birds – Page 28 – A Thousand Acres of Silphiums

Nesting Birds of Missouri – Cerulean Warbler

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Did you know…?

The Cerulean Warbler population has declined more than 80% since breeding bird surveys began in 1966? Habitat destruction, in the form of mountaintop removal and stream filling in the Appalachians, and forest destruction for agriculture in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, along with wintering grounds destruction for coffee and cocoa production in South America are responsible. Habitat preservation via cessation of deforestation in both nesting grounds and wintering forests are crucial if we are to continue hearing the Cerulean song.

Bald Eagle Nest – Week Six

Bald Eagle Nest 2014, birds, wildlife

Nesting Birds of Missouri – Eastern Pheobe

birds, Nesting Birds of Missouri, wildlife

One of my favorites, the Eastern Phoebe conveniently sings its name. If that isn’t easy enough this tyrant flycatcher also pumps its tail incessantly while perched.

The Birds from Brazil – Blue Manakin

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English: Blue Manakin

Portuguese: Tangara

LB: Chiroxiphia caudata

Song

Nesting Birds of Missouri – Warbling Vireo

birds, Nesting Birds of Missouri, wildlife

At riverine locals like RMBS, the warbling song of the Warbling Vireo can be heard all day long throughout the summer. However, they have always given me grief when it came to getting a photograph – lurking shyly among the leafy branches of the Cottonwood. This year, I hit a trail where I know they set territories for nesting. Early in the spring, before the leaves expanded, I was able to follow this guy as he made the rounds and get some photos.

Nesting Birds of Missouri – American Redstart

birds, Nesting Birds of Missouri, wildlife

Photographed at Big Spring State Park. The American Redstart song seems to be more variable than any of the guidebooks suggest.

Nesting Birds of Missouri – Barred Owl

birds, Nesting Birds of Missouri, wildlife

Who cooks for you all? My chef of a wife, Sarah, that’s who… 😉

No, not a song bird today. I was lucky enough to come across this Owl during a day hike this spring. Usually, an Owl spotting OZB does whatever it can to escape, but this guy seemed not to be concerned and continued to scan the ground for mice and voles roaming through the leaf litter as I took its picture.

The Birds from Brazil – Smooth-billed Ani

birds, The Birds From Brazil, wildlife

English: Smooth-billed Ani

Portuguese: Anu-preto

LB: Crotophaga ani

Song

Nesting Birds of Missouri – Kentucky Warbler

birds, Nesting Birds of Missouri, wildlife

The Kentucky Warbler’s chury, chury, chury can sometimes be difficult to discern from the songs of the Ovenbird or the Carolina Wren. This warbler builds its nest usually just off the ground, confined within heavy vegetation, and often are parasitized by Brown-headed Cowbird. This guy was coaxed out with a little playback in a woody thicket near the parking lot at Greer Spring. Check out the short tail, easily evident in this photo, which is a good field mark for this species.