The remarkable drumming of a Ruffed Grouse, that percussion produced by a rapid beating of the wings, is a vivid example of a non-vocal or instrumental bird sound. The tens of thousands of shorebirds that converged near the coast in late April are part of a highly synchronized migration. Outstanding musicianship on these wonderful marches, quick-steps,and polkas.
Washington's Vaux's Swifts move south in the fall, mostly to Mexico.
Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Osprey nests are protected, even on cell towers. Moving north together during a few weeks in spring, they reached their Arctic breeding grounds in time to quickly pair up and nest, making the most of the short northern season.
Western Tanagers are distinctive summer visitors to our area and the only tanagers seen regularly in Washington.
Tens, perhaps hundreds of thousands of seabirds circle low over the ocean, the tips of their long narrow wings just grazing the waves.
This proud dignitary appears along the sidelines during every home game. Washington's Vaux's Swifts move south in the fall, mostly to Mexico. And how can you help stranded birds? But before they go, they gather together in large flocks and swirl down into a hollow tree or chimney for the night.
The argonauts of the western Pacific and Polynesia, when navigating the vast distances between tiny islands, observed with great care the migration of birds.
Phalaropes are sandpipers that make their living from the sea. The grebe struggles and flaps, but cannot fly.
How do they identify a particular species? Cedar Waxwings display a wealth of eye-catching plumage.
How do they identify a particular species? The flight call of the Common Nighthawk vividly evokes a warm summer evening. He will fly after dark to avoid the threat posed by hawks and falcons. At a solid waste transfer station, gulls and crows eye the intake, arguing over who gets what before it gets hauled off to a major landfill. Maybe before if he really shows potential.