yellow-shafted Flicker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Mourning Dove Eastern Phoebe Great Crested Flycatcher Acadian Flycatcher Blue Jay Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper House Wren Carolina Wren Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Red-eyed Vireo White-eyed Vireo Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet American Robin Wood Thrush Hermit Thrush Swainson’s Thrush Gray-cheeked Thrush Veery Common Yellowthroat Golden-winged Warbler Black-and-white Warbler Northern Waterthrush Magnolia Warbler 9 May 2007 Magnolia Warbler Yellow Warbler Mourning Warbler Worm-eating Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler American Redstart Chestnut-sided Warbler Nashville Warbler Tennessee Warbler Palm Warbler Wilson’s Warbler Hooded Warbler Ovenbird Baltimore Oriole Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Indigo Bunting Rose-breasted Grosbeak Northern Cardinal White-throated Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Field Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Song Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Lincoln’s Sparrow Chipping Sparrow American Tree Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco American Goldfinch Pine Siskin House Finch House Sparrow European Starling Species caught but not banded: Red-Tailed Hawk Screech Owl Common Nighthawk

Slide30: 

List of Bird Species recorded by SB Audubon Society at Saint Mary’s Nature Area since 1983 (mostly May Counts, not all years)