Exploring Kootenay Lake

When there is a sexual difference in bird plumage, it is usually the males that are the grandiloquent ones. This is apparently the result of sexual selection. Females prefer the strongly patterned and brightly coloured males variously as an indication of health, an ability to provide, and an ability to protect nesting territory. An example of the ability to provide was discussed in red and ready. The kingfisher seems to be a deviation from this pattern.

The three male birds shown below were observed today and yesterday.

This male Hooded Merganser has striking plumage, while its mate is a somewhat dowdy brown.

This Pine Grosbeak, picking rowan berries off the ground, has standout colouring.

The male Belted Kingfisher seems to be an exception for its mate is grander, having a bright orange band across her breast (second of two birds). However, we may not be seeing everything that a bird does. Birds can see in the ultraviolet and show plumage variation at those wavelengths. So, it is unclear what this male looks like to a female.

For years, I have enjoyed watching the occasional Ruffed Grouse forage in my yard, but aside from a hen with chicks, would only see one at a time. After all, the adult leads a solitary life, except for brief encounters during mating.

Consequently, I hadn’t expected to see two grouse together a couple of months ago. And then, yesterday, there were three foraging in my yard. It seems that young birds will sometimes gather in loose groups in the winter before mutual tolerance becomes polarized during mating season.

Although I quickly realized that there were three Ruffed Grouse foraging in my yard, I had to wait for some time before they were close enough together to appear in a single picture.

While usually moving about under the trees, on one occasion, this fetching lassie moved into the sunlight.

Winter is the time to see redpolls. These birds of the Arctic head south for the winter. They are named for their red polls (i.e., crowns, see previous posting), and seem to come in two species: Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll. Of the two, the most likely one to be seen around here is the Common (if it is even seen at all). However, a paler, less strongly banded Hoary, from the high Arctic, may occasionally be mixed among them.

However, recent research finds almost no genetic difference between these supposedly different species. Their variations seem to be less the result of genes as of gene expression. Do we care whether we are seeing differences between species or between gene expressions? It remains fun to see the regional variations as the occasional (high Arctic) Hoary appears among the Common.

The Common Redpoll shows strong banding on the sides.

The Hoary Redpoll shows weak banding on its sides. (Picture by Derek Kite.)

In the conventional scheme, the pale breast of the bird on the left would be considered a Hoary Redpoll.

This head-on view of a flying redpoll probably would be considered a Common. (Picture by Derek Kite.)

While this would likely be thought of as a Hoary Redpoll.

Derek Kite’s pictures are used with permission.

The House Finch is a common bird in the urban areas of southern Canada. Arising in the west, it has spread eastward. This is not a rare bird. 

Yet, it is more readily accepted than other interlopers, such as the European Starling and the House Sparrow, likely owing to the male’s lovely red colouring.

That red is not manufactured by the House Finch, itself, but comes from pigments in the food it eats during moulting: the more pigment, the redder the male. It seems that females prefer the reddest male they can find, perhaps because to do so increases the odds that their mate might be good at feeding nestlings.

“I am red and ready for love.”

The best place around the Lake to see hawks during the winter seems to be on the Creston Flats (at the south end of the Lake). On the West Arm, where I live, Red-tailed Hawks are seen, but usually a little later in the season, and the Rough-legged Hawk is really uncommon at any time. However, when seen around the Creston Flats, such hawks are only rarely close enough to allow for good pictures.

This Red-tailed Hawk is hunting from a tree.

While, this Rough-legged Hawk is hunting from the air.