In honor of the beginning of April and because they have been migrating back from Central America to many North American gardens east of the Mississippi for awhile now, I am allowing Flower Hill Farm's Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) to get in line with the songbirds. There will be a few more songbirds featured in this parade later on. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are precious, precise, flying jewels, weighing only as much as a penny or less. They are tiny wizards of flight able … [Read more...] about Birds in Review Part XXXII ‘A Bird Parade’ Humming Jewels
Birds in Review Part XXXI ‘A Bird Parade’ Thrilling Thrushes
The word thrilling is not exaggerated in relation to the thrushes I encounter here at Flower Hill Farm during each spring, summer and fall. With every new days beginning and later its ending, I go outside or stand by the doors and windows and listen for the songs of the Veery . . . along with the trills of the Hermit and Wood Thrushes. Their otherworldly songs reach up from deep within the forest and along its edges, filling the time around daybreak and twilight with enchanting … [Read more...] about Birds in Review Part XXXI ‘A Bird Parade’ Thrilling Thrushes
Birds in Review Part XXX ‘A Bird Parade’ Sprightly Sparrows
White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) are one of the most striking of sparrows. The White-throated sparrow has a boldly patterned head, with a wide white throat and yellow bands above the eyes. Black lines add a bit of drama outlining the crown, throat marks and through the eyes. They are often singing throughout the day in a series of whistles lasting about four seconds "Oh-sweet-canada-canada" Songs and calls can be heard at All About Birds. US … [Read more...] about Birds in Review Part XXX ‘A Bird Parade’ Sprightly Sparrows
Birds in Review Part XXIX ‘A Bird Parade’ Eastern Phoebe Perigee Moon
The Vernal Equinox arrives for the Northern Hemisphere, bringing a perigee full moon and the Eastern Phoebes return to our gardens and wildlife habitat. Back in 1804 the Eastern Phoebe was the very first North American bird to have ever been banded and the threads were wrapped by the great naturalist and artist John James Audubon himself. The Eastern Phoebe is a delightful flycatcher who can be seen often bobbing his tail and darting about harvesting insects on the fly. Just … [Read more...] about Birds in Review Part XXIX ‘A Bird Parade’ Eastern Phoebe Perigee Moon
