DOCSLIB.ORG

The Western Bluebird As Host for the Brown-Headed Cowbird: a New Record from California

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Western Bluebird As Host for the Brown-Headed Cowbird: a New Record from California NOTES THE WESTERN BLUEBIRD AS HOST FOR THE BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD: A NEW RECORD FROM CALIFORNIA MELANIE ALLEN TRUAN, Departmentof Wildlife,Fish & ConservationBiology, Universityof California, 1 ShieldsAvenue, Davis, California95616 Nest recordsfor North Americasuggest that broodparasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds(Nlolothrus ater) on cavity-nestingspecies is relativelyrare. Indeed, a summaryby Friedmannand Kiff (1985) indicatedthat cavitynesters constitute only 8% of known hosts of the cowbird. Of these, only the ProthonotaryWarbler (?rotonotaria citrea) was consideredto be a major host. In bluebirds(Sialia spp.), all cavity nesters,documented incidences of cowbird parasitismare extremelyrare (Gowatyand Plissner1998). Most involvethe Eastern Bluebird(S. sialis).Power and Lombardo(1996) reportedonly four cases of cowbird parasitismof the Mountain Bluebird(S. currucoides),with no accountsof cowbirds raisedto fiedging.Campbell et al. (1997) foundthat onlytwo of 767 WesternBluebird (Sialia mexicana)nests in BritishColumbia contained cowbird eggs, and neither producedfledgling cowbirds. Bendire (1893) and Friedmannand Kiff (1985) alluded to occasionalcowbird parasitism of the WesternBluebird but did not indicatethat the WesternBluebird ever fledged cowbirds. Recently, however, I discoveredthree cases of parasitismof the WesternBluebird, one of whichresulted in a cowbirdfiedging and associatedbluebird mortality. The observationsoccurred within the contextof a studyof artificialnest boxes conductedalong lower Putah Creek, Yolo and Solano counties,in California's SacramentoValley. This fragmentedriparian habitat, surrounded by agriculturaland grazinglands, is frequentlyinvaded by cowbirdsduring the breedingseason (Gaines 1980). On 2 June2001, ! discovereda cowbirdegg with threeWestern Bluebird eggs in an artificialnest box (labeledE3.4). The pair of bluebirdshad alreadyfledged five chicksfrom a nearbynest box (E3.0). The parasitizednest was in a standardNorth AmericanBluebird Society side-opening box with dimensionsof 26 x 15 x 15 cm, with an entrancehole 4 cm in diameter.This box had been retrofitted to hangfrom a treebranch via a wirehook (Purvis 2000) andwas hung at a heightof approximately 3 m abovethe ground,facing southeast, in a matureInterior Live Oak (Quercus wislizenii) treelocated in a 1-hectarefragment of oaksavanna adjacent to the riparian corridor. On 11 June, I discoveredthat the female bluebirdhad laid anotheregg in her clutch--suggestingthat she had not been deterredby the presenceof the cowbird egg--and had begunincubation. The malebluebird remained nearby, tending to the juvenilesfrom the first brood. None of the eggsin the parasitizedclutch hatched-- despitedbeing incubated to term--and sowere deposited with the nestin the Museum of Wildlifeand FisheriesBiology, University of California,Davis (museum number WFB-4968). The samepair of bluebirdsthen initiateda thirdclutch in anothernearby nestbox (E3.7).This clutch also failed to hatch.There was no embryonicdevelopment in any of the eggsfrom either clutch. In 2002, afteragain successfully fiedging a firstclutch from boxE3.0, the female bluebirdagain laid a secondclutch in E3.4 that was againparasitized by a cowbird. Sincecowbirds typically have strongsite fidelity(Dorst 1971, Lowther 1993), it is possiblethat the nestwas parasitized by the samecowbird as in the previousyear. I do not know whetherthe cowbirdremoved any hosteggs at the time of parasitism,a commonpractice among cowbirds (Lowther 1993), but one bluebirdegg did disap- pearafter incubationhad begun,resulting in a clutchof two bluebirdeggs and one WesternBirds 34:111-113, 2003 111 NOTES cowbirdegg. This time, two of the eggshatched: the cowbirdegg on or about16 June,and one of thebluebird eggs on or about17 June.The otherbluebird egg failed to hatchand