Author: Larry - Page 20

Birds

California Quail, The California State Bird: Now Forming Coveys

August 31, 2011 by Larry 9 Comments

The California Quail (Callipepla californica) is the California state bird, inhabiting scrub, broken chaparral and woodland edges primarily in California, Oregon, Washington and Baja California. They are...

Birds

Why Do Cliff Swallows Flutter Their Wings When Gathering Mud?

August 17, 2011 by Larry 6 Comments

Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) nest in large colonies that may contain as many as 3,500 active gourd-shaped mud nests. They are currently heading south...

Trips

Have You Ever Seen a Bufflehead Search for a Nesting Cavity?

August 3, 2011 by Larry 7 Comments

There are quite a few species of duck that nest in cavities. Most people are familiar with Wood Ducks nesting in tree cavities but...

Birds

The American White Pelican Scoops Up Fish As It Swims

July 20, 2011 by Larry 2 Comments

The American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) is a huge bird! With an 8 to 9 1/2 foot wingspan and weighing in at up to...

Birds

Western and Clark’s Grebes: Poetry in Motion

July 6, 2011 by Larry 7 Comments

Western Grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis) and Clark’s Grebes (Aechmophorus clarkii) are probably best known for their elaborate courtship displays. These ceremonies are some of the most complex...

Birds

What Do Nesting Birds Do With All That Poop?

June 22, 2011 by Larry 21 Comments

I don’t know how many of you ever raised chickens but the old joke went something like this. Question: “Hey, do you know what that...

Birds

Yellow-headed Blackbirds: Conspicuous Wetland Breeders

June 8, 2011 by Larry 8 Comments

Yellow-headed Blackbirds (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) are robin-sized blackbirds found in prairie and mountain meadow wetlands of the western and central United States and Canada. They...

Birds