Finally getting around to posting some photos of a couple rare birds and new life birds for me. Both of these were seen and photographed a few weeks ago. The first bird was discovered by a friend, Tom Lewis, during the Greater Phoenix Waterbird count that took place on January 19th. And another friend, Muriel Neddermeyer, called me late on the same day that this bird was discovered in Maricopa County. This bird is the Least Grebe whose range is usually far southern Texas, but there have been a few seen in extreme southern Arizona and breeding has been documented. This sighting in Maricopa County was further north than they have been seen before, so it was an immediate hit with all the birders. I was at the location early the next morning and there were already 5 other birders viewing it, and it became quite popular in the next week or two. This completed my list of seeing all seven species of North American Grebes in Arizona (6 species in Maricopa County). At just a little under 10", this is our smallest Grebe in the US.
Least Grebe
Least Grebe
Least Grebe
The second bird for this post is one that I consider to be pretty awesome in the color department. The Red-breasted Sapsucker is a bird from the Pacific northwest coast. Their winter range extends to Southern California and every once in a while one ventures a bit further east an into Arizona. This bird was reported in late December on the lower Salt River and has apparently found a tree to its liking as many birders have seen it and it seems to favor a certain tree. It has tapped several holes in this tree from which the tree sap has been oozing and during one of my visits I also observed a Verdin and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet visiting these same holes to take advantage of the sap or possibly even feed on insects that might have been trapped in the sticky sap. The photos will show the many holes. This is one heck of a gorgeous bird and if the bright red isn't enough, then the black and white pattern on the back is just as stunning.
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Two totally different birds, and both were a joy to watch and observe.
