Trumpeter Swans - Vancouver Island

Photos by Dave Kemp

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus)

                                                                             Photo by Ina Rodina

This photo of nor just one, but two, Harlequin Ducks was taken recently on the Toronto waterfront of Lake Ontario.

Harlequin Ducks are small ducks with rounded heads and stubby bills found on rocky coasts and shorelines, and inland along swift streams when nesting.   They are found along both eastern and western coasts in Canada.   They are rare south to the Carolinas and in the Great Lakes...casual in the interior.

The Harlequin is mostly silent, except during the breeding season.   It makes various squeaks and whistles and according to ornithologist Kenn Kaufman is sometimes called the"sea mouse". 

Please comment if you wish. 

BarrytheBirder                            

Killdear (Charadrius vociferus)

      Photos BarrytheBirder

The Killdeer is a plover that ranges from Alaska, across mid-to-lower Canada, the U.S.A. and upper Mexico.      Technically a "shorebird", it is common in grassy fields and on shores.   They nest on open ground, usually on gravel, even on flat rooftops. 

  

They may form loose flocks and linger into early winter in their summer range.   Killdeers winter throughout the southern United States and north along coasts to British Columbia and New Jersey.

They forage day or night.

They are vociferous.   Kenn Kaufman says are "...very vocal, calling at any disturbance" with a "clear plaintive kil-deeah and dee-dee-dee".

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)

Photos by BarrytheBirder

Red-bellied Woodpeckers are found in lower southern Ontario and in the eastern United States.   They are noisy and fairly aggressive and frequent open deciduous woodlands, suburbs and parks.  They regularly come to feeders, particularly suet.

They are rare in Maine and the Maritimes, but their breeding range appears to be extending northward.   Northern birds move south in the winter.

'Red-bellies" have black-and-white barred backs, white upper-tail covers and barred central tail feathers.   The crowns and napes are red in males.   Females  have red nape only, with a small reddish patch or tinge on belly, usually difficult to see (notes photos above).  

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder 

Further to yesterday's blog about world's most common birds...

 
Photos by BarrytheBirder

The most-common wild bird in Canada and the United States is generally considered to be the American Robin, with population estimates of around 300-370 million, found across both countries and known for their adaptable nature in urban locales and forests.   The European Starling and House Sparrow are also very abundant and other highly numerous species include Mourning Doves, Red-winged Blackbirds and Dark-eyed Juncos.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Most common wildbird species in the world...

                                                                              Photo: Modomolle

Red-billed Quelea

Apart from the domestic chicken, the most common bird species in the world is the sparrow-like Red-billed Quelea, found in sub-Sahara Africa right down to the bottom of South Africa.   

There are estimated 1.5 billion Red-billed Queleas on planet Earth.

Perhaps, surprisingly, the Mourning Dove is the third most populous bird species in the world at 475 million birds.

The Red-billed Quelea does not appear to be threatened.   Nor does the Mourning Dove, for that matter.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)

Photos by BarrytheBirder

Females (above and below)

The browned-headed Cowbird is a relatively small (7 1/2") black bird with rounded proportions and a small conical bill.   Its bill shape and and squared tail distinguish it from blackbirds.

The Audubon Handbook of Eastern Birds says: "Often flocks with blackbirds and starlings in residential areas.   in mixed-species flocks on the ground, note habit of sticking its tail straight up when feeding".

They are found across lower Canada, the U.S. and upper Mexico and inhabit woodlands, suburbs and farmlands.

All cowbirds lay eggs in nests of other species!

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Rerest birds in the world

                                                                   Photos from CHAT GPT

Spix's Maca

Kakapo

                                                                     Madagascar Pochard

According to CHAT GPT, the rarest birds in the world include several species with critically low populations.   The Spix's Macaw is extinct in the wild with only captive populations remaining.   Other extremely rare species include the Kakapo of New Zealand with about 250 individuals, and the Madagascar Pochard with fewer than 100 individuals in the wild.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Merlin (Falco Columbarius)

 
Photo by BarrytheBirder

The Merlin is a small (12") low-flying falcon that feeds primarily on small birds (up to the size of flickers).   It swiftly overtakes prey, catching birds in flight and rarely stoops.

It breeds from Alaska across Canada to the northern United States, usually near open country.   It is rarely found in several southernly eastern states in the U.S.  It winters from southern parts of its breeding range down to South America.

Its tail is prominently banded and its facial pattern is less distinct than that of most falcons.   Its plumage varies geographically and can vary from blue-gray, to brown and buff.

The Merlin's voice is mostly silent, except from its nest site.

Overall, this falcon is generally uncommon (one of the reason I have only one picture of this bird) and is seen usually as scattered singles, but occasionally seen in fair numbers, as along coastlines in migration.

Please comment if you wish.

   Barry the Birder 

Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus)

     Photos by Cornell Lab All About Birds

Ruffed Grouse males and females are difficult to tell apart

Male Ruffed Grouse in courtship display

The Ruffed Grouse is one of five grouse found in Canada and the U.S.A.  The Ruffed Grouse and the Spruce Grouse (see Jan.25th blog) are both found across Canada and the upper U.S.A., whereas the Blue Grouse, the Greater Sage Grouse and the Sharp-tailed Grouse are more western and central North American species.

The Ruffed Grouse is rather common in mixed and deciduous woods.   They are usually seen on the ground, but also perch high in trees. 

