Kristine
Forum Replies Created
Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
-
KristineParticipantI learned a lot from this course. Much is in a previous section where I compared woodpeckers to hummingbirds! I had completed the woodpecker course just prior to starting this one and so much of the information was still fresh. I went a little overboard in comparison, but it was fun and fascinating. I enjoyed every minute of looking back at both birds and was even forced to do a little outside research. It was beautifully formatted until I uploaded it - then yikes! it became messy. Still it was a great experience and I have a copy. What will stick with me about hummingbirds will be: anatomy of tongue; how hummingbirds can fly; and how iridescence works. I really like the Hummingbirds in culture section and this was also an opportunity to explore further. Thank you.in reply to: Finding and Connecting with Hummingbirds #1052875
-
KristineParticipantWOODPECKERS (W) COMPARED AND CONTRASTED TO HUMMINGBIRDS (H) GENERAL INFORMATION Species Count: W have 236 species; H have 363 species (Birds of the World). Clades/Subfamilies: W are in the order of Piciformes; the family Picidae includes True Woodpeckers, Wrynecks, and Piculets. H are in the order of Apodiformes (which include swifts and hummingbirds); and the family Trochilade. There are nine clades: Hermits, Topazes-Jacobins; Mangos, Coquettes, Brilliants, Mountaingems, Emeralds, Bees, and Giants. (Course Content). Range: W are found worldwide with the exception of Australia, NZ, Madagascar, Pacific Islands. Most are found in South America and Southeast Asia. H are found only in the western hemisphere. Most are found in Central and South America (Course Content). Habitat: W like woodlands, forests, savannahs, scrublands, bamboo forests and parklands with trees; The Black-backed Woodpecker specialize in being the first to return to burnt forests. H like open areas of woodlands, flowering gardens, and shrubs. Some breed in the alpine tundra (Rufous Hummingbird) and others like the coastal lowlands (Allen’s Hummingbird). Several species live in the tropics year-round (Bee Hummingbird). Others prefer to migrate up and down mountainsides (elevational or altitudinal migration) depending on the flowering plants that are in bloom. Hillstar Hummingbirds live at elevations as high as 11,500 ft. (Course Content). Migration: Both W and H migrate. But it depends on the species, their food choice, and their breeding grounds. Making the longest journey in each species: Of the W, the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (8.5” L; 16” WS) migrates from the Yukon to mid-Panama, about 4800 miles. Of the H, the Rufous Hummingbird (3.75” L, 4.5 WSJ) travels from Alaska to Mexico 3500 miles. When considering body size, the Rufous Hummingbird makes the longest journey of any bird during migration. (Course Content, Wikipedia, Sibley Birds 2nd Ed). Conservation Status (Birds of the World; ICUN Red List 2023): Comparison shows that both W and H species are about the same with 77% to 80% of the species of both birds at Least Concern. However, both are also showing a sizeable percent 13% to 15% of the species within each group that is rated as Near Threatened to Critically Endangered.
