Ellis Bird Farm. Field Guide. Learning + Education Encyclopedia of Life

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Blake Cain
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1 Ellis Bird Farm

Purple Martin Scientific name: Progne subis Overview A large swallow, the male Purple Martin is most easily identified by its large size, dark purple-black body, and notched tail.

2 Purple Martin Scientific name: Progne subis Overview A large swallow, the male Purple Martin is most easily identified by its large size, dark purple-black body, and notched tail. Female Purple Martins are purplish gray above and pale below with streaking on the breast. While the male is unmistakable in North America, the female resembles other pale breasted swallows, although it is generally much larger. Description This species is a long-distance migrant, wintering primarily in Bolivia and southern Brazil. Purple Martins historically bred along forest edges near water, nesting in old woodpecker holes in dead trees. Today, almost all Purple Martins, particularly those breeding in the east, nest in man-made nest boxes in urban or suburban areas. In winter, this species is found foraging over open savannah and fields, roosting in trees or buildings nearby. Purple Martins exclusively eat flying insects. While foraging, this species may be seen swooping over ponds, lakes, and open country while catching insects in flight. Purple Martins are primarily active during the day.

3 Field Journal Location: Weather: Name: Date: Time of Day: Observations / Data / Activity (Notes): *Write down questions you have for further investigation. Drawings (Draw sketches of the subject you are studying):

American Goldfinch Scientific name: Carduelis tristis Overview A small finch, the male American Goldfinch in summer is most easily identified by its bright yellow body; black cap, wings, and tail;

4 American Goldfinch Scientific name: Carduelis tristis Overview A small finch, the male American Goldfinch in summer is most easily identified by its bright yellow body; black cap, wings, and tail; and conspicuous white rump patch. Female American Goldfinches are duller yellow overall than males, and lack black on the head. Description The American Goldfinch breeds across much of the United States and southern Canada. American Goldfinches breed in a variety of open habitats, including meadows, bushy fields, and (in modern times) urban and suburban yards. American Goldfinches primarily eat seeds, including tree seeds and seeds of weedy groundcover plants. In appropriate habitat, American Goldfinches may be seen perched on the stalks of small plants while eating seeds from pods at the top. Goldfinches are also common feeder birds, and may be observed feeding in mixed groups of finches and other small songbirds. American Goldfinches are primarily active during the day.

5 Field Journal Location: Weather: Name: Date: Time of Day: Observations / Data / Activity (Notes): *Write down questions you have for further investigation. Drawings (Draw sketches of the subject you are studying):

American Robin Scientific name: Turdus migratorius Overview The American Robin breeds from most of Canada south, in the mountains, to southern Mexico and are found in cities and towns, on lawns, on

6 American Robin Scientific name: Turdus migratorius Overview The American Robin breeds from most of Canada south, in the mountains, to southern Mexico and are found in cities and towns, on lawns, on farmland and in forests. In winter, they are often associated with berry-bearing trees. This common and widespread thrush is often seen running and hopping on lawns searching for earthworms, which are an important part of the diet, along with insects and berries (fruit may account for 60% of the diet year-round). Young are fed mainly on insects and earthworms, located by sight not sound. Description The American Robin s rich, rollicking song is often heard very early in the day in spring and summer, before first light. Males arrive on the nesting grounds before females and defend territories by singing (and sometimes fighting). The nest is a cup of grasses, twigs, and debris, worked into a solid foundation of mud and lined with fine grasses and plant fibers. The 3 to 7 pale blue eggs (usually 4) are incubated by the female for 12 to 14 days.

7 Field Journal Location: Weather: Name: Date: Time of Day: Observations / Data / Activity (Notes): *Write down questions you have for further investigation. Drawings (Draw sketches of the subject you are studying):

Mallard Scientific name: Anas platyrhynchos Overview The Mallard is the most recognizable species of waterfowl, often being the only species of duck present in ponds and small streams near cities and

8 Mallard Scientific name: Anas platyrhynchos Overview The Mallard is the most recognizable species of waterfowl, often being the only species of duck present in ponds and small streams near cities and towns. This large duck is about 20 to 24 inches long with an oval-shaped body and short tail. Males are splotchy brown and tan with a green head and yellow bill, while females are speckled brown and tan with a dull brown bill. Both sexes have orange legs and a blue diamond on the wings. Description The Mallard is common across North America and Eurasia. Many populations living in human-altered environments are non-migratory. Mallards can be found in and around rivers, streams, lakes, or ponds, and eat a variety of foods, including insects, snails, and grains. Mallards gather in large numbers where ducks are fed by humans. Mallards are often found floating on the water s surface, occasionally dabbling (submerging their head and chest while their legs and tail stick out of the water) to find food. These ducks are also capable of taking off directly from the water. In the air they may be observed making swift and direct flights between bodies of water.

