Date: 3/30/11
Contact: Margie Klein
Phone: (702) 486-5127 x 3502

COLORFUL BIRDS HERALD SPRING

Winter is fast making way for the onset of spring and warming temperatures usually draw people outside in the hope of finding some color in what has been a dreary winter landscape. People also can be seen walking through local garden centers as they look over recent deliveries of plants displaying colorful blooms, but you don't have to plant flowers to reap the benefits of springtime "color therapy."

"Instead of looking down into the garden, look up and you'll see some color bursts flying by to lift your mood. They are colorful songbirds returning from their winter homes in warmer climes to the south," said Cris Tomlinson, supervising non-game biologist for the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

Songbirds are very active in the spring as they search for food and nesting materials. Some will stop and build nests in the Las Vegas area; others will just be passing through; but most all of them will leave you with a song or perhaps a glimpse of their coloration. Some of the more flashy birds that you may see in Southern Nevada include the following:

Bullock's Oriole – At about eight inches in height this brilliant yellow or orange bird will definitely get your attention. With a melodic song they might also appear as a huge dollop of brightness at the top of a tree. These orioles are usually looking for sugary items like fruit as they migrate through our landscapes.

Hooded Oriole – The hooded oriole is another bird that will grab your attention. Topping off the male's golden orange body is an orange hood on its head. Slightly smaller and more quiet than the Bullock's Oriole, both the male and female are a striking sight in older trees, especially cottonwoods .

Western Tanager – Tanagers are known for flamboyant appearances, and the male wears a coat of many colors – black, yellow and red. At seven inches tall this is another fairly large bird and may be seen at higher elevations of 4000 – 6000 feet. Its cousin, the Summer Tanager, is one of the only birds that is entirely red and can be found in the Red Rock area at Pine Creek and Wheeler Camp Spring.

Vermilion Flycatcher – Like a red Christmas ornament shining against a green tree, the six-inch high vermilion flycatcher cannot simply be called red. There is a reason it is called vermilion. They can be seen around gardens, agricultural areas and parks where they look for insect meals. Some areas where they have been observed are Bunkerville and the upper Muddy River at the Warm Springs Natural Area.

American Goldfinch – At first glance you might think this bird is a wild canary, but it's actually the male American goldfinch that can punctuate branches in staccato notes of striking yellow. Larger than the lesser goldfinch, this bird loves to hang upside down on thistle seed feeders.

House Finch – The male house finch has a smaller bit of red on the head and chest that grabs the eye. Although not as red as the vermillion flycatcher, it still stands out against the pale background of early spring. This finch has a very melodic song with a steady increasing tempo often ending with a distinct downward trend. At just five inches high, this is another small bird and is very common in residential yards.

Verdin – This small brown bird actually has a brilliant yellow face and a red or rufous shoulder that may or may not be visible, depending on your angle. The verdin is a common warbler here in the Mojave Desert and has grown accustomed to our urban environment.

Hummingbirds –Many male hummingbirds provide just a blotch of intense color, with iridescent crowns that vary from red to purple. Fortunately, you may see more than one at one time, and they are usually sighted around bright-colored flowers so the experience is further intensified. Local colorful species include Anna's, Costa's and Black-chinned hummingbirds.

Though these birds can often be seen in an urban yard it sometimes pays to get out and explore other areas. Good places to find these birds in Las Vegas include Sunset, Lorenzi and Floyd Lamb Parks. Areas outside of town, but still close by, include Corn Creek (Desert National Wildlife Refuge) and Red Rock (check out Pine Creek and Wheeler Camp Spring). The best time to view birds is now through May. If there's one thing we should do in spring, it's to open our eyes and catch the blinking bursts of color that appear against the muted desert palette. You may find yourself saying, "What was that?"

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW's wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen's license and conservation fees and a Federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.