FJ2: Field Observation: ID and Flight Physiology

Date: February 21, 2021
Start time: 9 am
End time: 10:30 am
Location: UVM campus, Burlington, VT
Weather: 20° F, wind speed: 5-10 mph NW, no precipitation, more than 70% cloud coverage
Habitat(s): on campus (urban), isolated trees, coniferous tree cover on Redstone campus, residential area (off South Prospect)

As we walked towards Redstone Campus the cawing of the American Crows was very prominent, and that was one of the first birds seen on the walk. On the patch of coniferous trees near the trail leading towards Southwick hall, was a Downy Woodpecker pecking at one of the trees. Then three common Ravens flew over Redstone. Ravens have longer primaries with more slotting in between them which allows them to soar higher during flight and less flapping than American Crows.

Standing near Southwick hall, we saw three ring-billed gulls and a few other gulls fly across Redstone. Ring-billed Gulls have a high-aspect ratio wings, and spend a lot of time in open areas of land, so because of this they are able to glide more efficiently and not have to do much flapping; as well as fly at higher altitudes compared to birds like American Robins which have more of an elliptical type of wing. Also, which there were many of throughout campus. This type of wing allows them to maneuver much easier throughout denser tree cover. They also tend to flap much more rapidly, drop for a bit and then flap rapidly again as they go higher.

It was relatively cold and cloudy out, so I thought we wouldn’t see as many birds as we did but I think for a winter day on campus, we were able to catch a glimpse of a few common birds seen through the Northeast at this time of year like the flock of 25 or more American Robins near the Redstone campus dorms. Overall, it was interesting and fun to see that there is a lot more feathered wildlife in and around campus that I hadn’t noticed were here before. I’m quite excited to see how many more birds will be seen as spring approaches in the next few weeks.

Bird sketch link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18Kd9VKRRpqvMe7HZSCJu0sK53QsZsXau/view?usp=sharing

Julkaistu helmikuu 22, 2021 04:17 IP. käyttäjältä