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SIB “Birds of the Week” – Marsh Sparrows (Seaside, Saltmarsh & Nelson’s)
Seaside Sparrow – Ammodramus maritimus – L: 6″ WS: 7.5″ Wt: 0.81ozSaltmarsh Sparrow – Ammodramus caudacutus – L: 5.25″ WS: 7″ Wt: 0.67ozNelson’s Sparrow – Ammodramus nelsoni – L: 5″ WS: 7″ Wt: 0.6oz When I sat down to write this article, I began to think “why did I choose to write about these birds???” They are elusive, secretive, up/down,…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – Sphyrapicus variusLength: 7.1-8.7″; Wingspan: 13.4-15.7″; Weight: 1.5-1.9 oz. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is the only woodpecker in eastern North America that is completely migratory. Although a few individuals remain throughout much of the winter in the southern part of the breeding range, most head farther south, going as far south as Panama. Females tend to…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Wild Turkey
Wild Turkey – Meleagris gallopavoLength: 46″; Wingspan: 64″; Weight: 259 oz. Residents are reporting an increase in sightings of Eastern Wild Turkeys on Seabrook Island. The domesticated version of this large native game bird is well known because of its role each Thanksgiving day. Millions of turkeys are drawn from an outline of the hands of elementary children prior to Thanksgiving each year. The turkey would have been our national…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Clapper Rail
Clapper Rail – Rallus longirostrisLength: 14.5″; Wingspan: 19″; Weight: 10 oz. You may not be aware that hidden in dense cover in our salt marshes lurk a bird called Clapper Rail. This slinking, secretive bird is a year-round resident on our island and often we only hear the loud clattering call as our clue that a Clapper Rail…
SIB Bird of the week -Baltimore Oriole
Have you noticed any new birds coming into your yard lately? One brightly colored visitor that might show up frequently in our area at this time of year is the Baltimore Oriole. Icterus galbula One of the most brilliantly colored songbirds in the east, flaming orange and black, sharing the heraldic colors of the coat…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – American Goldfinch
American Goldfinch – Spinus tristisLength: 5″; Wingspan: 9″; Weight: 0.46 oz. This small finch is commonly found in flocks on Seabrook Island during the winter months (November – March) on backyard feeders, along the golf courses or anywhere there are weed seeds. It has a sharply pointed bill, a small head, long wings and a…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Tufted Titmouses (OR Titmice?)
Have you ever wondered the plural of Tufted Titmouse? Often in the field, I say “Tufted Titmouses” and then quickly change to “Tufted Titmice.” I finally decided to research the answer! The origin of the word “mouse” comes from the Old English word “mase,” meaning “small bird” and has no connection to rodents. Many purists…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – House Finch vs. Purple Finch
Did you guess House Finch & Purple Finch??? House FinchCarpodacus mexicanusLength: 6″Wingspan: 9.5″Weight: 0.74 oz. Purple FinchHaemorhous purpureusLength: 6″Wingspan: 10″Weight: 0.88 oz. Surprisingly, the House Finch was originally confined to the west and known as a Linnet until being introduced as a caged bird in several pet stores in Long Island in the 1940s. Currently it is one of…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker – Picoides pubescensLength: 5.5 – 6.7″; Wingspan: 9.8-11.8″; Weight: 0.7-1.0 oz. The active little Downy Woodpecker is a familiar sight at backyard feeders and in parks and woodlots, where it joins flocks of chickadees and nuthatches, barely out-sizing them, and can be attracted to a bird bath or sprinkler. An often acrobatic forager, this black-and-white woodpecker…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Our Nuthatches
At first glance you might mistake a White-breasted Nuthatch for a chickadee with their grey backs, black cap, and white belly, but the nuthatch is about an inch bigger than our Carolina Chickadee. Nuthatches are compact little birds with very short tails and no neck to speak of. They have a unique foraging behavior, crawling…
