Dan Tallman’s Bird Blog

Coyote

2022-03-21T07:38:00.002-07:00

Coyotes are abundant across most of North America and are increasingly found even in urban areas. These images were taken at the same location, and thus could be of the same individual, on 7 February 2022 and 9 March 2022 at the Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge. The Coyotes seemed relatively unconcerned about our presence, potentially indicating sick animals, but more likely the result of their not being hunted on the refuge. The animals appeared to be searching gopher burrows. We have seen a Coyote run across our driveway within the Olympia city limits and we often hear their wailing at night.

Common Teal 2

2022-03-19T07:56:00.001-07:00

On 15 March 2022, Erika and I found another of the European race of the Green-winged Teal. It foraged in almost exactly the same location at the bird we saw several weeks ago at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, on 1 March 2022. This duck lacks the white, vertical side-stripe of American Green-winged Teal but does not appear to be the same individual that previously observed. The pale facial lines do not seem to be as distinct. Also, the horizontal, white body stripe is more apparent.

Wood Duck

2022-03-18T07:47:00.001-07:00

A Wood Duck pair—this time at the McLane Creek Nature Trail on 10 March 2022. In the early 1900s, ornithologists believed the species might be heading towards extinction. According to Hepp and Belrose (2020), Wood Duck populations are increasing by about 2.5% yearly as a result of bag limits during hunting season. Habitat management and nest box programs also assist the Wood Duck population recovery from historic lows.

Mourning Dove

2022-03-16T07:45:00.005-07:00

On 15 March 2022, along a path through the riparian woodland in the Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge, Erika and I photographed a Mourning Dove collecting sticks. We see this species often enough in Olympia, but this dove does not seem as common as elsewhere in the country. Mourning Dove nests are notoriously poorly constructed—usually just a bunch to sticks piled together in a tree or bush. The twigs this individual collected seemed remarkably thin, perhaps to line the interior of the nest. Males collect nesting material and bring it to the females, who do the actual nesting building, usually with the male standing on her back!

Ring-necked Duck

2022-03-15T07:27:00.001-07:00

Every time we see Ring-necked Ducks, like these on 10 March 2022 at the McLane Nature Trail near Olympia, Erika rails against confusing bird names. “Why isn’t this bird named ‘Ring-billed Duck,’” she exclaims. “The birds do have ringed necks,” I patiently explain, “but the neck rings are dark brown and very hard to see.” “Harrumph,” replies Erika.

Varied Thrush

2022-03-14T06:34:00.001-07:00

During our 10 March 2022 stroll in the Woodard Bay Natural Area near Olympia, we walked into a mixed flock of Varied Thrushes and American Robins. Although both species are thrushes and similar in size, they are not closely related. Varied Thrushes appear to be more closely related to Aztec Thrushes in Mexico or to a number of Asian species. In any event, Varied Thrushes are among our favorite birds. They are common enough in Washington but tend to be vagrants away from the Pacific Northwest. The scalloped pattern on the females’ flanks is as stunning as the males’ orange and black plumage.

Pelagic Cormorant

2022-03-13T08:05:00.003-07:00

At one time or another, Erika and I have listed all three local cormorants at the Woodard Bay Natural Area near Olympia. The most common are Double-crested Cormorants that breed in the hundreds in the trees along the edge of the bay. Occasionally Pelagic or less often Brandt’s cormorants are found, perched on distant pier pilings. Identification usually depends on having a scope along, like when we found this Pelagic Cormorant on 10 March 2022. The bird has its back to us and the distinctive white patches on their lower flanks are obvious.

Bufflehead

2022-03-12T06:55:00.001-08:00

Erika and I strolled past a hen Bufflehead on 7 February 2022 and a male on 24 February at the Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge. Buffleheads feed in shallow water. They usually dive for their invertebrate prey (fish are also consumed), but occasionally dabble on the water surface.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

2022-03-11T06:45:00.001-08:00

Erika and I saw these Yellow-rumped Warblers on 24 February 2022 at the Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge. When we moved to Olympia, we did not expect to see both races of this bird—the white-throated Myrtle Warbler and the yellow-throated Audubon’s Warbler. We have always thought of the Myrtle Warbler as an eastern bird, while Audubon’s are western. This assumption is basically correct, but the Myrtle Warbler does breed in Alaska and northern British Columbia. Thus the two races do occur north of us here in Washington and can be expected to migrate through the state.

Although the two races interbreed in the limited areas where they overlap, ornithologists still argue if they represent one or two species. The Audubon Society writes: “Even though the white-throated Myrtle and yellow-throated Audubon’s types interbreed where they meet, they’re very distinct genetically throughout the rest of their range. The evidence suggests that each is a full species.” The American Ornithological Society’s Checklist Committee has yet to agree.

