Allen County, Indiana Wildlife

Birds

Go to: Canada Geese, Cardinal, Falcons, Great Blue Herons, Loss of Birds, Punt Gun, Robins, Sandhill Cranes, Turkeys, Woodpeckers

Fort Wayne is proud to be recognized as a Bird Town by the Indiana Audubon Society!

Posted by Lindenwood Nature Preserve on Friday, October 16, 2015

October 16, 2015 post by the Lindenwood Nature Preserve on Facebook:

Fort Wayne is proud to be recognized as a Bird Town by the Indiana Audubon Society!

Have you ever been told you eat like a bird, praised for your eagle eye or reminded that the early bird catches the...

Posted by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region on Friday, May 31, 2024

Friday, May 31, 2024 post by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region on Facebook:

Have you ever been told you eat like a bird, praised for your eagle eye or reminded that the early bird catches the worm? Our feathered friends play many important roles in nature and culture – including shaping our language. Birds and wordsOur feathered friends play many important roles in nature and culture – including shaping our language

A history of North American birds by Baird, Spencer Fullerton, 1823-1887 Volume 1, Publication date 1905,
A history of North American birds
by Baird, Spencer Fullerton, 1823-1887 Volume 2, Publication date 1905,
A history of North American birds
by Baird, Spencer Fullerton, 1823-1887 Volume 3, Publication date 1905 on Archive.org

With the spring weather finally here and the birds chirping outside our windows, it’s the perfect time to remember...

Posted by Indiana Historical Bureau on Monday, May 22, 2023

Monday, May 22, 2023 post by Indiana Historical Bureau on Facebook:

With the spring weather finally here and the birds chirping outside our windows, it’s the perfect time to remember ornithologist Jane L. (Brooks) Hine, “the bird woman of Indiana.” An early conservation advocate, Hine published a beautiful collection of articles on Indiana’s native bird species in 1911 at the age of eighty. Visit the Indiana History Blog to read about the impact of her late-in-life career, view her stunning images of Indiana birds, and learn how she became a widely respected ornithologist in an era when women were denied entry to most scientific programs and organizations: “If Even a Sparrow Should Fall:” The Conservation Work of Ornithologist Jane L. Hine

[ At this time, many farmers saw birds as pests, nothing more than thieves of seeds and fruits, and shot them on sight. ]

Image citation: Jane L. Hine, “Game and Land Birds of an Indiana Farm,” 1911, GoogleBooks.

Jane L. (Brooks) Hine marker Indiana Historical Bureau.

She wrote “Game and Land Birds of an Indiana Farm” for the Biennial Report of Game and Fisheries of Indiana, 1911. Jane wrote about a lifetime of observations of birds. On the USGS Bird Phenology website, Jane is given credit for over 400 bird sightings. From Sketches of Twelve Birds April 3, 2016 on Friends of Limberlost blog.

1911 - Game and Land Birds of an Indiana Farm - Jane L. Hine

Article from Aug 6, 1911 The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1911, Jane l. hine, Indiana birds

1911 - Game and Land Birds of an Indiana Farm - Jane L. Hine The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, August 6, 1911, Page 15

1911 - Game and Land Birds of an Indiana Farm - continued The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, August 6, 1911,Page 16

>1911 - A Few of Mrs. Hine's Stories - continued

Article from Aug 6, 1911 The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) >1911, >Jane l. hine, >Bird stories

1911 - A Few of Mrs. Hine's Stories - continued The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, August 6, 1911,Page 16

Did you know that over 200 different species of birds have been found at Eagle Marsh? With the dedication of our...

Posted by Little River Wetlands Project on Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Tuesday, April 7, 2020 post by the Little River Wetlands Project on Facebook:

Did you know that over 200 different species of birds have been found at Eagle Marsh? With the dedication of our incredible members and volunteers we have been able to record the birds that live in and migrate through Eagle Marsh.

Birds are all around us and birding is an incredible activity to help you connect with nature, that almost everyone can do! Through the practice of birding one can become more observant to what is happening around them, especially the small details.

During this time [COVID-19] we encourage you to get outside and explore your backyard or a close natural public space with the people you live with. To help make looking for birds a little more fun, we've created an Indiana Backyard Bird Bingo game for you and whoever you live with to enjoy! Feel free to download this page and let us know if you have any questions.

Happy birding!

Billions of birds are on the move, heading south for the colder months. Want to find out when these travelers move...

Posted by NestWatch - Cornell Lab of Ornithology on Friday, September 11, 2020

Friday, September 11, 2020 post by NestWatch - Cornell Lab of Ornithology on Facebook:

Billions of birds are on the move, heading south for the colder months. Want to find out when these travelers move through your hometown? Try BirdCast! The Lab's BirdCast project uses radar to predict real-time bird movements. Watch this webinar on how BirdCast is helping us help birds during migration.

BirdCast: Learn When and Where Birds Migrate

BirdCast Showcasing the spectacle of bird migration When, where, and how far will birds migrate? How many birds passed last night? Our tools help you explore the answers to these and many other questions about bird migration.

Time for another Themed Thursday! Did you know it's also Bird Day? It's the first known holiday to celebrate birds, and...

Posted by Smithsonian Libraries and Archives on Thursday, May 4, 2017

Thursday, May 4, 2017 post by the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives on Facebook:

Time for another Themed Thursday! Did you know it's also Bird Day? It's the first known holiday to celebrate birds, and was established in 1894 by Charles Almanzo Babcock, a school superintendent in Oil City, Pa. In an age when birds were commonly hunted to provide feathers for hats, he wanted to make the conservation of birds a moral value. This Carolina Parakeet is precisely the sort of bird he'd have had in mind: it was once common along from southern New York down to the Gulf of Mexico, and as far west as eastern Colorado. By Babcock's time, it was already rare, limited to Florida; the last sighting in the wild was 1910, and the last known captive individual died in 1918. Deforestation and hunting (for hat feathers!) had rendered it extinct.

