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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 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.

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.

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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April 19, 2013

Beatnik Birding: Finding Ardeids; the Tricolored Heron

by Bryce W. Robinson

As a child, I poured over bird books, spending a substantial amount of time looking at the worlds herons. When looking through North America’s herons, I began developing favorites of the birds I dreamed to see. The Tricolored Heron was very near the top of the list. The bird has an aesthetic seemingly otherworldly. The colors and textures dazzle the eye. I was fascinated by illustrations and photos of this bird as a child.

Finally I have seen this bird, in its element, conducting its business, in all its glory. Every Tricolored Heron I have encountered since my first a few weeks back has afforded me first hand looks at characteristics that enlighten my understanding of this bird and the family to which it belongs. My time with this bird has been insightful and delightful. It conducts its business in its own style, with movements and techniques all its own. These techniques and behaviors are subject of a discussion which is to come. Oh the Ardeids; For whatever the reason, I find myself enraptured in their world.

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April 2, 2013

Beatnik Birding: Arizona Endings

by Bryce W. Robinson

Elegant Trogon- Trogon elegans

Success is super sweet. I left Patagonia feeling disappointment from missing my target, the Trogon. My heading was the Huachuca Mountains, where I was unsure if the Trogon was a realistic expectation. I arrived in the valley east of Huachuca’s at the house of my new friend, Christie Van Cleve. I met Christie while watching the Black Hawk migration the prior week in Tubac. She insisted I come see her house, and the nearby canyons.

Her insistence proved fruitful for my birding. When I arrived, I sat in her dining room, watching the birds in her yard. She has created the most incredible feeder set up that I have ever seen. She boasts an impressive yard list, somewhere in the 180’s. It was easy to see how such a number could be possible.

After minutes of watching, I saw one of the most incredible birds I was to see in Arizona. The Magnificent Hummingbird came to the feeders time and again, to flash its brilliant green gorget. I was in awe, and excited. For the next few hours, I watched the birds about their business, and enjoyed Christie’s company.

Later that afternoon, Christie took me to Huachuca Canyon. The canyon is only accessible by entering a military base. This may seem a deterrent, and perhaps is the reason I was unaware of the canyon, but entering and traveling about the base was easy. We went up the canyon, where Christie showed me two spots where Elegant Trogon’s had nested in years past. She told me stories about her times in the canyon, watching these birds. What a treat it would be to see these birds raising their young, hunting for insects, and conducting themselves in accordance with their habits. As we did not see the birds in either location, I resolved to return the next morning and try one last time for the Elegant Trogon.

I ventured back through the base in early morning, and travelled up the canyon towards the two nest sights. Birds were about this morning, and I listened to many species both new and familiar. Still, both nest sights were without the Trogon, and my spirit fell. But, as I am a birder, and love other experiences besides the chase, or hunt, I venture farther up the canyon to find others.

With my senses keen, and tuned to any peculiar movement, or sound, I was sure to pick up the Trogon if it made itself known in any way. And I did!

The moment the trogon barked, I knew what I had hear. I did a silent jump for joy and listened for a second call. Soon enough, multiple calls came and I narrowed in on the Trogon. Within a minute, I had found the brilliant male Trogon, sitting in the branches, calling. It was wary of my presence, and retreated when I came to close.

The bird continued to call, but as I observed its behaviors, I picked up the presence of a second bird. Hearing a second call pulled my attention to another fleeing male Trogon. Blessed by the sight of two males, in all their glory, I took in my fill of the birds, and left them to their business of establishing territories and continuing their business of procreation.

Elegant Trogon- Trogon elegans

Before I left, I spent some more time talking with Christie. On the morning before I hit the road, she informed me of a pair of Mexican Spotted Owls in the canyon near her house. I decided that the Spotted Owl would be a great bird to see before my journey continued elsewhere. It was not difficult to find the birds in the canyon. Directed to a reliable roost, I located two owls deep in sleep. I was careful not to disturb their slumber, and give them added stress. I watched the pair for minutes, taking a few photos before returning back to the road, and onward to Texas. On a high from the Trogons, I decided it was time to make my Arizona exit. I had missed some birds that I wanted to see, but I had other priorities, and felt that I needed to put my wheels back on the road, and move eastward with my eyes on the Texas coast.

