UVM 2022 Ornithology 1

Date: 2/17, 2/19- 2/20
Start Time: 4:15pm , 11:41am, 9:11am
End Time: 5:20pm
Location: In parking lots around Centennial Woods and the green spaces around L/L and UHN.
Weather: 49 degrees, overcast and very windy, 23 degrees, overcast and very windy, 17 degrees, sunny, and windy.
Habitat: Urban areas with mostly sparse fruit trees.
Species List:
-1 Red-tailed Hawk
-1150 American Crow (rough count by 10s during nightly migration)
-3 Black-capped Chickadee
-150 American Robin (about 85 on 2/17 with the rest being seen on 2/19-2/20
-1 House Finch
-2 Northern Cardinal
-2 House Sparrow
-1 European Starling
-5 Cedar Waxwing

The most common species that was seen during birding was the American Crow. They primarily flew by gliding and propelled themselves using a few deep flaps before returning to a glide. I also observed them turning sideways against the wind several time, possibly to slow themselves down due to how strong the wind was?
The American Robins observed had a very different flight pattern. They would flap with a few rapid wing beats before tucking their wings against their body. They were able to cover significant distances with their wings closed and only dropped slightly in between wing beats.
The Red-tailed Hawk didn't flap at all while I observed it. Instead, it had its wings splayed and soured in a circle patter until I could no longer see it behind the trees.
The Red-tailed Hawk possesses slotted, high lift wings that are often found in soaring birds. These birds ride thermals while they use their good eye sight to search for prey from the air. Both the American Crow and the American Robin have elliptical wings but they are used differently. The American Crow, while having an elliptical shape to their wing, also has a greater splay to the primary feathers. This decreased their ability to change directions quickly but does allow them to glide easily. They don't necessarily need to be quick as they frequently feed on carrion and garbage. The American Robin has the more classic elliptical type wings that allow for the rapid takeoff necessary for a bid that frequently forages on the ground.
The weather on 2/17 made birding difficult. The wind was very strong and often prevented clear analysis of bird songs and calls. In addition, it was in the evening when both the American Crows and the American Robins were returning to roosting locations for the night. Also, the overcast sky on 2/17 and 2/19 made photographic documentation difficult. For the best birding results, birding should be conducted earlier in the day (preferably mid-morning) with low wind and sun.
In relation to the mini-activity, I have found it very interesting to actually analyze the bird for memory rather than just identification. I drew and filled in a Black-capped Chickadee and it was more difficult than I expected it to be. However through this, I was able to discover that Chickadees don't just have a white triangle-shaped patch on their face, but rather it is curved from where the black feathers go up into them.

Posted on February 20, 2022 08:42 PM by lnolaker