The American Bittern in the Backyard - Critter 53

This bird has been in our backyard all afternoon and this evening. Stares up at sky and only moves if we get too close.

Fig 01- The bird stare up at the sky

The American Bittern usually live in the swampy areas around water. Hence, we are lucky enough to see this bird as our visitor.

The bird has scientific name, Botaurus lentiginosus, is a species of wading bird in the heron family.

It has a Nearctic distribution, where breeding ground in Canada, the northern and central parts of the United States.

Then, wintering in the U.S. Gulf Coast states, all of Florida into the Everglades, the Caribbean islands and parts of Central America.

Fig 02 - The bird sitting on the line.

The American bittern is a carnivorous bird, consume a variety of small aquatic animals such as fish, amphibians and crustaceans.

Fig 03- The American Bittern on the line, closer

Have you ever seen the American Bittern in the nature?

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Roaming Guinea Fowls in Neighborhood - Part 1 - Critter 52

We saw a couple of guinea fowl crossed the busy traffic road in front of nearby
library sometimes a week ago.

Fig - A couple of guinea fowl in neighborhood

Recently, they are roaming our neighborhood. In fact, the guinea fowls love to travel around.

The birds may walk about a quarter mile (402 meters), and then return to their home base.

Guinea fowl was native to Africa, and relate to other birds such as:
- pheasants
- turkeys
- partridges

Scientific name of guinea fowl is Numida sp. The bird has several other common names:
- pintade
- pearl hen
- gleany

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The Barred Owl just Visit our Fence - Critter 51

We saw a barred owl sitting in the birdbath this evening, then the bird flew to the fence about 5 feet away and sitting there.

Fig 01- A barred owl sitting on the fence.

We wonder how long the predator will stay there, and it didn’t seem perturbed at all by we are talking to it.

The young squirrels didn’t seem too afraid of it either, since squirrels are included in barred owl's diet.

Actually, barred owls consume a variety of prey, some of them are rabbits, opossums, mice and voles.

Yes, they mainly eat small mammals, it is because small mammals are easy to catch and quite abundant.

Fig 02- A barred owl, turns its head.

However, the barred owls are nocturnal predators, they active in daylight could be weather conditions. Higher temperature which reaches more than 40* C (104* F) makes them try to find out water.

Fig 03- Just standing on the fence.

Have you seen barred owl on daylight?

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We Found a Falcon with Anklets on her Feet - Critter 50

We saw a falcon at the yard, unfortunately she can't fly. After approaching the bird, we saw anklets on her feet. 

Why is this bird wearing anklets?

Fig 01- A falcon with anklets on her feet

Wildlife rehabilitators and Falconers use anklets on bird's feet to prevent falcons to chase certain preys in which they shouldn't do that. 

Other reasons that to make falcons safe, to keep them from getting lost and to prevent them from flying away.

Some wildlife rehabilitators have attached the anklets with bells or radio transmitters. The bells will ring, so rehabilitators to hear and know the bird whereabout. 

In case of radio transmitters, wildlife rehabilitators or falconers could use it to track location of the bird.

Fig 02- The falcon just looks calm.

The bird can't fly; it is because of some possibilities that are incorrect anklets (too tight, too loose or too heavy), and the falcon could be sick or injured. She might be not able to fly even without anklets.

Fig 03- The bird standing at the corner.

Finally, we called the nearby wildlife rehabilitator to take care the bird.

Fig 04- The falcon was ready to meet her master.

Have you seen a bird with anklets?

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Dead of Bird during Higher Temperature - Critter 49

We saw two dead birds; one on the grass, and another one on the asphalt at our neighborhood when we were jogging several days ago. We believed that the birds are the Mississippi Kites. 

Fig 01- The dead bird on the grass.

The Mississippi kite with scientific name, (Ictinia mississippiensis), has declined of its population in the last few decades.

It is because its habitats include savannahs, rangelands and woodlands have been converted to development and agriculture.

In case of heat wave, our local newspaper, The Advocate just reported that more than 200 birds were dead in our city, Baton Rouge, August 9, 2023.

The variety of birds includes warblers and sparrows were found dead in the parking lots, driveways and city parks.

Fig 02- The dead bird on the asphalt

The bird's death is caused by heat wave in the city during the summertime. Birds got heatstroke because their body has difficulty to regulate higher temperature and higher humidity.

