A studio for bird study

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May 14, 2013

Beatnik Birding: Sea Watching on the Pacific Coast

by Bryce W. Robinson

Surf Scoter- Melanitta perspicillata migrating north

Surf Scoter- Melanitta perspicillata migrating north

Well, it has happened once again, I’ve lapsed in my blogging. I’ve been through Utah, Nevada, and back to California again. There have been great birds along the way. I’d love to share some of the photos I’ve gathered along the way, but I want to share an experience I had yesterday. It was new and exciting for me, and carries potential for a whole new avenue of learning in my bird study.

I’ve yet to venture into the ocean to bird. I’ve only made it to the coast. Seabirds fascinate me, and I plan to make a pelagic tour soon enough. Until then I am standing on solid ground, watching what I can. I’m not seeing any true seabirds such as the Black-footed Albatross or Wilson’s Storm-petrel, but I am seeing unfamiliar birds passing over the ocean at a distance. My hawk watching instincts have kicked in on a whole new group of birds.

Pacific Loon- Gavia pacifica

Pacific Loon- Gavia pacifica

All the training I’ve had with raptors comes into play with passing sea migrants. There are particular field marks to pay attention to, but after enough exposure, I am sure I will be making my ID’s from shape, form, and flight style.

While watching for a few hours yesterday, I saw a massive loon migration. Every few minutes, a group averaging ten birds would come through, low over the ocean. It was a chore to check my field guides and learn what to look for with identifying passing loons. I started getting a handle on separating breeding plumage Pacific from Red-throated and Common, as there are some obvious in flight plumage differences. In the afternoon sun, however, I began to realize that lighting was confusing things.

Pacific Loon- Gavia pacifica

Pacific Loon- Gavia pacifica

A field mark for identifying Pacific Loons in flight is two prominent white lines on their scapulars, coupled with a dark throat. It seemed to me that every passing group was a Pacific, even the birds that resembled Red-throated Loons in shape. After some thought, I realized that the harsh sun was likely giving a glare off of the other dark backed loons, making it appear to have the white scapular markings.

Red-throated Loon- Gavia stellata

Red-throated Loon- Gavia stellata

There were other passing migrants, and shore dwellers. I had two Whimbrel fly through, a good number of Pigeon Guillemot, and of course many many gulls. I admit, I have not spent the amount of time studying gulls as I should, but I am working on it. What a daunting task.

 

A first winer in its first pre basic molt Glaucous-winged Gull- Larus glaucescens

A first winer in its first pre-basic molt Glaucous-winged Gull- Larus glaucescens

I’ll be interacting with the ocean quite regularly for the next few months. I hope to find the time to share everything interesting and exciting that I come across. And the road continues ever onward.

 

 

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May 5, 2013

Beatnik Birding: A True Desert Denizen, the Le Conte’s Thrasher

by Bryce W. Robinson

Le Conte's Thrasher- Toxostoma lecontei

Le Conte’s Thrasher- Toxostoma lecontei

The genus Toxostoma is comprised of some of my favorite birds. At the top of these species is the Le Conte’s Thrasher. I love this bird in part because it is rather difficult to find. I’ve spent a great deal of time in the Sonoran Desert, frequenting the sandy creosote scrub that is this birds habitat. Still, I’ve only seen a handful of this desert specialist, and each time has been memorable.

Recently, I found two birds outside of Palm Springs, CA, one of which was singing atop a creosote. I had never heard the song of the Le Conte’s. It is the same wonderful wandering warble of other Toxostoma species, yet it seems a bit more delicate.

The Le Conte's Thrasher signature habit, running along the sand as if it were a Roadrunner.

The Le Conte’s Thrasher signature habit, running along the sand as if it were a Roadrunner.

One of the reasons I am so fascinated by this bird is its habit to run across the sand between Creosote shrubs as it forages for food. It seems to prefer running rather than flying. I can’t help but think of the Greater Roadrunner every time I see this behavior.

Le Conte's Thrasher- Toxostoma lecontei

Le Conte’s Thrasher- Toxostoma lecontei

I find it incredible that this bird is only twenty miles from another southern California Toxostoma species. The California Thrasher is much like the Le Conte’s in appearance, but it frequents the chaparral hills of southern California. This pair of Le Conte’s Thrashers I found are on the western edge of the desert in the extremely arid white sand hills amidst Palm Springs iconic wind mill farms. Its proximity to the California Thrasher’s range is incredible, as the species is very different in habits and habitat. These two species are prime examples of evolution, adaptability, and the affects of environmental pressures.

