Tag Archives: Cornell Lab of Ornithology

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Craig Tooley spotted this beautiful hawk recently. We first thought it was a Sharp-shinned Hawk but it turns out the experts agree it's a Cooper's Hawk.

Here's what the Cornell Lab of Ornithology says about these hawks:

"Among the bird world’s most skillful fliers, Cooper’s Hawks are common woodland hawks that tear through cluttered tree canopies in high speed pursuit of other birds. You’re most likely to see one prowling above a forest edge or field using just a few stiff wingbeats followed by a glide. With their smaller lookalike, the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawks make for famously tricky identifications. Both species are sometimes unwanted guests at bird feeders, looking for an easy meal (but not one of sunflower seeds)." Yes, they eat smaller birds.

To hear their call, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Coopers_Hawk/sounds

It's not a musical call, is it?  Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

Feels like a storm is coming in this afternoon!

 

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Michael Reinhart was photographing Pacific Wrens last week. I often hear them but rarely see these tiny birds. Mike's first photo here made me laugh - the male has his mouth open wide, like an opera singer!

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology describes their songs thusly: "Their song is a sweet series of tumbling, trilling notes with a staccato quality. Pacific Wrens have a large catalog of complex songs. Males sing for 5 to 10 seconds, stringing together as many as 50 different phrases." You can listen to their calls at this link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pacific_Wren/sounds

In these days when we are filled with worry, it's good to remember that life goes on, and that male Pacific Wrens are singing for mates.

Thanks to Mike for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

We are having a "wait five minutes" type of day. Sometimes brilliant sunshine, sometimes a little rain, with dramatic clouds drifting in. It's quite lovely.

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Sara Bogard was at the bluffs of the Point Arena Lighthouse and the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands counting Harbor Seals, as she usually does once a week. Citizen science at it's best! She saw this American Kestrel.

These Kestrels are the smallest falcons in North America. They are fierce hunters, though, of insects and small prey. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology says their numbers are declining and you can help them by putting up a nesting box. You can learn about how to do so at this link: https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/?__hstc=75100365.3ba4c962035e2b46bef5a13526048f2b.1532470093277.1578698034623.1579993283940.72&__hssc=75100365.2.1579993283940&__hsfp=942012614#_ga=2.46727719.1805588219.1579993283-500012005.1532470093

American Kestrels have a distinctive call that can help you identify them. You can listen at this link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Kestrel/sounds

Thanks to Sara for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

Bonus sighting - a pod of Orcas, Killer Whales, was seen off our coast yesterday!

As I type this at 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon, it has begun to pour!

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Ruby-crowned Kinglets are small birds, smaller than a warbler or a chickadee. The males have a patch of red feathers at the top of their heads. However that flash of red isn't often seen. Michael Reinhart recently photographed a male showing off those dramatically-colored feathers.

Notice the yellow toes! These birds constantly flick their wings, giving you a clue as to what you are seeing. Their calls are quite distinctive too. You can listen at this link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet/sounds

Thanks to Michael for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

ooo, we are going to have a big, wet, wonderful storm today and tomorrow. We need it, that's for sure. It's also turned quite cold - cold for the North Coast, that is. It's only 45 degrees at noon today.

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Rick and I often see a Spotted Towhee or two foraging for seeds under our bird feeder. They are very beautiful birds. Paul Brewer recently trained his camera onto one.

Their calls are rather quiet compared to other birds. You can hear their call at this link at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Spotted_Towhee/sounds

Spotted Towhees used to be called Rufous-sided Towhees. They scratch for bugs and seeds on the ground with a two-footed backward-scratching hop. It's quite fun to watch.

Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/

Things are back to normal after the four day power outage. It's quite a beautiful day here on the Mendonoma coast.