Back in central Missouri, I visited the Columbia Audubon Sanctuary this morning. Though we are in the midst of another heat wave, it was relatively mild and breezy just after dawn but harassment by horse flies hastened my walk through the refuge.
While I encountered a fair variety of species, including pileated woodpeckers and a barred owl, eastern wood pewees dominated the scene, moving about in small groups and calling from every parcel of forest. The most common and widespread flycatcher in the eastern U.S., these birds generally arrive in May and depart for South America by early October. Throughout the warmer months, they are most often seen alone, perched near the tip of a dead limb from which they make repeated sorties to snare flying insects; they may also glean prey (insects or spiders) from the foliage.
Upon arriving in spring and just before leaving in the fall, eastern wood species, like many other birds, may congregate in favored locations where food is plentiful. The cause for their abundance this morning is uncertain but their cheerful calls and "bug-control" services are always welcome.
While I encountered a fair variety of species, including pileated woodpeckers and a barred owl, eastern wood pewees dominated the scene, moving about in small groups and calling from every parcel of forest. The most common and widespread flycatcher in the eastern U.S., these birds generally arrive in May and depart for South America by early October. Throughout the warmer months, they are most often seen alone, perched near the tip of a dead limb from which they make repeated sorties to snare flying insects; they may also glean prey (insects or spiders) from the foliage.
Upon arriving in spring and just before leaving in the fall, eastern wood species, like many other birds, may congregate in favored locations where food is plentiful. The cause for their abundance this morning is uncertain but their cheerful calls and "bug-control" services are always welcome.
