Typically found in open habitats of desert, grasslands, meadows and agricultural fields, it is most often seen sitting on top of a tall telephone pole or an isolated tree. This large falcon hunts mainly for small mammals and small to medium-sized birds, but it will also take reptiles and large grasshoppers. It forages by flying over the prey and stooping down on them and also by diving from its high isolated perch. The nest is located on a high cliff ledge or rock crevice over open habitat.
Found exclusively on rushing mountain streams, this amazing bird is usually seen bobbing up and down on rocks in streams or using its buzzy and fast flight to fly low over the water. It is usually solitary and spends much of its time searching for small fish and aquatic insects while it walks into or even under the water. The Dipper also can use its wings to \fly\ underwater to a depth of 20 ft 6 m) or more. Its domed nest is made of moss and vegetation and placed on a niche of a wet cliff face, bridge abutment or behind a waterfall or cascading stream.
A native of the west, the House Finch is abundant in suburbs and cities but also does well in desert scrub and open woodlands. Because of its beautiful song, it was introduced to Long Island in the 1940s, and escapees and their offspring quickly populated much of the rest of the east. It feeds almost exclusively on seeds and unlike most other seed-eating species that switch to insects for their young, the House Finch also feeds seeds to its nestlings. This species uses a wide variety of nest sites, but the nest is often placed in a shaded niche or shallow cavity.\r\n
Always associated with moist areas, this grackle has taken advantage of human water use, such as canals, golf courses and reservoirs, to dramatically spread its geographical range in the last 25 years. It is abundant in suburbs and city centers, and during the winter, it forms immense flocks that roost together in the same few trees every night. It feeds on the ground on insects, aquatic invertebrates, fruit, grain and often robs other birds\ nests of their eggs and young. The Great-tailed Grackle twig nests are concentrated in loose colonies of thousands in trees near water.'
Often hard to see, only its beautiful song echoing against cliffs and steep boulders shows how common the Canyon Wren is. It prefers open dry or semi-dry areas with little or low vegetation. Here it hops into small niches and atop rocks as it searches for insects. The small cup-nest is placed in a small dark cave among rocks and is made of moss, leaves and spider webbing.
Found wading in marshes, wet mud and flooded fields, the Black-necked Stilt usually occurs in small colonies. It nests on the ground on little islands or hummocks in wet areas, and the shallow nest is lined with pebbles, sticks and clam shells. Adults vigorously protect nest sites by calling loudly and flying close over the head of intruders. They will also fake a wing injury to draw the enemy away from the eggs or young. Food is picked from under water and consists of invertebrates, small fish, tadpoles and occasionally seeds. This species is considered threatened in Hawaii.