Happy Birthday Jean-Jacques Audubon...wait, who?

You know him as John James Audubon, early American naturalist and painter. Audubon was born on this day, April 26, 1785. Born in what is now known as Haiti, to a French sea captain and plantation owner, his given name was Jean-Jacques. Young Jean-Jacques spent his youth in Pennsylvania and then France. Fearing for his son, and not wanting him to be drafted into the French Army as part of the Napoleonic Wars, Jean's father sent him back to America where he changed his name to the English version, John James Audubon.

We know John James Audubon from his classic collection of prints of North American birds in the book, The Birds of America. Young Audubon made a living as a partner in a general store and also by hunting and selling animal skins. He was finally led to pursue two life long passions: birds and painting. It is reported that every bird Audubon painted, he shot . But this paradox was not lost on him. "The moment a bird was dead," he said, "no matter how beautiful it had been in life, the pleasure of possession became blunted for me."

Young John James Audubon. Portrait by john Syme, 1826

Audubon's study was a serious one. He is credited with being the first to band a bird to study its habits. By tying a colored yarn to the leg of an Eastern Phoebe he learned that the bird returned to the same nesting site year after year. 

His goal was to paint every bird in America that he could. His travels took him to the Florida Keys, the east coast and mid west of the young nation that was his adopted home. He took his paintings to Europe where he sold subscriptions to finance the printing of his works into large, expensive books that were purchased by wealthy patrons, eager to view the best images of North American birds.

Plate 1 of The Birds of America by Audubon, depicting a Wild Turkey

Ill health plagued Audubon much of his life and finally brought him to a depleted condition and eventual death in 1851. He is buried in Manhattan, New York City, New York. His fame has resulted in numerous parks and schools being named after him, as well as the well known Audubon Society. 

Audubon in later years. Portrait by  George P. A. Healy; Museum of Science, Boston

Joyeux Anniversaire, Jean-Jacques!

Locally, we  are always reminded of this icon natural history when we see the familiar and abundant  Audubon's Yellow-Rumped Warbler.  Be on the look out for these friendly birds as they return to breed and raise their young in beautiful Northeast Washington!

Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler (male), photo courtesy of the Macaulay Library, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Good Birding!

                        

                   - Hawkeye

Is Your Eye on the Sparrow(s)?

As springtime continues to make its appearance we'll be seeing and hearing a bewildering array of songbirds. Some are passing through - racing to their breeding grounds in the boreal forest of Canada or perhaps the arctic tundra. Others will be staying, finding a mate, raising their young. Sparrows will be a a vital part of this unfolding scene.

One of the most common sparrows in our world is the Song Sparrow. Song sparrows can be found just about everywhere. In fact, there are some 24 different subspecies of Song Sparrow in North America. As you might guess, there are a host of variations in their song repertoire. Take a listen by following the hyperlink.

Song Sparrow photographed in Lincoln County today

Another sparrow in Washington state is not so common. The Sagebrush Sparrow can be found where undisturbed expanses of sagebrush occur in the arid Columbia Basin. Those formerly undisturbed expanses have shrunk due to farming, development and catastrophic wildfires. This bird is a little hard to find. They depend upon sagebrush for their entire existence. The Sagebrush Songbird Survey is a collaborative citizen science effort between the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Audubon Society. Volunteer birders are trained on locating designated point count sites using handheld GPS devices and recording  their observations on special forms.

Sagebrush County - Douglas County, WA

Sagebrush Sparrow - Douglas County, WA

Vesper Sparrow - Douglas County, WA

Volunteering for citizen science activities is a great opportunity to expand a birders life list and contribute to the understanding of bird populations. These efforts are also a great way to meet other birders and share experiences, learn and have some great outdoor fun!

Sagebrush Songbird Survey Training - Douglas County, WA

Other citizen science efforts include the following:

• Making regular eBird entries of your birding trips
• Participating in your local Christmas Bird Count events -you'll be hearing a lot about the Colville and Chewelah CBC's in coming months
• The Breeding Bird Survey is an intensive citizen science effort that challenges even experienced birders

This short list is not all-inclusive but gives you an idea of what us regular birders can do to help scientists and decision-makers by adding to the depth of knowledge and understanding of wild birds. So, get out there. Record your sightings and join your local Christmas Bird Count group!

