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Chestnut-backed Chickadee and Monarchs
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Edward Rooks
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2001 |
San Jose,
, California, USA |
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Acrylic on paper, 10 x 20" |
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The illustrated Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens) is getting ready to eat from a potentially deadly Monarch buffet in Santa Cruz, CA. Monarch
(Danaus plexipus) butterflies possess chemical defenses; but some bird species, such as the chickadee have learned to safely eat the soft parts of these
insects. Through forensic studies of stomach contents at least nine species of birds that overwinter in Mexico have been identified to
consume monarchs at least occasionally (Fink et al, 1983). This chickadee was observed eating Monarchs during the Monarch mating season in Natural Bridges State Park.
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