An Unexpected Catch

As much fun as waking up at 6:15am is, that joy is only amplified when it isn't even forty degrees outside. For the first time this season, I wore my winter coat outside, and I did not regret that decision at all!

We left OU at 7:15 to drive to the Ridges, where we netted once again. Despite being totally frigid, it was a clear and sunny morning. Most of the birds we caught today were very common. For example, we caught more Carolina chickadees and tufted titmice. We caught a whopping NINE chipping sparrows. Despite an overall high number of captures, only two of the species today were new to us.


The song sparrow

Copyright: Ed Schneider

The song sparrow is an extremely common bird in the US, and if you haven't seen one, then you've definitely heard one.

While their songs vary regionally, they usually end with that "buzz" or trill sound. You might be thinking that such a common bird isn't really worth getting excited about. That's why I saved our big catch of the day for last:

A red-bellied woodpecker!

Copyright: maia bird

I know what you're thinking, this woodpecker doesn't look particularly red-bellied. Why not call it the red-headed? Well, that name was already taken. The bird pictured above is a female. You can tell because the red on its head is mostly contained on the back of its head.

Copyright: John Hartgerink

Here's an example of a male red-bellied woodpecker. Its red coloration extends down the front of its head to its beak. They have awesome feather coloration, and it was really stunning up close. Also, take a look at those tail feathers. Woodpeckers all have short, stiff tail feathers used to brace themselves against trees while they peck.

Copyright: Cape Cod Bander

You don't realize it until they're really close, but they also have reddish eyes.

Copyright: Chipper Woods Bird Observatory

Woodpeckers have a cool toe arrangement called "zygodactyl." This means that two of their toes are in the front, and two are in the back. This helps them climb up and down trees, which is why you can see woodpeckers "upside down" on a tree trunk.

Also, check out their tongues!

Copyright: Hilton Pond Center

The tips of their tongues are hard and barbed, and they use them to spear grubs under the bark of trees. Their tongues are at least THREE TIMES the length of their bills! Pretty neat.

That's all I have for today, hopefully some new and interesting species will be captured the next time we net.