"Stealth" Flies On Birds: The Hippoboscids

Watching avifauna at a feeder or in the field is fun, but sometimes having a bird in the hand can tell us lots more than we can observe through binoculars or a spotting scope. Such was the case this week when an Eastern Towhee we captured for banding provided an intimate encounter with a stealthy little hippoboscid fly.

For a photo essay about these interesting bird parasites--and their hyperparasites--please visit the 8-14 November 2005 installment of "This Week at Hilton Pond" by clicking on the title above.

As always we include a tally of birds banded during the period, as well as a list of recaptures.

We should also remind you that due to unavoidable circumstance, the date for our 2005 York/Rock Hill Christmas Bird Count has been changed to Monday, 19 December. Details at http://www.hiltonpond.org/ChristmasCountMain.html


Happy Nature Watching!

BILL