Category Archives: Birds

A Red-winged Blackbird Staking His Claim

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Monday, April 24, 2023,

This is a Red-winged Blackbird about to burst into song. Much like many Grackles that I have observed, they puff themselves up, and then let loose with either a song or a territorial call. Both the songs, and the calls, serve to attract mates, and to let other possible rivals that this area has been claimed. In this particular case, this gentleman may be advertising to females. This is pure conjecture on my part, and only because this guy is calling out from a Crab Apple Tree, which would not be a common nesting site for a Red-winged Blackbird. They tend to prefer to build their nests in the reeds alongside waterways or ponds. However, this particular tree is only a few dozen feet from a preferred nesting area. JK.

JK

Beaker

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Monday, March 13, 2023,

This is Beaker. He’s a Mallard Duck with an unusual profile. Beaker got his name from a popular Muppet’s Show character, for what may be obvious reasons.
Beaker came to Sweetbriar Nature Center after having suffered a rather grievous encounter with a Snapping Turtle when he was still a very young duckling. It seems that the Snapping Turtle took a chomp at Beaker and took off a good deal of his beak.
Beaker, luckily—and amazingly – survived, his Holy Cow! wound. However, despite the fact that he is able to still feed in an almost normal fashion, we are not sure if he can be returned to the wild. On the other hand, Beaker is very personable and has many fans amongst the rehabbers.  JK

JK