Birds in Winter

Winter birding is all about looking carefully.  The number of types of birds is smaller than in spring and summer, but look at the “common” birds and you may learn something new.

Photographer Stewart Ting Chong joined a recent Fair Weather Birding walk at Broadmoor and caught this male northern cardinal wearing an aluminum band.  Cardinals can be found at feeders year round and this one was likely banded in 2015 at Broadmoor.  The oldest known cardinal survived 15 years in the wild.  The colors on these spectacular birds rival neo-tropical species of the rain forest.

Another winter visitor to feeders is the White-breasted nuthatch.

This one is carrying a seed to store in the bark of a nearby tree.

Nuthatches are known for walking down tree trunks searching the bark for stored seeds and insects.  This one is probably a male as its crown feathers are glossy black.  Females have grayish crowns.  Note the rusty color under the tail, only seen from the right angle.

Even the common “park duck”, the mallard is beautiful.  Notice the delicate claws and beautiful feather pattern on this male.

Try to look head on at the next duck you see.  The shape of its head may be a surprise.  In the next month, male mallards will be trying to attract females well in advance of the spring mating season so look for head bobbing and other displays.

One way to observe birds this time of year is to join the 118th Christmas Bird Count.  On Saturday, December 16, volunteers will be counting birds in a 15 mile diameter circle centered in Millis, MA and including Broadmoor and Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuaries.  To join birders in the field, or to count birds in your backyard or at your feeders, please contact [email protected] and mention the Millis Count.

One thought on “Birds in Winter

  1. Stewart Ting Chong

    More of my pics on Instagram under STEWARTBOSTON I love sharing my hobby. Most recent pics taken at Mass Audubon Daniel Webster. Thx for checking them out!

    I’ll be posting pics from Ding Darling on Sanibel and from Corkscrew Sanctuary over the December vacation.

    Reply

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