Sunday, August 24, 2014

Another first

Every time I think I've received most of the bird species found here I get a new one. This is a Common Poorwill, one of a group called nightjars. I have no idea why they're called that other than they feed just before dark and mostly when flying. We've had a chilly spell here and this is one of just a few birds capable of going into a torpor state to conserve energy when it's cold. In fact this species goes into what's almost a hibernation where the heartbeat and respiration drop dramatically for as long as it takes the weather to warm up.

I will be taking this young bird back to where it was found as I know I don't have any around here and it will need the mentoring and guidance of its peers and parents.

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