(# 1) One of the most famous of desert birds is the Greater Roadrunner. These large and fast strong-legged birds can often be seen running and hunting along the flatter areas of the desert. Their habit of racing down roads, sometimes in front of or alongside moving vehicles, earned them the name "roadrunner." Although roadrunners can fly, they spend most of their time on the ground, hunting for small animals, such as lizards, snakes, rodents, young birds, and insects. They run with their crested heads and long tails stretched out. When they stop, they will often raise their tail and shaggy crest, and come to an abrupt halt. These lively birds are not as shy as other birds. They will continue on with their business when people are around, even if they are just an arm's length away. The birds prefer to build their nests--a platform of sticks--low in a cactus or shrub. They will lay between 3-6 chalky white eggs.
Did you know that roadrunners can run as fast as 15 mph (24 kph). No wonder they are such effective hunters.
"Roadrunner...
Run run...stop!
Lift your tail,
for it is hot
where you dwell.
Is that why
you won't fly?
Is that why
you run?
Because you feel
the desert sky
will bring you
closer to the sun."
--Carolyn French
Run run...stop!
Lift your tail,
for it is hot
where you dwell.
Is that why
you won't fly?
Is that why
you run?
Because you feel
the desert sky
will bring you
closer to the sun."
--Carolyn French
(#2) Out of all the birds in the Sonoran Desert, there is just something about the Gila (HEE-la) Woodpecker. These sprightly desert birds are known for making loud strident calls. Their "wick-wick-wick" calls are often heard during mornings, and are unmistakable. The birds also like to declare their territories and attract mates by banging on metal chimney pipes and eves. They are beautiful birds that can usually be seen clinging to the trunks of desert trees and tall saguaro
(suh-WAHR-oh) cacti. The birds are frequently seen hacking nesting holes inside the upper parts of the cactus. The female will lay between three to four white eggs inside one of her cool and protective saguaro nests. The photo (2nd below) shows many saguaro nesting cavities. When the woodpeckers move out, other desert birds move in. One of these is the world's tiniest owls--the Elf Owl (scroll down).
(suh-WAHR-oh) cacti. The birds are frequently seen hacking nesting holes inside the upper parts of the cactus. The female will lay between three to four white eggs inside one of her cool and protective saguaro nests. The photo (2nd below) shows many saguaro nesting cavities. When the woodpeckers move out, other desert birds move in. One of these is the world's tiniest owls--the Elf Owl (scroll down).
Feathery Pest-Controllers
Did you know that woodpeckers help cacti and trees by feeding on their insect inhabitants? Some of these insects carry bacteria, which can harm the plants. The birds mostly eat insects, cactus fruits, and mistletoe berries.
Because Gila Woodpeckers feed on fruits, they will also drink the sugary water from hummingbird feeders. So I hang two feeders--
one for the hummingbirds, and one for the woodpeckers.
(To learn how to make a sugar water mixture for hummingbirds,
just scroll down to the bottom of this page for a recipe.)
If you would like to read more information about saguaro
(suh-WAHR-oh) nests, simply click on the photo to your left, or on "Desert Cacti" above.
People sometimes confuse the Gila Woodpecker with another woodpecker--the Gilded Flicker (right). They look a lot alike. You can tell them apart by their colors. The male Gila Woodpecker has a red feathered cap on its head, while the Gilded Flicker displays a red mustache. You can tell the females and younger birds apart by the markings on their backs and wings. The Gilded Flickers have black bars and spots on brownish wings, while the Gila Woodpeckers have black bars on white. Notice the differences in the pictures. Can you see the red cap on the male Gila Woodpecker in the photo above?
(# 3) What bird could symbolize the desert more than the Cactus Wren. This remarkable bird, which is Arizona's state bird, can maneuver through the spiniest of cacti. I was so impressed by this desert bird, I could not help but write a poem. If you would like to read it, just click onto the photo to your left. These large wrens are known for building big dome-shaped nests in the protection of thorny cacti and shrubs. The female will lay 3-7 brown speckled eggs in one nest, while the male builds another nest for roosting. The male may build several nests during the breeding season.
Cactus Wrens are year-round residents in the Sonoran Desert. Their loud raspy calls---cha-cha-cha... can be heard at just about any time of the day.
