Found only in pine forests on high mountains, the Olive Warbler gleans insects from mid to high levels in the trees. Its nest if made of moss, lichens and pine needles and built high in a conifer. Often this species joins mixed species foraging flocks, especially in migration and during the winter.
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A conspicuous summer resident and migrant, this flycatcher chooses the most conspicuous dead spar or exposed branch on which to perch. From here it surveys the air space around it and flies out to capture flying insects from the air. It nests in coniferous forests and places its lichen-covered cup- nest far out on the end of a horizontal branch. Adults can be very aggressive toward intruders that approach the nest. The Olive-sided Flycatcher winters primarily in South America.
Occurring in many types of open habitats, this species is as familiar in arid deserts as it is in suburbs and city centers. It is best known for its remarkable ability to mimic other birds\' songs as well as mechanical noises, such as whistles, cars and trains. The Mockingbird often flashes the big white patches in its wings and tail to intimidate rivals and cats. It aggressively defends its nest, even from unwary humans, by dive bombing perceived intruders. Unmated males sing all though the night in the Spring.
This large and common woodpecker rarely uses trees for feeding like respectable woodpeckers. Instead it spends almost all its feeding time on the ground where it specializes on eating ants. During the winter, however, it will also consume nuts, grain and seeds. It is noisy and uses its long and durable bill to make loud drumming sounds on hollow branches, lampposts, and metal roofs. The Northern Flicker uses a wide range of holes and cavities in which to make its nest - including snags, telephone poles, houses, haystacks and nest boxes.
Using a wide range of habitats from desert floor to forest edge and suburbs, the Mourning Dove is the most ubiquitous of North American doves. They feed on the ground looking for seeds. The nest is often haphazardly constructed with a few loosely fitted twigs and placed anywhere from the ground to horizontal tee branches. A single pair can have up to 6 broods in a year. The Mourning Dove is a major game bird in some parts of its range.
Usually more common than it appears, this small quail can hide motionless only a few feet from you only to explode in flight in a heart-stopping instant as you almost step on it. At other times, however, the Montezuma Quail will stand obviously in the middle of a path or road. Its habitat is open oak pine-oak woodlands with bunch grass. Small family groups form coveys in the fall and winter. Their food includes fruit, acorns, and insects. The nest is a depression in the ground and overhung with long grass.
Almost always found in dense vegetation near the ground, the MacGillivray\s Warbler can be hard toAlmost always found in dense vegetation near the ground, the MacGillivray\'s Warbler can be hard to detect except for its persistent and sharp call note given in migration and on both breeding and wintering grounds. The nest is placed near the ground in dense vegetation, usually near water, and constructed of grass and thin stems. If seen, individuals frequently hop across the ground in search of insects and spiders.
Most often associated with mesquite trees in desert areas, the Lucy\'s Warbler uses cavities in tree trunks or deserted Verdin nests in which to lay its eggs. This species feeds mainly on insects, which it catches primarily by snatching them from leaves or hawking up after fleeing ones.
Obvious as it perches high in the top of a tree, bush, or telephone wire in open country, the Loggerhead Shrike is constantly looking for prey, such as large insects, mice, lizards and occasionally small birds. When prey is sighted running on the ground, the shrike swoops down and dispatches it with its hooked bill. In times of prey abundance, the shrike will impale extra food items on spines of bushes or on sharp points of barbed wire, sometime accumulating many dead carcasses all hanging as in a butcher shop.
Usually seen \hawking\ for flying insects low over open desert and dry fields in small groups, this nighthawk is most active in the early morning and late afternoon. Regularly found in and over populated areas and cities in the southwest, it often spends the day perched on the branches of riparian trees. The nest is placed on bare sand or gravel on the ground or occasionally on a flat roof.