Pacific Bird

For all of you lucky spring breakers headed to the clear waters, white sands, and warm temperatures of the Caribbean, keep your eyes peeled for this vivacious black, white and yellow bird, sure to rival the colorful tropical sun with it’s brilliant plumage. And, for those of you who are braving the last few weeks of winter at home, I hope this Beak of the Week inspires a quick tropical getaway, or at the very least, a five minute mental retreat!

Common Name: Bananaquit; Sugar Bird

Latin Name: Coereba flaveola

Range: Resident throughout the Caribbean and the West Indies (except Cuba, where it is considered a vagrant). Commonly sighted in parts of Central and South America, from southeastern Mexico to northeastern Argentina.

Habitat: Mainly tropical forests and gardens around fruits and nectar-producing flora.

Diet: Nectar, Fruit and Insects

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Buzz! Buzz! Tweet! Tweet! Shrill!…

If birding by ear is not your strong suit, don’t count on the Bananaquit to carry a reliable tune! The forty-one recognized subspecies of this brightly colored bird have developed distinct vocalizations (and field markings) on account of a very wide range. Calls are highly variable and can include shrills, buzzes and very high-pitched notes.

Happy Vacation and Happy Birding!

Michelle

This week, Valentine’s Day coincides with the ongoing celebration of National Bird Feeding Month. And, what better way to celebrate the two than featuring the Northern Cardinal as this week’s Beak of the Week? Not only does this common, fiery red feeder bird boast the color of love all year long, it happens to be quite romantic, too! Without further adieu, my birdy Valentine, the Northern Cardinal…

Common Name: Northern Cardinal

Latin Name: Cardinalis cardinalis

Range: Non-migratory. Found from the Midwest to the East Coast of the United States and parts of Mexico, year-round.

Habitat: Dense, shrubby areas, forest edges, gardens, parks and backyards.

Diet: Fruit, seed, and insects.

Conservation Status: Least concern.

Love is in the air! Five facts about the Northern Cardinal…

• Unlike many species of songbirds, both male and female Cardinals sing. And, mated pairs have been observed singing duets!
• Cardinals are monogamous through the mating season.
• Male Cardinals are fiercely territorial and can often be seen defending their zone, especially during mating season.
• Male Cardinals are known to feed their mates.  In the late winter, during breeding season, look for this ritual which often resembles a kiss.
• Cardinals are a common backyard visitor! If you live in a region where Cardinals are common, make sure to provide water, high-quality seed, particularly black oil sunflower, and insects, such as mealworms, in an appropriate hopper or platform feeder.

Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy Birding!

Michelle

This brilliantly colored songbird is a perfect example of why birding can be so exciting! While out birding in Southern California a few weeks ago, Danielle, Jonathan, and I spotted this vibrant beauty.

When I see a flash of color, in this case yellow, among a canvas of greens and browns, I know I have caught a glimpse of something special. Needless to say, I was immediately satisfied.

The good news is this little warbler is not uncommon to many areas in the United States; hence, its name – the Common Yellowthroat.  So, at the appropriate time of year, with some attention and a bit of luck, you too can spot one of these gems!

Common Name: Common Yellowthroat

Latin Name: Geothlypis trichas

Range:   Summers (breeding season) throughout the United States and Canada. Winters throughout Mexico.  Year-round resident along the coast of Southern California, along the coast of south eastern states of the U.S., including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

Habitat: Areas of dense, low vegetation, often near a source of water.

Diet: Insects and Spiders

Conservation Status: Although listed as a species of “Least Concern,” populations of non-migratory Common Yellowthroats appear to be decreasing on account of habitat loss.  In fact, in some areas this species could be facing extinction.

Have you heard this sound in your backyard? If so, you have identified the Common Yellowthroat by ear! If not, don’t worry—keep your eyes and ears alert to the sight and sound of this beautiful songbird!

Happy Birding!

Michelle

It was December 2010.  I was enjoying a short visit with some close friends in Italy.  One of my all-time favorite birders, Davide, insisted that we drive up to a reserve in the southwest corner of Tuscany, near the province of Grosseto.  Given the location and time of year, I began wondering, ‘what exactly does he want to show me?’ And then it came to me… Flamingoes, of course! It was the perfect season to witness the flamingo migration over Tuscany. We leave for “Laguna di Orbetello,” which is considered the most significant area for birds on the western coast of Italy. I am bursting with excitement as Davide describes how the lagoon boasts a nature reserve that is superb for bird watching…

ORBETELLO

Orbetello’s lagoon offers exceptional birding, with confirmed sightings of 200 of Italy’s 450 species (some claim that sightings are closer to 300 species).

