Author Archives: Larry

About Larry

Larry Jordan was introduced to birding after moving to northern California where he was overwhelmed by the local wildlife, forcing him to buy his first field guide just to be able to identify all the species visiting his yard. Building birdhouses and putting up feeders brought the avian fauna even closer and he was hooked. Larry wanted to share his passion for birds and conservation and hatched The Birder's Report in September of 2007. His recent focus is on bringing the Western Burrowing Owl back to life in California where he also monitors several bluebird trails. He is a BirdLife Species Champion and contributes to several other conservation efforts, being the webmaster for Wintu Audubon Society and the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Urban Bird Foundation. He is now co-founder of a movement to create a new revenue stream for our National Wildlife Refuges with a Wildlife Conservation Pass.

Lewis’s Woodpeckers Are Back

September 28, 2011
Larry
Birds
9 Comments

Lewis’s Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis) In Flight, photos by Larry Jordan Driving home from work last week I finally saw my…

California Quail, The California State Bird: Now Forming Coveys

August 31, 2011
Larry
Birds
9 Comments

The California Quail (Callipepla californica) is the California state bird, inhabiting scrub, broken chaparral and woodland edges primarily in California, Oregon, Washington and…

California California Quail quail West Coast

Why Do Cliff Swallows Flutter Their Wings When Gathering Mud?

August 17, 2011
Larry
Birds
5 Comments

Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) nest in large colonies that may contain as many as 3,500 active gourd-shaped mud nests. They…

Bird Behavior Cliff Swallows swallows West Coast

Have You Ever Seen a Bufflehead Search for a Nesting Cavity?

August 03, 2011
Larry
Destinations
7 Comments

There are quite a few species of duck that nest in cavities. Most people are familiar with Wood Ducks nesting…

Bufflehead Lassen Volcanic National Park West Coast

The American White Pelican Scoops Up Fish As It Swims

July 20, 2011
Larry
Birds
3 Comments

The American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) is a huge bird! With an 8 to 9 1/2 foot wingspan and weighing…

American White Pelican pelicans waterbirds West Coast

Western and Clark’s Grebes: Poetry in Motion

July 06, 2011
Larry
Birds
7 Comments

Western Grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis) and Clark’s Grebes (Aechmophorus clarkii) are probably best known for their elaborate courtship displays. These ceremonies are some…

grebes West Coast Western Grebe

What Do Nesting Birds Do With All That Poop?

June 22, 2011
Larry
Birds
18 Comments

I don’t know how many of you ever raised chickens but the old joke went something like this. Question: “Hey, do…

fecal sacs Poop Week

Yellow-headed Blackbirds: Conspicuous Wetland Breeders

June 08, 2011
Larry
Birds
8 Comments

Yellow-headed Blackbirds (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) are robin-sized blackbirds found in prairie and mountain meadow wetlands of the western and central United…

blackbirds Icterids

Those Brazen Female Wilson’s Phalaropes

May 28, 2011
Larry
Birds
6 Comments

Hey guys, how would you like to be chased by up to ten females, all seeking to mate with you?…

shorebirds Wilson's Phalarope

Audubon’s Yellow-rumped Warbler

May 11, 2011
Larry
Birds
7 Comments

The Audubon’s Warbler (Dendroica coronata auduboni) is the western edition of the Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata). The Myrtle Warbler (Dendroica coronata coronata), the…

Audubon's Warbler Wood-Warbler Week wood-warblers Yellow-rumped Warblers