Frances Wood

4 weeks ago | birdnote.org | Jason McCue |Frances Wood

BirdNote®Thirsty HummingbirdsWritten by Frances WoodThis is BirdNote! [Whirring and call of Rufous Hummingbird] Here they come! Rufous Hummingbirds, Ruby-throats, and others are migrating north after a hot, dry winter in sunny Mexico or Central America. And they’re ready for a drink. [Whirring and call of Rufous Hummingbird] Hummingbirds need to consume several times their body weight each day, so they're looking for flowering plants to quench that mighty thirst.

2 months ago | birdnote.org | Gregg Thompson |Frances Wood

BirdNote®Small Birds Mob Big OnesWritten by Frances WoodThis is BirdNote. [Crows calling]Have you ever watched crows dive-bombing a hawk or an eagle? Several crows will gang up and pester a larger bird into departing their breeding territory. Perhaps you’ve seen starlings or blackbirds do the same to crows. When smaller birds join forces to ward off larger birds, it’s called “mobbing.” This behavior — like calling family members for help — is used by many bird species.

Sep 16, 2024 | birdnote.org | Rainforest Alliance |Gregg Thompson |Frances Wood

BirdNote®Swallows on WiresWritten by Frances WoodThis is BirdNote![Chatter of Violet-green Swallows]Once nesting season ends, these Violet-green Swallows seem to know it’s time to party! They usually nest as single pairs in cavities or nesting boxes. But now, they gather on electrical wires by the dozens in the Western United States, and chatter away as part of their pre-migration networking. [Repeat chattering of Violet-green Swallows]They’re not alone.

May 3, 2023 | birdnote.org | Frances Wood

Apr 30, 2023 | birdnote.org | Frances Wood