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WHAT COLOR IS YOUR FAVORITE PASSERINE Elaine Torres Tineo

The bluebird carries the sky on his back Henry David Thoreau

WHAT COLOR IS YOUR FAVORITE PASSERINE A project inspired by a series of art and conservation workshops sponsored by the Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization s New Jersey Chapter at the Cre8sArt School in Fort Lee Elaine Torres Tineo Project Director Jason Weisbrot Artwork All proceeds to benefit the Lawrence Anthony Earth Org NJ Chapter https www laeonj org Copyright 2022 by Elaine Torres Tineo

Passerines belong to the largest family of birds and are found in all parts of the world in different colors patterns shapes and sizes Also called perching birds they have the distinct characteristic of having three toes in the front and one strong toe in the back that allows them to comfortably perch on tree branches and other natural surroundings The allure of the lyrical and colorful passerine is perhaps responsible for getting more people to engage in birding activities that promote science driven bird conservation efforts This collaboration what Lawrence Anthony coined Cooperative Ecology demonstrates that all life does best when it works together with other life Whether in the American backyard or the African bush passerines play an important role in biodiversity and in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem

American Goldfinch resting on a purple cone flower

American Robin perched on Snowy Crab Apple Branch

Baltimore Oriole in woodland habitat

Black capped Chickadee perched on a tree branch

Blue Jay perched on a tree branch

Cedar Waxwing eats ripe berries out of a serviceberry tree

Cuban Tody perched on tree branch

Eurasian Blue Tits perching on branch of blossom cherry tree

Male Green Headed Tanager in a forest habitat

House Sparrows perched on Apple tree branch

Indigo Bunting perched on a green stem

Female and Male Cardinal perched on a tree branch during the winter

Orange headed Thrush

Male Painted Bunting

Red Winged Blackbird in a marsh habitat

Violet Backed Starling

Trio of Yellow billed Oxpecker perching on zebra

Yellow Warbler perched on a dogwood tree

List of Passerines American Goldfinch found across most of North America It inhabits weedy fields open floodplains and other overgrown areas Also common in suburbs parks and backyards Its diet consists of mostly seeds especially those of the daisy family The American Goldfinch is the State Bird of New Jersey American Robin found year round in the continental United States and some migrate north to spend summers in Alaska It lives in woodlands suburban backyards parks and grasslands with shrubs Its diet consists mostly of insects berries and earthworms Baltimore Oriole common in eastern North America Its preferred habitat are woodlands riverbanks and small groves of trees It also thrives in community parks and suburban backyards Its diet consists of insects fruit and nectar Black Chickadee found year round from New England to the West Coast It inhabits open woods and the forest edge especially where birch or alder trees grow Its diet consists of seeds berries and insects Blue Jay found in most of the eastern and central United States It inhabits all kinds of forests and are common in urban and suburban areas especially where oak trees or bird feeders are found Its diet consists mainly of seeds and nuts The blue jay s fondness of acorns is credited with spreading oak forests across North America Cedar Waxwing found year round in the northern half of the United States It inhabits woodlands orchards suburban parks and backyards and is frequently seen in fruiting trees Its diet consists mostly of berries and insects Cuban Tody restricted to Cuba and the larger Caribbean islands It inhabits dry lowlands evergreen forests coastal vegetation and near streams and rivers Its diet is dominated by insects but also may include small fruits small lizards and spiders Eurasian Blue Tits native to the European continent Some populations are also seen in parts of the Middle East Africa and Asia Minor It inhabits mixed woodlands as well as parks gardens and urban areas Its diet consists mostly of insects and spiders Green Headed Tanager found throughout Atlantic forests in South America where It enjoys perching on top of trees Although it prefers humid forests it is also common in orchards and parks Its primary diet consists of fruit but also enjoys seeds and insects House Sparrows are found in most parts of the world They are strongly associated with human habitation and can live in urban or rural settings They feed mostly on the seeds and

weeds but they are an opportunistic eater and commonly eat insects and many other foods Indigo Bunting is a small seed eating bird common across the eastern half of the U S It is typically found in brushy and weedy areas along farmlands orchards woods swamps and streams Buntings are in the cardinal family Northern Cardinal found throughout the eastern United States and on south into Mexico and Central America Birdfeeders stocked with sunflower seeds may have aided its northward spread In the East it inhabits a wide variety of brushy or semi open habitats from forest clearings and swamps to city parks Its diet consists mostly of seeds insects and berries Orange Headed Thrush common in wellwooded areas of India China and southeast Asia Most populations are resident 1 and show a preference for shady damp areas Its diet consists of insects earthworms and fruit Painted Bunting native to North America It Inhabits thickets woodland edges and brushy areas Its diet consists mostly of seeds and insects The male was once a very popular caged bird but its capture and holding is currently illegal Red Wing Blackbird found in most of North America and much of Central America It inhabits open grassy areas It generally prefers wetlands and inhabits both freshwater and saltwater marshes Its diet consists mostly of seeds and insect but also enjoys berries and fruit Violet Starling common in Sub Saharan Africa except for the dense rainforest of the Congo Basin and the more arid parts of southwestern Africa It inhabits open woodlands grasslands or riverine areas Its diet includes fruits seeds and insects Yellow Billed Oxpecker native to the savannah of Sub Saharan Africa from Senegal east to Sudan Its name arises from this species habit of perching on large wild and domesticated mammals Nests in tree holes lined with hair plucked from livestock Its diet consists of insects and ticks Yellow Warbler breed across central and northern North America and spend winters in Central America and northern South America It inhabits bushes swamp edges streams and gardens It mostly consumes caterpillars but its diet also includes beetles damselflies and other insects Endnotes 1 The term resident birds is used to describe species of birds that spend the whole year in their breeding grounds Unlike migratory birds they do not fly south but tend to remain near their summer breeding grounds searching for food in the barren landscape These bird species tend to feed at least partially on plant food

As individuals we are responsible for more than just ourselves and our own kind There is more to life than just these We must each one of us also bring the natural world back into proper perspective in our lives and realize that doing so is not some lofty ideal but a vital part of our personal survival Lawrence Anthony 1950 2012 Born in 1950 in Johannesburg South Africa Lawrence Anthony was a passionate environmentalist and wildlife conservationist His life vision and many conservation undertakings are memorialized in his books Babylon s Ark 2007 about his e orts to save the animals in the Baghdad Zoo during the early stages of the Iraq War The Elephant Whisperer 2009 about his relationship with a herd of wild elephants and The Last Rhino published posthumously in 2012 about his e orts to save the rare northern white rhino species from extinction by meeting with leaders of the rebel group the Lord s Resistance Army All co written with author Graham Spence In 2003 Dr Anthony founded The Earth Organization After he passed away in 2012 The Earth Organization was renamed in his honor With more than 20 chapters worldwide the Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization continues to work towards the achievement of his vision a healthy safe aesthetic world where all life can ourish Their many science based projects around the world carry forward with this goal in mind including educational programs designed to raise awareness of the vital partnership for survival all life forms have with each other He termed this subject Cooperative Ecology The mission of the New Jersey Chapter is to promote a better understanding of the environment and wildlife conservation through its various art programs For more information please visit https www laeonj org