Eurasian Wigeon

2022-03-10T07:04:00.002-08:00

On 17 February 2022, this Eurasian Wigeon fed among some 20 American Wigeon along the dike trail at the Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge. These ducks are “fairly common winter residents” in western Washington (Wahl et al. 2005). These authors estimate that about one out of every 400 wigeons here are this species. Not known to breed in North America—birds that winter along the West Coast are assumed to have nested in eastern Asia. For unknown reasons, this duck’s population has increased since 1965.

Western Bluebird

2022-03-09T06:58:00.001-08:00

On 18 February 2022, Erika and I searched for Western Bluebirds at two prairie preserves south of Olympia. The species is partial to the forest/prairie interface. We struck out at the Scatter Creek Recreation area, but were delighted to find at least ten at Mima Mounds State Park.

The bluebirds perched on low bushes. The birds flew down to the ground, apparently feeding on insects or fruit. Western Bluebirds are recognized by their brown backs and blue throats. Just to be confusing, some males have blue backs. The females are gray birds that vary in the brightness of their chestnut breasts, and show varying shades of gray or blue on their heads and back.

Red-tailed Hawk

2022-03-07T07:40:00.001-08:00

After a light rain on 1 March 2022 at the Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge, Erika and I photographed a distant Red-tailed Hawk. The bird, one of the dark, western races of the species, appeared to be drying itself. I was pleased by the quality of the recovery of this image by my upgraded versions of my Topaz Labs software.

American Robin

2022-03-06T07:04:00.001-08:00

American Robins, like this one preening on 1 March 2022 at the Nisqually national wildlife refuge, winter in western Washington. During the last couple of weeks, robins have become abundant and must represent the beginnings of spring migration. During early March, my photo processing has evolved, with the upgrading of a couple of Topaz Labs AI apps. I use Topaz Studio, Sharpen AI, and Megapixel. I recommend this software and you can try the apps out for free before you decide to purchase them. (I have not been paid for this shout-out.)

Wood Duck

2022-03-05T08:16:00.001-08:00

Wood Ducks wintered on Eagle Lake along the Chehallis Bike Trail. By 20 February 2022, these spectacular ducks became common. We easily counted a dozen in every subsequent visit. The bird in the second photo is looking away from the camera. Wood Ducks breed across much of the northern United States and southern Canada but do require woodlands in which to nest or nest boxes. Hunters prize this duck and account for about 10% of the annual duck harvest in the United States (Hepp and Bellrose 2020). Through conservation efforts and hunting regulations, Wood Ducks are now common across most of their range.

Common Teal

2022-03-04T07:16:00.000-08:00

Green-winged Teal are found across the Northern Hemisphere. Birds in the Old World, Common Teal, breed from Europe through Asia to the Aleutian Islands. New World birds, Green-winged Teal, are found across Alaska and Canada to many parts of the northern United States. The two populations are now considered to be races of the same species. This status may change, because genetic research shows that, although the races share one haplotype, they otherwise have very different mitochondrial DNA.

Since moving to Washington, Erika and I have searched for Common Teal. These ducks are of casual occurrence along both coasts of North America. We have scanned thousands of Green-wing Teal. On 1 March 2022 we met succeeded. Common Teal lack a white, verticle line behind their breasts. They have strong pale lines across the upper sides of their faces and under their eyes. Common Teal heads are slightly paler than those of Green-winged Teal. Perhaps the white patches on the back ends of Common Teal are a brighter white than the yellowish spots on Green-winged Teal. The sides of the Common Teal are more coarsely barred than on the American race. Our duck shows all these field marks. Less obvious is a white, horizontal stripe formed by the scapular feathers that should be obvious on Common Teals. Note that the scapulars on our duck are white-edged, not dark like on a Green-winged Teal. Not having this stripe apparent may indicate that this bird is a hybrid, but hybrids usually show the Green-wing’s vertical side stripe. Because of the preponderance of all the other field marks, we have no trouble calling this individual as a Common Teal.

American Bittern

2022-03-02T07:36:00.000-08:00

All winter an American Bitter hung out along a small, grassy creek at the Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge. Despite a multitude of eBird reports, we only found the bird twice, most recently on 24 February 2022. In addition to being cryptically colored, bitterns often freeze when approached. We stood on a marsh overlook. Two birders exclaimed, “There’s a bittern!” Erika and I ran over and there in plain sight, calmly strolled a bittern.

At one point the bittern stopped, and leaned over to peer at something in the water. The bird, however, made no strike. Bitterns patiently await passing prey. The birds mostly hunt at dawn or dusk. Almost anything will do—insects, amphibians, crayfish, small fish or small mammals (Lowther et al. 2020).

