Gregg Thompson

1 month ago | birdnote.org | Gregg Thompson |Ellen Blackstone

BirdNote®Mother BirdsWritten by Ellen BlackstoneThis is BirdNote!Motherhood. In the avian world, it’s a mixed bag. Peregrine Falcon mothers share duties fairly equally with Peregrine dads. [Calling of a Peregrine] Both incubate the eggs, although Mom usually spends more time at the task. For the first three weeks after the eggs hatch, she alone broods the young, and the male hunts to feed the entire family.

1 month ago | birdnote.org | Gregg Thompson |Ariana Remmel

BirdNote®Searching for Trogons in the Sycamore TreesWritten by Ariana RemmelThis is BirdNote. Tucked away in the Santa Rita Mountains of southern Arizona, Madera Canyon is a nature-lover's dream. More than 250 bird species are found in this region throughout the year. For many birders who flock to the canyon each spring, the Elegant Trogon is the star of the show.

2 months ago | birdnote.org | Gregg Thompson |Conor Gearin

BirdNote®A Kettle of VulturesWritten by Conor GearinThis is BirdNote.     [Gusts of wind]The sight of hundreds of vultures slowly circling overhead might seem pretty ominous. But most of the time, it just means the vultures are on their way somewhere else. In the daytime, hot air rises as the sun heats the ground. The rising column of air is called a thermal, and it’s the perfect way for a Turkey Vulture to hitch a ride. Like an elevator to the skies, the thermal gently wafts the vultures upward.

2 months ago | birdnote.org | Gregg Thompson |Conor Gearin

BirdNote®Great-tailed GrackleWritten by Conor GearinThis is BirdNote.     [Great-tailed Grackle calls]Great-tailed Grackles live up to their name. The glossy black males trail their long, V-shaped tails behind them as they fly, almost like a plane towing a banner ad. And while not quite as flashy, the brown-feathered females have impressively long tails, too. The males settle disputes by fanning their tails —  but if the feathers aren’t enough to intimidate their rival, a wrestling match ensues.

2 months ago | birdnote.org | Gregg Thompson |Conor Gearin

BirdNote®From Bobwhite Coveys to PairsWritten by Conor GearinThis is BirdNote.     [Northern Bobwhite covey call]    [Winter Ambience]Throughout winter, Northern Bobwhites gather in groups called ‘coveys’ to search for food during the day and share warmth at night. These small quail arrange themselves in a circle, with their tails in the center and heads outward, huddled up like a wreath of plump birds to survive frost and snow.