Cactus Wrens are year-round residents in the Sonoran Desert. Their loud raspy calls---cha-cha-cha... can be heard at just about any time of the day.
This little Cactus Wren, in the right photo, stopped everything it was doing, as I attempted to take its photo. The bird paused, stared at me for a moment, and then continued the search for its next insect meal. A second bird was also hunting with this bird. The birds often hunt as pairs, searching for food, such as moths and spiders. I frequently see them searching for insects and spiders underneath my porch lights during the morning. They learned that moths will gather near the lights during the evening. I like to call the birds, "my little feathery pest-controllers."
One Nest is Never Enough
Can you see the enclosed Cactus Wren nest in the paloverde (PA-loh-VUR-dee) tree above?
The nest below is on a cholla (CHOY-uh) cactus, and like the nest above, is 12" (30 cm) long.
These birds make pretty large nests.
What's also interesting, is that the male Cactus Wren will care for the young birds in the first nest,
while the female incubates her eggs in the second nest. He will also build another nest for roosting.
That is one busy bird!
Can you see the enclosed Cactus Wren nest in the paloverde (PA-loh-VUR-dee) tree above?
The nest below is on a cholla (CHOY-uh) cactus, and like the nest above, is 12" (30 cm) long.
These birds make pretty large nests.
What's also interesting, is that the male Cactus Wren will care for the young birds in the first nest,
while the female incubates her eggs in the second nest. He will also build another nest for roosting.
That is one busy bird!
(# 4) One of the first birds people may see when visiting the Sonoran Desert is the Gambel's Quail. These plump ground-dwelling birds can often be seen moving about in family groups of two adults and several small chicks. Each spring, the female quail will lay as many as 15 or more eggs in a shallow nest on the ground. The downy young may leave the nest within hours after hatching--following their parents, as they learn where and how to forage for food. I have even seen pieces of eggshell still sticking to their tiny egg-shaped bodies. They are so cute that I just had to write a poem about them. The poem is called, Itty Bitty Baby Quail.
A large "Family-To-Be"
Can you count how many Gambel's Quail eggs are in the nest to the left? There are quite a few.
Notice the brown specks on each egg. The specks help the eggs blend more easily into their surroundings. This makes it harder for hungry
egg-eating animals to find the eggs.
"Little brown speckled eggs,
little birds-to-be...
Soon you'll hatch,
and with your fast legs,
run...
as a quail family!"
--Carolyn French
little birds-to-be...
Soon you'll hatch,
and with your fast legs,
run...
as a quail family!"
--Carolyn French
Attracting Desert Birds
You do not need to know a lot about desert birds to attract them to your yard. All you need is a place for some fresh water and a little bird food. The type of food depends on the kinds of birds you wish to attract. Birds, such as quail, doves, and finches, are seed-eating birds. Other birds, such as Cactus Wrens and woodpeckers, like to feed on insects and spiders. I often see wrens around my home, searching for their insect meals underneath the porch lights. I call them my little "feathery pest-controllers." Be sure to place your birdfeeder in an open area, away from any windows. Open areas help the birds to better see approaching animals, such as hawks and cats. When leaving out water, make sure it is always fresh, and no deeper than one inch. Baby quail can drown in deep water.
You do not need to know a lot about desert birds to attract them to your yard. All you need is a place for some fresh water and a little bird food. The type of food depends on the kinds of birds you wish to attract. Birds, such as quail, doves, and finches, are seed-eating birds. Other birds, such as Cactus Wrens and woodpeckers, like to feed on insects and spiders. I often see wrens around my home, searching for their insect meals underneath the porch lights. I call them my little "feathery pest-controllers." Be sure to place your birdfeeder in an open area, away from any windows. Open areas help the birds to better see approaching animals, such as hawks and cats. When leaving out water, make sure it is always fresh, and no deeper than one inch. Baby quail can drown in deep water.
