Prairie Nature

Cackling Goose - Like Canada, but Smaller

2016-12-08T15:47:00.000-06:00

When Cackling Geese landed on the waterfowl display pond in Regina's Wascana Park recently, I thought they were Canada Geese. But when they swam closer, I realized that despite the similar markings, they looked quite different. Not only were they much smaller — closer to duck-sized — but they had rounded heads, with steeply sloped foreheads and small triangular beaks. Kind of stub-faced, in fact.

Small Cackling Goose in Regina, SK © SB

The Cackling Goose used to be a sub-species of the Canada Goose, but it's now recognized as genetically distinct, and as a separate species that in summer flies far further north to breed. We get them here during migration, as we're on their flyway from their winter grounds.

For comparison, here's a large, long-billed Canada Goose that was patrolling its territory in the same park, where some of its species live year-long.

Large Canada Goose in Regina, SK. © SB

What is this? A Cackling Goose (Bernache de Hutchins), and a Canada Goose (Bernache du Canada).

Location: Wascana Park, Regina, SK
Photo dates: Cackling Goose: September 29, 2016; Canada Goose: April 26, 2016.

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Brewer's Blackbirds: Iridescent with brilliant eyes

2016-11-30T17:18:00.000-06:00

It's a delight to see a male Brewer's Blackbird in full sunlight — I usually see these birds as only black shapes with glowing eyes, high in the trees at Wascana Park. But when they are well lit, these birds glisten with shimmering iridescence. And those eyes! Those bright, shining yellow eyes.

Male Brewer's Blackbird, strutting across Wascana Park, in Regina, SK © SB

The females, however, are somewhat less brilliant, both in feathers and eyes, which in the case of the female Brewer's Blackbird I saw with the flashy guy above, were both dull brown.

Female Brewer's Blackbird in Wascana Park, Regina, SK © SB

What are these? Brewer's Blackbirds (Quiscale de Brewer)
Location: Wascana Park, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: May 4, 2012.

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Gray Catbird along Wascana Creek in Regina SK

2016-11-24T12:55:00.000-06:00

Gray Catbird, singing its hoarse cat-like song. © SB

During one of my regular, but long-ago, walks along Wascana Creek, I saw a Gray Catbird.

I understand that they're not uncommon in Regina, SK, in the summer, but this is one of the few I've photographed so far.

These mid-sized birds have an overall gray colouring, with black caps and dark reddish orange under-tail feathers.

(The picture below shows a better view of these rufous feathers. In that shot, this bird looks paler, too — a trick of harsh light in deep shadow, I suspect.)

Although they sometimes mimic other birds, the Gray Catbird's standard song is an odd, cat-like mewling.

This one stayed firmly in the shade of nearby trees, as if determined to thwart me and my camera-clutching hands.

(It would be nice if birds didn't do that... I would have liked a closer look at this Gray Catbird!)

Gray Catbird, along Wascana Creek, Regina. © SB

What is this? Gray Catbird (Moqueur chat)
Location: Wascana Creek, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: July 6, 2012.

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Gray Jay - Canada's National (Northern) Bird

2016-11-19T15:06:00.000-06:00

When I see the range map for the Gray Jay, I can understand why the Canadian Geographic magazine has declared that the Gray Jay should be Canada's National Bird. This seriously is a Canadian bird — and it was even once called the Canada Jay, a name it still holds in French: Mésangeai du Canada.

Gray Jay - welcome in my backyard, but lives too far away... © SB

Sadly, though, we don't have Gray Jays in Regina as they aren't part of our Prairie Nature, but they are found across Saskatchewan's boreal forests.

If I'd known on my last visit to the Banff area that this honour would be falling where it did, I'd have tried a lot harder to capture a good (with cheeky forward head tilt, and clear back feathers) image of this bird!

What is this? A Gray Jay (Mésangeai du Canada)
Location: Deadman's Flats, near Canmore, Alberta

Photo date: October 12, 2016

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Marsh Wren on a wetland cattail in the marsh

2016-11-18T12:17:00.000-06:00

Yes, we have Marsh Wrens in Saskatchewan, but so far they don't want to pose for me. As I've been trying to learn the different kinds of wrens today, I thought I'd post a picture of a Marsh Wren anyway, taken along the Dyke Trail in Richmond, B.C.

