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The Birds of Kentucky by Burt L. Monroe, Jr: The Definitive Guide to Birds in Kentucky

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The Birds of Kentucky Bird Guide by Burt L. Monroe Jr.

The Birds of Kentucky (Gorgeous and Informative Guide)

The Birds of Kentucky from The University Press of Kentucky is a MUST for all bird watchers who want more information about the birds they love so much. I was recently sent this absolutely beautiful and wonderfully informative book to share with you and it’s my pleasure to do so.

  • What’s the most common sparrow at Kentucky’s feeders each winter?
  • How can I identify backyard birds in Kentucky?
  • What bird is affectionately called the Snowbird?
  • What’s a Bobolink and have I ever seen one?!
  • What type of birds are common in Kentucky?
  • What’s the difference between the different varieties of hawks?
  • What areas of Kentucky are Red-Tailed hawks most abundant?
  • Did I just see a Downy Woodpecker or a Pileated Woodpecker?
  • Which owls are found most often in Kentucky and which are rare but treasured visitors?

These questions and MANY, MANY, MANY more questions about birds (and identifying birds) in Kentucky can be found in this very delightful to spend time with book.

This elaborate and beautiful bird guide was written by Burt L. Monroe, Jr., professor and chairman of the Department of Biology at the University of Louisville from 1970-1993. The gorgeous book (very worthy of being a coffee table book – in fact, I’ve never wished I had a coffee table more than I do right now!) features original paintings by the wonderful wildlife artist William Zimmerman.

Zimmerman’s paintings and drawings remind me a great deal of John James Audubon – praise does NOT get much sweeter than that.

His beautiful paintings of Kentucky’s birds are so wonderful, if you’re able to get your hands on two copies of this book, using one for a bird guide and resource, while using the pictures from the other one to frame and group on a wall would be ideal for any bird enthusiast’s home.

(Continued below the Rough-Legged Hawk)

Rough-Legged Hawk

Rough-Legged Hawk

I chose to use the photo of the Rough-legged hawk because, not only is it a stunning photo, but I actually learned things about him I didn’t know! In fact, even though I have loved and studied birds all my life, this excellent guide taught me A LOT. After reading through it (cover to cover because it’s downright nectar to a bird lover), the first thought into my mind was, “I feel like I just took a fascinating college course in bird watching.”

Now, each time I see a particular bird, my mind pulls up the new information I have in my mental library.

Knowledge is such an adrenaline rush!

(Continued Below….)

The Birds of Kentucky Bird Guide by Burt L. Monroe Jr.

One of the things I love most about this beautiful Kentucky bird guide is the respect and passion for birds that comes through each of the author’s words. He obviously cared a great deal about birds and his love for them is palpable. As a bird lover myself, I can’t even put it into words how drawn I am to this.

Something else I appreciate a great deal is this: A lot of bird guides and reference books read kind of like the birding nerd Jane Hathaway (from The Beverly Hillbillies) hung around with on an episode or two. Big, dry words… and half of them in Latin!… with no color or personality to them… just strung together, seemingly in an attempt to bore you to tears! Come on, let’s be honest, here… a lot of bird guides and bird reference books are guilty of this very description. In fact, they’ve kind of given bird guides a bad name with their own dryness!

The Birds of Kentucky is the polar opposite of this description. The author and artist obviously realize that birds are extraordinarily colorful and FULL of personality, so a book about them should be as well!

Jane Hathaway (a bird enthusiast as well as a Jethro enthusiast) would have passed out from joy had she read this book.

From the Back Cover:

The first of its kind to be published for the Bluegrass State, this book is designed to provide an accurate and scientifically rigorous description of all the species of birds found in Kentucky. This comprehensive guide features a wealth of information, including abundance records, migration dates, and additional reference material, and indicates whether a bird is a permanent resident, winter resident, summer resident, visitant, or transient. Additionally, author Burt L. Monroe reviews the history of ornithologists who have worked in Kentucky and outlines the physiography of the state as it relates to birding.

More than just a verbal portrait of Kentucky avifauna, The Birds of Kentucky includes fifty-one color paintings by the renowned wildlife artist William Zimmerman, whose work has been favorably compared to that of John James Audubon. In contrast to Audubon’s romanticism and often tortuous style, however, Zimmerman offers us “comfortable” birds that look as if they are about to take wing and leave the page.

Beautifully illustrated and based on a lifetime of field observation and research, this book provides an excellent guide to the natural history of the birds of the Bluegrass.

The Birds of Kentucky from The University Press of Kentucky would make a PERFECT Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift – just be CERTAIN you grab a copy for yourself. You are going to absolutely love everything about this beautiful guide.

