Black-throated Gray Warbler

Late yesterday afternoon I drove through part of the Seep Springs unit of the BLM Gold Belt Area in Fremont Co,CO checking to see if the motorized use was staying on designated routes so as not to tear up the nice pinyon-juniper habitat, a small bird flew in front of my car. I stopped quickly and scanned the pinyon pines about 25 feet away until I spotted this adult male Black-throated Gray Warbler. These warblers use mature pinyon-juniper habitat "almost exclusively" according to the Colo Breeding Bird Atlas I.
Since this small bird (only 5 inches long) was so far away relative to it's size, I had to push the cropping of these pics but they show it's field marks well--gray back and wings with 2 white bars, black crown, throat and eye stripe, white eyebrow and malar stripe, black streaks on sides with white underparts plus small yellow spot in front of eye--very distinctive male plumage.
The bottom pic shows the dark tail with white outer feathers on the upper side and white on the underside. Two nights before, between 7-7:30 pm, I saw 1-2 Gray Flycatchers (another bird found almost always in pinyon-juniper) and a Virginia's Warbler in the adjacent Red Canyon Park which is also composed of pinyon-juniper habitat but due to lateness did not get photos of them. All these birds will soon be migrating south. SeEtta

Another Turkey Vulture, but w/o tubercles

I should have added this guy yesterday for comparison. This Turkey Vulture is without tubercles on it's face, or virtually without. There is a hint when I enlarge the photos a blurry stage of possible tubercles begining, but it gives a good comparison for the ones on the former post that have a moderate amount of white tubercles. SeEtta

Colorado scientists study ptarmigans as bellwethers of climate change Read more: Colorado scientists study ptarmigans as bellwethers of climate chang

Colorado scientists study ptarmigans as bellwethers of climate change

'"We think ptarmigans are going to have a limited ability to cope with climate change because they are limited to alpine habitats," said project supervisor Cameron Aldridge, a U.S. Geological Survey scientist and CSU professor. "If something is happening to them, then we should be concerned."'

Read more: Colorado scientists study ptarmigans as bellwethers of climate change - The Denver Post

Turkey Vulture-too close for visual comfort

This Turkey Vulture was with a large group, most flying but a few others hanging out on a fence, in Otero County. The top pic shows an adult Turkey Vulture with a moderate amount of white tubercles on it's face with "black hairlike feathers on lores surrounding the tubercles" as described in Raptors of Western North America. You can see the tubercles up close by double-clicking on the pic (tho the photo gets blurry it shows the features).
The bottom pic is of the same bird but with it's nictitating membrane over it's eye.

Wary Burrowing Owl

I spotted this Burrowing Owl standing by a burrow in a field that houses a praire dog town in northern Otero Co. As soon as I stopped the car, this wary little owl ducked down into the burrow then peeked over the edge. Unfortunately it is necessary for these beautiful little owls to be frightened of humans since they are at risk of those who enjoy shooting prairie dogs either from a stray bullet or someone who just shoots anything that moves. SeEtta

I found this Monarch Butterfly not far from La Junta, CO in the southeastern part of the state. Monarch Butterflies in many parts of the U.S. have begun their fall migration. If you can tell them apart from Viceroy Butterflies (very similar looking) you can help track their migration at http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/

Mississippi Kite fledgling & parent

The top pic is the fledgling Mississippi Kite I found in Rocky Ford, CO that is shown in the video clips below. The bottom pic is the parent that was watching over the fledgling. These pics show the distinct difference in plumage between adult and a young bird in juvenal plumage worn by fledglings and juvenile birds. SeEtta

Mississippi Kite-a watchful parent clip

This short clip shows one of the parent birds to the fledgling Mississippi Kite I video-taped in Rocky Ford. The parent remained in a tree only about 150 feet from the tree in which the fledgling was perched, clearly keeping a watchful eye on it's offspring. It had just completed some grooming and in this clip is seen looking around--maybe looking for the other parent that is off hunting as the hungry fledgling can be heard calling in the background. SeEtta

