1/15/2019
Welcome to the webinar!
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• Find more upcoming and archived webinars at https://articles.extension.org/pages/25242
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Identifying Birds on the Farm
Olivia Smith School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
1 1/15/2019
About the Presenter
• BS in Biology from Siena Heights University • MS Fisheries and Wildlife from The Ohio State University • PhD candidate at Washington State University
Overview
• Mostly bird identification • 43 most common species • Some management tips throughout • 10 min Q&A at end
www.allaboutbirds.org
2 1/15/2019
Tips for Identifying Birds • Range and time of year • “Four Keys to ID” from Cornell Lab of Ornithology • Size and shape • Beak, wing, tail shape • Color pattern • Color, streaking, spotting • Behavior • Flight pattern, vertical strata, tail bobs, gregarious or solitary • Habitat • Song and calls From www.allaboutbirds.org modified from Merlin Bird ID app
Overview on Managing Birds
• Remember: don’t ever harm native birds or their nests without a pest permit • Invasive species can be controlled with lethal means • Attract by providing food, a safe nesting space, and suitable habitat
www.allaboutbirds.org
3 1/15/2019
Overview on Managing Birds
• Most deterrence mechanisms aren’t well studied but common ones include • Netting off trees or structures • Noise makers or laser beams • Mylar/reflective tape • Habitat removal near crops • Gas guns/band-bangers • Use predator decoys or promote raptors • Lethal control for invasives • Use more than one!
Hummingbirds
4 1/15/2019
Anna’s Hummingbird
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org
Anna’s Hummingbird
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female
5 1/15/2019
Anna’s Hummingbird
Greenish body Greenish body
Iridescent red Throat spotting
Gray below www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female Tail past wings
Anna’s Hummingbird
• Metallic, scratchy song • zrrr jika jika jika jika jika • Scrrrr zveeee, street street
www.allaboutbirds.org Sound file: Charles A. Sutherland/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (ML6122)
6 1/15/2019
Rufous Hummingbird
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org
Rufous Hummingbird
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female
7 1/15/2019
Rufous Hummingbird
Greenish body Rufous body
Red throat Throat spotting
Rufous Rusty flanks in tail www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female Tail past wings
Rufous Hummingbird
• Three syllable phrases in call • Tzzew tzupity tzupity tzup • High, buzzy trill of wings
www.allaboutbirds.org Sound file: Geoffrey A. Keller/Macaulaywww.allaboutbirds.org Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (ML50107)
8 1/15/2019
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
www.allaboutbirds.org
Eastern US’s only breeding hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female
9 1/15/2019
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Light throat spotting Dusky body
White Buffy flanks belly Red throat and breast
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female
Attracting hummingbirds
• Estimated to pollinate 3-5% of crops globally • Plant flowers interspersed in crop fields • Provide feeders • ¼ cup table sugar to 1 cup water
10 1/15/2019
Chickadees and Warblers
www.allaboutbirds.org
Black-capped Chickadee
www.allaboutbirds.org
11 1/15/2019
Black-capped Chickadee
Black cap
White cheeks
Small bill
Black throat
Buffy flanks
www.allaboutbirds.org
Carolina Chickadee
www.allaboutbirds.org
12 1/15/2019
Carolina Chickadee Black cap
White cheeks
Small bill
Black throat
Buffy flanks
www.allaboutbirds.org
Black-capped vs. Carolina Chickadee
13 1/15/2019
Black-capped vs. Carolina Chickadee
• Black-capped Chickadee • Song pure 2 or 3 note whistled fee-bee • Call chickadee-dee-dee • Gargled alarm call Sound file: Jay W. McGowan/Macaulay Library • Carolina Chickadee at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (ML202239) • Song four-note whistle fee-bee-fee-bee • Notes 1 and 3 higher • Call chickadee-dee-dee faster than Black-capped • Gargled alarm call Sound file: Wilbur L. Hershberger/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (ML94222)
Chickadees
• Cavity nesters • Leave snags or provide nest boxes • Arboreal – plant crops near trees • Insectivores • Can help control caterpillars • Will eat fruits when available
14 1/15/2019
Common Yellowthroat
www.allaboutbirds.org
Common Yellowthroat
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female
15 1/15/2019
Common Yellowthroat Brownish above
Black mask
Yellow Long tail with throat and yellow Long bill breast underneath Yellow throat
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female
Fruit eaters
www.allaboutbirds.org
16 1/15/2019
Bullock’s Oriole
www.allaboutbirds.org
Bullock’s Oriole
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female
17 1/15/2019
Bullock’s Oriole
Yellow-orange Yellow-orange Black eye head + throat stripe tail
Sharp, pointed bill White belly
Orange body White wingbar Large, white wing patch www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female
Baltimore Oriole
www.allaboutbirds.org
18 1/15/2019
Baltimore Oriole
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female
Baltimore Oriole Brownish- yellow back Black head, and head neck, and back Two white wingbars
Sturdy bill Sturdy bill
Orange underparts Brownish- yellow www.allaboutbirds.org underneath www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female
19 1/15/2019
Orioles
• Pendulum nests • Eat fruits, nectar, and insects • Use “gaping” method to eat fruit, causing holes • Place out orange slices, half water/half grape jelly mixture in shallow dish, or an oriole nectar feeder
Cedar Waxwing
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org
20 1/15/2019
Cedar Waxwing
Cute crest Black mask
Red wing www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org tips colored with wax! Yellow tail tip
American Robin
21 1/15/2019
American Robin
Adult Juvenile
American Robin Gray-black upperparts
Stripes from Breast spots bill to throat Orange breast
Orange sides
Adult Juvenile
22 1/15/2019
Swallows
www.allaboutbirds.org
Mud nest swallows
23 1/15/2019
Barn Swallow
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org
Barn Swallow
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org
24 1/15/2019
Barn Swallow
Open cup
Blueish cap
Tail streamers Rufous throat Grasses www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org and mud
Cliff Swallow
www.allaboutbirds.org
25 1/15/2019
Cliff Swallow
www.allaboutbirds.org
Cliff Swallow Closed White top with forehead entrance hole
www.allaboutbirds.org
No tail No grasses streamers
26 1/15/2019
Uh-oh!