Baird, Spencer Fullerton. A history of North American birds / by S. F. Baird, T. M. Brewer, and R. Ridgway. (Boston: Little, Brown, 1905), in the Birds branch of the Smithsonian Libraries. (Baird, by the way, was the second Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, from 1878–1887.) You can read and download our digitized copy of this work via the Biodiversity Heritage Library
A history of North American birds

The image itself is here:
PARAKEET. (Conurus carohnensis.) Adult.[ See our Carolina Parakeet page ]

#BirdDay #feathursday

Loss of Birds

A Billion Dollar Loss Lack of Birds

Article from Jan 5, 1908 The Washington Times (Washington, District of Columbia) Birds, Extinct

A Billion Dollar Loss Lack of Birds The Washington TimesWashington, District of Columbia • Sun, Jan 5, 1908, page 41 on Newspapers.com.

Is also Image 41 [ of 53 images ] of The Washington times (Washington [D.C.]), January 5, 1908, (Magazine Section) from a February 16, 2024 post by Chronicling America Historic Newspapers @ChronAmLOC. [ is the same The Washington times (Washington [D.C.]), January 5, 1908 ] The Great Backyard Bird Count is February 16-19. Let us know how many birds you find in your backyard. Discover more bird news of the past in Chronicling America. https://loc.gov/resource/sn84026749/1908-01-05/ed-1/?sp=41&loclr=twcha…. #GreatBackyardBirdCount #ChronAm

Species Spotlight: Roseate tern Status: Endangered in the Northeast This seabird, with its distinct forked tail,...

Posted by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region on Monday, April 15, 2024

Monday, April 15, 2024 post by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region on Facebook:

Species Spotlight: Roseate tern

Status: Endangered in the Northeast

This seabird, with its distinct forked tail, breeds on coastal islands in the Northeast and winters in South America. In the late 1800s, the species was overhunted for its feathers to decorate hats. 📸Fyn Kynd/CC 2.0 Roseate tern

Roseate Tern

Punt Gun

Size comparison of a man and punt gun

Snowden Slights with a punt gun Size comparison of a man and punt gun Sydney Harold Smith (or collaborators on his behalf) - This file has been provided by York Museums Trust as part of a GLAMwiki partnership. on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.

The Lacey Act of 1900 banned the transport of wild game across state lines, and the practice of market hunting was outlawed by a series of federal laws in 1918. While use and possession of punt guns is still legal in the United States, Federal regulations prohibit their use in migratory waterfowl hunting.

A punt gun is a type of extremely large shotgun used in the 19th and early 20th centuries for shooting large numbers of waterfowl for commercial harvesting operations. These weapons are characteristically too large for an individual to fire from the shoulder or often carry alone, but unlike artillery pieces, punt guns are able to be aimed and fired by a single person from a mount. In this case, the mount is typically a small watercraft (e.g. a punt). Many early models appear similar to over-sized versions of shoulder weapons of the time with full-length wooden stocks with a normal-sized shoulder stock. Most later variations do away with the full-length stock — especially more modern models — and have mounting hardware fixed to the gun to allow them to be fitted to a pintle. Copied June 2024 from Punt Gun on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.

File:Punt gun00.jpg
By Science and Mechanics magazine - Punt Gun- The Gigantic vintage shotgun killed 90 waterfowls at once …, Public Domain, Link

The Punt Gun and the Race to Save America’s Wildlife How did a 10-foot long gun blasting two pounds of shot decimate (then help save) America’s waterfowl? at the Boone and Crockett Club Pioneers of Conservation Since 1887.

2018 - Punt guns and the days of market hunters

Article from Nov 25, 2018 The North Platte Telegraph (North Platte, Nebraska) 2018, Punt guns

2018 - Punt guns and the days of market hunters The North Platte Telegraph, North Platte, Nebraska, Sunday, November 25, 2018, Page 14

The last verified Indiana passenger pigeon was shot in the wild near Laurel, Indiana on April 3, 1902 and Martha, the world's last Passenger Pigeon, died September 1, 1914 at the Cincinnati Zoo, see our Passenger Pigeon page, and Carolina Parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis) extinct February 21, 1918 and our Carolina Parakeet page.

  1. Tuesday, March 1, 2011 post by Indiana Audubon on Facebook

    Website: https://www.indianaaudubon.org/

    Part of their history
    The Indiana Audubon Society is the oldest conservation organization continuously operating in Indiana, and the fourth oldest “Audubon” in the country. It is not a chapter of the National Audubon Society, but actually an independent statewide organization that predates the National Audubon Society. It was organized to stimulate interest in birds and their protection; to serve the needs of youth, civic, church, schools and other groups by providing information concerning birds; and to educate the public concerning the necessity for conserving and preserving Indiana’s natural heritage, its unique flora and fauna.

    Founded in 1898, the IAS is dedicated to fostering the appreciation of migrant and resident bird species that are present in Indiana and other regional areas of the world.  The organization also strives to support educational efforts that will promote future generations continuing this tradition in perpetuity.  Appreciating the aesthetic contributions that birds provide is an important mission of the Society.  Additionally, recognizing that bird species populations are important monitors of the global ecological status, they provide Society with additional motivation for the formal documentation of birds present in the region during various seasons of the year.

