BirdWalk Newsletter 5.20.2018

Walks Conducted by Perry Nugent and Ray Swagerty

Newsletter Written by Jayne J. Matney Cover Photograph by Marc Regnier

Summer Tanager Piranga rubra ______

In the same family as the Grosbeaks, Cardinals, and Buntings, the Summer Tanager makes a bold statement here in the forest and gardens of Magnolia Plantation. It is a migratory bird coming up from Central Mexico and South America. Wintering in the tropics, the Summer Tanager visits us during the spring and summer for breeding season. Both males and females have been observed on the property. You may see a reddish flash across a trail and think you are seeing the “same ole cardinal,” but look again. This flash may be a Summer Tanager. The males are brightly colored with muted reds and pinks and may have splashes of yellows when molting or immature. The female is not so distinguished. She is adorned with more of the muted mustard tones and greenish tones. Also, look at the bill for a pale colored bill versus a black bill of the cardinal. They flutter around high in the trees catching airborne insects such as bees and wasps, or they pick up caterpillars from the branches. On occasion, they will eat fruit, but this is done more in the wintering months. When they are not catching prey, they stay very still in the tree tops and can basically be located by their distinctive vocalizations (pit-ti-tuck) or a whistling song. During breeding season, they gravitate to deciduous or mixed forests with open spaces nearby. Nesting occurs on a horizonal branch away from the truck. The nest can be located anywhere from 1 to 35 feet above the ground, is built mostly by the female, and consists of grasses, Above: Female Summer Tanager Photo by Ray Swagerty

Right: Male Summer Tanager Photo by Richard Hernandez Notice the caterpillar in the beak moss, leaves, webs, and tiny stems. Eggs are green or bluish green with brown to gray spots and clutch size is between 3 and 5 eggs. Even though nest building and incubation are the female’s role, both parents are active in the feeding and caring of the young once hatched.

According to “All About Birds”, written by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, there are a few interesting facts on Summer Tanagers as reviewed below:

1. The Summer Tanager will beat bees and wasps against a branch to kill their prey or rub off the stingers using a branch in order to prevent being stung. 2. Just like bears will do for the winter, the Summer Tanager will build up fat deposits for migration in the spring. A study was done showing tanagers in Panama storing enough fat to travel an extra 553 miles. 3. Summer Tanagers were once classified with the “true tanagers” such as the Scarlett Tanager, but are now placed with the cardinal family. 4. Summer Tanagers prefer to breed in lowlands which border on water and forests. 5. The oldest Summer Tanager known was at least 7 years and 11 months- but may have lived much longer due to the fact that he was a recapture and rerelease.

Information for this article came from: “About the Summer Tanager” Complete Birds of North America, National Geographic; Kaufman, Kenn, “Summer Tanager” – Audubon Field Guide, Lives of North American Birds; “Summer Tanager”, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo in a rare pose Photo by Ray Swagerty

Seven participants went out with Ray Swagerty to locate as many birds as possible on this warm, cloudy, and humid day. This is an excellent time to explore the property and see migratory birds, as well as our residential species. Highlights of the walk were: Summer Tanager, Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, and Bald Eagle. Both the White-eyed Vireo and the Carolina Wren were being extremely vocal for territorial and breeding purposes. The Northern Parula are being found throughout the property. A viewing of the Red-shouldered Hawk started the walk, while the Mourning Dove, Chimney Swift, and Brown-headed Cowbird finished the birding trip. Ravenswood and the Audubon Swamp were popular sites for Wood Duck (ducklings with mom are still being seen), Anhinga, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret (in large quantities), Little Blue Heron, Black- crowned Heron, Yellow- crowned Heron, and Common Moorhen. Scattered around the property and not previously mentioned were Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Great-crested Flycatcher, American Crow, Fish Crow, Carolina Chickadee, Wood Duck and Ducklings Photo by Jo Frkovich Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Yellow-throated Warbler, Pine Warbler, Common Yellow-throat, Red-winged Blackbird, and Common Grackle. Fly-by sightings were Mississippi Kite, and Laughing Gull. Black Vulture and Turkey Vulture made the list, but not in great numbers. The Pileated Woodpecker made itself known, while the Prothonotary Warbler appeared at the Audubon Swamp.