• Dirty under nests • Try netting eaves that are inappropriate for nesting and adding wooden ledges where nesting is desired • https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about- birdhouses/birds/barn-swallow/
Cavity nest/nest box swallows
27 1/15/2019
Tree Swallow
www.allaboutbirds.org
Tree Swallow
Blue top
White belly www.allaboutbirds.org
28 1/15/2019
Violet-green Swallow
www.allaboutbirds.org
Violet-green Swallow
Green to purple top
White belly www.allaboutbirds.org
29 1/15/2019
Tree vs. Violet-green Swallow
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org
Tree vs. Violet-green Swallow
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org
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Tree vs. Violet-green Swallow
Blue extends White eyebrow below eye
Mostly blue Green to purple gradient
White extends further up rump
Both white belly Both white belly www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org
Bluebirds
www.allaboutbirds.org
31 1/15/2019
Western Bluebird
www.allaboutbirds.org
Western Bluebird
www.allaboutbirds.org Adult male Juvenile
32 1/15/2019
Western Bluebird Great for pest control! Blue wings, Blue tints tail, head, and throat
Pale orange wash Rust-orange vest
www.allaboutbirds.org Adult male Juvenile
Eastern Bluebird
www.allaboutbirds.org
33 1/15/2019
Eastern Bluebird
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Adult male Juvenile
Eastern Bluebird
Pale orange Blue wings, Blue/gray wings wash tail, head, and cap and throat
Rust-orange breast, sides, and throat
White belly www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Adult male Juvenile
34 1/15/2019
Western vs. Eastern Bluebird
Western vs. Eastern Bluebird
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Western male Eastern male
35 1/15/2019
Western vs. Eastern Bluebird
Rufous Rufous extends doesn’t further back extend as far
Blue throat Rust-orange throat
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Western male Eastern male
Attracting Bluebirds
• Great at insect control • https://articles.extension.org/pages/7 4434/western-bluebird-sialia- mexicana-identification-diet-and- management-for-organic-farmers • Provide nest boxes near crops • https://nestwatch.org/learn/all- about-birdhouses/birds/western- bluebird/ www.allaboutbirds.org
36 1/15/2019
Finches
www.allaboutbirds.org
House Finch
www.allaboutbirds.org
37 1/15/2019
House Finch
www.allaboutbirds.org
House Finch
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Adult male Female/immature
38 1/15/2019
House Finch Rosy red face Thick, seed and upper eating bill Thick, seed breast eating bill
Blurry streaks down belly Brown Notched tail streaking Notched tail www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Adult male Female/immature
Purple Finch
www.allaboutbirds.org
39 1/15/2019
Purple Finch
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Adult male Female/immature
Purple Finch Thick, seed Whitish Raspberry eating bill eyebrow and Thick, seed head, breast, cheek stripe eating bill and back
Coarsely streaked underside www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Adult male Female/immature
40 1/15/2019
House vs. Purple Finch
Brown-gray Raspberry back back
Raspberry Brown streaking streaking www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Adult male Adult male
American Goldfinch
www.allaboutbirds.org
41 1/15/2019
American Goldfinch
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Breeding season male Breeding season female
American Goldfinch
Black cap Dull olive cap Yellow back, neck, breast, and belly Olive back
Seed eating beak
White wingbar and wing markings www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Breeding season male Breeding season female
42 1/15/2019
Lesser Goldfinch
www.allaboutbirds.org
Lesser Goldfinch
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Western “green backed” Eastern front and Central Female American “black backed”
43 1/15/2019
Lesser Goldfinch
Black cap, Black cap and neck, and back back Olive back and crown Gray cheek White wing White wing patch spot
Seed eating Seed eating bill bill Yellow underparts www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Dull yellow Eastern front and Central Western “green backed” Female underparts American “black backed”
American vs. Lesser Goldfinch
44 1/15/2019
American vs. Lesser Goldfinch
Yellow back, Black neck and back and neck
Harsher and f faster song
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org American goldfinch male Lesser Goldfinch Male
North American Sparrows (“Little brown jobs”)
45 1/15/2019
Song Sparrow
www.allaboutbirds.org
Song often Song Sparrow best cue Russet stripes on crown and eye
