Birds of Quail Valley and Fort Bend

Loggerhead Shrike

No, it’s not a masked Northern Mockingbird, and you likely won’t find it in your garden unless you live on an open space. It does closely resemble the Northern Mockingbirds in size and flight.

This year round bird is often seen on the Missouri City Edible Arbor Trail on Oyster Creek near FM 1092 where is has an open woodlands and grassy area to hunt. It sits on a Jujube Tree hunting and pays little attention to us on the trail. Loggerheads sit on low trees and dive for prey which include insects, amphibians, reptiles and small mammals and birds.

Unlike raptors with strong gripping talons, this small bird of prey, uses its hooked beak to impale the spinal cord. It then uses thorns on plants such as the Jujube to hold its prey while it rips it apart. Macabe little bedtime story.

On 5-12-2012 we had quite a birding event. Press here to learn more.

Photos copyrighted by Quail Valley resident and international birder Margaret Sloan. View her international and national bird pictures by pressing this link. View her full photo album of local birds, Birds of Quail Valley by pressing this link.

Blog by Janice Scanlan.

Cooper's Hawk

 

Cooper’s Hawk is a year round resident as well as a winter visitor in Fort Bend. A medium hawk 16-18 inches in height, the Cooper’s is quite a aerobat and is adept in flying through treed areas. With a very long tail, it has a flap-flap, glide wing pattern.

 

It can be easily mistaken for the Sharp-shinned Hawk. However, the Sharp Shinned Hawk is a winter visitor only in Texas so time of year can remove some of the guesswork.

 

Cooper’s Hawks hunt for other birds and two of its favorites are Mourning Doves and Rock Pigeons. The Cooper’s is becoming quite comfortable in urban and suburban areas and particularly likes sitting on fences and preying on bird feeders. However, they usually do not go for smaller birds, but do like Northern Flickers, American Robins, several varieties of jays, quail and chickens as well as doves and pigeons.

 

If a Cooper’s is sitting on the fence stalking your feeders, remove the feeders for a few days and the  Cooper’s will likely move on if you wish to discourage them.

 

 

The male is smaller than the female and gives a new meaning to hen-pecked. It is quite solicitous of the female and listens for the tone of her voice. He builds and tends the nest, providing almost 90% of the young’s food for 90 days.  

 

To read a story about the Cooper's Hawk, press here.

Photos copyrighted by Quail Valley resident and international birder Margaret Sloan. View her international and national bird pictures by pressing this link. View her full photo album of local birds, Birds of Quail Valley by pressing this link.

Learn how to attract birds to your garden, enjoy the Quail Valley Garden's Club visit and tour of Margaret's backyard.

Blog edited by Janice Scanlan.

 

 

 

 

 

Northern Mockingbird

The Northern Mockingbird couldn’t sing in the newspaper photo, but he found a festive place to wish you a happy holiday along with some of his favorite things, berries.

If you hear a multitude of bird songs in your garden, you likely have a Northern Mockingbird, which plain gray-brown coloring is quickly appreciated with its great personality and songs. One imitated my cell phone ring so well, I tried to answer the phone!

The State Bird of Texas, the Northern Mockingbird is a year round resident throughout the US and Mexico. Very territorial, these birds can put on quite a show.

The fledglings show the same plucky personality. They have a more mottled breast than the mature birds gray breast.

They love all kinds of berries, but eat insects in the summer. Expect to see them throughout the garden, feeding on the ground or in hedges and trees. Besides song, their antics to protect their territory make this medium songbird a real standout.

The final picture shows two young birds whose breasts are still mottled. But the songs just belt forth all day . . . with infinite variety of these great songwriters and mimics. To learn more about their songs, calls, and "chaks" visit Cornell's All About Birds.

Photos copyrighted by Quail Valley resident and international birder Margaret Sloan. View her international and national bird pictures by pressing this link. View her full photo album of local birds, Birds of Quail Valley by pressing this link.

Learn how to attract birds to your garden, enjoy the Quail Valley Garden's Club visit and tour of Margaret's backyard.

Blog edited by Janice Scanlan.

 

Wood Duck

Fall means more ducks in Fort Bend, and the Wood Duck is one of the most beautiful. The males are in intricate “jewel” tones with each feather a variety of patterns. Its head feathers resemble a Spartan helmet.

The females are more muted colors in browns, but the intricate white patterns around her eyes are elegant.

As you can see from the young male above, the Wood Duck is a year-round resident in Fort Bend. However, they are also migrants of those who nest further north and on the Pacific coast. The migrants fly into Mexico and warmer areas of the Southwest for winter.

