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It has taken me all this time to figure out what kind of bird he is.
Verdin
The Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) is a species of penduline tit. It is the only species in the genus Auriparus, and the only species in the family to be found in the New World.
The Verdin is a very small bird. At 4.5 inches in length, it rivals the Bushtit as one of the smallest passerines in North America. It is gray overall, and adults have a bright yellow head and rufous "shoulder patch" (the lesser coverts). Unlike the tits, it has a sharply pointed bill.
Verdins are insectivorous, continuously foraging among the desert trees and scrubs. They are usually solitary except when they pair up to construct their conspicuous nests. Verdins occasionally try to obtain tidbits of dried sugar water from hummingbird feeders.
Verdins are permanent residents of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, ranging from southeastern California to Texas, throughout Baja California and into central Mexico, north of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt.
Yes, I feel better having figured it out. :)
All this week I've had another visitor to the watering dish in the front yard.
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And this is day 3 for my orchid. I'll stop posting about it after this, but I just love this!
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7 comments:
That first little guy is beautiful...we get allot of robins in mich, I never get tired of them...love um....and your orchid is divine;)
my understanding of robins is that they don't migrate unless their eating/foraging area is frozen or covered - so if you are seeing him in the deep south USA maybe is because there is so much snow and cold this year 'up' north. and when he leaves you will know that spring is just around the corner!
What a treat seeing the Verdin.
I have an orchid in Scotland which just keeps on going too. I was once acquainted with an orchid collector with a whole botanical greenhose to play with. I didn't appreciate - or like - them very much. Now I do. How we change.
Don't you just love it when you figure out what kind of bird you are looking at?! I still remember last year when I finally identified our tufted titmouse.
Oh, the Verdin is so beautiful! He just looks so soft and touchable.
;^)
There have been Rocky Mountain bluebirds in my yard!!! LOVE them...been thinking about doing a post on them.
;^)
Wow! Your orchids!
;^)
What a beautiful little bird! I love this. I would like to get down your way some time; I bet we would see a whole different population of birds from the rainy northwest.
Thank you! It has been quite a journey...
I love the birdie picture: )
My shop is called Flying Whimsy, so I love all things feathered, for sure!
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