Mississippi Kite fledgling-video clip 2

This short clip of the Mississippi Kite fledgling I video-taped in Rocky Ford, CO shows it preening in between calls to let it's parent know it's still hungry. It looks like the kite is chewing something after it preens--not sure if it is finding mites or some other insects when it preens and couldn't find anything about this on the internet. SeEtta

MississippiKiteFledgling-video clip 1

I videotaped this Mississippi Kite fledgling in Rocky Ford,CO in a residential area. During this short clip, the fledgling yawns, then calls to let it's parent's know it wants some food though I watched it being fed just before I filmed this. It spent a lot of time calling and later made two forays on it's own to try to catch something. SeEtta

Lewis's Woodpecker juvenile still pics

The juvenile Lewis's Woodpecker in the top pic shows a little reddish coloration on it's belly feathers. Otherwise these look like they do in the video clips. SeEtta

Lewis's Woodpecker parent bird

This is a parent bird that is still accompanying the juvenile Lewis's Woodpeckers shown the in video clips below and in the still pics above. SeEtta

Another provocative Ted Eubanks' essay

Ted Eubanks has posted another excellent and provocative essays to his website in an interesting discussion of what a 'good' birder is with 'inciteful' notes about ABA, and about Audubon.

Ted says,"Good birding demands good stewardship. In my mind, good birders limit impacts (such as by reducing consumption), and those impacts that are unavoidable are mitigated. The most consumptive activity associated with birding is travel. Therefore “good” birders limit the need for transportation (use mass transit, become place based) and mitigate for the impacts when travel in unavoidable."

Right on Ted. Read's Ted's essayThe Tao of Birding if you dare. SeEtta

Lewis's Woodpecker juveniles-video clip 2

This clip gives a nice view of the juvenal plumage of these Lewis's Woodpeckers including a good look at the of the warm chesnut tones on it's head. According to "Birds of North America" online there is considerable variation in juvenal plumage in birds in these post-breeding flocks but does note that "feathers of hindneck have white subterminal spots (not present in adult....)"--these white spots can be seen if the video is stopped when it's back is to the camera. BNA also notes that the tail feathers are more pointed than in adult plumage a feature seen at the end of this clip. One of the woodpeckers flies over to the top of a snag and has what looks like a winged insect in it's bill. It proceeds to either cache this food or try to dig more insects out? I have watched this clip over and over and cannot tell whether it is food caching or finding. This species is known for caching acorns in tree crevices (tho I didn't find anything about them caching insects) as well as using their bills to located insects in broken/open parts of snag trees. Does anybody have experience with this? SeEtta

Lewis's Woopecker juveniles-video clip 1

I first found these Lewis's Woodpeckers in juvenal plumage on Aug 13 flying from branch to branch on the likely nest tree. However, they flew across the river before I could count how many there were or see if they were still being fed by parents. I refound them on Aug 21 just a few hundred feet from the probable nest tree and they were clearly foraging for themselves when I took this very short video clip. SeEtta

Bighorn sheep ewes with lambs

Yesterday I spotted this small herd of Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep as I drove home through Bighorn Sheep Canon here in Fremont Co.,CO (near where John Christo wants to put his 'over the river' panels which is projected to draw several hundred thousand people to this canyon in a two period). I didn't try to get out of my car but as soon as I turned off my engine the herd starting moving away even though I was about 75 feet from them.
Just goes to demonstrate that though Bighorn sheep will often stand in place even when people are near, that depends upon the tolerance level of the specific sheep and such factors as whether they have young lambs with them as this herd did (actually there were 2 lambs with these 4 ewes but the other lamb was out of the photo). Not all creatures engage in fight or flight, some just freeze in place--this species has demonstrated that their heart rates go up when people are near with evidence that this makes them susceptible to disease later in the year. Oddly some people will hear this from a Div of Wildlife officer yet continue to believe not the facts but what they want to believe-that the sheep are not bothered in any way. SeEtta