Marsh Wren on a cattail, in the - what else? - marsh. © SB

What is this? A Marsh Wren (Troglodyte des marais)
Location: Along the dyke, Richmond, B.C.
Photo date: April 26, 2014

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Flycatchers - Alder or Willow - Regina SK

2016-11-16T16:47:00.000-06:00

What I know is that this little bird is a Flycatcher. I've been told it's a Traill's Flycatcher, a former species now divided in two — the more northern Alder Flycatchers and more southern Willow Flycatchers. (In terms of the North American continent, that is.)

A Flycatcher in Regina, SK.
Thoughts on this being an Alder Flycatcher? © SB

As Flycatchers are very difficult to tell apart unless you know the species well, get a close look, and hear them sing, I will leave this bird ID at that. A Flycatcher. Maybe Willow, although in our part of Saskatchewan, perhaps more likely to be an Alder Flycatcher. Whatever it was, I appreciated the visit and chance to photograph this little backyard bird.

Beautiful long wings and soft colours
on this little (Alder? Willow?) Flycatcher. © SB

What is this? A Flycatcher — perhaps an Alder Flycatcher (Moucherolle des aulnes). Or if not, a Willow Flycatcher (Moucherolle des saules.)
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: May 19, 2012

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Golden-crowned Kinglet at AE Wilson Park

2016-11-13T12:21:00.000-06:00

I was lucky — or perhaps not, given the quality of the photograph — to catch a picture of a Golden-crowned Kinglet in the underbrush at Regina's A.E. Wilson Park this month. It was with a group of other small birds, but so much smaller. It was also flitting quickly, in deep shade...

Golden-crowned Kinglet.
(I hope my luck with this species improves!) © SB

What is this? A Golden-crowned Kinglet (Roitelet à couronne dorée)
Location: A.E. Wilson Park, Regina, SK
Photo date: Nov. 6, 2016

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Swainson's Thrush: Rare backyard Regina visitor

2016-11-09T11:21:00.000-06:00

Swainson's Thrush is a rare backyard visitor for me in Regina, SK. In fact, I've only seen one, and that was a few years ago. This small, gray-brown secretive bird with pale spectacle marks from its eye to its beak landed in the lilac hedge one May morning, pecked under its shelter for a while, then disappeared. (Which always makes me wonder how many other one-time birds I miss...)

Swainson's Thrush, backyard Regina, SK © SB

The Swainson's Thrush spent a lot of time half hidden under branches. © SB

Swainson's Thrush © SB

What is this? Swainson's Thrush
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: May 9, 2014

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Greater Yellowlegs - A Regina SK Shorebird

2016-11-04T10:22:00.000-06:00

This summer, I saw several Greater Yellowlegs, tall long-legged shorebirds, in various parts of Wascana Creek, Regina, SK. The one pictured here was near the airport; others were around A.E. Wilson Park.

Greater Yellowlegs wading and fishing in Wascana Creek, Regina, SK. © SB

Shorebirds, for me, are somewhat of a challenge to identify — in part because I'm rarely really close, and even the mid-sized and large ones don't look very big or clearly distinguishable at a distance. I was lucky with this bird, as it stayed fairly near in the creek, even while I walked further along the path to catch its sunlit side.

What is this? Greater Yellowlegs (Grand Chevalier)
Location: Wascana Creek, near the airport, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: September 16, 2016.

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Palm Warbler minus red crown plus yellow tail

2016-11-01T16:29:00.000-06:00

I've never seen a breeding Palm Warbler with its lovely rufous crown, but I was lucky to have a non-breeding fall Palm Warbler visit my Regina, Saskatchewan, backyard to flaunt its bright yellow tail coverts a few years ago. (We're not near a lake, and get only drop-in exotics. And yes, Palms — in fact, any Warblers are exotic to me...)

This Palm Warbler landed near the feeder in our lilac trees,
then soon flew away. I always wonder how many birds
I miss when I'm not sitting at my window in Spring and Fall... © SB

What is this? Palm Warbler (Paruline à couronne rousse)
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan

Photo date: Sept. 7, 2013

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American Bittern - Make like a reed and disappear

2016-10-30T17:25:00.001-06:00

Startle an American Bittern, and it will stretch up its neck and freeze in place — which I guess makes this bird think it's hiding, invisible to my sight... And that may work if it's deep in the reeds, though the strategy is markedly less successful if the Bittern is standing at the side of a Saskatchewan grid road, foot lifted as if to begin its agonisingly slow walk back into the marsh.

