By Pauline Tom.
RonTom grabbed a bird field guide when he came in from walking BoD and KissMe one day last week. “Black duck, long neck, red bill.” He saw and heard the shrill whistling call of three circling over Live Oak Drive.
And, interestingly enough, we got into the car of friends who live in Buda the next night and they started telling us about “black duck, long neck, red bill.”
On Sunday evening, Roger Green on Cedar Drive near Pin Oak (who years ago clued me in to the Hummzinger hummer feeder) tidbitted,
Watch out for these birds taking over your lawn, courtesy of the Hays Education Foundation. (Photo courtesy of Pauline Tom) |
“About 7:05 p.m. I happened to look out the window, and saw two Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks under my bird feeder in the backyard by my Pin Oak tree.
I hurried to get my camera, and took a quick shot from in the house. Just after I snapped the shutter my golden retriever, Stu, who was on the back porch, spotted them and ran towards the fence and the ducks flew off. This isn’t high quality shot, but if you blow it up a bit you can see there is no mistaking the species. It’s a first for my bird feeder.”
Roger is a great birder, so he knew in an instant the identity of the interesting birds.
Birders from all parts of the world travel to Texas in order to add the Black-bellied Whistling Duck to their life lists. It’s also found in Mexico, Central America, South America, and occasionally in Arizona, California, and Louisiana.
Several times during the years, “Montage” has mentioned Black-bellied Whistling Ducks when they’ve stood out in trees. The birds were previously called “Black-bellied Tree Ducks” because they normally nest in tree cavities, sometimes a mile or more from water.
“The Behavior of Texas Birds” (Rylander) gives more details. Their nest contains no down or soft nesting material, perhaps because the pair continually incubate the eggs. Yes, the male incubates! He has a “brood patch”, which is found only on females of most avian species.
“On the second day after hatching, young birds scramble up to the rim of the cavity, pause, and in response to calls from their parents, release their hold on the rim and fall to the ground. They land without injury, immediately pick themselves up, and follow their parents to the nearest body of water.”
Here’s hoping those Black-bellied Whistling Ducks see that Mountain City is not a great spot to nest. Even though we have the hackberries and live oaks they prefer, any route to a body of water by land would be treacherous.
Beth Smith’s yard was filled with interesting birds this past week, a flock of plastic pink flamingoes. She explained, “Hays Education Foundation. I paid $25 to have them moved to Holly Raymond’s yard.”
Judge Smith has once again donated the grand prize baskets for Loving Mountain City’s 2014 Easter Egg Hunt. Hunting for the date? It’s April 19th.
Drop off donations for the Easter Egg Hunt at 201 Live Oak Drive. Plastic eggs (not filled), books, small toys, and candy, candy, candy!
No need to drop off tidbits. Just send to [email protected] (subject: Tidbit) or phone 512.268.5678
Thanks! Love, Pauline