    125 Years of Indiana Audubon (LONG) March 9, 2023 Indiana Audubon on YouTube
    Indiana Audubon celebrates 125 years of building a community of conservation with your help. Consider joining today at www.indianaaudubon.org/membership.

  2. Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 at the U.S. Wildlife Service.
  3. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and The Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Explained Don’t know what the MBTA even is? Here’s your comprehensive guide to the Act—including why it's at risk. at Audubon.org.
  4. Check out the January Issue of National Geographic The Year of the Bird In 1918 Congress passed the Migratory Bird...

    Posted by Soarin' Hawk Raptor Rehab on Wednesday, February 7, 2018

    Wednesday, February 7, 2018 post by Soarin' Hawk Raptor Rehab on Facebook:

    Check out the January Issue of National Geographic

    The Year of the Bird

    In 1918 Congress passed the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to protect birds from wanton killing. To celebrate the centennial, National Geographic is partnering with the National Audubon Society, BirdLife International, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to declare 2018 the Year of the Bird. Watch for more stories, maps, books, events, and social media content throughout the year.

    Celebrate Year of the Bird National Geographic spearheads 12 months of storytelling, science, and action. February 20, 2018 in the NationalGeographic.com.

  5. Many people don't consider the American White Pelican a Midwest bird, however every spring, thousands move up the...

    Posted by Maumee Nature Club on Wednesday, April 17, 2019

    Wednesday, April 17, 2019 post by the Maumee Nature Club on Facebook:

    Many people don't consider the American White Pelican a Midwest bird, however every spring, thousands move up the Mississippi flyway to breeding grounds in the Dakotas and central Canada. The majority of these travelers in Indiana are found along the far western portion of the state, like these in Linton. Some occasionally stray off course and can be found east throughout Indiana and into Ohio. Earlier this week, 10 American White Pelicans were found gracing the waters of the Maumee River Watershed at Cedarville Reservoir in Leo, IN. Pelicans migrate later than other similar looking waterfowl like swans and snow geese, so if you spot a large white bird in April, take a closer look!

  6. Many people are not aware of the danger that their cats pose to songbirds and other small wildlife. While cats may seem...

    Posted by Wild Birds Unlimited on Friday, June 30, 2023

    Friday, June 30, 2023 post by Wild Birds Unlimited on Facebook:

    Many people are not aware of the danger that their cats pose to songbirds and other small wildlife. While cats may seem harmless, they are one of the leading causes of bird deaths. In the United States alone, it is estimated that cats kill upwards of 3.7 billion birds yearly. That's more than double the number of birds killed by collisions with windows and towers combined.

    Cats typically kill small songbirds, which can have a devastating impact on local populations. In addition to direct predation, cats can also spread disease and parasites to bird populations.

    For these reasons, it is best to keep cats indoors or closely supervised when outdoors to protect our feathered friends. 😊

  7. Observe nature from the comfort of your home and assist with a national citizen science project this weekend. Here's how...

    Posted by Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources on Saturday, February 17, 2024

    February 17, 2024 post by Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources on Facebook:

    Observe nature from the comfort of your home and assist with a national citizen science project this weekend. Here's how you can be part of the Great Backyard Bird Count from our friends at Indiana Audubon. More details: https://www.birdcount.org/

Blue Herons

Very common around the three rivers and other bodies of water in Allen County whether natural or man-made. Modern retention ponds often have one or more at some time during the day.

His eyes were way bigger than his stomach! Great Blue Heron and Northern Water Snake.

Posted by Brian Wood on Thursday, October 2, 2014

Thursday, October 2, 2014 post on Facebook:

His eyes were way bigger than his stomach! Great Blue Heron and Northern Water Snake.

For those of you who have been asking what the great blue heron did next after spearing the fish in this amazing first...

Posted by The Naturalist's Notebook on Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Wednesday, October 11, 2017 post by The Naturalist's Notebook on Facebook:

For those of you who have been asking what the great blue heron did next after spearing the fish in this amazing first photo, taken by Jay Spring in Irvine, California, and shared by us a few days ago, Jay sent us the rest of the series with a note: “Thank you The Naturalist's Notebook for sharing my heron-with-the-fish shot. Here is the what happened after that catch.” Many thanks again for the great photos, Jay...and condolences to the fish.

(If you enjoy our Facebook posts and want to see more, please take a few seconds to "like" our page. You can find it by clicking on "The Naturalist's Notebook" above. We're excited that so many of you are tuned in to nature and science. Thank you—and feel free to pass the word to others! Our website is thenaturalistsnotebook.com.)

Jared Christiansen shared this perfectly detailed great blue heron with us, joined by a kind note thanking us for what...

Posted by Little River Wetlands Project on Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Tuesday, June 16, 2020 post by Little River Wetlands Project on Facebook:

Jared Christiansen shared this perfectly detailed great blue heron with us, joined by a kind note thanking us for what we do. We'd like to thank Jared for the great picture, and for enjoying the fruits of our labor. We couldn't do what we do without supporters like you! We hope you all enjoy another beautiful day at the marsh today.

Little Blue Heron - Allen Co, IN ▫️ I'm a little disappointed because the first time I saw this I had much better looks...

Posted by Mikes Everyday Wildlife on Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Tuesday, August 8, 2023 post by Mikes Everyday Wildlife on Facebook:

Little Blue Heron - Allen Co, IN

I'm a little disappointed because the first time I saw this I had much better looks but didn't bring my camera to work. So I went home to get my camera and it had moved much farther from where I originally saw it.

A rare bird. This is a juvenile and for some reason they wonder north after they fledge. But this year they’re going farther north than usual. I know its white now, but it'll be purplish/bluish when it becomes an adult. It's very tiny and has greenish legs and the greyish bill. Both different than the snowy egret and great egret.