American Bittern, on Saskatchewan grid road. © SB

What is this? American Bittern (Butor d'Amérique)
Location: Near Yellowgrass, Saskatchewan
Photo date: May 21, 2012.

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Grasshopper Sparrow - crown stripe and yellow glow

2016-10-12T14:28:00.000-06:00

I continue to be amazed by the varieties of Sparrows we see here in Saskatchewan. And so today, a Grasshopper Sparrow, singing its insect-like buzzing song at Grasslands National Park.

One of my favourite Sparrow photos: A Grasshopper Sparrow singing
into the quiet early morning of Grasslands National Park, SK © SB

Grasshopper Sparrow, with a bright white crown stripe,
pale buffy face and belly, with a slight yellow tinge. © SB

What is this? Grasshopper Sparrow (Bruant sauterelle)

Location: Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan
Photo date: June 24, 2012.

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Yellow and Gray Immature Male American Redstart

2016-09-27T08:00:00.000-06:00

I decided to go birding through my photo files and discovered this American Redstart, a small warbler that dropped in to visit our Regina, SK, backyard a few years ago. It stayed only a few minutes — but spent those posing on the branch that sticks out from our lilac trees towards the feeders.

Immature Male American Redstart. © SB

American Redstart. (He flitted and fanned his tail - then left!) © SB

I'm told that at this stage, immature male (and female, which look very much the same) American Redstarts are sometimes called "yellowstarts", as a way of affectionately indicating their colour phase. And yes, females are also gray and yellow — but the blackish feathers on the rump and the salmon orange glow at the bend of its wing apparently mark this one as a young male. (It would be so nice if he'd come back in his high contrast black and orange feathers!)

What is this? Immature male American Redstart (Paruline flamboyante)
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: September 7, 2013.

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Cedar Waxwing in Caragana Blossoms

2016-09-21T15:06:00.000-06:00

Looking through my photos from the summer, I found this shot of a Cedar Waxwing. What a perfect match between the yellow tips of its tail and the yellow Caragana flowers of its perch. There was a small flock of about five birds at the Condie Nature Refuge that day; some hid, some — like these two — posed.

Adult Cedar Waxwing, standing guard in the Caragana tree. © SB

Another view of an adult Cedar Waxwing,
showing off its yellow tail and red waxy wingtips. © SB

What are these? Cedar Waxwings (Jaseur d'Amérique)

Location: Condie Nature Refuge, near Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: May 29, 2016.

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Juvenile Cedar Waxwings in Regina's Lakeridge Park

2016-09-19T08:30:00.000-06:00

Juvenile Cedar Waxwing © SB

On a birding walk through Regina's Lakeshore Park, we saw a large flock of Cedar Waxwings with many juveniles, all softly wheezing in the trees.

I hadn't seen Juvenile Cedar Waxwings before, although I'd like to think I could have recognized them by the yellow tails, black eye patches and head crest feathers, even without the help of fellow birders with Nature Regina.

But... I can be blind at times, and many eyes are more far likely to see what's hiding than only mine.

There were no adults in these trees, but one perched high on a nearby tree, watrching the young ones, watching us.

Sometimes, I think Waxwings sound like the breath of trees. Not that I know what trees sound like when they breathe, but these birds' high whistling wheeze makes me think of an old pine catching its breath while gently creaking in the wind.

Juvenile Cedar Waxwing, with soft tan belly stripes © SB

Several of the Juvenile Cedar Waxwings. © SB

What are these? Juvenile Cedar Waxwings (Jaseur d'Amérique)

Location: Lakeridge Park, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: September 10, 2016.

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Three stages of American Coots in Regina Saskatchewan

2016-09-18T11:00:00.000-06:00

American Coots feature stunning contrasts as adults, with black heads, red eyes, and white bills. As babies, they are amazing — picture this: bald heads, bright orange-yellow feathers and red bills (or visit this page, which shows an American Coot with a baby in a Saskatchewan slough). And, as juveniles they are again different, with feathers of varying shades of gray.

Coots breed at a local lake, in Lakeridge Park near where I live in Regina, Saskatchewan, and when I dropped by with a group from Nature Regina to see what birds were there, three stages of American Coots swam by: An adult, a young juvenile, and a slightly older juvenile Coot.

Adult American Coot - a study in contrast, red, white, gray and black. © SB

A Juvenile American Coot, whose head is starting to darken. © SB

A younger, smaller, paler, Juvenile American Coot. © SB

What are these? American Coots - Foulque d'Amérique)

Location: Lakeridge Park, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: September 10, 2016.