(# 5) Like the birds mentioned on this page, doves are a special part of the desert sound. During spring, the first songs often heard are the classic coos ("coo-cuk-ca-roo") of the White-winged Dove (bottom photo). The Mourning Dove (left photo) gets its name from its mournful cooing. You can identify the White-winged Dove by its white patch on each of its wings, and tips of its tail feathers. Can you see the white wing patches in the photo below? The Mourning Dove is a little smaller, and displays blue-gray wings, and long pointed tail feathers. Both birds are seed and fruit eaters that will fly long distances in search of food and water. The doves are one of the first birds to discover backyard birdfeeders. Like other nectar-feeding animals, the birds help pollinate plants, which helps the plants to reproduce, or make new plants. White-winged Doves also help new plants to grow in new places. When the adults feed their young, some tiny seeds may fall past the nest, through the branches, and onto the ground below. The seeds are then able to grow underneath the protection of the tree.
Nest Sweet Nest
You can easily identify a dove's nest. The nest often looks like a platform of small twigs. Mourning Doves, like the one to the right, will build their nests just about anywhere--in trees and cacti, on the ground, under eaves, and even in hanging pots. I've personally seen their nests in all these places. Both, the female and the male, will build the nest. The female Mourning Dove will lay 2 white eggs twice a year. The White-winged Dove will lay 2-4 white eggs two-to-three times a year. Both parents will sit on the eggs, and keep them warm. They both will also feed the young birds after they hatch. What great parents!
You can easily identify a dove's nest. The nest often looks like a platform of small twigs. Mourning Doves, like the one to the right, will build their nests just about anywhere--in trees and cacti, on the ground, under eaves, and even in hanging pots. I've personally seen their nests in all these places. Both, the female and the male, will build the nest. The female Mourning Dove will lay 2 white eggs twice a year. The White-winged Dove will lay 2-4 white eggs two-to-three times a year. Both parents will sit on the eggs, and keep them warm. They both will also feed the young birds after they hatch. What great parents!
Last Call of the Day
One of my favorite desert bird calls, is that of the Curved-bill Thrasher. This large desert bird can easily be identified by its downward curved bill and loud "Whit-Whee!" call, which is one of the last bird calls of the day. (A bird's call is generally shorter than its song. Birds call for a variety of reasons. One reason, is so they can keep track of one another.) The Curved-bill Thrasher can often be seen visiting backyards, where it looks on the ground for food, such as insects and spiders. Years ago... a Curved-bill Thrasher nested in a small tree, near my back porch. Everyday, toward evening, the bird would land on the railing by my back door, and call: "Whit-Whee!...Whit-Whee!" I would then whistle back the same call. This went on for a couple of weeks, while the young thrashers grew in the nest a few feet away. We would even stare at each other as we called. The bird was extra curious, and would come very close to me. I loved visiting with that bird. To this day, when I hear the last call of a Curved-bill Thrasher, after the desert sun has disappeared... I remember that bright and curious bird.
One of my favorite desert bird calls, is that of the Curved-bill Thrasher. This large desert bird can easily be identified by its downward curved bill and loud "Whit-Whee!" call, which is one of the last bird calls of the day. (A bird's call is generally shorter than its song. Birds call for a variety of reasons. One reason, is so they can keep track of one another.) The Curved-bill Thrasher can often be seen visiting backyards, where it looks on the ground for food, such as insects and spiders. Years ago... a Curved-bill Thrasher nested in a small tree, near my back porch. Everyday, toward evening, the bird would land on the railing by my back door, and call: "Whit-Whee!...Whit-Whee!" I would then whistle back the same call. This went on for a couple of weeks, while the young thrashers grew in the nest a few feet away. We would even stare at each other as we called. The bird was extra curious, and would come very close to me. I loved visiting with that bird. To this day, when I hear the last call of a Curved-bill Thrasher, after the desert sun has disappeared... I remember that bright and curious bird.
(# 6) There are several kinds of owls living in the Sonoran Desert. My favorite owl is the smallest--the tiny Elf Owl. This little owl is around the size of a small sparrow--growing just over 5 inches (13 cm) tall. Unlike many owls, Elf Owls do not have "ear tufts," or tufts of feathers on the top-sides of their rounded heads. Their eyes are yellow colored, and are highlighted by small white feathers that look like "eyebrows." The owls are nocturnal birds, which means they are mostly active at night. At night, they hunt for insect meals, such as moths and beetles. They will also eat centipedes and scorpions. Their large round eyes help the owls spot their prey in the dark. The owls also have a keen sense of hearing. On the darkest nights, they can locate and chase their prey just by sound alone.
