Don’t forget to look down.

It’s early in the spring and the warblers have yet to pass through, however that does not mean there’s nothing to see…you just have to look a bit harder.  If you do; you’ll be treated to a handful of bird species that are specially equipped to handle this time of year and the challenging conditions it offers to animals.  These intrepid forest floor foragers include the American robin, Common grackle, Song sparrow, Fox sparrow, Red-bellied woodpecker, and European starling.

These hardy birds are among the first to “arrive” each spring, to the upper Midwest region.  Male American

robins show up within a few days of each other in their annual quest to reclaim (or claim if it’s their first time) a small patch of territory in which to find a mate, build a nest, and raise each of up to three broods.  They are particularly adept at “hopping” stealthily under the tangle of brush and fallen trees in order to “flip” (with their beaks) last year’s fallen leaves in search of something to eat buried underneath.  Robins have been said to “mate for life” although it’s not entirely clear if that’s the case.  Females will be arriving soon and they also are territorial by nature.  It may just be that the same two pair meets again for another family brood due to the proximity of their two chosen (and defended) areas.

Invertebrates are also the spring favorites of the opportunistic Common grackle until they can get the “other” 25 percent of their diet; other animals.  This of course means waiting until more species arrive and begin laying eggs and having babies.  I have seen firsthand when a hungry grackle carries off a young fledgling Northern cardinal.  Fox and Song sparrows employ a different methodology of finding food in the detritus of the woods; bi pedal scratching.  This amounts to the same motion used when straightening the doormat with both feet (using no hands); a kind of backward scootching motion.  This clears the leaf litter and exposes the underneath with the beak in perfect position to stab suddenly downward and snatch whatever was just uncovered.

European starlings are scavenging feeders who also like to take advantage of other’s hard work.  They can

be first heard (then seen) harassing the Red-bellied woodpeckers (red-headed – no red on their bellies) as they are hollowing out their nest cavities for the season’s clutch of eggs.  The RBWs are very cautious and will quickly fly away from their chosen tree when they sense that the starlings are watching.  They will abandon their labor-intensive excavations for long periods of time until they are certain that the interlopers have moved on; sometimes for good if need be.

Weather at this time of year in Milwaukee can be very unpredictable.  Just when you think the groundhog finally got it right; snow reappears.  This makes it challenging and dangerous for the early birds who decide to move in and begin their annual familial preparations.  However, do not fret too much; these animals are specially equipped and nature-ready to survive, even though it may look bleak for them.  Simply enjoy their antics, techniques and strategies as you marvel at what God has created.