The Birds of Kentucky Bird Guide by Burt L. Monroe Jr.

The Birds of Kentucky Bird Guide by Burt L. Monroe Jr.

Reviews for The Birds of Kentucky:

“A pleasing blend of artistry and informative text that will be hard for local bird enthusiasts and casual, armchair birders to resist.” ~ Brainard Palmer-Ball Jr., Birding Magazine

“This book is not only scientifically accurate but a visual delight and one that is sure to please any birder or naturalist.” ~ Indiana Audubon Quarterly

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak: A Favorite and Colorful Bird Feeder Visitor

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Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

If you’ve spotted a colorful, gorgeous little black and white bird with red on his chest, you’ve been lucky enough to see a male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak. A member of the cardinal family, the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak is a songbird we don’t get to see very often here in Kentucky.

I don’t have any pictures, YET, of a female Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, but I’m working on it. She isn’t as colorful as her male companion, but she’s just as beautiful – with gorgeous brown markings. Females and immature males (no comments, ladies) are streaked brown and white. They have an adorable, distinctive face pattern and what seems like an especially large bill.

You’ll often see Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks referred to as “large songbirds” but this only means comparison-wise. These birds aren’t very big at all – I’d say somewhere between a sparrow and a cardinal.

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

 

Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks are undoubtedly one of the most vivid sights at your bird feeder.  They’re a beautiful reminder of the importance to glance out at your bird feeder or feeders often.  You won’t see Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks year-round, of course. I’ve had the best luck with viewing them in spring and early summer, but I’m hoping they’ll stick around longer this year.

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Even the back view is beautiful! If you see the view above in your yard, be sure to wait for him to turn around.

I always place birdseed and corn on my windowsills – something doves, cardinals, finches, and sparrows absolutely LOVE. I’ve found that Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks are also crazy about this special buffet, yesterday three mails were lined up at one window eating happily while giving each other the side eye.  **** If you put birdseed on a windowsill, be sure you keep your blinds or curtains almost completely down. I leave mine only a few inches up – if you “expose” too much of the glass, birds will not see it and will fly right into it, usually killing the bird.

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

I apologize for the quality of these particular pictures – they were taken through glass from my kitchen… with a zoom lens, no less.  I’ve tried to provide a good assortment of angles and shots to give you an idea of the size and colors of these beautiful birds. I kept waiting for another bird to land close to the grosbeak to give you a size comparison, but every other bird was apparently bashful!

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

A Few Facts About Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks:

  • They are notorious for their “flimsy” nests.
  • The rose-breasted grosbeak’s song sounds very similar to a robin’s.
  • The male Rose-breasted Grosbeak incubates the eggs for several hours during the day, while the female incubates the rest of the day and all night long.
  • Males sing to establish territories and attract females.
  • When a male attracts a female, he actually plays hard to get for a few days before giving her the time of day!

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

For more information (pictures, audio…) on Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks and every other bird imaginable, check out All About Birds.

See Also:

Time Spent with Birds is Never Wasted

Bird Watching: A Beautiful Way to Spend an Afternoon

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Hummingbird

Hummingbird – Eat and Run

I’m not just a bird lover, bird feeder, or bird watcher, I’m what’d have to be called a bird fanatic. I even keep a “Bird Journal,” detailing the birds I see at our feeders (or excursions) each day – what they did, their behavior, etc.

Bird Nerd, for sure.

My journal had a lot of entries a few days ago. Some of the most exciting times of the year, for me, are when I see the much-anticipated arrival of particular feathered friends.  That first hummingbird sighting, for example, always comes with a bevy of exclamation points. I saw my first one earlier this week, though I suspect they’d been visiting the feeder before then. Fortunately I was in the front yard (camera in hand) at the time.

The only problem, for me, is that when I’m photographing birds, wildlife, or pets, I’m too busy wanting to WATCH to really focus on the picture!

Hummingbird

Hummingbird

Hummingbirds are uncommonly fascinating and so ridiculously beautiful.  All birds are – each in their own way. That’s why I can never say which bird is my absolute favorite. Instead, when asked, I say, “Goldfinches are my favorite today,” “Hummingbirds are my favorite today,” “Cardinals are my favorite today,” “Mockingbirds are my favorite today,” “Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks are my favorite today,” “Blue Jays…”

Oh, you get the idea!

The more time you spend with birds, the more you appreciate each one’s distinct personality and characteristic behaviors. Take mockinbirds, for example… these guys are hilarious!  Our mockingbirds love to hang out near our patio. A favorite perch is an iron hanging plant holder – it’s located near a few cat food dishes, which the mockingbirds feel for certain is their own personal buffet.