Barrow's Goldeneye near Canon City,CO-part 2

Thought we think of Barrow's Goldeneye as diving birds, this young male has done a lot of it's feeding in shallow water as is shown when it stands up in the few inches of water in which it is in to stretch it's wings. Though the Arkansas River in Colorado is not known for it's dept, there are some deep pools in this area where I have seen other Barrow's Goldeneye dive. This species feeds on aquatic invertebrates which I suspect it is finding on the rocks in this shallow water. SeEtta

Barrow's Goldeneye near Canon City,CO

This immature male Barrow's Goldeneye has been hanging around the Arkansas River just east of Canon City,CO since July 25. As this goldeneye stretches and grooms, it provides nice views of it's plumage which I think is Alternate I that is found on first year birds. Most Barrow's Goldeneye are found in the far western mountains up to Alaska with a small breeding population found in Colorado in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area in nw part of the state. This young goldeneye is too young to breed (couldn't find anything about when males start breeding but most females of this species don't start until they are three years old according to All About Birds.org). Nevertheless it is far from where it should be at this time of year His lack of balance when he exercises his wings causing him to fall off the rock into the water may be an indication of his youth as younger birds often display poorer coordination than adults. SeEtta.

Young handsome male Barrow's Goldeneye

These are still pics of the immature male Barrow's Goldeneye in the video clips below. I think he's quite a looker and will be a hit with the goldeneye ladies when he's old enough to find a mate. SeEtta

More commentary related to Am Birding Assoc crisis

Ken Kaufman has added more commentary on his blog about the current situation with the American Birding Association and suggestions about who ABA should serve. Ken suggests an 'inclusive' approach aimed at serving all birders be they. expert or beginner, backyard or chaser. Read Ken's remarks and comments

Bear cub just 40 feet away!

After an appointment in Pueblo, I detoured to the San Isabel National Forest near Greenwood, CO this afternoon. It was a little cooler and very peaceful as I was the only one in the area I drove into. I (and my 2 dogs who had been sleeping while I just enjoyed the quiet) had been very quiet for quite a while, I stepped out of my car. When I turned around to get back in the car I was very surprised to see a bear cub just 40 feet away on the other side of the car. I quickly but carefully got into my car to get my camera trying not to scare the young bear. However, it had stood up on it's back legs to smell the air and as soon as it got a whiff of human it ran quickly into a nearby gulch and I never got a chance to get a photo.

What a bummer as I have never been that close to a bear in the wild when I was not safely inside my car (of course, since I was inches away from being in my car I wasn't fearful but it did feel like I was out there with the cub). This looked like a yearling cub so mom was likely nearby which changed my plans to let the dogs out and to take a hike. Two years ago (specifically on August 1,2008) I saw a mother bear and her 2 cubs in this area not far from where I saw this one--that time I got photos. This is great bear habitat with lots of scrub oak (loaded up not quite ripe acorns) and minimal human interlopers. SeEtta

Water changing fish gender from Boulder update

This should be good news to all who drink water that flows downstream of Boulder,CO. SeEtta:

"Male fish are taking longer to be "feminized" by chemical contaminants that act as hormone disrupters in Colorado's Boulder Creek following the upgrade of a wastewater treatment plant in Boulder in 2008, according to a new study led by the University of Colorado at Boulder." Read the full story here

Very young Common Raven

Much to my surprise as I walked across a bridge over the Arkansas River at Texas Creek, CO yesterday this young Common Raven flew onto a fence about 15 feet in front of me. I had earlier heard some muffled calls that sounded sort of like a Common Raven and they must have come from this bird.
This Common Raven is quite young, possibly even a fledgling or not long since it was. It has a very pink mouth lining with a still some pink on base of bill. Eyes are grayish though somewhat difficult to see in these pics. Plumage brownish-black with wing and tail feathers glossy (supposed to be green or purple gloss but it looks like a blue gloss to me).
I had my smaller dog with me and he was startled and unsure of this bird that, though it weighs a lot less, is actually larger than him. I held him at my side by his leash but when the raven started to call it scared by dog who barked at it causing it to fly away before I could study it better. SeEtta

