Sunday, January 31, 2016

Warblers of Southern Arizona: Townsend's Warbler




Continuing my series on Warblers of Southern Arizona, in alphabetical order, next up:

Townsend's Warbler

Distinctive Identification Marks:  high contrast yellow face with black mask; yellow undereye arc; variable black throat bordered by yellow; side streaking; yellow breast and white belly; dark olive green back; white wing bars; 

Frequency: Common

Season: Spring and Fall with some year round

Range: Western United States and Canada

Habitat:
Tree Tops
Mid Tree
Mature coniferous forests
Those that stay in winter come down to lower elevations in riparian areas

Nesting:
Nests in coniferous trees well concealed by foliage; open cup of bark, pine needles, and small twigs.

Feeding Behavior:
Gleaning: perched bird takes prey from branch

General Behavior:
Very active; constant movement

Where to Find: Mount Lemmon, Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains 


Chance of Finding:  80% in the areas mention above during Spring and Fall months.








Friday, January 29, 2016

Warblers of Southern Arizona: Rufous Capped Warbler




Continuing my series on Warblers of Southern Arizona, in alphabetical order, next up:

Rufous Capped Warbler

Distinctive Identification Marks: Large warbler with sparrow-like shape; very long cocked tail; strong white supercilium; rufous cap and cheeks; bright yellow throat and upper breast; white malar;

Frequency: Rare

Season: Any

Range: Extreme Southeast Arizona in the United States; otherwise Mexico, Central and South America

Habitat:
Lower Tree and Brush
Ground

Nesting:
Nests on sides of steep banks

Feeding Behavior:
Gleaning: perched bird takes prey from branch
Eats mostly insects

General Behavior:
Skulking
Wren-like behavior

Where to Find: Pena Blanca Lake and Pena Blanca Canyon (Pajarito Mountains), Florida Canyon (Santa Rita Mountains), Hunter Canyon (Huachuca Mountains)

Chance of Finding: While this is a rare bird to the United States, it resides year round in the four locations mentioned above. Knowing exactly where to look in those four locations increases the odds to 50%.








Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Warblers of Southern Arizona: Red Faced Warbler




Continuing my series on Warblers of Southern Arizona, in alphabetical order, next up:

Red Faced Warbler

Distinctive Identification Marks: red face, throat, and upper breast; black cap and ear flaps; white bar on back of head; pale white rump; white belly;

Frequency: Uncommon

Season: April through September

Range:  Southeast Arizona

Habitat:
Mid Tree
Lower Tree and Brush
Occasionally on Ground
High elevations in shaded canyons in mixed forests (fir, pine, oak)

Feeding Behavior:
Gleaning: perched bird takes prey from branch (especially caterpillars)
Hawking: perched bird takes prey from air

Nesting:
Nests on ground typically in a small hole beneath and fallen branch; open cup of bark, dead leaves and pine needles

General Behavior:
Very active; constant movement
Will sometimes travel in small flocks or mixed flocks (especially Painted Redstarts)

Where to Find:  Mount Lemmon (Incinerator Ridge, Marshall Gulch, Bear Wallow)


Chance of Finding: 60% during season at the locations noted above

In Ponderosa Pine

In Deciduous Tree

On Open Branch

On Ground

In fall


With Caterpillar

Monday, January 25, 2016

Warblers of Southern Arizona: Painted Redstart




Continuing my series on Warblers of Southern Arizona, in alphabetical order, next up:

Painted Redstart

Distinctive Identification Marks: Bright red breast; black upper parts with bold white wing patch; white under eye arc; long tail often fanning; 

Frequency: Common

Season: April through September

Range: Arizona and New Mexico

Habitat:
Lower Tree and Brush
Trunk and limbs
Ground
Pine-oak woodland and riparian areas in middle to upper elevation levels

Nesting:
Nests on the ground with a coarse cup of grasses and pine needles; may be on slopes under exposed roots

Feeding Behavior:
Gleaning: perched bird takes prey from leaves,branches, and tree trunks
Hawking: perched bird takes prey from air
Pouncing: perched bird takes prey from ground
Uses tail fanning to flush insects out in the open 
Diet is mostly insects but will take sap from tree

General Behavior:
Creeping
Walking
Hovering
Very active; constant movement

Where to Find: Chiricahua, Huachuca, Santa Rita, and Catalina Mountains

Chance of Finding: 80% chance of finding in preferred season and habitat where frequently sighted.