Elf Owls prefer to nest in natural cavities, such as in trees and tall saguaro cacti. The female will lay 2-4 white eggs high up in the saguaro cactus. The owls will use the old abandoned nests of woodpeckers.
Did you know that when an Elf Owl is caught, the bird will play dead until all danger has passed. What a cute-n-clever little owl!
Elf Owls prefer to nest in natural cavities, such as in trees and tall saguaro cacti. The female will lay 2-4 white eggs high up in the saguaro cactus. The owls will use the old abandoned nests of woodpeckers.
Did you know that when an Elf Owl is caught, the bird will play dead until all danger has passed. What a cute-n-clever little owl!
The World's Tiniest Birds
I could not talk about desert birds without mentioning the world's smallest--the hummingbird. There are several types of hummingbirds that live in the Sonoran Desert, and all are very beautiful and beneficial. They feed on nectar from flowering plants. When they feed, the birds help pollinate the plants, which helps the plants make new plants. These little birds not only feed on the nectar from plants, but also on the sugary water from hummingbird feeders. Below, is my sugar water recipe.
I could not talk about desert birds without mentioning the world's smallest--the hummingbird. There are several types of hummingbirds that live in the Sonoran Desert, and all are very beautiful and beneficial. They feed on nectar from flowering plants. When they feed, the birds help pollinate the plants, which helps the plants make new plants. These little birds not only feed on the nectar from plants, but also on the sugary water from hummingbird feeders. Below, is my sugar water recipe.
Sugar Water Recipe for Hummingbirds
Materials:
1 Clean Hummingbird Feeder, 1 measuring cup, 1 cup (240 ml) of fresh water, 1/4 cup (60 ml) of white granulated sugar
(Never use red dye, or pre-made powder with red dye. The dyes are not good for hummingbirds.)
How-To:
#1. Place the 1/4 cup (60 ml) of sugar into the measuring cup, then fill with fresh water to the 1 cup (240 ml) line,
and mix.
(If you would like to make more, mix 1/2 cup (120 ml) sugar with 2 cups (480 ml) of water (to double recipe).
Always remember: 1 part sugar-to-4 parts water. Two feeders placed apart from each other will keep the hummingbirds from fighting over just one feeder. (These little birds can be pretty selfish when it comes to sugar water.)
#2. Carefully place the measuring cup into a microwave, and cook on high for around 40 seconds.
This will warm the water, so the sugar can more easily dissolve.
#3. Carefully remove the measuring cup from the microwave, and gently stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
#4. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature (around 5-10 minutes) before pouring into feeder, as instructed.
#5. Always clean your hummingbird feeder every other day, so bacteria does not grow inside. When cleaning, use warm water and a bottle brush. Do not use any soap. Pipe cleaners can be used to clean smaller holes.
Have a fun time watching your little hummers. Give them some time to discover your feeder. They most certainly will!
Materials:
1 Clean Hummingbird Feeder, 1 measuring cup, 1 cup (240 ml) of fresh water, 1/4 cup (60 ml) of white granulated sugar
(Never use red dye, or pre-made powder with red dye. The dyes are not good for hummingbirds.)
How-To:
#1. Place the 1/4 cup (60 ml) of sugar into the measuring cup, then fill with fresh water to the 1 cup (240 ml) line,
and mix.
(If you would like to make more, mix 1/2 cup (120 ml) sugar with 2 cups (480 ml) of water (to double recipe).
Always remember: 1 part sugar-to-4 parts water. Two feeders placed apart from each other will keep the hummingbirds from fighting over just one feeder. (These little birds can be pretty selfish when it comes to sugar water.)
#2. Carefully place the measuring cup into a microwave, and cook on high for around 40 seconds.
This will warm the water, so the sugar can more easily dissolve.
#3. Carefully remove the measuring cup from the microwave, and gently stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
#4. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature (around 5-10 minutes) before pouring into feeder, as instructed.
#5. Always clean your hummingbird feeder every other day, so bacteria does not grow inside. When cleaning, use warm water and a bottle brush. Do not use any soap. Pipe cleaners can be used to clean smaller holes.
Have a fun time watching your little hummers. Give them some time to discover your feeder. They most certainly will!