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Past Species of the Week: BirdsSee main Species of the Week page for references. |
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2008 (July 5-11, 2008) Lark sparrow Chondestes grammacus (Sparrows and allies family Emberizidae)
Lark sparrows have a distinctly bold head pattern with brick or chestnut red stripes on top of head as well as on the cheeks behind the eye. It has black stripes on the lower cheeks, and a black central spot on the chest. It's throat is white, as is the eye ring. It's back is brown and it's front is solid pale gray or gray-brown. It's tail is black with white outer feathers which are prominent in flight and helps ID this bird from other sparrows in flight except for Vespers, which also has the white tail streaks. No other sparrow has the distinctive head pattern and coloration, although other sparrows have similar patterns with more muted coloring. The female and male are the same, although the male is larger. Lark sparrows prefer semi-open shrubland and prairie habitat and can also be found in pasturelands occasionally. It nests on the ground or in a low bush, and occasionally re-uses a thrasher nest. These sparrows do not hop when on the ground, rather, they walk. They only hop during courtship. The male is known for it's "turkey-walk" during courtship when it fluffs it's feathers and droops it's wings to the ground while pointing it's beak to the sky and strut in front of potential mates while singing it's bubbly song. Lark sparrows are uncommon in Wisconsin, especially in the northern part of it's range, and are not commonly found at Crex. For some reason, perhaps because of the flooding in the lower part of the state, several Lark sparrows have been spotted at Crex, Fish Lake, and other areas around Grantsburg this summer. Birds of MN and WI states that a place to find them regularly in WI is in the Grantsburg Area, but it does not hold true all years. This year is a good year. Look for them along County F near Crex and on Stolte Road in Fish Lake. A good spot where one or more are regularly sighted is along Gile/Larson Road 2 miles west of County F and south towards town. They may be seen other places in the area too. Crex Meadows provides very good habitat for this sparrow, and it may possibly breed here, although no signs of nesting have been found. If anyone gets a good photo of a Lark Sparrow that they would like to share, we could use one for our files. The photo above was borrowed from the Audubon.com website.
(June 7-July 4, 2008) Upland sandpiper
(May 31 - June 6, 2008) Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor (Goatsucker Family Caprimulgidae)
The Common nighthawk is one of two goatsuckers that may be found at Crex Meadows. It is not a nester here but can be seen migrating through in the late spring and fall. Watch for it near Phantom lake or other flowages where flying insects accumulate. The other goatsucker in this area, the Whip-poor-will, has been known to nest in the wildlife areas, and but is not often seen. It spends the day resting but can be heard at night sounding it's famous "whipperwill" alarm. It prefers forest lands and is found all throughout Wisconsin. (May 17-23, 2008) Dunlin Calidris alpina (Sandpipers, Phalaropes, Allies Family Scolopacidae)
Dunlins migrate north through the area in late spring on the way to it's arctic breeding range. Look for them this week on Grettum Flowage in Fish Lake Wildlife Area just west of Highway 87 south of Grantsburg, where they pick for bugs in the mud flats at the edge of the water. Other shorebirds identified in the area this week include Wilson's phalarope, Semi-palmated plover, Marbled godwit, Black-bellied plover, and dowitchers. (May 17-23, 2008) Redhead Aythya americana (Ducks and Geese Family Anatidae)
A relatively large duck, the redhead measures 18 to 22 inches. The male is gray in the back with a uniformly red head and black chest. The female is dull brown with a larger and rounder head than a female ring-necked duck. Both sexes have a pale blue-gray bill and a gray stripe on the wing. Redheads breed in marshes but are often found on large lakes. They migrate through Crex and can be seen from early to late in the spring migration. A pair was spotted here as late as May 11 this year.