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March 23, 2013

Beatnik Birding: Patagonia Lake State Park, and the Patton’s

by Bryce W. Robinson

Neotropic Cormorant- Phalacrocorax brasilianus, at Patagonia Lake

I arrived at Patagonia State Park on a nice evening a few days ago. I had travelled south from Tubac that afternoon after watching my last morning of migration up the Santa Cruz river. It was a bit hard to leave, I’ll admit. While passing through the border town Nogales in late afternoon, I saw a spectacle new to my eyes. Countless vultures filled the sky, from near eye level to stratospheric heights. I could not believe my eyes. The numbers were well above a thousand, and covered the sky as far as I could see. I cursed in awe, and continued on my way.

The state park was filled to capacity. I drove in without checking at the booth. Luckily the attendant had left for the evening, so I was not turned away from the camping grounds. I drove about searching for a place to park my home, finally settling on the day use parking lot. I was a bit nervous that I would draw attention from the rangers, and be chased from the park. Still, I settled in and went to sleep.

Luckily, when I awoke, I had not drawn any unwanted attention. The park was to be had, and so I set off. One bird was on my mind of course. That which was missed in Madera, the Elegant Trogon, had been seen in the riparian system east of the lake, only the day before. So I went for it. Along the way I birded the lake and found many things. Neotropic Cormorant was a first for me, so I stopped for a look and enjoyed their peculiar gutteral noises.

Another bird I found was the “Mexican” Mallard. I actually found a pair. They began some peculiar behaviors, which I intuitively read and readied my camera. Courtship behaviors ensued, and then copulation. Two superficially female Mallard ducks had done the deed, and I was privy. My discussion on the status of the Mexican Duck will be left for another post, as will the photos of the copulation event. The male being obviously not like a drake Mallard, one could imagine how much discussion is behind the decision to keep theses “subspecies” lumped with the typical Mallard.

Male Great-tailed Grackle- Quiscalus mexicanus showing a leucistic primary.

The above photo is of a Great-tailed Grackle, a very common and conspicuous bird of the southwest. I included it because it illustrates an aspect of the bird world which fascinates me to the highest degree; leucism. One primary feather on this bird is white as snow, and for what reason can only be left to speculation. Well, on my part. I actually am not sure if it is know why this occurs. Anyway, I wanted to include the photo, as I thought it to be quite interesting. It is neat what you can see when you really pay attention.

Vermilion Flycatcher- Pyrocephalus rubinus

I ventured on my trogon quest, finding many treasures along the way. I spent around three hours coursing the river system with a keen eye out for the Elegant Trogon. Of course, my ear was tuned as well. As I searched, I realized how quickly I was learning the sounds of the southwest. I’m very excited to know many of the species by ear now.

The place was birdy, and I picked up a few new species to me. Photography is difficult in heavily wooded areas, but I came away with a few goodies. One prized photo is the Broad-billed Hummingbird shown below. The BBHU is a fairly common species in these parts, but I’m always delighted at the chance for a close look. Hummingbirds fascinate me, and their delicate features are likely the reason.

Broad-billed Hummingbird- Cynanthus latirostris

I walked out of the forest mid afternoon, without seeing this mystical tropical Trogon. I really tried to put it out of my mind. I had time to search elsewhere. Later that evening, after some relaxation, I left the park. I headed towards Patagonia, to park my car in the middle of town and awake the next morning for some hummingbird viewing at the famed Patton’s.

The Patton’s proved to be remarkable. Among the highlights were White-throated Sparrow, Scott’s Oriole, Rufous Hummingbird, and of course, the Violet-crowned Hummingbird. Never mind the large amounts of people that stopped by with tails of the amazing sighting of the Elegant Trogon at Patagonia Lake that morning. I was in heaven with the birds in this backyard. Still, I was a bit disappointed at my unluck, but little did I realize, the cards were still in my had. I hit the road that afternoon towards Sierra Vista, to meet up with my new friend Christie Van Cleve, and check out Huachuca Canyon.

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Tag: wildlife

by Bryce W. Robinson

by Bryce W. Robinson

by Bryce W. Robinson

by Bryce W. Robinson