Field Journal 3 Ornithology:

Eli Tierney
• Date/time : 4/6/24 / 4pm to 5pm
• Location – Along the recreation path to UVM Farm
• Weather- Temp of 46, real feel of 40. Light wind. Rain from sprinkling to pouring. Cloudy
• Habitat(s) – Trees and shrubbery alongside a golf course, residential yards, agricultural fields, and the street. Tree species identified included sumacs, birches, white pine, and various coniferous species. A creek followed along some of the path as well.
Observations list:
• Black-Capped Chickadee (4 individuals)
• American Crow (17 individuals)
• House Finches (3+ individuals)
• Cardinal Male- (1 individual)
• European Starling (1 individual)
• Canada Goose (14 individuals)
FIELD JOURNAL 3 :
Birds can communicate in many ways using both audio and visual cues. For instance, calls between birds can be used to send information to a large number of birds at once. This may be used to warn others of a predator or to indicate a food source has been found. I observed a group of crows that when one started “cawing” others in the group flew over to where the loud one was foraging, most likely communicating that that area was plentiful in foraging. Young birds may also use specific begging calls to indicate to their parents that they want to be fed. Songs can also be used to communicate information over larger areas, especially when visibility is low. Songs communicate things such as territory being marked or that an individual is looking for a mate. Many cues can also signal courtships. Different species develop specific behavioral and auditorial cues for courtship. These displays can include unique sounds, wing flaps, flight patterns, among other things.
Non vocal signals such as how a woodpecker drums on an object can be a way to communicate territory and strength as well. Smaller visual displays such as fluffing up one’s plumage as I observed in chickadees in the rain may signal relaxation or the need to seek warmth. Other sounds such as beak clicking have been said to indicate agitation or warning.
The Northern Cardinal species has an easy to spot, bright red plumage. On males, the bright red is prominent over the full body. This coloration could make them more visible to predators, but serves the evolutionary purpose of attracting a mate. The red in their coloration comes from consuming carotenoids in the diet, the more they eat, the stronger the red coloration will be. This signals to females which males can best provide resources for offspring. So, males who are better foragers will be more attractive to females. Canada Geese plumage is quite different, with much more dull coloration of black and grey. The main color of the wing feathers is black which comes from melanin. Melanin strengthens feathers, making them more durable. This extra durability is necessary for the water birds who migrate long distances. Additionally, Canada Geese have plumage with a lot of down feathers. These serve to keep them warm and dry as they spend a lot of time in the water.
I observed what I believe to be the same Northern Cardinal perched on the side of the trail in almost the same spot from when I started walking the trail to me walking back. This individual seemed to be resting, staying partially hidden within branches in some coniferous species. Since it was towards the evening and the cold rain was not the best environment, it may have been trying to conserve energy. In the evening Cardinals roost together, so the individual vocalizations may have been sending a signal to find others to conserve body heat with. This would help conserve energy that would be burned off keeping themselves warm alone resting.
When spishing at some chickadees they initially seemed to fly a bit closer, but after a few seconds they flew away. The second chickadee simply flew off. The sound may sound similar to a call for help in their species or another signal like “hey I found a good foraging spot” that would lead them to get closer. Once they see the signal sound and situation do not match up, they may then flee.