Fun fact; With their patchy white-and-blue appearance, Little Blue Herons in transition from the white first-year stage to blue adult plumage are often referred to as “Calico,” “Pied,” or “Piebald.” (All About Birds)

Did you know that our Rose Avenue Rehab site is home to a great blue heron nesting site? Observations of great blue...

Posted by Save Maumee Grassroots Organization on Tuesday, February 20, 2024

February 20, 2024 post by Save Maumee Grassroots Organization on Facebook:

Did you know that our Rose Avenue Rehab site is home to a great blue heron nesting site? Observations of great blue herons during the Breeding Bird Survey have declined somewhat in recent years, and Save Maumee is thrilled to do our small part to protect these beautiful and majestic birds. Learn more about great blue herons in Indiana and what you can do to protect nesting sites here. https://www.inwoodlands.org/great-blue-herons/

"Go big or go home." - GBH Great blue herons are excellent hunters but can sometimes be a poor judge of size. They will occasionally choke to death on a fish that is too big to swallow. Luckily, this fish was the perfect fit. These lanky birds have an insatiable appetite and can eat a wide variety of prey. They've been spotted consuming everything from baby muskrats to fish, rodents, and even other birds. Video of a great blue heron feasting on a large fish by Erin Huggins/USFWS

Posted by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 post by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Facebook:

"Go big or go home." - GBH

Great blue herons are excellent hunters but can sometimes be a poor judge of size. They will occasionally choke to death on a fish that is too big to swallow. Luckily, this fish was the perfect fit.

These lanky birds have an insatiable appetite and can eat a wide variety of prey. They've been spotted consuming everything from baby muskrats to fish, rodents, and even other birds.

Video of a great blue heron feasting on a large fish by Erin Huggins/USFWS

Canada Geese

  1. 10 Fun Facts About the Canada Goose Yep, it’s actually called a Canada, not a Canadian, Goose. And that’s not even one of our fun facts! Audobon.org.
  2. Canada goose on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
  3. The rise of Canada geese: How the birds bounced back from near extinction Adina Bresge, The Associated Press, Global News.
  4. The Truth About the Canada Goose Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
  5. Understanding Waterfowl: Story of the Giants A closer look at the remarkable comeback of the giant Canada goose David A. Graber, John M. Coluccy, Ph.D., Ducks.org.

Although Canada geese (not "Canadian"-unless they're from Canada 😊) are plentiful now, in the early 1900s they were...

Posted by Little River Wetlands Project on Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Wednesday, March 31, 2021 post by Little River Wetlands Project on Facebook:

Although Canada geese (not "Canadian"-unless they're from Canada 😊) are plentiful now, in the early 1900s they were thought to be almost extinct! Programs over many decades have brought them back to a desired (and then some) population. It's not uncommon to see Canada geese with bands on their legs, as researchers are still monitoring their migrations and lifespans.

Jared Christiansen Images shared these photos of a pair taken at Eagle Marsh last week.

Cardinal

ON THIS DAY // On March 2, 1933, the Indiana General Assembly adopted the cardinal (Richmondena cardinalis cardinalis)...

Posted by Indiana Bicentennial Commission on Thursday, March 2, 2017

Thursday, March 2, 2017 post by the Indiana Bicentennial Commission on Facebook:

ON THIS DAY // On March 2, 1933, the Indiana General Assembly adopted the cardinal (Richmondena cardinalis cardinalis) the official state bird of the State of Indiana.

Also known as the redbird, the cardinal is the state bird of seven states: Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia. The bright red males are easily spotted, especially in the winter. Females cardinals are brown with a dull red crest.

Cardinals remain in Indiana year round and nest in thickets of brambles or low saplings. The eggs, 2 to 4, are bluish-white with brown markings.

(Indiana Code 1-2-8) Indiana State Birdat the Indiana Historical Bureau.

Today 20 - 25 Cardinals could be seen at the Nature Center feeders throughout the morning and afternoon. Luci, our...

Posted by Fox Island County Park on Wednesday, January 13, 2016

January 13, 2016 post by Fox Island County Park on Facebook:

Today 20 - 25 Cardinals could be seen at the Nature Center feeders throughout the morning and afternoon. Luci, our lucistic female cardinal, waits paitently for her turn on the feeder. Birds can sense low pressure approaching and will flock to a convenient food source in order to stockpile carbs. Other birds seen: Tree Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, Nuthatch, Chickadee, Blue Jay, Song Sparrow, Downey Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Red Bellied Woodpecker, House Finch and House Sparrow.

LUCY WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF FOX ISLAND’S BIRD COUNT Michael Morrissey March 2, 2018 The Waynedale News.com

Josef Geisler shared the photos attached of a beautiful leucistic cardinal he saw at Eagle Marsh. You can read more...

Posted by Little River Wetlands Project on Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Tuesday, March 30, 2021 post by Little River Wetlands Project on Facebook:

Josef Geisler shared the photos attached of a beautiful leucistic cardinal he saw at Eagle Marsh. You can read more about leucisim (melanin reduction) in birds here: Abnormal coloration in birds: Melanin reduction

You may be familiar with Lucy who is often seen at Fox Island Park. Maybe she came over for a visit. 🙂 See more on our Little River Wetlands Project page.

My favorite little bird, Lucy, has made a return to Fox Island Park. Got my first photo of the season today. There are...

Posted by Mike Durbin on Sunday, January 9, 2022

January 9, 2022 post by Mike Durbin on Facebook:

My favorite little bird, Lucy, has made a return to Fox Island Park. Got my first photo of the season today. There are apparently two of these leucistic cardinals out there now. I hope to see them together soon.

