Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Verdin (Auripare verdin)

          When my great friends Franc and Carol Gorenc were preparing for their trip to Arizona, I spent a few hours with them to help them plot their destinations, and offer advice on where to find some of the signature birds of the southwestern desert.
          I remember we talked about Verdin Auriparus flaviceps quite a bit. It is one of my favourite birds when I visit that area and one that I eagerly search for. It is the only  member of the Penduline Tit family (Remizidae) found in North America and assumes a certain cachet by that fact alone.
          It is also a singularly attractive little bird as you may judge from the pictures below, which Franc sent me a couple of days ago.





          It is often found singly, sometimes in pairs and occasionally in flocks. In some of the literature I have examined it is categorized as conspicuous, but I am bound to say that I have never found this to be so. This passage from Chickadees, Tits, Nuthatches & Treecreepers (Simon Harrap and David Quinn) more closely aligns with my experience of this species: Shy and retiring during the breeding season until the eggs hatch and, although more approachable at other times, may be elusive in thick habitats and more often seen than heard. Franc has done well to capture bird in the open and the photograph is quite superb.
          Verdin builds a large, enclosed nest, well protected by thorny shrub.



          One could make the case for many species to be considered emblematic of the Sonoran and Mojave deserts, but Verdin and Cactus Wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus are high on the list for me.
          Thanks to Franc for reminding me of this very special little bird.
      

David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

21 comments:

  1. Hi. That little bird are very beautiful.

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  2. The little bird is cute and very pretty!

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  3. A great looking bird that would be pretty photogenic too I guess..........

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  4. Such a cute little bird with wonderful feathers.
    Best, Synnöve

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  5. What a beautiful little bird!
    The Penduline Tits were a completely new family to me, but there are Wikipedia articles about them and about the verdin also in Finnish. The Finnish name of this bird is amerikanpussitiainen. :)

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  6. Love that very nice photo! This cute bird is so pretty!!!
    Jessi

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  7. What a pretty little bird, that splash of red on the shoulder is an interesting mark. Diane

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  8. Hi Both, congratulations to Franc for a super image of this stunning little bird.All the best. Regards John

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  9. Beautiful bird, the Verdin, dabs of yellow and red, fantastic.

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  10. Beautiful species, I never seen before pics of it. Very nice pics with good poses and nestling behavior

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  11. Wow !!!! Such a beauty !!!
    Fantastic photos !!
    Happy weekend !!

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  12. A beautiful bird, David - that red shoulder-flash really lifts the impact of the already attractive plumage. Great images from Franc too.

    Love to you and Miriam - - - Richard

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  13. What a lovely little bird, the photos are fantastic!
    Frank did an excellent job so thanks to the 2 of you for this great post!
    Keep well, warm hugs to share with Miriam :)

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  14. Franc did well I think David. I see this bird mentioned on other blogs where any accompanying photos are rarely as good as these today. I think as you say, it is a quite difficult species to picture, being very active and mobile in its lifestyle. I hope your weather is improving. Ours today is at zero and about to get windy for the remainder of the week.

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  15. Hello David, a delightful little bird and splendid photos very much enjoyed. Sorry for the delay in getting back to your question but you asked where I had seen the mandarin duck in this post

    http://anenglishgirlrambles2016.blogspot.com/2016/10/a-few-birds-from-archives.html

    We went to a nature reserve in Florida and found him swimming in a river.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks very much for taking the time to let me know, Denise.

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  16. Ohhhhhhh ........ I'm really jealous of these pictures.
    The pouch tit and family of the pouch tit, I have never seen in real life.
    Truly a wonderful series. My compliments.

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  17. Such a beautiful bird, and those blue skies are lovely too!

    All the best Jan

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  18. Olá, adorei as imagens.
    Prazer em conhecer seu blog.
    janicce.

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