Friday Feathered Feature

Tufted Titmouse

Tufted Titmouse

Persistent and cheery, curious and assertive, the Tufted Titmouse forms part of a cadre of birds gracing the snow, sleet, and rain of Wisconsin winters. Generally non-migratory, they opportunistically occupy woodpecker cavities during the breeding season and line them with fur.

Photo via Pixabay

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Eurasian Collared-Dove

At first glance, a Eurasian Collared-Dove may appear to be a very large Mourning Dove before you notice the dark collar mark or squared off tail that differs from the Mourning Dove’s pointed one. Locally, we find them in and around Arlington and at farmsteads that have conifer trees. 

Photo via Pixabay

Bufflehead

Bufflehead

The Bufflehead, seemingly such a round and buoyant bird, will quickly vanish under the pond of its choice, leaving rings of water radiating from its dive. Watching a Bufflehead, you’ll notice they spend a lot of time foraging under water, by some reports up to 50% of the time.

Photo by Kaitlin Svabek

Mourning Dove Banding

Mourning Dove Banding

Although Mourning Doves are the most hunted migratory game birds in North America, they continue to be one of the most common birds with an estimated continental population of 350 million. So, what makes these gentle birds so resilient?

Photo by Kaitlin Svabek

Greater White-fronted Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose

Journeying about as far north as you can get in summer, the Greater White-fronted Goose will make its way north over the next month. The major push of their migration occurs in the Great Plains; however, a small contingent of forms a flyway through eastern Wisconsin.

Photo by Arlene Koziol