Tag Archives: birds

nature, Photography

Mystery Bird

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(The answer will be at the end of the post.) I saw this cute little robin-like bird while out walking.

Very unafraid, he or she let me get within about a metre (3 ft) which I needed to do since I only had my cell for photos.

The size, wing-configuration and body shape all shouted that this bird is a type of thrush – so are North American robins – but when I saw it walking, the gait was definitely different. Robins will do a combination of hopping and walking, while this bird was a very confident walker with rather largish feet for its size, I thought.

I also had the sense that given the colouration, this little one might be a female or a juvenile from this summer.

Once I got back home and was able to do an online search, I learned that this is either a female or juvenile yellow-headed blackbird which means that it’s a passerine, not a thrush. They live among the bulrushes – which explains the feet as they need strong ones to grab those grasses as they perch, especially if it’s windy – near water and I discovered this little one on a railing above Okanagan Lake.

Photo courtesy of All About Birds

As you can see, in addition to the yellow heads, the males also have white wing flashes. These birds like to migrate to Mexico for the winter, but in some places they remain all year. The Okanagan Valley is apparently one of those places.

Happy Wednesday.

nature, Photography

Late Season Ducklings

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I spotted this large brood of ducklings – nine in all – out learning about life with their mom.

I think this is either a late brood or a second brood. Ducks will sometimes “renest” if they lose the first nest or all of their hatchlings to a predator.

This may be the case with this brood or possibly the mother duck decided to raise a second family. That can frequently happen with ducks that don’t migrate since they don’t have to expend resources on migration; ours here stay through the winter.

Happy Saturday.

nature, Photography

Stragglers

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With so many little ones to look after, mama ducks sometimes have a lot to do!

This mama had to go back to encourage the two stragglers to come along after their four siblings zoomed ahead. You can see them in the upper right corner of the above photo.

In very low and gentle tones, she murmured to them and then made sure that they joined their sisters and brothers who had gone ahead.

This duck mama has done an excellent job of keeping her little brood safe. I see them almost daily as she shepherds them around a small pond, keeping them quite protected from predators.

Happy Saturday.

nature, Photography

Wild Geese

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I’ve seen lots of adult Canada geese around, but the goslings are still being minded in more secluded areas while many of the adults forage on their own.

Adult geese on a getaway.

This is a rather unique characteristic of these geese: once their young have hatched, the parents will organise themselves into groups called crèches where a large number of goslings are minded by a few adults while the others go off to eat or sometimes just to sleep or relax. They take turns minding the little ones. And here we humans thought we had child care all figured out!

Goose on gosling guard!

Outside of town at a smaller lake I recently saw a couple of crèches of about 20 goslings each being minded by two adults. They were very busy! 40 goslings and four adults! Wow. At least the goslings seemed to be very laid back. I guess it’s adulthood that brings with it the grumpy aggressiveness that the Canada geese love to display!

I was being given the stink-eye.

There were a number of mallard ducks around, too, but it seems that many of the birds, even the finicky quail, get on well with the ducks.

When I got back to town I saw a number of geese on Okanagan Lake enjoying an adult time of it.

Although Canada geese are often seen as nuisances, they are an extraordinarily successful species. They mate for life, are extremely committed parents who will go to great lengths to protect their young and they certainly know how to share the workload for the betterment of everyone in the group.

Pretty great characteristics.

Happy Wednesday.

nature, Photography

It’s Duckling Time!

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I’ve been very fortunate to see so many ducklings over the last few days. Adorably tiny feather balls, they are some of the cutest little ones ever.

Dad was bringing up the rear, but I didn’t include him in the photo. They were moving quickly and I wanted to get a picture.

On my return trip, I saw that mom was teaching them how to forage in the long grass next to the shoreline. Not only good pickings there but good protection, too.

I don’t know how many will survive as lots of predators see them as an excellent snack, but this mom is doing her best to keep them safe.

Happy Sunday.

nature, Photography

Bobbin’ Robins

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As I was taking a walk a few days ago, I heard the distinct call of an agitated robin. Then I noticed a recently fledged one, hopping madly ahead of me and calling desperately for mom.

As soon as Little One saw her, (s)he stopped calling and began looking for worms or bugs. Mom continued to nonchalantly hop ahead. As soon as Little One lost sight again though, the calling started once more and only ended when mom came into view. Poor Little One then gave up and begged to be fed. It’s so hard learning how to find something to eat!

Mom is on the right, mostly hidden by foliage but with one eye visible.

Nature is a demanding taskmaster since mom basically ignored Little One’s signals.

Sorry Little One, you have to learn to feed yourself.

It was clear that mom expected Little One to forage on her/his own. There was acknowledgment from mom, but no food!

Robin parents have to be very tough, but I have no doubt that this young one will soon figure out to copy mom and learn the best spots for fat worms.

Happy Thursday.