Purple Martin Swallow Bird – Passerines – 5/6/2014

The male Purple Martin was photographed in Baxter Springs, Kansas

The female Purple Martin was photographed with the male and three full Purple Martin birdhouses

Select this link to see photos or a slideshow of the Eastern Wood Pewee

The male Purple Martin in uniformly blue-black above and below and is North Americas largest swallow. The female Purple Martin is brownish-gray above, a light belly and throat, and with a faint collar. It has a range from southern Canada to northern Mexico. It has a habitat of towns, farms, semi-open country, mountain forest edges near water, and lowland desert with giant saguaro cactus. Almost all Purple Martins nest in birdhouses put up especially for them. It feeds on a wide variety of flying insects: wasps, flying ants, bees, beetles, moths, and butterfly s.

 

Red Shouldered Hawk Bird – Birds of Prey – 5/5/2014

This Red-Shouldered Hawk was photographed in Baxter Springs, Kansas while hunting Starlings-they ganged up on him and gave chase.

Select this link to see photos or a slideshow of the Red Shouldered Hawk

The Red-Shouldered Hawk has a dark patched upper, heavy dark bands on both sides of the tail, rufous shoulders, and pale robin-red underparts. This is a forest buteo recognized by its ample tail and broad wings. It has a range from southeastern Canada, the eastern half of the United States, and California. It has a habitat of woodlands, wooded rivers, and timbered swamps. It feeds on small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. It usually hunts by watching from a perch.