|
Statistics
Members: 237
News: 1054
Web Links: 17
Visitors: 640563
|
A mournful hooting song that is often heard and sometimes mistaken for an owl singing, is the call of the Mourning Dove. Owls call infrequently in daylight hours, while the Doves seldom if ever call in the dark. These Doves are common birds around homes and gardens and are often seen singly or in pairs, perched on roadside telephone wires. They are slender birds with long, pointed tails and about the size of a robin. The tails have white outer feathers that can be seen as the bird flies. The bird's wings make a distinctive wing whistle as it flies off. The body is gray brown overall with black spots on the upper parts of the wing feathers. Their nest, on the branch of a tree or shrub, is made of small sticks. It is loose and flimsy, and sometimes will even collapse in a strong wind.
The very common Rock Dove or (feral) Pigeon was introduced into North America and is now widespread across the continent. It weighs twice as much as the Mourning Dove and looks a lot chunkier. They can be found in large numbers around granaries and feedlots. The come in a wide variety of colours. These are the birds that are seen frequently flying in the upper structure of the floating bridge in Kelowna. They also nest on buildings and cliffs and seem to be quite prolific. These doves can be identified by their 'waddling walk' and red feet. These pigeons are fair game for Merlins and Falcons and we can be grateful for that.
The sleek Peregrine Falcon has long been considered the embodiment of power and speed, and it loves nothing better than a feed of fresh pigeon. The Peregrine Falcon weighs approx 750 grams and measures 40 cm. They are strikingly coloured dark gray with patterned chest and a dark 'moustache'. They hunt medium sized birds and ducks on the wing from high above in a spectacular swoop. During their swoop the falcon exceeds speeds of 150 kph and hits its intended victim with its feet. Usually the victim is killed by the impact and falls to the ground. If this is not the case, the falcon will follow the disabled bird down to the ground where it finishes the kill by breaking the neck of the smaller bird.
Special baffles have evolved in the nose of the falcon to prevent rushing air from flooding in and blowing up the lungs. Old time Falconers, men who used these birds to hunt for them, could judge the speed and ability of the bird by examining the baffles in its nose.
Over a 3 year period an effort was made to reintroduce the Peregrine Falcon to the Okanagan Valley. A total of 27 chicks were 'hacked' (raised and fed by humans on the roof of a tall building. The birds never see humans so do not imprint). This project took place on the Landmark Building in Kelowna and on the cliffs overlooking the Kelowna Golf and Country Club. They were monitored very carefully by TV cameras and broadcast on Shaw Cable. An educational program accompanied the project and sparked the interest and imagination of the community. This was also done as a move that would speak to the importance of how species are endangered and the cost and effort to keep our rich biodiversity alive. To date I believe only one of the birds has returned to the Okanagan.
During their migration to Mexico and South America they are subject to bad weather and pesticides. DDT use contributed to the dramatic decline of this magnificent bird in the 1940s and 1950s.
The high pitched scream of the falcon is unmistakeable and nowadays berry farmers and vineyard owners use this call to frighten off starlings and other birds that pillage their crops. There are some Falconers in the valley today who fly their birds over the vineyards to scare other birds away.
Pat Westheuser - Director
Central Okanagan Naturalist Club |
|
Subscription
Special OfferOrder 12 ISSUES of the CHOICE for family and friends for only $12.00 plus gst (Canada only). Send your name and address and a cheque to Seniors Choice at Box 41075 RPO South, Lake Country, BC V4V 1Z7
MYRA CANYON KELOWNA BC
SILVER STAR VERNON BC
|