ANATOMY Bills: Both birds have long bills and use their bills to obtain food. W have thick bills to help excavate nests (drill), communicate (drum), and search for insects in trees, cacti (tapping). H have bills that are used to sip nectar from flowers; but will also use their bills to defend territory. (Course Content) Flight Muscles: Both W and H use the Pectoralis and the Supracoracoideus muscles for flight. W are not good fliers and the smaller W engage in bounded flight to save energy. The larger W must keep flapping in a direct line. H have large and powerful pectoralis which accounts for about ¼ of their body weight. H flight is complex where the wing is lifted up, then back and down. Wings beat 50x per second. (Course Content) Tongue: Both W and H have the longest tongues of any birds that, when retracted wrap around their heads. W use their tongues to gather insects from trees (Hairy Woodpecker) or the ground (Northern Flicker). W tongues are sticky saliva to help catch prey. The tip of the tongue is made of keratin that wears down then regrows. W can have specialized tongues that match their diet choices. Some W that need to catch prey will have tiny barblike structures that allow the W to push past a grub, then on retraction the tongue captures the grub to be eaten ( Guadeloupe Woodpecker). Other W have sticky brushlike structures that allow the W to lick sap and capture insects that have been caught in sap (Red-breasted Sapsucker). H tongues also have structures which are specifically designed to gather nectar. Unlike the W tongue, the H tongue is forked and has tubelike structures that fill with nectar. Once nectar is gathered, the tongue is retracted, then the nectar is squeezed out when the tongue is extended again. All hummingbird tongues are structured the same way; it is only the preference in flower types that differ among the species. (Course Content) Feet: Both W and H have 4 toes. W: Have large, strong feet; toes are Isodactyl: zygodactyl with 2 toes forward; 2 toes back. The outer rear toe is able to swing out for better lateral grip; W use feet for climbing up trees (not down) and are able to walk and may forge on the ground. H have tiny, weak feet. H toes are 3 toes forward and 1 toe backward H toes are Anisodactyl. Their feet are used for perching, preening. H do not walk and do not forage on the ground. (Handbook of Bird Biology, Course content). Tails: W have extremely strong tails that are essential to W. They are used by W to prop themselves to the side of tree trunks to excavate a nest, tap for insects, communicate territorial rights. H use their tails during courtship and most importantly in flight to steer and keep them stable. (Course Content). Diet/Food Resourcing: Both W and H eat insects. Occasionally, W will dip into flowers for nectar; and H will dip into sapwells. W have a wider variety of food choices as well as different resources (trees, cacti, ground). They have been known to store food in acorn granaries (Acorn Woodpecker). H sip sap for their source of energy and will capture insects for protein. They are especially fond of spiders. Both W and H birds will defend food resources. (Course Content). Coloring/Markings/Sexually Dimorphic: W and H can be colorful. W colors can vary, but usually there is a red patch that is common to the Male. Markings include: dots, streaks, blocks of color, and bars. Females are sexually dimorphic, usually lacking the red patch (Downy Woodpecker). W sexual differences are more subtle than H species. H coloring and markings can range from drab coloring to flamboyant colors which include iridescence. H males have bright and striking gorgets which are use to display during courtship. H are sexually dimorphic. (Course Content). Largest/ Smallest: Size of the largest and smallest woodpecker and hummingbird in the world are compared to each other below. (Course Content, Birds of the World, Wikipedia). Largest Woodpecker and Hummingbird Length Weight Red List Rating Great Slaty Woodpecker 50 cm/ 20 inches 500 gm/ 17.6 oz Vulnerable Giant Hummingbird 23 cm/ 9.1 inches 18 gm/0 .70 oz Least Concern Smallest Woodpecker and Hummingbird Length Weight Red List Rating Bar-breasted Piculet 7.5 cm/ 3 inches 10 gm/ 0.32 oz Least Concern Bee Hummingbird 5-6 cm/ >2 inches 1.7gm/0.06 oz Near Threatened RAISING A FAMILY Courtship and Displays: W use drumming to indicate that they are looking for a mate. They may also engage in a courtship dance performed by the male. The Hairy Woodpecker dance may include: neck extensions, bill pointing, bobbing, rapid wing-flicking, constant jerky movements. H males engage in courtship displays while the female watches. These displays include: showing gorget and demonstrating fancy flight patterns. Example: Allen’s Hummingbird will use moves that include climbs to 60 ft; dives, back-and-forth drops; and sudden pull-ups. While doing this the tail is spread and wiggles; wings make buzzing sounds and the male will “sing” to the female. (Course Content, Cornell Lab Video 2015 “Hairy Woodpecker Courtship Display, Course Content). Songs: Neither W nor H have ‘songs’ such as songbirds. Both use calls, squeaks, kwirs, twitters, buzzes, clicks, etc. W communicate through drumming to be heard throughout the forest. Both use these sounds in courtship and to communicate with mate. (Course Content, Birds of the World). Family Life: W mates build the nest together as part of their courtship and bonding. They stay together as the chicks are incubated and hatched. W lay between 2 to 12 eggs. The pair may or may not reunite the following year. Some W are cooperative breeders such as the Red-cockaded Woodpecker and the Acorn Woodpecker. W may be subject to brood parasitism. H males engage in elaborate courtship displays, sometimes in leks. Once they have mated, the male leaves. The female will build the nest, defend the territory, lay no more than 2 eggs, incubate, hatch, feed, and help fledge the chicks. There are no cooperative breeders in H. H are subject to brood parasitism. (Course Content, Birds of the World, The Handbook of Bird Biology). HUMAN CULTURAL SYMBOLIZATION Symbolization: W and H are revered in the spiritual world. W are seen as symbols of hope, protection, and perseverance. H are symbols of good luck and messengers of joy (www.greenmatters, Native Art Symbols and Meanings).
