The Birders Report

Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) photo by Larry Jordan

The Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) is a non-migratory bird belonging to the more than 120 species of Corvids, considered the most intelligent of all birds. Click on photos for full sized images.

They inhabit scrub and dry woodlands of predominately oak and piñion pine but also suburban habitats in western North America.

Every year, during the summer months, adult Western Scrub-Jays bring their molting juveniles to the yard and pond to teach their young how to best take advantage of the easy life on the Jordan property.

Scrub-Jays are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders. They eat predominately arthropods and fruit in spring and summer and seeds of masting trees, especially oaks and pines, in autumn and winter¹. They are known for storing food items for later consumption. Of course where bird feeders are available with sunflower seeds, they stock up when the can.

They do a pretty good job on suet also, no matter what type of feeder you place it in. This adult jay is doing a great job of imitating a clinging bird!

In the fall, when acorns from the oak trees are ripe, Western Scrub-Jays carefully select the optimal seed for storage and carry them off to different locations to feed on later in the year. They are usually stored on the ground, driven into the soil with their bill. A leaf, small rock, or other object is often placed over the site¹.

According to the literature, 5,000 acorns may be cached per individual in one autumn. In California, acorns are stored principally September through February and recovered from January to May, peaking in February and March.

These birds are so interesting, I almost forgot that I was bringing you the antics of the juvenile Western Scrub-Jays coming to the pond to drink and bathe.

Note the head and neck is a dull grayish-brown, unlike the adult’s bright blue crown and nape seen in the photos above. You will also notice the fleshy color at the point where the mandibles come together (commissural point) at the base of the bill indicating that this is a juvenile.

They are fun to watch and even though they come into the pond and feeding station screaming, they get along with most of the other birds in the yard. Here is a video I shot at the water feature which ends in a juvenile Western Scrub-Jay taking a bath.

For more great bird photo fun, check out Anni’s Bird D’pot and Stewart’s Wild Bird Wednesday!

References: ¹Birds of North America Online

Anna’s Hummmingbird (Calypte anna) Female by Larry Jordan

When temperatures reach into the triple digits, birds need lots of water. We’ve had a pretty mild summer up until a few weeks ago. Now we have temperatures over 100 degrees every day and birds are flocking to the water feature. Click on photos for full sized images.

Even the hummingbirds that drink sugar water most of the time need extra water when it gets this hot. Here is a female Anna’s Hummmingbird (Calypte anna) drinking and bathing at the water feature.

If you want to attract birds to your yard a clean water supply is essential. A moving water supply is best because birds can’t resist moving water.

And this hummingbird can’t resist my sunflowers!

To see more great bird photographs check out Wild Bird Weekly and The Bird D’pot.

Evening Grosbeak Pair (Coccothraustes vespertinus) photos by Larry Jordan

That massive beak sported by the Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) turns from white to a pearly yellowish-green in breeding season (click on photos for full sized images).

I was fortunate to have a flock of these beauties visit me last summer. Here you can see a couple of males and several females foraging in my yard.

They are irruptive migrants meaning that they make appearances every couple of years at feeding stations throughout the United States.

If you are lucky enough to have them visit you during one of these irruptions, you might want to stock up on sunflower seed.

Enjoying their company is well worth the extra seed.  They are not only gregarious and active, they are real lookers too. Check out the subtle beauty of this female Evening Grosbeak.

The male in breeding plumage is very brightly colored and easily identifiable.

Another look at the female from the back showing the gray and white pattern on her wings and her spotted tail.

Here she is in the Eucalyptus tree over the pond showing the yellow wash on her neck and flanks.

They decided that it was safe to visit the water feature where they could drink and bathe.

Note the size of the male Evening Grosbeak compared to the Lesser Goldfinch in the foreground. They are a stout bird at about 8 inches in size.

Isn’t she pretty?

Don’t they make a nice couple?

To see more great bird photos from around the world, check out Anni’s Bird D’pot at “I’d Rather Be Birdin.” Also check out the American Birding Association’s Bird of the Year!