A NOTE FROM OUR TEAM

I looked in my heart while the wild swans went over.

And what did I see I had not seen before?

Only a question less or a question more;

Nothing to match the flight of wild birds flying.

Tiresome heart, forever living and dying,

House without air, I leave you and lock your door.

Wild swans, come over the town, come over

The town again, trailing your legs and crying!

Edna St. Vincent Millay

A poem by my favorite poet to welcome October! Thank you for volunteering with us. Wishing you all safe and happy birding!

Sparrows are small, energetic birds, encompassing a large and diverse number of species all across the globe, with over 35 species in North America alone! This week, we’re highlighting the Song Sparrow. This brown and white striped bird resides almost everywhere in the North American continent. But unlike their cousins, the House Sparrows, Song Sparrows do not tend to live near humans. Song Sparrows can be found in suburbs, you will also find them in open habitats like marshes, agricultural fields, and woodlands. Song Sparrows feast on insects in the summer months, and snack on fruits and seeds year-round.

Like many other songbirds, a male Song Sparrow will attempt to attract a mate using a song. Female Song Sparrows are not only attracted to the song, but also to how it demonstrates the males’ ability to learn! It is theorized that the ability of a male to learn a song can be used to provide an honest indication of his quality. The song of the Song Sparrow is also used to defend their territory against encroaching males. Once together, a pair of Song Sparrows will hunt for the perfect spot for a nest together. Their nests are usually hidden within grasses or weeds, and are built by the female. Their nests consist of grasses, weeds, and bark woven around the inner lining of roots, grasses, and animal fur.

We love to hear from our volunteers! What motivated you to join Project Phoenix? Click here to share your story.

Project Phoenix was recently featured as part of an article by Ian Rose, exploring wildfire smoke's effects on birds. The article highlights the research findings on this relationship led by students. Last summer, student August Davidson-Onsgard observed a Black-throated Blue Warbler incubating an empty nest. They reported their observation to Dr. Sara Kaiser and worked to compile a literature review alongside their observations, which was recently published.

The article also highlighted student research conducted by Anna Nihei, a recent undergraduate researcher at the Tingley Lab at UCLA. In her recently published paper (along with co-authors Olivia Sanderfoot and Morgan Tingley), Anna established a link between decreased avian body mass and exposure to smoke in the San Francisco Bay Area.

These changes in bird behaviors and bird physiology resulting from wildfire smoke, suggest that more research is needed to fully understand the effects of wildfire smoke on birds - which is what all of you in Project Phoenix are working to do!

Find the full Smithsonian article here.

FROM THE FIELD: A Territorial Mourning Dove

One of our volunteers, Christy Ascencio, sent in these photos of a Mourning Dove who has been visiting her several times a day - despite the spooky Halloween decor! The Mourning Dove has even scared a House Finch away from the feeder. This behavior may be one that you’ve seen exhibited by birds at your own feeders. Complex social interactions occur at feeders as birds compete for access to food. The next time you’re near a feeder, see if you notice some of these behaviors!

Displacement: When another bird attempts to take over a resource (ie. food in a feeder) from another individual. At feeders, this may look like swooping into the feeder and startling the other bird away.

Threat Displays: Threat displays vary from species to species, but generally, when birds fluff and raise their feathers to look larger, they are attempting to appear threatening. Head-bobbing and wing-flapping can also be used as aggressive behaviors. 

Appeasement: To signal that they aren’t aggressive, birds may slim themselves down to appear less threatening. Some species also use bill-wiping or tail-flicking to indicate submissive behavior. 

For video examples of these behaviors and to read more about interactions at feeders, check out this article from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 

FROM OUR PARTNERS: UCLA Stunt Ranch

Project Phoenix volunteers are invited behind the scenes to the UC Reserve in the Santa Monica Mountains! Visit the Stunt Ranch Reserve and join Project Phoenix researchers for a bird walk or bird sit on Sunday, October 13th at 9 a.m. RSVP here!

Thank you to all our partners and supporting organizations!

Project Phoenix is grateful to our partners and all the supporting organizations who help our program soar. Visit our partners page to learn more about the incredible work of these non-profit organizations – from science to conservation to outdoor recreation, these orgs are dedicated to protecting our environment for people and the birds we love.