One stretches out its neck, and the groomer, or preener, twirls individual feathers in its beak, often starting at the back of the head and working around to the front. Urban owls escape the harsh weather of northern Canada or the Cascade or Rocky Mountains, spending the winter in somewhat milder climes. The prey may change hands several times, perhaps from harrier to Peregrine to eagle. But how did that old legend get started, that storks bring babies? Many bird species eat alone, so you might wonder why these birds have chosen to dine together. Unrivalled among these is the majestic Gyrfalcon, a regal visitor from the Arctic where it nests. Calling again, the Scrub-Jay perches boldly upright atop a tall tree, its long tail spiking downward. Western Scrub-Jays are on the move. A pint-sized Northern Pygmy-Owl, not much bigger than a pine cone, hoots from a tree-top on a winter morning. A Winter Wren may dart from hiding to grab a meal. Such labels are not used by ornithologists, but they add a bit of fun to the study of birds. Parakeets in the wild? Parakeets in the wild? But many remain, and even the shy and secretive sometimes reveal themselves. Many bird species eat alone, so you might wonder why these birds have chosen to dine together. Winter brings wondrous birds. Listen to the earth awaken as dawn circles the globe. The ducks seem oblivious to the cold, even as they stand on ice-covered lakes and streams. the largest and tallest bird on the planet. the largest and tallest bird on the planet. It has a pleasing and rhythmical song, which it sings even in winter. The prey may change hands several times, perhaps from harrier to Peregrine to eagle. With names like the Screaming Piha, the Blue-crowned Motmot, and the Black-necked Red-Cotinga, these are not your average birds. During winter, Bald Eagles retreat from the territories where they breed, to seek out rivers rich with spawning and spent salmon. Many are the short, fluffy kind, the down, whose purpose is to insulate the bird from the cold. Although Common Loons rarely breed in Washington State, large numbers do visit during winter. In winter, a foraging flock might include several species of birds: chickadees, kinglets, and even a Downy Woodpecker. It has a pleasing and rhythmical song, which it sings even in winter. Small forest birds, such as nuthatches and creepers may spend the night huddled together in tree cavities.
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