Birds of Quail Valley and Fort Bend

Friends at Thanksgiving

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher with insect

 Give thanks for the friends you’ll be seeing this Thanksgiving!  Smaller migratory birds take opportunities of obliging winds and this past week two dependable November friends returned as well as a year round returned to our garden (likely for a warmer clime).

The Blue Gray Gnatcatcher (above) looks like a small mockingbird of gray and charcoal with a long tail that shows up at Suet Feeders as well as in foliage and Oak, Maple and Ash trees. They love insects and with warmer weather this week will likely be seen gleaning foliage . . . my visitors particularly love a Japanese Maple and insect glean in some azaleas in a very protected area where I also have spider webs. They are fast and stay in motion so unless like our photo above shows with the recent catch, they are moving and/or flight very quickly. Read more, see more pictures.

Ruby Crowned Kinglet.
The Ruby Crown is hidden pin feathers.

A closely allied bird the Ruby Crowned Kinglet (above) showed up the same day – a pair as matter-of-fact—one actually flashing its red pinfeathers on its tiny olive green head. Rarely have I seen such a display, but I can almost tell time from the hourly visits of these tiny birds. Read more, see more pictures.

 

The year round Carolina Wren
returned to a thicket near a fence.

But I was really rewarded in the garden when our cinnamon colored Carolina Wren told one of their many stories—not singing, almost clucking showed up on the fence coming out of some thick evergreens. Read more, see more pictures.

It’s hard to decide which bird to select in the fall because the great fly-overs are bringing the Wood Ducks, White Pelicans, Cranes (Whooping and Sandhill), Snow Geese and other large migratory birds that travel the same routes using large rivers and tributaries much like interstate highways and farm-to-market roads.

Wood Ducks         Read more, see more pictures.

White Pelicans     Read more, see more pictures.

Fly-over birds      Read more, see more pictures.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds has an interesting story that contributed to our information on large versus small bird migration,  Flyways for Flyweights: Small Birds Capitalize on Weather Patterns During Epic Migrations by Hugh Powell about migrations from Canada to and across the Gulf of Mexico.  In their "Find" search feature type in migratory patterns and scroll down to the article. All About Birds

Photos copyrighted by international birder Margaret Sloan.

See a bird you don't recognize in Fort Bend? Margaret has photographed 150+ bird species just in her suburban Fort Bend,Texas backyard alone. Narrow your initial search by viewing her full photo album of local birds, Birds of Quail Valley by pressing this link. They are organized by types of birds, so if it's a water bird for example, you may find one that helps you narrow your search. Then if you "google in" the name of the bird, you'll get info and all kinds of information and images. Sometimes if a species is remarkably different from adult you may find nothing, contact us and we'll do our best to help.

Researched and Edited by Janice Scanlan.

 

 

 

Hummingbirds . . . migrating south

Writer of this blog, Janice Scanlan, speaks on Hummingbirds at Brightwater Garden Club, Mon. Sept. 22, 7 pm, Brightwater Clubhouse. No charge. Contact Diane Giltner @ 281.499.0695

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, particularly females and immature males have taken an early migration ride on the recent dips south of the jet stream. Breezes more like September have brought hummers to our gardens and feeders early. They look for red and orange, small flutes containing nectar such as the Hamelia Patens commonly called Hummingbird Bush above, that with proper light and drainage adapts to the Texas Gulf Coast and Zone 9 heat and humidity conditions.

Unlike the male with his Ruby Throat above, female hummingbirds can be deceptively hard to identify. Until recently this wasn't much of an issue because the Ruby-throated were the only regular migratory visitor to Fort Bend County, near the upper Gulf Coast of Texas. Not anymore . . .

Especially early (usually a winter visitor) is the male Rufous Hummingbird pictured above, photographed 8-10-14 at Margaret’s garden sanctuary in Quail Valley.

Once hummers establish a pattern, they can be doggedly persistent in returning to feeders.

Hummingbirds are confined to South, Central and North America.

