Subject: [Tweeters] Query on Kingbird Feeding
Date: Aug 10 23:52:01 2006
From: Pjgumbo at aol.com - Pjgumbo at aol.com


Returned last weekend from needed and glorious circuit that included US and
Canadian Rocky Mtn parks, return including Okanagan Valley, one of several
stretches I had not previously visited. Birds were definitely in my heart all
the way, to the tune of several pounds of books and such (Birds of the
Okanagan alone is a bit of an albatross, though contents terrific). But I am still
a neophyte, enjoying even confirming birds I no doubt have observed and
enjoyed several decades ago without concern about the species.

So I have no rarities to report, just joy at confirming such
semi-commonplaces as Common Loons (including brief awe-inspiring welcoming recital by one of
a threesome on lake near Jasper), Pine Grosbeak at top of Banff gondola,
Ravens at Maligne Canyon among many places, and Common Yellowthroats in wetlands
near Banff.

However, at Lake Vaseur (sp?), south of Penticton, which I have come to
understand is a bit of a local birding mecca, we observed a black-gray-white
critter dropping briefly into shallow water to the point of wetting wings (and
possibly feeding?). This happened repeatedly over the course of several
minutes, bird perching in willow/shrub in between partial immersions. Might have
been merely cooling or bathing, but it was for me pretty unusual bird
behavior. Having been tantalized at Spencer Island a month or so ago by what my son
and I have a hunch was E. Kingbird, that is what came to mind this time too.
It seemed generally the right shape, size, and coloration, although I did
not have picture in hand at the time. Is the water behavior credible for this
bird?

Paul Johanson
North Beach
Seattle