As I mentioned in my last post, I wasn’t feeling too well. It wasn’t a cold, it was covid. I picked up some home tests and tested positive Sunday, the 17th. Today, I am still testing positive, but I feel a lot better. It was pretty rough for three or four days, followed by gradual improvement. Anyway, ten days later I’m still positive for covid. I don’t expect it to hang on much longer. I have felt OK for the last 4-5 days, good enough to get out for some birding.
The entire Sonoran Desert and many other areas around Arizona got significant rain last weekend. From reports I’ve seen, rain around Ajo and the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument area varied from 1.5 to 2 inches. It rained enough to generate runoff, Highway Tank is full again.
This morning, I saw this American Kestrel sitting on the road. It let me get quite close, but the sun was not positioned well for photography. At any rate, it seemed like it was eating something, but I couldn’t see any prey.As it turns out, it was eating “grit”. I’ve never seen a raptor do this. It is a common behavior for seed-eating birds, the grit goes into the gizzard and helps to grind and digest the hard seeds they eat. I had to do some digging on the internet to find out what is going on with raptors. The insects and meat raptors consume is partially digested in the crop by strong acids and the indigestible materials are regurgitated as pellets. What they do need is some small stones to help clean the crop, which can get full of fatty tissues from their food and can hinder the function of the organ. Owls do not have a true crop; I don’t know if any owl species ingest grit. One of two Gray Vireos I found this morning. These are the first Gray Vireos I have seen this winter, the winter storm up north must be pushing a few more of them south. Barn Swallows also made an appearance over the last few days. I’ve seen as many as eight at the ponds. This one was flying low over Highway Tank.
3 replies on “A Bout with Covid and Some Birds”
I’m so happy to have you out birding again! I watched a group of Turkey Vultures eat grit a couple months ago. I can just imagine the cleaning their crops need!
We’re so glad you’re feeling better.
I didn’t know raptors consumed grit. That’s interesting.
I really like the pic of the barn swallow and it’s reflection in the water.
Super interesting on the raptor grit! Thanks for all the beautiful pictures over the years & teaching us cool intel along the way! Happy Ventures in 2024! Cheers from Alaska, J&J
3 replies on “A Bout with Covid and Some Birds”
I’m so happy to have you out birding again! I watched a group of Turkey Vultures eat grit a couple months ago. I can just imagine the cleaning their crops need!
We’re so glad you’re feeling better.
I didn’t know raptors consumed grit. That’s interesting.
I really like the pic of the barn swallow and it’s reflection in the water.
Super interesting on the raptor grit! Thanks for all the beautiful pictures over the years & teaching us cool intel along the way! Happy Ventures in 2024! Cheers from Alaska, J&J