Western Kingbirds Near Hornitos
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| Trio of juvenile Western Kingbirds (Tyrannus verticalis) near the town of Hornitos, Ca |
Members of
the Tyrant Flycatcher family, Tyrannidae, Western Kingbirds (Tyrannus
verticalis) catch flying insects on the wing, hunting during daylight hours. They inhabit much of the Central Valley during
the summer months, preferring open habitats such as low elevation grasslands,
open woodlands, sagebrush and agricultural land.
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| Western Kingbirds, in the branches of a Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii) |
I heard this
trio of three juvenile Western Kingbirds before I spotted them, huddled
together in a blue oak (Quercus douglasii) earlier this summer.
Their mother was not far off, flying back and forth catching insects to
feed to her not-yet-independent offspring.
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| Looking towards their momma, returning with supper |
I sat on the ground under the tree and watched these little ones for quite some time as they bobbed up and down with their branch swaying in the summer breeze. And I think they were curious about me too!
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| I've been spotted! |
About Me
Named after the Sierra Nevada Mountains, I am a naturalist and avid birder based in Central California. Above all, I am a follower of Jesus Christ, our amazingly good Creator God whose magnificent creation is an unending source of awe and inspiration for me. I hope to inspire others to appreciate, respect and protect this beautiful earth we share, and invite you to come along with me as I explore the nature of California and beyond!
- Siera Nystrom -
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