Friday Feathered Feature
Showcasing a different bird species each week
One of North America’s largest birds, the American White Pelican loafs its way into a pod, kettling—as it’s called—high into the sky. By afternoon the pelicans have materialized on kettles—glacial formations where a pocket of ice formed bowl shaped depressions—hunting protein rich minnows.
Photo by Arlene Koziol
Last year was the Jacobs brothers’ 50th year studying the state-threatened Red-shouldered Hawk. The two have banded over 2,000 red-shoulders! This year, Gene said that if we could locate nests he would like to band adults and young and attach a cell phone transmitter to an adult female.
Photo by Arlene Koziol
Tiny transmitters can measure so much. Analysis of stable carbon isotopes in feathers and nails provides insight into the quality of the habitat and thus health of the bird. Peter Marra and his lab group have conducted research that has revealed the inner workings of American Redstart culture.
Photo by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren
While hiking up the hill from the Prairie Lane residence to the young oak savanna, I heard something new. It was like a thrush, pleasing and flutelike, but not as long, not as frequent, and certainly not in the right habitat. I made a mental note of this new sound, but didn’t think much more about it.
Photo by USFWS Mountain-Prairie
