Journal 4/22/18

I went on a bird walk on Sunday, April 22nd. It was very warm and sunny. I started the walk around 3pm. I saw a Black-capped Chickadee in a crevice of a tree’s snag, foraging for old seeds it cached during the colder months. I saw two European Starlings on the Redstone green. While walking down South Prospect Street, I saw three Common Grackles on the Redstone green, most likely foraging for food. All of them were dark black males, with fluorescent pigments like purple and green. The shiniest male with the longest or largest tail feathers is most likely the most fit, and females will select this male in comparison with the others. They were also making their rusty gate calls; the louder and clearer the call suggests higher fitness.

The Redstone green is usually filled with birds because it has a high food supply of insects, worms, and seeds. I would suspect that the Common Grackles would nest in small bushes or trees nearby the green. Habitat requirements differ from species depending on size, type of nest built, and foraging strategies. Smaller birds may be able to find nesting sites easier than other birds, but they are more susceptible to predation so they need a good hiding space.

In some tall hedges along the sidewalk, I saw an American Robin foraging for nest materials; it had a piece of hay or straw in its bill. It was a male due to its bright, rusty colored belly. Bushes, shrubs, trees, and urban areas with natural debris are great places for birds to find nesting material. I speculated that the robin was making its nest inside of the hedges, which would provide protection from rain and a hiding space to avoid predators who would prey on their offspring or eggs.

I walked down to the waterfront to Perkins Pier and sat in between some trees. I heard a Common Grackle above me, perched in a pine tree. Its plumage was dark, with green and purple fluorescence. It was singing its rusty gate call. It was most likely defending territory as no other birds were in the same trees. This would be a prime territory since trees and bushes are present that produce many seeds and nesting materials. Common Grackles are omnivores and feed mainly on seeds and insects. Due to the high territory quality, plumage pigments, and strong call, I suspect it to have a high fitness.

In the water, I saw a Common Loon swimming and diving for food. There was only one and it was not calling or singing. After diving a few times, it flew off out of sight. Its nest is probably somewhere close to the water.

Posted on April 27, 2018 08:32 PM by natalielaible