Wood Ducks live in swamps, ponds and nest in tree cavities. Because of fewer natural cavities for nesting, nest boxes are often used to encourage this beautiful bird. Their young can drop out of the nest almost 300 feet without being harmed. From their nests in over-hanging trees, the young may drop directly into the water. They also have a unique claw on their feet that allow them to perch in trees.

Good news for golfers, Wood Ducks eat insects and Duck Weed as well as a variety of acquatic plants, insects, and small mollucks. The pairs breed twice a year and especially where nest boxes are used, may lay eggs in other nest for other Wood Ducks to raise.

Photos copyrighted by Quail Valley resident and international birder Margaret Sloan. View her international and national bird pictures by pressing this link. View her full photo album of local birds, Birds of Quail Valley by pressing this link.

Learn how to attract birds to your garden, enjoy the Quail Valley Garden's Club visit and tour of Margaret's backyard.

Blog edited by Janice Scanlan.

 

Red-bellied Woodpecker

 
The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker found in the Eastern United States and forest areas. They also come to bird feeders. One hangs upside down and uses his beak and long tongue to get past the squirrel barriers to get bird seed from our back yard feeder.

The Red-bellied has red feathers under white ones on their bellies, but are easily identifiable by the red on head tops (cap) and nape of necks and black and white barred backs. Not to be confused with the Red-headed Woodpecker, which has an all red head and solid black back, the Red-Bellied is much more abundant.

They often nest in tree and wood cavities and are quite territorial. Wood cavities such as this are prime spots. They have quite a problem with European Starlings robbing these nest sites. This mother (in the photo above) has a tasty spider for her chick, but it took a few tries before the chick ate the spider. Like many birds such as the Hummingbird, insects are an important source of protein in the diet of Woodpeckers and you will often hear them drumming on bark hunting for insects, but they most commonly pick along to forage the bark for insects as they “hop” up trees, particularly pines and hardwoods.

They have a fairly wide range of food sources and like Loquat fruit.

Males and females have a slightly different range of food as males have longer tongues that can get food from crevices. This helps the species be successful and adaptable to changing weather and food conditions. We are on the edge of their "western" territory. Let's hope they find food and water to continue in our area--fortunately areas just east of here have had more rain this year.

To hear the various kinds of sounds Red-bellied Wookpeckers make besides drumming, hear the kwirring and various sounds by visiting Cornell's All About Birds. If you see a Red-Bellied flying erratically, it's likely a young bird practicing evasive moves. The bird above is likely immature and just stretching it's wings and beginning to get it's red cap and nape . . . the face has not "paled" yet. Overall, the Red-Bellied can appear "pale" overall after maturity.

Photos copyrighted by Margaret Sloan. View her full photo album, Birds of Quail Valley by pressing this link.

Learn how to attract birds to your garden, enjoy the Quail Valley Garden's Club visit and tour of Margaret's backyard.

Blog edited by Janice Scanlan.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Fort Bend Bird of the Month is the Black-Bellied Whistling Duck. The Black Bellied is found mostly in Mexico and South America, but is making its way with new colonies on the lower Texas Gulf Coast and in spots in US such as Louisiana, the Carolinas, California and Arizona.

Adult males and females are colored the same with red bills, gray heads, rufus chests, black bellies, long necks and long, pink legs. They nest in tree cavities so keeping old trees not in danger of falling on homes or buildings is important to keeping the black-bellied colonizing in Fort Bend--and owls and lots of other birds use tree cavities for young.

It used to also be called a Tree Duck because it was the only duck that perched. Yes, you’ll see them perched, sometimes in odd places. And check out their feet!

One landed in my backyard and was standing on a frog bench and moving his legs like he was prancing. Because I have ornamental fish, I immeidately checked his eating habits. They eat aquatic grasses, grain, insects and mollusks—so it explained his interest in my feeders and lack of interest in the pond.

This duck is closer to Geese and Swans with its social behaviors and longer legged water fowl. They are becoming more common in Fort Bend and live near marshes and waterways.

While they have been common in Quail Valley for sometime with our marshy ponds and Oyster Creek, Fort Bend Independent reader Dan Herron spotted some in Stafford at at the West end of Francis Street, on a lake that is more or less the headwaters of Willow Waterhole Bayou. 

To hear sounds and learn other trustworthy information visit Cornell's All About Birds.

Photos copyrighted by Margaret Sloan. View her full photo album, Birds of Quail Valley by pressing this link.

Learn how to attract birds to your garden, enjoy the Quail Valley Garden's Club visit and tour of Margaret's backyard.

 

Carolina Wren

The Carolina Wren is a welcomed bird in many ways. They busily glean insects from the ground and foliage and protect our plants from insect infestations. Below is one with an insect.

With their characteristic upturned tail, they are busy, active, and fun to watch. They even like nesting in your wreaths or hanging baskets often better than in plants and trees. Their side entry nests are intricate, but don’t disturb or mom will fly at you. They move fast . . . so don't expect the same pose for very long.

