Flycatchers - Alder or Willow - Regina SK

What I know is that this little bird is a Flycatcher. I've been told it's a Traill's Flycatcher, a former species now divided in two — the more northern Alder Flycatchers and more southern Willow Flycatchers. (In terms of the North American continent, that is.)

A Flycatcher in Regina, SK.
Thoughts on this being an Alder Flycatcher?  © SB

As Flycatchers are very difficult to tell apart unless you know the species well, get a close look, and hear them sing, I will leave this bird ID at that. A Flycatcher. Maybe Willow, although in our part of Saskatchewan, perhaps more likely to be an Alder Flycatcher. Whatever it was, I appreciated the visit and chance to photograph this little backyard bird. 

Beautiful long wings and soft colours
on this little (Alder? Willow?) Flycatcher.    © SB

What is this? A Flycatcher — perhaps an Alder Flycatcher (Moucherolle des aulnes). Or if not, a Willow Flycatcher (Moucherolle des saules.)
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: May 19, 2012

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Swainson's Thrush: Rare backyard Regina visitor

Swainson's Thrush is a rare backyard visitor for me in Regina, SK. In fact, I've only seen one, and that was a few years ago. This small, gray-brown secretive bird with pale spectacle marks from its eye to its beak landed in the lilac hedge one May morning, pecked under its shelter for a while, then disappeared. (Which always makes me wonder how many other one-time birds I miss...)

Swainson's Thrush, backyard Regina, SK   © SB

The Swainson's Thrush spent a lot of time half hidden under branches. © SB

Swainson's Thrush   © SB

What is this? Swainson's Thrush
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: May 9, 2014

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Palm Warbler minus red crown plus yellow tail

I've never seen a breeding Palm Warbler with its lovely rufous crown, but I was lucky to have a non-breeding fall Palm Warbler visit my Regina, Saskatchewan, backyard to flaunt its bright yellow tail coverts a few years ago. (We're not near a lake, and get only drop-in exotics. And yes, Palms — in fact, any Warblers are exotic to me...)

This Palm Warbler landed near the feeder in our lilac trees,
then soon flew away. I always wonder how many birds
I miss when I'm not sitting at my window in Spring and Fall... © SB

What is this? Palm Warbler (Paruline à couronne rousse)
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan

Photo date: Sept. 7, 2013

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Yellow and Gray Immature Male American Redstart

I decided to go birding through my photo files and discovered this American Redstart, a small warbler that dropped in to visit our Regina, SK, backyard a few years ago. It stayed only a few minutes — but spent those posing on the branch that sticks out from our lilac trees towards the feeders.

Immature Male American Redstart.   © SB

American Redstart. (He flitted and fanned his tail - then left!) © SB

I'm told that at this stage, immature male (and female, which look very much the same) American Redstarts are sometimes called "yellowstarts", as a way of affectionately indicating their colour phase. And yes, females are also gray and yellow — but the blackish feathers on the rump and the salmon orange glow at the bend of its wing apparently mark this one as a young male. (It would be so nice if he'd come back in his high contrast black and orange feathers!) 

What is this? Immature male American Redstart  (Paruline flamboyante)
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: September 7, 2013.

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Immature Ruby-throated Hummingbird drops by: Regina, SK

Ruby-throated Hummingbird resting in the lilac trees between feedings. © SB

I was planning to put away the hummingbird feeder when I saw a Ruby-throated Hummingbird buzz by it. So I refilled it with fresh sugar water, and have been told to continue doing so for several weeks yet. Hummingbirds may be migrating, but they are not yet gone — and there are often strays that arrive later in the fall looking for sustenance.

At first, I thought the Ruby-throated Hummingbird we saw throughout the day yesterday and the one that's been busy here today was a female, because its throat is quite pale. On a closer view, though, there are a fair number of dark speckles on her/his throat, which makes it more likely that this is an immature male...

Unless, of course, there are two birds taking turns in our yard? But I think it's just that with feather colours, so much depends on the light.

This Ruby-throated Hummingbird has me trained - I see it, I fill the feeder.  © SB  

I think this is the same bird - it's possible it's not, as this was taken yesterday,
and the ones above were taken today. The light was different, which affects colour. © SB

A front view, yesterday's Ruby-throated Hummingbird, resting.  © SB

Another look at the feathers of today's Ruby-throated Hummingbird. © SB 

  

What is this? An immature male Ruby-throated Hummingbird - Colibri à gorge rubis
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: September 8, 2016.