containedno embryonicdevelopment. The cowbirdwas about one-third larger than the bluebirdchick at hatchingand quicklyoutpaced it in growthand development.On 26 June,the cowbirdfledged whilethe bluebirdremained behind in the nestbox. Its eyeshad still not opened-- thoughbluebirds' eyes typically open at aroundseven to eightdays of age(Guinan et al. 2000)--and it weighedonly 18.0 grams,compared to an averageweight of 22.4 gramsfor bluebirdnestlings of comparableage from the same location (unpubl. data). Oncefledged, the cowbirdreceived the majorityof the hostpair's attention. In a timedobservational study of parentalprovisioning, the cowbirdfledgling was fed five timesin 22 minuteswhile the bluebirdnestling was fed only once.This observational periodwas cut short by attemptedpredation of the cowbirdby a WesternScrub Jay (Aphelocomacalifornica). The jay anda companion(probably its mate) were driven off by the mobbingbluebird pair, which then remainedwith the groundedcowbird fledgling,neither making any attemptto visitthe nestlingbluebird. Twodays later, the fledglingcowbird had disappeared and the nestling bluebird was dead.I observedthe malebluebird looking into the boxcontaining the deadnesfiing on one occasion.As in the previousyear, the bluebirdsinitiated a third clutchin box E3.7. Thisclutch was also parasitized with a cowbirdegg but was abandoned when the eggsfailed to hatch.No embryonicdevelopment was detected in anyof the eggs. Of all NorthAmerican bird species, few haveexperienced a greaterexpansion in distributionthan hasthe Brown-headedCowbird (Campbell et al. 2001). Further- more, there is evidencethat cowbirdscolonizing parts of westernNorth America parasitizedmany species that had littlerecent experience with them (Friedmanand Kiff 1985). Indeed,since the 1920s,the numberof speciesthat have been known to serve as hosts for Brown-headed Cowbirds has increased from 157 to over 220 (Campbellet al. 2001). Brown-headedCowbirds have been very successfulin colonizingCalifornia's CentralValley, most likely because of conversionof nativelandscapes to agriculture (Laymon1987). As their populationsincrease, cowbirds may continueto expand their suiteof preferredhosts to includeformerly underexploited species such as the Western Bluebird. My sincerethanks to JudithA. Guinan,who locatedpublished accounts of brood parasitismin WesternBluebirds, and to AndrewEngilis, Jr., JohnM. Eadie,and Alex Cruz for technicalsupport and helpfulreview of the manuscript.I acknowledge especiallythe excellentwork of my field assistantsMichael T. Atamian, Andrew R. Grant, Ian T. Taylor,and JonathanH. Widdicombe. LITERATURE CITED Bendire,C. 1893. The Cowbirds.U.S. NationalMuseum, Annual Report of the Boardof Regents,Washington, D.C. Campbell,R. W., Dawe, N. K., McTaggart-Cowan,I., Cooper,J. M., Kaiser,G. W., Stewart,A. C., and McNall,M. C. E. 1997. The Birdsof BritishColumbia, vol. III. Univ. of BritishColumbia Press, Vancouver. Campbell,R. W., Dawe,N. K., McTaggart-Cowan,I., Cooper,J. M., Kaiser,G. W., Stewart,A. C., and McNall, M. C. E. 2001. The Birdsof BritishColumbia, vol. IV. Univ. of BritishColumbia Press, Vancouver. Dorst, J. 1971. The Life of Birds.Weidenfeld and Nicolson,London. Friedman,H., andKill, L. F. 1985. The parasiticcowbirds and their hosts. Proc. W. Found. Vert. Zool. 2:226-304. 112 NOTES Gaines,D. 1980. The valleyriparian forests of California:Their importanceto bird populations,in RiparianForests in California:Their Ecologyand Conservation (A. Sands,ed.), pp. 57-73. Agric.Sci. Publ.4101, Univ. of Calif., Berkeley. Gowaty,P. A., and Plissner,J. H. 1998. EasternBluebird ($ialia sialis),in The Birds of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.), no. 381. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philadelphia. Guinan, J. A., Gowaty, P. A., and Eltzroth, E. K. 2000. Western Bluebird($ialia rnexicana),in The Birdsof North America (A. Poole and E Gill, eds.),no. 510. BirdsN. Am., Philadelphia. Laymon,S. A. 1987. Brown-headedCowbirds in California:Historical perspectives and managementopportunities in riparianhabitats. W. Birds18:63-70. Lowther,P. E. 1993. Brown-headedCowbird (Molothru$ ater), in The Birdsof North America (A. Poole and E Gill, eds.),no. 47. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philadelphia. Power,H. W., and Lombardo,M.P. 1996. MountainBluebird ($ialia currucoide$), in The Birds of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.), no. 222. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philadelphia. Purvis,D. 2000. Purvis'hanging nestbox and box lifter.Bluebirds Fly! 6(1 & 2):12. Calif. BluebirdRecovery Program, P.O. Box 39, Somerset,CA 95684. Accepted $ May 2003 Western Field Ornithologists' Field Trip Birding San Bias, Mexico, January 17-24, 2004 SanBias is a premierebirding spot on Mexico'swest coast. It becamefamous in the 1960s and '70s followingthe publicationof PeterAlden's guide and a Christmasbird countthat flirtedregularly with the 300-speciesmark. It remainsa prime destination for birdersbecause of the town's charm as a smallfishing village combined with its proximityto habitatsranging from ocean to mangroveswamp, dry tropical forest, dry scrub,tropical deciduous forest, and pine-oak forestin the nearbymountains. This range of habitatssupports many endemic speciessuch as the Rufous-bellied Chachalaca,Elegant Quail, Mexican Parrofiet, Eared Poorwill, Golden-crowned Emerald, Mexican Woodnymph, BumblebeeHummingbird, Citreoline Trogon, Golden-cheekedWoodpecker, White-striped Woodcreeper, Black-throated Magpie Jay, San BlasJay, Purplish-backedJay, SinaloaCrow, SpottedWren, SinaloaWren, Happy Wren, Red Warbler,Red-headed Tanager, Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow. Another specialtygroup are mangrovespecies such as the Boat-billedHeron, Snail Kite, Limpkin,Mangrove Cuckoo, Mangrove Vireo, MangroveSwallow, and Man- grove Warbler. The group sizewill be limitedto eight. The trip is open to a wide range of bird- watchingskill levels, and the pace will be moderate.There will be eveningpresenta- tions by the leadersand local biologistson the natural historyof the area and ornithologicalresearch that is taking place in west Mexico. Costswill range from $1550 to $2150 from PuertoVallarta. For moreinformation, please write to Tom Ryanat [email protected]. This fieldtrip is open to both membersand nonmembers of WFO. 113 .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Attracting Bluebirds 1.Mount Nest Boxes
    Bluebirds A gentle bird with brilliant blue plumage, the bluebird has endeared itself to people across the country. Bluebird populations, like many other birds, have declined over the last century due primarily to loss of habitat caused by development. Bluebirds nest in tree cavities, and the loss or destruction of old, decaying trees has reduced the availability of suitable nesting sites and increased competition with other cavity-nesting birds. Bluebird Natural History There are three species of bluebirds in North America: Eastern, Western, and Mountain. The various species differ mostly in territory and feather color. The males of all three species are brilliant blue on the head and back, with varying amounts of white and rust on their neck and breast. Female bluebirds are less bright, with more gray-brown coloring on the back and blue highlights on the wings and tail. Bluebirds feed on a large variety of insects, arthropods, and invertebrates, The Eastern bluebird is one of three species of bluebirds found in North including spiders, caterpillars, and grasshoppers. Bluebirds perch on posts, America. Bluebirds are cavity nesters, and can be attracted to your property wires, or branches while scanning for insects. Watch for the bluebird’s by installing nest boxes. characteristic behavior of flying down from its perch to catch prey and then returning to the original perch to eat. In winter, bluebirds are dependent upon berries to supplement their diet. Bluebirds prefer open habitats, such as meadows, parks, orchards, farm fields, and golf courses. They often spend the winter in woodlands or groves. Ranges Eastern Bluebirds are in all states east of the Rockies, from southern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.
