Marsh Wrewn

 The Marsh Wren is one of those birds that is heard more then see. They are found in cattails, bulrushes of the very dense marshes.

 They sing in the open.  They pop up just to investigate odd noises.

Their nest is a globe-shaped mass attached to stems above the water.  The males defends the nesting area.  The males may have 2 or more mates.   The adult often puncture the eggs of other birds nesting near by.  The male also builds several incomplete nests in their territory, made by cattails , bulrushes or bushes in marsh, usually just above the water.  Both parents feed their young.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Sorry folks, been on vacation.

This Red-Winged Black Bird found his dinner.  The males are black , with bright red epaulets.  Most of the time the red is concealed and only the yellow will show.  The immature males are a sooty brown ,mottle, but with red shoulders.

This is a female Yellow-headed Blackbird.  They are smaller and browner: with the yellow in the throat and chest,

They are found from Canada to West Indies, Costa Rica.  They breed in marshes, brushy swamps, hay fields, also in cultivate land and a long edges of water.

Enjoy Kitfoxgal

Osprey

We are at one fine site for birding.  This is DesertDale on one of our outing for birding, here at Mason's Valley WMA.

 This Osprey has set their nest on a site that has been set up for nesting for the birds.  It is just a few yards from our base camp.  They build their use  bulky sticks to make their  nest atop of bare trees or poles, like this one.  The Osprey hovers above the water and plunges feet-first for his fish.

 They are found on all continents except Antarctica.  They are a very large bird.  They are the only raptor that  hover over the water for their pray.

They are found on rivers, lakes and on the coasts.

This Osprey is giving DesertDale the "Get out of my way" look.

Our "prize" photo of the Osprey was taken at "Fish Lake Valley WMA.  There are 3 ponds there.
One is a "Hot Springs", real nice.

Kitfoxgal

Rock Wren

 The Rock Wren  is a small song bird of the wren family.  They have grey brown upper parts with small black and white spots and pale gray underparts.  Their  rump is a light

 

The Rock Wren is not known to drink water, but instead gets all it needs from its food. 

Even five birds kept in captivity did not drink water when it was available. 

They eat mostly insects and spiders.  

They forages on the ground in dry places and on steep dirt banks and rocky cliffs.  

The male sings to  defend the nesting territory.  The nest is usually in boulders, hole in dirt banks, under a rock ledge, in a crevice in stone building .   The nest is build by both parents, they think, .  Made in a cup of grass , weeds, bark strips, twigs, animal hair  and other debris.  Both parents feed their young.

DesertDale took the photos on one of our bird outings.

Enjoy the posting.  Kitfoxgal

Anhinga

 The "Anhinga" is a southern swampland bird.   They swim and dive sometimes with only their heads above the water.
They go to great heights on warm days.

They  nests in colonies with egrets and other type of birds.  They build their nests in  low trees just above the water.
The female has a buff head and neck, male is mostly black.  They eat mostly fish.  They hunt for fish  under water.
Their nest are build by the female.

We seen these last year on our trip to Florida.  DesertDale took the photos.
Kitfoxgal

Birding On The Road: Cactus Wren

Doing something new.



Birding On The Road: Cactus Wren: The "Cactus Wren" is noisy and found in the desert.  Also may be in dry brush-land and suburbs. They mate for life. They do hav...

Cactus Wren

The "Cactus Wren" is noisy and found in the desert.  Also may be in dry brush-land and suburbs.
They mate for life. They do have a greeting display, perching upright with wings and tail partly spread, giving out a very harsh call

They make nest  their in a football shape. in cactus and spiny shrubs, made of cholla cactus and desert trees.  They sleep at times in their nest , after the young leave.
They eat mostly insects some fruit and berries.   They eat more plant food then the other wrens.

Enjoy.  Kitfoxgal