Mockingbird

Mockingbird 

I love how determined a mockingbird always looks – they’re beautiful and I’m crazy about their “Look at me! I’m the Captain!” attitude.

Before the hummingbird showed up at the hummingbird feeder, I actually saw something I’d never seen before, a goldfinch flew right up, sat on the perch and drank his fill.

Goldfinch at a Hummingbird Feeder

Goldfinch says, “Don’t mind if I do…”

The goldfinch is another bird I could watch all day. They’re such colorful little beauties.

Goldfinch at a Hummingbird Feeder

Goldfinch 

I’ll add more bird pictures this weekend – I got some extra fun pictures of a female cardinal. For about three days now, my favorite bird of the day has been the “female cardinal.”  If you ever stop and really look at a female cardinal, you’ll realize that she is uncommonly beautiful – just as beautiful as her show-off male counterpart.

Just don’t tell him that – his ego is out of this world.

Turkeys: Strutting Their Stuff at Woodlands Nature Station in the LBL

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Turkeys at the Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes (LBL)
Without a single doubt, one of the greatest spots in the world is Kentucky’s own Land Between the Lakes Recreational Area (LBL). Animal lovers, history buffs, lovers of the beautiful outdoors, families, bird watchers, adventure-seekers… there’s something for everyone.

Being one of those “animal lovers” and “bird watchers”  as well as a “lover of the beautiful outdoors,” I always visit Woodlands Nature Station when we’re in the Land Between the Lakes. The only problem is I never want to leave!

We had Opening Day 2016 marked on our calendars and went as soon as possible. I can’t remember if it was one or two days after they actually opened – but I know it was much too long to wait.

{Continued below the video…}

One of my personal favorite animals at the Nature Station is the gorgeous bobcat. I’m a stereotypical “Crazy Cat Lady,” so this is pretty much a given. Although she slept during our visit, the other animals more than made up for it – especially the turkeys, who put on a great show for us!

We took plenty of pictures of these beautiful birds and I was able to make a few videos. As luck would have it, just as I was in the middle of transitioning between camera and cellphone, several male turkeys had a “gobbling” match and it was really something to see AND hear.

Like children who won’t do what you want when you want, they refused to say another word after I resumed videoing them.

I really got a kick out of the way they “shake” and “ruffle” their feathers, which creates a really cool sound. The males were putting on a fantastic show for the females – we just got lucky enough to witness it all.

I’ll add more pictures from the day shortly – I was just anxious to let the turkeys show off and strut their beautiful stuff.

The wonderful thing about the Nature Station (in addition to the beautiful animals, trees, plants, and birds, that is) is this: It is never the same twice. Each time you go, a different animal or bird takes center stage, so to speak. Different birds will be at the many feeders, different animals will be up to varying shenanigans, different flowers will be showing off, etc.

The Nature Station is just too wonderful to describe. That’s why I take so many pictures! You’ll fall further in love with the colorful residents each time you go.

On a somewhat related note… I’m never eating turkey again.

Ever.

Turkeys at the Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes (LBL)

Picture of the Day for Fellow Bird Lovers: Welcoming Back Robins!

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Robin at Panther Creek Park, Owensboro
I love birds with all that’s within me, but I’m never any happier to see ANY bird than I am the first robin each year.  That first chubby little orange belly always makes me smile ear to ear because it’s what I consider my first sign of waving goodbye to winter and hello to spring.

The first robin I saw this year was Thursday morning (Feb. 7). I was enthralled in my morning ritual – standing at the window, drinking coffee while watching the birds at our bird feeders and feeding stations.  I did a double-take when I saw my little harbinger of spring hopping across the yard.  I excitedly told my cat, “The first robin!” but her expression said, “Delicious,” so I found someone else to celebrate with.

The robin in the picture above was photographed later that day when my youngest daughter and I took advantage of the 66 degree weather by walking at Panther Creek Park. It was just ridiculously gorgeous and we loved every single minute, as did the birds, ducks, and a couple of older men who were fishing and just plain loving life.

The adorable robin actually stood perfectly still, consenting to pose for me.  She apparently loved the camera because I could have snapped 100 and she never would have complained once.  After a few shots, though, I simply put my camera down and just watched her.  Realizing that the photo shoot was over, she flew off to another spot.

See the other pictures I took that afternoon on our Panther Creek Park Pictures page – the newest ones are at the bottom.

Just look for the little camera lover.

 

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Flowering Tree in Bowling Green
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