But like most birds they’re opportunists. Almost all birds are omnivores when it comes right down to it. They’ll take food where they find it.
A little like my daughter’s dog Desi. She is sweet. We all love her. But she can be trouble. She’ll eat anything. Anything!
Birds are usually a little more selective. A frugivorous bird may eat fruit one part of the year, seeds another.and insects still another. If they’re big enough they might even tackle a small animal.
Then there are the crows and ravens. Sort of in a class by themselves. They can certainly be frugivorous. But they will eat about anything they can find. Nuts, ham sandwich, small birds, eggs, carrion, popcorn, garbage. Name it.
After reading my blog last time a friend told me he had seen what looked like bluebird houses mounted to the top of fence posts all along Bandy Canyon Rd. That’s near Ramona where I took the Mountain Bluebird photos.
You don’t suppose? Could Mountain Bluebirds actually be breeding here instead of migrating? They’re supposed to head for the mountains this time of year. (Check out the range map at ebird—coolest one ever!)
I guess it’s possible. Unlikely. But they don’t know that. And they’re not even supposed to be here in the first place. So who’s to say?
Maybe they like it here. For the same reason everyone does. The climate.
Plus nest boxes are very popular with them. The females choose the house. Of course. Then they move in. After that females do it all. They find nesting material, carry it to the nest, build the nest and shape it just so with a little cavity in the middle for the eggs and momma’s belly.
And papa?
He fakes it.
He goes through the motions of gathering stuff for the nest. It’s all pretend. He imitates her. But doesn’t actually do anything. Odd.
So strange in fact, I can’t think of one other creature that does anything like it.
Mmm…
Unless you want to count when I stand in front of the TV pushing the vacuum back and forth during March Madness. : )
Maybe not. It’s a Mountain Bluebird. The subject of this week’s Bird Review.
The other two bluebirds—eastern and western—are famous. But some people have never even heard of a Mountain Bluebird. Audubon Society has called them the “prettiest bird in the west.”
It lives in the mountains. Obviously. At elevations up to 12,000 feet. But it also lives in meadows and prairies. Not especially high ones. Particularly in winter. But only in the west.
They've been called brilliant blue, sky blue, powder blue, cerulean blue, turquoise blue and azure blue. And they are.
The males anyway. Which I guess makes them the fun parent. :)
Females on the other hand are a disappointing gray-brown with a smattering of blue on the wings and tail. To be fair that could be because they have more important things to do than show off.
Mountain Bluebirds have been atop the Bird-Call most-wanted-photo list for three years. Not because I couldn’t find them. I knew exactly where they were. And when they would be there. They were very reliable. But they like wide open spaces. Way wide open. Then they spread out.
They nest in old woodpecker holes, but they’re not above calling a nicely appointed bird house home. An endearing trait.
Another feature? They’re durable. Some last nine to ten years. Long for a song bird.
So here's my take:
They are unusually beautiful. But common enough you can find them. (At least in the west.) They’re mountain birds. But versatile enough to live on the plains. (A tree or nest box is all they ask.) They are great hunters. But can live on berries. (Especially juniper) They love wide open spaces. But if you build a nest box they might come to your back yard. (If they're in the neighborhood.)
So Bird-Call gives Mountain Bluebirds 4 1/2 out of 5 eggs. 0000o :)
I didn’t give them five because they only live in the west. But this bird is the real deal.
I’m sure some of you saw the movie. Some read the book. And some have no idea what I’m talking about. A big year is an informal and unofficial try--by any birder gung ho, crazy or rich enough to give it a go--to see as many bird species as possible in a year. They spend thousands of dollars and travel thousands of miles. The record species count North of Mexico: 748.
Now by informal I don’t mean uncomplicated. True there are no prizes or umpires—it’s all on the honor system—but the American Birding Association has gotten mixed up in it and prescribed some rules. Plenty of them. What counts. What doesn’t. Where it counts and where it doesn’t.
I guess someone had to. A Big Year is a big deal to some birders.
Meanwhile the rest of us just bird and keep counts of our own. Some do pretty well. And while I don’t want to brag I have one list that’s impressive.
But not for birds. I have no idea how many bird species I’ve seen.
No. I counted American Birding Association rules for a Big Year. 112. You have to trust me on it. I used the honor system. : )
We left Oregon some time ago so I guess Bird-Call will too. Great trip though. Weather was beautiful. Oregon was beautiful. Grandkids were delightful. And Portland was…well, Portland.
Saw some great things.
A bird chase scene. Northern Harrier after a Short-eared Owl.
Barrow’s Goldeneyes courting. Females held their heads low to the water while the male looked away occasionally. As if he hadn’t noticed.
