All photos courtesy of Lifeforce Foundation
Wild Again at the Point - August 2010
Published on Fri, Jul 30, 2010 by By Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce Founding DirectorRead More Wild At The Point
The different appearances and behaviors of the feathered wonders on the Point bring to mind Darwin’s theory of evolution. Fauna and flora evolving to adapt to their environments, and over time, these variations form new species. But no there is no need to wait for centuries to see remarkable seasonal changes during some short and some long lives.
A variety of colors and designer plumages are seen during the regular and breeding seasons of many species. In most cases, brightly plumed males are dressed to attract the often plainer females. In some species, the males attract their fellow homosexual birds. This has been seen with Chilean Flamingos, Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, and Black Swans.
Some of those who have quite drastic color changes from breeding to non-breeding include Common Loons, Pacific loons, Pigeon Guillemots, Bonaparte’s Gulls. One would be amazed that they are the same birds.
Others will have the same appearance year long but are drastically different between males and females. This group includes Ring-necked Pheasants, Red- breasted Mergansers, Buffleheads, Harlequins, Northern Harriers, and Red-winged Blackbird.
In addition, in some species both sexes have similar plumage as an adult. This includes Brant Geese, Canada Goose, grebes, cormorants, herons and some swallows.
Belted Kingfishers and Northern Flickers are similar but have distinct variations. Female Kingfishers will have a reddish band and the male flickers have an appropriate “moustache.”
One that has an actual “hard physical” change to the beak is the breeding Rhinoceros Auklets. This medium-sized, stocky water bird is all dark gray, except for a white belly. Breeding adults have a vertical white “horn” at base of orange bill, and two striking thin white plumes on face. This horn is shed every year.
The N’Sync boys band would have a hard time comparing their moves with the precision, synchronized flight of Sandpipers, Sanderling and Dunlins. Hundreds of these in-flight wonders will make split second direction changes in unison.
The Rufous Hummingbirds are a small and compact migrating bird. Adults are only about 3 inches. They are listed as species-at-risk. Males are rufous all over. Females are green above, with rufous flanks and rufous at the base of the tail. In courtship, the male attracts the female with an aerial display. He dives close to a female, his feathers making a loud whining sound.
The male is often the defender of the nest. Bald Eagles will share in duties. Killdeer will leave their four camouflaged speckled eggs in the open on gravel. When threatened the pair will feign a broken wing to lead an intruder away from the net (see Lifeforce Nature Moments: Killdeer www.lifeforcefoundation.org/ecotv).
Female Rufous Hummingbirds lay two eggs and incubates them for 15 to 17 days. She feeds and cares for the young by herself until they become independent at about 21 days.
Unlike the orcas that die prematurely in captivity, the birds that you saw last year or last decade may be the same one. For example, the estimated longevity in years in the wild: Bald Eagle, 30, Canada Goose, 32, Heron, 24, Herring Gull, 50, American Robin, 12, some Pigeons, 35, some Sparrows, 20, and some Starlings, 5.
Donations are greatly appreciated and can be sent to Lifeforce, Box 121, Point Roberts, 98281 or Box 3117, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 3X6. Thank you.
A variety of colors and designer plumages are seen during the regular and breeding seasons of many species. In most cases, brightly plumed males are dressed to attract the often plainer females. In some species, the males attract their fellow homosexual birds. This has been seen with Chilean Flamingos, Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, and Black Swans.
Some of those who have quite drastic color changes from breeding to non-breeding include Common Loons, Pacific loons, Pigeon Guillemots, Bonaparte’s Gulls. One would be amazed that they are the same birds.
Others will have the same appearance year long but are drastically different between males and females. This group includes Ring-necked Pheasants, Red- breasted Mergansers, Buffleheads, Harlequins, Northern Harriers, and Red-winged Blackbird.
In addition, in some species both sexes have similar plumage as an adult. This includes Brant Geese, Canada Goose, grebes, cormorants, herons and some swallows.
Belted Kingfishers and Northern Flickers are similar but have distinct variations. Female Kingfishers will have a reddish band and the male flickers have an appropriate “moustache.”
One that has an actual “hard physical” change to the beak is the breeding Rhinoceros Auklets. This medium-sized, stocky water bird is all dark gray, except for a white belly. Breeding adults have a vertical white “horn” at base of orange bill, and two striking thin white plumes on face. This horn is shed every year.
The N’Sync boys band would have a hard time comparing their moves with the precision, synchronized flight of Sandpipers, Sanderling and Dunlins. Hundreds of these in-flight wonders will make split second direction changes in unison.
The Rufous Hummingbirds are a small and compact migrating bird. Adults are only about 3 inches. They are listed as species-at-risk. Males are rufous all over. Females are green above, with rufous flanks and rufous at the base of the tail. In courtship, the male attracts the female with an aerial display. He dives close to a female, his feathers making a loud whining sound.
The male is often the defender of the nest. Bald Eagles will share in duties. Killdeer will leave their four camouflaged speckled eggs in the open on gravel. When threatened the pair will feign a broken wing to lead an intruder away from the net (see Lifeforce Nature Moments: Killdeer www.lifeforcefoundation.org/ecotv).
Female Rufous Hummingbirds lay two eggs and incubates them for 15 to 17 days. She feeds and cares for the young by herself until they become independent at about 21 days.
Unlike the orcas that die prematurely in captivity, the birds that you saw last year or last decade may be the same one. For example, the estimated longevity in years in the wild: Bald Eagle, 30, Canada Goose, 32, Heron, 24, Herring Gull, 50, American Robin, 12, some Pigeons, 35, some Sparrows, 20, and some Starlings, 5.
Donations are greatly appreciated and can be sent to Lifeforce, Box 121, Point Roberts, 98281 or Box 3117, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 3X6. Thank you.
Wild Again at the Point - August 2010
The different appearances and behaviors of the feathered wonders on the Point bring to mind Darwin’s theory of evolution.
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