Bird on a Wire: Latest news from Audubon California

Corvid Intelligence | How to Draw Owls | Nature Access for All | Shorebirds at the Salton Sea | Bird Story Hour | Meeting the Vulture | Tricolored Blackbirds | Raven's Favor

 

How to Draw Owls | Nature Access for All | Shorebirds at the Salton Sea | Bird Story Hour | Meeting the Vulture | Tricolored Blackbirds | Raven's Favor

The Spooky Intelligence of Corvids Dear KAREN, On Halloween, we celebrate the corvid family of ravens, crows, and jays with their spooky intelligence.   With their extra-large brains, research shows that corvids can use tools, recognize faces, master physics, create complex societies, and provide excellent parental care. A flock of crows is known as a "murder" and they will fiercely band together to mob humans who have wronged them. They are even known to hold "funerals" for their dead.    While these stunning traits may frighten you a bit, today's episode of Bird Note Radio reminds us that around the world, corvids represent a diversity of meaning, including guides to our destinies, symbols of fate, and blessings on love and marriage. Do corvids have a special meaning in your life? If so, share it with us!   As we say at Audubon, Happy Owl-O-Ween! Gaylon Parsons Interim Executive Director Audubon California

Common Raven. Photo: Andrew Lunt/Audubon Photography Awards

Bird of the Month: Great Horned Owl The Great Horned Owl is aggressive and powerful in its hunting, sometimes known by nicknames such as 'tiger owl'. They begin nesting very early in the north, and their deep hoots may be heard rolling across the forest on mid-winter nights. Read more Great Horned Owls. Photo: Martin Schiff/Audubon Photography Awards Native Plant: Coulter Pine Owls love to nest in pine trees. Coulter pine (Pinus coulteri) is an evergreen conifer native to the coastal mountains from central California to the Baja peninsula and is well-established within the Los Padres National Forest. Learn more about Native Plants and Trees Coulter Pine. Photo: Bryant Baker (CC BY-NC 4.0)

How to Draw Owls Owls have incredible camouflage, which also can make them confusing to draw. Learn some tips to make your owl come to life with acclaimed artist John Muir Laws. We will also practice drawing owls in their environment, such as perched in dense trees. Watch Now

Great Horned Owl. Drawing: John Muir Laws

Historic Win: Equitable Outdoor Access is Now Law in California We did it! Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Equitable Outdoor Access Act (AB 30) into law, a historic milestone toward achieving equitable opportunities for safe and affordable access to nature for all Californians. Read more

Birding. Photo: Canva

Shorebirds Flock to the Salton Sea In the 100-degree heat at the Salton Sea, we counted thousands upon thousands of Black-necked Stilts, Long-billed Curlews, Least and Western Sandpipers, and smaller but still significant numbers of Black-bellied and Snowy Plovers, Marbled Godwits, and less common Stilt Sandpipers. This is why the Salton Sea is vital for birds.  Read more

Salton Sea Bird Survey. Photo: Andrea Jones

The Birds Who Saved My Life During this month's Bird Story Hour, our theme was THE BIRDS WHO SAVED MY LIFE. Have you ever had a scary or challenging moment when a feathered friend showed up to rescue you? Are there any birds who have played a key role in your life? Our guest storyteller is Virginia Rose, founder of Birdability. Come hear her remarkable story. Watch Now

The Bird Story Hour. Image: Audubon California

Meeting the Vulture A sudden encounter inspires an ode to the Turkey Vulture by Audubon member Leslie Friedman.   Read more

Turkey Vulture. Photo: Michelle Maani

Audubon and Partners Protected 155,000 Tricolored Blackbirds in 2022 The Tricolored Blackbird is a California icon but is vulnerable due to drought and habitat loss. Thankfully, we've successfully worked with our partners to protect Tricolored Blackbird colonies, saving 155,000 birds in 2022. Together, we're stewarding new generations of Tricolored Blackbirds in the Central Valley. Read more

Tricolored Blackbird Photo: Natalia Sojka

Raven's Favor In this tale of wild communication, hear how a raven warned two hikers of a mama bear on their path.  Read more

Common Raven. Photo: Breanna Wilson/Audubon Photography Awards

Donate to Protect California's Birds

CONNECT WITH US

 

Audubon California 1901 Harrison Street, Suite 1450, Oakland, CA 94612 USA (415) 644-4600 | ca.audubon.org © 2022 National Audubon Society, Inc. Update your email address or unsubscribe