Many bird watchers can easily rattle off a list of the common birds that visit their backyards, especially feeders. Many also anticipate the arrival of overwintering birds, like American Goldfinches and winter hummingbirds that visit us from the western U.S. (https://ourmshome.com/winter-hummingbirds/ ). But many more winter birds do not come to feeders, but are common, nevertheless. This is my challenge to you to discover some of these birds during the holiday season, especially if you invite children to join in on the fun.
This Winter Bird Scavenger List includes some of my favorite species of birds that breed in the northern reaches of our continent. Unlike year-round resident species, like Northern Cardinals, Bluejays, and Carolina Wrens, these birds are here only in winter but are more than just visitors because they come every year, escaping the colder weather in places where they choose to breed in summer. In a sense, they are the true snowbirds of the south. So here goes, find as many of my favorite winter birds in your backyard, local park, or waterfront.
American White Pelicans are my all-time favorite birds! Watching flocks of these large birds flying high in a clear winter sky, synchronizing their movements, that at times make them blink out as they turn sideways, is mesmerizing. They can also be seen floating in flocks in bayous and other quite water areas. Visit public spaces along waterways or watch the sky on a clear winter day to spot them. https://ourmshome.com/white-pelicans-a-touch-of-class-for-the-holidays/
Yellow-rumped Warblers, also affectionately known as Butter Butts, gather on the coast in large numbers, coming from the coniferous forest of Canada and the northern U.S. They are especially active in early mornings, moving in flocks of as many as 30 or more birds, fliting thought the trees or feeding on open ground, picking up insects or eating berries from wax myrtles and yaupon bushes. Look for their signature, bright yellow rump dorsal patch where their tail feathers meet their – well, butts. https://www.ourmshome.com/it-must-be-winter-the-butter-butts-are-here/
Ruby-crowned Kinglets are one of the smaller birds in our landscape. Like Butter Butts, they are nervous little birds, not sitting still for long. You can spot them flitting through the branches of trees looking for small insects. My favorite way to get a closer look is to stand still and use my best pishing voice to get their attention. They will fly in close to check you out, and if you are lucky, a male will flash its red crest of feathers on the top of its head.
American Robins are a sure sign of winter in the deep south. They nest in northern portions of the U.S. and northern parts of southern states but fly further south in winter. Their chip calls are distinct, giving them away when not seen, but they can be found in small or large flocks in open grassy areas, in parks or roadsides.
Last, but not least, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are a shy woodpecker that lurks in our woodlands, visiting the trees where they drill rings of small holes, from which they feed on the sap and small insects trapped there. Patience and using your eyes and ears are the way to find these birds. https://ourmshome.com/sapsucker-sap-wells-feed-many/
Have fun! Your reward is getting out and about in your favorite places.
Hope to see you in our great outdoors!
Photo Credits: White Pelican Flock (David Newton), Yellow-rumped Warbler (Larry Dees), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Bill Stripling), American Robin (Doug Clarke), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sharon Milligan).