Both juvenile phoebes still here

Both juvenile probable hybrid phoebes are still foraging right near the nest site along the Arkansas River east of Canon City,CO. I see one sallying from overhanging branches very near the nest site and often the other from overhanging branches about 25 feet upriver. These two siblings seem to be staying together a lot as I also saw them together this evening foraging upstream several hundred yards from their usual location (the location where the big insect hatch occurred 2 days ago). They are now 22 days post fledging and this is the longest I have ever been able to follow any fledged phoebes. SeEtta

Study shows impact of birders/hikers on birds

A study of how human voices effect birds was conducted recently in Peru. Their findings, published in Biotropa: Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation included:
>human voice noise resulted "in decreased vocalizations (37% decline) and decreased physical sightings (44% decline)."
>of conservation concern: "As vocalization is involved in territory defense, breeding behavior, and predator detection, strong noise responsiveness indicates potential harm for birds. Insectivores were the most affected bird guild, raising conservation concerns, as insectivorous birds are sensitive to habitat modification"

I have found the issue of 'birder impact' to be a hot topic with many serious birders who maintain that their birding has no deleterious effects on birds. I got in hot water on the Colo birding listserve a few years ago for expressing my concern about birder impact, in that instance the subject specifically addressed birders damaging habitat while pursuing rare birds. I was flat told that birders in Colorado don't do that. What a crock--I have personally observed birders trampling habitat to see rarities in Colorado on more than one occasion. This research adds another dimension, plus some scientific research, to the issue of how birders impact birds (and their habitats).

The research is discussed in an article "Hiking quietly benefits birds... and birders"SeEtta

Juvenile (prob hybrid) phoebe on fence

The two juvenile phoebes in the family I have been following seemed to have seen the same feeding feast that the Cedar Waxwings were enjoying and soon flew several hundred feet upstream from where they have been foraging to join in. After awhile this young phoebe perched on the fence only about 25 feet from me. It seemed almost overwhelmed by the number of insects, possibly from a localized caddis hatch, that are flyinItg around and near to it. The phoebes very black head stands out relative to it's body in this clip. It's tail is getting shaggy as it may be losing rectrices in a molt. After feasting for about 30 minutes, the insect hatch appeared to be over--the waxwing flew off upriver and the two young phoebes returned to where they have been foraging for days right near their nest location. SeEtta --don't forget to double-click on the box with the 4 arrows in the bottom right corner of the video clip to enlarge it to full screen viewing.

Cedar Waxwing enjoying feast

I spotted 2 Cedar Waxwings making long flights out over the Arkansas River near Canon City, CO and clearly catching large flying insects (I was up to 100 feet away and could see the insects in their beaks so they had to be good sized). After watching them, and two juvenile probable hybrid phoebes that apparently also saw them and joined in, make repeated catches this waxwing landed briefly in a tree not far away. This short video clip shows this waxwing devouring this insect but so in a hurry to go after more that it flew off with a piece of wing sticking out from it's bill. Insects, that I suspect were from a caddis fly hatch, can be seen flying in the clip. Double-click on the box with 4 arrows at the bottom of the screen to enlarge for cool full screen viewing. SeEtta

All the blog chatter got ABA action:bylaws

The following was posted 8-10-10 on Birdchat listserve: "The ABA has convened an ad hoc committee charged with proposing revisions to
the organization's bylaws. Members present at today's first telephone meeting were Lynn Barber (chair), Bryan Patrick, Michael Retter, Bob Warneke, Dan Williams, and Rick Wright.

The committee is interested in all suggestions from interested birders. A report, or in the case of divergences of opinion, majority and minority reports, will be completed by September 13.

