Red Crossbill

Red Crossbill aka. Common Crossbill
Skylawn Memorial Park, San Mateo, California, USA
August 2020
Member of the Finch Family
§A Warp of Crossbills§

~True Bird Fact~ Let's talk about that remarkable bill for a second! It may look a little bit like a cartoon bird that has been hit in the face, but that bill is actually a specialized tool for getting at the type of food this bird most likes to eat- seeds. Specifically, the seeds of coniferous plants, but they do go for other seeds as well. You see the pounds of pressure exerted by a bite down is much greater than pressure you can exert with a mouth opening. This is why it's relatively easy to hold a gator's mouth closed with your hands, but you've got very little chance of getting their grip off of you (was this example too "Florida Man"?). So anyway, this bird needs to be able to pry apart while biting down.

This evolutionary adaptation leads to a lot of very specific behavior- unlike most baby birds, crossbill young eat seeds as well, instead of bugs. Furthermore, different crossbill subspecies have beaks that are slightly specialized for different kinds of seed cones. How much do these birds depend on seeds? So much so that their breeding cycle is not seasonal, but is instead tied to availability of a major source of seeds. This leads to occasional 'irruptions', which is how I was able to see this relatively rare bird locally. When conifer populations don't produce enough seeds, these birds travel south, well outside of their usual range in great number. 

Something else I wanted to note about the crossbill is that whole subspecies thing- there are quite a few of them, and already one (the Cassia Crossbill) has been elevated to it's own species. It seems likely, based on differences in appearance, call, and breeding, that several of these subspecies will be declared their own distinct bird at some point, despite being nearly impossible to tell apart. This information, reader, hangs over me like a Sword of Damocles, taunting me with the information that in the near to distant future I will almost certainly no longer be able to tell what type of bird this is. I will enjoy the Red Crossbill while it lasts.

left-male, right-females

Some additional shots of the beautiful Buddha statue that these birds seem to be congregating around. I think given this information you would be safe in assuming these birds are either 1) Buddhists or 2) Of a divine nature.

It appears to be associated with San Francisco's True Buddha School Veil Parasol Temple, although I'm not totally sure in what capacity. The whole cemetery is very beautiful, so check it out if you get a chance.

Donald Trump Reviews Birds From My Trip to the North East

Ed. note: Your usual amateurnithologist is super busy these days with his very hard job, as you know from his endless grousing. Lest the blog fall into disrepair for another week, we've secured the services of controversial presidential candidate Donald Trump. In exchange we promised to put in a good word for him with the eagles, who he fears desperately. This is a "big get" guys, so don't go posting any political stuff in the comments, he's very sensitive.

Common Grackle
Staten Island, New York, New York, USA
July 2015

Donald Trump's Remarks
I don't like the Grackles, and I think it's very rude that you've asked me to start with a question about a grackle. Unprofessional! Everyone knows, and lots of people are saying, grackles are coming into the country, ok? And they're bringing disease, they're bringing crime, and some of them are probably good birds. I'm going to build a wall, and the grackles are going to pay for it. No one builds walls to keep birds out better than me, and you know it!

Pied-billed Grebe
Central Park, Manhattan, New York, New York, USA
July 2015

Donald Trump's Remarks
Grebes: Irrelevant birds, no one cares that they exist! Total hack, loser birds! A disgusting bird, what good is a bird if it's not beautiful? Semi-domesticated? I like birds who weren't captured, ok. What a joke! I have long, beautiful fingers.

House Sparrow
Fore River Sanctuary, Portland, Maine, USA
July 2015

Donald Trump's Remarks
Look, a sparrow is a beautiful bird, and it flirts with me, ok? I get it. I get it. But it's just not a 10 anymore. Boring Sparrow is jealous of flashier birds! Acts very needy, but just trying to manipulate me. Sad!

Mallard
Fore River Sanctuary, Portland, Maine, USA
July 2015

Donald Trump's Remarks
Oh, look at my duck. Are you the greatest? Ducks love me. I'm eating a big bowl of swamp grass at trump tower right now. Water vegetables, very healthy. I have a great respect for ducks, and you know ducks like me. I've always had a great relationship with the ducks. (ed. note: Ducks support Donald Trump at approximately 5 percent).

House Finch
Maine Wildlife Park, Gray, Maine, USA
July 2015

Donald Trump's Remarks
Donald J. Trump is calling for a complete and total shutdown of finches entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what the hell is going on. I'm not saying they shouldn't come here at all, but there should be a loyalty test is what I'm saying. They need to have all the right documents, show the bird certificates. It's common sense!

Greylag Goose
Peaks Island, Portland, Maine, USA
July 2015

Donald Trump's Remarks
This is a big, beautiful, classy goose. If she weren't a bird, perhaps I'd be dating her. A smart bird, and I would know. My IQ is one of the highest. Goose should be number one bird. Birding is rigged! Ok? Ok, now somebody get these birds out of here. I wasn't joking, I hate birds, get them out of here.

Birds Are Going Back to School

Ah, late summer. It's that time of the year when it's super hot out, birds are least plentiful, and your Amateurnithologist struggles to get weekly posts out as he adjusts to returning to his full time job in the school system. Yes, school's back in session. But not just for you and me and maybe your kids. No, it's school time for birds as well. As birds return to school, they meet their new teachers for the semester and start to get a sense of what their next year is going to look like. Let's meet them too, since there's nothing better to do.

