Birds.

This last weekend we visited the Nisqually Delta and Paradise on Mount Rainier.
At the Nisqually Delta we observed a lot of birds and their behavior.

The Birds we saw:

• Yellow Warbler
• Swallow (2-3 species flying overhead)
• Sharp-shinned Hawk (overhead with the Swallows)
• Brown-headed Cow Bird - female and male
• Wilson's Warbler
• Canada Geese
• Cinnamon Teal
• American Robin
• Song Sparrow
• Red-Winged Black Bird- two males fighting over territory
• Mallards
• European Starling
• Bald Eagle
• Northern Shoveler
• Cliff Swallow
• Tree Swallow
• Violet-green Swallow
• Northern Pintail Duck
• Common Yellow throat
• Gold Finch
• Savannah Sparrow
• Coot
• Dowitcher
• Wilson's Phaleropes
• Yellow Leg
• Green-winged Teal
• Blue Grouse
• Raven

I closely observed the bald eagle, the Cow bird, and the Dowitcher.

The bald eagle we spotted was perched upon the tallest tree in the area. We put the scope on him and could see so closely that we could see his eye. It was amazing to see all the detail of this huge bird. It was obviously a juvenile because it did not have the white cap that is distinctive of Bald Eagles. After looking at the bird for a few minutes he took to flight and swooped around. He then disappeared off into the distance.

The cow birds were at first in a female and male pair pecking at the ground, but then another male came over and joined them. He began pecking along side the pair. Then the original bird flared up and spread his wings and ran toward the other male. Then they both casually went back to pecking. After awhile, the original male repeated the aggressive act. This cycle continued for awhile until the new male began to fight back and show the same display of aggression. It seemed like no one really one because eventually the female just flew away and ignored them all.

The Dowitcher was very interesting. We went bird watching at a pond on the Nisqually Delta and at the very front of the pond closest to us there was a group of about eight pecking into the water with their long bills searching for food. Our teacher told us that it was very unique to see the birds this close and in such a large group. They were very interesting birds that almost looked like Kiwis or Dodo birds. They had long legs that lifted their bodies above the water and long bills that dug deep into the water and could reach the bottom. They had light brown bodies that were a little strangely shaped.