I will be happy to receive and distribute any communications you would
rather not post to birdchat.
--
Rick Wright
http://birdaz.com/blog

Sharon Stiteler also weighs in on ABA problems

Sharon Stiteler, aka Birdchick Birdchick posted on her blog about the current and continuing American Birding Association problems with suggestions including the following: "I’d also be in favor of getting someone who was a higher up at Ducks Unlimited on the board to help build an organization that cannot only bring birders together but turn it into a voice to be listened to at Congress and raise money for habitat." I think that's a great idea. The hunters like Ducks Unlimited know how to not only advocate for their recreation of choice but save habitat. Many of us birders owe some of habitat, and/or birds protected by the habitat, that Ducks Unlimited has funded or pushed for protections from Congress. SeEtta

More "hot" links about Am Birding Association crisis

Here is a blog called Aimophila Adventures with more provocative thoughts about the American Birding Associations current crisis. There are also some interesting comments below it.

The more I read on ABA, the worse it gets. The following is from Jon Dunn as posted as a comment on Kenn Kaufmann's blog, "ABA AS NOW CONSTITUTED IS A STRUCTURALLY CORRUPT ORGANIZATION and unless that changes the rest is just a waste of time." Wow!

Another part of a comment on this on Kenn Kaufmann's blog, this one from Brush Freeman, "I dropped ABA in part because it became more and more a less GREEN org., touting the 'who gives a flip" accomplishments of individuals that burn barrels of oil chasing a single species for some sort of stupid list. Frankly no one cares about my list or yours, so why does ABA even bother with this garbage anymore..?. " You go Brush!

"Bird People"--article about Am BirdingAssoc

Click on Bird People for a very provocative article about the American Birding Association with an emphasis on their lack of attention to conservation. Unlike many other organizations that target recreational activities (such as Ducks Unlimited, a group for those interested in hunting waterfowl that is very similar in many ways to ABA but that puts a lot of effort into conservation of ducks and their habitats), ABA has put little attention to conservation of birds (the object of their members recreation) and they are not much on advocating for birding recreation. Ironically their most recent executive director told me several years ago when he just got to Colorado to head up ABA that he was going to increase their conservation effortsSeEtta

Phoebes-Day 16 post fledging

Today I saw the last of the young from the phoebe family I have been following flying after insects by itself for awhile. After awhile, a parent bird appeared though I didn't see it feed this young bird which is pictured above. Later I saw a third phoebe, another bird in juvenal plumage, come near to the other two phoebes so I expect it is one of the other young that gained independence but came back here as it is a very good feeding area (and maybe it thought it could get a meal from the parent bird?). This other young bird looked like the photo below which I took yesterday of the second to last fledgling to become independent. SeEtta

At least one fledgling still being fed

This morning I stopped by briefly to check on the phoebe fledglings progress. I only saw one fledgling, one that I believe to be slightly but noticeably larger than it's siblings (I know, they all look alike but I have been observing dozens of phoebes over the years and some for weeks on end, and I have found that many do have plumage that is subtly different). It was located near the nest site and appeared to be alone. It flew out after a number of insects with only occasional success. After a time the adult bird appeared, caught an insect which it fed to the fledgling--again the adult is supplementing the fledglings food but letting it practice.

This evening when I returned to my friend's place to walk my dogs at dusk, as soon as I parked my car I heard 'tseep' calls (the calls these probably hybrid phoebes, as well as Black Phoebes, make). A parent phoebe and one fledgling were sallying after insects from a structure next to the Arkansas River (and one of the good feeding locations). The fledgling flew out repeatedly after insects with limited success then the parent bird fed it. After my walk I returned and watched the phoebes until almost dark. The fledgling phoebe continued it's forays after flying insects until 8:24 pm--sunset was 8:03 pm here. This was a hungry young bird intent on filling it's belly as much as it could before dark. SeEtta