Half-male, half-female cardinal

A rare half-male, half-female cardinal—an example of a phenomenon called gynandromorphy—was spotted in Pennsylvania.

Posted by National Geographic Magazine on Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Tuesday, May 24, 2022 post by the National Geographic Magazine on Facebook:

Half-male, half-female cardinal

A rare half-male, half-female cardinal—an example of a phenomenon called gynandromorphy—was spotted in Pennsylvania.

[ Around 0:50 in the video it says: Gynandromorphs are usually infertile but there could be exceptions. As this particular individual's left side is female and only the left ovary in birds is functional, offspring might be possible ]

Due to its stunning color, Northern Cardinals were once prized pets. Early last century, it became illegal to own, harm,...

Posted by CatbirdDesign on Thursday, January 25, 2024

January 25, 2024 post by CatbirdDesign on Facebook:

Due to its stunning color, Northern Cardinals were once prized pets. Early last century, it became illegal to own, harm, or kill one of these birds in the United States. Northern Cardinals are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which also banned selling Cardinals as caged birds.

1/11/24 Norfolk, MA

*FUN FACT FRIDAY* The answer to Talk To Me Tuesday's WHO AM I? post is the: NORTHERN CARDINALS: So, where’d the...

Posted by Fox Island County Park on Friday, February 16, 2024

February 16, 2024 post by Fox Island County Park on Facebook:

*FUN FACT FRIDAY*

The answer to Talk To Me Tuesday's WHO AM I? post is the:
NORTHERN CARDINALS:
So, where’d the “Northern” in the bird’s name come from then? In 1983, the American Ornithologists’ Union—now the American Ornithological Society (AOS)—added this directional to the bird’s moniker to help differentiate the species from other, more southern species also bearing the name cardinal, including the Yellow Cardinal.

For more information click on this link: 10 Fun Facts About the Northern Cardinal What’s in a name? Who knows, but this bird has a whole bunch of them.

The photo of the cardinal sitting on a limb was taken at Fox Island County Park.
The photo of the pair of cardinals is from Adobe Stock.
The photo of male Cardinal in flight is from Adobe Stock.

Falcons

#FalconFactFriday In 1996, IDNR biologists built a Nesting Box on top of the Indiana Michigan Power Center (IMPC) building and installed the webcam to help repopulate the peregrine falcons in the Midwest.

Posted by Indiana Michigan Power on Friday, March 25, 2022

Friday, March 25, 2022 post by Indiana Michigan Power on Facebook:

#FalconFactFriday In 1996, IDNR biologists built a Nesting Box on top of the Indiana Michigan Power Center (IMPC) building and installed the webcam to help repopulate the peregrine falcons in the Midwest.

I got to witness egg #4 being laid..well at least I saw the motions❤️. Moxie has never laid more than 4 eggs since 2013...

Posted by Soarin' Hawk Raptor Rehab on Saturday, March 19, 2022

Saturday, March 19, 2022 post by the Soarin' Hawk Raptor Rehab on Facebook:

I got to witness egg #4 being laid..well at least I saw the motions❤️. Moxie has never laid more than 4 eggs since 2013 so it is likely that her clutch is now complete. Sending good thoughts her way for a successful hatching of all 4. Look for that to happen around April 22nd.

Good morning, Followers! Season #12 is here. Jamie is back in the nest box and I caught him starting a scrape and calling out to Moxie!! Love is in the air😍 #indianamichigan

Posted by Soarin' Hawk Raptor Rehab on Sunday, February 11, 2024

February 11, 2024 post by Soarin' Hawk Raptor Rehab on Facebook:

Good morning, Followers!

Season#12 is here.Jamie is back in the nest box and I caught him starting ascrape and calling out to Moxie!! Love is in the air😍

#indianamichigan

I&M Falcon Cam May 3, 2023 IndianaMichiganPoweron YouTube
For more than two decades, peregrine falcons have made their homes in a nest high atop the 26-story Indiana Michigan Power Center building in Fort Wayne, Indiana. You can watch nesting families of this raptor species via webcam, thanks our collaboration with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Soarin’ Hawk Raptor Rehab, who work with us.

Season 12 of falcon watch is officially underway. For more than a decade, peregrine falcons Moxie (female) and Jamie...

Posted by Indiana Michigan Power on Friday, February 16, 2024

February 16, 2024 post by Indiana Michigan Power on Facebook:

Season 12 of falcon watch is officially underway. For more than a decade, peregrine falcons Moxie (female) and Jamie (male) have called the city skies their home, taking residence in a nest box on top of the Indiana Michigan Power Center (IMPC) building in 2013.

Read more: History of Peregrine Falcons Celebrated as I&M Falcon Watch is Underway

Thanks to their bands, we can find our IMPC falcons all over. Read more: http://ms.spr.ly/6182csErp

Posted by Indiana Michigan Power on Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Wednesday, March 27, 2024 post by Indiana Michigan Power on Facebook:

Thanks to their bands, we can find our IMPC falcons all over.

Read more: Falcon Bands Helps Identify Former Fort Wayne Peregrines

We have FOUR baby falcons! Yes, there are four in that pile of fluff. Following along: http://ms.spr.ly/6188YGDqI

Posted by Indiana Michigan Power on Monday, April 22, 2024

Monday, April 22, 2024 post by Indiana Michigan Power on Facebook:

We have FOUR baby falcons! Yes, there are four in that pile of fluff.

Following along: I&M Falcon Cam

Introducing the class of 2024. 2 boys and 2 girls were banded this afternoon at the Indiana Michigan Power Center in...