And don't always expect the upturned tail, but you can't miss the song. The males pack an amazing volume for their size. I call one of mine Pavarotti because he loves to sing from my Magnolia and Japanese Maples.

This little fledgling pictured below will grow to about 4 ¾”—and have the characteristic upturned tail when it grows out. Don't you want to protect this little guy (or gal)?

You will often hear Carolina Wrens before you see them. To hear their characteristic song, visit the Cornell Ornithology Lab All about Birds.

Photos copyrighted by Margaret Sloan. View her full photo album, Birds of Quail Valley by pressing this link.

Learn how to attract birds to your garden, enjoy the Quail Valley Garden's Club visit and tour of Margaret's backyard.

 

Pied-Billed Grebe

The Pied-Billed Grebe is a plucky little water fowl that lives in fresh water marshes, lakes and ponds. They dive mostly for their food as you can see with the ambitious-sized crawfish in his beak, which is shaped like a chicken's rather than a duck's.

The black and white markings are only present during breeding (on the male's bill only) and are shown in the first three photos. The Pied-Billed does not have webbed feet like a duck, but is more like a chicken's feet except it has lobes on each "toe" for paddling.

The breeding bill is even seen in the ambitious juvenile above.

The Pied-Billed Grebe is a smaller version in its bill and feet of the American Coot, which is black and has a face mask marking. These juvenile Pied-Bills better reflect it's brown coloration and non-breeding bill found in all Pied Bills except during breeding in the males.

The Pied-Billed normally dives for protection. Any flight is very low to the ground and "taxiing."

This yearround bird loves our Fort Bend ponds and creeks and can be seen swimming among other water birds especially American Coots and Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, which are much larger. Margaret tells a story of a Pied-Billed actually "goosing" a larger duck out of his way.

Babies can actually leave the nest quickly, but can't swim yet. You'll see them riding on parent's backs.

Photos copyrighted by Margaret Sloan. View her full photo album which has pictures of American Coots and Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Birds of Quail Valley by pressing this link.

Learn how to attract birds to your garden, enjoy the Quail Valley Garden's Club visit and tour of Margaret's backyard.

 

 

Roseate Spoonbill

The Roseate Spoonbill is a wading bird often seen with heron, egrets and ibis. They are large birds about 32 inches. Some winter here, but during colder years may migrate during the winter to Central and South America.

They often mate for life with male and female sharing equal nest responsibilities. The males court by bringing nesting materials as they make quite sturdy nests.

Their coloration can be many shades of pink from shell pink to magenta. Their coloration is diet driven. The more carotenoid critters they get such as shrimp, the pinker they become. Adults have bald heads that are greenish, white necks, pink bodies and reddish long legs.

And, of course, is their distinctive spoon-shaped bill that they use to strain small food items out of the water such as aquatic beetles, frogs, and newts as well as shrimp. In the US, they are only on the Texas Gulf Coast and Florida. Unlike Herons, they fly with out-stretched necks.

Photos copyrighted by Margaret Sloan. View her full photo album, Birds of Quail Valley by pressing this link.

Learn how to attract birds to your garden, enjoy the Quail Valley Garden's Club visit and tour of Margaret's backyard.

 

American Kestrel

American is truly right because this bird ranges from the Southern tip of Argentina to Alaska.

Our most colorful falcon or small hawk, the American Kestrel eats small rodents, insects and is beautiful flying along cleared spaces hunting.

You’ll often see them on high lines scouting for their next meal. And de-forestation has increased their numbers throughout North and South America.

They are not true migratory birds, but many do leave in the spring to go North. Some nest here.

Watch for the beautiful rufous and contrasting coloring on their wings.

Photos copyrighted by Margaret Sloan. View her full photo album, Birds of Quail Valley by pressing this link.

Learn how to attract birds to your garden, enjoy the Quail Valley Garden's Club visit and tour of Margaret's backyard. Or learn more about the American Kestrel including their interesting "nest building" by visiting the Cornell Labs of Ornithology.

Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal is not just associated with Christmas because of its beautiful red plumage and crest. Northern Cardinals don’t migrate . . . and live year round in a good portion of the United States (excluding the Rocky Mountains, some of the Northern Plains states and West Coast).  So the striking photos of Cardinals in the snow are not “photoshopped”.

The female is more muted, but beautiful in her own right. These birds come to feeders and love black oiled Sunflower seeds. They also eat insects.

 

And they love water and enjoy water sprinklers and birdbaths-- and just clown around.

Mostly seen in pairs, the mature female has the lovely red bill but gray feathers with red splotches that can make her appear burnt orange.