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Juvenile Chipping Sparrow: New baby bird for our Regina yard

Juvenile Chipping Sparrow in the garden sprinkler 

We had several new-to-us young birds this summer, including a juvenile Chipping Sparrow with fresh baby bird feathers that differ just enough from the adults' to be confusing.

For example, its trademark red cap had not yet grown in, and its breast was streaked, not pale buffy gray. But the close presence of the adult — who frequently fed it, as well — confirmed that this streaky brown baby bird really was a Chipping Sparrow.

I knew that some Chipping Sparrows stayed for the summer in parts of Regina, Saskatchewan, but this was the first time I've been aware of one nesting near my part of town.

Adult Chipping Sparrow © SB

Juvenile Chipping Sparrow © SB

Feeding time for the Chipping Sparrows © SB

Dependent and demanding! Chipping Sparrows. © SB

Brown speckled juvenile Chipping Sparrow   © SB

Adult Chipping Sparrow - no, to streaks, and yes, to a red cap. © SB 

What are these: Chipping Sparrows - an adult and a juvenile.  (Bruant familier)

Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Photo dates: July 31 to August 2, 2016.

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Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrating though Regina, SK

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird, in my Regina, SK, backyard.  © SB

We were lucky again this year to see a Ruby-throated Hummingbird in our Regina, SK, backyard — and yes, we did see one, but only one! (So far? Will more come? The feeders are ready...)

This year's Hummingbird was a mature male, with a red throat that looks dark brown here, because of the angle of the light. Had I caught him on my sensor facing towards the sun, it would have glistened like, well, some would say, a bright ruby.

He arrived in the garden in the early morning, fed from cosmos and petunia flowers for a while, and then veered off over the trees, not to be seen again.

Last year, we had our first Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, and all were juvenile males, with only faint streaking on their throats. I'd like to think that this week's bird was one of those hummingbirds, come back again to visit on its way south.

Another view of the male Ruby-throated Hummingbird, showing his throat.
(Really! This was red in the sunlight!)
In my Regina, SK, backyard.  © SB

I just wish it would have stayed longer!

Ah well. Maybe next year. (And maybe more will show up this year, too...)


What is this? A male Ruby-throated Hummingbird - Colibri à gorge rubis
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: Regina: August 13, 2016.

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Common Grackle feeding young Grackle in Regina backyard

Yes, this is a post about a Common Grackle feeding a young grackle in early July.

Grackles are usually far from my favourite birds: They are loud and bossy, and at times, scare away the smaller birds. But they can also be entertaining — when they try to perch on tiny feeders to peck through fine mesh with their large beaks, for example. And the males are beautiful when the sun glints off their feathers and highlights their iridescent blue heads. They can even be endearing when feeding their young — the adults, that is. I didn't feel quite so kindly toward the juvenile. Squawky, greedy baby!

See what I mean about greedy? This juvenile Common Grackle kept screeching until finally...  © SB

The adult male Common Grackle fed it... © SB 

Adult and juvenile Common Grackles, between bites and squawks.  © SB

What is this? Common Grackle
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Photo date: July 3, 2016

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Yellow Warblers in the Wascana Habitat Conservation Area

The Wings over Wascana nature festival was held in Regina, SK, this weekend, and as I walked around the Habitat Conservation Area. I was surprised by how many Yellow Warblers were enjoying the marsh.

Male Yellow Warbler, singing beside Wascana Lake,
in the Habitat Conservation Area.  © SB

I'm getting to know the Yellow Warblers' sweet, chipping calls after hearing them in other parts of Wascana Park — and I love seeing their flashes of gold in the trees. (We even had one late evening in our backyard a couple of weeks ago.) And in the marsh, I was lucky to be able to watch a female Yellow Warbler build her nest!

Volunteers were banding birds, so it was very cool to later see a Yellow Warbler with a band on his leg. (You can see the band on the bird's right leg, close to the foot, visible just behind the branch...)

A banded male Yellow Warbler, in Wascana Park, Regina, SK   ©SB

What are these? Yellow Warblers - Paruline jaune
Location: Wascana Habitat Conservation Area, Wascana Marsh/Park/Bird Sanctuary, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Photo date: May 28, 2016

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Peregrine Falcon hunting over our Regina SK backyard

Peregrine Falcon, on its evening hunt above my house. © SB 

When we eat supper outside on warm spring days, we often see birds of prey on the hunt.

