{"id":8401,"date":"2013-07-11T13:04:28","date_gmt":"2013-07-11T17:04:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/greatminds\/?p=8401"},"modified":"2013-07-11T13:04:28","modified_gmt":"2013-07-11T17:04:28","slug":"birds-eye-view","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/greatminds\/2013\/07\/11\/birds-eye-view\/","title":{"rendered":"Birds-Eye View"},"content":{"rendered":"

A group of University of Mary Washington students gasp as they spy two bald eagles flying from their large nest over the winding Rappahannock River and into the surrounding woods.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose are immature bald eagles,\u201d says one student who notices that these eagles have not yet developed the iconic white feathers on their heads. That won\u2019t happen until they are at least 4 years old, adds another student.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Immature <\/a>
Immature Bald Eagle
The bald eagle is the national emblem of the United States
Song: Squeak, Squeak
Habitat: Near lakes, reservoirs, rivers, marshes
Identifying features: Large raptor-like bird with brown feathers, except for the white head and tail feathers, heavy yellow bill <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Bobwhite <\/a>
Bobwhite Quail
The bobwhite is known for its unique call that announces its name.
Song: Bobwhite
Habitat: Grassland
Identifying features: Adult male body chubby with a bright white throat and eyebrow and a gray patterned body <\/div> <\/div>
\"White-eyed <\/a>
White-eyed Vireo
The white-eyed vireo is a small, private bird known more for its song than its looks.
Song: Sharp chips at the beginning and end
Habitat: Overgrown pastures, old fields, streamside thickets, mangroves
Identifying features: Olive-green upper body, yellow sides, white throat and eyes <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Yellow-breasted <\/a>
Yellow-breasted Chat
Yellow-breasted chats are often overlooked by birdwatchers because of the dense habitats where they reside.
Song: Whistles, cackles, chuck sound
Habitat: Dense brushes and thickets
Identifying features: Bright yellow chest and throat with an olive-green back <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Grasshopper <\/a>
Grasshopper Sparrow
The grasshopper sparrow takes its name from its diet and its inset-like song.
Song: Two staccato notes followed by a buzz
Habitat: Grassland
Identifying features: Small, brownish with an unmarked breast <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

These awestruck birdwatchers are discovering the species firsthand as part of Professor Andrew Dolby\u2019s ornithology class during one of several field trips throughout the semester. On this recent trip to the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge near Warsaw, they also observed the elusive bobwhite quail, which is regularly heard calling its own name, \u201cbobwhite, bobwhite,\u201d but is rarely seen because it stays down low in tall grasses and its population has been declining. Along the way they spotted their first ruby-throated hummingbird of the season, a white-eyed vireo, a yellow-breasted chat and a grasshopper sparrow.<\/p>\n

\"Andrew<\/a>
Andrew Dolby (far left) leads students on a bird-watching field trip to the the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cYou only see these in managed grasslands,\u201d says Dolby as he points out a grasshopper sparrow flying out from the grass and in front of the group. \u201cIt almost sounds like an insect when it sings.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dolby and his charges listen for bird songs and then position their binoculars for a view of their fluttering friends before they fly away.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you hear that? It sounds like \u2018pleased, pleased to meet you,\u2019\u201d says Dolby as the students listen for a hooded warbler and then try to spot it high in the trees.<\/p>\n

Dolby has seen thousands of birds in his lifetime, but he fondly recalls one unusual species–the Hoatzin, known for its unique ability to digest leaves, which he saw on a trip to the Amazon, and the iridescent plumage of the hundreds of species of hummingbirds which he saw on a trip to South America.<\/p>\n

Dolby not only introduces his students to the field of ornithology, but also gives them exposure to the many career possibilities available to students who graduate with biology degrees.<\/p>\n

And by the end of class, they will be able to identify more than 50 \u00a0birds, not just by sight, but by their songs.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Test Your Bird Song Knowledge<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Sample #1: <\/li>\n
  2. Sample #2: <\/li>\n
  3. Sample #3: <\/li>\n
  4. Sample #4: <\/li>\n
  5. Sample #5: <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n