Posted by Soarin' Hawk Raptor Rehab on Friday, May 17, 2024

Friday, May 17, 2024 post by Soarin' Hawk Raptor Rehab on Facebook:

Introducing the class of 2024. 2 boys and 2 girls were banded this afternoon at the Indiana Michigan Power Center in downtown Fort Wayne, IN

Left to right-River (M) (U49), Tom (M) (U37), Cindy ( F) (U48) and Storm (F)(U36) 

Tom and Cindy were named in honor of our late mayor and first lady of Fort Wayne who both passed away earlier this year. ❤️

Indiana Michigan Power

Our newest falcons were banded and given names this afternoon! We are grateful for the help of the Indiana Department of...

Posted by Indiana Michigan Power on Friday, May 17, 2024

Friday, May 17, 2024 post by Indiana Michigan Power on Facebook:

Our newest falcons were banded and given names this afternoon! We are grateful for the help of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Soarin' Hawk Raptor Rehab and the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo for making it such a great day.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome... River, Tom, Cindy and Storm

It is with great sadness that I inform you, that shortly after I made the end of the season post, we received a call...

Posted by Soarin' Hawk Raptor Rehab on Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Wednesday, June 5, 2024 post by Soarin' Hawk Raptor Rehab on Facebook:

It is with great sadness that I inform you, that shortly after I made the end of the season post, we received a call that one of the falcon chicks was found in the middle of Calhoun Street, right in front of the Indiana Michigan building. When I arrived, the caller had moved the chick to the sidewalk and when I bent down, I could see the band number was U37 which was Tom. Tom was named after Fort Wayne's beloved long-time mayor who passed away earlier this year.

I am completely devastated to share this news with all of you. He will be taken to Soarin' hawk to be examined by our ICU staff to see if we can tell what might have happened to him. As a side note, our founder, Bob, was down for our board meeting at one of the neighboring buildings and was watching the chicks, along with Moxie and Jamie soaring around the Indiana Michigan building and landing on the ledges. Did Tom strike the building or was perhaps hit by a vehicle? We likely will never know but I will share our findings, if any, with you.

Fly high, Tom (U37)

Indiana Michigan Power

Hawks

Matilda came to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo from Soarin' Hawk Raptor Rehab in 2019. With an injury to her left wing...

Posted by Fort Wayne Children's Zoo on Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Tuesday, April 2, 2024 post by the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo on Facebook:

Matilda came to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo from Soarin' Hawk Raptor Rehab in 2019. With an injury to her left wing and eye, she was deemed un-releasable and we feel fortunate to be her forever home. At the Zoo, Matilda is able to educate guests about the needs of red-tailed hawks and how guests can safely co-exist with this species. Unfortunately, stories like Matilda’s are heard often as injuries to hawks, and other birds of prey, can be quite common as their habitat is shared with humans. To better co-exist with this species, you can help by keeping your distance and admiring them from afar, avoiding feeding hawks, and keeping an eye on your pets when outside. #NationalWildlifeWeek

Hummingbird - Ruby-throated

Animal Homes: The Nest

A hummingbird builds a nest of plant fibers and spiderwebs! Animal Homes tomorrow 4/8 on #NaturePBS on PBS

Posted by Nature | PBS on Tuesday, April 7, 2015

April 7, 2015 post by Nature | PBS on Facebook:

Animal Homes: The Nest

A hummingbird builds a nest of plant fibers and spiderwebs!

Animal Homes tomorrow 4/8 on #NaturePBS on PBS

Hummingbird eggs are tiny -- about the size of jelly beans! Please remember to carefully check for nests before you trim...

Posted by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Tuesday, May 17, 2016 post by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Facebook:

Hummingbird eggs are tiny -- about the size of jelly beans! Please remember to carefully check for nests before you trim trees and shrubs this spring.

Photo by Jon Heale, USFWS
— with Jason Miller and 6 others

Some quick tips about hummingbirds. We see the most activity on scarlet bee balm (Monarda didyma), trumpet honeysuckle...

Posted by Native Plant Trust on Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 post by the Native Plant Trust on Facebook:

Some quick tips about hummingbirds. We see the most activity on scarlet bee balm (Monarda didyma), trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) and columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

Looking to attract hummingbirds to your garden? Consider planting some of their favorite native plants: those with red,...

Posted by Mt. Cuba Center on Monday, July 10, 2023

Monday, July 10, 2023 post by Mt. Cuba Center on Facebook:

Looking to attract hummingbirds to your garden? Consider planting some of their favorite native plants: those with red, tubular flowers and plenty of nectar. In spring, wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) [ should be native to Allen County ] blooms just in time to welcome these migrating birds back to the area. Indian pink (Spigelia marilandica) [ likely not found in Allen County ] and cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) [ should be native to Allen County ] will keep them fed during the summer. Keep an eye out for hummingbirds on your next visit to Mt. Cuba, especially around these and other red, tubular flowers in bloom!

Hummingbird nests can be hard to spot! Peel your eyes for small lumps of lichen on tree branches - they're...

Posted by NestWatch - Cornell Lab of Ornithology on Thursday, April 11, 2024

Thursday, April 11, 2024 post by NestWatch - Cornell Lab of Ornithology on Facebook:

Hummingbird nests can be hard to spot! Peel your eyes for small lumps of lichen on tree branches - they're well-camouflaged, so they'll be difficult to pick out! We have more helpful tips to find nests on the NestWatch website: https://buff.ly/3bBQDAL

📷: Jim Figlar

Did you know that hummingbirds are key for some wildflower pollination? Flowers that have a tubular shape, are brightly...

