Category: Sparrows and Finches
Brood Parasitism of Song Sparrows by Brown-headed Cowbirds
It isn’t easy to watch as parasitic fledgling cowbirds run their adopted Song Sparrow parents ragged as they relentlessly follow the sparrows around and beg for food.
Two Of My Favorites – A Male Lazuli Bunting On Serviceberry
Lazuli Buntings, appropriately named after the blue gemstone lapis lazuli, are widespread throughout western North America but dang I’ve had a hard time getting nice photos of them. Three days ago I succeeded.
Male American Goldfinch – A Flash Of Gold Leaving His Perch
A male goldfinch in fine breeding plumage made yesterday’s trip to the mountains worth it.
Some Recent Birds
All photos were taken in the mountains, in the desert or at bird refuges in the last ten days.
Song Sparrow – Where Did All Those Feathers Come From?
To me this (second photo) almost looks like two birds, one on top of the other. In fact there’s very little ‘almost’ about it – that’s what I see. But it’s a single Song Sparrow.
Male Lazuli Buntings Feeling Their Oats
Two days ago I spent 75 minutes near a small, isolated tree in a remote area of northern Utah trying to photograph male Lazuli Buntings at war with each other.
Female Lazuli Bunting
Plus new information on my recent posts about the nesting Red-tailed Hawks I’ve been following and the unusual nest building behavior of Cliff Swallows I documented.
Male Green-tailed Towhee Posing And Singing
A bird notorious for its secretive nature becomes conspicuous while singing on territory during the breeding season.