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Juvenile American Pelican near my Regina neighbourhood

2016-09-17T17:17:00.000-06:00

I photographed this juvenile American White Pelican in a local lake when I visited with a group of birders from Nature Regina earlier this month.

This looks like the great outdoors, but this Juvenile American Pelican is really swimming
in front of a series of lakefront, er, water catchment pond frontage, houses. © SB

Summer and fall are such great times for birding — and for seeing juvenile birds of many species, as they are arriving back through the city now, in preparation for their winter migration south.

This young American White Pelican still has the light brownish feathers on its head, neck and back that mark it as a juvenile.

This is a city drainage pond.
This is a juvenile American White Pelican.
This is a house in the background.
Oh, Regina. © SB

What is this? A juvenile American White Pelican (Pélican d'Amérique)

Location: Lakeridge Park, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: September 10, 2016.

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American Coot: Big Foot on the Loose in Regina

2016-09-15T17:34:00.000-06:00

These are seriously the feet and toes of an American Coot,
even though they strongly resemble the segments
of my Thanksgiving Cactus. © SB

I had no idea that Big Foot was a bird — until I saw a young American Coot flap out of the water at a local Regina park.

At first, I thought pond weeds had been caught on its droopy, elongated, fat toes, but no, what I saw as greenery was in fact its green skin.

Coots are waterbirds, but not ducks, and so they don't have webbed feet. Instead, their feet are adapted to swimming with the addition of wide lobes of skin that act as toe flippers.

(And these big feet also, says All About Birds, support the Coots' weight on marshy ground.)

There were several American Coots of varying ages in the park, which is one of their local breeding spots in Regina, Saskatchewan. One black-feathered adult, a few darkish gray juvenile Coots, like this one, and a younger, smaller, light gray bird.

My thanks to the Nature Regina group I went bird watching with!)

What big floppy feet, you have, young American Coot! © SB

Walking is easy, when you're well grounded.
American Coot, Regina, SK © SB

Young American Coot, Regina, SK.
(When it gets older it will turn black. What a range of colours these birds have,
including bright orange when very young!) © SB

What is this? A young American Coot, showing off its awesome feet. (Foulque d'Amérique)

Location: Lakeridge Park, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: September 10, 2016.

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Ross's Goose flying with Canada Geese

2016-09-13T16:38:00.001-06:00

A small flock of geese circled the park — all brown, except for one white Ross's Goose.

And colour wasn't the only difference: The Ross's Goose was also dramatically smaller than the rest.

Ross's Goose breeds in the Arctic and passes over Saskatchewan on its migratory flight path to and from California and other spots in the southern U.S.

All About Birds says looks like a miniature Snow Goose. None of these were flying in the park for on-the-spot comparison, but the Ross's Goose was certainly far smaller than a Canada Goose!

What is this? Ross's Goose (with a Canada Goose) — Oie de Ross
Location: Lakeridge Park, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: September 10, 2016.

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Mud-digging Northern Flickers: Wascana Park, Regina

2016-09-11T09:23:00.000-06:00

I've always thought of Northern Flickers as tree birds not ground birds, bark drillers not dirt diggers. But when I watched several Flickers in Regina's Wascana Park on Friday, these large brown woodpeckers were spending far more time in the mud than in the trees. (And even those on the trees had muddy beaks to show that they, too, had been digging. Or they'd just finished scraping their beaks against the bark, to get them clean.)

What is this? A Northern Flicker (yellow-shafted); or Pic flamboyant.
Location: Wascana Park, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: September 9, 2016.

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Immature Ruby-throated Hummingbird drops by: Regina, SK

2016-09-08T14:41:00.000-06:00

I was planning to put away the hummingbird feeder when I saw a Ruby-throated Hummingbird buzz by it. So I refilled it with fresh sugar water, and have been told to continue doing so for several weeks yet. Hummingbirds may be migrating, but they are not yet gone — and there are often strays that arrive later in the fall looking for sustenance.

At first, I thought the Ruby-throated Hummingbird we saw throughout the day yesterday and the one that's been busy here today was a female, because its throat is quite pale. On a closer view, though, there are a fair number of dark speckles on her/his throat, which makes it more likely that this is an immature male...

Unless, of course, there are two birds taking turns in our yard? But I think it's just that with feather colours, so much depends on the light.