in reply to: Life of a Hummingbird #1049795 -
KristineParticipantI learned a lot in this section and I enjoyed it very much. I came away the following and some questions: 1) The use of Topor surprised me that hummingbirds 'hibernate' everyday. One question I had was in clarification. Dr. Shanka mentioned that in sleep they can ruffle feathers, respond to outside stimuli; but in Torpor, they cannot do this until their body shuts down. My question is: do hummingbirds sleep and go into torpor? And how do they choose when to sleep and when to torpor? 2. The concepts of Lift, Thrust, and Drag have been hard for me to grasp, so I was grateful for the review and the great definitions. I feel a bit more confident in considering and talking about these topics 3. This is OBSCURE but I spent a good deal of time thinking about this. Regarding the differences in bill shape (sexually dimorphic) if the Purple-throated Carib does this mean: The males feed the male chicks and the females feed the female chicks? Do the males teach the male chicks which flowers to sip from and the females the female chicks? This little nugget of information got me going for a couple of days. 4. Finally, I really enjoyed learning about how they sip nectar by extending and extracting their very complex tongues. I guess, if I had been asked about hummingbird tongues - I would have guessed that they were very much like woodpecker tongues. Overall, what has been great about this course so far is that I am learning about things I never considered before. It's fun.in reply to: How Hummingbirds Rule the Nectar World #1045535
-
KristineParticipant
We (my husband and I) have been lucky enough to see Ruby-throated Hummingbirds both in our backyard (we have 2 feeders during the spring/summer/fall, and in the woods in CT. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (female) pictured here was seen in a CT State Park (Aug 10, 2024), where she stayed resting for a very long time and allowed many pictures. I think we left before she did.
in reply to: What Makes a Hummingbird a Hummingbird #1043889 -
KristineParticipantI have observed some behavior by local woodpeckers, in deep forest as well as at backyard feeder. However, I felt I had more questions than firm facts - so I looked around online and found the information below. If anything is amiss, please let me know. Local Woodpeckers and local system The woodpeckers most common to the Northeast United States and on my personal Life List are: · Downy Woodpecker · Hairy Woodpecker · Red-bellied Woodpecker · Pileated Woodpecker · Northern Flicker · Yellow-bellied Sapsucker The Red-headed Woodpecker is endangered in my state due to loss of open land. I have not seen one on my personal list. Extended Reading: After reading up on some of these woodpeckers and their use of nest cavities and sap wells I found the following: ~Northern Flickers: often seen on the ground where they eat ants. Often nearby, especially if low brush is close by for protection, Song Sparrows and House Sparrows will be seen in the area also pecking away at the ants. ~Pileated Woodpeckers: were seen only in deep hardwood and/or mixed woods. Usually, they are seen in pairs. Their drilling is loud and can be heard throughout the woods – even during non-breeding season. What was learned: they make a round hole for nesting; while they make an oblong hole for feeding. ~Red-bellied Woodpecker: stores food away for the winter such as acorns. While seen at backyard feeders, they are also seen in deep woods with lots of oak trees. What was learned: this woodpecker may drink at sap wells made by sapsuckers. ~Downy Woodpecker: smallest of woodpeckers ~ Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: creates the sap wells used by many birds, mammals, and insects. Referenced as the master sap sucker. What was learned is that the sapsucker maintains its sap wells daily and will defend them. Local Birds and Animals that use woodpecker cavities: · Tree Swallows · Eastern Bluebirds · Tufted titmouse · Carolina and House Wrens · Carolina Chickadees · White-breasted Nuthatches · Kestrels · European Starlings · Eastern Screech Owl (prefers Flicker cavities) · Red squirrels · Porcupines (this would be further north from my state) · Bats · Deer Mice · Raccoons Local Birds and Animals that drink from sap wells: · Ruby-throated Hummingbirds · Ruby-crowned Kinglet · Bats · Squirrels · Insects such as: moths, bees, and wasps Re second question: without woodpeckers, life would be challenging for other birds, mammals, and insects. While we have a great many old forests and re-growth forests in the northeast and in the places where I bird there are many dead trees and trees with cavities; the demand is high in this part of the country. The number of bird species that use abandoned cavities is in great demand. Even with the one box next in my backyard, this spring, the eastern bluebirds were forced away while a Carolina Wren pair and a House Sparrow pair vied for the box. In the woods, it must be more demanding.