 

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May 5, 2013

Beatnik Birding: The Limp-legged Surfbird

by Bryce W. Robinson

Surfbird- Aphriza virgata

Surfbird- Aphriza virgata

A few days ago Caitlin Davis and I took a walk along the beach near Santa Monica looking for some spring migrants and remaining winter residents. It was a fairly productive walk with Brandt’s Cormorant, Red-throated Loon, Whimbrel, Western and Clark’s Grebe, Glaucous-winged Gull and more. The highlight for me was a pair of Surfbirds, one of which had a bum leg. The birds leg was lame, and it travelled about the beach without skipping a beat by hopping. It kept up with its compatriot, and seemed lively and healthy.

The lame-legged Surfbird

The lame-legged Surfbird

I was impressed that the bird was healthy, given that it lacked one leg. I appreciate the reminder of the adaptability that is common in nature. Of course, if one cannot adapt to maladies or changing conditions, one dies. It is nice to see a success story every once in a while.

The lame-legged Surfbird, and the compatriot

The lame-legged Surfbird, and the compatriot

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May 3, 2013

The Possibility of a Ladder-backedXNuttall’s Woodpecker Hybrids in Southern California

by Bryce W. Robinson

A possible male Nuttall'sXLadder-backed cross.

A possible male Nuttall’sXLadder-backed cross at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve.

Recently I went birding with some friends at the Whitewater Preserve on the edge of the desert in southern California. My friend Dan Williams is more experienced with the birds in the area, and has a great ear. He picked up on something that I’ve been paying attention to since.

The Whitewater Preserve is located in an area that is the meeting point for the ranges of two very similar woodpeckers, the Ladder-backed and Nuttall’s. The Ladder-backed Woodpecker is a species of the southwest that frequents semi-arid landscapes. The Nuttall’s is a California coastal species, preferring riparian areas. Very similar in appearance and habits, it is easy to confuse the two when in an area where it is unclear which is expected, such as the transition zone between the two.

We heard a woodpecker fly overhead calling. Dan recognized the call as a Nuttall’s, but when it landed it resembled a Ladder-backed in appearance. This began my inquiry into the occurrence of hybridization in the region. I found many discussions on the topic, with no clear or definitive conclusion of how, if, or where this really occurs.

I returned later to the Whitewater preserve in hopes of recording and photographing as many woodpeckers as I was able. I failed, but I did get to know the woodpeckers of the region a bit better. I found many birds, and one female that supported the idea that these birds are hybridizing in the area.

Last night I went birding in the Big Morongo Preserve. It was great birding. The Summer Tanagers have returned in good numbers. I kept tuned to finding woodpeckers in this area, as it is not far from the Whitewater preserve. I finally found a male woodpecker, and sure enough, it showed characteristics of both species.

First, I heard the woodpecker. In my mind, it sounded just as the Ladder-backed Woodpeckers sound across the southwest, but when it landed, I noticed a few things that were unlike the Ladder-backed.

Possible Nuttall'sXLadder-backed Woodpecker. Note the dark black patch on the upper back, and extensive red of the crown, two contradictory features.

Possible Nuttall’sXLadder-backed Woodpecker. Note the dark black patch on the upper back, and extensive red of the crown, two contradictory features.

1. The Ladder-backed Woodpecker has striping that extends to its neck. The Nuttall’s has a patch of black on the top of its back. This bird resemble the Nuttall’s in this regard.

2. The male Ladder-backed has red on his crown that extends forward above the eye. The Nuttall’s red is less extensive, and sits on the back of the head. This bird resembles the Ladder-backed in this regards.

3. The Facial pattern of the Ladder-backed is dominated by white. The black markings are rather thin. The Nuttall’s facial pattern is dominated by black. Thick black lines swallow up the face. This bird is tricky, it looks much like a Nuttall’s, but the white above the eye and to the back of the head is rather prominent. I included an image of a Ladder-backed I photographed in Texas last month with a facial pattern much like the bird from Morongo.

IMG_7592

 

There are other nuances separating the two species such as the pattern of the outer retrices, spotting or streaking on the flanks, cream color or white of the pale parts, bill shape, etc. All of these aspects are learned through exposure, in my mind. The more you see both species, the more you will recognize the minutia that separates the two.

If anyone stumbles on this post that has any information on the subject, knowledge, or experience with both birds, I would love to hear your ideas. In my mind, the evidence is fairly clear indicating that this bird is likely a hybrid, or cross back. That makes the possibility or regularity of this occurrence rather high in my mind. You just have to be in the right place. Or maybe I just got lucky.

 

 

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