Most of the hummingbird species live in South America (more than 700 species), with only 28 species in North America (Mexico, US, and Canada). However, research shows a trend of hummers migrating north from the South American rainforests. The major reason seems to be more sources of food.

The Green-Breasted Mango Hummingbird provides an example of this northern movement. This one was photographed by Margaret in Costa Rica (and she has photographed them as far south as Ecuador) has now moved along of East Coast of Mexico . . . and is a fall and winter visitor as far North as the Rockport / Corpus Christi area. Yes, the more exotic plummed are further South.

Bringing more of nature’s jewels to your garden . . .

It pays to advertize . . . and bright red or orange . . . is a big trigger. Think in nature . . . there are fields of small fluted flowers that show up from the air . . . but may be harder to see in the home garden with fewer of one species or trees that obsure them. Any red plant, object or garden art the hummingbirds can see will attract them. Purple is also a color they like, but they will adapt to other nectar sources once they discover your garden is hospitable. Some people even hang red plastic streamers to blow in the wind!

Hummingbirds feeders . . .Hummers will come to feeders alone, but the more plant diversity and other food sources have them staying in your garden longer "working the garden." Keeping the nectar clean and not fermented to alcohol is a must. Nectar is best made with table sugar, as honey and other sugars sources can get moldy very fast. Use one part table sugar to 4 parts of water. Many experts recommend boiling the water first to take out impurities and then dissolve your sugar in the solution. Red on the feeder is enough (and red dye in the nectar is unneeded and possibly harmful). The hummers have likely fed at feeders like yours before!

Make enough nectar solution to refrigerate part of your solution to change often to keep it fresh and appealing. If the nectar looks the least bit cloudy, it's time for a change. Also if hummers aren't drinking, you have another clue.

Black-chinned hummers are more common to Central Texas/west, but do visit the Gulf Coast in the winter. Black-chinned females are very hard to distinguish from Ruby-throated, but that may not be a challenge that you care about--the enjoyment coming from watching.

Cleaning the feeder is important so make sure you buy a feeder easy-to-clean (especially the inside). I soak the feeders in soapy hot water for at least 10 minutes and rinse throughly and well. If I see any mildew, I soak the feeder in one part bleach and 9 parts water, then use the soapy water.  Audubon recommends using bleach solution monthly whether you see mildew or not to prevent disease. There are both single feeders and multi-port feeders with perches. All have advantages and disadvantages. Starting small to see if feeding is for you is likely a good beginning.

Hummingbirds cannot walk, but the do like understory trees and bushes or areas they can perch. They and Swifts are flying wonders in the bird world . . . and it does take a lot of nectar as well as insects to fuel them!

Habitat . . . In general, the more organic methods you use in your garden the more appealing it is to hummers. Their source of protein (nectar is for energy) are insects, which they especially like to harvest from spider webs, which is also a source of nest-building materials.

They also like multiple heights of plants and non-geometric "transition edges." They like areas with leaves where they can stay dry during a heavy rain storm so their feathers don't get drenched so they can continue to fly. They do enjoy little water misting stations at bird baths to cool off.

 

Janice was thrilled last January when a Selasphorus male Hummingbird changing from immature plumage was in her hummingbird garden within 3 feet of where she was working.
Was it Rufous or Allen's? Perhaps one day enough hummers will come she will know the difference,
but the delight of the experience that her work was paying off was enough!

If your garden is more formal, hummers will come, but not in large numbers nor will they linger and entertain you often for hours in the morning and later afternoon. Margaret Sloan's garden sanctuary is an wonderful example of the garden diversity that birds need by ensuring food, shelter, and water with plants appealing to hummers. Click here to take a peek of her garden.

Janice Scanlan's talk on hummingbirds conveys her stories of how she started small and built on success with practical, common sense ideas that translate to finding ways to attract hummers to a number of kinds of gardens. The bonus is she shows Margaret's photos including some of the exotics from the South.

 Booted Racket-tail Hummingbird . . . from Ecuador and surrounds

Photos copyrighted by international birder Margaret Sloan. View her international and national bird pictures by pressing this link.