(April 19-25, 2008) Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus (Owl family Strigidae)
The Great horned owl is named after its distinctive ear tufts, or "horns". This owl varies in color from nearly white (found in the arctic) to dark brown and gray. They are mottled and streaked on the chest and below, and adults usually have a white throat. Their bright yellow eyes are encircled by russet colored facial discs. Their forehead comes down in a v-shape, giving them a stern appearance. Great horned owls can be found in most habitiats, including bogs and swamps, forests, open farmland and prairie, and even in urban areas. They prefer a stick nest, often appropriated from another large bird, but have also been known to lay their eggs (2 or 3, usually) on the ground or the bare surface of a cliff or rocky ledge. They are early nesters, usually laying their eggs in early February, with the chicks fledging the nests in early to mid-April. This owl feeds on a wide variety of food, including mice, grouse, frogs and lizards, rabbits, beetles, and birds (even other owls). This is the largest owl that breeds at Crex, and is the second largest owl in the US. The only other owls that regularly breeds at Crex is the Barred Owl. Most of the other owls that occur in Wisconsin during migration and the occasional winter wander have been sighted at Crex, and the Short-eared owl has occasionally been found to breed here. The owl above was photographed behind the Visitor Center at Crex Meadows on April 15. It had apparently begun it's fledging process. The mother was nearby, and the baby was on the roots of an upturned oak tree along the hiking trail, waiting for us pesky photographers to leave so it could continue it's flying practice. A trip back to the site a few hours later proved futile as the owl had left the area.
(April 12-18, 2008) Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps (Grebe Family Podicipedidae)
The Pied-billed grebe is the smallest grebe commonly found on the Crex properties. It is 12-15 inches long, uniformly brown in color, and has a whitish bill with a black ring around during the breeding season. On the ponds and marshes where it breeds, the Pied-billed Grebe advertises its presence with loud, barking calls. It eats small fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects but is especially fond of crayfish, which it crushes easily with its stout bill. Pied-billed grebes are a common sight at Crex Meadows, Amsterdam Sloughs and Fish Lake Wildlife Areas, especially along the edges of the larger flowages. But, getting a good picture is often difficult since they are shy, and when alarmed, this grebe often sinks slowly into the water, resurfacing out of sight among the reeds. It can also dive with amazing speed, a habit that has earned it the nickname "Hell-diver."
(March 22-28, 2008) Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris (Lark Family Alaudidae)
As you drive around Crex, Fish Lake, and all the farmlands in the area, you are sure to see these birds flying up from the roadsides into the fields. Horned Larks are larger than a sparrow, about 7 inches tall. They appear brown at a distance, but are quite striking up close, with a black eye stripe that continues down the throat, surrounded by white, and topped with a yellow stripe above the eye. The chest has a black crescent, and there are black tufts, or "horns" on top of the head. In flight, you may see the white edged black tail. Pipits are similar in size and appearance, but have brown tails and lack the face pattern. Horned Larks are usually found in or near fields and open plains, near airports and beaches. They walk along the open spaces, feeding on seeds and ground insects. It is the only true lark that is native to this area. They breed throughout the US except in the southeast states. They nest as early as February, and may raise up to three broods each year. They return to their birthplace every year to breed. Consequentially, each local population adapts to the color of it's habitiat. 2007 (September 1-7) Great Egret Ardea alba (Bitterns and Herons Family Ardeidae)
(August 25-31) Green Heron Butorides verescens (Bitterns and Herons Family Ardeidae)
A small, inconspicuous heron, the crow-sized Green Heron is the smallest heron common to Northwestern Wisconsin. It is named for the iridescent green in it's back and the grown of it's head. It has a rusty or chestnut colored face and neck, a white neck and belly and the wings and back are actually a blue-gray with iridescent green. It has short (for a heron) yellow legs and a black and yellow bill. The breeding male has bright orange legs, and the immature Green Heron has heavy streaking along the neck and underparts. Green Herons spend most of the summer along the edges of wet areas, usually hidden among the weedy undergrowth. They spear fish and frogs, tadpoles and crayfish with their sharp bill, and bait for thier fish by dropping small twigs and plant pieces, which attracts the fish to the water's surface. This summer the Green Heron is abundant at Crex Meadows, perhaps experiencing a peak year, and can be seen usually out in the open in past weeks feeding among vegetation in the waterways. Look for them especially along Whiskey Creek Flowage behind the airport and at Grettum Flowage in Fish Lake Wildlife Area. (August 18-24) Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedorum (Waxwings Bombycillidae)