These birds are ideally suited for back yards and enjoy feeders. If you look closely at both feeders in the photo below, the male and female pair are dining together in separate feeders. Look for her red bill in the right feeder to locate her. You'll have no problem spotting him . . . and males will often sit on fences and in other prominent places so their mate can feed on the ground.

 
 
80% mate for life, but in the late winter to early spring in woodsy areas, you may see Cardinals flocking with young birds and those randy 20% finding new mates.

Males bring on their red in sploches as shown in the photo below--it's not just a bad hair day.

Young birds have black bills and little color.

Photos copyrighted by Margaret Sloan. View her full photo album, Birds of Quail Valley by pressing this link.

To learn more about the Northern Cardinal, hear an audio recording of its cheep (which may be the first bird sound of the morning), and see a wonderful video of the Northern Cardinal, visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

We've now posted a full year of both year round and migrating birds . . . our monthly post has barely scraped the surface of the ball park 120 birds that live or visit Fort Bend County. Happy holidays and enjoy the new year by enjoying nature and the outdoors.

Edited and posted by Janice Scanlan

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Giving thanks for small things . . . and one that eats insects summer until winter in Fort Bend is truly welcomed! The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is the northernmost gnatcatcher and the only true migratory one. While some live on the Texas Gulf Coast year round, this bird will be heading to Mexico and Central America when the insect population thins during the colder weather.

This fluttery, fast-moving little bird is literally using it's fluttery movements to scare up insects in your plant and tree foliage. You'll often see flashes of gray and white while this little bird with a long tail is "gleaning foliage." 

The females are slightly paler than the males. All are very curious and sometimes will come quite close to you...but they're quick and will be gone in an instant.  Look for a small flash of silvery-gray among the leaves and listen for a high insect-like "spee." And that white streak on the edge of the tail.

You likely may hear the "spree" before you see them, but they also mimic other birds.

These little birds like scrub to woodsey areas and really like water so look along creeks, in parks with trees and water and in scrubbery.

Photos copyrighted by Margaret Sloan. View her full photo album, Birds of Quail Valley by pressing this link.

To learn more about the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and hear audio recording of its unique voice, visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Posted and edited by Janice Scanlan

 

 

 

 

Barred Owl

Barred Owls live year round in Fort Bend and love our open spaces to hunt. They live in forested areas, and swamps are just fine!  They nest in cavities in deciduous trees.  Hunting at night their preferred prey includes small mammals, rabbits, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. It’s quite common to see them in trees during 6 AM hikes on the Quail Valley Golf Course as they are ending their hunting and are common on the slough off Glenn Lakes. 

Distinctive with their black eyes and no feather tufts on the ears, a barred owl lost its home on Stafford Run from a wind storm and lived in a tree near our home for several days until he or she located a new home. During last summer’s drought, the owl would return to our birdbath during the day. It was quite unusual to see that large a bird in the birdbath much less an owl in the daytime. And yes, owls yawn.

To learn more about the Barred Owl and see other photos, visit the Cornell Ornithology Lab where you can also hear the distinct calls and voices of Barred and Great Horned Owls.

The other Owl living in Fort Bend and from the Arctic to the Tropics in every kind of habitat is the Great Horned Owl. The Great Horned Owl is so-named for the tufts near his or her ears. In contrast to the Barred Owls' lack of ear tufts and black eyes, the Great Horned Owls' eyes are yellow and cat-like in how the irises visibly open and narrow into slits. The Great Horned Owl is not seen as often in "urban" Fort Bend, preferring agricultural areas more prevalent in West Fort Bend County. This photo is not very good, but will give you a real contrast on how the two Owls look very different from one another.

To see more detailed photos and learn more about the Great Horned Owl, visit here.

Photo copyrighted by Margaret Sloan. View her full photo album, Birds of Quail Valley by pressing this link.

 

Great Egret

Do you think I'm sexy? Yes, mating and the wonderful courtship dances and songs of birds are all around us. Long plumes (aigrettes) are held up over the back in courtship displays around the nest. These displays can last 10 minutes or more.

Plume hunters in the 1800 and 1900's had reduced populations in North America by 95%. The species rebounded after they became protected by law.

Standing up to four feet high, the Great Egret is indeed impressive equally on the ground in and out of courtship display and in flight. And they are even taller on tiptoe with their necks extended as in the photo below.

Sometimes called Great Whites, these birds are members of the Heron family and are found along creeks, sloughs and other wetlands. They nest and live in Fort Bend year around and extend throughout North America.

Photos copyrighted by Margaret Sloan.

Keep visiting, we are posting birds and habits as the visit the area and time permits of Winter and other varieties of birds that live or visit Quail Valley and Fort Bend.

To see a more complete photo album of Birds from Quail Valley and Fort Bend, Birds of Quail Valley.