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Most birds consume a surprising variety of food, switching feeding strategies depending on what foods are available.  We will look at 14 different strategies used frequently by the familiar species at Grand Harbor.  This month we will look at birds other than the water birds.

PERCH GLEANING—Searching for prey while perched in a tree or shrub without flying from the searching position for insects, spiders, mites or ticks.  Examples: Grackels, Palm Warblers, Blue Jays

Perch BOM Mar2020.png

SWEEPING—Search for insects in the air and capturing them in flight with a wide-open mouth.  Examples:  Purple Martin, Palm Warbler

sweeping BOM mar2020.png

CHISELING—Pounding on a tree trunk creating a cavity and exposing prey such as insects, making them come to the surface.  Examples: Woodpeckers

chiseling mar2020 BOM.png

PROBING—Reaching into tree bark, soil or mud with the beak in search of prey.  Examples:  Mockingbird, Wood Thrush, Cardinal, Painted Bunting, Limpkin

Probing BOM Mar2020.png

POUNCING—Flying to the ground to capture prey.  Examples:  Loggerhead Shrike, Owls, Hawks, Bald Eagle

SCAVENGING—Consuming dead animal matter, usually searching from the air and then feeding on the ground.  Examples: Turkey Vultures

pouncing BOM Mar2020.png
scavenging BOM Mar2020.png

PLUCKING—Removing fruit or seed from vegetation.  Examples: Mockingbird, Wood Thrush

plucking BOM Mar2020.png

Bird of the Month courtesy of Carolyn Preston 

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