Welcome California Scrub-Jay plus Nuttall's Woodpecker and Western Meadowlark

[California. March 2016]

It is indeed a special moment to be witness to the introduction of a brand new species into the ABA area; yet that is exactly the good fortune that has befallen collectively on all birders in 2016 with the historic splitting of Western Scrub-Jay into California Scrub-Jay and Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay (see article here).

It is not often that we see the making of taxonomic history right in front of our eyes; and thus in euphoric celebration of this glorious occasion, we profile the California Scrub-Jay -- a delightful corvid that was observed earlier this year together with some other species typical of the area:

• California Scrub-Jay
• Nuttall's Woodpecker
• Icterids: Western Meadowlark, Brewer's Blackbird, Tricolored Blackbird and Red-winged Blackbird 
• Small songbirds: Audbon's Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet

We start by welcoming California Scrub-Jay as a new species to the US:

California Scrub-Jay is a bright blue jay with a black mask, a faint blue necklace and pale undersides.

California Scrub-Jay is primarily coastal (here observed at Los Pensaquitos, San Diego) and ranges from Baja California to Washington State.

Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay, on the other hand, is found in the interior West -- from Nevada to Texas:
 

Here seen at Tres Pistolas (New Mexico), it is a duller blue, with a duller mask and greyer undersides. The faint necklace is also largely absent. In addition to the plumage, differences also exist in vocalization and bill shape.

Next, Nutall's Woodpecker is a virtual endemic to the state of California:

Here seen at Ramona Grasslands, this small woodpecker favors oak habitat.

Over to Icterids, we start with Western Meadowlark:

Also seen at Ramona Grasslands, this beautiful songster is virtually indistinguishable from its Eastern namesake and best separated by vocalization and range.


Farther north, Brewer's Blackbird was observed in Coyote Valley:

More common is Red-winged Blackbird:

But, perhaps the most notable Icterid observed was Tricolored Blackbird:

A female observed in the same area -- this species is listed as "Endangered" and has suffered a catastrophic decline in numbers thanks to the twin evils of over-development and destructive agricultural practices.

On the small songbird front:

Audubon's Warbler was observed (at Los Pensaquitos) and Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Ramona Grasslands:

Splits and lumps are a fact of life for birders; yet each such event affords an opportunity to reacquaint and rediscover; and, the spectacular California Scrub-Jay is a prime example of a species that invites our attention to renew our relationship with what once was known to us simply as "Western Scrub-Jay".

Madera Canyon Delights: Elegant Trogon, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher and Blue Grosbeak

[Madera Canyon, SEAZ. August 2016]

Just as Black-whiskered Vireo, Snail Kite and Mangrove Cuckoo are synonymous with South Florida, so is SE Arizona the best venue in the country for Elegant Trogon, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher and Broad-billed Hummingbird -- all species that we shall savor in this post thanks to a late summer trip to the Tucson area.

South of Tucson, the fabled hotspot that is Madera Canyon, serves as a veritable avian pilgrimage site for birders and nature-lovers alike. And here, this blogger (armed with his travel camera kit) was able to observe the following delightful species which in many respects typify SEAZ: 

• Elegant Trogon
• Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher
• Blue Grosbeak
• Broad-billed Hummingbird
• Black-chinned Hummingbird
• Mexican Jay
• Bridled Titmouse
• Painted Redstart
• Montezuma Quail
• Acorn Woodpecker
• Red-tailed Hawk 

We start with the Trogon:

This stunning female was seen in the upper reaches of the canyon; a little lower on the trail where a resplendent male was seen two years ago.
 
A characteristic "squeaky toy" call betrays the presence of an imposing flycatcher:

This large, noisy and flamboyant tyrant flycatcher is a specialty species of the area.

Further down toward the Proctor Rd area, grasslands and shrubs about abound and this is perfect habitat for sparrows as well as Blue Grosbeak:

Blue Grosbeak is a widespread species -- breeding as far north as Ohio; however, the next species is exclusive to Arizona:

The peacock-hued Broad-billed Hummingbird:

Much more widespread is Black-chinned Hummingbird:

Raucous Mexican Jays are also ubiquitous at this venue:

Of all American titmice, the Bridled Titmouse has the most distinctive facial markings and is unique to SEAZ in the country:

Painted Redstart is a resident breeder in this area:

After a serendipitous encounter with Montezuma Quail in Spring, this blogger was not expecting to run into it again; but, an obscured yet certain sighting did indeed occur:

Other species included Acorn Woodpecker:

Red-tailed Hawk:
 

And, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo (in a frightfully poor image):

 
Birders may scour the length and breadth of this country furiously checking off species after species but to see Elegant Trogon, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher and other specialty species, the intrepid birder will discover that there is no place better than Madera Canyon in SE Arizona.