More info on phoebe family

Though I got some video, I had a meeting for which my Audubon chapter has conservation concerns so I haven't had time to edit and upload it. But I wanted to get some additional info out about this probable hybrid phoebe family. While I watched yesterday morning, the parent bird fed each of the two young for 5-10 minutes. Then the adult flew to the opposite sided of the Arkansas River quickly followed by the apparent fledglings (since they aren't independent yet, they are still fledglings). The adult flew out a number of times capturing insects in this area. After a few minutes, the adult flew to another location on the south side of the river where it sallied out and caught a number of insects. Each of these locations are places along the Arkansas River where I have seen many previous phoebes feeding and I associate them as good feeding locations--it would seem that this adult bird does also.

A short time later one of the fledglings returned to the spot near the nest site (also a good feeding area). I watched it proceed to fly out after insect after insect with no parent in sight. Though I saw it catch at least one insect, suffice it to say it's insect catching skills left something to be desired--and still no adult. Then the winds came up and this poor young bird wasn't catching anything. Here came the adult phoebe--it perched briefly, then flew out and immediately caught an insect which it fed to the fledgling. It would seem that the adult was supplementing the fledglings catches (had it been watching?).

I am trying not to anthropomorphize but it appeared that the parent bird had brought it's two remaining dependents to various good eating places, showing them how to get their food. Then this fledgling was left to practice feeding and fending for itself, though the parent was nearby to make sure it didn't starve. Very, very interesting behavior. SeEtta

Phoebe young still being fed!

After losing track of the phoebe family for several days and thinking the young were independent with each one moving on, I was surprised to find a parent with 2 young phoebes yesterday right next to the location where they nested. And I was more surprised to see the parent feeding each of the young birds--these young phoebes were now 15 days from fledging! This surprised me as the Black Phoebes (at least both parents appeared to be Black Phoebes and not in intermediate plumage as one of these parents) that I have followed in the past have caught their own food much earlier than this. However, since these are apparent hybrid BlackXEastern Phoebes, I checked Birds of North America online and found that the little documentation they have on Eastern Phoebes indicates they may be fed by parents up to 14-17 days post fledging. This source had little info on young Black Phoebes but there is evidence that young of this species will start making 'foraging flights' during the first 3 days post fledging. Interesting. More later. SeEtta

Quiet W. Wood-Pewee video clip

Western Wood-Pewees are usually very difficult to videotape as they are usually repeatedly flying out to catch an insect. I found this quiet wood-pewee loafing on a branch though it's head is usually in motion as it follows all the insects flying in the area. SeEtta

More pics of juvenile phoebes

Two juvenile phoebes are shown one in front of the other on nearby tree branches just above the Arkansas River. The bottom pic shows some yellow on the bill flanges as these are 10 days old and only recently independent. SeEtta

Still pics of young juvenile phoebes

Here are two pics of the probable hybrid BlackXEastern Phoebes posted in recent video clips. The brown edging on wings is clearly seen on these pics. More to come. These pics will enlarge pretty good for super close-ups by double-clicking on each one. SeEtta

Final & short clip-juvenile phoebe

One last and short video clip of one of the juveniles from the phoebe family I have been following. There is a little more sunlight in this video so features are a bit easy to see clearly. The tips of the rectrices, tail feathers, are seen as definitely less rounded than on adults, in fact quite pointed. It tries to catch an insect that flies close to it's perch. In addition to the sound of the river rushing past is the sound of one of the other juvenile phoebes making the Black Phoebe 'tsip call' repeatedly though in a 'young' voice and towards the end this phoebe calls also. SeEtta

Another clip of 2 juvenile phoebes on limb

This is another clip of the two juvenile phoebes that are lined up one if front of the other on tree branches that overhang the Arkansas River which is rushing below at a fast level due to monsoon rains in the area. These are only a few days independent of their parents. As though to demonstrate this the bird on the top branch almost loses it's balance while stretching and makes a quick correction to stay perched on the branch. Throughout this clip nearby cicadas loud singing is heard. SeEtta