Other Hummingbird stories in this blog:
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. 

Winter Hummingbirds

See a bird you don't recognize in Fort Bend? Margaret has photographed 150+ bird species just in her suburban Fort Bend,Texas backyard alone. Narrow your initial search by viewing her full photo album of local birds, Birds of Quail Valley by pressing this link. They are organized by types of birds, so if it's a water bird for example, you may find one that helps you narrow your search. Then if you "google in" the name of the bird, you'll get info and all kinds of information and images. Sometimes if a species is remarkably different from adult you may find nothing, contact us and we'll do our best to help.

Want more Hummingbird fun . . . Cornell's All About Birds has some Hummingbird fun featured this month.

Researched and posted by Janice Scanlan.

 

 

Black-throated Green Warbler

The April 26, 2014, Quail Valley Backyard Tour featured as one of its five diverse gardens the nature garden of Janice and John Scanlan . . . Photographer Margaret Sloan was generous to help with questions from birders, would be birders and those curious about photography. At first the birds were spooked with the public, but quickly began to ignore all the attendees. Besides the usual number of frequent and seasonal visitors to the garden, we had visits from two migrating Warblers . . . a Chestnut-sided Warbler and a Black-Throated Green Warbler . . . who returned 3 times to the Scanlan's large Yaupon Holly Tree. . . Margaret got this photo.

The Black-throated Green Warbler viewed from the ground . . . it's a Green Warbler due to the dull olive green "cap", back and wings, but what a face and throat!

See our feature on Chestnut-sided Warblers as well as a dazzling multi-flock downed by a storm for us to enjoy.

Photos copyrighted by Quail Valley resident and international birder Margaret Sloan. View her international and national bird pictures by pressing this link.

See a bird you don't recognize in Fort Bend? Margaret has photographed 150+ bird species just in her suburban Fort Bend,Texas backyard alone. Narrow your initial search by viewing her full photo album of local birds, Birds of Quail Valley by pressing this link. They are organized by types of birds, so if it's a water bird for example, you may find one that helps you narrow your search. Then if you "google in" the name of the bird, you'll get info and all kinds of information and images. Sometimes if a species is remarkably different from adult you may find nothing, contact us and we'll do our best to help.

Researched and posted by Janice Scanlan. Click photos to enlarge them.

To see photos of the Scanlan nature garden, press here.

Red-Winged Blackbird

 

Mature male Red-winged Blackbirds have brilliant epaulets of red with a lower band of yellow contrasted against their striking black feathers. Most often you’ll see Red-winged Blackbirds near marshy ponds, golf course hazards that have rough areas with tall grasses, or in tall grass prairies.

Female Red-winged Blackbird is quite a contrast to males and are brown with rivulets. Much rarer to see as they stay in the tall grasses to feed, they may be seen at feeders when they are migratory or when food is low for year round residents. In their breeding area they use tall grasses, mud and other materials to weave intricate nests they attach to cattails or similar tall grasses near to the high water mark.

Male Red-winged Blackbird is one of the most widely dispersed birds in North America ranging from Mexico to Alaska. It is most prevalent year round in the US.  Though in the spring through fall, many Red-wings migrate to breed in Canada. They are both migratory and year round in Fort Bend so this male is at a platform feeder, which they will use, as they are ground feeders, but platform feeders simulate ground feeding.

The polygamous males can mate with up to 15 females in one territory. And do the males sit atop tall plants, sing and show off their epaulets in their breeding territory. They police this territory and will run any creature if they get too near their breeding territory.

 

One of my favorite memories as a child was going out to a farm pond that was breeding territory to a Red-winged. The male sat atop a cattail and sang most of the day. It was a beautiful sound. However, I learned not to get too close as he would run humans . . . and even larger animals such as cattle and horses.

