Ann

thanks for a great picture

Northern Cardinal with Blackburnian Warbler Northern Cardinal has few changes … some increase to the north in the summer. However the Blackburnian Warbler has a complete change from S. America to N. America. Scarlet Tanager with Western Tanager Scarlet Tanager has most breeding in the N central to east of the US while spends the non-breeding perion in north eastern S. America. Breeding season  os longer than the Western Tanager (Jun 7 - Aug 17 versus Jun 21 - Jul 6). Western Tanager is similar is that it breeds in the north (US/Canada) and non-breeding in the south (mostly central America) but very little overlap with the Scarlet Tanager. Ruby-throated Hummingbird with Rufous Hummingbird Similar comments to the Scarlet Tanager with Western Tanager on the pattern north to south. Although separate ranges for breeding, the Ruby-throated hummingbird Non-breeding season Dec 7 - Mar 8 in Central American overlaps with the Rufous Hummingbird non-breeding season which is Oct 26 - Feb 8 Sandhill Crane with Yellow-bellied Flycatcher The Sandhill Crane spends some non-breeding (pre-post too) in Mexico but more north of there.  The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher non breeding is all in south Mexico and central America. The Sandhill also ranges further north but not as far east.

Activity 2 and 3 - Use Merlin’s “Most Likely” species feature to find out what birds you are likely to see locally today. Interesting to explore this. Using range maps or bar charts, find five birds that pass through your area that you didn’t know about. I'm looking for the Hooded Oriole more now; 2 friends of mine have them on their property.  One built an incredible next on the underside of a palm frond!  We do see the European startling - not my favorite bird as they are not native and seem to be bullies.  We have see the brown headed Cowbird - I see that we have 2 types of cowbirds; I had thought there was only 1 type.

I wish I had taken a picture.  I have an update for Activity 3: Look for three different birds that are searching for food today. What are their food-finding behaviors?  I always though cactus wrens just ate insects and seeds but I watch one killing and eating a small lizard.  I verified with my Audubon ap that this is known - not common but occasionally.  I can't find habits in Merlin .. although Merlin is great for ID.

All these birds below come to our feeding area - we throw some seed on the ground and put some in a feeded.  We also have a hummingbird feeder.  The area around the feeding area is undeveloped Sonoran desert with lots of trees and plants. Activity 1: 2 birds different just by shape.  Curve bill Thrasher  and Gambel Quail. The thrasher is slimmer and has a curved bill. The quail is plump and has shorter legs plus a top notch. Activity 2: 3 different birds same color but different parts of the body.  These are in the grey category but quite different. Albert's Towhee a drab grayish brown all over except a bit darker face and pinkish bill that resembles a cardinal bill.  The feed mostly on the ground scratching with both feet.  Morning doves are grey mostly on the back - breast and belly are whitish. They also have tails more pointed than the Albert's Towhee.  The Curved Bill thrasher has a grey back but the breast and belly has spots but the bill is slightly curved. Activity 3: Look for three different birds searching for food today. The Gila Woodpecker visits the seed feeder and the hummingbird feeder.  We think the Gila and Northern Flicka may get more of the hummingbird food that the hummingbirds do. The also get insects off the tree trunks.  The black throated sparrow tries to horn in on the doves at the feeder - they have some luck but they are very polite (no bullies).  They also peck around the ground and explores the creosote in the area for insects. . The Cactus Wren rarely comes in to eat the food we put out. We see them hoping everywhere - sometimes flipping twigs and small rocks to find food. Activity 4: Favorite bird - Phainopepla.  The are robin size (7-8 inches), slim with a spiky crest.  The look black unless the sunlight is right and then they are really shiny (almost purple).  The have red eyes.  They feed on the mistletoe - some say they even plant mistletoe seeds (but maybe not on purpose). When they fly, there a white wing patch. ,

Phainopepla - this is my favorite bird. Not only is the name fun to say (took me a long time to figure that out but it really just rolls out), but it has unique flight and sound patterns (they can even imitate some other bird sounds). This is a description I have  - not sure if I compiled it or borrowed it -- The Phainopepla 16–20 cm long with a noticeable crest and a long tail; it is slender, and has an upright posture when it perches. Its bill is short and slender.  The male is glossy black, and has a white wing patch that is visible when it flies; the female is plain gray and has a lighter gray wing patch. Both sexes have red eyes, but these are more noticeable in the female than the male.  They build their nests mainly in mesquite trees near a mistletoe plant.  Some believe that the bird actually “plants” the seeds.  An individual may eat at least 1,100 mistletoe berries per day if available.

Northern Cardinal - I've been told that the cardinal that we have in our Sonoran Desert is a bit different (more red and maybe smaller) than the version found in eastern US.  Is it a subspecies?