Even better video of phoebes

Thanks to moonsoon rains in my area, the Arkansas River is running fast and making a lot of noise--noise that served to mask my approach to the riverbank overlooking two juvenile phoebes from the family I have been watching and videotaping. So I was able to videotape yesterday them from about only 15 feet away without detection and without disturbing them. One bird is right behind the other in this video with the water flowing past not far below them. I watched and videotaped them as they rested in the shade of a tree as they stretched and groomed. At one point they alternate wing stretches as though it were choreographed. Towards the end of the clip some nearby cicadas can be heard as they begin singing. More clips to follow. SeEtta --correction on increasing full screen--in the bottom right corner of the video screen there is a box with 4 arrows-click on it

Bird People

Bird PeopleThis is a very provocative article about the American Birding Association with an emphasis on their lack of attention to conservation, unlike many other organizations that target recreational activities (such as Trout Unlimited, a group for those interested in cold water fishing that puts a lot of effort into conservation of fish and their habitats)--a reason that keeps me from even considering re-joing ABA. SeEtta

Feeding the last fledgling-part1

Finally I got a daytime video clip of this phoebe family. So why is the video so dark? These phoebes like to perch below overhanging vegetation in the shade and this is just such a shady/dark location. And they are on the other side of the Arkansas River which at this point is 80-100 feet away so I have the zoom all the way out to 40X. Even at that there are several times when the orange lining of the fledglings mouth is quite visible. The young are now 10 days old and 2 on now independent leaving this last one (from the last egg laid) to be fed by the attending parent. Though they have again moved from the location adjacent to the nest site, they are only about 150 feet downstream still along the Arkansas River.

Phoebe family-feeding fledglings-part3

This is the last clip of the 3 fledglings together. It's interesting that all 3 engage in tail spreading--wonder if this is like yawning for us, a contagious behavior? Note that after the parent bird visits the fledgling on the bottom left on 3 consecutive times (for sure feeding it on one of those times, the other times not clear) that that fledgling decides to try it's hand at catching it's own food. SeEtta

PhoebeFamily-feeding fledglings-part2.

This is another video clip of the 3 fledglings in the phoebe family near Canon City being fed by the one harried parent. If it looks like the larger appearing fledgling (at first on the right, then when the fledgling to it's upper left flies over it the fledgling is in the center of the three) is being fed more often than the other two, that is what I observed over a period of 5-10 minutes. Is this because it is more adept at opening it's beak wide or begging for food? SeEtta

PhoebeFamily-feeding fledglings-part1

This and the following video clips can be seen full screen by double-clicking on the video. The picture is reasonable good on my 14 inch laptop but I don't know how good it will be on larger screens.Finally, after refinding this possible hybrid BlackXEastern family, they are in a location where I could get some video of them--unfortunately it was close to dark and the light was poor. However, the video does show hard this phoebe parent works to feed it's hungry, growing fledglings. I say these are possible hybrid phoebes because I saw one adult feeding them the evening that they fledged, that was probably a hybrid (it appeared to likely be an intermediate plumaged phoebe I photographed this spring at this location that had a very brown streak on it's forehead. These birds are now back at the location where I first saw them not long after they fledged and after the parents moved them downstream several hundred yards when some fishermen invaded their space. The fledglings are a week old in this video clip (which is several minutes long). As occurs with a number of bird species, one parent is left to tend the young. More to come. SeEtta

Phoebe parent birds

Though I wasn't able to get any video or photos of the phoebe fledglings on the morning after they had fledged, I did get these less than desired photos of the parent birds as they would fly near enough for a pic when getting food for their young. The top pic shows an apparent Black Phoebe (however, with so many phoebes of intermediate plumage in this area there is always some uncertainty) with some food in it's bill for the fledglings.
The bottom pic is of a phoebe I believe to be a Black X Eastern hybrid. This is the phoebe I saw that had a very brown streak on it's forehead and it is likely a bird I saw this spring near the nest area. SeEtta