Chapter II: Part 2

Like the Brown Creeper, this bird has a faint lisping call which usually is given in a series of from one to 3 notes, not the single note of the creeper.

They often feed in low bushes or shrubs, sometimes on the ground and seem to have little fear of man and will permit a close inspection. When feeding high in the trees, their small size gives you a clue to their identity.

Oh, little king with crown of gold
How do you stand the winter’s cold?
If I were small as you, I know
I’d travel south and miss the snow.

Loggerhead Shrike _Lanius ludovicianus_

A gray bird with a black mask over the eyes, black wings which show a white patch when flying, and a black tail with white margins, all help identify this shrike. His head seems large when compared to his trim body, he has a hooked beak, the under plumage is white. If there is any doubt, watch him fly from one perch to another. He drops down near the ground, flies rapidly and then zooms up to his next location. Another habit is flicking his tail like a Phoebe when he alights.

This bird likes open fields, pastures, grassy or weedy grounds with handy perches where he can get a good view of his surroundings. He has good eyes and any small snake, mouse or grasshopper will cause him to investigate. He often hovers before striking and catches his prey with his strong beak, for his feet are not equipped with heavy claws like most predators. This also makes it necessary for him to impale his prey on thorns, barbed wire or some other pointed object where he can cut it with his sharp bill.

Shrikes seem to prefer thorny trees for nesting, but will use whatever is available. Most nests are rather low and are bulky structures.

These birds kill more food than they consume and would be held in better repute except for the habit of killing other birds.

A “butcher-bird,” you hear folks say
For you use thorns to hang your prey.
Now we don’t mind, your catching mice,
But killing songbirds isn’t nice.

Starling _Sturnus vulgaris_

Previous to 1890, this bird was unknown in America. Then a few pairs were released in New York City and now look at them! Starlings are everywhere. When walking around your yard or field he appears to be black with a short tail, pointed wings and a sharp pointed beak which is yellow in summer and brownish-black in winter. On closer inspection you will find that he is a little smaller than a Robin, greenish with speckled plumage in fall and winter, which develops into greenish-purple in spring. In flight he flaps and sails much like a Meadowlark but his short tail and wing pattern are distinctive. The young are brownish with lighter throats.

Many of the Starling’s feeding habits are beneficial for he eats many worms and insects which he finds by turning over leaves or probing with his sharp bill. The fact that he likes fruit on occasion is not in his favor for he likes to travel in flocks and it takes a lot of fruit to feed a flock of Starlings.

Starlings have not learned to migrate and large flocks often gather about buildings to roost, and what noisy, dirty lodgers they are. Perhaps the worst habit is that of taking over all the available nesting sites before our native birds arrive in spring. Every hole, crack or cranny is occupied, so where are they to go?

When foreigners invade our land
They sometimes get clear out of hand.
So leave them all where they belong
And then you’ll know they’ll do no wrong.

Red-eyed Vireo _Vireo olivaceus_

Unlike some of his relatives which prefer low bushes and shrubs, the Red-eyed Vireo prefers heavily-wooded areas. Where forests occur, he is the commonest bird. Clearing of timber reduced much of his habitat, but any grove of trees will furnish a home for this species. His numbers are limited only by the area of the wooded section.

Vireos are more often heard than seen for they feed slowly thru the tops of high trees, but have an endless series of notes and sing during the hot summer days when other birds seek shelter. The song consists of a series of short phrases sometimes rising, sometimes falling, as if the bird were talking to himself, even answering his own questions, with a distinct pause between. Some of these notes have a robin or tanager-like quality, but the repeated song soon places the bird.

When you see this sparrow-size bird, you will find that he has a clear white line over the eye, bordered with black. This is his only outstanding mark for he has no wing bars. His general appearance is greenish-gray above, white below with a greenish-yellow tinge on the sides and flanks. His red eye is not distinct enough to make a good field mark. His main diet consists of leaf-eating worms.

With others hushed
By summer’s sun
He still sings on
As tho ’twere fun.

