Cinnamon belly

 

 
Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya) and lichens, 21 December 2022

Under the bridge

 

Do you have any guesses about which species of bird made this nest? 

Here's a perfect description of the nest:

"Their adherent nests are composed of a mud shell lined with plant fibers, typically placed over water and plastered to a vertical wall within a few centimeters of a protective ceiling."

Did you guess swallow?  If so, that's a good guess...but note that the nestlings in the picture above are black and they have fairly large bills, unlike swallows.  Note that finding the bills (yellowish/pinkish in color) is the easiest way to count the nestlings.  (There appear to be at least three nestlings, and perhaps more if some are hidden.)

Warning: The next picture will reveal the owner of the nest.

 

This adult Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) had just caught a fly and was preparing to bring it to these nestlings.

Here are a few fun facts about Black Phoebe breeding behavior:

- It takes 1-3 weeks for the female to build the nest

- Building a nest close to a "protective ceiling" may help to discourage avian predators

- Clutch size varies between 1-6, with a mean of 4

- The female incubates the eggs for ~16 days

- Both parents feed the young in the nest for ~18 days

- Nestlings are primarily fed bees/wasps, flies, and butterflies/moths

- After leaving the nest, the young will stay with the parents for another 7-10 days

These pictures were taken near Falletti Park in Cotati on 31 May 2015.

P.S.  Facts above from The Birds of North America account by B.O. Wolf.

December light

 

Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya) in December light on Salmon Creek Beach, 8 December 2013

Flooded and flushed

One of the highest tides of the year led me to the Gaffney Point salt marsh in Bodega Harbor this morning.  The tide reached +6.98 feet at 9:56 a.m.  [The highest (and lowest) tides of the year occur around both the winter and summer solstices.]

Here's a view looking across Bodega Harbor with some known landmarks in the background: Lucas Wharf (right side) and The Tides (left side).

 

Most days you would see dense salt marsh vegetation in the foreground here, but it was almost completely flooded at this time.  

American White Pelicans and Snowy Egrets found one of the only sites remaining above water.

 

While photographing the high tide, one of my favorite sightings involved this species:

 

A Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya) was taking advantage of the tide's flushing action.  As the water flooded the marsh, insects flew up and out of the vegetation, and this flycatcher was waiting!

The phoebe perched on various objects surrounded by water, flew out to capture an insect (such as a fly or moth), and then flew back to a perch to consume it.

 

Below, the phoebe has prey in its bill, but I couldn't quite make out what it was.

 

A Black Phoebe was also in the area, but several times the Say's Phoebe chased it away (vociferously!).  This high tide led to some interesting views and interactions.

P.S.  Tomorrow (14 December 2012), the high tide will be similar: +6.85 feet at 10:46 a.m.

Black birds and Surfbird behavior

I've started working towards photographing as many species as possible on Bodega Head.  During the past year I have been trying to take more bird pictures.  Black Phoebe is one species that has been on my wish list. This small flycatcher is common and easily found, but tends to be shy when approached by photographers.  Here is the best shot so far.

 

During the past weekend I also photographed several other "black birds" -- that is, birds with black in their names.  See below for Black Oystercatcher (with bright orange bills) and Black Turnstone.  [There are 5 other "black birds" that have been recorded on Bodega Head (not counting hyphenated or compound words) -- stay tuned for more in the future!]

 

While photographing the Black Turnstone, a small group of turnstones and Surfbirds flew in to a high tidepool and started bathing in the fresh water.  At first it was amicable, and then one Surfbird became very aggressive and began chasing other birds that approached the pools (see photo below).

Tonight I read about other observations of Surfbird aggression.  At The Birds of North America online, I found this quote:

Connors (1977) observed interactions at small tidal pools in which several Surfbirds attempted to bathe: Two birds would face each other and chatter, sometimes jabbing; loser would move off, while winner bathed in tidal pool.

Fun to realize that the Connors mentioned above is Carolyn Connors from Salmon Creek!

Three turnstones and one Surfbird bathing:

 

Surfbird aggression

Hummingbird and phoebe for the New Year

Just a couple of quick photos -- taken during the Western Sonoma County Christmas Bird Count today.  A beautiful immature male Anna's Hummingbird and a Say's Phoebe.  Happy New Year!