Tag Archives: birds

nature, Photography

Little Quail

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Quail are ubiquitous here in the Okanagan Valley. I often see them racing around, their cute little comma-shaped head feathers arriving ahead of them.

The male is on the left and the female on the right.

Although they can fly, they are amazingly fast runners and when chicks are nearby, the adults will suddenly burst into flight, distracting potential predators away from the little ones.

They are extremely social and live in family groups of 20 or more birds. They don’t migrate for the winter but will congregate in coveys of up to 100 birds to keep warm since at 25 cm, (10 inches) they are very small.

They are portrayed extensively on the art work of this area and there’s even a winery named after them.

Greetings from the quail of the Okanagan Valley!

nature, Photography

Canada Jay

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The Canada Jay should probably be one of our national symbols. Found everywhere, from coast to coast and north to south, they are extremely prolific.

Many people love them while others find them extremely annoying. They are very opportunistic omnivores (basically, they will eat almost anything), but I have never found them to be particularly aggressive. In my experience, they will sit at the end of the picnic table, patiently waiting for leftovers or handouts, and quietly chirping to remind you not to forget them.

Smart and adaptive, they are one of the few examples of Canadian wildlife to retain their original indigenous name: Wisakedjàk (Algonquin) which then became “whiskey jack,” as they are often called. Indigenous peoples consider Wisakedjàk to be a trickster, which considering the jay’s behaviour, is very appropriate! Although they are related to crows and ravens, they are also categorised as songbirds, an interesting distinction.

Here is an example of their song. https://youtu.be/zEvBatYBwbo

Happy Tuesday.

musings, nature, Photography

Rainy Robin

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This wet robin reminded me of a favourite Raffi song from my son’s childhood.

Robin in the rain
What a saucy fellow
Robin in the rain
Mind your socks of yellow
Running in the garden on your nimble feet
Digging for your dinner with your long strong beak

Robin in the rain
You don’t mind the weather
Showers always make you gay
But the worms are wishing you would stay at home
Robin on a rainy day
Robin in the rain
Robin in the rain

– Raffi; from Singable Songs for the Very Young

Happy Monday.

nature, Photography

Sandhill Cranes

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There are lots of sandhill cranes throughout Canada and especially in the Northwest Territories.

Elegant and graceful, they arrive in late spring to mate and raise their young. They mate for life and usually have two eggs each spring. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that both chicks will survive to adulthood. The male is readily identifiable through his distinctive red forehead patch.

Happy Tuesday.