Myrtle Warbler _Dendroica coronata_

The Myrtle Warbler is a member of a colorful family of American birds most of which are smaller than sparrows, have thin pointed bills, are more active than vireos. They are often referred to as the butterflies of the bird world. The Myrtle Warbler is presented because he is the first to arrive in spring, often before the leaves arrive to hide him from view. This 5½-inch bird has 4 yellow marks which will identify him: the crown, rump and each side of the breast. He appears darker than most warblers, being blue-gray above, white below with black marks across the breast and back beneath the wings. The white throat and 2 white wing bars offer contrast. Females and young lack the brilliant markings of the male, but the yellow rump patch will identify the birds. The white throat distinguishes this from other warblers which show a yellow rump.

This bird is a migrant since he prefers to nest in the evergreens of Northern United States and Canada. He feeds on insects and larvae which infest our trees but captures many flying insects when available. Often he winters farther north than you would expect to find warblers and then feeds on small berries. Myrtle or bayberries are a favorite food and the name of the bird indicates its fondness for these berries.

The first to greet us in the spring,
The last to leave in the fall,
Four yellow spots before your eyes
Is proof he’s paid a call.

Yellowthroat _Geothlypis trichas_

The adult male of this species wears a black mask over his eyes and is only 5¼ inches long. The female lacks the mask but has a yellow throat, white belly and olive-brown head, back, wings and tail which identify the birds.

They nest over a wide area, favorite habitat being bushy thickets near water. He is quick to resent any invasion of his privacy and uses a variety of scolding notes to let you know how unhappy he is. His movements are wren-like and hurried and his black eyes fairly sparkle to show his excitement. He soon vanishes into the undergrowth but you will have a chance to learn his call which sounds like “witchity, witchity, witchity,” or “witcheree, witcheree, witcheree,” usually repeated 3 times.

While all warblers are beneficial, the Yellowthroat perhaps leads the list for he feeds over a large area and in a variety of places. Cankerworms in your orchard will soon bring this bird for they along with fall webworms, are his favorites. Other caterpillars, plant lice, leaf-hoppers, grasshoppers, flies and beetles add variety to his menu and protection to the farmer.

They nest on or near the ground, the female builds the nest and hatches the young, but he is a devoted father and helps gather juicy worms to feed the offspring.

A singing bandit he might be
Who seems to say just “witchity.”
Near wooded draws he likes to stay
And there he spends the summer’s day.

House Sparrow _Passer domesticus_

Whether you call him an English Sparrow or a House Sparrow, makes little difference. He is not a sparrow, nor can we blame the English for the vast population of these birds found within our borders. The fact that it is a weaver-finch would indicate that Africa was the original home of this species. This bird has been introduced into many countries and he soon adapts himself to any surroundings. The record shows that 8 pairs were introduced in Brooklyn in 1850 but did not survive. Two years later, more were imported and now they are at home over a wide range.

Since we have referred to this bird for comparative size, it is well that we keep him in mind. His length runs from 5½ to 6¼ inches with a wingspread of 9½ to 10 inches. The male is rather colorful with his gray crown, chestnut nape, white cheeks, black throat and chest, brown back and gray-white belly. The thick finch-like bill, the slightly notched tail which they flick often, the habit of hopping when feeding on the ground—all help in identification. The young and winter males resemble the female which is a dull-brown above with gray-white below and a pale stripe over the eye.

They consume quantities of insects but will eat almost anything available.

He sits and chirps all day long
With what to him must be a song,
He thinks your home a place to nest,
Which wins for him, the name of pest.

Eastern Meadowlark _Sturnella magna_

This chunky robin-size bird is perfectly at home in fields and pastures. There he is easily recognized as a plump brown-streaked bird with yellow underparts and a black crescent on the breast like a black V. The short tail shows white on each side and is flicked nervously. The crown shows black and white stripes. They fly low over the fields with a series of flaps and sails and walk around short-grass meadows in their search for insects.

They are not larks but are closely related to Starlings, as shown by their scientific name and their resemblance to the invading flocks of these aliens. Unlike their relatives, Meadowlarks have no bad habits and feed largely on cutworms, grasshoppers and beetles which are found in their chosen habitat.

The Eastern Meadowlark has a loud clear song often referred to as “spring is here,” while his western cousin, slightly smaller in size, produces a series of whistled notes and warbles which is quite pleasing to the ear. Both have a series of chattering notes which is typical. Neither is hesitant about singing and they add much to their surroundings by the quality of song.

They not only should be protected but encouraged to nest around farms for they more than pay their way.

With yellow breast and black cravat
Whoever asks, “What bird is that?”
For meadowlarks range far and near
And sweetly whistle, “spring is here.”

Red-winged Blackbird _Agelaius phoeniceus_

A black bird with a bright red shoulder patch identifies the adult male. Females and young are a heavily streaked gray-brown while young males are brown with an orange wing patch. In fall and winter the brilliant red shoulder patch is not so apparent, sometimes reduced to only a line.

These numerous birds are slightly smaller than Robins and are abundant along ditches, ponds, lakes or other marshy areas where they nest in rushes, cattails or small bushes surrounding water. Irrigation has increased their habitat until they are one of our common birds. Vast flocks spend the winter in southern marshes.

While nesting in swamps or other low areas, they range widely in search of insects and larvae and account for many which would be injurious to crops. In fall they feed heavily on weed seeds and waste grain. Huge flocks are not welcomed in the unharvested rice fields of the south.

Feeding habits make him a good neighbor to everyone in his northern range before he joins the flocks of Starlings and other birds which flock to the southern areas.

The male is a bigamist on occasion and often entices more than one mate to share his chosen marsh.

A flash of red
You’re bound to see
And then you’ll hear
His “oka-l-e-e-e.”

Brown-headed Cowbird _Molothrus ater_

The coffee-brown head and black body of the male are distinctive, but in fall the brown head shows more of a purplish tinge. The young, while larger than sparrows, could be confusing since they are olive-brown above with a buffy scaled appearance. The underparts show brown streaking. The female is dusky gray.

They feed near grazing animals and consume quantities of insects which are disturbed by the herds. In winter they join other flocking birds for migration. Then they feed on small seeds.

They build no nest but lay eggs in the nests of vireos, warblers, sparrows or flycatchers and depend on the foster parents to rear the young. The white, evenly speckled-with-brown egg usually hatches before the eggs of the rightful owner and the young Cowbird immediately tries to push the other eggs or young out of the nest. He wants all the food for himself. Some birds destroy the unwanted eggs, others desert their own nest or build a new structure which covers the eggs, but most species raise the young Cowbird. Such habits are not condoned in the best bird circles.

Gurgling notes of the male offer a soothing note to nature, when flocks of these birds join other blackbirds in the treetops. The female has a chattering note which is distinctive.

“No moral standards”
Man would say,
But nature governs
And birds obey.

Summer Tanager _Piranga rubra_

The rosy red plumage of the male Summer Tanager is helpful in identification for he is smaller than the Cardinal and lacks the tuft and black face patch of the latter. Females, which resemble orioles, do not have the sharply pointed bill of the oriole and are richer colored than the female Scarlet Tanager, being almost an orange-yellow below. She is olive-yellow above with no wing bars. The wings are greener than those of her near relative. Young males often show a mottled pattern of reds and yellows before attaining the rosy red hue of the adult.

They prefer a rather open forest such as is found on hillsides. A dead treetop makes an ideal perch while singing or catching insects on the wing. The song is a rather melodious series of notes which reminds one of a Robin. Alarm notes are a distinctive series of chippy-tuk-tuk notes.

These birds feed rather deliberately thru the trees and destroy many insects and leaf-eating larvae which they encounter. Their nest is usually far out on the limb and at least 10 feet above the ground. They spend winters in South and Central America. The breeding range does not extend as far north as that of the Scarlet Tanager.

We like your color, rosy red
We like to hear you, overhead.
In open woods, we know you’ll rest
For there your mate conceals her nest.

Cardinal _Richmondena cardinalis_

Most folks call him a “redbird,” which is only natural. The male is entirely red except for the black face. No other redbird shows a tuft or has such a heavy, orange bill. The female is dressed more in keeping with family duties for yellowish-brown plumage offers more protection to her and the secluded nest. She always shows a reddish tinge especially on the crest, wings and tail. These markings combined with the conical reddish beak, leave little doubt as to identity. The young resemble the female.

The Cardinal, slightly smaller than a Robin, can be found in almost any area which includes thickets or tangled vines for protected nesting sites. Hedges, plum thickets, woodland borders, city parks, swamps or around your home, any or all are used on occasion. He likes to feed on small seeds which means he must venture into the open, but he wants cover handy, when predators arrive.

In summer the Cardinal feeds heavily on insects and larvae but seeds and small fruit form the major portion of his diet. He is fond of sunflower, melon or squash seeds and will be among the first to visit your feeder when these seeds are offered. If no regular feeder is available, he will accept food when placed on the ground or snow.

With brilliant coat and whistled song,
A thing of beauty all day long.
A joy forever you will find,
If you will keep his wants in mind.

Dickcissel _Spiza americana_

This sparrow-size finch is not too easy to describe for plumage varies. There is no doubt about the singing male for he gets his name from his song and reminds you every few seconds that he is a Dickcissel. He shows a yellow breast with a black spot and except for size resembles a meadowlark. Telephone wires, fences or weeds offer good perches and there you will find him with head back and tail hanging down as he repeats his song. A reddish-brown wing patch is a good field mark in some seasons. The female is much like the female English Sparrow but is lighter with a tinge of yellow and a lighter eye-line.

Dickcissels are common around fields or meadows and seem to be especially fond of alfalfa fields for they offer a good assortment of beetles, bugs and hoppers on which the bird thrives. Larvae and small seeds round out the diet and make this bird a useful neighbor on any farm.

They nest on or near the ground. This makes them victims of various predators which range thru such areas. Cowbirds seem to rely on these birds to raise their young for they are often found feeding the young imposters. They wander widely in both nesting and winter range and frequently appear where least expected.

In summer when the days are long
You’re bound to hear his cheerful song.
In open fields, he likes to stay
And calls his name thruout the day.

American Goldfinch _Spinus tristis_

The American or Common Goldfinch often is called “wild canary.” Altho he is not a canary, his small size, color and twittering notes remind people of their pets. While smaller than sparrows, these birds are rugged and winter over much of their nesting range. Their habit of flocking and tendency to feed on weed seeds makes them easily found.

The male of this species is a rich lemon yellow with a small black mark above the bill, black wings and tail. The wings show distinct white bars especially in winter when the yellow has faded to the more somber hue of the female. The tail is forked with white tips on the outer feathers and coverts. The bill is yellow.

Goldfinches are noted for their cheerful dispositions. A feeding flock can be heard uttering twittering conversational notes even in winter. Spring brings the notes of their beautiful but varied song which usually can be identified as “tzee,” or “per-chic-o-ree,” which is the song heard when the birds pass overhead.

Goldfinches nest late in the season and use quantities of thistle down or similar fiber in building their compact homes. Fondness for thistles, both seeds and down, often gives him the name “thistle-bird,” and many artists picture him perched on this colorful weed.

He’s never happy when alone
But with the flock is prone to roam.
You often hear his questioning “tzeee”
In flight he says, “per-chic-o-ree.”

Slate-colored Junco _Junco hyemalis_

The sparrow-size Slate-colored Junco or the “snowbird,” as he frequently is called, is only a winter visitor in most areas. But what a welcome guest he is! The white belly and outer tail feathers add distinctive marks to his slate-gray plumage. The bill is pinkish white. Females and immature birds are duller and sometimes show a pinkish-brown tinge on their backs and sides.

Juncos can be found around weed patches, hedges or sheltered corners of fields, where they spend much time in feeding on weed or grass seeds which provide their winter diet. Even fallen seeds are not overlooked for these birds do much of their feeding on the ground. They sleep in evergreens, sheds or other protected areas which shelter them from the cold and snow. They often visit feeders for small seeds provided by bird lovers.

Their notes are hard to describe but have a musical smacking or clinking note or series of notes which once learned, are easily remembered. Their song is a series of chipping notes much like those of a Chipping Sparrow, but with more variation and more of a musical quality. This song is heard when the first warm days of spring arrive. They nest in either mountainous or northern regions for they enjoy cool climates.

Slate-gray above and white below,
Reminds us of a winter’s snow.
The leaden clouds we see o’erhead
Bring flaky snow, thru which we tread.

INDEX PAGE WHEN THE BIRDS MAY BE SEEN
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May. Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

Blackbird, 22 ..oo XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ooo. .. Red-winged Bluebird, Eastern 18 .... ..oo XXXX oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo ooXX XXXX oooo .... Cardinal 24 XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Catbird 17 .. oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oo. Chickadee, 14 oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo Black-capped Coot, American 5 .... .. oXXX XXXX XXoo oooo .. .. ooxx XXXX oooo .... Cowbird, 23 .... ...o XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX oooo .... Brown-headed Creeper, Brown 15 oooo oooo oooo o.. ..oo oooo oooo Crow, Common 14 XXXX XXXX XXoo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo ooXX XXXX XXXX Cuckoo, 7 . oooo oooo oooo oooo oo.. . Yellow-billed Dickcissel 24 .. ooXX XXXX XXXX Xooo oo.. . Dove, Mourning 7 .... .... ooXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXoo oooo oo.. .... Goldfinch, 25 oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo American Goose, Snow 2 .o XXXX oo.. . XXX oo. Grebe, Pied-billed 1 .. oooo .. ..o oooo oooo oooo oo.. .... Hawk, Red-tailed 3 oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo Hawk, Sparrow 4 oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo Heron, Great Blue 1 ... oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo .... . Hummingbird, 9 .. oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo . Ruby-throated Jay, Blue 13 oooo oooo oooo ooXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXoo oooo oooo oooo Junco, 25 XXXX XXXX XXXX XXoo oooX XXXX XXXX Slate-colored Killdeer 5 . ...o oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oXXo oooo oo.. .... Kingbird, Eastern 11 .oo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo Kingfisher, Belted 10 .... .... oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo .... Kinglet, 18 oooo oooo oo.. ... ... oooo oooo Golden-crowned Lark, Horned 12 oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo Mallard, Common 2 XXXX XXXX XXXX oooo ... ...o oooo XXXX XXXX Martin, Purple 13 oo oooo oooo ooXX XXXX XXoo .. Meadowlark, 22 .... .... oooo XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXoo oooo oooo oooo .... Eastern Mockingbird 16 .... .... ..oo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo .... .... Nighthawk 8 o XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXo o Owl, Screech 8 oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo Phoebe, Eastern 11 oo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo o.. Prairie Chicken 4 oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo Robin 17 oooo oooo ooXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXoo oooo oooo Sandpiper, Spotted 6 .. oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo o. Shrike, Loggerhead 19 oooo oooo oooo oooo XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX oooo oooo oooo Sparrow, House 21 XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Starling 19 XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Swallow, Barn 12 ooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo .. Swift, Chimney 9 ooX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX oo Tanager, Summer 23 oooo oooo oooo .... .... Tern, Black 6 oXXX XXoo ooX XXXX oo Titmouse, Tufted 15 oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo Vireo, Red-eyed 20 .o oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oo Vulture, Turkey 3 . oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo .... Warbler, Myrtle 20 .ooo Xoo oooo . Woodpecker, Downy 10 oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo Wren, House 16 .ooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo .. Yellowthroat 21 oo oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo oo

. The dot or period indicates the bird is occasionally seen.
o The small o shows the bird is more frequently seen.
X The capital X shows the bird is commonly seen.

For example, during the first 2 weeks of February, the Red-winged Blackbird is rarely seen. During the last 2 weeks of February, it is seen frequently, after which it is commonly seen until the end of October. The table is based on bird census figures collected within a radius of 50 miles of Topeka, Kansas. Your area may show different results.

Kansas Farmer
Missouri Ruralist
The Topeka Daily Capital
WIBW
WIBW-TV
The Kansas City Kansan
THE TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
CAPPER’S WEEKLY
Michigan Farmer
_The Ohio Farmer_
PENNSYLVANIA FARMER
HOUSEHOLD
Capper’s _Farmer_

Capper Publications, Inc.
EIGHTH AND JACKSON STREET, TOPEKA, KANSAS

Transcriber’s Notes

—Silently corrected a few typos.

—Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook
is public-domain in the country of publication.

—In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by
_underscores_.