Fruit- and Insect-Eaters Abounding

Birds were very busy in the garden on a recent day in mid-July. Robins and their speckled young were literally mobbing the fruits of a Hawthorn shrub (Crataegus) located at the southwest side of the pond, providing amusement for us birders. We were able to approach quite closely as the birds gorged themselves.

Insects were in high demand by four species of flycatchers, by hummingbirds, and by warblers and a vireo, among others. While the warblers and vireo were busy gleaning insects from the trees and shrubs, the flycatchers and hummingbirds were sallying out to catch insects on the wing.

With all the competition, you have to ask if there are enough insects to go around. The flycatcher species are exemplary. Olive-sided flycatchers sit at the top of the tallest trees, calling and sallying out.  The Pacific-slope flycatchers tend to sit mid-tree or shrub adjacent to open areas where they may spy flying insects. The Western Wood Pewee tends to sit lower in trees and shrubs. Potentially, they are eating insect species that separate themselves by habitats high, medium and low in the environment.

The garden's resident Black Phoebe seems to be flexible, perching at a variety of levels from low fences to the taller trees.

In an exciting flash of yellow, red, black and white, we had a quick view of a male Western Tanager darting over the upper creek. In fall and winter, these birds eat berries and other fruit. In summer, their diet is dominated by insects, especially if they are feeding chicks.

The brilliant red head feathers are due to pigments. Unable to make the pigment themselves, Western Tanagers probably obtain it from insects in their diet. Great information about this and other birds may be found at Cornell's website: www.allaboutbirds.org.
Here's a photo by George Grover from Flickr.