I was able to park and just walk in a small area near the car in clear terrain (keeping watch for snakes) and see all of these birds. There were also a few who avoided me a little better, sorry for that.
A few Bullock’s Orioles.
A couple of little woodpeckers.
(This one cracked me up, as he peeked around making sure the coast was clear for him to lunch on the “no picnicking sign”.)
A cute little Lark Sparrow perched on a rock.
A few Finches, I kept scaring the poor female off her nest. She built under a picnic shelter and each time I passed under the shelter she scared me as much as I scared her.
But my prize of the day was the privilege of seeing, in real life, with my own two eyes, a Painted Bunting. I had only seen this bird in my bird book and thought it would be cool to see one but I feel especially special that one happened to be at the canyon during the the short time I was there watching.
So bright and colorful, people often mistake the Painted Bunting for an escaped pet tropical bird.
He wouldn’t let me get any closer but I hope you can see how beautiful he is. I soaked up his song while my men waited for me at the car.
Identification
An adult male Painted Bunting is arguably the most distinctive songbird in North America, with the combination of a deep blue head, red underparts, a green back, and a red rump. While not as brightly colored as males, female Painted Buntings are also distinctive. The female has an overall greenish plumage which is more darkly colored above than below.
~quoted from Audubon (They left off the red eye ring mentioned on other sites.)
Isn’t he beautiful?! I got too close apparently and off he flew. I enjoyed my time in his presence and hope you have too.
As we drove out of the park Dennis pulled off to the side and I shot this bird from the car. I’m pretty sure it’s a Western Kingbird.
A little further down the road we scared few vultures off from their meal but one paused long enough for a shot.
