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Phainopepla

PHAINOPEPLA (Phainopepla nitens) by Jon Friedman Photo by Richard of SearchNet Media Family The Phainopepla (pronounced FAY-noh-PEP-la) is the sole member of the family of birds known as Ptilogonatidae that is found as far north as the United States and the three other members of the family are only found further south in the Western Hemisphere. They are an exclusively New World family of birds. The name which comes from the Latin and Greek translates to “shining robe”. Birders in Southern Arizona are familiar with this species as it is commonly found in our habitat and frequently seen sitting at...

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Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) By Shani Friedman The intense irresistible red of a male cardinal inspires many people to enter the world of birding for the first time. His coloration, body shape, crest, clear loud song and calls, and willingness to frequent backyard feeders insure notice by observing humans. Cardinals are so popular that seven states – Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia – have honored them as their state bird. The bird has many common names - redbird, cardinal grosbeak, Virginia cardinal, Big Red, crested redbird, Kentucky redbird, and Virginia nightingale. The bird lends its...

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Wintering Sandhill Cranes in Southern Arizona

WINTERING SANDHILL CRANES IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA by Jon Friedman Photo courtesy of the International Crane Foundation Historical Locations - Southern Arizona, and particularly Southeastern Arizona, has in recent years become one of the best regions to observe Sandhill Cranes in their winter territories. In prehistoric times, ancient native peoples placed images of Sandhill Cranes on rock/boulder surfaces in the lower Colorado and Gila River valleys. Today, we know these images as pictographs and petroglyphs. These images show the cranes in their mating courtship of exaggerated strutting display, their breeding season ritual "dancing", or mutual calling. Historically, Southwestern Arizona was the...

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Owl Myths and Legends

OWL MYTHS AND LEGENDS by Shani Freidman Owls and humans are connected from the dawn of history. The nighttime activity, large eyes, acute vision, and "wisdom" of owls were known by the ancients. Dating from a Sumerian tablet (2300 to 2000 BC), Lilith, the goddess of death, has talons for feet, wears a headdress of horns, and is flanked by owls. She is probably the inspiration for Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare. The rock crevices of Athens and the Acropolis were filled with small owls, believed to be the embodiment of Athena. When the Athenians won the...

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Great Horned Owls

GREAT HORNED OWLS Bubo virginianus by Shani Freidman Sometimes called the "tiger of the air," the Great horned owl is one of our fiercest predators. Mostly hunting at night, sometimes during daylight, it ranges from the northern tree line of arctic Canada to the southern tip of South America. Its habitat is widely varied. You can find it hunting in woods, mountains, marshes, dunes, and open deserts. In Arizona it is fairly common, except in the high central southern mountains. Inconspicuous during the day, it quietly roosts in deep vegetation, taking off silently if disturbed. One of the largest and...

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