Friday Field Notes: A Bohemian Rhapsody

I see a little silhuetto of a bird,
It's got a crest! It's got a crest!
And a beautiful masked face!
... And waxy yellow tips on its wings?

I'll admit it: that was cheesy, at best. But the timing of this this naturalist-inspired Queen spoof is perhaps perfect. As winter crawls along, thousands of Bohemian Waxwings fill the valleys of western Montana with their sweet trill. Yet not every winter presents such a great opportunity to see them (indeed, their name "Bohemian" lends credence to their extremely nomadic nature), so it's worth taking advantage of the recent influx of these magnificent birds while they're here.

Bohemian Waxwings (Bombycilla garrulus) are one of three large passerine species that belong to family "Bombycillidae," commonly known as the Waxwings. The other two - Cedar Waxwings and Japanese Waxwings (native to Japan - surprised?) - are very similar in appearance to the Bohemian. Bohemian Waxwings (like their close cousins) inhabit temperate coniferous and mixed forests, and feed primarily on fleshy fruits and berries, though gleaning for insects becomes a primary summer feeding behavior. Interestingly, Bohemian Waxwings do not establish breeding territories, likely because the fruits they depend on are abundant during breeding season. As a result, these birds have no true songs, communicating almost entirely through their high-pitched trill.

While Cedar Waxwings are found in Montana year-round, Bohemians - outside of a small sliver in the northwestern-most corner of the state - only occur in winter. Thus, Bohemian Waxwings and Cedar Waxwings are both present in winter in Montana, and the two species frequently form mixed flocks. Hence, the problem: How does one tell apart these two extremely similar birds?

Cedar Waxwing top right; lower two birds are Bohemian Waxwings.

This photo, courtesy of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, provides a big helping hand. The difference in size (Bohemian Waxwings on average are 2-3 centimeters longer and 1 ounce larger) is particularly noticeable, and other field marks become evident. Note the dark red coloration underneath the Bohemians' tails, which the Cedar Waxwing completely lacks. The best field mark to check for, however, is the belly color. Bohemian Waxwings have slate grey bellies, while Cedar Waxwings have vibrant, sulphur-yellow bellies that turn to amber nearer the head. Being able to pick up on this field mark will help you make a correct identification next time you're out and about with your binoculars.

Of course, you aren't very likely to get this good of a look at the two species side-by-side, as they are notorious for their constant gleaning and fluttering about. This is where being able to tell the difference in their call can be useful.  As you listen to the Bohemian Waxwing's high-pitched trill (http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/bohemian_waxwing/sounds), be sure to listen carefully, as you can hear each individual note in the call. Cedar Waxwings, by comparison, have a nasally, high-pitched whistle (http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cedar_Waxwing/sounds) which resembles more of a single "bzeeee" note. While at first the two calls sound very similar, you will quickly pick up on the subtle differences between the two.

Hopefully this crash course in waxwing identification helps you in your future birding pursuits. At the very least, you now know that Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" can be laughably re-mixed to accommodate birds and natural history topics!

Have you seen or heard any Bohemian Waxwings this winter? Be sure to let us know!

Friday Field Notes: The (un)Common Redpoll

A few days ago, an unusual bird showed up in my backyard. I could tell immediately from its size, shape, and plumage that it was a small finch. Overall, it was a fairly plain bird, with plenty of brown stripes and a noticeable white wing bars, not far different from a Pine Siskin. But, whenever the bird turned its head in my direction, it revealed a bright, slightly iridescent red patch just above its eyes. It could only be one thing: a Common Redpoll!

The name is a bit of a misnomer. Sure, if you live in a mountain valley in Alaska or northern Canada, you might see Redpolls as frequently as Chipping Sparrows. But in Montana, these birds only show up sporadically in the winter. A member of the "winter finch" clan, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology describes Common Redpolls as "erratic" migrators, sometimes ending up in places as unusual Arkansas or New Jersey. In irruption years (which this year is certainly shaping up to be), Common Redpolls, along with a variety of other finches and sparrows (and birds of prey - who can forget last year's Snowy Owl surprise?!) move far south of what would be considered their typical range, driven by a scarcity of food.

A Common Redpoll in winter plumage.

Year-round, redpolls are incredibly social birds, sometimes found in flocks of 300 individuals. Even during breeding season, it is not uncommon for multiple pairs of redpolls to nest fairly close together and show a lack of territoriality. Redpolls feed almost exclusively on seeds, and hence, are likely to show up where there is a bird feeder. To increase your chances of attracting a redpoll to your backyard, tempt these birds with thistle or nyjer seeds.

Have you seen a Common Redpoll or any other surprising visitors this winter? Be sure to let us know if you do!

Friday Field Notes: Winter Birding

The osprey are on winter break in the Bahamas, and the warblers are even further south, soaking up the sun and warm temperatures of central America. As for us? Well, we are faced with the reality of our first significant snow storm of the year in Montana. Winter is long and cold in our great state, and that's why many of the more than 300 avian species that call Montana home for part of the year pack their bags and hit the road (or should I say the airways?). Despite this, winter can still be an incredible time to go birding. Here are some tips to help get you through the cold, snowy months ahead:

- Put out a feeder! The bears are just about gone, and birds are now having to look harder to find critical winter food sources. Once one bird finds your feeder, they all do, and they will stay as long as you keep it filled. Platform feeders are a fantastic option - they attract a wide range of birds, from chickadees to grosbeaks, and they provide an excellent opportunity to get a close-up look at the bird.

- Go for a walk in an area with lots of deciduous trees. Birders often joke during spring migration, "If only those darn leaves didn't get in the way of the birds!" Well, now that the leaves have fallen off the trees, they don't. Brilliant, colorful birds like Evening Grosbeaks, Cedar Waxwings, and House Finches who spend much of their time in trees and shrubs are now strikingly obvious, and the views are unobstructed.

- Don't forget about water. The rich, diverse riparian habitat that lines our streams and rivers and attracts dozens of species in the spring and summer is still filled with birds in the winter. Iconic birds like American Dippers, Great Blue Herons, and Bald Eagles never leave, and winter can be as good a time as any to view them.

- When the snow rolls in, so do the birds. Significant snow storms push birds that typically spend their time at higher elevations (Clark's Nutcrackers, Steller's Jays, and Gray Jays, among others) lower into valleys. Additionally, the snow-covered ground makes it difficult for seed-eating birds (finches, sparrows) to find the food they need. Suddenly, your feeder becomes a wild bird refuge!

A flock of Evening Grosbeaks weathers a storm.

An Evening Grosbeak

What are your winter birding tips?  What birds have you been seeing?  Share your observations in the comments!