By Charles Darling*, biologist, Court 3
Our overwintering feathered friends of Village Green
Village Green has long been a haven for migratory birds, attracting warblers, raptors, and other species, much to the delight of birdwatchers. Here’s what to look for this winter season.
GREAT HORNED OWLS
As nights grow longer, Great Horned Owls become more active. These owls reuse nests from ravens or hawks. After a windstorm destroyed last year’s nest, this season’s may be in a nearby eucalyptus tree. Males perform dramatic wingbeats, vocalize, and defend their territory while courting females. By spring, their young develop hunting skills, preying on other animals’ springtime offspring.
MIGRATORY SONGBIRDS AND PREDATORS
Orange-crowned Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Cedar Waxwings—known for their berry-filled antics and high-pitched calls—are arriving en masse. Their predators follow:
ICONIC RED-CROWNED PARROTS
Our Red-crowned Parrots, some as old as 70, form strong social bonds. During warmer months, family units separate to raise young outside VG, but winter reunites the flocks. These bonds, forming here among young parrots, mirror our own children’s friendships.
And just look how social they are! One morning early this month the Green was visited by hundreds and hundreds of birds, cackling wildly and flying in pairs, feeding in the trees for half a day before they flew off.
*name has been changed at the request of the author.
Village Green has long been a haven for migratory birds, attracting warblers, raptors, and other species, much to the delight of birdwatchers. Here’s what to look for this winter season.
GREAT HORNED OWLS
As nights grow longer, Great Horned Owls become more active. These owls reuse nests from ravens or hawks. After a windstorm destroyed last year’s nest, this season’s may be in a nearby eucalyptus tree. Males perform dramatic wingbeats, vocalize, and defend their territory while courting females. By spring, their young develop hunting skills, preying on other animals’ springtime offspring.
MIGRATORY SONGBIRDS AND PREDATORS
Orange-crowned Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Cedar Waxwings—known for their berry-filled antics and high-pitched calls—are arriving en masse. Their predators follow:
- Merlins, tiny falcons famed for speed and power, hunt in open spaces but are rare here due to limited flight opportunities.
- Sharp-shinned Hawks, specialists of dense vegetation, are uncommon because Coopers Hawks, their predators, dominate VG’s habitats.
ICONIC RED-CROWNED PARROTS
Our Red-crowned Parrots, some as old as 70, form strong social bonds. During warmer months, family units separate to raise young outside VG, but winter reunites the flocks. These bonds, forming here among young parrots, mirror our own children’s friendships.
And just look how social they are! One morning early this month the Green was visited by hundreds and hundreds of birds, cackling wildly and flying in pairs, feeding in the trees for half a day before they flew off.
*name has been changed at the request of the author.
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