Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are widespread across the Americas. They belong in the taxonomic order called Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars and allies; and swifts) and constitute the biological family Trochilidae. The Rufous Hummingbird has the longest migration of any hummingbird. The only hummingbird that occurs in Connecticut is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), while it's western counterpart the Black Chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) is rare in Connecticut. The genus Calypte belongs to the Costa's and Anna's Hummingbird. The genus Selasphorus it contains 7 (seven) species. Including Allen's, Rufous, Broad-tailed, Scintillant, Glow-throated,Volcano,and Calliope Hummingbirds. Hummingbird beat their heart 1,000 times a minute, which equals 60,000 heartbeats a hour! 

Female Rufous Hummingbird; a rare but regular fall migrant.

Female Rufous Hummingbird. (Both photos are of the same birds. Westport, Connecticut)
By Tony Belejack

Bird Taxonomy and some Bird Subspecies ID

Birds are in the class Aves,  Phylum Chordate, Kingdom Animal. Each species has a Genus like the Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), Steller's Jay the western counterpart of the Blue Jay is also in the Genus Cyanocitta. In this Blog Post I will include some facts about Bird Taxonomy and Subspecies Identification help:

Some birds have had taxon swaps last year, like Downy and Hairy woodpeckers. Which were in the genus Picoides and now in the genus Dryobates. And the Wigeons and Allies are now in the genus Mareca. Pretty interesting! This obviously has to do with taxonomy, for people who don't know. I hope to be a taxonomist. Taxon swaps happen when; the science and process of naming living organisms, is a field that is constantly changing. When our scientific understanding of animal species and their relationships changes, it may mean that scientific names change as well. ... Some species have come to be known by multiple scientific names. Most books like the Sibley Field Guide to Birds are not updated with taxon changes. Subspecies are the different "Types" of the birds that occur in different ranges, though  Fox Sparrow has many different subspecies I personally have seen P.i. iliaca which is the wintering subspecies of Fox Sparrow that occurs in Connecticut. Dark-eyed Juncos often intergrade with other Dark-eyed Junco subspecies. Connecticut has had the Oregon Junco, though not sure if it was J.h. montanus etc. Connecticut also had a Cassiar Junco J.h. cismontanus. I wrote the top stuff in Here is some subspecies ID stuff for Mew Gull: Mew Gulls are common and widespread in Eurasia and Western North America. My friend Jory told me "Subspecies are spread out, and we do not regularly have more than one subspecies of most bird species, the best way to learn about subspecies other than the ones in CT is to read papers, books, and other such resources. All good field guides should show all expected, and some unexpected subspecies found across the US." 

Now, about the Fox Sparrow:
Red Fox Sparrow (P.i. iliaca): This taxon breeds in the taiga of Canada and Alaska and winters in central and eastern North America. This is the brightest colored group.
Sooty Fox Sparrow (P.i. unalaschcensis): This taxon breeds along the Pacific Coast of North America from the Aleutian Islands to northwestern Washington, and winters from southeastern Alaska south to northern Baja California. It is browner and darker than the red fox sparrow.
Slate-colored Fox Sparrow (P.i. schistacea): his taxon breeds in interior western North America and winters to the south and west. It has a gray head and mantle, brown wings, brown breast streaks, and a russet tail.
Thick-billed Fox Sparrow (P.i. megarhyncha) this taxon is mostly restricted to California and Oregon. This group is similar in coloration to the slate-colored fox sparrow, but features a particularly thick bill, as its name would suggest.

Kamchatka Gull (Larus canus kamtschatschensis)

Northern Slate-colored Junco (Junco hyemalis hyemalis)
By Tony Belejack
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Irruption Year

This year happens to be an irruption year meaning the birds from the arctic come down beyond their range looking for food.

What causes Irruption Year?
Every 3-5 years pine trees and crops fail to grow making the redpolls, crossbills, siskins, Bohemian Waxwings, Pine Grosbeaks, and Red-breasted Nuthatch search for food. This irruption year Blue Jays are also leaving from the north in search of nuts because acorn, beechnut,and hazelnut crops were generally poor to low. Most redpolls, Bohemian Waxwings, and Pine Grosbeaks are usually recorded in Litchfield County (Connecticut), while crossbills can be seen in any part of the state.

This year has been good for Evening Grosbeaks and Pine Siskins in Connecticut, I had a flock of 4 Pine Siskins at my feeder and a flyover Evening Grosbeak that was also at my house! 

Crossbills:
Not many crossbills have been reported recently. A White-winged Crossbill was reported 11/11/18  at Sherwood Island SP. Another report was of 2 birds at Bent of the River Sanctuary, Southbury.  Red Crossbills were also reported. The first report of the Red Crossbills was on 11/18/18 at Hoydens Hill Open Space. The couple of other reports were at Barn Island WMA and Harkness Memorial SP in 2018. And one was at Plainfield -- Quinebaug Valley Fish Hatchery on 1/23/19.

Redpolls:
Redpolls have been reported a couple here and there, with a recent one in East Granby (Not to far where a flock of 40 Common Redpolls were seen in Hadley MA). One was in Seymour, then Durham (seen by me), then New London, then the East Granby one. No Hoary Redpolls have been seen yet, but everybody hopes for one! They are usually attracted to thistle (Nyger) seed from the sock feeders. 
 Bohemain Waxwings: None yet!
Pine Grosbeaks: None yet!!

Common Redpolls are another irruptive bird searching farther south to look for weed crops
Photo Courtesy of Monica Nichols 

                                                               

Birds like Red Crossbills search farther south than usual to look for pine trees with pine cones.
Photo Courtesy of Jonathan Layman



For further reference check out the Winter Finch Forecast:
http://jeaniron.ca/2018/wff18.htm

By Tony Belejack
Photos by Jonathan Layman and Monica Nichols

Birding Highlights 1/31/19

Bird Highlights 1/31/19
I decided to see if I could reach 90 species for Big January, so I did my last hike yesterday. It was not to successful as I only saw two new species. I went to Westport to find a Cape May Warbler and Eurasian Wigeon. No luck with any of those birds!! Also I was birding during the Polar Vortex of 2019, so it was very very cold! I went to multiple places, Gorham Island, Westport Longshore Park, Sherwood Island, and Silver Sands SP. Gorham Island had the previously reported Cape May Warbler (Rare during winter in Connecticut). Not a bird was seen except the ubiquitous Mallard. Then I went to Sherwood Island to see if the saw-whet owl was still there. The feeders were pretty busy with the starlings and House Sparrows. I was able to find an American Tree Sparrow and a Fox Sparrow (Lifer for me!). Mourning Doves were present so were Blue Jays and a male Northern Cardinal along with some female Red-winged Blackbirds. No saw-whet owl. I went to Westport Longshore Park, where the Eurasian Wigeon was found. Multiple Hooded Mergansers were present along with a pair of Mallards. Canada Geese were present with multiple flocks flying overhead. Buffleheads were also seen. No luck with the wigeon! I ended up with 85 species for January. On the way back I stopped by Silver Sands SP again hoping for the Long-eared Owl that winters there. I saw the Barred Owl in the same spot again, this one might have been a different individual then I saw the first visit. This one didn't have the damaged eye. Multiple Song Sparrows were present and one Savannah Sparrow. Also 1 White-tailed Deer was in the fields.

American Tree Sparrow. Sherwood Island SP, Westport 

                                               

Fox Sparrow. Sherwood Island SP, Westport 

   

Female Bufflehead. Westport Longshore Park

                                                                         

Female Hooded Merganser. Westport Longshore Park.

                                                                       

Barred Owl. Silver Sands SP

                                                                       By Tony Belejack