By Jim Achieve
Study 100 Frequent Valley Birds is a photograph weblog collection highlighting the 100 commonest Valley chicken species.
Put up #27 within the Study 100 Frequent Valley Birds collection. (Species 44, 45, & 46/100 + 3 BONUS birds)
Home Wren #44
The Home Wren (Troglodytes aedon) is a small, brown chicken that’s generally discovered within the Central Valley of California. It has a spherical physique with barred wings and brief tail. The female and male birds look very related, with the males being barely bigger and having a louder and extra complicated music.
Home Wrens are extremely adaptable birds which can be present in a variety of habitats, from city parks and gardens to forests and grasslands. They’re identified for his or her energetic habits, continuously flicking their tails and wings as they hop and flit by way of vegetation looking for bugs and spiders to eat.
Within the spring and summer season, they construct nests in cavities, reminiscent of tree hollows, birdhouses, and even previous sneakers left mendacity round. The feminine lays 4-8 eggs, and each mother and father assist feed and look after the younger. Home Wrens are additionally identified for his or her aggressive territorial habits, usually attacking different birds that come too near their nest website.
Marsh Wren #45
The Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) is a small, secretive chicken that may be present in marshes, wetlands, and different related habitats all through North America, together with the Central Valley of California. Grownup Marsh Wrens are about 4.5 inches in size and weigh round 0.3 ounces. They’ve brown and black streaked upperparts, a white throat, and a particular black and white striped crown. Their wings are brief and rounded, and their tail is comparatively lengthy and sometimes held erect.
Marsh Wrens are extremely territorial birds, with males singing loudly and repeatedly to defend their nesting territories through the breeding season. They construct intricate, globular nests made from cattails, sedges, and different marsh vegetation. The feminine lays 4-7 eggs, which she incubates for about two weeks. Each mother and father feed and look after the chicks, which fledge after about two weeks. Marsh Wrens are primarily insectivorous and feed on a wide range of small invertebrates, together with spiders, caterpillars, and beetles.
Within the Central Valley of California, Marsh Wrens are generally present in freshwater marshes and riparian habitats alongside rivers and streams. They’re most simply noticed by their loud and constant singing and their distinctive nest constructions. Marsh Wrens are an vital indicator species of the well being of wetland habitats, and their presence or absence can be utilized to watch the success of wetland restoration initiatives.
Bewick’s Wren #46
The Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) is a small, brown chicken that’s widespread within the Central Valley of California. They’ve a particular look, with a protracted, skinny invoice, a brownish-gray again, and a cream-colored stomach. In addition they have a particular white eyebrow stripe above their eyes and a protracted tail that they usually maintain upright.
Bewick’s Wrens are a standard sight in gardens, parks, and different city areas all through the Central Valley. They’re additionally present in oak woodlands, riparian areas, and different brushy habitats. They’re lively and vocal birds, hopping and flitting round looking for bugs, spiders, and different small invertebrates.
Breeding pairs of Bewick’s Wrens are monogamous and sometimes increase two broods per 12 months. They construct nests in cavities, reminiscent of tree holes or birdhouses, and the feminine lays between 4-7 eggs per clutch. Each mother and father share the duties of incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks. The inhabitants of Bewick’s Wrens within the Central Valley is taken into account secure, however they face threats from habitat loss and fragmentation, in addition to predation by home cats and different predators.
BONUS BIRD – Rock Wren (Excluded from 100 Frequent Birds as a consequence of it’s restricted habitat desire of rocky outcrops)
The Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) is a small songbird that’s generally present in rocky habitats all through western North America, together with the Central Valley of California. This species is about 4.5-5 inches in size and has a particular lengthy, curved invoice that’s well-suited for foraging in rock crevices and cracks. They’re brownish-gray general, with darkish barring on their wings and tail. They’ve a peculiar behavior of doing fast bobbing because the stand and stroll.
Rock Wrens are tailored to life in rocky habitats, the place they construct their nests in crevices or beneath rocks. They’re lively year-round in California, and are identified for his or her distinctive music, which is a collection of high-pitched, tinkling notes. They’re primarily insectivores, feeding on a wide range of bugs, spiders, and different small invertebrates. Though they don’t seem to be thought of threatened or endangered, habitat loss and disturbance can have a unfavourable affect on their populations.
BONUS BIRD – Canyon Wren (Excluded from 100 Frequent Birds as a consequence of it’s restricted habitat desire of rocky outcrops and canyons)
The Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) is a small, brownish wren that’s generally discovered within the rocky canyons and cliffs of the western United States, together with the Central Valley of California. It’s characterised by its distinctive, loud, and musical music, which it makes use of to speak with its mate and defend its territory.
When it comes to look, the Canyon Wren has a placing and distinctive plumage, with a reddish-brown again, a white throat, and a protracted, curved invoice. Its tail is comparatively brief, and it has white spots on its wings, that are seen when it’s in flight. The chicken can also be identified for its agile and acrobatic actions, which it makes use of to navigate the rocky terrain of its habitat.
The pure historical past of the Canyon Wren is intently tied to its rocky canyon habitat. It’s a extremely territorial chicken that defends its territory vigorously in opposition to intruders, utilizing its loud music to warn off different birds and animals. It feeds totally on bugs, which it captures by hopping and crawling alongside the rocky surfaces of its habitat. Throughout the breeding season, the male Canyon Wren will construct a number of nests, which the feminine will examine earlier than selecting one to make use of for laying her eggs. Total, the Canyon Wren is an attention-grabbing and distinctive chicken that’s effectively tailored to the difficult atmosphere of the Central Valley’s rocky canyons.
BONUS BIRD – Pacific Wren (Excluded from 100 Frequent Birds as a consequence of it’s restricted/uncommon presence within the valley)
The Pacific Wren (Troglodytes pacificus) is a small, plump chicken that may be discovered within the Central Valley of California. The chicken is roughly 4.5 inches in size and has a heat, brownish-gray coloration with a darker brown head and again. Its tail is commonly cocked up and it has a brief, stubby beak.
The Pacific Wren is often present in dense, moist forests close to water sources reminiscent of streams or wetlands. They’re lively birds which can be continually foraging for bugs and spiders among the many leaf litter and fallen logs. Throughout the breeding season, males will construct a number of nests to draw females and can sing loudly to defend their territory.
Though the Pacific Wren is a year-round resident of the Central Valley of California, its inhabitants has declined in recent times as a consequence of habitat loss and fragmentation. Conservation efforts are underway to guard remaining habitat and restore degraded areas to make sure the survival of this species.
Earlier posts from the Study 100 Frequent Valley Birds collection: