I know a few songbirds. A verdin’s call, its bright yellow head, chestnut-colored shoulder patch and spherical nest with an entry point near the bottom are the features helping me to identify this bird. It often flies around quickly and I see it many times upside-down as it eats insects and seeds.
Recently I was at Tucson’s El Rio Preserve. I saw what looked like a nest and thought I heard a verdin call. Hoping I was correct, I knew with some patience I would eventually locate the bird.
As you can see in the photo below, the nest was well hidden in the sweet acacia shrub.
I moved a distance away from the nest and waited. Another birder happened to walk by and wondered what I was waiting for. As we talked the bird flew to the nest and darted inside. I caught a photo while it sat on the branch before leaving the nest.
Of course, I had to try my sketching and watercolor painting ability with this little bird… why not ? … here it is:
Had to blow up the photo to see the verdin but it’s a GREAT photo. Thanks for sharing.
Contemplated zooming in on bird, but also wanted to indicate how we have to look so closely to see these birds. I hope others notice the bird. Future… maybe include bird close-up. Thanks for your input.