Applegater Spring 2013 13
BIRDMAN
Spring migration
Spring is in the air and the migration
of thousands of birds is well under way
by now. Many of these little fellows have
wintered far to the south, some as far as
South America. But they are on the move
now and it is fun to keep our eyes out as
they return to the Applegate Valley.
Rufous Hummingbirds are among
the first to arrive, coming into our area
in early March. Band-tailed Pigeons
arrive here about mid-March. They have
a distinctive light gray-tipped tail, yellow
bill and legs, and a beautiful lavender hue
on their bodies.
By the end of April the Black-headed
Grosbeaks are back showing off a buffy
orange breast and white patches on their
wings as they move around foraging in the
trees for pine and other seeds and various
insects. Also arriving in April are the
spectacular Lazuli Buntings, the male a
vibrant sky-blue color with reddish breast
and white belly. You’ll see them close
to or on the ground foraging for seeds,
or at your thistle and sunflower feeders
often with groups of American and Lesser
Goldfinches.
One really special spring and summer
visitor to our area is the Western Kingbird.
You should spot them quietly perched on
power wires or fences watching for flying
insects. If one happens by, off they fly to
pick them out of the air, then return to
their perch to gobble it down and wait
patiently for the next one. The Western
Kingbird has a light gray head, throat and
upper breast, but a bright yellow belly.
The tail of the Western Kingbird is square-
tipped and black, with white on the outer
edge of each side that is very noticeable
when flying.
A relative of the Western Kingbird is
the Tropical Kingbird that has a limited
range north of the Mexican border, but
is, in fact, the most widespread of all the
kingbirds, nesting from Arizona and Texas
The Band-tailed Pigeon is the largest pigeon
in North America. It is found at altitudes
between 3,000 and 12,000 feet, and feeds
on seeds, especially acorns.
Photo: Gary Kramer, fws.org.
Male Lazuli Bunting. The Lazuli Bunting is
a North American songbird named for the
gemstone lapis lazuli. Its habitat is brushy
areas and sometimes weedy pastures.
Photo: Dave Menke, fws.gov.
The American Goldfinch is the only finch in
its subfamily that undergoes a complete molt.
It is generally monogamous
and produces one brood each year.
Photo: Peter J. Thiemann, Flickr photo stream.
by Ted a. GloveR
to central Argentina.
But every year in the
fall some Tropical
Kingbirds wander
along the Pacific
Coast, even as far
north as Canada and
Ted A. Glover
Alaska. We saw a pair
of Tropical Kingbirds
at the Arcata Marsh this past October.
Take some time this spring to notice
the birds as they travel through our
beautiful valley. The colors are magnificent
as they reach their peak breeding plumage
and begin to search for nesting sites to raise
their young.
Ted A. Glover • 541-846-0681
tedglover9@gmail.com
The Western Kingbird derives its name
from its “take-charge” behavior. These birds
defend their territory against much
larger birds—even hawks.
Photo: Peter J. Thiemann, Flickr photo stream.
