A few more assorted images from the nest, chicks about four weeks old.
Bald Eagle Nest – Week Four Part Two
The Birds from Brazil – Saffron Finch
English: Saffron Finch
Portuguese: Canario-de-terra-verdadeiro
LB: Sicalis flaveola
Song
Nesting Birds of Missouri – Worm-eating Warbler
From Harrison on the Worm-eating Warbler nest: “On the ground, concealed under drifts of leaves, usually protected overhead by shrubs, briars, saplings. Built of skeletonized leaves; lined with hair moss (Polytrichium), fine grass, hair. Typically on hillside or bank of ravine.” As cryptic as the birds themselves, the nest of a Wormy would only be found with the combination of utmost patience and fortune. If found, it has been reported that one can get quite close to the nest, the female only flushing if touched!
Click here to listen to the Worm-eating Warbler song.
Nesting Birds of Missouri – Louisiana Waterthrush
Observing and photographing songbirds that nest in this region is a bit easier than usual this time of year. This is because males are so focused on establishing and maintaining their territories. All one must do is decide what species is the objective, take yourself to the appropriate habitat and know its song. Once the singer has been identified, finding the male is relatively straight forward.
This is a Louisiana Waterthrush, found and photographed by Steve and I at Shaw Nature Reserve this spring. Hal Harrison (Eastern Birds’ Nests) states these guys locate their nest almost always near a stream, sometimes within the bank of the stream, hidden by roots, leaves and grasses. Like the nests of so many songbirds, finding one is an almost impossible task. Again, from Hallison: both sexes participate in nest building, which takes 4-6 days, only the female incubates the single, annual clutch of 4-6 eggs, that take 10-14 days to hatch.
Click here to listen to the Louisiana Waterthrush song.
The Birds from Brazil – Squirrel Cuckoo
English: Squirrel Cuckoo
Portuguese: Alma-de-gato
LB: Piaya cayana
Song
The Birds from Brazil – Double-collared Seedeater
English: Double-collared Seedeater
Portuguese: Coleirinho
LB: Sporophila caerulescens
Song
Bald Eagle Nest – Week Four
During what was assumed to be the chicks fourth week, dark flight feathers start to be seen. The chicks were more mobile, moving around the nest, and much more aware of things outside the nest.
The Birds from Brazil – Burrowing Owl
The Birds from Brazil – Great Kiskadee
Ubatuba – The City of Birds
Ubatuba, aka Uba Chuva (Chuva meaning rain in Portuguese, in reference to the frequent rains this region receives) is one of the birdiest spots on the South American continent. More than 550 birds have been identified within the city, more than a third of which are endemic to the south Atlantic rain forest of eastern Brazil. Besides the rain forest and the amazing bird habitats are the numerous beaches. A simply beautiful place.
A Thousand Acres of Silphiums 