Local Birds Can Appear Exotic

Nature Notes for July 25, 2014

There was an audible gasp from all the members of the group as binoculars focused on the bird. It was a richly velvet black with red and yellow on its wings. What was this rare bird? Why a Red-wingedBlackbird, a common breeding species in our local marshes. The observers, however, were from Japan so this was a new bird for them.

It has been my pleasure and privilege recently to introduce my local birding patch to two groups, one from a great distance and one from further north in Ontario. Many bird species which are common here were new to both groups.

One of the reasons people like birds is for the beauty of their plumage. It is very easy, however, to think that one must go to an exotic location to see beautiful birds. If you really look at them, the regular inhabitants of many gardens are quite exotic.

Once at a bird banding demonstration in Presqu’ileProvincial Park, a member of the public asked the identity of that large black bird with all the colours on its head that was hanging around his campsite. As I asked additional questions about the bird, it was identified as a Common Grackle. This person had seen them before, but not really looked at the bird. There is an iridescent sheen of purple and green on the head of the males which is quite striking.

Another bird which delighted the Japanese visitors was a male Northern Cardinal. This bird is bright red with a black mask around the eyes. It was a visiting a feeder, so offered very good views. The male was accompanied by a female, too. She is more a buff colour with red highlights, more subtle, but still beautiful.

The other red bird seen locally is Scarlet Tanager. Males of this species are all red with black wings. This plumage only lasts through the breeding season. They arrive in this plumage in the spring, but after nesting molt to yellow with black wings, the plumage they hold for most of the year.

I never tire of the sight of male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. They are black and white with a splash of red at the throat.

Although many woodpeckers have some red, the Red-headed Woodpecker is certainly the most striking. It has an all red head with large blocks of black and white on body and wings. In this species, both male and female have the same bright plumage. Sadly, this bird is in decline throughout most of its range. Northumberland County is fortunate enough to still have breeding Red-headed Woodpeckers.

A local breeder like this Yellow Warbler can seem quite exotic
 to those unfamiliar with the bird.

photo  © Rob Lonsberry

This spring and summer, several people have asked me the identity of a bird seen on the ground. It had some red on its head and a black V mark at the throat/upper breast. This bird turned out to be a common woodpecker, a Northern Flicker. Because they often eat ants, they can be found on the ground. In addition to the markings described, this bird has yellow wing linings and a white patch on the rump.

If Blue Jays were not so common, I expect that they would be considered quite exotic. There are several different shades of blue on their plumage from almost turquoise through sky blue to navy highlights. Mixed in with a black necklace and black and white spots on the wings and tail, it is quite striking.

There seem to be fewer blue birds in this part of the world than other colours, so they seem more exotic. I was able to show my groups two others. The male Indigo Bunting is iridescent blue all over. Because this colour is iridescent and not a pigment, in some lights the bird just looks dark. However, in the right light, the blue colour is amazingly bright.

The other local blue bird is actually called that: Eastern Bluebird. This one is a member of the thrush family. The male has a blue back and red breast the same colour as a robin’s breast. No doubt this colouring has encouraged many people to put us suitable nesting boxes for this species.

I haven’t even mentioned the orange and yellow birds such as Baltimore Oriole or Yellow Warbler. These, too, to unfamiliar eyes seem very exotic. Perhaps readers will take a closer look at some of our common birds.