Peregrine Falcons: Teflon to being Endangered!

These Peregrine Falcons are very intelligent and trainable also. This has always been one of the most prized birds amongst men.

People have used and trained these birds for hunting, as well as message carriers. In 1940, the Federal Government issued an order to cull these Peregrine Falcons bringing about the death of 600 birds.

One reason may have been because in the second World War, the armed forces used over 200,000 homing pigeons as message carriers which were also on the menu of these falcons. This was part of the reason for the decline in these fabulous birds.

Populations began a rapid decline from 1950 - the 1970's because of DDT (Dichloro-diphenyl-trichlorethane) poisoning. This poisoning effected The Peregrine Falcon eggs, causing thinning and making them susceptible to breakage during incubation. Not to mention other birds of prey such as the Golden Eagle and the Great-horned owl would occasionally kill peregrine falcon chicks.

At this point, they made the Endangered Species list and by 1970 extensive efforts were made to reestablish the birds population. Man driven efforts to breed the Peregrine in captivity began to make a difference to this almost "down for the count" bird.

This is why we consider them the "Teflon" bird of prey. They have made an awesome come back. By 1999, the peregrine falcon finally made it off the Endangered Species list.

The Peregrine Falcon - The Teflon Bird of Prey

"Look up! It's a bird.....It's a plane......It's The Peregrine Falcon!" Sounds familiar doesn't it?

Superman was a fictitious character, as was Humphrey Bogart in the Maltese Falcon, and although very popular and very entertaining, was no match for a real, super bird called the Peregrine Falcon.

This creature is one of the most powerful and fast-flying bird there is. The Peregrine Falcon probably has one of the longest migrations of any bird in North America.

Covering as much as 15,500 miles in one year over two different continents, spanning North and South America, hence the meaning of the falcon's name, "wanderer" or the scientific name of "falco pereginus."

This is an incredible flier! You will find that these falcons are averaging 25-34 miles per hour in traveling flight and as fast as 69 miles per hour in direct pursuit of prey with a hunting stoop from heights of over .62 miles!

I don't even know if a Geo Spectrum could cruise at that speed.

After reaching speeds of 200 miles per hour, they will drop toward their prey and kill it by biting into the neck of a passing songbird, duck and occasionally bats. OUCH!!!

These falcons are so acrobatic, they can even catch their prey in mid-air. What a feat!!!
The Peregrine Falcon's habitat is comprised of every continent in the world save Antarctica and on many oceanic islands making them one of the most widely distributed species in the world.

What proof is there that shows the durability of this bird? It has been proven that the falcon can survive in a wide range of areas of habitat to include: urban cities, deserts, the tundra and the tropics.

They remind me of people who live in the state of Maine and then travel to Florida in the winter because the Peregrine Falcon will migrate super long distances from where they reside in the winter, to their summer nesting areas on the globe. Who knows?

They may have even bought into "Time Shares."

THE BIRD OF THE WEEK: THE HOODED WARBLER

What an interesting and beautiful little fellow in North America!

A striking small bird of eastern hardwood forests, the Hooded Warbler prefers forests with some shrub understory.

SOME BASIC FACTS:

Adult Description

• Small songbird.


• Underparts entirely yellow.


• Back olive green.


• Face yellow.


• Male with black hood and bib.


• Large white spots in tail.
  

Immature DescriptionImmature

• Like adult, but with less black.

The Hooded Warbler is strongly territorial on its wintering grounds. Males and females use different habitats: males in mature forest, and females in scrubbier forest and seasonally flooded areas. If a male is removed, a female in adjacent scrub will not move into the male's territory.

Eating Habits:

The main food is small insects, spiders and other small arthropods. On the wintering grounds, birds typically forage lower in the canopy on down to the ground. Males and females may forage at different heights on the breeding grounds, with breeding males usually found feeding at the highest parts of the canopy. Food is usually captured by hawking, hovering at the leaf and gleaning.

Measurements:

Both Sexes
Length
5.1 in13 cm
Weight
0.3–0.4 oz 9–12 g

Other Names

• Paruline à acpuchon (French)


• Reinita encapuchada (Spanish)

Calls

• Song, calls


• Song a loud, clear whistled "ta-wit ta-wit ta-wit tee-yo."

According to the BBS, the highest densities of hooded warblers are
generally found with a more extensive shrub layer and larger areas of contin-
uous forest. The BBS shows an insignificant increase in population on
a continental basis, but a significant increase in the eastern part of this
bird’s range over the past 30 years.

You will mostly find this Hooded Warbler in Eastern North America in the Summer time, and in the Eastern South America in the Winter time.