 Lang Elliott and Beth Bannister have a wonderful full-sound video of a Red-winged policing his territory and making sure you know he's there. It is part of a series of 60 videos on nature's music, The Music of Nature.Copy the following link and paste in your web browser to enjoy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3QicOAiBXk

Irv Smith attended a bird walk and bird count on March 5 at Seaborne Creek Nature Center south of 59 on Hiway 36 in Rosenberg.  I noticed on his bird count, he saw 50 Red-winged Blackbirds among 47 different species identified on that day by experienced birders for the novices (and those inbetween).

Seaborne Creek Nature Center, is run by Texas Master Naturalists as part of Texas Agri-Life Extension in Fort Bend. It is located across 36 (east side) from the Fort Bend Fairgrounds at:

3831 State Highway 36
Rosenberg, TX 77471
832-595-3960

To get current information or learn more, press this link.

Learn about Project FeederWatch which occurs from November to April . . . anyone can help keep count of the birds on feeders and it makes for some great family fun! Learn more.

Photos copyrighted by Quail Valley resident and international birder Margaret Sloan. View her international and national bird pictures by pressing this link.

See a bird you don't recognize in Fort Bend? Margaret has photographed 150+ bird species just in her suburban Fort Bend,Texas backyard alone. Narrow your initial search by viewing her full photo album of local birds, Birds of Quail Valley by pressing this link. They are organized by types of birds, so if it's a water bird for example, you may find one that helps you narrow your search. Then if you "google in" the name of the bird, you'll get info and all kinds of information and images. Sometimes if a species is remarkably different from adult you may find nothing, contact us and we'll do our best to help.

Researched and posted by Janice Scanlan. Click photos to enlarge them.

Yellow Warbler

The Yellow Warbler is one of 50 species of Warblers in the Americas
that are making their fall journey through Gulf Coast Texas back to Central and South America.

Brilliant yellow with some chestnut markings, these tiny 4.7 in 5” birds
are most likely to be seen along creeks and bogs.

Often they perch on top of shrubs and you may even see them briefly hover.

Insect gleaners, they don’t come to feeders, but eat caterpillars, wasps, beetles and other insects.

As with all warblers they move quickly so glimpse them while you can . . .
they are just passing through, but usually do so more leisurely in the fall.

Widely dispersed, the Yellow Warbler can be seen in 49 states and most of Canada.
Given the pinion tree, this Yellow Warbler was likely photographed near Margaret's Utah home.

Photos copyrighted by Quail Valley resident and international birder Margaret Sloan. View her international and national bird pictures by pressing this link.

See a bird you don't recognize in Fort Bend? Margaret has photographed 150+ bird species just in her suburban Fort Bend,Texas backyard alone. Narrow your initial search by viewing her full photo album of local birds, Birds of Quail Valley by pressing this link. They are organized by types of birds, so if it's a water bird for example, you may find one that helps you narrow your search. Then if you "google in" the name of the bird, you'll get info and all kinds of information and images. Sometimes if a species is remarkably different from adult you may find nothing, contact us and we'll do our best to help.

Researched and posted by Janice Scanlan. Click photos to enlarge them.

Eastern Wood-Pewee

The Eastern Wood-Pewee is a medium-sized flycatcher (around 6.25 inches) you might miss as it migrates through Fort Bend from the “neotropics.” It pauses on the Gulf Coast to regain its strength and helps us with our considerable insect population before it flies further north to nest. 

Some may nest as near as the deciduous forests in Montgomery County, but can range on North to Canada. They mostly are seen in Fort Bend near deciduous trees and streams where there are mid-story trees and shrubs.

You can't miss its persistent "pee-ah-wee" song. In fact, this past spring, a big team formed to do a giant chain Wood-Pewee song calling to celebrate the giant migration of birds from the "neotropics" -- Central to upper coast of South America, that the Gulf Coast is so fortunate to be part.

These plucky birds can be quite curious. Margaret had one just keep "posing" for her. Eastern Wood-Pewees normally are coming through our area when insects are abundant, but keeping a suet feeder in a mid-story tree is always a good idea for insect eaters when the insect population is low—or for nut-loving birds year round.

Photos copyrighted by Quail Valley resident and international birder Margaret Sloan. View her international and national bird pictures by pressing this link.