Bill thinner than finches
Breast spot
Look for me on ground or in brush White belly www.allaboutbirds.org Sound file: Randolph S. Little/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (ML222034)
46 1/15/2019
White-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White crown and eyebrows
White breast
47 1/15/2019
Savannah Sparrow
www.allaboutbirds.org
Savannah Sparrow
Yellow eye stripe
Streaked breast
White belly www.allaboutbirds.org Sound file: Leonard J. Peyton/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (ML49968)
48 1/15/2019
Dark-eyed Junco
www.allaboutbirds.org
Dark-eyed Junco
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Slate-colored Oregon Juvenile Oregon
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Red-backed Pink-sided
49 1/15/2019
Dark-eyed Junco
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Slate-colored Oregon Juvenile Oregon
All have white outer-tail feathers
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Red-backed Pink-sided
Eastern Towhee
www.allaboutbirds.org
50 1/15/2019
Eastern Towhee
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female/immature
Eastern Towhee Brown-gray Black head, Reddish eyes head, neck, neck, back, back, and and throat throat
Seed eating bill
Rufous sides White tail corners White belly www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female/immature
51 1/15/2019
Spotted Towhee
www.allaboutbirds.org
Spotted Towhee
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female/immature
52 1/15/2019
Spotted Towhee
White wing spots White wing spots www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female/immature
Sparrows • Eat insects, transplants, and fruits • May help control pest insects • Will likely eat your transplants • Likes raspberries and other fruits • May help control weeds • Brushy cover attracts them • Plant and retain brush near crops to attract sparrows • Weedy fields attract more sparrows • Some nest in grasses • Leave some grassland or pasture to promote Savannah and Grasshopper Sparrows
53 1/15/2019
Blackbirds
www.allaboutbirds.org
Red-winged blackbird
www.allaboutbirds.org
54 1/15/2019
Red-winged blackbird
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female
Red-winged blackbird Yellowish face Stripes on wash face
Brown streaking Slender bill
Red epaulet
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female
55 1/15/2019
Brown-headed Cowbird
www.allaboutbirds.org
Brown-headed cowbird
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female Juvenile
56 1/15/2019
Brown-headed cowbird
Plain brown Plain brown Brown head with scaly with few appearance markings Black body
Thick beaks
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female Juvenile
Common Grackle
www.allaboutbirds.org
57 1/15/2019
Common Grackle
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female
Common Grackle Yellow eye Iridescent head Less glossy
Bronze body
Long tail www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Large blackbird
58 1/15/2019
Brewer’s Blackbird
Brewer’s Blackbird Yellow eye Purplish head Brown eye sheen Plain brown
Shorter tail
Mid-sizedMale blackbird Female
59 1/15/2019
Blackbirds
• Eat insects and grain • Can help with insect pest control • Can damage crops • Often cause large livestock feed losses • Often found around livestock • Attract by putting out bird feeders, and promote nesting by leaving or creating wetlands
Introduced species
60 1/15/2019
European Starling
www.allaboutbirds.org
European Starling
www.allaboutbirds.org Breeding plumage Non-breeding plumage
61 1/15/2019
European Starling Yellow bill
Spotted in winter
Stocky bird with short tail Pink legs
www.allaboutbirds.org Breeding plumage Non-breeding plumage
Voices and Starlings vs. Native Blackbirds songs differ Yellow bill Black bill
Less stocky with longer Stocky bird tails with short tail Black legs Pink legs
www.allaboutbirds.org Breeding plumage
62 1/15/2019
House Sparrow
House Sparrow
www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female
63 1/15/2019
Simple call House Sparrow vocalizations Tan eye Gray cap Rufous stripe nape and back Striped back
Thick, seed Black bib eating bill
Buffy White belly belly www.allaboutbirds.org Male Female
House Sparrow vs. Native Sparrows Simple call Complex vocalizations songs
Urban specialist Wide range of habitats Gregarious Pairs in summer
Thick, seed Thinner bills eating bill
Often Buffy streaked belly belly www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org
64 1/15/2019
Rock Pigeon
www.allaboutbirds.org
Rock Pigeon Red eye
Iridescent green nape
Stocky, large dove
www.allaboutbirds.org
65 1/15/2019