Maybe today will be the day ther YOU see a Hooded Warbler, but now you know a little more when you spot one.

For more information on how to preserve bird wildlife, visit: http://www.wildlife-houses.com/

Happy bird trails to you!!!!!

THE AMAZING MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD!

Now here's a critter that is very prolific in the mountain region of the U.S.
These little guys are a breath of fresh air. Although slightly different, there are similarities with the Eastern Bluebird. Here are some facts about the Mountain Bluebird.

A common sight in ranch land and other open areas of the American West, the male Mountain Bluebird is a breathtaking brilliant sky blue. It prefers more open habitats than the other bluebirds and can be found in colder habitats in winter.

ADULT DESCRIPTION:

• Medium-sized songbird; small thrush.


• Head large and round.


• Body chunky.


• Tail medium length.


• Blue in wings and tail.


• Male sky blue overall.

Male Description:
Body, head, wings, and tail sky blue; brighter above, paler below. Belly white. Duller brownish blue in winter.

Female Description :
Brown-blue overall. Brighter pale sky blue on rump, wings, and tail. Head and back bluish gray. White eyering. Sometimes a faint malar streak. Chest may have some reddish. Some females are more brownish than others.

Youngster Description:
Juvenile with spotted chest and unspotted back, blue in wings and tail. Immature similar to adult but duller.

These are remarkable wildlife birds. For more information on how to help, house and attract bluebirds take a peak right here: http://www.wildlife-houses.com/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=13

Eastern Bluebird Population Map!

Hey Bluebird watchers and enthusiasts!

Maybe you were wondering whay type of Bluebird hangs it's hat in yer neck of the woods. This is good information to know, so we can be equiped on what type of bird seed, bird feeders, and artificial nesting boxes to set out during that time of the year.

These Bluebirds are wonderful creatures and can be trained to "room and board" in your local yards and forest areas.

Take a look at this informative map. We hope it will be an educational and helpful aide in assisting you in attracting these natural insect control units, or Bluebirds - to be a little less technical - to yer neck of the woods.

Yum - Yums for Eastern Bluebirds!

A bluebirds primary diet is insects and fruit.

Planting native plants like American Bittersweet is a great way to attract and help Bluebirds.

Another great way to help and attract Bluebirds is by feeding meal worms which are what bluebirds eat.

You can begin feeding mealworms in a cup or pan, but because many birds like them, and will eat you out of house and home, most people graduate to a Bluebird feeder instead of bluebird nests.

You may be wondering, "Why a Bluebird feeder?" The answer is pretty simple.

In a Bluebird feeder, the bird has to go through an entrance hole to find the meal worms and few birds, besides the Bluebird, will do so.

It may take a bit of time trying different forms of worms before your local Bluebirds will begin to dine regularly, but the results are worth it, as Bluebirds are trainable - even to the point of responding to whistles and other calls when your feeder is refilled.

Bluebirds have also been trained to eat sunflower kernels.

THE BIRD OF THE WEEK: THE BLUEBIRD!!!

Can you remember back when you were a kid and remember watching Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz sing, "Somewhere over the rainbow.....Bluebirds fly"?
That song helped to immortalize the beautiful wild bluebird.

Since the early colonial times, people have really enjoyed the company of the Eastern Bluebird because of the their beautiful rusty breast, white belly and blue cape.

Some people like to find ways to attract bluebirds by knowing what bluebirds eat and setting up bluebird nests. They love to feed in open areas such as farms, bluebird trails with scattered trees and have no problem nesting in artificial cavities of man-made boxes or which they can lay bluebird eggs and raise their families anytime between the months of April through July.

There is nothing like waking up in the morning to hear the bluebird songs that really bring a good feeling to ones ears.

In the United States of America, there are three different type of bluebird birds. The bluebird that is, by far, the most numerous is the Eastern Bluebird that resides east of the Rockies.
Moutain Bluebirds and Western Bluebirds are those who nest across the Western one-third of the United States.

Remember, a Bluebirds primary diet is insects and fruit.
Some folks are privy to the fact that it is a good idea to plant plants like the American Bittersweet which is a great way to help and attract Bluebirds.
Meal worms are another resource in which you can attract Bluebirds because, at 50.4% protein, they are an excellent nutritional source and something that Bluebirds eat besides berries and insects.

Unfortunately, conservation studies have shown a sharp decline in population mainly for lack of and or the competition of residential nesting boxes amongst the wild Bluebird species.
The good news is that those numbers are increasing, in large, because more and more Bluebird nesting houses are being erected, thus providing shelter for these natural insect controllers.

For more information on how you can help, simply to go:

http://wildlife-houses.com/