Week 9: Advanced Mid Elevation
Scroll down to study the birds by sight and sound, and then take the quiz.
Week 9 Birds
Black-chinned Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Pine Siskin, Plumbeous Vireo, Townsend’s Solitaire, Rock Pigeon
BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD
Bird Code: BCHU
Identify this bird by
Small, fairly slender hummingbird with a fairly straight black bill
Dull metallic green above and dull grayish-white below
In both males and females, the flanks are glossed with dull metallic green
Tell males and females apart by…
Males: Have a velvety black throat with a thin, iridescent purple base
Females: Have a pale throat. Their three outer tail feathers have broad white tips
Look for…
Behavior - Hovers at flowers and feeders, darts erratically to take tiny swarming insects, perches atop high snags to survey its territory, watching for competitors to chase off and for flying insects to eat
Listen for…
Call: Soft, flat “chew” notes, often in series with soft high squeals, chips, and ticks. Their wings also give a low-pitched humming sound
Resources:
broad-tailed hummingbird
Bird Code: BTAH
Identify this bird by…
Big headed hummingbird
Long, straight bill
Tail is long for a hummingbird, extending past wingtips when perched
Iridescent green above with greenish or buffy flanks and a white chest and line down the belly
Tell it apart by…
Males: Have a rose magenta throat, white breast, and green and buffy flanks
Females & Juveniles: Have green spots on their throats and cheeks and a pale eyering. When they spread their tail in flight, they flash white tail tips
Look for…
Behavior - zips from flower to flower, hovering above flowers to drink nectar. When males are zipping around they make a loud metallic-sounding trill with their wings
Listen for…
Call: A series of metallic chips and chitters, and males give a shrill buzzing trill with their wings as they fly
Resources:
pine siskin
Bird Code: PISI
Identify this bird by…
Very small songbirds with short, notched tails.
Their sharp, pointed bill is more slender than most finches
In flight, look for their forked tails and pointed wingtips
Tell it apart by…
Brown and very streaky
Subtle yellow edgings on wings and tails
Flashes of yellow can erupt as they take flight, flutter at branch tips, or display during mating
Look for…
Behavior - They are gregarious, foraging in tight flocks and twittering incessantly to each other, even during their undulating flight
Listen for…
Song: a rapid jumble of husky notes. The rough, rising buzz “zhreeeeeeeee” (thought of as a zipper) can be interspersed in the song, and is a Pine Siskin dead giveaway
Call: The unmistakable “zhreeeeeeeee”
Resources:
plumbeous vireo
Bird Code: PLVI
Identify this bird by…
Small, sturdy songbird
Fairly thick, short, and slightly hooked bill
Rich gray above and white below
Bold white “spectacles” (the eyering and lores)
The grayish sides can show a hint of yellowish
Males and females look alike
Look for…
Behavior - Moves methodically along branches in mature trees, searching for insects
Listen for…
Song: A broken series of burry two or three-syllable phrases-very slow-paced and with large pauses in between
Call: harsh, raspy, almost grating alarm calls (cha-cha-cha-cha) that vary in intensity and duration
Resources:
townsend’s solitaire
Bird Code: TOSO
Identify this bird by…
Medium-sized songbird with a long tail, a short bill, and a small rounded head relative to its body size
Their upright posture and long tail gives them a long and slender appearance
Tell it apart by…
Gray birds with prominent white eyerings
Their buffy wing patches and white outer tail feathers are often prominent in flight
Juveniles are dark gray overall and heavily spotted with buff and white, giving them a scaly look
Look for…
Behavior - perches upright and sings from prominent perches at all times of the year
Listen for…
Song: A long and complex series of warbled notes with a clear, soft tone
Call: A high pitched and ringing “tew”
Resources:
rock pigeon
Bird Code: ROPI
Identify this bird by…
Tubby birds with small heads and short legs
Their wings are broad but pointed wings and the tail is wide and rounded
Tell it apart by…
Most birds are bluish gray with two black bands on the wing and a black tip to the tail
Iridescent throat feathers
Wing patterns may include two bars, dark spots, or can be plain
The tail is usually dark tipped
Plumage can vary greatly, ranging from almost all white to rusty brown
Look for…
Behavior - often gather in flocks, walking or running on the ground and pecking for food
Listen for…
Song: A rolling series of throaty coos accompanied by strutting, bowing, inflating the throat, and fanning the tail
Resources:
Feeling ready? Take the quiz!