Bad Hair Day

We have certainly all had them and last Sunday was this poor guy's turn. It had been raining and this American Goldfinch was also molting so he didn't show off his usual great looks. These very handsome birds are easily attracted to feeders filled with thistle. The Goldfinch nesting season is later than most, with peak nesting occurring in mid to late July. This nesting adaptation is timed so that there is plenty of seed to eat and lots of soft thistle down to line their nests.

Open Wide

I caught this Baltimore Oriole with a big fat green worm hanging from his mouth just before he dropped it into a waiting mouth. The nest is located close to our log cabin so it will fun watching the babies.

Phoebe Feeding

This nest was built on the side of our cabin near the top under the overhang. The female Eastern Phoebe builds the cup-shaped nest out of mud, moss, and grass. She lays 4 to 6 eggs which hatch in just over two weeks. I watched as the male and female constantly brought insects to the open mouths.

Feeding Time

By now some of the birds have fledged their first brood and the young have left the nest or as in this case the cavity. Well even though they have left and can fly they still expect to be fed. These three waited patiently while mom/dad went for tasty insects. I sat and watch for sometime and was impressed that they took turns feeding different young. The birds pictured are Tree Swallows. They are cavity dwellers like bluebirds and often use bluebird houses. They are a beautiful bird with snow-white underparts, and glossy teal-blue upperparts. They are a summer resident and many winter in Florida which I think is a good idea.

Yellow-breasted Chat

The Yellow-breasted Chat is the largest of all wood-warblers. They are generally extremely shy and retiring, skulking birds, and are usually found alone. They are summer residents of central Illinois building a nest 3-6ft off the ground in a bush or low sapling. The chat possesses some behavioral traits unique to warblers; it is among the few warblers to scratch under the wing and is the only warbler known to hold food in its feet. The one pictured is sitting in the top of a Chinkapin Oak.

Beauty and the Beast

The beauty of course is the breathtaking, all-blue male Indigo Bunting. Indigo Buntings are summer residents of Central Illinois. They love to sing and their song is easily learned. Their winter homes are in Central and Northern South America. The beast in this picture may not be as easily recognized. The plant the bunting is feeding on is Reed Canary Grass (the beast), a very invasive exotic species. It is a major threat to marshes and native wetlands because of its hardiness, aggressive nature, and rapid growth. Left uncontrolled is can replace native wetland and wet prairie species.

Dickcissel

This unique American finch is a common resident of the Midwest prairie. It often nests in loose colonies in rank weedy meadows and fields. These nests are often destroyed by mowing machines and are also frequently parasitized by Brown-headed Cowbirds. They like to sing constantly during breeding season, a song which is easy to remember.

Spring Migration is Over

Spring migration is over for another season. It is fun to see all of the warblers, vireos, ducks, and others even if it is for only a short time each year. It is also fun to hear all the sounds. Some mornings the woods seem to be alive with music. Even thought alot of the birds and their songs are gone several still call Central Illinois their home. One bird who never seems to tire of singing is the House Wren. Its song is easily learned. Pictured here singing is the House Wren.