I think this is the same bird - it's possible it's not, as this was taken yesterday,
and the ones above were taken today. The light was different, which affects colour. © SB

What is this? An immature male Ruby-throated Hummingbird - Colibri à gorge rubis
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: September 8, 2016.

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Juvenile Chipping Sparrow: New baby bird for our Regina yard

2016-08-24T14:43:00.000-06:00

Juvenile Chipping Sparrow in the garden sprinkler

We had several new-to-us young birds this summer, including a juvenile Chipping Sparrow with fresh baby bird feathers that differ just enough from the adults' to be confusing.

For example, its trademark red cap had not yet grown in, and its breast was streaked, not pale buffy gray. But the close presence of the adult — who frequently fed it, as well — confirmed that this streaky brown baby bird really was a Chipping Sparrow.

I knew that some Chipping Sparrows stayed for the summer in parts of Regina, Saskatchewan, but this was the first time I've been aware of one nesting near my part of town.

What are these: Chipping Sparrows - an adult and a juvenile. (Bruant familier)

Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Photo dates: July 31 to August 2, 2016.

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Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrating though Regina, SK

2016-08-17T16:25:00.000-06:00

We were lucky again this year to see a Ruby-throated Hummingbird in our Regina, SK, backyard — and yes, we did see one, but only one! (So far? Will more come? The feeders are ready...)

This year's Hummingbird was a mature male, with a red throat that looks dark brown here, because of the angle of the light. Had I caught him on my sensor facing towards the sun, it would have glistened like, well, some would say, a bright ruby.

He arrived in the garden in the early morning, fed from cosmos and petunia flowers for a while, and then veered off over the trees, not to be seen again.

Last year, we had our first Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, and all were juvenile males, with only faint streaking on their throats. I'd like to think that this week's bird was one of those hummingbirds, come back again to visit on its way south.

Another view of the male Ruby-throated Hummingbird, showing his throat.
(Really! This was red in the sunlight!)
In my Regina, SK, backyard. © SB

I just wish it would have stayed longer!

Ah well. Maybe next year. (And maybe more will show up this year, too...)

What is this? A male Ruby-throated Hummingbird - Colibri à gorge rubis
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: Regina: August 13, 2016.

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Common Nighthawk: neither nocturnal, nor a hawk

2016-08-04T10:04:00.000-06:00

The Common Nighthawks swept up from their rail fence roosts in the late afternoon to soar over the Frenchman River campground in search of insects.

And that was a very good thing, as there were perhaps 17 million mosquitoes per square inch that evening. And so the Nighthawks dined well. (Although perhaps less well than their voracious prey. Not that mosquitoes are overly fond of me, but I'm told by camping companions that they were vicious.)

During the days we stayed at Grasslands National Park, I came to love their eerie, sharp Meemp, meemmp calls, and to look forward to their booming dives. Or, maybe it's as they pull out of the dive that they boom. Regardless, this swift, slim birds can be startling LOUD!

To identify Common Nighthawks in their early morning and late afternoon flights, look for a dark form with a bright white stripe about one third of the way up from the tips of their wings. You might also notice the white V of neck feathers.

To identify Common Nighthawks during the day, cross your fingers and look for bumps on logs... Their bark-patterned feathers offer them excellent camouflage!

And despite their name, Common Nighthawks are neither strictly nocturnal, nor closely related to hawks. But they are fairly common, and can be found across North America.

Daytime, and two Common Nighthawks rest on the fence
around the Frenchman River Campground at Grasslands National Park. © SB

What are these? Common Nighthawks (Engoulevent d'Amérique)

Location: Frenchman River Campground, Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan.
Photo date: June 13 and 14, 2016.

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Because it's Summer - an immature Swainson's Hawk

2016-07-26T09:33:00.000-06:00

On the Canadian Prairies in summertime, we see lots of hawks — many of which are Swainson's Hawks, large raptors in varying shades of brown and white that visit us from spring through fall, then soar off to winter in Argentina. (Or maybe it's Argentina that they visit? We both claim these birds as ours...)

I photographed this young Swainson's Hawk several years ago. I'm told that it would have been about one year old at the time I took these pictures, which show it moulting into its second generation feathers. (Apparently Swainson's are the only North American buteo with an immature plumage in their second year, somewhere between juvenile and adult. The things you learn from What's this Bird? With thanks to the American Birding Association for that Facebook group!)

What is this? A young Swainson's Hawk (Buse de Swainson)
Location: South of Chaplin, Saskatchewan, in/near the Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve.
Photo date: June 29, 2012

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