The Virginia Rail - Critter 87

With all the chaos going on in the world today, we thought we would share something a little brighter and wonderful.

Figure - A Virginia rail

Look at who came to visit us. We passed right by this little visitor as We went to put some things in the recycle bin to be picked up.

We never saw it when we went out. It was when we went to close the door, and our eyes had gazed to the corner. The little bird lows and beholds just sitting there being unbothered and bothering no one.

There it is sitting on top of the flower. As I searched the bottom of my phone on the pics for what kind of bird it is, it is said it’s a Virginia Rail.

Strangely, this bird should be found in the areas such as wet meadows and freshwater marshes. So, lucky to have this bird, a Virginia rail as our visitor.

Have you seen this bird in your areas?

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The Young Redtail Hawk at Backyard - Critter 86

We saw a hawk in the pine trees at our neighborhood this morning. We believe it was a young Redtail hawk.

Fig - The Young Redtail Hawk.

Our neighbors' chickens heard it call and scrambled to get undercover, while the mockingbirds mobbed the hawk.

The young hawk flew off right after we took this picture. The chickens will probably hide for a while.

This bird is a familiar sight in our state, including our city, Baton Rouge. Young Red-tails can be identified by their brown plumage and the distinctive streaked pattern on their undersides.

Juvenile red-tailed hawks are meat-eaters (carnivores), mainly feasting on small birds and mammals.

Did you see Redtail Hawk around your areas?

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The Great Blue Heron in the Pond - Critter 85

If we are lucky enough, we may see the Great Blue Heron in the ponds or wetland areas in our state, Louisiana.

Fig 01 - The Great Blue Heron catching fish.

The majestic wading bird, the Great Blue Heron has some following distinction characters which are :

- the largest heron in North America

- blue gray plumage

- long legs

- bill like dagger and sharp

In addition to the ponds or wetlands, we could find the Great Blue Heron in several other habitats such as lakes, swamps, saltwater and freshwater marshes.

Fig 02 - A vase, illustration

The Great Blue Heron main food sources are wide range, include variety of fish species. We believe, the bird consumes small minnows in the pond.

Fig 03 - Bird walking on the shallow part of pond. 

Have you seen this giant bird in nature?

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The Wren's Eggs and Two Babies - Critter 84

At previous post, we talked about female Wren which visited our yard. The fact that the bird was nesting. 

Fig 01 - Eggs of Wren.

You may read the previous posting:

- A Female Wren Visited Our Yards - Critter 79 | Tanza Erlambang Update

We saw at least two eggs in the nest, the number of eggs laying by Wrens depend on their species:

- Caroline Wren, 3 - 7 eggs

- House Wren, 4 to 8 eggs 

The female Wren broods her eggs for 12 to16 days, tenderly guarded, while the male provides nourishment. 

Fig 02 - Wren's babies in the nest.

Finally, after approximately two weeks, the little babies start learning to fly, then they leave the nest.

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A Male Downy Woodpecker - Critter 83

In our city, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the Downy Woodpecker is a frequent visitor in any seasons. 

Figure - A Downy Woodpecker

This small, black and white bird is commonly spotted darting around trees (usually dead and dying trees), and shrubs, on the hunt for insects in the city parks, gardens and even in our neighbor backyards.

Both male and female a black and white striped facial pattern and wield a short, sharp bill for pecking into wood to find insects.

The different that male has the bright red patch on the back of its head. 

The Woodpeckers play a crucial role in the local ecosystem by controlling insect populations and creating tree cavities used by other birds and animals for nesting. 

Many people, especially Birdwatchers also enjoy spotting them due to their unique look and agile movements.

Do you know about a Downy Woodpecker?

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The Roseate Spoonbill in the Pond - Critter 82

We are just lucky to see the Roseate Spoonbill in one of several ponds around our neighborhood today. 

Figure - The lonely Roseate Spoonbill

The bird is a master to search its food in the shallow water, since it has a unique spoon-shaped bill.

Roseate Spoonbill primary diets are small aquatic creatures such as:

- fish, like small minnows

- aquatic insects, include dragonfly and beetles.

- some small crustaceans, they are crabs, crayfish and shrimp.

Interestingly, diet of this bird contains both higher nutritious and pigments called carotenoids (contributes to its vibrant pink coloration).

Do you know about bird called Roseate Spoonbill?

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A Hawk Perched on the Cable - Critter 81

Some of us might be familiar to see a hawk or birds perching on the trees, rocks and electric cables. 

Fig - A hawk perching and looking surround. 

For me, catching sight of a hawk perched on the electric wire is a wonderful and magical moment. It is a kind of reminder of how all living things are connected and the incredible diversity of nature.

Moreover, there are several purposes of hawk perching on cable:

1) Resting point:

- cable could be secure place for resting

2) Hunting point:

- Hawk able to view surrounding areas to spot preys such as bunny, rodents and other small animals.

3) Spotting other source of foods

- A hawk may interest on garbage or discarded foods near neighborhood.

What do you think?

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The Goose Poop on the Walking Path - Critter 80

There is a family of geese lives permanently around our neighborhood retention pond. Others come and go.

Fig 01- Wild Geese.

Unfortunately, these geese will only do "their business" on the sidewalk close to the retention pond.

It requires an excellent hop- scotched to not come home with "something extra" (goose poop) on your shoes.

