The ABCs of Birds - F

[gayle]

Ferrugnious Hawk

The Ferrugnious Hawk is the largest American hawk, with a wingspam of four feet.  Its range is west of the Rockies.  Its name comes from iron reflecting its rust color.  It prefers open areas and perches on solitary trees or poles.  This bird seems to be claiming a sanctuary on a sign post in the Kamath Basin!

Gayle

The sign says "Pheasant hunting only!"

[gayle]

Great Frigatebird (Continued)

The frigatebird is also known as Man O' War due to its aggressive behavior.  It practices kleptoparisitism.  It chases other birds, principally blue-footed boobies and tropic birds in the Galapagos, and forces them to regurgitate their food which the frigatebird them steals.

Here are a female great frigate bird and two chicks from Genovese.  I refer to the chick in the third photograph as a teenager!
Gayle

[dale]

It practices kleptoparisitism.  It chases other birds, principally blue-footed boobies and tropic birds in the Galapagos, and forces them to regurgitate their food which the frigatebird them steals.

Here are a female great frigate bird and two chicks from Genovese.  I refer to the chick in the third photograph as a teenager!
Gayle

WHOA, HORSIE!!!! This thing blows up red balloons in its neck, chases blue boobies and WHAT?????
It makes them urp up their food and steals it?
no WONDER those teenagers in the bottom two (splendid) photos look so bummed out.
They don't want to go into the family business, that's what.

[Kris G.]

Flicker(Northern)
Northern Flickers are large, brown woodpeckers with a gentle expression and handsome black-scalloped plumage. On walks, don’t be surprised if you scare one up from the ground. It’s not where you’d expect to find a woodpecker, but flickers eat mainly ants and beetles, digging for them with their unusual, slightly curved bill. When they fly you’ll see a flash of color in the wings – yellow if you’re in the East, red if you’re in the West – and a bright white flash on the rump.

I had one of these land on my bird feeder last weekend.  At first I couldn't see what it was, I just knew it was HUGE compared to the titmice & chickadees that are regulars.  Who knew bug eaters like an occasional sunflower seed snack!

They like safflower seeds and orange suet too, Ei!  We've had 3 Flickers at our feeder over the past few days!  I was surprised-thought it was our Red-bellied Woodpecker until I looked closer.  It's only the second time in my life that I've ever seen one so it's been fun having them here.

[MAK]

Flicker(Northern)
Northern Flickers are large, brown woodpeckers with a gentle expression and handsome black-scalloped plumage. On walks, don’t be surprised if you scare one up from the ground. It’s not where you’d expect to find a woodpecker, but flickers eat mainly ants and beetles, digging for them with their unusual, slightly curved bill. When they fly you’ll see a flash of color in the wings – yellow if you’re in the East, red if you’re in the West – and a bright white flash on the rump.

I had one of these land on my bird feeder last weekend.  At first I couldn't see what it was, I just knew it was HUGE compared to the titmice & chickadees that are regulars.  Who knew bug eaters like an occasional sunflower seed snack!

They like safflower seeds and orange suet too, Ei!  We've had 3 Flickers at our feeder over the past few days!  I was surprised-thought it was our Red-bellied Woodpecker until I looked closer.  It's only the second time in my life that I've ever seen one so it's been fun having them here.

I'm always happy to see them in my yard cuz they eat alot of ants. When I lived in Hamlin we had a problem with red ants. We don't use poison or pesticides so a visit periodically from a pair of Flickers took care of the problem!

[Patti from Kentucky]

Another entry in the Finch category.  These are House Finches; I took the photos during a very destructive ice storm a couple of winters ago.  My feeders were well stocked and the birdbath was heated, but they still look a little bewildered.

[Patti from Kentucky]

And one more Finch:   the Gray-crowned Rosy Finch.  We took this photo in the Canadian Rockies this past summer; right at the boundary between a subalpine and alpine environment (treeline, basically).  This finch is a master of extreme conditions!

[annieinelkhart]

Sorry Dale a bit late here!  I got it in honor of turning 60 last year! 

[Donna]

Very cool Tattoo. I'm still trying to find that perfect pic of Kaver for my next Tat. I have a few in mind but hard to pick. Was thinking this one of about 20 pics. Big decision.

[MAK]

   That would make for a great tattoo Donna! Go for it!!!

[MAK]

   Love your tat too Annie! 

[dale]

Annie, thanks, that's great! 
Looks terrific on your arm, too; no one would have seen it on your Elkhart.

[annieinelkhart]

LOL!  Thanks for the compliments!  It was my first tattoo next I got one of my 3 dogs.  Two goldens we miss so much and Jake we have now.  They are in a heart shape to continue that.  Then this year got a "family tree" ankle bracelet!  I NEVER would have thought at age 60 I would START getting tattoos!   

[dale]

tawny FROGMOUTH - I love these guys. Like nighthawks/nightjars, more of an amphibian look than a birdy one

c. coverdale, wikimedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tawny_Frogmouth_(Coverdale).jpg

austrailian museum: http://australianmuseum.net.au/image/Tawny-Frogmouth/

london zoo: http://tinyurl.com/2f7rx8z

[MAK]

  Aren't they fun!? They look like little furbies! Thanks for sharing.