One reason for the variety is the relative lack of avian refuge on Italy’s west coast. Another is the lagoon’s modest depth (only 1 meter), which means an accessible mulch of fish and assorted food; there are also a variety of marsh, dune and reed habitats for nest building.  Even rare species are frequently sighted. In fact, many of them are known to breed in the area.

The Stone Curlew, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Osprey, European Bee-eater, Greater Flamingo, Montagu’s harrier, Marsh harrier, and Black-winged Stilt, are among the most notable. On top of that, we spot more species than I can possibly even mention. From Mute Swans to Tawny Pipits and Ortolan Buntings to Peregrine Falcons, the day is full of spectacular sights.

It is possible to see wildlife from almost any point on the lagoon.

And, it is not unusual for the flamingoes to stay for the summer.

We opt to head over to the northernmost corner of the lagoon, near the town of Albinia. Davide and I find ourselves at a small nature reserve, L’Oasi di Protezione della Laguna di Orbetello, established by the World Wide Fund for Nature*.

There, we speak with some naturalists who suggest that we head over to the Lago di Burano for sunset. They explain that evening is the best time around the lagoon: not only is the wildlife most visible then, the sunsets over the water and the mountains are breathtaking! We speed on over.

LAGO DI BURANO

Technically a lagoon rather than a lake, Burano is a placid stretch of water shielded from the sea by vegetation covered dunes. We arrive and park the car.

The day has flown by. Coincidentally, we run into some world-renowned wildlife photographers who are close friends with Davide’s father, Lauro.  They urge us to follow them. Without question, we do.

They explain to us that Tombolo di Feniglia has one of Italy’s most beautiful pinete, a long sandy dune covered in parasol pines and is also protected by a small nature reserve.  Off limits to cars, the area is bursting with wildlife.  While there is a long trail that leads to a beautiful beach**, we are immediately steered down to the lagoon side, since we are quickly losing light.

There, we encounter another handful of bird photographers.  I am in awe. I have never been around so many enthusiasts at one time, nor have I ever seen so much beautiful equipment. This is dreamy.

Notable species include the Bluethroat, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Great White Heron and the Velvet Scoter.  Completing the scenic picture – which is captivating at dusk, with the sun behind Monte Argentario – is a superb and mysterious looking tower, the Torre di Burinaccio.  Though you can walk onto the enclosing beach, access to the lagoon itself is restricted, as Burano is a highly protected nature reserve.  On this day, we had special permission.

As the final rays of the auburn, Tuscan sun descend behind the Argentario peaks, we birders hustle to photograph just a few more images of the birds in this magnificent setting….

Silence.

For at least ten minutes, nobody utters a single word.  All I hear is nature…. and the sound of humans mightily attempting to capture its essence.  Click, click, click, quaaaaack… Click, click, quaaaack, click, quaaack, quack, quack, click, click, click. Quaaaack.

It is officially twilight.  Without communicating, we pack up our gear and each scan the lagoon once more, as though maybe – just maybe – we will see something rare and incredible.  I love this about birders.  The simple act of checking one last time is reflective of a distinctive characteristic shared by most wildlife watchers: fervency.  I am not speaking of passion in a typical sense, however; I am referring to a learned acceptance and appreciation for the ephemeral quality of nature.  A considerable amount of exposure to wildlife will shape any individual’s perspective on life – its cycles, its mystery, its calamities, its splendor.  It is that awareness – conscious or unconscious – which often influences the way birders approach life. It is as though we are always looking for the magic, unwilling to miss it and willing to do anything in our power to just get a glimpse of it…

And when we can’t get a glimpse of it right then, we share stories of the times we have.  The group makes its way back up to a small educational center at the reserve.  We enjoy some coffee and spend the next couple of hours listening to some fascinating birding stories… Sigh…

The Lago di Burano and the Orbetello lagoon are recognized as wetland habitats of international significance. Though not typically incorporated into your average Tuscan travel itinerary, I hope that, given the chance to explore, you, too, will one day enjoy the majesty of Orbetello.

Happy Birding!

Danielle

* L’Oasi di Protezione della Laguna di Orbetello and the Lago di Burano offer guided tours in Italian from September through April. Tours are available Sunday & Thursday at 10am & 2:30pm and cost 5 euro.  The entrance to the reserve is off the main road 2 km south of Albinia marked by a small panda sign.  For further information, please contact the tourist office at Orbetello ( 0564/870198 or oasiorbetello@wwf.it) or Burano (0564/898829  or lagodiburano@wwf.it)

** If you continue to walk through Ansedonia, and then along the beach south for about an hour you’ll reach the Lago di Burano.