Colourful Valley Spring Migrants. Be taught 100 Frequent Valley Birds is a photograph weblog sequence highlighting the 100 commonest Valley fowl species.
Publish #17 within the Be taught 100 Frequent Valley Birds sequence. (Species 24, 25 and 26/100.)
Bullock’s Oriole – Species #24
The Bullock’s Oriole (Icterus bullockii) is a strikingly coloured songbird discovered all through the Central Valley of California throughout its breeding season. Grownup males have a shiny orange head, black eye line, and a black again with white wing patches. Females are a subdued yellowish-brown with a grayish head and have streaked underparts.
These orioles are usually present in riparian woodlands, the place they construct their distinctive hanging nests. They’re usually noticed flitting about within the bushes and shrubs, feeding on bugs, nectar, and fruit. Within the fall, Bullock’s Orioles migrate to Mexico and Central America, the place they spend the winter.
Regardless of their shiny look, these orioles will be difficult to identify within the dense foliage of their most well-liked habitats. Nonetheless, their lovely and distinctive tune, a sequence of flute-like whistles, can usually be heard echoing by means of the bushes within the early morning hours. With their vibrant colours and pleasant songs, Bullock’s Orioles are a welcome sight and sound within the Central Valley’s riparian woodlands.
Black-headed Grosbeak – Species #25
The Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) is a brightly coloured fowl species that may be discovered within the Central Valley of California through the breeding season, usually from April to August. Males are simply recognizable by their hanging black head and vibrant orange breast, whereas females have a extra muted look with brownish-gray plumage.
These birds want to nest in open woodland areas with scattered bushes and shrubs, usually close to streams or different sources of water. They construct cup-shaped nests fabricated from twigs, bark, and grass, and lay 3-4 pale blue or greenish-blue eggs. The feminine usually incubates the eggs for about 2 weeks, and each dad and mom take turns feeding the chicks as soon as they hatch.
In the course of the breeding season, Black-headed Grosbeaks primarily feed on bugs and different invertebrates, but additionally devour seeds and fruits. They’re identified for his or her highly effective beaks, which they use to crack open seeds and nuts.
As fall approaches, these birds migrate south to wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America, making them a standard sight for birdwatchers within the Central Valley through the summer time months.
Western Tanager – Species #26
The Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) is a surprising fowl species that may be discovered within the Central Valley of California through the breeding season. The male has a shiny yellow head, contrasting with its black wings, again, and tail. Its underparts are shiny pink, making it one of the vital colourful birds within the space. The feminine is much less colourful, with a yellow-green head, olive again, and grayish underparts.
These birds will be present in coniferous forests and oak woodlands through the summer time, the place they construct their nests within the excessive branches of bushes. They feed on bugs, fruit, and seeds, and through migration, they are often seen in parks and gardens, the place they’re drawn to nectar feeders. They’re identified for his or her distinctive name, which is a sequence of quick, sharp “chip” notes.
The Western Tanager is a migratory fowl, spending winters in Mexico and Central America. Conservation efforts have been put in place to guard this lovely fowl species, as its populations have been declining because of habitat loss and local weather change. It’s a great sight to see a male Western Tanager through the breeding season, and efforts to guard them ought to be continued to make sure that future generations can get pleasure from their magnificence.
Earlier posts from the Be taught 100 Frequent Valley Birds sequence,