Cedar Waxwings generally travel in large flocks, moving noisily from tree to tree eating berries and catching flying bugs. They prefer wooded parklands, overgrown fields and forest edges that are abundant in fruit-bearing trees and shrubs. The occasional individual bird can be found in the summer near it's nesting site, usually a tree or shrub. It's nest is a cup-shape made of twigs, grass, moss and lichens. They are late nesters in order to coincide with the abundant berry crops of late summer and early fall. Look for Cedar Waxwings feeding along the roadside trees and shrubs well into the fall at Crex Meadows. Listen for their high-pitched whistle, tseee-tseee-tseee as they fly and move about in the treetops. (August 4-10) Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes (Sandpipers and Allows Scolopacidae)
Lesser Yellowlegs is a common shorebird at Crex Meadows, especially during the spring and fall migrations. They prefer shorelines but are also found on mudflats where there is a bit of water. They feed on prey from the water's surface and wade in the shallow water to catch the invertebrates and small fish that can be found there. The scientific name flavipes is from Latin, meaning "Yellow Foot". (July 28 - August 3) Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura (New World Vulture Family Cathartidae)
Turkey Vultures are scavengers, rarely killing it's food, instead feasting on road-kill and whatever other dead animals it can find, seemingly the smellier, the better. It uses it's beak to rip apart the carcasses it feeds on, and it's feet are adapted for walking, running and hopping, appearing more Turkey-like than raptor-like. Turkey Vultures are a useful and natural way to clean up our environment by removing road-killed and diseased animals. Their droppings are disease-free. To find out more interesting facts about Turkey Vultures and other Wisconsin birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects and mammals, check out the Wisconsin DNR eek web pages at http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/. This is a really cool website for wildlife education for kids. (July 21-27) Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auitus (Cormorant Family Phalacrocoracidae)
The Double-crested Cormorant is a common migrant and an occasional breeder in Crex Meadows, Fish Lake and Amsterdam Sloughs. They often will travel and gather in large groups during migration and perch in dead trees and on stumps where they hold their wings out to dry after swimming. There are a few Double-crested Cormorants at Grettum Flowage in Fish Lake Wildlife Area right now. They may have been breeding there this summer. (July 7-20) Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii (Tyrant Flycatcher family Tyrannidae)
The Willow Flycatcher is a common migrant and fairly common breeder in willow thickets and other low, dense growth in abandoned farmlands and other secluded areas in the southern half of Wisconsin. It is an occasional visitor to Crex Meadows, which is at the northern-most part of it's Wisconsin range. It is hard to distinguish it from it's close cousin, the Alder Flycatcher, which is more common here, but it's song sets it apart - a quick fitz-bew. They are quite shy and inconspicuous otherwise, and it is difficult to view this bird unless it happens to reveal itself to other avian intruders, when it will aggressively defend it's territory. This year we have had a good number of Willow Flycatchers in the area, especially along the western side of Phantom Lake Road towards the south end of the lake in the willow thickets there.
(June 30 - July 6) Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea (Family Cardinalidae)
Indigo Buntings prefer raspberry thickets for nesting and as a source of food. They also eat insects, especially grasshoppers, beetles and flies, and thistle seeds, dandelions and other plants. Their song is a warbled whistle: fire-fire, where-where, here-here, see-it see-it. The male is conspicuous, perching atop small trees and tall plants while it sings it's song. It defends a territory and usually nests in an upright fork of a small tree or shrub or in a tangle of vines. You should be able to find Indigo Buntings in the late spring and early summer along Town Hall Road and west along North Refuge Road. Look for small dark bird perched atop the small brushy oak trees. (June 23-29) Common Yellowthroat Geothypis trichas (Family Parulidae)
The Common Yellowthroat is a small wood warbler about 5 inches in length. The male has a bright yellow throat, a black face-mask and a white/silver stripe across the forehead. It is olive-drab on it's back and has a light yellow to white belly. It's undertail is bright yellow. The female lacks the black mask and white stripe. Yellowthroats prefer wetland marshes and brushy meadows to the woods that most of it's cousins inhabit. In May and June, the male can be heard singing it's distinctive sing while perched at the top of shrubs and cattails that mark the boundaries of it's territory. It can usually be observed by following the song. They nest on or near the ground on a shrub or in emerging vegetation, and the nest is a bulky, open cup made of gathered weeds and grass. Look for Yellowthroats at Crex Meadows and Fish Lake Wildlife Areas along the roadsides near water. (June 16-22) Trumpeter Swan Cygnus buccinator (Family Anatidae)
The Trumpeter Swan is the
largest waterfowl species native to North America. At 5-6 feet in
length, the it is the larger of the two swans seen at Crex Meadows.