Posted by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Friday, June 21, 2024

Friday, June 21, 2024 post by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Facebook:

Did you know that hummingbirds are key for some wildflower pollination? Flowers that have a tubular shape, are brightly colored and have nectar hidden deeply are specifically adapted for hummingbird pollination! This cardinal flower being pollinated by a ruby-throated hummingbird is just one example!

📷 Courtney Celley/USFWS #PollinatorWeek

Red-winged Blackbirds

Many people think of the American Robin as the harbinger of spring, however, they can be found in the Maumee Valley...

Posted by Maumee Nature Club on Friday, February 26, 2016

February 26, 2016 post by the Maumee Nature Club on Facebook:

Many people think of the American Robin as the harbinger of spring, however, they can be found in the Maumee Valley region year-round. But when the Red-winged Blackbirds show up and start singing, it is truly a sign that winter is almost over.

Robins

It is a myth that all robins go south for the winter. Some American Robins do migrate, but many remain in the same area...

Posted by Maumee Nature Club on Sunday, December 14, 2014

December 14, 2015 post by the Maumee Nature Club on Facebook:

It is a myth that all robins go south for the winter. Some American Robins do migrate, but many remain in the same area year-round. Over the past 10 years, robins have been reported in January in every U.S. state, except Hawaii. The wintering range of American Robins is affected by weather and natural food supply, such as crabapples, hawthorns, holly, juniper, and others, but as long as food is available, these birds are able to do well for themselves. There is plenty of food at Deetz for the dozens of robins that are wintering there.

Many of us may be used to seeing American Robin nets around our homes in the spring and summer, but where do robins...

Posted by NestWatch - Cornell Lab of Ornithology on Friday, October 14, 2022

Friday, October 14, 2022 post by NestWatch - Cornell Lab of Ornithology on Facebook:

Many of us may be used to seeing American Robin nets around our homes in the spring and summer, but where do robins disappear to in the winter? Contrary to popular belief, many do not migrate and instead spend their time in forests rather than foraging in more visible areas, like your front lawn! Those that do migrate fly short distances, heading to more southerly latitudes and lower elevations.

📷: Shannon Modla

Sandhill Cranes

We have been hearing and sometimes seeing Sandhill cranes at Eagle Marsh again, but Jared Christiansen was a good enough photographer to grab this awesome photo of them!

Posted by Little River Wetlands Project on Tuesday, March 2, 2021

March 2, 2021 post by the Little River Wetlands Project on Facebook:

We have been hearing and sometimes seeing Sandhill cranes at Eagle Marsh again, but Jared Christiansen was a good enough photographer to grab this awesome photo of them!

Do you see these little fluffy baby sandhill cranes? These colts are very small but this news is very big! We have three...

Posted by Little River Wetlands Project on Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Tuesday, August 9, 2022 post by the Little River Wetlands Project on Facebook:

Do you see these little fluffy baby sandhill cranes? These colts are very small but this news is very big! We have three baby colts! Sandhill cranes are a species that is listed as a "state special concern". Their numbers have increased over the last few decades. However, they are still low due to wetland loss and hunting. Luckily, Eagle Marsh has proven to be a wonderful place for them to nest over the summer months before they migrate south for the winter. We hope that next year they come back and we spot one or two more colts.

Thank you to Brian Wood and Kevin Butts for sharing these photos and sighting with us.

Turkey

Wednesday, March 29, 2017 post by Mitch Harper on Facebook:

Shared March 29, 2017 post by WANE 15  on Facebook:

Wait, what? A wild turkey was spotted strolling through downtown Fort Wayne on Wednesday.

Gobble gobble! Wild turkey spotted on stroll in downtown Fort Wayne 

A wild turkey was spotted strolling through downtown Fort Wayne on Wednesday. Former Fort Wayne City Councilman and mayoral candidate Mitch Harper posted several photos on his social media pages of a large turkey in the parking lot of Trinity English Lutheran Church in downtown Fort Wayne on Wednesday. In one photo, the turkey was perched atop a small SUV parked in the lot. It’s not clear how the bird made its way into the city center. Harper said he called a bird rescue team to rescue the turkey.

March 29, 2017 Twitter photos.

November 23, 2022 post by Ohio History Connection on Facebook:

The mainstay of the Thanksgiving meal in the U.S. was first domesticated nearly 3,000 years ago by Native Americans in what is now central Mexico around 800 B.C. They were not used for meat but for ritual and religious purposes. This domesticated subspecies was brought to Europe in the 1500s, bred into many varieties, and then brought back to North America with the first colonists.

In Ohio, turkey became popular for Christmas dinner by 1787. But the recommendation of turkey as the Thanksgiving meal’s centerpiece can be almost entirely attributed to a decades-long marketing campaign by popular magazine editor (and composer of “Mary Had A Little Lamb”) Sarah Josepha Hale.

Once driven nearly to extinction by habitat loss and overhunting, the Wild Turkey can now be found in most Ohio counties. Read a brief history of the turkey on our history blog: A Brief History of the Turkey.

[ Wild Turkey at Fish & Wildlife, Fish & Wildlife Resources, Animals, at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. ]

November 22, 2022 post by National Historical Publications and Records Commission on Facebook:

Ben Franklin had a few satirical thoughts about our national bird: “For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen as the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perch’d on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him. With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case but like those among Men who live by Sharping and Robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country, tho’ exactly fit for that Order of Knights which the French call Chevaliers d’Industrie. I am on this account not displeas’d that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For in Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America. Eagles have been found in all Countries, but the Turkey was peculiar to ours, the first of the Species seen in Europe being brought to France by the Jesuits from Canada, and serv’d up at the Wedding Table of Charles the ninth. He is besides, tho’ a little vain and silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on. “

From the Papers of Benjamin Franklin, supported by the NHPRC. To read the fascinating history behind this piece, go to Founders Online: From Benjamin Franklin to Sarah Bache, 26 January 1784 at The National Archives.