See a bird you don't recognize in Fort Bend? Margaret has photographed 150+ bird species just in her suburban backyard alone. Narrow your initial search by viewing her full photo album of local birds, Birds of Quail Valley by pressing this link. They are organized by types of birds, so if it's a water bird for example, you may find one that helps you narrow your search. Then if you "google in" the name of the bird, you'll get info and all kinds of information and images. Sometimes if a species is remarkably different from adult you may find nothing, contact us and we'll do our best to help.

Researched and posted by Janice Scanlan

 

Blackburnian Warbler

The Blackburnian Warbler is one of 21 or so species of “tropical” warblers that pass through Fort Bend and Quail Valley on their journey from South and Central America to breeding grounds, many along the Canadian border with USA.

Blackburnians are distinct, being the only warbler with an orange throat. They are eye catching. During a photo shoot last week of flowers blooming for the April 27 QV Backyard Tour, we glimpsed a Blackburnian stopping in one of the gardens.

 The Blackburnian Warbler winters on the upper coast of South American and flies north in late March, April and early May over the Gulf of Mexico and along the Eastern Coast of Mexico usually in multi-species flocks. Central Texas East is the western edge of their flight path. The Blackburian only flock during migration, but in Fort Bend, you will normally see them singly. However, go to High Island or Winnie or other area birding areas and you might be lucky to see them literally "fall out of the sky" after their trip over the Gulf of Mexico or Mexican eastern coast.

Being insect gleaners and eaters, they are often in shrubs stirring up insects. If you see movement in shrubs or understory trees, stay still and watch because they move very quickly and fly fast.

Females and immatures are less flashy, but still beautiful.

The exception to seeing them in flocks was last year in early May. A large multi-species flock was forced down by a storm. Ironically, this was the day before Mother's Day in May, which is the Sugar Land Garden Tour date, but they were forced down in Quail Valley along Oyster Creek. Blackburnians must like garden tours. Actually, this multi-species flock was really something to behold . . . so we wrote stories about it.

Warblers are flying north and mostly breed in eastern lower Canada and in parts of the Eastern US. Their flight and behaviors are quite remarkable. Type warbler in our search feature if you wish to learn more about these fascinating birds that grace our presence on Gulf Coast Texas, spring and fall.

Quail Valley resident and photographer Margaret Sloan has documented over 150 species of birds in Quail Valley alone. You can tour five distinct gardens in this eco-system, all attract different birds, Saturday, April 27.

Photos copyrighted by international birder and photographer Margaret Sloan. See the species she has documented in Quail Valley.

Blog edited and researched by Janice Scanlan.

5-12-2012 Mullti-flock Migration

Heavy rains and winds forced a multi-flock of tropical visitors heading north to breeding grounds into Margaret's back garden on Oyster Creek. She writes her final count,   "I actually had 35 migrant species and 33 local species in the yard for a total of 68.  As mentioned previously, there were 14 different warblers!  Wow!"

Here are 3 of the Warblers that visited.

 

Blackburnian Warbler

 

Magnolia Warbler

 

Chestnut-sided Warbler

For more on tropical bird migrations, see our post on Chestnut-sided Warblers. To learn more about this "bird fantasy land story" 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.

Blog by Janice Scanlan.

 

 

 

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warbler.  It's warbler season on the Gulf Coast from now through roughly May 7.  It is the time for surprises in your own garden.  An unusual bird pops in for a brief rest, and if you're lucky, you'll be looking when it shows up.  That's how Margaret happened to see this distinctive warbler in her garden.  Warblers have many subtle identifying characteristics, but the Chestnut-sided is the only yellow-capped, white breasted, with the chesnut-striped between the wing and breast.

If you want a better chance to see them and many other species of warblers, head to the coast at the end of April or early May -- the prime time for this particular species. These warblers fly from Central America, where they winter, and migrate across the Gulf of Mexico. They literally “fall out” of the sky when they see a welcomed source of food, at last. The Chestnut-sided fly with multi-species foraging flocks.

I still marvel at the feat of these "tropical" warblers that winter in Central America, nest in Canada and the Upper Eastern US are less than 4.5".