Fig 03- Two birds, on the grass and asphalt

Did your city experience with heat wave during summertime?

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JJ

Pigeons in the Urban Areas – Critter 48

 We saw a couple of pigeons visited our neighborhood recently. We don't know whether they are wild or pets.

Fig 01- A pigeon on the roof

Actually pigeons have adapted to urban areas, hence normal to see them in the city. Urban areas provide foods and shelters to this critter. 

They consume variety of foods such as grains (corns and other seeds), insect and even household's garbage.

Not surprise to see them around food carts, parks, dumpsters and trash cans to find something to consume.

We might see pigeon roosting on the sidewalks, gardens and buildings. They look like to be relatively safe from predators by hiding on the rooftops.

Fig 02- Myrtle flowers, illustration only

Some predators that pigeons have to contend with are owls, hawks, falcons, raccoons, snakes and even cats.

Fig 03- A pigeon at the corner, an urban area

Do you see pigeons in your neighborhood?

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The Butterfly Visit Zinnia Flowers – Critter 47

We have talked zinnia flowers, you may read the previous post:

- Blooming of Zinnia Flowers - Gardening and Hobby 32 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- A Swallowtail butterfly on Zinnia

Zinnia flowers are attractive for many pollinators include butterfly, hummingbird and bees.

However, we always see swallowtail butterfly around Zinnia flowers than other pollinators during late Spring to Summer seasons.

The swallowtail butterfly have 560 species worldwide, but seven only in our state, Louisiana, they are: Black Swallowtail, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Polydamas Swallowtail, Pipevine Swallowtail, Spicebush Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail and Zebra Swallowtail.

Fig 02- Zinnia flowers in the garden

The reasons that Swallowtail butterflies love zinnia flowers are:

1) Butterfly easy to spot Zinnias due to their large and bright colors.

2) The flowers have a lot of nectar

3) Zinnias have a long tube-shaped corolla that is excellent for butterflies proboscises.

Fig 03- A butterfly, a visitor to Zinnia

What do you think about Zinnia and butterfly?

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Barred Owls in our Neighborhoods – Critter 46

Owl is one of predators that visit our neighborhood frequently. It seems that their population is fluctuating. We noticed their number are increasing recently, after almost disappear about 5 years ago.

Fig 01- A barred owl on the roof

Our state, Louisiana hosts for 8 species of owls. At least two species are observed in our neighborhoods, they are: Barred owl, Strix varia and Barnes owl,Tyto alba

The main reason these owls reappear in our areas could be due to re-growing of large and mature trees which provide shelter for them. They love maples, oaks and pines.

Another factor that they attract with plenty of rodents, which are their main prey. Other sources of foods are birds, amphibians, squirrels, rabbits and bats.

Fig 02- A corner of neighborhood

Fig 03- Two barred owls sitting on the line.

How many owls species in your areas?

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A Baby Raccoon on the Corner – Critter 45

We saw a baby raccoon on the corner of a yard at our neighborhood recently, when we are jogging in the morning.

Fig 01- A kit on the corner of a yard

As you know, a baby raccoon is called as a kit, so cute. We worried to approach the baby, then just observe from some distant.

The kit eye looks injured, it might be that she tried to get around in the grass and she irritates her own eyes.

In our areas, baby raccoon are born in the spring, from March to June. After birth, about 2 to 3 months, the babies are weaning from the nest. It is mean that the babies are able to survive without help from their mother.

Unfortunately, we don’t know how old the baby is!

Fig 02- A flower, illustration only

We believe that the baby is not ready yet to live alone without help from her mother, she just wandering while her mother looking for food.

Finally, we call a person with licensed wildlife rehabilitation to rescue this little critter.

Fig 03- Another raccoon, adult one

What do you think?

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Baby Bluebirds just Hatching – Critter 44

The previous posting was about eggs of a bluebird, you may read at here:

- Eggs of a Bluebird in the Box – Critter 43 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- Newborn bluebird babies

Since our temperature areas above 30* C (86* F) starting in June, hence it is mean favorable temperature for bluebird eggs development.

Then, after 13 days incubation period, the eggs are hatching. The babies need food immediately.

The mom feeding the babies with soft insects from the nature at the beginning. Actually, insects are favorite foods for babies fo a while. The food may varies gradually as birds growing.

Fig 02- Desert roses, just for illustration

Fig 03- Babies of a bluebird after a while

Do you know foods for bluebird babies?

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