Bird Call

Marsh Wren

Calm before the storm.

We flew from Kansas to New Jersey last month to visit family.  While there, we made a trip to the Meadowlands which I learned is basically a big, wet, bird habitat with a giant stadium in the middle of it and one of the world's great cities across the river.  Who knew?

There were surprisingly few birds, however.  You don't suppose those little bird brains knew there was a hurricane coming do you? :)

I did manage a few photos like this one:

 Distinguishing Mark: Small, with tail commonly cocked.  White supercilium.

 Boring Fact:  This cute little bird attacks the nests and destroys the eggs of blackbirds and even those of its own species.  Blackbirds don't take it roosting, however--they mercilessly counter attack.  Bucolic isn't it?

 

Halloween photo-Great Horned Owl

Here's a link to a photo (not mine obviously) minus the back lighting: All About Birds

Believe it or not, I took this shot a couple of days before Halloween.  Someone asked if the light behind it was really the moon. 

Yes. :)

Distinguishing Marks:  Large, pointed tufts of feathers which look like ears or horns.  Large Size.

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Boring Fact: This nocturnal bird while large (nearly 2 feet tall), has been known to take prey even larger such as the Great Blue Heron (nearly four feet tall).  Impressive.

 

Bird-nerd-word of the day: Supercilium

A prominent curving stripe above the eye--sometimes (fittingly if not accurately) called an eyebrow.

Verdin

Arizona Resident:

This small bird is partial to deserts.  I took these shots as we visited Phoenix on our way to Kansas.  It wouild be easy to miss the little guy in this bush.

Distinguishing Marks: yellow head...rather obviously.  Tiny (as in 4 1/2").

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Click to Enlarge

Boring Fact:  One of the smaller North American songbirds.