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Dark-Eyed Junco has the most reports in GBBC
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The Dark-Eyed Junco is an abundant species during winter. A record 377 Dark-Eyed Juncos were reported seen last year. Easy to identify probably because no other bird looks like this little fella, and he likes to stay high in trees unlike other songbirds. Many Darkies only stay here during winter in the cold! They migrate to other places in PA when summer comes but they are one of the most common birds in winter. Even though they lack color, they are very beautiful and can easily be identified. Many are well fed because they are frequently at bird feeders. They also scavenge for food a lot and are clever little birds. There are six kinds of Dark-Eyed Junco but the slate colored (shown here) is the only Junco that lives here. The "Oregon" subspecies is an uncommon visitor to PA but at least one is seen a month. The "Oregon" subspecies looks like the "slate colored" but its breast is white with rusty sides. The head is inky black too.
But can you believe it? 377 Dark-Eyed Juncos in 3 days!
But can you believe it? 377 Dark-Eyed Juncos in 3 days!
Video about Dark-Eyed Juncos
Spring is Here!!
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All birders must love spring! The birds migrate back to where they came from and prepare for the breeding season. This is when most birds molt their winter plumages and grow their summer ones. This makes most birds very beautiful and can catch the eye like a firework display. The picture at left is a mountain bluebird, and even though it almost never comes to PA, one of its relatives, the eastern bluebird lives here year round. Though it lacks the all blue of its mountain brethren, it has a beautiful display of a rusty belly and dark blue on the back. If it's spring in your area, go outside and look for birds! Anytime can be a time when you see a bird, and since it's spring, you have better chances than ever to see colorful birds. Personally, my favorite season is spring for this reason. Winter, you don't really see much, but there is a big difference when spring gets around.
You might see two birds dancing together, and just to let you know, they're not doing it for fun, they're mating! Most birds have mating dances, sort of like weddings that we have.
Spring is one of the short seasons, when they evolve into a main season, like fall to winter or spring to summer. That's the only problem!
You might see two birds dancing together, and just to let you know, they're not doing it for fun, they're mating! Most birds have mating dances, sort of like weddings that we have.
Spring is one of the short seasons, when they evolve into a main season, like fall to winter or spring to summer. That's the only problem!
Announcing Spring
You may have heard that when you see the first American Robin, spring is on its way.(Or a Clay Colored Robin. But what the heck! They don't live here!) Well, I'm here to tell you that it's true. The robins don't migrate, they stay in a crevice in a tree, or a hole in the ground for winter. But when spring is coming, they come out to look for worms. When a robin tilts his head sideways, many people think that he's "listening" for worms. Well, he's not. He's actually looking for worms. Tilting his head sideways makes him see better, so he can spot a worm heading out of its burrow.(Well, worms don't have burrows, but I can't think of a better word! Cut me some slack!) Robins are the sign that spring is here (besides old Mr. Phil not seeing his shadow) and if you see one, take off your jacket! Spring is here to stay!
Birders should love spring, given the fact that I already wrote about that above. Even though I already said this, I LOVE SPRING!
Birders should love spring, given the fact that I already wrote about that above. Even though I already said this, I LOVE SPRING!
I Have Seen a Hawk That is really Sharp! Sharp-Shinned Hawk spotted by me! March 31, 2011!
Seeing a Sharp-Shinned Hawk is just as exciting as seeing a #9 bus speeding at 93 mph. Let me tell you firsthand that it's true. People able to tell the difference between a Coopers Hawk and a Sharp-Shinned Hawk should automatically become a birder. Any noticeable differences? Actually, there is one. The tail. The Coopers hawk's tail is much more round and is longer. But both of these birds are truly amazing pieces of nature.
There's a Northern Mockingbird in my yard! Seen April 24, 2011.
The northern is a very common bird around places with big yards. A Northern Mockingbird is known to be able to mimic human and bird voices. Same with the Blue mockingbird, etc. The Northern Mockingbird is light gray with a stripe behind and in front of his eyes. (It looks as if it's going through his eye!) It's wings are black, but when he takes off, you can see white patches on his wings. I think he is building a nest because every day I see him picking up grass and string. I guess there will be a territory dispute between the family of cardinals(see Time For Cardinals!) and the Mockingbird family. Niggles aside, I love to see new birds in the world!
Eastern Meadowlark in my yard! Seen April 27, 2011.
The Eastern Meadowlark is a hard to describe bird because of its color. It has four colors, yellow, black, brown, and light brown. Right under the head is a yellow stripe, then a black "chinstrap" and bib. Then, the rest of his belly is yellow. I saw this bird because one of my friends said he saw a bird with the same description I just explained. I went outside and when I asked him "Is that it?" Apparently, it was, so it was an Eastern Meadowlark.
Carolina Chickadee at my suet feeder! April 28, 2011
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There is a suet feeder at my kitchen window, just hanging there. Suddenly, a flash of feathers, and there is a carolina chickadee at my feeder. Carolina Chickadees bear a great resemblance to their cousin, the black-capped chickadee. If you are close enough,(like I was) you can tell the difference because the carolina chickadee's flank is paler then the black-capped. If not, try to tell by their calls. The Carolina has a higher, faster version of the black-capped's "chicka dee-dee-dee-dee." Some Carolinas interbreed with the black-capped. This creates a pale sided, low and slow calling chickadee. Just call it a blarolina chickadee.
My trip to Orlando, Florida!
Sorry I didn't post anything for the last week, but I was in Universal and Disney World. I saw tons and tons of birds there. (When I say tons, I mean tons.) There were a lot of common grackles and chipping sparrows. The part that is really cute though, was that in Disney, I saw two mallards, male and female, with two chicks following them. I grabbed my mom and my cousin(Who was there the whole week with me) and the camera. The only bad thing was that as soon as I aimed the camera, they swam away. (What are you gonna do when that happens, get a blurry pic of the water?) So I did not get the picture. But the next day at Universal, guess what I saw? The male, swimming in a lake (artificial) at the attraction Poseidon's Fury. I got a quick picture of him traveling.
One day before my trip was over, I saw common grackles and chipping sparrows fluttering over a piece of bread. I'm sorry to say I couldn't get the picture. I was eating breakfast(A chocolate chip muffin and a cresaunt to be exact) and was too distracted. Sorry!
Anyway, my trip to Florida was one of the most memorable experiences in my life. I might go back soon!
One day before my trip was over, I saw common grackles and chipping sparrows fluttering over a piece of bread. I'm sorry to say I couldn't get the picture. I was eating breakfast(A chocolate chip muffin and a cresaunt to be exact) and was too distracted. Sorry!
Anyway, my trip to Florida was one of the most memorable experiences in my life. I might go back soon!