    [Show full text]
  • Western Bluebird, EC 1571
    EC 1571 • April 2005 $1.00 Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana by L. Schumacher and S. Sells an you imagine eating bugs and berries and living inside a tree? Why bluebirds CWestern bluebirds do just that! They are members of the thrush family, need our help meaning that they are related to robins. Populations of western bluebirds There are three species, or kinds, of have declined over the past 50 years. bluebirds in the United States: the East- The main reason for their decline is ern bluebird, the Western bluebird, and competition for nest holes from the mountain bluebird. Both Western and European starlings and English house mountain bluebirds live in Oregon. sparrows. Starlings and house spar- Bluebirds eat mostly insects. Grass- rows are exotic species, meaning they hoppers, earthworms, snails, and beetles came from somewhere else and donʼt are among their favorite foods. They sit occur naturally in North America. These on perches and drop quickly to the ground birds were brought here (introduced) to catch food or they can catch insects in and have multiplied quickly. They out- the air. Bluebirds also eat fruit and ber- compete many of our native birds for ries, especially during the winter when nesting habitat. there are fewer insects. Another reason for bluebird decline is loss of habitat due to the cutting of dead trees and suppression of fi re. Fires are important for maintaining oak wood- lands with open meadows. Without fi re, dense forests of fi r trees can take over. Raccoons and house cats may be part of the cause of bluebird decline because they prey on bluebirds.
    [Show full text]
  • Common Birds of the Estero Bay Area
    Common Birds of the Estero Bay Area Jeremy Beaulieu Lisa Andreano Michael Walgren Introduction The following is a guide to the common birds of the Estero Bay Area. Brief descriptions are provided as well as active months and status listings. Photos are primarily courtesy of Greg Smith. Species are arranged by family according to the Sibley Guide to Birds (2000). Gaviidae Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata Occurrence: Common Active Months: November-April Federal Status: None State/Audubon Status: None Description: A small loon seldom seen far from salt water. In the non-breeding season they have a grey face and red throat. They have a long slender dark bill and white speckling on their dark back. Information: These birds are winter residents to the Central Coast. Wintering Red- throated Loons can gather in large numbers in Morro Bay if food is abundant. They are common on salt water of all depths but frequently forage in shallow bays and estuaries rather than far out at sea. Because their legs are located so far back, loons have difficulty walking on land and are rarely found far from water. Most loons must paddle furiously across the surface of the water before becoming airborne, but these small loons can practically spring directly into the air from land, a useful ability on its artic tundra breeding grounds. Pacific Loon Gavia pacifica Occurrence: Common Active Months: November-April Federal Status: None State/Audubon Status: None Description: The Pacific Loon has a shorter neck than the Red-throated Loon. The bill is very straight and the head is very smoothly rounded.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildlife Species List Mourning Dove Zenaida Macroura
    Wildlife Species List Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura Order: Strigiformes (Nocturnal Flesh Eaters) Northeast Nevada – Units 106 Family: Tytonidae (Barn Owls) Barn Owl Tyto alba (Subalpine Coniferous, P-J, Sagebrush Family: Strigidae (Owls) Steppe, Salt Desert Scrub Habitat, Some Flammulated Owl Otus flammeolus Western Screech-Owl Otus kennicottii Limited Riparian) Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus Northern Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium gnoma Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia Long-eared Owl Asio otus Birds Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus Order: Ciconiiformes (Long-leg Waders, etc) Order: Caprimulgiformes (Night Jars) Family: Cathartidae (New World Vultures) Family: Caprimulgidae (Goatsuckers) Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor California Condor Gymnogyps californianus(L.E.) Common Poorwill Phalaenoptilus nuttallii Order: Falconiformes (Diurnal Flesh Eaters) Order: Apodiformes (Small Fast Fliers) Family: Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, Osprey) Family: Apodidae (Swifts) Bald Eagle Haliaetus leucocephalus White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus Family: Trochilidae (Hummingbirds) Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii Broad-tailed Hummingbird Selasphorus platycercus Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus Order: Piciformes (Cavity Builders) Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni Family: Picidae (Woodpeckers) Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Lewis’
    [Show full text]
  • Bird Communities of Gambel Oak: a Descriptive Analysis
    United States Department of Agriculture Bird Communities Forest Service Rocky Mountain of Gambel Oak: A Research Station General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-48 Descriptive Analysis March 2000 Andreas Leidolf Michael L. Wolfe Rosemary L. Pendleton Abstract Leidolf, Andreas; Wolfe, Michael L.; Pendleton, Rosemary L. 2000. Bird communities of gambel oak: a descriptive analysis. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-48. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 30 p. Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii Nutt.) covers 3.75 million hectares (9.3 million acres) of the western United States. This report synthesizes current knowledge on the composition, structure, and habitat relationships of gambel oak avian communities. It lists life history attributes of 183 bird species documented from gambel oak habitats of the western United States. Structural habitat attributes important to bird-habitat relationships are identified, based on 12 independent studies. This report also highlights species of special concern, provides recommendations for monitoring, and gives suggestions for management and future research. Keywords: Avian ecology, bird-habitat relationships, neotropical migrant, oakbrush, oak woodlands, scrub oak, Quercus gambelii, Western United States The Authors ______________________________________ Andreas Leidolf is a Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Utah State University (USU). He received a B.S. degree in Forestry/Wildlife Management from Mississippi State University in 1995. He is currently completing his M.S. degree in Fisheries and Wildlife ecology at USU. Michael L. Wolfe is a Professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at USU. He received a B.S. degree in Wildlife Management at Cornell University in 1963 and his doctorate in Forestry/Wildlife Management at the University of Göttingen, Germany, in 1967.