Sort of an analogy for life troubles - sometimes you hop over it, sometimes steps smack into it!

There might be a natural product that could be sprayed on the walkway monthly which would deter them from using it.

Fig 02 - Goose poop on the walking path. 

We saw Goose Stopper, liquid repellent sold in Home Depot with reasonable price, but we don't know the effective of liquid for keeping geese off the walking path.

Fig 03 - Goose Stopper, liquid repellent 

What do you think?

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A Female Wren Visited Our Yards - Critter 79

We saw a young female wren visited our backyard last season. A delightful little bird. Look like a lively and energetic bird.  

Fig 01 - A female wren was seen at backyard

Three possibilities a female wren might visit our backyard:

1) Searching for foods:

- she attracts to insect as one of her main sources of food

2) Water

- we have a bird bath, so wrens or other birds visit for drinking and bathing regularly, especially during hot Summer. 

3) Nesting

- Backyards is one of suitable locations to build nesting site.  

Fig 02 - She is sitting on the twig. 

Two common species visit our city:

- Bewick Wren 

- Carolina Wren

Fig 03 - Lonely female wren

Have you seen Wren in your areas?

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The Great Egret around Neighborhood - Critter 78

 Our state, Louisiana has several species of egrets, one of them is Great Egret with scientific name Ardea alba.

Fig 01- A Great Egret, walking around.

We posted egret at the park: Egret at the Neighborhood Park – Critter 39 | Tanza Erlambang Update

The egret is a common wading bird found in our state, especially near bodies of water, just seen again around neighborhood.

The birds are distinguished by their pristine white plumage. Great Egret features a long, S-shaped neck, a trait typical of herons and egrets.

The great egrets are characterized by their long, yellow bills. These birds are relatively large as depicted by the images.

Fig 02 - The long neck bird.

Where do you see this kind of bird?

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The Whistling Ducks in the Water - Critter 77

 We talked about this critter previously: The Black-bellied Whistling Duck on the Roof - Critter 64 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01 - Ducs and ducklings in the pool

Some people said that they are odd ducks. They stand on one foot like a flamingo, will roost in trees and stand on rooftops.

The little ducklings have black feet and bills, which then turn that pink/orange color as they mature.

Actually, we see them in the nearby lakes such as in the area called as "Green Trails" all the time. Last year we watched two broods grow up and fly away.

However, Whistling Ducks are quite comfortable in urban environments. There’s a family that enjoys our neighborhood’s pool.

Fig 02 - Ducks swimming in the river

Have you seen this critter? Where?

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A Male House Finch - Critter 76

 We talked about a House Finch at previous post. The bird is one of common birds in North America. 

Fig 01- A male house finch 

You may read the previousposted: 

- We Have Observed a House Finch at Neighborhood - Critter 66 | Tanza Erlambang Update

We believe, the bird is a male House Finch with typical characteristics that has reddish coloration on his:

- head

- breast

- and rump

Fig 02 - Coloration of breast

The house finches often seen in backyard, especially at our bird feeders. They love seed and fruits.

Fig 03 - The bird turns his head

Do you familiar with this bird?

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Caroline Wren Babies in the Mailbox - Critter 75

Surprisingly, we saw the bird made a nest in our mailbox. We have been watching the progress from eggs to these sweet babies for the last few weeks.

Fig - The babies' bird in the mailbox

The bird's mom won’t stay still for a good picture. We personally think it's a very heartwarming image.

After searching through Google, it is highly probably that the bird's species are Carolina wrens. It is because the birds are notorious for making nests in inconvenient places such as above doors or mailboxes.

Caroline wren nests are built from a combination of:

- leaves

- moss

- twigs

- and other debris.

The inside of the nest is then lined with soft materials, some of them are feathers and fur.

Have you enjoyed with this kind of experience?

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Flying and Hitting the House - Critter 74

It was reported in the weather channel that the birds all quit singing, and it got very quiet outdoors before one of the destructive tornados touched down close by our areas.

Fig 01 - A hummingbird after fall down.

Before rain and very strong wind, we just sitting outside in the morning, we hear a thump on our roof!

Then we saw something hit the grass. Here is what we found, a little hummingbird. We believed it must have been one of its first solo flights.

Being at the right place at the right time, we picked and handled the hummingbird. It didn’t make any noise.

We put it in this container, and then put under a plant. Luckily, after about 45 minutes later it flew off! Hopefully, it will survive in the nature.

Fig 02 - A hummingbird, put on the grass.

When can you expect the humming season in your areas?

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Whistling Ducks Gracing our Areas - Critter 73

We posted the whistling duck on the roof. You may read the previous post:

- The Black-bellied Whistling Duck on the Roof - Critter 64 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01 - A whistling duck on the tree.

It seems that breeding seasons of ducks are begin in our areas this time, around in the middle of Spring. 

We have a pair of whistling ducks that just found our yard's tress. We saw them in the early morning.

We have never ever seen a duck sitting and playing on the trees as well as on the roof. We were excited and happy.

They are beautiful, just hope they will not be too messy, and hope they don’t decide to go for other places for a while.

Fig 02 - A pair of whistling ducks

A joy to look forward to every day, so every morning during breakfast and every evening for supper. Get ready for two dozen ducklings soon.

Fig 03 - They look happy around branches of trees. 

Have you seen Whistling ducks gracing your areas?

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