One recent evening, the shape of a bird's wings caught my eye and its facial marking snagged at my memory. On checking, I realized it was likely a Peregrine Falcon.

(There is a usually a pair nesting on the City Hall building in downtown Regina — and who knows where else nearby, so it's quite likely.)

My sources for the ID were my bird books, including Jerry Liguori's Hawks at a Distance, which explains the wing shape, dark markings, pale chest and black head/mask.

I also tried Merlin, the new All About Birds photo ID web application, which — along with suggesting some highly unlikely songbirds — provided photos of several birds almost identical to mine, with the same distinctive black face masks, white chests, and heavily barred undersides, all verified as Peregrine Falcons. (But, of course, my bird was a very long way up in the sky, so...)

Soaring high, a Peregrine Falcon on the prowl.  © SB 

Another view of the bird I'm calling a Peregrine Falcon - though I'm happy to hear other IDs! © SB

What is this? A Peregrine Falcon
Location: Flying over my backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Photo date: May 15, 2016

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Spotted Towhee: A New Bird for my Regina Yard

While having breakfast, I saw a Spotted Towhee hopping under our backyard bird feeder. I glanced away, and it was gone. I thought perhaps I'd mistaken the black-and-white markings on its back for another bird...

Spotted Towhee cautiously checking out the grass under the bird feeder, in Regina. © SB

I've only seen a Spotted Towhee once in Saskatchewan — and that was in the distance, at Grasslands National Park. And I've only seen one up close — but that was near the water, along the West Dyke Trail in Richmond, B.C.

But this Spotted Towhee came back to our yard several times during the day. Never brave. Never coming close to the house, or staying long. But clearly identifiable, from its black head, red eyes, rusty sides, and spotted wings.

Spotted Towhee in Richmond, B.C. - unlike my Regina bird, this one was not shy! © SB

What are these? Spotted Towhees
Locations: 1) Backyard, Saskatchewan, 2) Richmond, B.C., Canada
Photo dates: May 13, 2016, and June 18, 2014.

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White-crowned Sparrows: Here today, gone tomorrow

White-crowned Sparrows are another migratory Spring songbird that lingers in my Regina, SK, backyard for too short a time. I don't know why the numbers vary from year to year, but we have only had a few this spring.

White-crowned Sparrow, in my Regina, SK, backyard.  © SB

What is this: White-crowned Sparrow
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Photo dates: May 7, 2016.

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Chipping Sparrows: Brief Spring Visitors to Regina, SK

I always like seeing the Chipping Sparrows arrive — and I know it's a fallacy created by their bright rust crowns, but to me they are cheery little birds. They never stay long in our yard, though. A few days, usually in early May, and then they're gone.

Chipping Sparrow, with pale, unmarked chest, eye-stripe and rust head.
(This feeding shelf concept didn't last long, either.) © SB

Chipping Sparrow feeding in Regina, SK, backyard  © SB

What are these: Chipping Sparrows

Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Photo dates: May 2, 2016.

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Rose-breasted Grosbeaks: A break to feed, then flying on

Rose-breasted Grosbeak in our backyard trees. © SB

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks arrived in our Regina, SK, neighbourhood this week.

First, I saw a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak at the feeder in the front yard, then more males showed up at the back of the house.

Finally, a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak made a quick — though all-but-hidden — touchdown on the bird feeder, too.

They may be gone now... A few days lurking, and the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are on their way further north. (Not terribly far north; the All About Birds map looks like boreal forest, to me. I wish we had more trees to keep them longer here!)

What a bird of contrasts! Black and white, with a rosy-red breast - Rose-breasted Grosbeak. © SB

Yes, that's a pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks... The female is hiding.
(This 2014 post has a better view of the female)  © SB

What are these? Rose-breasted Grosbeaks.
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Photo Date: May 12, 2016.

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Baltimore Oriole arrives to feed on suet

We've discussed putting out slices of oranges to attract migrating Baltimore Orioles, but before we had a chance to try that, a brilliant black and orange oriole arrived in our Regina, SK, backyard, attracted by suet. 

Baltimore Oriole, waiting to dive onto the suet branch.  © SB

We saw this Baltimore Oriole on and off over three days — but perhaps it's now moved on. Yesterday morning was our last sighting. 

What a lovely sign of spring! 

What is this? A Baltimore Oriole  

Location: Backyard, Saskatchewan, Canada. 
Photo dates: May 13, 2016.