    [Show full text]
  • Mountain Bluebird
    Mountain Bluebird By Morgan Stewart 1 Table of Contents Idaho’s State Bird 3 Identification 4 Behavior 5 Habitat 6 Nesting 7 Species 8 Media Attributions 9 Questions 10 Glossary 11 Works Referenced 12 2 Idaho’s State Bird Idaho adopted the Mountain Bluebird as their state bird in 1931. It was suggested by Idaho school children to be considered as the state bird. This bluebird gets its name because it lives in the mountains of Western North America. For most of the year, this Mountain Bluebird will remain in the northern areas of Idaho. When the seasons change to winter, the Mountain Bluebird will fly south to live in southern California and northern Mexico to enjoy the warm weather! http://barnowlbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Blue-Bird-Map.jpg 3 Identification Mountain Bluebirds are fairly small thrush songbirds, typically having round heads and straight, thin bills. Compared with other bluebirds they are lanky and long- winged, with a long tail. You can identify the difference between a male and female Mountain Bluebird by their coloring. A male Mountain Bluebird is blue and will have a white underside. A female Mountain Bluebird is brown and will have pale blue wings and tail. Mountain Bluebirds’ bills are entirely black. Juveniles have fewer spots than the young of other bluebirds. Featured image: Mountain bluebird. Credit: iStock/RC Keller http://www.worldsciencefestival.com/2014/11/state-bird-extinct-2080/ 4 Behavior Mountain Bluebirds behavior is unlike any other bluebird species. Mountain Bluebirds will hover low over the grass in open fields and search for food.
    [Show full text]
  • The First Record of Eastern Bluebird (Sialia Sialis) in British Columbia
    The First Record of Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) in British Columbia. By Rick Toochin and Don Cecile. Submitted: April 15, 2018. Introduction and Distribution The Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) is a beautiful thrush that is found across eastern North America and south into Central America (Gowaty and Plissner 2015). There are 7 subspecies of the Eastern Bluebird of which only 2 are found in North America (Phillips 1991, Clements et al. 2017). The nominate subspecies of the Eastern Bluebird is (Sialia sialis sialis) is found throughout eastern North America and is the only subspecies that is highly migratory (Phillips 1991, Clements et al. 2017). In Canada the Eastern Bluebird is found breeding from south-central Saskatchewan, primarily eastern parklands, occasionally north to Saskatoon and Greenwater Lake districts (Smith 1996b), southern Manitoba, north to about 52°N (Artuso et al. 2014), across central Ontario, (Alderfer 2006), into southern Quebec and occurs in all regions south of about 50°N, more widespread along the Canadian Shield and Appalachians; northernmost records are from Abitibi, Gouin Reservoir, North Shore, Rupert Bay lowlands (Gauthier and Aubry 1996b), and locally occurs in New Brunswick with birds more most abundant in the eastern portion of the province (Alderfer 2006), also found on Prince Edward Island (Dunn and Alderfer 2011), and in central and southwestern Nova Scotia (Godfrey 1986). In the United States, the Eastern Bluebird breeds throughout the eastern part of the country from New England south to south-central Florida (Sibley 2000, Dunn and Alderfer 2011), but is absent from the extreme southern areas of the State and the Florida Keys; (Stevenson and Anderson 1994b).