Saturday, January 23, 2016

Warblers of Southern Arizona: Olive Warbler




Continuing my series on Warblers of Southern Arizona, in alphabetical order, next up:

Olive Warbler

Note: There is debate on whether the Olive Warbler should be classified as a warbler.

Distinctive Identification Marks: Butterscotch head and upper breast (male); Variable dark mask; white wing bars; long, thin bill; olive crown on females; 

Frequency: Uncommon

Season: April through September

Range: Southeast Arizona and Southwest New Mexico

Habitat:
Tree Tops (primarily Ponderosa Pine) at 7,000 feet elevation or higher

Nesting:
Not a lot is know about its nesting behavior since its nest is 30 to 70 feet high up in pine trees; it is usually 15 to 20 feet from the tree trunk

Feeding Behavior:
Gleaning: perched bird takes prey from branch and base of needle clusters;

General Behavior:
Creeping in tree tops

Where to Find: Mount Lemmon, and highest elevations of the Chiricahua, Huachuca, and Santa Rita mountains

Chance of Finding: While it is "uncommon" in its range and habitat, it is rarely seen. It remains in the upper third of Ponderosa Pines. Given that Ponderosa pines can be over 200 feet high it is difficult to find a 5.25 inch bird submerged in 8 inch pine needles at that height. Hiking on canyon edges provides some advantage as you look down into the canyon - or mid tree level. Even in it's range and preferred habitat it's 5% at best.




Thursday, January 21, 2016

Warblers of Southern Arizona: Orange Crowned Warbler




Continuing my series on Warblers of Southern Arizona, in alphabetical order, next up:

Orange Crowned Warbler

Distinctive Identification Marks: small with sharp pointed bill; low contrast olive-yellow body and grayish olive green back; subtle streaking on breast; faint black line through eye; split eyering; orange patch on crown seldom seen;

Frequency: Common

Season: Spring and Fall

Range: widespread throughout North America (though more common in the West)

Habitat:
Lower Tree and dense shrubbery
Ground (will come to the ground to drink or bath)

Nesting:
Very elaborate nests on ground in open layered cup;

Feeding Behavior:
Gleaning: perched bird takes prey from branch
Hawking: perched bird takes prey from air
They will supplement their insect diet with fruit, berries, seeds, even nectar

General Behavior:
Hovering
Very active; constant movement

Where to Find: Chiricahua, Huachuca, Santa Rita, and Catalina Mountains.  Sometimes in municipal parks as well; Sweetwater Wetlands.



Chance of Finding: high probability during its season and at its preferred habitat.

Low dense brush

At water's edge

Gleaning from tree trunk

Gleaning from deciduous tree






Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Warblers of Southern Arizona: Nashville Warbler




Continuing my series on Warblers of Southern Arizona, in alphabetical order, next up:

Nashville Warbler

Distinctive Identification Marks: small and compact with fine sharp bill; olive-green back contrasts with blue-gray head; bright white eye ring; yellow throat, breast and belly; may show chestnut crown patch; no wing bars; dark thin tail; slightly brighter in Arizona than in the East.

Frequency: Uncommon

Season: Spring and Fall

Range: Throughout most of the US (excluding the southeast)

Habitat:
Lower Tree and Brush in second growth or mixed forest with shrubby undergrowth;
Nests on the ground;

Nesting:
Nests on ground  under brushy vegetation with a cup of moss, bark, leaves, grasses, pine needles, 

Feeding Behavior:
Gleaning: perched bird takes prey from branch
Pouncing: perched bird takes prey from ground
Feeds exclusively on insects

General Behavior:
Walking
Hovering
Skulking

Where to Find: Mount Lemmon, Huachuca Canyon, Madera Canyon, Sabino Canyon

Chance of Finding: Often in small flocks; sometimes mixed; 50% when reported, 20% otherwise.









