Category: behavior

Sauvie Island

by John Rakestraw, posted in behavior, OR Birding Sites, seasonal movements

Migration has wound down by now, and the summer breeders are out in force. Here are a few birds I found on Sauvie Island this morning.


Savannah Sparrows can be heard at the edges of all the pastures.


Rufous Hummingbird


This Bald Eagle hovered over me, scolding the whole time. That behavior is more typical of Red-winged Blackbirds. I thought the eagles would be done nesting by now, but apparently they still have young in the nest.


Blue-winged Teal, uncommon in the Willamette Valley


Cinnamon Teal, common, but always a delight


hungry Barn Swallow chicks


Tree Swallow

Brown Pelicans

by John Rakestraw, posted in behavior, OR Birding Sites

On a recent visit to the Charleston boat basin (Birding Oregon, p. 142) I enjoyed watching a flock of Brown Pelicans feeding close to shore.

After plunging into the water, the birds would swim with their bills submerged, slowly letting the water out as they strained out whatever fish they had captured in the dive.

Later in the summer, the Brown Pelicans will be accompanied by Heerman’s Gulls. These beautiful dark gulls make their living stealing fish from Brown Pelicans. The Heerman’s are currently on their nesting grounds in California, so for now, the pelicans can eat in peace.