From the Leopard's Lair: Indian Pitta, White-browed Fantail, Grey Francolin and Bay-backed Shrike

[Jhalana Forest Reserve. June/July, 2016,

The greatest danger faced by this blogger while birding in Michigan has been the insidious threat posed by despicable ticks and abominable mosquitoes. This pales, however, in what one can encounter in other parts of the world -- indeed, to put this in perspective, as you enter Jhalana Forest Reserve (on the outskirts of Jaipur, India), the reason visitors are required to stay in their vehicles soon becomes apparent:

 
Panthera Pardus is is a formidable carnivore and predator; and, with males weighing up to 160 lbs, they will, although rarely, attack and eat humans. 

Rapid urbanization and loss of habitat has meant a severe depletion of the leopard population in India -- only about 14,000 are left in the wild today. The only positive is that human fatalities from leopard attacks have also decreased from 11,909 (total fatalities over a 40 year period from the late 1800's to the early 1900's) to just a handful of attacks a year today.

But, a foray into the leopard's territory holds its own reward for those who dare to enter the leopard's lair and explore the Indian jungle for its avian riches -- a fact that this blogger profited from immensely on his recent summer vacation to India where the following species were savored in full:

• Indian Pitta
• White-browed Fantail
• Indian Silverbill
• Indian Peafowl
• Bay-backed Shrike
• Chestnut shouldered Petronia
• Oriental Magpie-Robin
• Green Bee-eater
• Black Drongo
• Grey Francolin
• Hoopoe
• Cinerous Tit
• White-throated Kingfisher

We start with the Pitta:

The Indian Pitta is a spectacular songbird and its bright spectrum of colors and loud song enliven the forest --now a verdant green thanks to the monsoon rains.

This bird is a ground forager and can usually be seen among the leaf litter digging for insects. In the second photograph below, the Pitta takes cover as a Shikra (Sparrowhawk-like raptor) flew above.

White-browed Fantail is an Old World flycatcher -- and one look at the picture below leaves no doubt as to the origin of its name:

The fantail ranges from the subcontinent through to SE Asia; indeed, it was the sweet song of this species that made the blogger oblivious to the approach of the leopards.

Indian Silverbill was also spied:

Indian Peafowl is always a welcome sight:

During the monsoon, many males convene at a lekking site to display their fantastically symmetrical and patterned tail feathers -- the effect on the opposite sex is predictable -- the peahens swoon and appear completely mesmerized  by this hypnotic seduction.

Bay-backed Shrike is a colorful example of the Shrike family:

 Chestnut-shouldered Petronia is also known as the Yellow-throated Sparrow:

This species is notable for being the "spark bird" for the Alexander Wilson of India -- Salim Ali.

Oriental Magpie-Robin:

This striking species belongs to Old World flycatcher family and is the national bird of Bangladesh.
 
Green Bee-eater ranges from Africa to SE Asia:

Black Drongo is a member of the drongo family -- these are intelligent birds whose members have a strong mimicking ability.

"Tea kettle, tea kettle, ..." -- the call of the Grey Francolin is a familiar call in the jungle:

This is a handsome landfowl species with finely patterned plumage.

The Hoopoe is the only extant member of its family:

The Hoopoe has an Ibis-like bill which it uses to feed like a shorebird; it looks somewhat like a woodpecker and nests in tree cavities but has the extravagant crest of a cockatoo.

It is no wonder that this enigma is the sole member of its family -- nothing else is quite like this bird!

The Cinerous Tit is much more familiar:

Not all kingfishers fish -- indeed, some have adapted well to arid environments such as the White-throated Kingfisher

The apex predators of North American forests -- bears, pumas, and wolves have long disappeared or retreated to the remotest parts of the country. Yet, in some of the truly wild places on earth, we are reminded that we share this planet with all manner of life -- including big cats like Panthera Pardus. And, for the intrepid birder, an excursion into these areas will reveal avian treasures such as Indian Pitta, White-browed Fantail and Bay-backed Shrike.
=================
Prey species of the leopard: