invasion

 There is a lot written about how bad invasive species are. But because in biology everything is interconnected, a bad thing in one area could be a good thing for something else. This is especially true when viewed overlarge timescales.

During the morning walk, there has clearly been a change in bird behavior (as measured by perching and singing) where the prime real estate spots are imported garden plants. The thing in common with all these plants is that they all have good shelter and provide a reliable, if often poor food source.

Not only do these plants help small birds, but they help a whole variety of small birds. This type of yucca is famous for attracting aphids and other insects. Nesting birds of one species can interact with insect eating birds of an entirely different species in a community.

this flock is simultaneously warming in the sun, feeding, watching for danger, establishing "pecking order" for mating rights, and scoping out future nesting sites. Evergreen trees like this tree are not found naturally in Corrales.

The trees are bearing fruit, literally. The early pine cones are forming (they are edible; kind of taste like lemonbeecause they are high in Vitamin C). Gender is a tricky subject in plants, these trees can be sexed as male (pollen bearing) or female (cone bearing) but many plants can be both sexes, change sexes or have different sexes on different parts of the tree.Evergreens are a very old lineage of evolution, and have not evolved flowers.

The birds prefer fatty food (almost all birds can eat ground hamburger in a pinch) , but can eat these young cones as a back up food in lean times. These birds never seem to hold still, so after 1/2 hour of fuzzy pictures, I gave up and moved on. The tail suggests this is some sort of kinglet.

 

Many small birds help each other in keeping extra eyes out for predators, or signposting good perching spots for flycatcher style insect ambushes (perch and pounce type hunting). However, this phoebe prefers to be alone as it hunts over the clear ditch. The red breast is actually a reflection of the setting sun. This is not a rosy finch.

Of course, there is always the risk of predation when alone. This pile of feathers on the village common seems to be where a pigeon was hit and brought to the ground by a coopers hawk, a common bird predator.

Likely the bird that was caught was not under the protection of a big flock. Low ranking birds that forage alone can get more food, but suffer increased risks.

This red tailed hawk is usually more of a ground predator, and several have been hunting in low, lazy circles over the village. Bird colors are confusing, the "red tail" is not actually seen on this one; a "dark morph" apparently. I'm told the dark bar on the leading wing edge beside the head is characteristic. Notice the short, broad wings, this type of wing is great for low, slow maneuvering close to the ground.

This flock of gulls show the opposite wing style; long thin wings designed for jaw dropping globe travels as they travel in search of the "eternal spring" where the best food is available with the least adaptation to climate. The climate is definitely changing quickly and that is affected by human activities.

Of course, so many people forget that human activities are still the most invasive. The windy weather of the last few days actually helped small mammals by making things hard for predators that fly and use hearing to hunt. The smaller owls adapt by getting close to the ground, but this one lost by being hit by a a car. Many animals have not yet adapted to human activities and from an animal's point of view, moving cars must be very confusing.

Several groups report birdstrikes have begin (they get more common as the weather gets warmer) and owls often can be saved if they are brought in for care, but we have very little idea how many strikes are not even noticed. If you notice an injured bird please call for help:

On a Wing and a Prayer: (505) 897-0439. Local

Hawks Aloft (505) 999-7740. 24/7

If the above picture was upsetting to you, you could always do something to help by donating to a local wildlife charity.