Western Birds Journal

Volume 12, No. 3

Published July 1, 1981

Issue description

Volume 12, number 3 of Western Birds, published 1981

Articles

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    G. VERNON BYRD, C. FRED ZEILLEMAKER (Author)

    ECOLOGY OF NESTING HAWAIIAN COMMON GALLINULES AT HANALEI, HAWAII

    The Hawaiian subspecies of the Common Gallinule (Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis) is endangered (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1980). As recently as 1891, Munro (1960) found the species common on all the main Hawaiian Islands with wetlands, but by 1947 its status was precarious (Schwartz and Schwartz 1949). Currently the gallinule remains only on the islands of Oahu and Kauai (Shallenberger 1977). Loss of habitat, predation by introduced mammals and hunting (prior to closures in 1939) are listed as the major causes for the decline (Hawaiian Waterbirds Recovery Team 1977).

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    DANIEL A. AIROLA (Author)

    RECENT COLONIZATION OF LASSEN PEAK, CALIFORNIA, BY THE GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCH

    The Gray-crowned Rosy Finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis) occurs throughout the Pacific states of North America in alpine habitat with suitable cliffs. One small “island” of such habitat, Lassen Peak in northeastern California, has never been reported to support the species despite considerable ornithological survey (Grinnell et al. 1930, Johnson 1975 and others). I and others have made a number of observations indicating that the species has recently colonized the Lassen area. This area is of particular interest because volcanism modified the habitat during eruptions between 1914 and 1921, and the area lies between the major ranges of the two well-marked subspecies L. t. littoralis and L. t. dawsoni. The purposes of this paper are to review previous surveys of the area, to report and discuss recent records, to document breeding status and subspecies identity, and to suggest causes of recent colonization.

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    PHILIP UNITT (Author)

    BIRDS OF HOT SPRINGS MOUNTAIN, SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

    The mountains of San Diego County have never been the object of much ornithological study. The birds of other nearby ranges in southern California have been reported on by Grinnell (1908, San Bernardino Mts.), Grinnell and Swarth (1913, San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mts.), and Pequegnat (1945, Santa Ana Mts.). Information from the San Diego County mountains has been published only in a few brief notes or in comprehensive regional summaries (Cooper 1874, Emerson 1887, Belding 1890, McGregor 1899, Willett 1933, Grinnell and Miller 1944, Sams and Stott 1959). The highest peak in the county, isolated Hot Springs Mountain, has apparently not been previously visited by an ornithologist. Nothing relating to the birds of this area has been published, and no specimens collected there have been preserved in the San Diego Natural History Museum or in the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. I made three visits to Hot Springs Mountain during June and July 1980. The observations here reported are an attempt to fill this gap in our knowledge of California bird distribution.

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    DIANA F. TOMBACK, BARBARA B. DEWOLFE (Author)

    NOTES: FORAGING BEHAVIOR OF A CROSS-BILLED NUTCRACKER

    Bill morphology is adapted to feeding niche in many avian species (e.g. Myton and Ficken 1967, Newton 1967). Consequently bill deformities, depending on their severity, may reduce an individual’s longevity and reproductive success. For species with broad foraging niches, i.e. generalists, individuals with abnormal feeding structures may compensate somewhat by restricting their efforts to whatever alternative foraging patterns or prey sizes are available.

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    BRUCE G. ELLIOTT (Author)

    NOTES: DEFENSIVE BEHAVIOR OF AN IMMATURE CALIFORNIA CONDOR

    On 24 June 1980 I observed an immature-plumaged California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) engaged in a mode of defensive behavior not previously recorded. The observations occurred in San Luis Obispo County, immediately north of the Santa Barbara County line, within 250 m south of State Highway 166. All observations were with an 8x 35 binocular or a 60x scope.

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    DONALD A. YOUNG, L.F. KRATT (Author)

    NOTES: DIPPERS CAPTURING FISH DURING WINTER IN THE YUKON TERRITORY

    While involved in avian and fisheries investigations in the Yukon Territory for Foothills Pipe Lines (Yukon) Ltd. and Foothills Pipe Lines (South Yukon) Ltd., we had opportunities to observe and discuss Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) feeding behaviour. On 30 March 1978 Young encountered two Environment Canada employees who were studying flow characteristics of Engineer Creek, 65°21’N, 138°19’W. The employees indicated that in mid-December 1977 they observed a Dipper emerge from the creek with a “small” (less than 7 cm) fish in its bill. When they approached the bird, it flew off, dropping the fish, which was identified as an Arctic Grayling (Thymallus arcticus).

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    IDENTIFICATION NOTES

    The bird pictured here, with its large head, big bill, huge talons and regal bearing, is most definitely a buteo. Noting the dark bib, one might first consider the adult light phase Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni).