Ornithology Practice  Numero Uno 12/15/09

Procellariiformes; Procellariidae; Fulmaris glacialis (Northern Fulmar) Pelagic = open sea, so pelagic birds only rarely are seen at shore except during breeding season. Food for young; also used by chicks in defense against predators

B A B Anseriformes; Anatidae A: Anas cyanoptera (Cinnamon Teal) B: Dendrocygna autumnalis (Black-bellied Whistling-Duck In tree cavities and nest boxes. Species B—long neck, erect posture, strong monogamous pair-bonds

Charadriiformes; Recurvirostridae; Himantopus mexicanus (Black-necked Stilt) Shallow wetlands, swamps, lagoons Insects, crustaceans, mollusks

Passeriformes; Parulidae; Seiurus aurocapilla (Ovenbird) Dutch oven shaped nests Migrating 

A B Passeriformes; Emberizidae; A: Junco hyemalis (Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon) B: Pipilo maculatus (Spotted Towhee) On or near ground. Outer edges of tail. Uncovers seeds and insects to eat. Yum.

Pelicaniformes; Phalacrocoracidae; Phalacrocorax auritus (Double-crested Cormorant) Webbing between all four toes. Blamed for declines in fisheries and fish farms

Passeriformes; Tyrannidae; Sayornis nigricans (Black Pheobe) Insects and occasional fish. Watches from perch and swoops to catch insects in air and may dive into ponds for small fish. On a wall, usually below a ceiling of some sort.

C—Olive-sided Flycatcher Edges of coniferous forests B C B and C--Tyrannidae. C—Olive-sided Flycatcher Edges of coniferous forests A—Clark’s Nutcracker D

Passeriformes; Laniidae; Lanius ludovicianus (Loggerhead Shrike) “Butcherbirds”—they impale prey on thorns to rip apart due to lack of talons and foot strength. Insects, amphibians, small reptiles, small mammals, and birds

Trogoniformes; Trogonidae; Trogon elegans (Elegant Trogon) Can see in low light and can rotate head nearly 360 degrees. Old nests/holes previously made by woodpeckers because they are unable to excavate nests themselves Heterodactyl toe arrangement--digits 3 and 4 point forward and digits 1 and 2 point back. Lowest leg muscle to body weight ratio of all birds (aka weak!).