Nature and Wildlife Archives - Page 8 of 13

Bzzzz January 29th, 2008

According to the bird experts, mourning doves are among the most abundant birds in the U.S. I can certainly vouch for that fact judging from the visitors at my backyard feeding station.

In fact, as part of my count for Project FeederWatch this past weekend, I counted 28 mourning doves at one time! So even though the average number of mourning doves in the FeederWatch program here in Maryland is five, they are, apparently, particularly abundant in my little part of the world.

Mourning Doves

It’s curious how their behaviors have changed since they have become accustomed to all the bird feeders. When I first started feeding and watching the birds, the mourning doves would arrive–usually in pairs–and feast on the ground below the feeders where seed would be spilled or dropped by the other birds. Over time, one of the birds became more bold and learned to land on the feeders-even the smaller feeders–to feast directly from the pickings. Then two birds, then three. After a while, all the mourning doves were eating directly from the feeders. Although they still feed from the ground when they are in large numbers, the feeders are often filled with mourning doves.

Did you know the whistling sound they make when they fly is actually from their wings?

Did you know that mourning doves are monogamous and form strong bonds as pairs? (More than you can say for many humans, eh?)

Did you know that the male mourning dove will escort his mate to potential nest sites for her to choose a location. (Real estate is, apparently, her decision.)

Did you know that more than 45 million mourning doves are killed by hunters each year, including in Wisconsin, where the mourning dove is also the official symbol of peace? (Wisconsin seems a bit confused.)

Posted In: Nature and Wildlife

Tags: Birds, mourning doves

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Bzzzz January 24th, 2008

That was the headline today in the Project FeederWatch e-newsletter. I feel like I am on the edge of this breaking news story!

It was just in December that I saw a gross of Evening Grosbeaks at my hopper/platform feeder.

Evening Grosbeaks at the Backyard Hopper/Platform Feeder

Project FeederWatch, which I posted about just a couple of days ago, noted that since the project began the data indicated that the Evening Grosbeak population had declined dramatically. But this year, more and more people are reporting seeing flocks of this beautiful and special bird.

I think that this finding underlines a couple of key points. First, conservation works. I will give credit to the vast movement of bird watchers who fill their feeders regularly and provide alternative housing for our avian friends. This makes a difference in their ability to find the resources they need to thrive. And second, the data points of average, ordinary people all over the U.S. helps researchers understand how our bird populations are changing. This data is another key indicator or the environmental condition and how it impacts wildlife.

Okay. Nuff of that. I also just think it’s cool that I actually SAW a bunch of Evening Grosbeaks and then read this story.

Project FeederWatch offers loads of fascinating information. For example, the top 25 birds reported at feeders in Maryland in the 2006-2007 season was:

Rank within region	Common Name	Scientific name	Mean group size (when seen)	FeederWatch Abundance Index
1	Dark-eyed Junco	Junco hyemalis	5.32	3.72
2	Northern Cardinal	Cardinalis cardinalis	3.61	2.96
3	Mourning Dove	Zenaida macroura	4.64	3.20
4	Carolina/Black-capped Chickadee	Poecile carolinensis/atricapillus	2.15	1.64
5	Tufted Titmouse	Baeolophus bicolor	2.13	1.42
6	Carolina Wren	Thryothorus ludovicianus	1.28	0.68
7	American Goldfinch	Carduelis tristis	3.41	1.60
8	Downy Woodpecker	Picoides pubescens	1.61	1.08
9	House Finch	Carpodacus mexicanus	3.74	2.06
10	Blue Jay	Cyanocitta cristata	2.31	1.01
11	Red-bellied Woodpecker	Melanerpes carolinus	1.17	0.61
12	White-breasted Nuthatch	Sitta carolinensis	1.40	0.71
13	White-throated Sparrow	Zonotrichia albicollis	3.93	1.81
14	House Sparrow	Passer domesticus	6.87	2.67
15	American Robin	Turdus migratorius	2.82	0.34
16	European Starling	Sturnus vulgaris	4.33	0.69
17	Song Sparrow	Melospiza melodia	1.53	0.42
18	Common Grackle	Quiscalus quiscula	5.71	0.43
19	Northern Mockingbird	Mimus polyglottos	1.13	0.20
20	Brown-headed Cowbird	Molothrus ater	4.03	0.29
21	Red-winged Blackbird	Agelaius phoeniceus	4.67	0.32
22	American Crow	Corvus brachyrhynchos	2.96	0.35
23	Hairy Woodpecker	Picoides villosus	1.18	0.20
24	Northern Flicker	Colaptes auratus	1.21	0.08
25	Cooper’s Hawk	Accipiter cooperii	1.02	0.06