The Warbling Vireo is well known for its cheerful warbling song!  They are frequently can be found in city parks, suburbs, and orchards.  Although it has a plain appearance, it certainly also has a cvery colorful voice, full of rounded notes and melodious warbles.  the male warbling vireo is known as a persistent singer during and after the breeding season!

A few more photos posted online: http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/144835420   Click “next” in upper right corner to advance frames.

Eastern Kingbirds can be found in the trees up and down the side of the Merrimack River.  Courting males perform amazing aerial flights to attract a mate.  Nests are built at a range of heights in shrubs or trees, oftern near or over water.  Kingbirds are frequently found perched in the open or on an exposed branch, fence or wire.

As the male guards the area outside the nest cavity, the female does most of the incubation.  However males have been known to occasionally sit on the eggs during incubation. Both sexes have brooding patches. Incubation lasts 29 – 30 days and hatched chicks are non-competitive. Once chicks have hatched, females beg food from males. The female, in turn, feeds the young for the first 20 days. After that period, chicks beg for food from males and feed themselves. After 30 days, chicks leave the nest. The family remains as a unit for some time. The survival rate of chicks is about 50% under natural conditions, but it is usually higher under better conditions (e.g., human-provided nesting boxes).

Nothern Flickers are relatively large memebrs of the Woodpecker family.  They typically spend more time feeding on the ground than other woodpeckers.  Flickers enjoy ants as well as other insects.  The Flicker nest in tree cavities.  Male and female take turns incubating the eggs and alternating at intervals during the day.  Flickers usuallyhave about 6-8 eggs in a normal breeding cycle.  The male Flicker has a black mustache and this female lacks the black mustache.  Stay tuned for chicks to hopefully arrive shortly!

Eastern Bluebirds have arrived on territory and are prepared for the breeding season.  A small flock appeared in the open woodlands of the Carter Fields Sanctuary last week.  The area was alive with Bluebird songs mixed in with Red-winged Blackbird calls.  This striking male shows the bright blue upperparts, reddish brown breast, and white belly.  This time of year they are known to forage on the ground for insects, earthworms, an spiders!

Fascinating to watch a kestrel pair prepare for the mating season.  This pair has established their territory and remain regularly perched close to the nest.  The female has been spending most of her time perched on the opening to the nest cavity.  She scans the area for possible prey and potential threats in the neighborhood.

A few more photos posted online at link below:

http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/142630697