The Trumpeter Swan breeds on the property, while the Tundra Swan is
simply an early-spring and late fall migrant, with massive flocks
stopping by on their way to the The Trumpeter Swan was named for it's loud, bugling voice, which is produced when air is forced through the long windpipe that runs through the keel of the bird's breastbone3. The Trumpeter Swan is considered an ENDANGERED SPECIES in Wisconsin. For a more detailed account of the history and biology of this beautiful bird, Go to the Wisconsin DNR website. Once considered extirpated from Wisconsin and most of the United States, the reintroduction of the Trumpeter Swan to Wisconsin is a real success story. After seeing successful re-introduction programs in Minnesota, the Wisconsin DNR began their own program in 1987 with a goal for a self-sustaining, migratory and breeding population of at least 20 pairs by the year 2000. Swan eggs were collected from Alaska and from 1988 to 1997 335 swans were released. Four birds nested in 1992 and there were 44 nests state-wide by 20004. Last year in Crex Meadows and Fish Lake there were 16 breeding pair observed. The count is not in yet this year, but Swans are abundant throughout the wetlands. Many young are currently being seen, and one brood of 7 can be found on Dike 5. (June 9-15) Bobolink Dolichonyx orzivorus (family Icteridae)
Bobolink is a bird of open prairies and sedge meadows away from wooded areas. The male is most-often seen perched on the top of a shrub or small tree, singing their bubbly song of twangy "bobolink bobokink spink spank spink". Females are not often seen except during courtship when they pop up out of the grass zig-zagging through the air with a male close on her tail4. Bobolinks can be found most often in Crex at the sedge meadow near the pump house on Main Dike Road and along the open prairie-land in the northern sections of the Wildlife Area. The Bobolink has one of the longest migration routes of all passerines, from one end of the Western Hemisphere to the other. It summers in Canada and the northern U.S. and winters in Argentina5. In fact, the Bobolink is considered a pest in South America, where they forage in the rice paddies6.
(June 2-8) Spotted Sandpiper
The Spotted Sandpiper is a widespread breeder throughout Wisconsin and the Mid-west and is present in Crex Meadows throughout the spring and summer. They are usually seen as individuals or in very small groups along shorelines. It is 7-8 inches long, with a heavily spotted breast, a dark eye-streak, and a bright yellow bill. In flight, they are stiff-winged, often erupting from shore when disturbed and flying in an arc to a spot further up the shoreline. The most reliable places to see them in Crex Meadows is along the shoreline at Phantom Lake Road and along North Fork Flowage at North Dike Road, but can be present at any of the several flowages throughout the area. It was discovered only 35 years ago that the female breeds with several males each year and leaves the males to tend to the nests and eggs while she defends her territory3.
(May 26-June 1) Sedge Wren
Cistothrus platensis
The Sedge Wren is one of the smallest of the wren family. It can be found in the sedge meadows throughout Crex Meadows and Fish Lake Wildlife Areas. It is overall paler and buffier than it's larger, noisier cousin, Marsh Wren, which inhabits much of the same habitat. Look for the male Sedge Wren building it's many dummy nests as it awaits the arrival of it's mate. These secretive wrens are hard to spot, but in the spring it can be seen perched on the tops of sedges where it sings it' harsh buzzy song.
See main Species of the Week page for references.
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***This website is brought to you by the Friends of Crex, a non-profit organization dedicated to SUPPORTING WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE EDUCATION at the crex meadows complex*** FRIENDS OF CREX, INC. 102 EAST CREX AVENUE, GRANTSBURG WISCONSIN 54840 (715) 463-2739 www.crexmeadows.org |
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The common nighthawk is a medium sized bird, 9 inches long, with a 21
inch wingspan. It's head is large and round but the bill is quite
short - designed to open wide in order to nab it's favorite food -
flying insects - in mid-air. It's wings are quite narrow, allowing
it to fly fast and put on a acrobatic aerial display during the breeding
season - diving quickly towards the earth and swooping back up just
before it reaches the ground. At the bottom of it's dive, the
nighthawk's wings flex downward, and the air rushing through his
wingtips makes a deep booming sound. The dives are directed at females,
young nighthawks, intruders, and even people. The white wing
patches and erratic flight remind us of bats, earning it the nickname
"bullbat". As with other goatsuckers, it's body is a dull
brownish-gray color and quite mottled, allowing it to be camouflaged
while it rests on tree limbs during the day. 
