The Snakeskin Blues        

by Steve Frye  

One of my only shining moments while playing birding trivia with fellow bird-crazed friends was answering this question correctly, "Which two North American birds regularly add snakeskins to their nests?" I'd like to say that

my answer, "Great-crested Flycatcher and Blue Grosbeak," allowed me to

win this competitive game, but it did not. I'm also sorry to say I don't know the reason for these species using snakeskins in their nests, but I don't think a reason has been discovered - just theories. I've always suspected it has something to do with nest defense and protection. Nobody likes to approach the creepy house on the block. One of these snakeskin-loving birds, the stunning Blue Grosbeak, nests on the plains of eastern Boulder County.

After her late spring arrival, the female blue grosbeak builds a nest, usually about two to eight feet above the ground in a very dense, overgrown location. She will weave grasses, rootlets, and leaves together to form the cup-shaped nest, but she almost always will weave a snakeskin into the outside of the nest. They are also fond of including some paper, cellophane, or any

Blue Grosbeak by Mike Blatchley from our Saturday Bird Walk

other form of trash in their nest. In western Colorado, Blue Grosbeaks will frequently nest in tamarisk, an introduced invasive riparian plant. They are one of the few North American birds that will use tamarisk for nesting. Here in Boulder County, we find blue grosbeaks nesting on the plains below 6000 ft in open areas that have islands of thick vegetation suitable for nesting.

After the nest has been built, the female will lay two to five eggs and incubate them for about 11 days. Blue Grosbeaks are infrequent cowbird hosts in Colorado, but they do not seem to escape that situation in other parts of their range. Being a cowbird host means female cowbirds will lay their eggs in another bird's nest. The cowbird chick will then be raised by the other species, sometimes with fatal consequences for the young of the host species. Grosbeak young fledge about 13 days after hatching.  

Male Blue Grosbeaks are among our most striking songbirds. Males are a deep iridescent blue, sometimes appearing almost purple, with black at the base of their silver bill and two rust-colored wing bars. In poor light, a male Blue Grosbeak will often look black and is easily confused with a cowbird because of its similar shape. Females are similar in size to males (six to seven inches) but are brown with buff-colored wing bars. Blue Grosbeaks have a sweet, melodious song that's similar to a House Finch's song, but a little slower, lower in tone, and just a touch raspier.  

Blue Grosbeaks are great insect pest controllers; the major portion of their diet comes from grasshoppers, weevils, cutworms, and caterpillars. They will also eat snails, spiders, weed seeds, grain, and fruit. I have also seen Blue Grosbeaks near Rabbit Mountain feeding on corn tassels. This "ground" feeder is always a welcome addition to an orchard or garden plot not just for its beauty and song, but also for its diet of many agricultural pests.  

Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Blue Grosbeak
Youtube: Blue Grosbeak
Flickr: Blue Grosbeak
Xeno-Canto: Blue Grosbeak (Passerina Caerulea)

"Spring Ritual" Osprey by Wendy Marie Stuart

The latest web cam sensation is from the osprey nest located at the Boulder County Fairgrounds Pond in Longmont. The osprey couple at this nest are very active and vocal. The camera is also of high quality - it looks like you're watching the tv.

One thing I've noticed while watching these birds is they are always bringing trash into the nest. Every day they have a new trash bag, security tape, or plastic sheeting in the nest with them. I'm not sure what the appeal is, but they change these items out. So tune in and see what the garbage item of the day is.  

View Osprey Cam 

We are carrying a new collection of hanging hardware called Rockit. What sets Rockit Hangers apart from others is they are designed to "friction" fit almost any kind of deck handrails and balusters including round metal without having to attach them with screws or clamps. They can fit on almost any combination of materials that your deck is made of. Besides pole mounts for things like bird feeders, the Rockit System also has hanging rings for pet bowls, bird baths, or flower pots and shelf supports to use with planter boxes for example. Come in and check out the Rockit video and see these versatile products.  

JustRockit.Website 

Black Swifts in Colorado      

Black Swift

Here is a wonderful article about an amazing bird that lives here in Colorado. Recent studies of the black swift in Colorado have finally revealed its wintering grounds.

Walk on the Wild Side - Sat, May 19 

Environment for the Americas    

Put this on your calendar! Last year we had a great time at Walk on the Wild Side, and this years' walk should prove to be even better. Learn more details and pledge on the web site listed below. Last years' money went to fund recently planted native and wildlife-friendly plants at Walden Ponds. If you would like to help us out, we need volunteers to station spotting scopes along the birding route and to talk about birds and wildlife with the participants. You need not be a birding expert to do this. If you can volunteer, please call the Wild Bird Center at (303) 442-1322.  

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