While walking outside I saw a white-breasted nuthatch doing an interesting behavior I’d never seen before: it was perched on the palm tree in the photo, and was repeatedly spreading its wings wide and swaying from side to side, almost snakelike:

When I got home I checked a reference guide, which mentioned this is a behavior that white-breasted nuthatches will do to deter nest predators. I couldn’t figure out exactly why it was doing it when I was there in person, because I didn’t see any snakes or other birds. But I did see a clue in the OP photo, and my reference even specifically mentioned this animal as a nest predator of nuthatches.

So, did everyone else see it immediately and I’m just slow? 😁

A newly published study has found that nearly 75% of bird species in North America are sharply declining across their ranges, and eight in 10 plummeting in the very areas where they’re thought to be thriving and plentiful. Nearly every species, 97%, had gains and losses in their populations depending on the location, the study found.

The researchers used birdwatcher citizen science data from eBird, an online database where birders can record checklists of all the birds they see at a particular place and time. The researchers analyzed observations from 36 million checklists from 2007 to 2021 that included nearly 500 bird species in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Rather than just look at population declines for each species, the study identifies specific areas where populations are either declining or increasing, which paints a more comprehensive picture of population trends and highlights areas where conservation actions could be focused.

archived (Wayback Machine)

Forgot to add: southern CA, California scrub jay.

Some California Scrub-Jay's on the fence looking for a nest

Also this weekend is the iNaturalist 2025 city nature challenge so don't forget to join your city if you use #iNaturalist or the global event if your area isn't participating.

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2025

@birding
#birds #california #bayarea #nature #neatobuilds #challenge #monterey #southbay #gilroy #morganhill

Chillin, near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.