As of April 1, twelve species of Warblers had been sighted at the various Audubon sanctuaries and wild life refuges in the Greater Houston area. Since then, a record breaking year for 2012 of 21 species sighted!

The Chesnut-sided prefers second growth and scrubby forests. It is an insect gleaner from the back-side of leaves and usually moves quickly to stir up its prey.

Warblers are like the many species of sparrows . . . many have only small distinctions. The Houston Audubon Society offers many classes, nature walks and experiences during Warbler season on High Island from Mid March to early May. It alone has 17 sanctuaries in our area. Add the National Wildlife refuges near Angleton and Lake Jackson as well as Anuhuac, there are an abundance of birding opportunities in our area.

Or you can learn all about "Going Coastal" and why Fort Bend and the Columbia Bottomlands of the Brazos, San Bernard and Colorado Rivers is a state recognized Important Bird Area (IBA).

Here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's All About Birds video of Birding Warblers. Its a simple guide to basic birding that features warblers that have flown from the Gulf Coast on to their nesting lands and are near Ithaca, New York, in the video. You'll also learn a tidbit about Audubon and the Chestnut-sided Warbler as well as see them in action. Happy birding.

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.

Photo of Margaret Sloan birding.

 

 

 

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 aquatic plants, insects, and small mollusks. 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.

 

American Redstart

The American Redstart is a warbler migrating through Fort Bend on its way to winter in Central and South America. It summers in the Eastern US, throughout the secondary forests in all of Canada and some of the upper central and western US. Boldly colored for a warbler the black and orange male flashes its wings and tail to startle and flush out insects.

It is a bird about the size of a wren that is most often seen in scrub and tree foliage as insects and some small fruits are its favorite meals. The female and immature males, while muted in comparison with a gray and yellow coloration, still flashes and moves quickly when gleaning foliage for insects.

More flashing is shown above. Some males are polygamous and after his first mate nests, looks for a second mate.  However, he does so in a second territory and therefore maintains two separate territories.This behavior, no doubt, keeps life simpler  . . .

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.

Black-throated Green Warbler

Look high in trees or in bushes to see this lovely little songbird with its Zoo-Zee song.

Distinctive yellow head and black throat, this bird is migrating to Canada for summer breeding and is found throughout the US from mid Texas east.

 

Habitat in pine forests and transitional areas, this insect eater is quick moving and usually stays in foliage.

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.

 

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

 

 

 

 

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

The “scissortail” is an extremely distinctive bird with its long forked tail that it “scissors” in flight to maneuver. It’s gray upper parts are a striking contrast to its peachy, salmon breast.

The state bird of Oklahoma, the “scissortail” nests primarily in the South Central US in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas before it returns to Mexico and Central America. It ventures into small areas of Arkansas and Louisiana.

Immature varieties have less of the peachy, salmon breast.

 It catches its large diet of insects often through aerial hawking as shown in the dramatic photo below.

While the birds may nest in large groups, you most often will see them alone in open grasslands with occasional trees. While they are gathering on the Texas Gulf Coast to fly south, you may see 4 or 5 together.

You most open spot them in open grasslands and parks that have some taller areas of grasses and vegetation in areas surrounded by trees or open agriculture areas on fenses and high lines.

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

To learn more about the Scissortail and hear audio recording of its unique voice, visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Posted and edited by Janice Scanlan

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

The male Ruby -throated Hummingbird is quite distinct with his red throat, green "vest" and white undersides. The female lacks the ruby throat but otherwise resembles the male. Hummingbirds are quite the aerobats of the bird world. They can fly very fast, stop on a dime and hover as well as hover up or down and fly backwards.

Orange and red trumpet-shaped flowers as well as nectar feeders will draw them to your garden where they will also eat insects including killing spiders on their webs and then dine on any prey caught in the web. While some do nest in this area (and a few are reputed to live year round), the hummers are on their way to Mexico and Central America. They are known to fly all the way across the Gulf of Mexico to reach their destination.

