Alabama Bird: Snowy Plover

In preparation for the Alabama Coastal BirdFest I am working on a series of birds native to Alabama. 

Today's bird is the Snowy Plover (also sometimes called the Beach Plover, Snowy Ringed Plover, or Kentish Plover)
Scientific name: Charadrius alexandrinus Linnaeus

According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: 

A small (15.0-17.0 cm [5.9-6.7 in.]) shorebird characterized by a thin dark bill, grayish or blackish feet and legs, pale gray upperparts, and white underparts. Adults have black side and breast patches, a black crown contrasting with a white forehead, and a dark auricular area; black not as dark in females. Nonbreeding adults and juveniles lack dark markings of breeding adults. Calls include a soft whistled ku-wheet and low kru (Page 1995, Marchant 1986). Six subspecies recognized. Two, the Cuban snowy plover (C. a. tenuirostris) and the western snowy plover (C. a. nivosus), are found in North America; the Cuban snowy plover is a permanent resident in Alabama.




Length of domestic duck feather: 2" 

Alabama Bird: Mourning Dove

In preparation for the Alabama Coastal BirdFest I am working on a series of birds native to Alabama. 

Today's bird is the Mourning Dove
Scientific name: Zenaida macroura

According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: 

The Mourning Dove belongs to the family of doves and pigeons known as Columbidae. They are a medium sized bird with a delicate bill. The adults are slaty-brownish above with dark spots on the wings and back and have a long, pointed, white-edged tail. The neck is reddish brown with an iridescent sheen, while the body’s underside is pale tan with grayish wing linings. Upon close examination, the adult male can be distinguished from the adult female by prominent blue-gray feathers on the top of the head, a pinkish or rose-colored breast, and obvious iridescence along the sides of the throat. The “coo-oo, coo, coo, coo” call, for which mourning doves were named, is most prevalent in the spring, although it can be heard other times of the year as well.



Length of feather: 4"

Alabama Bird: American Goldfinch

I'm not happy with this little guy's right wing (on the left as we look at him). I don't have the feathers going in the right direction to create a correct sense of flight. But this tiny little bird painting is cute, and I need to get some sleep, so here it is with all of its imperfections. Goodnight, moon! 

In preparation for the Alabama Coastal BirdFest I am working on a series of birds native to Alabama. 

Today's bird is the American Goldfinch
Scientific name: Carduelis tristis

According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Breeder. Fairly common in all seasons in Tennessee Valley and Mountain regions.  In Inland Coastal Plain, common in winter, spring, and fall, and uncommon in summer.  In Gulf Coast region, common in winter, spring, and fall.  Found in open woodlands, brushy areas, and willow thickets. Lowest Conservation Concern.



Length of feather: Tiny! 1" Parrot feather. 

I Heart My Mom

Mom! I owe you a belated birthday blog post, but, as you know, it's been a topsy-turvy week to say the least. I'm back on track and will be catching up with the blog and painting again this week. This is just a quick hello to the world. I'm here and blogging.  I'll be back in the saddle shortly!

Diameter of peacock eye: 1 1/4"

My Alabama Peacock

I love the farm in Alabama where I get my peacock feathers. There are many wonderful animals there. Sadly, the owner recently had to take a truck full of exotic birds and goats to an auction in North Carolina because the cost of feed has doubled and he can't afford to keep them. Rising food costs are likely coming for all of us. Are my peacocks canaries in the mine shaft?

Diameter of eye of feather: 1 1/4"

Photo taken in July just after molting his tail feathers for the season.

Alabama Bird: California Gull

In preparation for the Alabama Coastal BirdFest I am working on a series of birds native to Alabama. 

Today's bird is the California Gull
Scientific name: Larus californicus

According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: 

Accidental


....and that's all they have to say. Ha! Woops! I knew I shoulda made a left turn in Albuquerque! 

Diameter of eye of feather: 1"

Alabama Bird: Yellow-Billed Cuckoo

In preparation for the Alabama Coastal BirdFest I am working on a series of birds native to Alabama. 


Today's bird is the Yellow-Billed Cuckoo
According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: 
Length of feather (which is from an Alabama swan): 8 3/4"

Scientific name: Coccyzus americanus


Breeder. Common in spring, summer, and fall in all regions. Found in woodlands and on farmlands with scattered trees and orchards. Low Conservation Concern.


Length of feather (which is from an Alabama swan): 8 3/4" 

I really enjoyed painting on this particular feather, which is from a swan that lives on a farm between Fairhope and Foley, Alabama. It was a pleasure to handle and it made a great canvas. This was one of my favorite feathers. I hope the painting does it justice. 

Baby Sea Turtles in Trouble

There are three types of sea turtles that nest on the shores of Alabama's Gulf Coast: Green Sea Turtles, Kemps Ridley Sea Turtles, and Loggerhead Sea Turtles. All are endangered due to human development and habitat destruction. Lean more about the turtles of the Gulf Coast at www.alabamaseaturtles.com. Find out how you can keep the beach turtle-friendly, volunteer,  and adopt a nest.

Length of feather: 7"

Not an Alabama Bird: Pink Flamingos

Everyone loves pink flamingos!

Length of feather: Hhmmm.....these are peacock tail feathers that I cut shorter, so the over-all length of the feather is no longer relevant. Perhaps for peacock feathers with eyes, I should give the diameter of the eye, thought to which point does one measure? Diameter of peacock eye: 1"(that's measuring the green circle side-to-side). I will have to do some research and see what standard measurement is used when cataloging peacock feathers. I'm sure that there is some sort of standard.

Everyone loves peackocks too!

Alabama Bird: Brown Creeper

In preparation for the Alabama Coastal BirdFest I am working on a series of birds native to Alabama. 

Today's bird is the Brown Creeper
Scientific name: Certhia americana

According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: 

Uncommon in winter, spring, and fall in Tennessee Valley and Mountain regions. In Gulf Coast region, uncommon in fall and rare in winter and spring. In Inland Coastal Plain, rare in winter, spring, and fall. Found in woodlands. MODERATE CONSERVATION CONCERN.



Length of feather: 7" 

Alabama Bird: Yellow-Headed Blackbird

In preparation for the Alabama Coastal BirdFest I am working on a series of birds native to Alabama. 

Today's bird is the Yellow-Headed Blackbird
Scientific name: Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: 

Rare in fall, and occasional in winter and spring in Gulf Coast region. In inland regions, occasional in fall and spring. Found in marshes and wet fields.

Length of feather: 6"