    [Show full text]
  • Children's Bluebird Activity Book
    fascinating facts © puzzles © pictures © coloring © Stories Children’s Bluebird CTIVITY OOK A B MYRNA PEARMAN and PAULINE MOUSSEAU credits © 2007 Myrna Pearman and Pauline Mousseau Reproduction of this booklet is permitted for educational, non-commercial use provided appropriate acknowledgement is made. Copyright for photographs are held by individual photographers as credited on the proceeding page. Publisher Mountain Bluebird Trails, Inc. Box 794 Ronan, MT 59864 Writing: Myrna Pearman Graphic Design and Layout: Pauline Mousseau Our thanks to the following reviewers: • Bob Niebuhr • Dr. Harry Power, III • Donna Hagerman • Nicole Bailey • Erv Davis • Maddison Pearman • Brandee Massey • Kristi Dubois, (Native Species Coordinator, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks) • Kathern Mounteer • Gene Pyles Funded by Funding for this project was generously provided by the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation. To learn more about this foundation visit: www.siebelscholars.com Dedication Dedicated to the memory of Art Aylesworth, founder of Mountain Bluebird Trails, Inc., and whose dream it was to inspire the next generation of bluebirders. 2 photo credits All photos are used with permission. Photos in booklet are by Myrna Pearman, unless noted below: Front Cover: Top right, Maridith Denton Page 5: Bottom, Lorne Scott Page 7: Tom Ulrich Page 8: Jane Brockway Page 9 Top left, Don Marble and top right, Lorne Scott Page 15: Jane Brockway Page 17: Top and middle, Lorne Scott Page 20: Top, Jane Brockway Page 26: Middle, Jane Brockway Page 27: All pictures on page, Jane Brockway Page 28: Top, Scott Johnson and middle, Jane Brockway Illustrations Illustrations by Gary Ross (from Mountain Bluebird Trail Monitoring Guide, used with permission by Red Deer River Naturalists) Coloring Illustrations by Nicole Ruuska, www.nicoleruuska.com 3 what’s inside Topic Page Introduction to Bluebirds………………………….
    [Show full text]
  • Learn About Texas Birds Activity Book
    Learn about . A Learning and Activity Book Color your own guide to the birds that wing their way across the plains, hills, forests, deserts and mountains of Texas. Text Mark W. Lockwood Conservation Biologist, Natural Resource Program Editorial Direction Georg Zappler Art Director Elena T. Ivy Educational Consultants Juliann Pool Beverly Morrell © 1997 Texas Parks and Wildlife 4200 Smith School Road Austin, Texas 78744 PWD BK P4000-038 10/97 All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the publisher. Another "Learn about Texas" publication from TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE PRESS ISBN- 1-885696-17-5 Key to the Cover 4 8 1 2 5 9 3 6 7 14 16 10 13 20 19 15 11 12 17 18 19 21 24 23 20 22 26 28 31 25 29 27 30 ©TPWPress 1997 1 Great Kiskadee 16 Blue Jay 2 Carolina Wren 17 Pyrrhuloxia 3 Carolina Chickadee 18 Pyrrhuloxia 4 Altamira Oriole 19 Northern Cardinal 5 Black-capped Vireo 20 Ovenbird 6 Black-capped Vireo 21 Brown Thrasher 7Tufted Titmouse 22 Belted Kingfisher 8 Painted Bunting 23 Belted Kingfisher 9 Indigo Bunting 24 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 10 Green Jay 25 Wood Thrush 11 Green Kingfisher 26 Ruddy Turnstone 12 Green Kingfisher 27 Long-billed Thrasher 13 Vermillion Flycatcher 28 Killdeer 14 Vermillion Flycatcher 29 Olive Sparrow 15 Blue Jay 30 Olive Sparrow 31 Great Horned Owl =female =male Texas Birds More kinds of birds have been found in Texas than any other state in the United States: just over 600 species.