 

Attracting and Feeding . . . Anything red or orange including garden art or furniture attracts the birds, but you should not put red food dye in their feeder water. 1/4 cup table sugar to one cup of water dissolved is all they need (and red on the feeder to attract them). During high heat, change the water every 3 to 5 days to keep it fresh and prevent fermentation. Don't use honey as it may grow a fungus in the feeder. Table sugar is best. Boil the water first, then add the sugar to dissolve, put in feeders when mixture cools to room temperature. Change the sugar water before it becomes cloudy. Having flowers such as Hamelia, Cupheas, and other fluted, nectar producing flowers will increase the number of hummingbirds that come to your feeders. And we're starting to see many more varieties in Fort Bend.

Since many nest further north and east than our area, we see them in the fall as they are just fueling up to complete the trip south for winter.

Enjoy these little jewels as they amuse you with their antics, likely into November. Be careful of hanging feeders too near windows so they do not fly into the window or where cats might see a good "bird trap" opportunity.

Don't worry about taking the feeders down. When the hummers are ready to go, they will leave. Feeders or not. However, the Rufous Hummingbird may take their place.

And they are attracted to red. Hummingbirds can be lured into garages by the red garage door pulls (that hang on a rope).  Often, they become trapped in the garage.  If you change the color of the door pull--perhaps cover it with duct or masking tape--that will solve the problem. 

Other Hummingbirds that visit Fort Bend are the Rufous Hummingbird and Black-chinned Hummingbirds, but are less predictable and fewer than the Ruby -throated.

See our Winter Hummingbird post.

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

Posted and edited by Janice Scanlan

Mississippi Kite

The Mississippi Kite is a medium-sized hawk about 12 to 14 inches long. It is various shades of gray, but may appear black and white.

Juveniles may have some brown underside. What is unusual is its beak. It's not the normal hooked beak we associate with raptors. That's because it is an insect eating hawk that has a long, thin bill for flycatching.

It normally migrates through this area. However, at least one pair is nesting on Oyster Creek section of  the Quail Valley Golf Course.

In the Texas Panhandle, Louisiana, and Mississippi, it is know to live year around. However, many migrate to central South America to winter. It nests in trees and prefers open woodlands near water. It is a long-winged hawk so it has graceful gliding ability.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a great resource to learn more. In fact, I just listened to its distinctive sound captured on an audio clip at the Cornell site.

As I write this, a Mississippi Kite is calling from the high lines behind our home near Oyster Creek.

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

Posted and edited by Janice Scanlan

Barn Swallow (Aerial Foragers)

If you have been beset by Mosquitoes, birds that are aerial foragers are your friends. Insects, and particularly Mosquitoes, are their favorite meals.

The Barn Swallow is known for its long, symmetrical and forked tail. In fact, females pick males with longer tails and are attracted to a deep Rufus breast that is a beautiful contrast to its steely blue upper side.

All aerial foragers have highly-developed pointed wings, glide beautifully and are acrobats in the air.

Barn Swallows love rafters or under supports of bridges and need mud for their nests. They like open areas with water so Fort Bend is an especially attractive nesting area. They return to South America for winter. They are one of the widest ranging nesting birds in the Northern Hemisphere.

Other aerial foragers include Purple Martins, Chimney Swifts, Tree Swallows and Cliff Swallows.

While the Martins and most of the Swallows are "perching birds," the Chimney Swifts "cling" to the sides of enclosed structures like chimneys and are in the same family as Hummingbirds (APODIFORMES) because of their highly developed wings and less developed feet. To see the "flying cigar" Chimney Swift, please visit the Cornell Lab.

The Swallows and Martins are PASSERIFORMES.

Photographing these birds can be very challenging because they are fast in flight and maneuver like fighter pilots. To see more pictures, particularly the unique and beautiful forked tail, visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Please continue to scroll down to see other aerial foragers of Fort Bend.

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

Purple Martin (Aerial Foragers)

While this likely immature male is not in the right light to capture its purple iridescence, this picture certainly captures their wonderful flying ability when they are foraging for insects. They also fly across the top of a pond to get water . . . aerial showoffs that they are.