9 Field Journal Location: Weather: Name: Date: Time of Day: Observations / Data / Activity (Notes): *Write down questions you have for further investigation. Drawings (Draw sketches of the subject you are studying):

American Beaver Scientific name: Castor canadensis Overview The largest North American rodent and the only one with a broad, flat, scaly tail, the Beaver is now common and widespread, even in areas

10 American Beaver Scientific name: Castor canadensis Overview The largest North American rodent and the only one with a broad, flat, scaly tail, the Beaver is now common and widespread, even in areas it did not inhabit during precolonial times. The modifications it makes to the environment by felling trees and building dams result in changes to plant, animal, and microbial communities that are sometimes desirable and sometimes not. Description The Beaver itself is not easily seen, being nocturnal and secretive, but it can be spotted in ponds, lakes, or large streams at twilight by a quiet observer. Its pelage is brown, with gray underfur, and is prized by trappers. The webbing on its hind feet help it to swim; claws on the digits of its forefeet give it dexterity in handling food; comblike claws on its hind feet help it in careful grooming; and it can close its mouth behind its front teeth, so that it can carry woody material without taking in water. Beavers cache and consume the inner bark of both deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees, as well as terrestrial and aquatic plants. Their young, called kits, leave the colony at the age of six months.

11 Field Journal Location: Weather: Name: Date: Time of Day: Observations / Data / Activity (Notes): *Write down questions you have for further investigation. Drawings (Draw sketches of the subject you are studying):

Pine Siskin Scientific name: Carduelis pinus Overview A small finch, the male Pine Siskin is most easily identified by its streaked brown body, dark wings, and conspicuous yellow wing bar.

12 Pine Siskin Scientific name: Carduelis pinus Overview A small finch, the male Pine Siskin is most easily identified by its streaked brown body, dark wings, and conspicuous yellow wing bar. Female Pine Siskins are similar to males, but are somewhat duller and lack the yellow on the wing. The Pine Siskin breeds across southern Alaska, southern Canada, and the northern United States. Description Pine Siskins inhabit northern and high-mountain evergreen forests and also visit bird feeders. They eat seeds, particularly those of cone-bearing evergreen trees, a fact which explains this species habitat preferences as well as its name. In appropriate habitat, Pine Siskins may be observed perching on or hanging from seed cones while plucking out the seeds contained within. Birdwatchers may also listen for this species song, a series of squeaky clee-ip notes. Pine Siskins are primarily active during the day, although individuals may forage for food by moonlight when food is scarce.

13 Field Journal Location: Weather: Name: Date: Time of Day: Observations / Data / Activity (Notes): *Write down questions you have for further investigation. Drawings (Draw sketches of the subject you are studying):

Black-capped Chickadee Scientific name: Poecile atricapillus Overview A small songbird, the Black-capped Chickadee is most easily identified by its gray back and tail, pale breast, black chin, and

14 Black-capped Chickadee Scientific name: Poecile atricapillus Overview A small songbird, the Black-capped Chickadee is most easily identified by its gray back and tail, pale breast, black chin, and black cap. They breed across much of southern Alaska, Canada, and the northern half of the United States, and are generally nonmigratory, although small groups may wander at times when food is scarce. Description Black-capped Chickadees inhabit a number of forest types, including deciduous and mixed deciduous-evergreen woodland habitats. They may be found in urban and suburban areas where food and sufficient tree cover are available. They eat a variety of plant and animal foods, feeding on insects in the summer and seeds becoming more important in winter. In appropriate habitat, black-capped Chickadees may be observed foraging for food in the tree canopy, often hanging from the ends of branches while eating seeds or picking insects off of leaves and bark. This species is also a common backyard feeder bird, visiting feeding trays as part of mixed flocks of small songbirds. It s song is a whistled fee-bee-bee, and its call, a clear chick-a-dee-deedee.

15 Field Journal Location: Weather: Name: Date: Time of Day: Observations / Data / Activity (Notes): *Write down questions you have for further investigation. Drawings (Draw sketches of the subject you are studying):

House Finch Scientific name: Carpodacus mexicanus Overview The house finch is native to the western United States and adjacent Canada south to southern Mexico in the highlands.

16 House Finch Scientific name: Carpodacus mexicanus Overview The house finch is native to the western United States and adjacent Canada south to southern Mexico in the highlands. Its habitat includes arid scrub and brush, thornbush, oak-juniper, pine-oak, chaparral, open woodland, urban areas, cultivated lands, and savanna. House finches tend to avoid unbroken forests and grasslands and are common visitors to backyard feeders. Description Their diet consists mainly of seeds, buds, and berries, with few insects. The young are fed on regurgitated seeds. Except when nesting, house finches tend to forage in flocks. In the breeding season, males perform flight-song displays, singing while fluttering upward with slow wingbeats and then gliding down. The male feeds the female during courtship and incubation. Both males and females sing in the spring.

17 Field Journal Location: Weather: Name: Date: Time of Day: Observations / Data / Activity (Notes): *Write down questions you have for further investigation. Drawings (Draw sketches of the subject you are studying):

Manitobe Maple Scientific name: Acer negundo Overview Boxelder, also known as manitoba maple, is the most widely distributed North American maple species, ranging throughout the U.S. and Canada and south into Mexico and Guatemala.

