Rondeau Ric

May 8, 2019, Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. Setophaga tigrina The average clutch size of the Cape May Warbler (6 eggs) is greater than that of other warblers. This large clutch size may allow Cape May Warbler populations to expand rapidly during outbreaks of their preferred prey, spruce budworms. source - Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

May 2, 2019, Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. Icterus spurius Orchard Orioles migrate north late in the spring and head southward early, with some returning to their wintering grounds as early as mid-July. Because of the short breeding season, researchers have trouble distinguishing between breeding orioles and migrating ones in any given location. source - Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, May 14, 2018. An Eastern Kingbird and a Brown-headed cowbird had a difference of opinion about who had first choice of a perch. The kingbird won. Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater

Bay breasted Warbler, May 15, 2018. A splash of colour on a grey winters day. Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. Setophaga castanea Bay-breasted Warblers are voracious predators of spruce budworms. One study concluded that they consumed over 13,000 budworms per hectare (about 2.5 acres) in just 41 days.source - Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Prothonotary warbler, Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, May 14, 2017. We are close to the northern edge of their range. Protonotaria citrea

A web covered stump in the forest oozing spiders. Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, April 22, 2017.

American Robin Jan 23, 2020, Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. An occasional winter visitor, eating berries from the hedge. Taken through a window. Turdus migratorius An American Robin can produce three successful broods in one year. On average, though, only 40 percent of nests successfully produce young. Only 25 percent of those fledged young survive to November. From that point on, about half of the robins alive in any year will make it to the next. Despite the fact that a lucky robin can live to be 14 years old, the entire population turns over on average every six years. source - Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Song Sparrow Jan 21, 2020, Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. Not one we get in our yard a lot during the winter. Photographed thru a window. Melospiza melodia Song Sparrows seem to have a clear idea of what makes a good nest. Field researchers working for many years on the same parcels of land have noticed that some choice spots – the base of a rose bush, or a particular hollow under a hummock of grass, for example – get used over and over again, even when entirely new birds take over the territory. source - Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Burlington Ship Canal, Ontario, Canada, Jan 13, 2020. Over a 1,000 of these birds flying and feeding in the ship canal at Burlington, Ont. Clangula hyemalis Diving duck that favors saltwater in winter and Arctic tundra pools in summer. Males are distinctive with black, white, gray, and brown patterns and long pointed tail. Male plumage changes dramatically from winter to summer. Females and immature males are brownish overall with whiter face and large dark cheek patch. Dives frequently to feed mainly on invertebrates. source - ebird

Not saying it is cold or anything but the air temperature was 28F (-2.2C) and the water temperature was 42F (5.5C) when we saw two surfers in Lake Ontario near Burlington, Ontario on January 14, 2020.

June 6, 2018, Cape St Mary's, Newfoundland. Amazing wingspan of up to 6 feet. Morus bassanus Their eyes have special structural adaptations for plunge-diving, and they are able to see well underwater immediately after striking the water. Most plunge-dives are relatively shallow, but the Northern Gannet can dive as deep as 72 feet. It uses its wings and feet to swim deeper in pursuit of fish.

April 20, 2018, Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. Winter blahs so here is a spring bird. Zonotrichia albicollis White-throated Sparrows typically nest on or near the ground. Occasional nests are built up to 15 feet off the ground in conifers. Usually, these nests are second attempts after a pair has had a ground nest robbed by a predator. source - Cornell lab of Ornithology.

Red-headed woodpecker, Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, Jan 6, 2020. Still hanging around and coming to the feeders every day. First time we have had one over winter. Melanerpes erythrocephalus Red-headed Woodpeckers are fierce defenders of their territory. They may remove the eggs of other species from nests and nest boxes, destroy other birds’ nests, and even enter duck nest boxes and puncture the duck eggs.

Ecuador, Mar 18, 2016. Pteroglossus erythropygius

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the snow.  Northern Cardinal, Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, December 31, 2019.

First bird seen in 2020, Northern Cardinal, Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, taken Dec 31, 2019. Cardinalis cardinalis Only a few female North American songbirds sing, but the female Northern Cardinal does, and often while sitting on the nest. This may give the male information about when to bring food to the nest. A mated pair shares song phrases, but the female may sing a longer and slightly more complex song than the male. source -Cornell Lab of Ornithology.