Sunday, January 17, 2016

Warblers of Southern Arizona: Magnolia Warbler




Continuing my series on Warblers of Southern Arizona, in alphabetical order, next up:

Magnolia Warbler

Distinctive Identification Marks: bright yellow underparts and throat; strong black streaking attached to black neckless; black face mask with white supercilium and white under eye arc; small bill; broad white wing patch; black back; yellow rump; black tail with broad white base (very unique); 

Frequency: Casual (about 12 records)

Season: Spring or Fall

Range: Eastern United States

Habitat:
Lower Tree and Brush
Has broader range of winter habitats; from sea level to 4500 feet

Nesting:
Nests in trees less than 10 feet from the ground, with loose cup of twigs and roots

Feeding Behavior:
Gleaning: perched bird takes prey from undersides of conifer needles and broadleaf foliage;

General Behavior:
Hovering
Very active; constant movement

Where to Find: last known location was Tanque Verde Wash in December, 2013;

Chance of Finding: Highly unlikely unless there is a report.



Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler


Friday, January 15, 2016

Warblers of Southern Arizona: MacGillivray's Warbler




Continuing my series on Warblers of Southern Arizona, in alphabetical order, next up:

MacGillivray's Warbler

Distinctive Identification Marks: thick white eye arcs below and above eye; blue-gray hood contrasts with olive back and yellow belly; black lores;

Frequency: Uncommon

Season: Spring and Fall

Range: Western United States

Habitat:
Brush
Ground
Mixed forests and riparian areas near water
Dense understory
Wide elevation range, up to 9,000 feet

Feeding Behavior:
Gleaning: perched bird takes prey from branch
Pouncing: perched bird takes prey from ground
Eats mostly insects

Nesting: 
Nests in shrubs, on or near the ground with open cup of grass and other vegetation

General Behavior:
Walking
Skulking


Where to Find: 
Empire Gulch
Sabino Canyon
Santa Cruz River
San Pedro River



Chance of Finding: 20% in areas previously and recently reported.


MacGillivray's Warbler

MacGillivray's Warbler

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Warblers of Southern Arizona: Lucy's Warbler




Continuing my series on Warblers of Southern Arizona, in alphabetical order, next up:

Lucy's Warbler

Distinctive Identification Marks: smallest warbler; tiny bill, gray above and pale gray below; chestnut rump; chestnut crown patch (usually not visible); plain face with pale eyeing and lores; dark eye;

Frequency: Uncommon

Season: March through August

Range: Southern Arizona

Habitat:
Lower Tree and Brush in riparian woodland and mesquite bosques; likes dry habitats

Nesting:
Nests in cavities of trees or cactus; nests of finely woven twigs, weeds, straw, mesquite leaf stems; then lined with fine bark, plant fibers, animal hair, and feathers

Feeding Behavior:
Gleaning: perched bird takes prey from branch

General Behavior:
Hovering
Very active; constant movement

Where to Find: Sabino Canyon, Empire Gulch, Catalina State Park, Patagonia Sonoita Creek, Miller Canyon, Madera Canyon


Chance of Finding: Lucy's is the same size and coloration as the Ruby Crowned Kinglet. Without a clear view could even be confused with the Blue Gray Gnatcatcher. The best identifying mark is the chestnut rump. However it is not often showing. The result, 25% in preferred habitat. Someone who can identify it by song will have a better chance.


Lucy's Warbler show chestnut rump



Lucy's Warbler in Mesquite Tree



Monday, January 11, 2016

Warblers of Southern Arizona: Hermit Warbler




Continuing my series on Warblers of Southern Arizona, in alphabetical order, next up:

Hermit Warbler

Distinctive Identification Marks: Plain yellow face with dark eye; black nape, gray back; white underside; no streaking; white wing bars; lores always yellow; male has black throat; female throat is "blotchy black;" hybridizes with Townsend's Warbler.

Frequency: Common

Season: Spring and Fall

Range: Southwest United States

Habitat:
Tree Tops, primarily Douglas fir
Mid Tree
Ground

Feeding Behavior:
Gleaning: perched bird takes prey from branch

General Behavior:
Hovering
Very active; constant movement

Where to Find: 
Mount Lemon, Chiricahua's, Huachucha's, Santa Rita's above 5,000 feet in mixed coniferous forests; 



Chance of Finding: 40% in preferred habitat. 

On rock

In ponderosa pine tree

Bathing in pool (notice the Bridled Titmouse and Black Throated Gray Warbler in background).

In deciduous tree

In fir tree