I've walked out on my deck a few times the past couple of days, and whoosh! something zooms by! What IS that??!
Oh I see! It's a bird! Where indeed is it coming from? After several of these zestful zoomings, I decide to search the deck for a bird's nest, and I almost miss it. There it is! in a pot of parsley, oh so camouflaged.
Why are there 5 eggs in the nest and one out? I have no idea. (Yes, I CAN count. There really are 5!)
(I will no longer traumatize this bird trying to get a better photo.)
I spent some time searching online and this is what I think the bird is --a Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus). It has the markings, the slightly buff-colored chest, and the downward curved beak.
I found information about them fascinating.
a few facts:
► A Carolina wren pair mates for life.
► live in open woodland or brushy suburbia.
► stay together on their territory year round.
► mostly forage the ground for insects and move around together. They do climb vines and trees poking around for insects.
► DIET: mostly insects and spiders; occasionally eat lizards, frogs, and snakes. They also consume a small amount of plant matter, such as fruit pulp and seeds from bayberry, sweetgum, or poison ivy.
► NESTING: female and male build their nest together, sometimes making more than one before choosing the perfect one. The nest itself is usually cup shaped, domed and with a side entrance. The nest is loosely constructed of a great variety of materials such as bark strips, dried grasses, dead leaves, pine needles, hair, feathers, straw, shed snakeskin, paper, plastic, or string. Nest material may be added after incubation has begun.
Carolina wrens usually build their nest about 3-6 feet off the ground in cavities. Near homes they make use of a variety of cavity-like spaces, such as pots and boots.
► sounds: Only the male sings with a repertoire of about 15 different songs. Both male and female have many different calls. Hear it! (Scroll down to "calls" and click on the ►)
LINK:
Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds --I found this site to be the most helpful.
I'm linking up with my favorite teacher, Ms Jenny Matlock! See others' completed homework assignments HERE. Come join in! This week our letter is "Z." I am proud to say that I posted for every letter this round! A new round starts next week! Letter A. So get your thinking caps on!