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Black collar
Stocky, large dove
66 1/15/2019
Managing Invasive Species
• Natives protected by Migratory Bird Treaty Act • Invasives not protected • Can use lethal control • Monitoring nest boxes and removing invasives often recommended • Prevent nesting on structures with netting
Native Doves
www.allaboutbirds.org
67 1/15/2019
Mourning Dove
Mourning vs. Eurasian Collared Dove
No collar Black collar
Wing spots Stocky, large dove
Pointed tail Flat tail
Sound file: Randolph S. Little/Macaulay Library Sound file: Arnoud B van den Berg/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (ML107039) at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (ML26380)
68 1/15/2019
Corvids
www.allaboutbirds.org
Blue Jay
www.allaboutbirds.org
69 1/15/2019
Blue Jay
Blue crest
White Black belly necklace
www.allaboutbirds.org
Steller’s (“Blue”) Jay
www.allaboutbirds.org
70 1/15/2019
Steller’s (“Blue”) Jay
Black crest
Black throat and neck
Blue belly and wings
www.allaboutbirds.org
American Crow vs. Common Raven
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org
71 1/15/2019
American Crow vs. Common Raven
American Crow vs. Common Raven
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org
Sound file: Bob McGuire/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Sound file: William W. H. Gunn/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Ornithology (ML229089) Lab of Ornithology (ML62386)
72 1/15/2019
American Crow vs. Common Raven
Managing Corvids
• Good luck! • Attract with tray feeders or leave out peanuts or pet food • Can encourage nesting with hedges or by leaving forest
www.allaboutbirds.org
73 1/15/2019
Raptors
www.allaboutbirds.org
Red-tailed Hawk
www.allaboutbirds.org
74 1/15/2019
Red-tailed Hawk Dark wing tips
Red tail
Brown belly Pale wing band
Dark above
www.allaboutbirds.org
Northern Harrier
www.allaboutbirds.org
75 1/15/2019
Northern Harrier Often flies with V shaped wings Owl-like face White tail Owl-like stripe face
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org Adult male Adult female Immature
* Find me in wetlands and grasslands eating rodents, including in your pastures
Promoting Harriers
76 1/15/2019
Barn Owl
www.allaboutbirds.org
Barn Owl
White, heart- shaped face Cinnamon body
Spotted, white chest
www.allaboutbirds.org
77 1/15/2019
Promoting Barn Owls
American Kestrel
www.allaboutbirds.org
78 1/15/2019
American Kestrel Gray crown Handlebar Handlebar mustache mustache Rusty above Rusty all over
Slate-blue wings Small, parrot like bill Watch for tail bob
www.allaboutbirds.org www.allaboutbirds.org SmallMale falcon Female
Promoting Kestrels
• Beneficial for bird and rodent control • Install nest boxes near crops you’d like protected • Will be most effective when chicks are in nest • https://nestwatch.org/learn/all- about-birdhouses/birds/american- kestrel/ April Thatcher
79 1/15/2019
Summary
• Be patient! • The US has over 400 breeding birds • You can find over 700 birds in North America • Learn general size and shape, plumage patterns, behaviors, vocalizations, and common habitats • Birds play complex ecological roles and can both help and hurt the farm www.allaboutbirds.org
Additional Resources • Bird identification • Field guides (I like Sibley) • Merlin Bird ID App, eBird App, or https://www.ebird.org • https://www.allaboutbirds.org/ • Cornell Lab of Ornithology Bird Academy https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/course-list/ • Bird song identification • Larkwire or other song learning app • Recordings available in eBird App, https://allaboutbirds.org, and https://www.macaulaylibrary.org/ • Habitat management • https://nestwatch.org/ • http://content.yardmap.org/
80 1/15/2019
Additional Resources
• eOrganic • Learn about how to use Merlin and Habitat Network at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPxuQWmOZ1Q • Articles on promoting beneficials and identifying nests • http://articles.extension.org/pages/74436/identification-diet-and-management-of- chickadees-and-warblers-common-on-organic-farms • http://articles.extension.org/pages/74435/identification-diet-and-management-of- swallows-and-swifts-common-on-organic-farms • http://articles.extension.org/pages/74434/western-bluebird-sialia-mexicana- identification-diet-and-management-for-organic-farmers • http://articles.extension.org/pages/74686/identifying-bird-nests-on-farm-structures
Questions?
www.allaboutbirds.org
81 1/15/2019
• Find all upcoming and archived webinars at http://articles.extension.org/pages/25242 and on the eOrganic YouTube channel. This recording will be available within 1-2 weeks.
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