Thump on window turns out to be a Chukar
Q. In March 2006 I heard a loud thump, and I suspected that a bird had collided with the large windows in my sunroom. When I got there I saw this bird standing, as if stunned, by the porch. It was snowing, and the temp was in the 20s, but it just stayed there. I thought I might have to take it to animal rescue, but since he was in my enclosed back yard, I decided to just observe him.
When he was still there the next morning I decided to capture him to take him for treatment. When I approached him he ran really fast, so I knew I could not capture him. I went back inside to ponder what to do, and the bird evidently felt rested and took off.
We guessed that he was some migrating duck, but maybe you can tell me.
A. When I opened the image you sent, my dog immediately pointed at the computer screen. Well, OK, maybe not. But my canine pal and I instantly recognized your mystery bird as a Chukar, a Eurasian species introduced here for upland game hunting. Chukar are handsome birds with a lovely, soft call. They are indeed fast runners and strong fliers as well. This makes them good for training hunting dogs in the field.
The Chukar that collided with your window was probably an escapee from a nearby field or game farm. He evidently recuperated after initially being stunned, and hopefully found some good cover in a grassy field.
Q. On Oct. 3, I spotted a black squirrel at Tekakwitha Forest Preserve near the water spigot. I did not know that Kane County had black squirrels -- since it was the first one I've seen.
A. Ah, the famous black squirrels of Tekakwitha! These handsome dudes have been impressing visitors for many years.
The black squirrels are technically gray squirrels -- Eastern Gray Squirrels to be precise. They are a melanistic form of the Eastern Gray Squirrel. Melanism is the condition of having an increased amount of black pigmentation in fur or skin.
Similar to albinism, melanism is carried on a recessive gene. The trait is passed along from generation to generation when recessive genes from each parent combine. It's possible to get a mixed litter of gray and black squirrels, depending on which genes "hook up."
The black squirrels are very handsome, and they are particularly striking in the snow. Definitely worth a trip back to Tekakwitha this winter!
Q. Do you, or does anyone you know, have experience with setting up permanent owl nesting structures? Although nesting platform plans exist, I'm not sure I would know what a good Great Horned Owl nest would look like. I know they parasitize hawk nests, so lots of twigs are involved. Anything else? Any advice?
A. I do know of one success story with a Great Horned Owl nest structure. The late Mike Wilkerson, ranger at Hampshire Forest Preserve, secured a large laundry basket up in a tree, and a pair of Great Horned Owls did use it as the base for their nest.
Great Horned Owls are not technically nest parasites, but they do take over abandoned nest sites -- almost always those of Red-tail Hawks. As awesome and mighty as they are, Great Horned Owls do not/cannot construct their own nests. These owls are the nocturnal equivalent of the Red-tailed Hawk in terms of size and predatory habits, so it's not surprising that they go for the same real estate.
Helping the nesting success of native wildlife is laudable. In my estimation, however, efforts at constructing nest boxes and putting up man-made structures for wildlife is missing the mark. What native wild animals most need is native wild habitat. My recommendation is to put time and effort into restoring natural areas rather than man-made structures. Based on the maxim "Build it and they will come," restoration of native-plant communities will bring a resurgence of healthy native-animal populations.
Join us for restoration workdays throughout the Kane County Forest Preserve District. For information about volunteer opportunities, visit our Web site, www.kaneforest.com, or contact volunteer coordinator Julia Bourque at BourqueJulia@kaneforest.com.