· CT.Gov Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection · Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute · Urban Forest Initiative Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, University of Kentucky
in reply to: How Woodpeckers Shape Our Forests #1039306 -
KristineParticipantBefore I read about drumming I was unaware that: 1) drumming was a form of communication; and 2) that different types of drumming mean different things to woodpeckers and function differently from each other. For example, while in the woods, I would hear very loud drumming but also would see a woodpecker simply tapping on bark at anytime of year. Reading about these differences has heightened my observations about woodpeckers and have improved my ability to determine what they are doing and when. My favorite siting is of a Pileated Woodpecker, deep in the woods in Central Connecticut. S/He was excavating a cavity in a dead tree. The bird would tap/drill then throw out the debris with great force. It was fun to watch. My husband took this picture in July 2024.in reply to: The Life of Woodpeckers #1037840
-
KristineParticipantThe diversity of tongues, how they are used and how they are specialized. I like the idea of the 'paint-brush' tongue among sapsuckers and the barbs used on other woodpeckers to capture food. The keratin on the tip of the tongue was surprising to me. I also was surprised by the different types of pecking and the reasons they peck. I have seen lots of woodpeckers in my backyard and in the forests nearby, but never stopped to consider the way they were pecking. Enjoyed this section very much.in reply to: How Woodpeckers Rule the World of Wood #1037428
-
KristineParticipantI think what caught my attention most was the complicated social system of the Acorn Woodpeckers. I was aware that crows had 'helpers' and new 'breeders' from other populations/families, but not this species, or any species for that matter, of woodpeckers. The calls are pretty cool! Also am enjoying learning about the different species around the world - flamebacks are pretty spectatcular. Still not certain differences/relationships among the True Woodpeckers, Piculets, and Wrynecks.in reply to: What Makes a Woodpecker a Woodpecker #1037071
-
KristineParticipantI'm getting better at distinguishing. Grackles and blackbirds in flight are still confusing; however, crows are so noisy that I usually can id them fairly quickly.in reply to: Crow Not Crow #844704
-
KristineParticipant1. Songbirds have many predators that are far more aggressive in killing songbird nestlings. For example, chipmunks, squirrels and snakes are the most aggressive in raiding songbird nests for baby birds. Crow, do eat baby birds, but there are many predators after chipmunks, etc. to nestlings that are far more destructive including insects and cowbirds. 2. In my part of the country (CT, U.S.), crows are regulars at the shoreline. However, they do sometimes come to my backyard feeder and several times have been seen near the fast food corridor in my town. I have never seen a crow's nest. 3. Only occasionally will I see a raven in the area. They are sometimes seen at the shoreline. I have never seen a raven inland in CT. When travelling to Maine, there is a greater opportunity to see ravens. Ravens always seem much bigger and huskier than crows. They are always a surprise when I see them. One other place I have seen ravens is out west at one of the national parks sitting on a brick barrier/fence post. His behavior was extremely calm and allowed a lot of photos to be taken of him. My guess is that he has had lots of experience with tourists. Crows, when I see them - they are always with other crows. 4. Since they warn others of predators any of the smaller birds and mammals (such as chipmunks and squirrels) are warned in advance. My interest in crows and birds in general came from seeing this behavior in crows. I was watching a ring-necked pheasant in a field when a hawk landed nearby. Within a short time two crows also arrived and started cawing; then attacking/flying close to the hawk to scare him off. I do not know if the hawk was really after the pheasant, but it was a field, it could have been mice or something else. What I do know is that the hawk left because of the crows and did not take anything with him.in reply to: What is a Crow? #844701
Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)