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The Ring Necked Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus, introduced
to South Dakota in the 19th century, is now the official State Bird. Millions are found throughout the central and eastern
parts of the state. The Big Sioux basin produces thousands of these beautiful birds yearly. This photo was taken along
the edge of the river's west bank, along a fence in eastern Sioux Falls. For more info on this prolific Chinese import, go
to:
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| 4 Tree Hugger |
The White Breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis), is one
of the most common birds at feeders. This male was photographed on the west side of the Big Sioux. For more information on
this friendly little tree hugger, go to: http://birds.cornell.edu/BOW/WBNH/
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| 5 Cold Meal |
The Red Breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis), is a winter
resident of the Big Sioux. It often comes to feeders to feed on sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and suet blocks, as in this
photo. The river is 900 feet to the east of the feeder. For more information on the Red Breasted Nuthatch, go to:
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| 6 Green Heron |
The Green Heron (Butorides virescens), is a common resident
of the Big Sioux. It often nests in the tall trees surrounding the river. For more info on the Green Heron, go to: http://birds.cornell.edu/BOW/RBNU/
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| 7 Great Blue Heron |
The Great Blue Heron, (Ardea
herodias), its wingspan of over 6 feet, is a beautiful giant among Big Sioux River inhabitants. It can be seen
along the river plucking frogs and fish from the shallows. Great Blues have a long life expectancy, and are often found in
the same general area for many years. For more information, go to :http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i1940id.html
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| 8a Mom and Kids |
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| Flight over the Big Sioux |
Pictures 8a and 8b are of the Giant Canada Goose
(Branta canadensis maxima). Photo seven shows an adult with gooslings, and photo eight shows two Canadas resting
on the ice in late winter. These intelligent, beautiful birds spend both winter and summer on the Big Sioux river. The goose
family was photographed near their nest on Spirit Island, in eastern Sioux Falls, and the sleeping birds near the Tutill Park
dam. For more info on Canada Geese, go to: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/1998/goosnest/goosnest.htm
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| 9 Male Yellow Shafted Flicker |
The Yellow Shafted Flicker, (Colaptes auratus), is a large woodpecker that is often seen on
the ground looking for ants. He visits feeders year around. This photo was taken west of the Big Sioux in March, 2002. For
more info on this beautiful bird, go to:http://www.birdsofna.org/excerpts/flicker.html
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| 10 Male Downy Woodpecker |
The Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens), may be the most common
woodpecker year around in South Dakota. He is about 6-7 inches long, with a red nape. The females lack the red spot. The Hairy
Woodpecker is 3-4 inches longer than the Downy. The best way to tell them apart is the length of the beak, which on the Hairy
is almost as long as his head, while the Downy's is half the length of his head. A suet block (as in the picture) will
draw this beautiful bird to your yard, but he may start drilling holes in your house. The photo was taken just a few city
blocks west of the river in Sioux Falls.
For more info on this little woodpecker, go to:http://birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/woodpeckerIDtable.htm
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| 11. Male Hairy Woodpecker |
11. The Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus), is common
along the Big Sioux. It is very similar to the Downy Woodpecker, but is larger (7 in. vs 10 in). This male has the red spot
(occipital patch) one the back of his head, which the females do not have. The best way to tell the Downy from the Hairy
is the bill length, which is smaller in the Downy, and nearly as long as the head in the Hairy. Both these beautiful birds
will come to suet blocks in feeders. The Downy will eat at the suet, while the Hairy will take his food to a tree and place
it in a crack and eat it. This photo and #10 (Downy) were taken on the same suet holder, so you can compare birds.
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| 12 Male Red-Bellied Woodpecker |
The Red-bellied Woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus, is often a year-round inhabitant of the Big Sioux
River valley. This male was seen in March, 2002, along the river in Sioux Falls. Its drumming is in short bursts, about
1 second long. For more information on this beautiful bird go to:http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/birdid/rewo/
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| 13 Male House Finch |
The House Finch,
Carpodacus mexicanus, was a Western U.S. bird that was sold, illegally,
in New York as cage pets, named "Hollywood Finches" to sidestep the laws. When discovered, the dealers released the
birds. That small base population is one of the reasons diseases, such as avian conjunctivitis, affect so much of the population.
For more information on this disease, go to:http://birds.cornell.edu/hofi/
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| 14a Mallard duck |
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| 14b Mallard Flight |
Probably the most widespread duck in the U.S., the Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos), is found year around on the Big Sioux. The flying drake is seen over the brownish
green water of the river, while the duck is in a slow flowing oxbow where cattails and duckgrass can grow. For more info on
the popular Mallard in South Dakota go to : http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/birds/sdatlas/species/13200.htm
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| 16 Chipping Sparrow |
The tiny Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina), is a sure sign of Spring. His bright rufus (reddish brown) crown is helpful in identification, along with the
black eyeline and black bill. For more information on him, go to:
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| 17 White Throated Sparrow |
The White Throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis),
is a regular visitor to the Big Sioux Basin in the spring and Fall on its way to the northern forests
of Canada. His white throat and yellow spot in front of they eye are good identifiers. He is a ground feeder at
back-yard feeders, so place seed on the surface for him. For more info on this colorful bird, go to:http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i5580id.html
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| 18 White Crowned Sparrow |
The White Crowned Sparrow, (Zonotrichia leucophrys),is
a fall and spring migrant in the Big Sioux Basin. He breeds in northern Canada and Alaska, and winters in the southern
U.S. and Mexico. For more information, read Birds if South Dakota, by Tallman, et al. 2002, or go to http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i5540id.html
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| 19 common grackle |
The Common Grackle, (Quiscalus quiscula),is a large black bird
with a very un-musical song and big yellow eyes. They are common and often pests in agricultural areas. A purplish head
and neck and long tail are characteristics. This gregarious bird has adapted well to urban sprawl. For more information, go
to: http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i5110id.html
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| 20 Red-Winged Blackbird |
The Red-winged Blackbird, (Agelaius phoeniceus), is a common sight along the river sitting on cattails. His call, to many people, is the trademark of
wetlands.
The female looks like a large house finch in color. It is often a victim of pesticides, and
is targeted by mass killing advocates in agricultural areas. For more information on this, go to:
http://www.abcbirds.org/pesticides/DRC1339.htm
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| 21 Rose- Breasted Grosbeak |
The Rose-Breasted Grosbeak ( Pheucticus ludovicianus),
is a beautiful songbird with a rich melodious call somewhat like a Robin's. It is about eight inches long with a wingspan
of 12-13 inches. For more information on this colorful bird, see your Birds of South Dakota Book, or go to: http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i5950id.html
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| 22 Mourning Dove Family |
The Mourning Dove, (Zenaida macroura), found in most of the United
States, can raise up two six broods a year. Hatchlings are fed crop milk from both adults for their first three days..It
is more nutritious than cow or human milk.Mourning Doves usually nest in trees or shrubs, but this one nested in an old Robin's
nest on the side of a building near the river. For more information go to http://birds.cornell.edu/BOW/MOUDOV/
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| 23 Yellow-Rumped Warbler |
The colorful Yellow-Rumped warbler is one of the most common spring and fall warblers along the Big Sioux.There are several
sub-species, including the Myrtle (pictured) and Audubon. Winter is spent as far south as Central America.
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