Surf Scoter

2022-03-01T07:39:00.001-08:00

Perhaps not as gaudy as their mates, hen Surf Scoters are nonetheless handsome ducks. Erika and I took this image on 7 February 2022 at the Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge. Each season, Surf Scoters return to the same breeding and wintering areas. Males, females, and young, however, migrate separately and may use different routes. Surf Scoters winter along both North American coasts. Although there is some overlap in their breeding ranges, western and eastern birds appear to be faithful to either the Pacific or Atlantic coasts (Anderson et al. 2020).

Common Merganser

2022-02-28T07:22:00.002-08:00

The pale sides and white behind the upper mandible suggest this image is of a female Common Merganser. Erika and I found it on 19 February 2022 at the Tumwater Historical Park next to Olympia. I have tried recently to capture the serrations on merganser bills, and finally I am just about successful. These structures assist the duck in capturing prey but are not a type of tooth.

Red-breasted Merganser

2022-02-27T07:41:00.002-08:00

On 9 February 2022 at the Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge, Erika and I watched a preening Red-breasted Merganser. For once the merganser’s serrated bill edges are visible in these photos, especially if you enlarge the images. These serrations make mergansers among the most specialized ducks. Red-breasted Mergansers are most closely related to Common or Chinese mergansers, and all are probably descended from smaller mergansers in South America (Craik et al. 2020).

American Dipper

2022-02-26T07:04:00.000-08:00

I think dippers are found all year along Tumwater Falls near Olympia. We check the falls and rapids about once a month, but seeing these bird is difficult. We only find them on about two-thirds of our searches. This image is our first for 2022, having missed them in December. This photo was taken on 8 February 2022.

American Dippers are wonderful, robin-sized birds that feed in and around tumbling mountain streams. Often they feed under the water, but usually they work the stream edges and rocks. Their feathers are remarkably waterproof. We are a bit perplexed by the white edged wing feathers, usually a sign of an immature bird. Perhaps, then, this individual is a second-year bird, since breeding in Washington does not start before March.

Spotted Sandpiper

2022-02-25T07:35:00.001-08:00

This image is of our first Spotted Sandpiper if the year, 10 February 2022, at the Woodard Bay Natural Area just east of Olympia. We quickly made our identification by the bird’s habit of bobbing its tail up and down. We had our eyes out for this species, as we read a few reports of other Spotted Sandpipers in the vicinity. A common migrant and summer resident in most of Washington, this species is uncommon and irregular in the winter.

Common Goldeneye

2022-02-24T07:38:00.002-08:00

Here is an image of a drake Common Goldeneye on 9 February 2022 at the Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge. Erika wishes that all birds were named for their field marks. Indeed, the national ornithological community is currently in the throws of considering renaminng birds. Oldsquaw are now offically called Long-tailed Ducks. McCown’s Longspurs, originally named after a Confederate general, are now known as Thick-billed Longspurs. I trust my readers appreciate why some people find the original name to be offensive. Other ornithologists think that no bird should be named after any person. I just hope that folks don’t go hunting for people commemorated in scientific names, like poor little Pipreola riefferi tallmanorum, named after two ornithologists, outstanding in their field. For more information on this debate, see https://www.audubon.org/news/the-mccowns-longspur-no-more-debate-over-bird-names-continues.

California Scrub-Jay

2022-02-23T07:17:00.002-08:00

The second jay on our 20 January 2022 two-jay day was this California Scrub-Jay. This species is common along the Pacific Coast of North America. I have written before about how these jays are spreading north. They are now increasingly found in British Columbia, eastern Washington, Idaho and western Montana. Adults tend to be extremely territorial, forcing young birds to “float,” sometimes for several years as they search for mates and unoccupied territory. Populations can get disrupted and mixed during poor acorn years (Curry et al. 2020).

Steller’s Jay

2022-02-22T08:04:00.001-08:00

20 January 2022 was a two-jay day. The first was a Steller’s Jays, common in forests across Washington, western North America, Mexico and northern Central America. They are present here all year, but there may also be north/south migration or movement in and out of higher elevations. Steller’s Jays vary across their range. Our birds have blue face markings, west of us they have white on the face, and southern birds are even whiter and have white around the eyes. Birds between these populations are intermediate in color. The second jay image is from 19 February 2022 at Capitol Lake in Olympia

Pileated Woodpecker

2022-02-21T07:26:00.001-08:00

Erika and I found Pileated Woodpeckers on 8 February 2022 at the McLane Creek Nature Trail and on10 February 2022 at the Woodard Bay Natural Area, both close to Olympia. Although we also occasionally see these crow-sized woodpeckers in our home woods and they are considered to be fairly common across most of Washington, they do not seem to be as abundant here as they were in Minnesota. These two birds were the first for this species for our 2022 bird list.