 Burrowing Owl
The burrowing owl is one of the smallest of the owls. It differs from the other owls in other ways, also. While most owls are nocturnal (active at night), the burrowing owl
is diurnal (active during the day). They nest underground in a burrow they may dig for themselves or may borrow from a
squirrel. The diet consists of large insects, other arthropods, lizards, snakes and small rodents.
 Roadrunner
No other bird symbolizes the desert more than this little comic. The roadunner is a member of the cuckoo family.
While he is able to fly, he seems to prefer to run or a combination of running and gliding for short distances.
He is fast, easily capable of running 10 miles per hour. Roadrunners nest on the ground and feed on just about anything they can catch -
lizards, rodents, snakes (including smaller rattlesnakes) and insects.
 Cactus Wren
If the image of the roadrunner is a visual symbol of the desert then the song (if you can call it that) of the cactus wren is the audio
symbol of the desert. They usually build their nests in a cactus plant for protection. The bird shown is using a cholla as the foundation of its
nest. They usually build many "dummy" nests in the same general area but these serve only as roosts. The nests are a mass of fine grass lined
with feathers and hair and have a side entrance. How these birds can nest in a cactus and not be impaled on the spines is a mystery.
Let's move on down the trail. I'm sure we will see more birds very soon.
|
