Canyon Towhee

This is a Canyon Towhee.  DesertDale took it when we went to the Bed & Breakfast, close to Sierra
 Vista.

 They scurrying on the ground from bush  to bush.  They peck for the  seeds and insects on the ground. The males perch on short shrubs or cacti to sing in the  breeding season.
You will find them in the desert grasslands, rocky terrain, and dry , scrubby areas.  They stay away from neighborhoods.  They favor the remote areas.

This is a female the Vermilion Flycatcher .  That was close by.

Kitfoxgal

Roadrunner

 The Roadrunner  is a cuckoo that runs on the ground.
Their track show 2 toes forward and 2 aft.

 They are a large, slender bird, with a long white-edged tail.  They have a shaggy crest and long legs.

They are found in U.S. to central Mexico.  They are found in the desert, dry open country.  Sexes are alike.  They eat caterpillars, other insects, seeds and fruits.

Enjoy the post .  Kitfoxgal

Verdin

 The Verdin thrives in the desert.  Also in arid brushland .  They feed on insects , perches on flowers to get the nectar.  They also visits hummingbird feeders.  They are found in pairs or are alone..

They nest in a bulky, twiggy globe with entrance on the side.   They are very small, mostly gray.  Adults do have yellow heads.
Juveniles are a plain gray and a pale bill base.

Enjoy.  Kitfoxgal

Sandhill Cranes

 Sandhill Cranes largest flocks are found at the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge.  and the Colorado River Indian Reservation.  They nest in northeastern Nevada, southwestern Utah and southwest Idaho, northwestern Utah and southwestern Oregon.

 In  1992 the population was estimate based on counts in staging areas was about 20,000.  Winter range in New Mexico, around Bosque del Apache NWR, the Sulphur Springs Valley and nothern
Mexico .

they begin nesting in about 4 years of age, usually lay 2 eggs.  In winter they mostly feed on grain left in fields after harvest.
They arrive in Arizona in October and will remain there until about February.
The best place observe sandhills are in harvested corn fields near the Willcox Playa and the north       boundary of the Cibola NWR.

These are a few photos DesertDale took on one of our outings
Enjoy the info.

Burrowing Owl

The Burrowing Owls are found in grassland, prairies, farmland and airfields.  They favor areas of flat ground  with very short grass of just bare soil.  

 They eat mostly insects and small mammals.  Their diet varies with the season and locations.   They may eat frogs, toads, lizards and even snakes.
This little guy stood on one leg for some time.  With his head turning around.  he never did put that other leg down all the time DesertDale was taking photos of him.

They hunt mostly at dusk or at night.  They  is burrow in the ground , in bare soil or very short grass.  Burrows excavated by the owl may be up to 6-10 feet long, with nest at the end.  They sometime line their nest with cow manure.
In the west they may lay up to 10 eggs,  east     3 to 12 eggs.  The young may leave their nest in about 6 weeks. When a perdators get in their hole, they make sound like a rattlesnake.
Enjoy.  Kitfoxgal

Sandhill Crane

The two Sandhill Cranes  was taken at the Cibola NWR near Yuma by DesertDale.
They are found though out North America .   They reach their peak on the Great Plains at migratory time  at stop over points .

 Their habitat are on prairies, fields, mushes and on the tundras.  Such as marshes or bogs , in open grasslands or marshy tundras.

Their diet varies on what type of area they on in, such as insects, roots of aquatic plants.  They also eat rodents, snails, frogs, lizards, snakes, berries, seeds and even nestling birds.
They long distances, even cross the  Bering Straits in the spring and fall when heading for their nesting grounds in Siberia.   The Cranes in  Mississippi, Florida and Cuba do not migrate .

Enjoy the posting.  Kitfoxgal

Great-Tailed Grackle

 Our pet Grackle has left us.  She was at our site for about a week.  Then her mother came back  looking for her.  What a joy it was to have her here every  day.  She even left her markings on top of our pick-up,  I am sure they are on the top motorhome.   She would come looking for us when we were setting out doors.

There are 6 species of grackles.  The male are a glossy black.  Females are often much duller,  brownish all most.

They feed in open country, but often go into town at night.  They live in groves, thickets. farms, town and even in city parks.  They may be common around streams or ponds.

They eat insects, such as spiders, millipedes,snails, eggs, and nestlings of other birds. Plus seeds waste grains berries fruits and nuts.

Hope you enjoy this posting as much as we did enjoy Miss Grackle.

I am pleased that her mother came back looking for Miss Grackle.  Kitfoxgal