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Breeding Season for Owls, Eagles and Hummingbirds
It’s an odd mix of birds that start thier breeding activity in the middle of a Canadian winter. But when you live of the west coast of Canada you can understand it a little better.
This line of thought started last evening when I went over to the estuary of the Somass River and found a pair of Great Horned Owls calling back and forth, almost like a duet. They are know to nest early, and this pair is no different. You could tell the male’s call from the female’s by the lower tone.
And then this morning, I noticed a Bald Eagle was by it’s nest. Clearly, it was sprucing it up for the nesting season.
And even one of the smallest birds on Vancouver Island is breeding now here on Vancouver Island. The Anna’s Hummingbird is the only hummingbird regularly found in Canada in the winter. It the male can be distinguished from the abundant rufous Hummingbird by the purplish colour of the throat feathers. These feathers actually extend up onto the crown of the head. Rufous hummers, in contrast, have orangy-red throat feather that are on the throat only. Anna’s hummingbirds are unusual also because they are the only hummer to sing. It’s not much of a song though. A thin squeaky thing.
I recently moved into the vgh area, and i have been viewing the most magnificent birds every day. althouggh not too familiar with species of birds, i know i have been seeing eagles, hawks, and although i am not too sure i really would like to learn more. i thionk i have seen a family of vultures, and maybe seven eagles. i am seeing at least four every day, and like i said some birds i am not sure of this one o am. but i sdont KNOW much qabout thioer lives. and i am becoming more and more inquisitive. where do i start? Help!