Sunday, August 12, 2012

Bulletin 160 - AZ birds and wildlife

We found several warblers in Arizona. The first shown here is the Red-faced Warbler (Cardellina rubrifrons). This unique bird has a gray back, white breast, red face and black hood. The sexes are similar.
Red-faced Warbler
The Olive Warbler (Peucedramus taeniatus) was formerly in the same family as the wood warblers, but DNA has shown it to be unique. It has since been put in its own family. This bird is gray with 2 white wing bars. The head is yellow with a black ear patch. This is the female or immature male plumage. The adult male has orange instead of the yellow.
Olive Warbler - female or immature male
We saw several Painted Redstarts (Myioborus pictus). Neither of us were able to get a decent photo. However, what we did see was a nest of this bird. They nest on the ground and we were able to see the babies in the grassy nest.
Painted Redstart - nest with babies

Other wildlife we saw on this trip were several squirrels, pronghorn and several lizards. The Arizona Gray Squirrel (Sciurus arizonensis) is a typical large bushy tailed squirrel.
Arizona Gray Squirrel
The Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister) is a large (8-12") lizard seen on the ground or climbing in trees.
Desert Spiny Lizard
Thanks again to our guide Melody Kehl for finding the birds and IDing the other wildlife.

Happy birding and photography,
David McDonald
dkmmdpa@gmail.com

photos copyright 2012 David McDonald

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