Feathery update - February 6

The location of our rental apartment continues to provide an unexpected bonus.  Cliffs are nearby and there are numerous vacant lots in this residential development, with a variety of scrub bushes, cacti and other vegetation.  We keep binoculars and our small Olympus "point and shoot" 24X zoom at the ready as well as making use of our eyes.  While we are not 'birders', it is fascinating to spot and learn about the feathery creatures who make their homes in this area.  We thank the San Carlos bird-watching groups who report their findings weekly in the "What's Up in San Carlos" online newsletter. The bird sightings mentioned often confirm our best guesses in consultation with our Sibley Field Guide.

Most recent viewings with 'best guesses":
Costa's Hummingbird (Calype costae)
Common in low desert habitat, where it nests from January to March;  one of smallest birds, tiny and short-tailed.  Male has purplish crown and long flared throat feathers (pg. 260).

Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae)

Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus)
Population declining in open pastures and prairies with scattered bushes and trees.  Solitary; feeds on grasshoppers and other insects, small birds and rodents (pg. 295).

Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) - on cactus perch

Loggerhead Shrike from back

  Still unidentified......

Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus)
Nests on cliff ledges, solitary.  Feeds mainly on small mammals, but also takes many birds and some insects. Best distinguished by sandy-brown color with contrasting dark flanks and under-wing coverts (pg. 115).

Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus)