Barred Owl

The Barred Owl is another impressive owl commonly found (and more commonly, heard) around the farm. The Barred Owl's call is similar to the Great Horned Owl. I've read that the Great Horned tends to be about five hoots (Who who who whowho?) and, I don't know, more dignified? Resonant?

The Barred Owl's call, on the other hand, tends to be about eight hoots (Who cooks for you? who cooks for YOU-ou?). And I've heard it compared to more of a kazoo sound, to the Great Horned's oboe.

Great Horned Owl

 The Great Horned Owl. I mean, say no more, right?

Golden-Crowned Kinglet

The Golden-Crowned Kinglet might be seen as just another little brown songbird, perhaps a sparrow or wren. But it has a bright yellow cap on its head (hence, the name) and, at least for me, that caught my eye and helped me recognize the yellowish/olive color feathers on their bodies. Found especially near evergreens and in shrubs.

Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

At a quick glance, this might appear to be a Downy or Hairy Woodpecker, but the striping on its head and hint of yellow in his chest lets us know it's a Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker.

Pileated Woodpecker

 The Pileated Woodpecker... the stereotypical "woody woodpecker" type of woodpecker, with his laughing call and heavy jackhammer knocking on trees. Sometimes called The Good Lord Bird! (or Lord God Bird) because of their size, which might cause some to make such an exclamation. Although more typically, that term belongs to the similar, but slightly larger, Ivory-Billed Woodpecker. The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker is believed to be extinct, but just in the last 50-70 years.

We hold out hope to spot an Ivory-Billed one day, but until then, there are plenty of Pileated Woodpeckers to watch.

Green Heron

I believe this is a juvenile green heron. Photographed here, in Beargrass Creek, but could be seen at Graceroots  Farm.

Black Crowned Night Heron

The very cool, red-eyed Black Crowned Night Heron, which will be my superhero name if I ever become a superhero.

Never mind that my super power will be Parallel Parking, that will still be my name.

Common Grackle

It's been a while, but I've photographed a few new birds that may not be in the list, so, here's the common grackle, admiring his own reflection.

Starlings

While starlings are often considered an invasive species and a pest (and not unjustly, mind you), they certainly can be beautiful. Normally and nominally, they are dirty brown/gray/black birds, but when the sun hits them just right... magic!

Black Buzzard

Turkey Buzzard, a photo by paynehollow on Flickr.

Or Black Vulture, I'm not sure if there's a difference. Oft seen circling ominously above, sometimes much closer. This one was feasting on something dead and gross. There is also the Turkey Buzzard, which is slightly bigger and with a reddish head.

Blue Jay

Blue Jay 2
Originally uploaded by paynehollow

I just realized I had not included Blue Jays, yet. Of course, you can find these beautiful birds and their less than beautiful yelling out at the farm.

Yellow Crowned Night Heron

Yellow Crowned Night Heron
Originally uploaded by paynehollow

I found several of these at a wetlands preserve while visiting Jordan in Murfreesboro, TN. However, in theory, we might spot one at the farm some day.

Just not yet, so far as I know. Perhaps the farm pond is not a big enough wetland area to attract them. This is a fine, striking bird whose yellow "cap" on his head is much brighter than it appears in this photo.

Kingfisher

Kingfisher
Originally uploaded by paynehollow

by Norman MacCaig

That kingfisher jewelling upstream
seems to leave a streak of itself
in the bright air. The trees
are all the better for its passing.

It's not a mineral eater, though it looks it.
It doesn't nip nicks out of the edges
of rainbows. - It dives
into the burly water, then, perched
on a Japanese bough, gulps
into its own incandescence
a wisp of minnow, a warrior stickleback.
- Or it vanishes into its burrow, resplendent
Samurai, returning home
to his stinking slum.

This beautiful streak of a bird has been spotted over near the pond at the farm, but not often.

Cooper's Hawk

Hawk 2
Originally uploaded by paynehollow

I think.

This hawk looks (to me) a good bit like the Red-Tailed Hawk (at least from this angle) and I'm told it looks pretty similar to the slightly smaller Sharp-Shinned Hawk.

This particular hawk very nearly flew through the window at our house, lifting up just before crashing into it. He still smacked into it, but as he was slowing down and lifting up.

He looked a bit dazed and stopped to rest a moment in the Maple tree in our backyard.

Let that be a lesson to you...

Black Crowned Night Heron Juvenile

Black Crowned Night Heron Juvenile 2
Originally uploaded by paynehollow

This wading bird was spotted over on the Ohio, a few miles from the farm. They are in the region and could be spotted at the farm in theory.

This is the Juvenile version of the bird, the full-grown bird looks a bit different. The brown feathers give way to a more luxurious and dignified gray and white coat, complete with a black cap, hence the name. It's a large bird, larger than a crow but smaller than the Great Blue Heron.

Blue Grosbeak

Blue Grosbeak
Originally uploaded by paynehollow

These are gorgeous birds and any photo that I have ever taken does not do them justice. I had originally misidentified this as an indigo bunting, but was thankfully corrected by an alert observer. Thanks!

As far as I know, no one has spotted one yet at the farm, but they are certainly in the region.

Wood Thrush

Brown Thrasher 1
Originally uploaded by paynehollow

The Wood Thrush is a robin-sized bird with brownish, sparrow-like plumage. Except more brilliant and distinct. I spotted this one down by the bridge in August, interrupting his lunch, it appears.

As it turns out, the wood thrush looks a great deal like a Brown Thrasher (which I had originally identified this as), but the brown thrasher has a yellow "ring" around his eye that this bird is obviously missing.

Sneaky birds!

Catbird

Catbird
Originally uploaded by paynehollow

I've seen these a good bit at the farm here lately (April/May). This one is hiding in the apple tree.

The catbird is in shades of gray and looks a bit like a mockingbird, but without the white bars on the wings. It actually has a sort of "meow"-y sounding song, at least at times. I don't know, but would suspect that would be the origin of the name.

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker 2
Originally uploaded by paynehollow

Excerpts from The Downy Woodpecker, by John Burroughs

Downy came and dwelt with me,
Taught me hermit lore;
Drilled his cell in oaken tree
Near my cabin door.

Architect of his own home
In the forest dim,
Carving its inverted dome
In a dozy limb...

Waking up the frozen woods,
Shaking down the snows;
Many trees of many moods
Echo to his blows.

When the storms of winter rage,
Be it night or day,
Then I know my little page
Sleeps the time away...

We are neighbors well agreed
Of a common lot;
Peace and love our only creed
In this charm'd spot.

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager
Originally uploaded by paynehollow

The Scarlet Tanager is a brilliant red bird with strikingly crisp black wings that is common in our region. However, they are rarely seen because, I'm told, they are a secretive bird that prefers to remain in the forest canopies.

Not unlike some of us, I suppose...