Carnegie Museum of Natural History

One of the Four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh

bird banding

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Ovenbird

ovenbird shown from the back

Although the young and adult birds have essentially the same general plumage, there are some slight differences. The rusty tipping on this bird’s tertials identify it as a hatching-year bird (adults lack the rusty tipping). By spring this tipping frequently is worn off, and age is best determined by using the presence or absence of a molt limit.  As in many birds, the shape of the tail also can be useful in ageing warblers.

Powdermill Nature Reserve’s avian research center is part of Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s biological research station in Rector, Pennsylvania.  The research center operates a bird banding station, conducts bioacoustical research, and performs flight tunnel analysis with the goal of reducing window collisions.

 

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Bay-breasted and Blackpoll Warblers

Bay-breasted and Blackpoll Warblers

The first warbler benefits from spruce budworm outbreaks when the caterpillars provide abundant food. The second type of warbler has a high-pitched, almost inaudible song that drifts through boreal forests of Canada.

Powdermill Nature Reserve’s avian research center is part of Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s biological research station in Rector, Pennsylvania.  The research center operates a bird banding station, conducts bioacoustical research, and performs flight tunnel analysis with the goal of reducing window collisions.

 

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Connecticut and Mourning Warblers

Connecticut and Mourning Warblers

The Warbler on the left is uncommon and breeds in the boreal forest during winters in northern South America. The Warbler on the right is a small songbird of eastern and central North America.

Powdermill Nature Reserve’s avian research center is part of Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s biological research station in Rector, Pennsylvania.  The research center operates a bird banding station, conducts bioacoustical research, and performs flight tunnel analysis with the goal of reducing window collisions.

 

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Magnolia Warbler

magnolia warbler, a grey and yellow bird with a white head

The name of the species was established by Alexander Wilson in 1810, who collected a specimen from a magnolia tree in Mississippi.

Powdermill Nature Reserve’s avian research center is part of Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s biological research station in Rector, Pennsylvania.  The research center operates a bird banding station, conducts bioacoustical research, and performs flight tunnel analysis with the goal of reducing window collisions.

 

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Least Flycatcher

Least Flycatcher bird

This bird is the smallest of the empids and can be identified by its relatively distinct (and oval) eyering, small bill, white throat, dark gray/black legs, and emargination of primary 6.

Powdermill Nature Reserve’s avian research center is part of Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s biological research station in Rector, Pennsylvania.  The research center operates a bird banding station, conducts bioacoustical research, and performs flight tunnel analysis with the goal of reducing window collisions.

 

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Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

This hatching-year bird can be identified by it overall yellow appearance (through the throat), small bill, steeply sloped forehead, and slight emargination on primary 6 (usually).

Powdermill Nature Reserve’s avian research center is part of Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s biological research station in Rector, Pennsylvania.  The research center operates a bird banding station, conducts bioacoustical research, and performs flight tunnel analysis with the goal of reducing window collisions.