Thurston's Birds

More photos from Liam and a bird flu update

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This week in Thurston’s Birds, we are again featuring some of Liam Hutcheson’s recent photographs.

I so much appreciate having Liam’s photos for this weekly column because they typically illustrate the key identifying features, in very sharp focus, of the subject bird and, of course, because they have been taken by a local 17-year-old, still in high school.

Someday we’ll be thinking about this talented young man, “I knew him when . . . .”

White-crowned Sparrow

White crowned Sparrow
White crowned Sparrow

This bird is very common in our county and is usually found in open areas rather than the brush that provides ideal habitat for many of our sparrows. They move around in the winter and may visit seed feeders from time to time.

The males start to sing their pleasant song in the early spring. Liam’s photo shows you exactly what our local adult, white-crowned sparrow looks like, right down to its yellowish bill.  

Cooper’s Hawk

Cooper's Hawk
Cooper's Hawk

This hawk is a predator of small birds. Just one look at that piercing stare settles the question of whether one might want to “live the good life” as sparrow or chickadee. Liam’s photo shows all the ID markers for an adult Cooper’s — blue-gray back, gray and black tail stripes with white tips, and soft reddish bars across its chest.

Immature birds are brownish. They perch in dense woods waiting in ambush. I once had one take an adult robin from my front yard. It flew off with quiet, almost arrogant indifference while the robin loudly complained about its bad luck.

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet

This tiny bird winters in Thurston County, but is seldom seen since it prefers the top of tall conifers, searching for insects and spiders.

Both males and females have the characteristic gold feather patch, but males also have an orangish wash to some of the feathers.

I love this photo because it illustrates how these small birds get all puffed up in winter to increase the insulation value of their feathers.

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Saw-Whet Owl
Saw-Whet Owl

It’s hard to actually see one of these small owls — they usually hide in dense tree foliage in daytime. They are about robin-sized, although they perch upright and are never seen on the ground. They hunt late at night and feed primarily on forest rodents.

The unique face pattern, rich brown stripes and yellow eyes separate it from other small owls. Because of where they hide, they may occasionally be brought inside a house within a Christmas tree. That would be one memorable holiday guest!

Great Gray Owl

Great Gray Owl
Great Gray Owl

This is not an owl found in Thurston County, but I loved the size contrast between this guy and the diminutive saw-whet. Take note of the worn feathers on this individual — looks like it has survived a long migration.

These are owls of the far north, sometimes migrating into the north mountain areas of Washington and occasionally establishing breeding territories in our state. They are huge birds, larger than a great-horned owl.

Ironically, they do not weigh more because much of their apparent bulk is made up of feathers. They sit upright and out in the open on the edge of woodlands and can be identified by their face disk and white bowtie feathers.

Bird Flu update

A reader asked me a question: Do the small birds coming to bird feeders carry bird flu and should we be taking down our bird feeders? The answer? It depends.

Small wild birds can catch bird flu, but because of their size they do not carry, or shed, a large virus load. Therefore, most sources do not suggest that you stop feeding the birds. There are exceptions to this guidance, however.

First, if you have a chicken flock that is not fully isolated in a roofed yard, you probably want to avoid attracting additional birds to the areas the chickens inhabit. This is a good idea in general; bird flu is not the only possible disease that wild birds could be carrying.

Second, the experts recommend taking some additional care in cleaning bird feeders after the winter season. You might want to wear gloves and discard them after the cleanup. Also, of course, wash your hands well after any possible exposure to bird waste.

Finally, do not handle dead birds directly. The experts recommend that, if removal is required, use the same reverse plastic bag technique that dog owners employ when removing dog poop, and immediately discard the dead bird to the trash.

You can find additional information about bird feeders and the risk of bird flu at
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/avian-influenza-outbreak-should-you-take-down-your-bird-feeders/

George Walter is environmental program manager at the Nisqually Indian Tribe’s natural resources department; he also has a 45+ year interest in bird watching. He may be reached at george@theJOLTnews.com

Photos for this column are provided by Liam Hutcheson, a 17-year-old Olympia area birder .and an avid Bird photographer.

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  • kellykelly

    After finding 3 dead House Wrens within two weeks I reported the deaths to the Wildlife Dept. They told me it could be bird flu or salmonella. They advised me to clean my feeder and not fill it again for two weeks. They also said as a general rule, a feeder should be washed 2-3 times a week, something I hadn't known.

    And finally they said that anyone who finds a minimum of 3 dead birds within a short period of time, should report it to them.

    Friday, January 17 Report this