The
Dunlin is a medium sized, stocky sandpiper with a long black bill that
is curved at the tip. It's upperparts are reddish during the
breeding season and
is best identified in breeding plumage by it's black belly. It's
chest is white with tiny black spots, but appears grey from afar.
A
large white heron, the Great Egret has long, black legs and feet, a
yellow bill that is long, stout, and straight. It is about the same size
as a Great Blue Heron, 37 to 41 inches tall. It flies with neck
pulled back in S-curve, and often maintains the S curve when standing
and hunting. When it is disturbed, it emits a deep croak.
The Great Egret does not
often nest at Crex Meadows, but it is usually present in good numbers in the late summer and early fall, when it feeds on the wild rice and
other aquatic vegetation present at that time. Look for it along
any of the flowages, including Whiskey Creek, Phantom Lake and the south
end of the refuge at Crex Meadows, and both Dueholm and Grettum Flowages
at the Fish Lake Wildlife Areas.
The
Cedar Waxwing is a medium-sized songbird, 7 inches in length. It has a
cinnamon-brown chest and head with a grayer-brown back and wings.
The belly is a light yellowish brown and the rump is gray. It's
most striking mark is it's black face mask, which is outlined at the
bottom in white. It also has small red dots that aren't always
apparent at the wingtips and a bright yellow terminal tail band.
Immatures do not have the face mask and have streaked under parts with a
dull brown body. It's close cousin, the Bohemian Waxwing is a rare
visitor from more northern regions to this area and is much larger and
darker and lacks the yellow wash on it's belly.
The
Lesser Yellowlegs is a large sandpiper, 10-11 inches in length with a 24
inch wingspan. It has bright yellow legs and a black bill about
the same length as it's head. It has a gray head and neck, a
spotted back and white underside. It's close relative, the Greater
Yellowlegs, is 2-4 inches taller and has a longer, slightly upturned
bill. It also has a darker breast, barred during breeding season
and lightly streaked during fall migration and in the winter, while the
Lesser Yellowlegs' breast is bare during all plumages.
The
Turkey Vulture is a large bird, slightly smaller that the Bald Eagle,
with a 6 foot wingspan. It's body is covered with dark brown
feathers with light brown to gray flight feathers. It has a
featherless, red head and a pinkish-yellow bill and reddish-pink,
featherless legs. It has no voice box and is silent except for
some light hissing and grunting. In flight, it generally holds
it's wings at a V and tends to wobble or tilt side to side, which is an
easy way to distinguish it from other large birds such as Bald Eagles
and Hawks from a distance.
The
Double-crested Cormorant is easily identifiable and is the only
Cormorant that inhabits inland waterways in North America. It is
occasionally mistaken for a loon only because it is found in much of the
same habitat that loons are and bears a slight resemblance at first
glance when it is in the water. This cormorant is black all over
with a long, crooked neck, a thin, hooked bill, and blue eyes.
It's throat pouch becomes bright yellow during the breeding season.
Immatures are paler, with brown upperparts and a buff throat and breast.
When flying the Cormorant flaps it's wings quite rapidly with it's neck
kinked.
The
Willow Flycatcher is a small flycatcher, 5 1/2 to 6 inches in length.
It's back, tail and head are olive brown while it's belly is light
yellow and it's chest is a pale olive color. It has a white
throat, 2 white wing bars, no eye ring and a bi-colored bill.
The
Indigo Bunting is a small songbird with a stout, gray conical bill,
black eyes, black legs and no wing bars. The breeding male is a
bright electric blue overall, with some black on it's wings and tail.
The female is light brown overall, lighter below, with a hint of light
blue-gray in it's wing. They are 5 1/2 inches in length. 
tundras
of Northern Canada and Alaska. The neck of the Trumpeter Swan is
twice the length of it's body, and it's wingspan measures 6-7 feet.
It's plumage is all
white, and it's bill is black, with black skin extending from the bill
to the eyes. The birds seen at Crex take on a rusty hue to it's
neck and head due to the minerals in the water that it feeds in.
It eats aquatic plants and is especially fond of tubers and roots found
on the lake bottoms.
The
breeding male Bobolink is most striking with a buff-colored nape and
white wing bars and rump on the black canvas of the rest of the body.
The female is drab by comparison, resembling females of other blackbird
species; buff-brown overall with a yellow bill, darker brown streaked
upper parts and dark brown stripes above the eye. It is easily mis-identified
as a sparrow. 
Actitis
macularia