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Lincoln's Sparrow: Micro Sparrow on Migration

Lincoln's Sparrow in my Regina, SK, backyard.  © SB

The micro-sparrows are now arriving, stopping off for bugs and seeds on their way to their more northern breeding grounds.

This week, Lincoln's Sparrow showed up — and despite its best efforts to remain hidden in the shrubbery or in constant motion in the sunshine, I managed to catch a few photos.

These small birds are a little drab. At a distance, in fact, they look to be a uniform gray-brown. Mouse-coloured. (With their size and darting movements, they strongly remind me of mice...)

But on a closer look, they are very attractive, with strong red-brown streaks against light feathers. And they are fun to watch, as they dart through the grass looking for food. (A challenge to photograph, but fun.)

Tiny Lincoln's Sparrow, after a successful bug-foraging expedition in my garden.
(Bug in Beak - Yum!) © SB 

Lincoln's Sparrow, in the shade of the lilac bushes. © SB

What are these? Lincoln's Sparrows
Location: Backyard, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Photo dates: May 2, 2016.

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Turkey Vultures flying over Regina, Saskatchewan

A sunny evening. Supper on the deck. A Turkey Vulture flying overhead — no, make that a pair of Turkey Vultures. That doesn't happen everyday/everywhere, so worth noting (for me) in this blog.

What a cheery sight when you are eating your evening meal outside.
Is this Turkey Vulture scoping out a snack?  © SB

In Saskatchewan, there seems to be an increasing population of Turkey Vultures, which now nest in abandoned barns and other buildings, as opposed to their traditional caves and natural crannies. 

Part of the fun of spotting these large birds in flight is the chance to look for wing tags — which these particular birds lacked. So we don't know where they were born, but here they are, flying over Walsh Acres, Regina, Saskatchewan. 

Magnificent — and to my mind, tropical — backyard birds.

Okay, here's the pair of Turkey Vultures - and no wing tags on either,
even when I zoom in (to my great disappointment!) © SB

What are these? Turkey Vultures
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: May 8, 2016.

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Song Sparrows drop by our Regina backyard

Song Sparrow in our backyard. © SB

All sparrows sing, but this year, we've been visited more than usual by Song Sparrows, bright russet and gray-white birds that perch on our lilac bushes or peck in the grass for fallen seeds.

Most of our Song Sparrows — or perhaps we only have one Song Sparrow, who flies in, then leaves, then flies back in again — have bold chest streaking with a dark spot in the middle, and quite dark stripes on the lower part of the face. (These are malar or moustache stripes, All About Birds tells me...)

These medium-sized sparrows seem shyer than most of our other sparrows, and often hide in deep shade, or longer grasses. They also have a knack for camouflaging themselves in dirt and seeds. And yet, when you notice them, they are such a vibrant red-brown, it's hard to understand not seeing them at first. (But then, my eyesight is less than perfect...)

Song Sparrow - hiding in the grass? © SB

Song Sparrow - hiding in plain view? © SB

What are these? Song Sparrow — Bruant chanteur.
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: May 2, 2016; April 28, 2016; and May 7, 2014.

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End of the Dark-eyed Junco Season in my backyard

Dark-eyed Juncos, frequent visitors in March and early April, are now rare sights in my Regina, SK, backyard. Most have moved on, continuing their summer migration to forests north of here.

Dark-eyed Junco, one of the last to visit my Regina, SK, backyard this spring. 

And yes, I'm always happy to see new spring birds arriving — yet sad to see the Juncos go.


What is this? Dark-eyed Junco — Junco ardoisé.
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo date: April 25, 2016.

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Message to the Vesper Sparrow in my Regina Backyard

Vesper Sparrow, a large brown-streaked native bird. © SB

To the Vesper Sparrow that landed in our backyard and hopped around, exploring:

Yes, we have grass, but our suburb in Regina's northwest is not the grasslands.

You will be happier out of the city, so I can understand why you stayed such a very short time before flying away.

I'm sorry we didn't have more bugs and small seeds for you — I can't even promise that we'll do better next time, because it's likely better for you if you find a wilder place. (Though my yard is pretty wild, by some standards...)

I wish, though, that you'd come in early morning — or stay until evening — so I could hear you sing.

So many regrets.

But welcome back! I'm glad you dropped by, with your chestnut wing patch, white outer tail feathers, white eye-ring and streaky feathers.

What is this bird? Vesper Sparrow - Bruant vespéral
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Photo date: April 26, 2015.

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