The Martin in the next picture is likely an immature male as well.

The Purple Martin is the largest North American Swallow. It also almost nests exclusively in man made bird houses, but when a communal nest box is inhabited by several pairs, usually only one male bird defends the entire colony. And older Martins normally return to the nest box before others who straggle along.

The Martin below has captured a large damselfly.

Like the other aerial foragers, the Martins like ponds and open space. For more about the Purple Martin including links in how to keep Martin houses, click here.

Please continue to scroll down to see other aerial foragers of Fort Bend.

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

Cliff Swallows (Aerial Foragers)

Cliff Swallows can live and nest in large colonies and "thunder out" to forage for insects. This is especially true in cliff areas and tall buildings.

In Fort Bend, they are likely to find building structures near marshes and ponds. They may even share and swap eggs in communal nests.

Picture shows the pointed and agile wings of all Swallows and nesting on the side of a building. Please scroll down to see more aerial foragers of Fort Bend.

To learn more about Cliff Swallows, visit the Cornell Lab.

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

Tree Swallows (Aerial Foragers)

Tree Swallows are striking birds that migrate through Fort Bend to nest further north and return again in the fall to winter in South America. They are aerial foragers catching insects in flight and eat all kinds of insects.

They enjoy marshes and open fields.

The Cornell Lab really has an interesting video of their nesting boxes.

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

Baltimore Oriole

The Baltimore Oriole is one of the many species migrating through Fort Bend County from South and Central America to various nesting areas in the SE and East North America. As shown in the picture, one of the Baltimore Orioles favorite foods besides insects are Mulberries.

While Mulberry Trees due to their dropping fruit and attracting insects may not be a tree of choice near a patio or sidewalk, having them along creeks, along edges of parks and in wooded areas are highly desirable to attracting and providing a food source for these and other migratory birds to “fuel up” for their migratory journey. These birds literally “plump up” to have the fat for fueling their flight to their nesting grounds. . . or they lose muscle and die . . . and in mass, we lose another species of birds.

At the Sugar Land Garden Tour, we were pleased to see a Mulberry planted in an buffer zone between the Hurley’s garden and Oyster Creek.

The Baltimore Oriole only stops on the Gulf Coast to fuel up for the rest of its flight to the East and South East of North America. To learn more about the Baltimore Oriole visit the Cornell Lab. To see pictures of the Orchard Oriole that nest in Fort Bend, scroll to the next entry.

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

Orchard Oriole

The Orchard Oriole nests in Fort Bend County. It is less intense in color than the Baltimore Oriole and the male's more chestnut breast can almost look black without field glasses. The female can look more olive to yellow than orange to chestnut. It is the smallest North American Oriole.

It nests in shade trees along streams, rivers and lakes. As you see in the picture it is in a Mulberry tree, and eats Mulberries, other fruits, and insects.

To learn more, hear typical sounds or see more pictures, go to the following link at the Cornell Lab.

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

Summer Tanager

Our spring and fall migratory birds are coming back and the Summer Tanager is the only all red North American bird.

It lives in southern forests and further west along creeks and streams . . . and that’s where you’ll likely see them in Fort Bend. You may have mistaken a Summer Tanager for a Cardinal, but the Tanagers do not come to feeders, but will occasionally come for fruit.

What they eat are Wasps and Bees. They catch their prey in flight and beat them against a woody limb, remove the stinger and dine. They also like Mulberry fruit. Summer Tanagers winter in Central and Northern South America. Like all birds that fly long distances, they put on fat to “fuel the journey.” They breed in the southern US in the summer and like “gaps” near creeks and woodlands for nests.

The female is a striking color contrast more mustard yellow to orange brown. 

 

Compare the male Summer Tanager with the male Scarlet Tanager pictured below. You'll notice the black markings on the wings of the male Scarlet Tanager; whereas the male Summer Tanager is all red.

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

To learn more about Summer Tanagers, click here.

For Scarlet Tanagers, press here.