The males court females on a lek, snapping their wings with firecracker-like pops.
Band-tailed Pigeons stay in small flocks most of the year, uttering their soft call. In June, when birdsong is on the wane, many baby birds leave the nest. Young robins and flickers, in particular, spend a few days at ground level after they leave the nest, and before they learn to fly. You'll find excellent birdwatching and an impressive array of bird-related activities. Their loud flight calls warn of the presence of potential predators. As we ponder the wonders of bird sounds, how many of us think of gulls?
The best time to observe mobbing is spring and early summer, when breeding birds are trying to protect their nests and young. Despite its lack of experience, each bird must learn to fend for itself.
Its wing and tail feathers are developing nicely, and it has begun to make short flights. This is the time of year that young birds leave the nest, and they are especially vulnerable to cats.
But when spring comes, it takes to the air. The migrating birds use daylight hours to stop and feed along the way, or rest in protected spots. Despite its lack of experience, each bird must learn to fend for itself.
Killdeers lure predators away from their nest by calling loudly while appearing to limp and drag a wing.
Song Sparrows are found throughout the United States and into Southern Canada. Unless kids are introduced purposefully to nature, they may understand the plight of the Amazon rain forest, but never dampen their feet in a local stream.
But the draining of wetlands, forest fragmentation, and market hunting caused precipitous declines in their numbers. But starting a century ago, this large frog was introduced all across the West.
The Red-breasted Sapsucker is a common but seldom-seen woodpecker of Western Washington forests.
Despite its lack of experience, each bird must learn to fend for itself.
The ten-inch-tall Burrowing Owl is diurnal, most active during the day. High in the Northwest mountains, where the long summer days stay cool, a beautiful song echoes.
The Red-breasted Sapsucker is a common but seldom-seen woodpecker of Western Washington forests.
Two robin-sized woodpeckers excavate a nest hole.