18 Manitobe Maple Scientific name: Acer negundo Overview Boxelder, also known as manitoba maple, is the most widely distributed North American maple species, ranging throughout the U.S. and Canada and south into Mexico and Guatemala. Description Boxelder is a small, deciduous, fast-growing, short-lived tree growing to 20 m tall, with a broad rounded crown. It often branches low into multiple trunks, which may grow almost parallel to the ground, and can form dense thickets. The bark is light browngray and the twigs slender, shiny green often with a whitish to pink waxy coating when young. The leaves are opposite, pinnately compound with 3 to 9 leaflets, long-pointed, coarsely toothed and often shallowly lobed. The flowers are yellow-green and fruits are long-stalked clusters of winged nutlets.

19 Field Journal Location: Weather: Name: Date: Time of Day: Observations / Data / Activity (Notes): *Write down questions you have for further investigation. Drawings (Draw sketches of the subject you are studying):

Bumblebee Scientific name: Bombus Overview Over 50 species of bumble bees, named for the humming sound they make while flying, occur throughout North America (Canada, the United States, and Mexico).

20 Bumblebee Scientific name: Bombus Overview Over 50 species of bumble bees, named for the humming sound they make while flying, occur throughout North America (Canada, the United States, and Mexico). Forty-four bumble bee species are known to be native to the United States and Canada (Natural History Museum, 2009). Description Bumble bee species are large and very hairy. They are generally black and yellow but often have white or orange bands. They range in size between 3/8 and 3/4 inch long. They nest in open fields and woods and are found throughout North America, but are declining across their range. Major threats include the spread of pests and diseases by the commercial bee industry, other pests and diseases, habitat destruction, pesticides, invasive species, and climate change.

21 Field Journal Location: Weather: Name: Date: Time of Day: Observations / Data / Activity (Notes): *Write down questions you have for further investigation. Drawings (Draw sketches of the subject you are studying):

22 Instructions: Use the Answer Pool at the bottom of the page to help you answer the riddles! Write your answer on the line underneath each riddle. Good luck! I m an omnivore and I hunt in a group I howl quite loudly, usually at night I m related to a pet you might find in your house. My fur can be brown, gray, yellow or white. Who am I? I am part of a tree I protect it like a coat Some people carve their initials in me My name is also a sound certain animals make What am I? I have big ears, but I am very small My fur is soft like a baby s blanket My tail feels like a fluffy cotton ball I live in the forest on the floor Who am I? I can be brown or black, and even white! I ve got a tiny tail, but a very big nose I eat berries and fish I sleep in a cave while outside it snows What am I? I have plenty of backbone, but lack a good leg I peel layers like onions, but still remain whole I hiss when I have something to say I can be long, like a flagpole, yet fit in a hole Who am I? I am born high up in the mountain range I run for miles without getting faint Animals, fish and plants live inside me You can help me by conserving water What am I? I have two legs and two wings I tip my head underwater to grab a snack I swim in the pond and waddle on land You can hear me from far away, I talk with a quack Who am I? My tongue grabs insects on its sticky surface I can be green or brown to blend in with the ground. I like wet places, especially ponds Sometimes you ll see me on land, hopping around Who am I? I spray a light mist to keep you cool I run forever, without moving at all I have no lungs or throat, but make a mighty roaring call. What am I? I m up all night, swimming or climbing trees I have a tail of black and white bands My facial markings look like a mask My front paws look a lot like your hands Who am I? Answer Pool Coyote Rabbit Snake Duck Frog Bark River Waterfall Raccoon Bear

23 Instructions: See how many plants and animals you can find and identify along the trail. Put a checkmark beside the item and mark the name of the species you identified in the space provided. Please ask our volunteers when you need help!

24 Questionnaire: Name: Team Name: Date: What was your favourite activity at BioBlitz? Why? What is something you learned?

25 Credits: Cover Images: Provided by the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area/Aire marine nationale de conservation du lac-superieur Parks Canada Parcs Canada Species: All content sourced from the ( ) Creative Commons Purple Martin Source: DC Birds Photo Credit: Dick Daniels American Goldfinch Source: DC Birds Photo Credit: Katja Schulz American Robin Source: Leo Shapiro Photo Credit: Ltshears Mallard Source: DC Birds Photo Credit: Roland zh Beaver Source: Smithsonian Institution Photo Credit: msr Pine Siskin Source: DC Birds Photo Credit: wsweet321 on Flickr Black-Capped Chickadee Source: DC Birds Photo Credit: Jeff Whitlock House Finch Source: Leo Shapiro Photo Credit: Blake Matheson Manitoba Maple Source: Jacqueline Courteau, modified from USDA NRCS PLANTS Database Photo Credit: Anthony Mendoza Bumblebee Source: Bob Corrigan Photo Credit: Biopix

2010 Ornithology (B/C) - Training Handout

This event will test knowledge of birds. 2010 Ornithology (B/C) - Training Handout KAREN LANCOUR National Bio Rules Committee Chairman karenlancour@charter.net The Official National List will be used for