Field Journal #3

This observation took place on March 4, 2020 between the hours of 4:30pm and 6:00pm. The temperature was between 35 and 40 degrees fahrenheit, and there was some water and snow on the ground. The location was the residential area near Redstone campus, and many of the birds I observed were in trees on residential properties, while the rest I observed while they were in flight. I observed 30 American Crows, 1 Mourning Dove, 35 European Starlings, 17 American Robins, 4 Black-capped Chickadees, 16 Canada Geese, and 2 Northern Cardinals.

I spent much of my walk thinking about weather adaptations for these various species. First I observed the pair of Northern Cardinals in a hedge of evergreen shrubs. The two Northern Cardinals were very puffed-up to break some of the breeze, and the shrubs they were in also helped discourage the cold air and wind. I saw this same puffing-up of the feathers when I observed the Mourning Dove, who was perched in a tree in a front yard, it was also sitting with its head very close to its body. The time of day that I went out on my walk seemed to be a very popular feeding time, which I think is why I saw so many birds in people’s yards and in low trees. Now that the snow has begun to melt there are many exposed patches of ground, which is where the American Robins seemed to be mostly hunting for food. The American Crows and European Starlings were flying in decent-sized groups, which I imagine was them flying to and from a food source before overnighting. I would imagine that many of the birds I saw are relying on left-over seeds and maybe the occasional insect for sustenance during the winter months, while during the other seasons their diets are probably more insect and fruit based. If I was speculating, I would say that the Northern Cardinals probably overnight in the shrub I saw them in, while the other species find cover in high trees and wooded areas, or in the case of the Canada Geese, near a water source.

Because I was not walking in a particularly wooded area I did not observe many snags, but I did keep an eye out. Within the shrub where I observed the Northern Cardinals, I did see a few snags that looked as though they may have had cavities in them. I am not sure whether these cavities were inhabited, or if they had just been excavated for bugs. I imagine that snags are a great source of food because the decomposed food is soft and easily broken, but I think they are also a good source of protection from predators. Many small birds may overnight inside of snags as a way to stay hidden from predators. Small species that live in wooded areas, such as songbirds, would be the species I would think were the most likely to utilize snags.

Publicado el marzo 5, 2020 05:35 TARDE por acoates