Birding Arizona is always a treat but the winter season tends to bring certain rarities to the region. For several weeks I had read about a Streak-Backed Oriole (code 4) regularly appearing at a remote homestead’s orange slice feeders on the AZ/NM border. Despite its supposed “reliability”, there is always a chance of missing any bird. But this immature male was very cooperative even with a Javelina underneath it!
Streak-Backed Oriole (code 4)
Javelina
The owner of this property takes care of the birds and travel-weary birders as evidenced by the numerous feeders and neatly arranged lawn chairs. Other gorgeous species which deserved digital zoom attention include the Pyrrhuloxia, Gambel’s Quail, Black-throated Sparrow and Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay (a recent split from the “Western Scrub-Jay” and while not rare…a new bird species for the life list!).
Pyrrhuloxia
Gambel’s Quail
Black-throated Sparrow
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
The Rufous-Backed Robin (code 3) is another Mexican thrush which typically appears in Southern Arizona in January. Two of these were recently reported…both a couple of hours away from where I was but in somewhat different directions. I chose the western location (Rio Rico). Upon arrival I met a Dallas birder who claimed this secretive, non-vocal visitor was not being consistently seen in any particular area of “the spot”. Bad choice. With three hours of light and two hours to drive north of Tucson, I decided to pursue the Rufous-Backed Robin which apparently likes pomegranates. Set back on private property, the deciduous fruit-bearing shrub was easy to see…with a telescope. But the birding Gods once again rewarded me. A blurry 500M telephoto shot but no doubt this is not an American Robin…can you tell the difference?
Rufous-Backed Robin
Post-Script: As excited as I was in my own little birding adventure, the BIG news for any birder this year, maybe even decade, was the discovery of a Ross’s Gull in Half Moon Bay, California on Friday. Probably another sign of climate upheaval, this true arctic bird has basically only been seen in Barrow, Alaska in the Fall. Confirmation of multiple Saturday sightings via social media gave me no choice but to alter my air tickets…Southwest is very cooperative…yesterday evening and prepare to leave for SF this morning (Sunday). At 10pm last night I checked the San Mateo rare bird reports again to make sure, I don’t know why, OCD I guess. And discovered both in words and photos that yesterday afternoon the Ross’s Gull was “predated” by a Peregrine Falcon! I am now headed home.
birdtalesblog 
Whewww…I am travel-weary just reading this! Great job, curious industrious George!! KB
Cheers KB! I had alot of pent-up birding desire (hadn’t chased in 10 months) that Nina thankfully insisted I “spend”.
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So when are you going to be birding in Key West?
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As soon as you tell me about a rarity:)
Always a pleasure to get the update from the passionate George Wood!
Sorry to miss you!
Those devious Peregrine Falcons! The Black-throated Sparrow was stunning. Great photos!
Thanks Mace!
You are kicking ass!!
Never knew there was a ‘Robin Red Back’…
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Up to 719!
George, I do love your Blogs. And that Sparrow, that black throat, is a superb photo I keep wondering about an enlarged picture and painting it – what a task >
Go for it Mom!
Very cool, George! Sounds like quite a trip. Stephen McConnell h) 610.642.2133 w) 215.495.6531 spmcconnell@yahoo.com
From: birdtalesblog To: spmcconnell@yahoo.com Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2017 12:07 PM Subject: [New post] NOT just any Oriole and Robin #yiv8995224243 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv8995224243 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv8995224243 a.yiv8995224243primaryactionlink:link, #yiv8995224243 a.yiv8995224243primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv8995224243 a.yiv8995224243primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv8995224243 a.yiv8995224243primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv8995224243 WordPress.com | George C. Wood posted: “Birding Arizona is always a treat but the winter season tends to bring certain rarities to the region. For several weeks I had read about a Streak-Backed Oriole (code 4) regularly appearing at a remote homestead’s orange slice feeders on the AZ/NM border.” | |
Thanks Steve….an absolutely awesome and efficient trip!
Beautiful, and beautifully described!
Thanks Jimbo!
Good to see your posts again, George. Sorry you didn’t get to Half Moon Bay, though; my wife and I drove through there a couple weeks ago – on our way from San Francisco, where our son’s working at UCSF, to a visit with a retired colleague in Carmel.
Professor! I think of you more than you know. Chip Kelly, OSU, ….I am well as I hope you are. Still teaching?
So cool, George, well done! Sad about the Ross’s Gull, but look forward to all stories live in person tomorrow. Such great photos once again!
Cheers Jeff….a most satisfying and efficient bird trip! Home 36 hours early.
Terrific reading, George — and I learned a new word: “predated”, which sounds almost gentle. Question, though — what is a “rufous” back?
Thanks Joe. Rufous refers to color, orange/red.
George great stuff! Once you left for AZ I knew exactly what you were going for. Great birds. I sure wish my boss would let me chase some of these rarities.. LOL. take care and hope to see and bird with you soon. Mike
Cheers Mike…I needed a good bird wkd to keep my sanity. Say Hello to “Fordie” and one of these days we will intersect and bird together. best, George