Brown Thrashers are ground foraging songbirds and one of the rarer and more striking birds to visit the Backyard with their sharp yellow eyes and downward curved bill that gives them a seemingly disapproving expression. Their long legs and a high center of gravity mean it is a bird always on the move, using its curved bill to "thrash" for something to eat. They typically stay in deep cover and only venture out in the open like in this video on rare occasion and then head back to cover. They occasionally come to eat bird seed on platform feeders, but would much rather catch live insects to eat. Related to the Mockingbird they are also some of the best singers of the songbird world, although I have yet to catch one putting on a show - the ones are here tend to be quite secretive.
Little Blue Heron's extreme concentration and quick strike pays off with a tasty shrimp meal. Up close slow motion shows how they cock their neck and use it like a spring to strike at prey amazingly fast. Much smaller than the Great Blue Heron - hence its name - the Little Blue Heron is a species of special concern in Florida.
Description: Medium-sized heron, with purplish to maroon-brown head and neck; small white patch on throat and upper neck; and slate-blue body. Bill is black towards tip, especially during breeding season, with the other exposed areas on the head appearing dark gray to cobalt blue. Legs are grayish to green, becoming black in breeding season. Immature birds are mostly white with pale slate gray tips on primary wing feathers. Legs of young birds are yellowish green.
Habitat: Feeds in shallow freshwater, brackish, and saltwater habitats. Largest nesting colonies occur in coastal areas, but prefers foraging in freshwater lakes, marshes, swamps, and streams. Nests in a variety of woody vegetation types, including cypress, willow, maple, black mangrove, and cabbage palm. Usually breeds in mixed-species colonies in flooded vegetation or on islands.
Seasonal Occurrence: Mostly resident throughout year, but numbers in north Florida in winter are lower than numbers during spring, summer, and fall; becoming less abundant in Florida Keys.
Florida Distribution: Most recent population estimate is approximately 17,000 birds distributed among 240+ breeding colonies. Colonies are found nearly statewide, except rare in western panhandle and southern Florida Keys.
Range-wide Distribution: Breeds from Kansas, Missouri, and Tennessee to coastal Maine and south to Peru and central Brazil; range extends west to southern California and Sonora; winter range includes these areas and north to coastal Virginia; may wander to Canada after breeding season.
Conservation Status: Because the little blue heron lacks the showy
plumes found on many other herons and egrets, this species did not suffer as much during the plume-hunting trade a century ago. Primary threats are alteration of natural hydroperiods in wetlands used for foraging and exposure to pesticides and heavy metal contamination. Population trends are downward, and breeding colonies have become smaller and more numerous. Illegal killings may occur since this species regularly forages at commercial fish farms and hatcheries. Long-term studies are needed on the
possible adverse effects of cattle egrets, environmental contamination, and other threats. Protection and Management: Protect breeding and foraging habitats through establishment of preserves and regulation of wetlands. Restore and maintain natural hydroperiods in degraded wetland areas. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Department of
Environmental Protection have developed setback distances around wading bird colonies of 330 ft. (100 m) to prevent human disturbance.
Northern Mockingbird photograph taken at: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
The northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is the only mockingbird commonly found in North America. This bird is mainly a permanent resident, but northern birds may move south during harsh weather. This species has rarely been observed in Europe. This species was first described by Linnaeus in his Systema Naturæ in 1758 as Turdus polyglottos. The northern mockingbird is renowned for its mimicking ability, as reflected by the meaning of its scientific name, 'many-tongued mimic.' The northern mockingbird has gray to brown upper feathers and a paler belly. Its wings have white patches which are visible in flight.
The northern mockingbird is an omnivore. It eats both insects and fruits. It is often found in open areas and forest edges but forages in grassy land. The northern mockingbird breeds in southeastern Canada, the United States, northern Mexico, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands and the Greater Antilles. It is replaced further south by its closest living relative, the tropical mockingbird. The Socorro mockingbird, an endangered species, is also closely related, contrary to previous opinion. The northern mockingbird is listed as of Least Concern according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The northern mockingbird is known for its intelligence and has also been noted in North American culture. A 2009 study showed that the bird was able to recognize individual humans, particularly noting those who had previously been intruders or threats. Also birds recognize their breeding spots and return to areas in which they had greatest success in previous years. Urban birds are more likely to demonstrate this behavior. Finally, the mockingbird has influenced United States culture in multiple ways. The bird is a State bird of 5 states, has been used in book titles, and has also been used in popular songs and lullabies among other appearances in U.S. culture.
Ruby Throated Hummingbirds versus Yellow Jacket hornets at the nectar feeder. Besides fighting each other the hummingbirds have to contend with a few hornets who have claimed the nectar feeder and are vigorously - and quite successfully - defending it. When you watch the actions of the hornets it certainly gives the impression of intelligence and strategy. Sad to say the hummingbirds - which are birds with attitude after all - have been dominated by Bumblebees and Butterflies in the past so the hornets running them off is not too surprising. But despite all the battle they manage to get a drink of nectar in now and then. See also Hummingbird versus bee:
Sounds of a Ruffed Grouse Hen calling. This Hen with chicks was spotted along the roadside in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina at the extreme southern end of its North American range. The video shot at great distance is shaky, but the fascinating array of alarm, distress and distraction calls are very good - crank up the volume. One who is not familiar with Ruffed Grouse would not guess these were bird calls from the same bird. Varying between the sound of a small dog barking, a cat meowing or an injured small animal such as a rabbit the Hen runs into the deep forest cover to protect her chicks who instinctively hunker down in the tall grass and will not move until she returns. All the while distracting any predator away from the chicks with her unusual vocalizations.
Male Ruby Throated Hummingbird has claimed this small feeder as his own now that spring flowers have declined. This video, taken in very poor morning light, is a good example of how the ruby-throat can look pitch black at times and then light up like a Christmas bulb when he decides to flash it - even in an early morning overcast.
For HD hummingbird videos from the Backyard check out the Playlist:
Big Pileated Woodpecker aka "Woody Woodpecker" Part Two. The big "Woody" returns to the woods behind the backyard to show how a woodpecker really pecks wood! Actually quite amazing to see in this clip especially how they use their specially adapted neck and head like a hammer to put tremendous power to the wood!
Red Shouldered Hawk calls at sunrise from atop the security light. It's mating season in Florida and if you listen closely you will hear another Hawk responding to the calls. You'll hear a number of other interesting birds calling at sunrise as well. It is rare that they sit still long while I'm filming them. A full time resident of the woods behind the backyard they are frequent backyard visitors and while they often catch snakes they also snatch the occasional squirrel and Mourning Dove from the feeders. The sound of the Red Shouldered Hawk will send the squirrels running for cover. Occasionally Blue Jays perform a pretty good imitation of the Hawk and seem to enjoy scaring the squirrels. The balance of Nature!
Continuing on the hummingbird theme as the little birds will soon be gone until next year this is a recording of loud Ruby Throated Hummingbird wing sounds that provide the characteristic "humming" of the hummingbirds. This very close and unique perspective from above gives a great view of the wings and the very loud humming sound that results from wings beating from 50 to perhaps 200 beats per second. You can also see the ripples on the nectar from the wind generated by the rapid beat of the tiny wings.
American Crows are not that common in the Backyard. Occasionally a large flock passes through in the winter making a big noise. None are permanent residents. This solitary crow seems to be in need of friends and seems to not be part of a family unit. It Spent a few days making calls from the highest tree and then moved on.
