Monday 3 June 2013

Great Crested Flycatcher

Don't you love birds?I'm so happy our Phoebe's 5 eggs have hatched.
 I am learning many new ones, not previously seen. You don't need to know much to appreciate them, whether familiar or unique.
While I grew up in Toronto, I was familiar with many typical city birds, like the one-legged crow that often visited my elementary school: Cottingham Public school, in Toronto.
Our Muskoka home had some wonderful birds: heron, hawks, hummers, turkey vultures, geese, ducks, and wild turkeys. I even made a video of a hawk eating a robin!
Now, living in the middle of the swamp, I've learned some new birds. Hermit Thrush, Red-eyed vireo, Indigo bunting... This is my full list!
This bird is a Great Crested Flycatcher. I photographed it atop a wetland dead tree, as well as in the Catulpa tree, which is merrily beginning to put forth leaves. In the second photo it is nest-building. 

11 comments:

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

You have your own birding Park there!

Jenn Jilks said...

I do, Sallie!
I have it on good authority that this bird isn't what I originally thought!

Hi Jennifer
Great news! Hope their doing well. The second bird is a Great Crested Flycatcher. Note the large size, yellow belly, and grayish head. Is the phoebe nest in the bird box? If yes, I think the nest is a Great Crested Flycatcher. Let me know. The Eastern Phoebe usually builds a nest on a ledge.

Cheers,
Bruce

Di Labio Birding Website
Courses and Field Trips
http://www.dilabiobirding.ca
http://www.brucedilabio.blogspot.com

eileeninmd said...

Love these birds, their sounds are cute. Great shots of the flycatcher.

Kay said...

What a sweet, lovely bird! What a great photo capture.

Anonymous said...

So you've moved to the swamp? Hope you like it there.
That bird is a charmer!

Cloudia said...

What dears - like you, Jenn



ALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
~ > < } } ( ° > <3
> < } } ( ° >
> < 3 3 3 ( ' >

Dan said...

Found my way here by way of "Our World Tuesday". We're not that far apart... my wife and I are in Prince Edward County.

Great photos, Jill! Identifying flycatchers is no easy task.

Unknown said...

Nice capture!! You have more courage than me, naming all these fellows who look so much alike. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Jenn Jilks said...

I just do my research, Gary. One bird at a time!

Fun60 said...

You are doing really well with your identifying of new birds. It must help to have such brilliant photos to help.

Karen said...

My phoebe tossed one of her babies out of the nest 8(