Happy Thanksgiving from the NHPRC!

Their November 27, 2019 Facebook post add this line to the last line above that the article was: an excerpt from an [unpublished] letter to his daughter Sarah Franklin Bache, Jany. 26th. 1784. To access the digital edition of the Franklin Papers, go to The Papers of Benjamin Franklin. [ Similar Wednesday, November 27, 2024 post ]

[ Bald eagles became extirpated in Indiana by the 1890s and were re-introduced in the 1980s ]

Wild turkey's in Indiana were extirpated for many decades before reintroduction in the mid-20th century allowed wild populations to re-establish themselves.

November 23, 2023 post by the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves on Facebook:

A true Thanksgiving success story in Ohio!

Did you know that the wild turkey is native to Ohio? Many thanksgiving dinners include turkey, either harvested locally or purchased from the store, but there was a time, not so long ago, that wild turkeys disappeared from Ohio’s landscape.

Records from the early 1800s showed a plentiful population but as Ohio grew, its turkey population shrank due to overharvesting. By the new century, turkeys were considered extirpated from Ohio. About 50 years later, ODNR’s Division of Wildlife (video courtesy of ODOW) reintroduced wild turkeys into Ohio’s forests which resulted in a dramatic conservation success story.

Today, the turkey population has rebounded to upwards of 150,000 across the state! These birds rely on natural areas, including state nature preserves and scenic river interior lands for food and habitat, which means land conservation continues to be a critical component of native species management.

On behalf of Ohio’s native species and protected habitats, we thank the Ohioans who continue to respect and support the natural world around them.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Ohio Division of Wildlife reports on their 2023 Wild Turkey Hatch Results November 8, 2023 on Facebook.

November 23, 2023 the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago reports similar information for Illinois on Facebook.

In the early 1900s, wild turkeys were nearly extinct. Thanks to conservation efforts, their population count today is...

Posted by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Wednesday, November 27, 2024 post by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Facebook:

In the early 1900s, wild turkeys were nearly extinct. Thanks to conservation efforts, their population count today is approximately 6.9 million, with ranges expanding in many areas. Next time you spot a wild turkey, remember this amazing rebound!

📷 Courtney Celley/USFWS

Tweet by the National Park Service:

Your chances of being hunted by a turkey are low, but never zero.

Owls

February 10, 2024 post by Soarin' Hawk Raptor Rehab on Facebook:

Barn Owls are found throughout the world. Up to 46 different races of the Barn Owl have been described worldwide. The North American form is the largest, weighing more than twice as much as the smallest race from the Galapagos Islands.

Check out some interesting facts about these beautiful birds:

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barn_Owl/overview

Barn Owls are known to have the keenest hearing of all owls, assisted by their extremely well defined facial disk that...

Posted by Soarin' Hawk Raptor Rehab on Wednesday, February 21, 2024

February 21, 2024 post by Soarin' Hawk Raptor Rehab on Facebook:

Barn Owls are known to have the keenest hearing of all owls, assisted by their extremely well defined facial disk that gathers and deflects sound towards the ears like a radar dish. This acute hearing allows them to catch prey in total darkness or under deep snow with pinpoint accuracy.

Tyto alba Barn Owl

Woodpeckers

There are six species of woodpeckers that live at Fox Island year-round. The least common of these, and perhaps the most...

Posted by Fox Island Alliance on Thursday, February 17, 2022

February 17, 2022 post by the Fox Island Alliance on Facebook:

There are six species of woodpeckers that live at Fox Island year-round. The least common of these, and perhaps the most striking, is the Red-headed Woodpecker. They breed in deciduous forests where they forage for insects, seeds, nuts and fruits. Skilled fliers, they often catch insects on the wing. This one was enjoying a suet snack outside the wildlife observation building window.

Once abundant, Red-headed Woodpecker populations have dropped 70% since 1966 due to deforestation and the removal of dead standing trees. They are now listed as near threatened.

#foxislandalliance #foxislandcountypark #woodpecker #redheadedwoodpecker #nature #birding #birdwatching #bird

*FUN FACT FRIDAY* *Picture taken at Fox Island County Park The Downy woodpecker is the smallest (slightly larger than...

Posted by Fox Island County Park on Friday, December 22, 2023

December 22, 2023 post by Fox Island County Park on Facebook:

*FUN FACT FRIDAY* *Picture taken at Fox Island County Park

The Downy woodpecker is the smallest (slightly larger than a Tufted Titmouse) and most common woodpecker in the U.S. at 6 inches in length.

The feather pattern on the back of the head of Downy Woodpeckers is unique to every bird and is used to recognize other individual downies. 

We can help the Downy by simply allowing a few dead limbs to remain on trees. Even a stub of a limb only about twelve inches in length and the diameter of a tangerine can provide a home for a Downy. #downywoodpecker #bird #nature #highlightingnature #woodpecker

This pileated woodpecker was spotted outside the ACRES office this week! The pileated woodpecker is the largest...

Posted by ACRES Land Trust on Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Wednesday, March 27, 2024 post by ACRES Land Trust on Facebook:

This pileated woodpecker was spotted outside the ACRES office this week! The pileated woodpecker is the largest woodpecker species in North America, averaging around 16 to 19 inches in length and touting a wingspan of 26 to 30 inches.

Look for these birds in large, unbroken forests with plenty of dead trees or snags for nesting and foraging

#acreslandtrust #pileatedwoodpecker

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