    [Show full text]
  • Nest Defense Behaviors of Native Cavity- Nesting Birds to European Starlings1
    Nest Defense Behaviors of Native Cavity- 1 Nesting Birds to European Starlings Rodney G. Olsen,2 Kathryn L. Purcell,3 and David Grubbs4 Abstract We used behavioral experiments to evaluate competition for nest sites and the extent to which European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) are seen as a threat by native bird species at the San Joaquin Experimental Range, Madera County, CA. We quantified the level of aggressive behavior of four species of native cavity-nesting birds to starlings at active nests in trees and nest boxes. In 2000, we presented a life-like model of a starling at active nests of native cavity-nesting species, placed in front of the nest opening. In 2001, a House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) model was used as a control, with both species presented at nests. Models were mounted on a piece of wood and placed on top of the nest box. Responses were coded as sporadic scolding, continuous scolding, aggressive flight, and attack. Placement of the starling model in front of the cavity elicited a relatively more aggressive response than that elicited by a model placed on top of the nest box. Oak Titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus) responses consisted entirely of scolding except for one aggressive flight toward the model, but Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana), Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens), and Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) responses included physical attacks on the starling model. The starling model elicited a significantly stronger response from Oak Titmice and Western Bluebirds than the sparrow model. Although sample sizes were small, Ash-throated Flycatcher responses to the starling model included both aggressive flights and attacks, while neither behavior was seen in response to the sparrow model.
    [Show full text]
  • Western Bluebird
    Thrushes — Family Turdidae 435 Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana The Western Bluebird is a common resident of San Diego County’s foothills and mountains, especially where meadows lie among groves of oak or pine. In winter the birds gather into flocks and move in search of berries, especially mistletoe. Despite being a cavity nester that must compete with many other species for scarce holes in trees, the Western Bluebird shows signs of spreading out of its primi- tive range, colonizing urban areas with mature trees and wide lawns. Breeding distribution: Montane coniferous and oak Photo by Anthony Mercieca woodlands constitute the core of the Western Bluebird’s range in San Diego County. In these habitats, daily counts late in the breeding season, when recently fledged hole in a wooden lamp post 31 May 1999, young in a nest young are common, range up to 60 in the Cuyamaca box 6 June 2001, D. G. Seay), the San Diego River next to Mountains (N20) 16 July 2000 (B. Siegel), 90 on Hot the Fashion Valley shopping center (R9; fledging young Springs Mountain (E21) 14 July 2000 (K. L. Weaver, C. in both 1997 and 1998 from woodpecker holes in cotton- R. Mahrdt), and 100 in the Laguna Mountains (O23) 24 woods, J. K. Wilson), and Glen Abbey Cemetery, Bonita July 1998 (E. C. Hall, J. O. Zimmer). Toward the coast, (T11; feeding young 18 June 2001, T. W. Dorman). the species becomes less abundant and more localized, The eastern edge of the Western Bluebird’s range in San but it is still common in many places, especially in north- Diego County follows the eastern edge of oak woodland ern San Diego County, with up to 20 in Valley Center closely, with just a little extension into other trees infested (G11) 4 June 1997 (L.
    [Show full text]
  • A Field Guide for Aging Passerine Nestlings Using Growth Data And
    Sanchez et al. Avian Res (2021) 12:28 https://doi.org/10.1186/s40657-021-00258-5 Avian Research METHODOLOGY Open Access A feld guide for aging passerine nestlings using growth data and predictive modeling Audrey A. Sanchez1* , Andrew W. Bartlow2, Allison M. Chan3, Jeanne M. Fair2, Aaron A. Skinner1, Kelly Hutchins1, Maria A. Musgrave1, Emily M. Phillips1, Brent E. Thompson1 and Charles D. Hathcock1 Abstract Background: Accurate nestling age is valuable for studies on nesting strategies, productivity, and impacts on repro- ductive success. Most aging guides consist of descriptions and photographs that are time consuming to read and subjective to interpret. The Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) is a secondary cavity-nesting passerine that nests in coniferous and open deciduous forests. Nest box programs for cavity-nesting species have provided suitable nesting locations and opportunities for data collection on nestling growth and development. Methods: We developed models for predicting the age of Western Bluebird nestlings from morphometric meas- urements using model training and validation. These were developed for mass, tarsus, and two diferent culmen measurements. Results: Our models were accurate to within less than a day, and each model worked best for a specifc age range. The mass and tarsus models can be used to estimate the ages of Western Bluebird nestlings 0–10 days old and were accurate to within 0.5 days for mass and 0.7 days for tarsus. The culmen models can be used to estimate ages of nest- lings 0–15 days old and were also accurate to within less than a day. The daily mean, minimum, and maximum values of each morphometric measurement are provided and can be used in the feld for accurate nestling age estimations in real time.
    [Show full text]