Good Birding,
                          - Hawkeye 

How Well Do You Know Your Eagles?

We are very fortunate in Northeastern Washington to be able to see two of the greatest birds on the planet. We commonly see our national symbol, the Bald_Eagle. With its classic white head and tail as bookends to its large dark body and soaring wings, this bird can be seen year round in out area.

Equally impressive but very uncommon, is the majestic hunter, the Golden_Eagle About the same size and general color as the Bald Eagle, this bird is often misidentified. Plumage variations in juvenile Bald Eagles can often lead to misidentifying these birds as Golden Eagles. Compounding the problem is the fact that we sometimes only see these birds at great distance, soaring high above us and unconcerned about our dilemma.

All photos are courtesy of the Macauley Library,  Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Mature Bald Eagles are not hard to identify with their clean white head and tail feathers, and large dark body and wings. You can also generally see their yellow "ankles" protruding down from the last leg feathers. Their beak is very large in comparison with the size f their head, making their head look much larger than that of a Golden Eagle.

Mature Bald Eagle in flight - see the yellow "ankles"?

Immature birds of both species have plumage differing from the adults. Immature Bald Eagles can take up to five years to gain their full adult plumage. Until then they can be a mess of white mottling on the wings and body and tail (but yellow ankles!!). Immature Golden Eagles are less mottled, with distinctive white "windows" on the underside of their wings and white at the base of the tail feathers. Note that their feet are nearly covered with feathers and the "ankles" barely show.

Immature Bald eagle on the left, Immature Golden Eagle on the Right. 

Mature Golden Eagles are all dark with lighter shading on the primary flight feathers (the large feathers on the ends and trailing edges of each wing). Note that their beaks are smaller in proportion to the size of the head, making their heads look smaller than the Bald Eagle. And, true to their moniker, they can display a bronze-gold cast on the feathers of the head, nape and back. 

Mature Golden eagle in flight

The other large raptors (birds of prey) of our area include the Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed_Hawk, Northern_Harrier, and Osprey. Take the time to follow the hotlinks to these birds to learn more about them.

Turkey Vulture in flight. Note distinct red head, black body and wings with light colored primary fight feathers on the trailing edge of the wings. 

•            

Red-tailed hawk in flight. The Red-tail is a common sight in our area. They can also come in Light and dark morphs (color variation).

Northern Harrier.  Males are light gray, females are brown on the upper side and light underneath. Note the white butt patch on each.

Osprey are expert fish catchers and will always be found near water.

I hope you will take the time to learn how to correctly identify these large birds. And especially the differences between Golden and Bald Eagles. 

Good Birding!

                            - Hawkeye

Don't Be A Turkey - Northeast Washington Birders Wants You!

Strutting Wild Turkey, Barstow, WA

ATTENTION!  Don't miss the first ever gathering of the new Northeast Washington Birders. It's just two weeks away! 

WHEN: Saturday, April 20th, 7:00 PM

WHERE: Kettle Falls Library Community Room
                605 S. Meyers Street, Kettle Falls, WA 99141

WHY: Meet and greet fellow birders and plan for the  Global Big Day birding event, May 4, 2019. 

WHO: You! Open to the public. Northeast Washington Birders is for experience birders, inexperienced birders and folks who want to know more about birding.

We are an informal group of ordinary people who enjoy the outdoors, and who particularly enjoy observing, identifying, and understanding the wild birds of our region. We are non-partisan, non-political, and we do not advocate for any particular cause.

Our Vision

It's about getting outdoors, capturing moments with wild birds, and sharing those experiences with others.

Our Mission

To provide information for people to become better birders, recruit new people into this hobby/passion/pursuit, seek opportunities to contribute to citizen science efforts, and to serve as a connection to meet for birding trips and promote educational workshops.

Our first meeting will focus on how our birding passion can contribute to citizen science. Learn about about the upcoming Global Big Day birding event and how we can participate. 

So, if you're an old hand at birding, or just new to it or want o learn more, please join us on April 20th. 

More information will be coming as we get closer to the event. Stay tuned!

Good Birding!
                          -Hawkeye