First Period: Professor Double-crested Cormorant
Subject: English Literature
Personality: Professorial in demeanor, a little stodgy. Think blazer with elbow patches. Believes in the power of learning and in the ability of books to change lives. Often disappointed in his students secretly, but doesn't show it. He's been doing this job for a long time and doesn't show signs of slowing down. Other teachers look up to him.
Teacher Rating: Inspiring

Second Period: Mr. American Crow (slightly leucristic)
Subject: Science
Personality: An eccentric who delights in finding creative ways to reach students. Lives for events like the rocket launch, the egg drop, or putting Mentos in Diet Coke. Very hands on. A little bit silly, gets along well with the kids since he's a bit of a kid-at-heart himself. Don't mention his leucism though, or god help you. He won't be mad, but he's a bit sensitive about it, and it'll hurt his feelings.
Teacher Rating: Fun

Third Period: Dr. Common Loon
Subject: Cooking
Personality: No one knows what her doctorate is in, why she is teaching cooking with a doctorate, or how a Loon acquired a doctorate in the first place. However, she is a good cooking teacher. Loves food, and the students tend to like her class, since it involves cooking and eating. Hints that she enjoys a full and interesting life outside of her job. Keeps these mysteries close to the vest.
Teacher Rating: Enigmatic

Fourth Period: Mrs. House Finch
Subject: History
Personality: Engages in a lot of rituals that shows her dominance over students, making them repeat things over and over or follow meaningless rules. Believes that the most important thing is that students submit to their teachers. Ruthless in her style with co-works as well, doesn't seem to be able to 'turn it off'. This style is successful for some young birds, but mostly leads to a lot of bad feelings.
Teacher Rating: Disliked



Fifth Period: Miss California Quail
Subject: Mathematics
Personality: Honestly not the greatest teacher, but very nice. Relationship-focused in her teaching philosophy. Gives her students a lot of affection and praise, doesn't put too much attention on the quality of the work. Students often come back years after graduating to visit Miss California Quail and give her a big hug. Maybe this is what's most important after all, since most of her students don't use the math very much (being birds).
Teacher Rating: Doting

Well that's all for today. Hopefully you learned a thing or two from these bird teachers, or at least got through your school experience relatively undamaged. Join me in a few days when I try to get back on the normal blog schedule with a common but fun bird that has evaded me for a long time. You won't want to miss it.

Saffron Finch

Saffron Finch aka. Yellow Finch aka. Pelzeln's Finch aka. canario de tejado (lit. Roof Canary) aka. canário da terra (lit. Native Canary)
Kahaluu Beach Park, Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i, USA
December 2015
Member of the Tanager Family
§A Trembling of Finches§ (so once again, are they finches or are they tanagers or are they canaries or what? I did my research, and the most recent information seems to suggest they're now categorized as tanagers, although they were once considered to be sparrows, and still often get called canaries or finches. If you think this is confusing, you should try reading these wikipedia pages)

~true, sad bird fact~ One of the all-too-many animals that humans make fight each other for entertainment. Saffron Finches were originally taken as pets for their pleasant song and appearance, but male finches become very territorial during mating season, leading garbage people to put them in a cage together to fight. Way to go, humans.

~another bird fact, to cheer you up~ Saffron Finches are polygamous, with males taking two (and only two) partners during nesting season.

female

does whatever she wants; she's a grown woman
shows a lot of swagger and self confidence in her physical movement
has lived through many hardships

male

boundless energy which is spent on a variety of projects and hobbies of varying levels of importance
laughs easily, enjoys life
not a good judge of the safety or sensibility of an idea. Tends to charge in head-first

'Apapane

'Apapane
Kalalau Lookout, Koke'e State Park, Waimea, Hawai'i, USA
December 2015
Member of the Finch Family
§A Hive of Honeycreepers§ (nb. although technically most closely related to finches, the 'Apapane and his compatriats are still collectively referred to as 'Hawaiian Honeycreepers'. In reality, they are not that close to the True Honeycreeper family, although you can see why someone would think so.)


~true bird fact~ While most of the impressively colorful group of birds known as Hawaiian Honeycreepers are threatened by extinction (for the usual reasons), 'Apapane appears to be doing ok for herself. In fact, some groups of 'Apapane appear to be developing resistance to Avian Malaria, one of the bird's most dangerous threats. Great job, 'Apapane, you're really staying ahead of the curve!



~true bird history~ In per-colonisation days the 'Apapane played an important role in Hawaiian feathercraft. His red feathers were used to adorn the ceremonial robes, hats, and leis of the noble class, the Ali'i.

Takes great care and effort in the things she does. Very mindful
Yogurt fan
Resilient
Makes others feel secure with her stable attitude

Lesser Goldfinch

Lesser Goldfinch
El Sobrante, California, USA
Member of the Finch Family
~true bird fact~ Lesser Goldfinches eat mostly seeds. They are especially fond of thistle and sunflower. A common feeding posture is hanging upside down from the tip of such a plant and picking the seeds out.
§A Charm of Goldfinches§

Both pretty and smart, doesn't really seem to understand how lucky she is
Not afraid to reach for lofty goals
Distrustful of altruism
Loves the sunrise and sunset
Blames the rare failure on 'haters'

Bird Couples: House Finch

House Finch (Female and Male) aka... Hollywood Finch?
Berkeley, California, USA
Member of the Finch Famiy
~true bird fact~ When the House Finches are courting they do this ridiculous little role-playing. Here's how it goes, according to wikipedia.

The male will touch bills with the female. He may then present the female with choice bits of food, and if she mimics the behavior of a hungry chick, he may actually feed her. The male also feeds the female during the breeding and incubation of both eggs and young.

I know this is kinda messed up, but it's also, like, so cute.

Have always been a pair, the kind of couple whose names are always mentioned together, as if they just have one long joint name
Really love one another, a fine pair of birds to model your relationship after
Have a relationship based around rituals and traditions
Weather the storms of being apart stoically