The National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern North America says there are two colour morphs, red and gray, and are most apparent by tail colour.   Red morphs predominate in the Appalachian  region, gray morphs in the north.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)

Photos by Barry Wallace 

Ornithologist Kenn Kaufman in his 'Birds of North America' says Eastern Kingbirds are "Common in summer in open country, forest edges, farms, orchards and roadsides, and perching on fences or treetops.   Conspicuous for its bold behaviour, attacking and chasing crows, hawks or other large birds that come too near the kingbird's nest".

Eastern Kingbirds are a large (8 1/2"), distinctive and rather handsome flycatcher.  They have a black head and gray back. They are white below below, with a gray wash across the breast.   They have a broad white band at the tip of tail which is diagnostic.

A narrow strip of red-orange feathers on the crown is usually hidden.

These birds are found across southern Canada and throughout the central and eastern United States.   They winter in South America.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Spruce Grouse (Falcipennis canadensis)

 
                                                                        Photo by Joey Georgekish

Spruce Grouse are found in Alaska and across Canada.   Kenn Kaufman in his 'Birds of North America' says "Although it is fairly common across the great northern forest, this grouse can be hard to find because it is too tame, sitting motionless while a birder walks right past".

They are widespread but tame and retiring and easily overlooked, according to a National Geographic field guide to eastern birds, adding: "Spruce Grouse inhabit  open coniferous and taiga forest with dense undergrowth...frequent roadsides, especially in fall."

Males look gray, with white edging on black throat and chest, and red "combs" above each eye.   They also have a rusty tip on the tail.   Females have two colour morphs, red and gray.   Juveniles resemble the red-morph female.

The Audubon Handbook of Eastern Birds says Spruce Grouse are: "Usually exceedingly tame and easily approached; hence the nickname "fool hen".

The photo above was taken my nephew Joey Georgekish, the son of my sister Denise and her late husband Fred Georgekish, a full-blooded Cree Indian.  Joey grew up with his parents in the village of Wemindji, on the eastern shore of James Bay in Quebec, and is quite familiar with birdlife in that part of Canada.

Please comment if you wish.  

BarrytheBirder

Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)

Photos by BarrytheBirder

The Chipping Sparrow is one 31 species of sparrows found in Canada, the U.S.A. and Mexico.   Chippings are widespread and common and are found on lawns, in fields, woodland edges, and pine-oak forests.   It is easily identified by the bright chestnut crown, distinct white eyebrow, and black line extending from its bill through eye to ear.

Its song is a rapid, hard trill of dry 'chip' notes, all on one pitch.

It is widespread in woodlands, forest edges and backyards.   Kaufman describes it as a "summer backyard bird in many areas, hopping on lawns, nesting in hedges".

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Savannah Sparrow (Passercullus sandwichensis)

 

Photos by BarrytheBirder

Savannah Sparrows are common and most widespread across North America, often in small, loose flocks.   They are variably smallish (5 1/2" (14 cm.)  They are found in fields, marshes, tundra, dunes and beach grass and often sit in the open.   They are heavily streaked on the chest, have a strong face pattern, often with yellow in front of eye, and have narrow white central crown stripe.

There can be many local variations in colouring, with some extremes being blackish.    

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca)

Photos by BarrytheBirder

My National Geographic Field Guide says this sparrow is highly variable, with most subspecies having having reddish rumps, tails, and reddish in wings.   They often have two-toned bills.   Underparts are heavily marked with triangular spots merging into a larger spot on the central breast.   The many sub-species are divided into 4 sub-species groups; which could even be distinct species.

The brightest group, Iliaca, and slightly duller zaboria ('Red' group) breed in the far north, from Alaska to Newfoundland and south to southern California, Nevada and Colorado.   They winter from southern B.C. to California, and from southern Kansas to New Jersey and south to the Gulf Coast in the eastern U.S.  Rockies western mountain races ("Slate-coloured" group) have gray heads, backs, plus grayish olive base to bill.

Fox Sparrows are large and uncommon (generally seen in small numbers), and usually found in dense undergrowth in woodlands and forest edges. hedgerows, thickets and second growth.  The "Slate-coloured" group is casual east of the Rockies.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)

 

Photos by BarrytheBirder

This sparrow is found all across Canada and the United States.   Their range is generally common, especially in streamside in streamside thickets.   They are often found in thickets, brushy open country, and residential areas and parks as well as gardens, where they like low, dense cover.

All sub-species have long, rounded tails, pumped in flight.   All show a broad grayish eyebrow and broad, dark malar stripe bordering whitish throats.  Their upperparts are usually streaked.   Their underparts are whitish, with streaking on sides and breasts which often converge in a central spot.   Legs and feet are usually pinkish.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

How many individuals birds are there worldwide?

 Approximately 400 billion?

No, there are not 400,000 billion birds on this planet of ours.   Current scientific estimates suggest there are  approximately 50 billion individual birds globally across all species.   This number represents total bird populations, not species diversity, and was established through comprehensive studies published in 2021.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys))

Photos by BarrytheBirder

The White-crowned Sparrow is a large and distinctive bird, widespread in brushy open country, woodland edges, thickets and roadsides, often around houses.   They usually feed on the ground, generally on seeds.   They are frequently seen on the ground, where they forage with other sparrows or juncos.

They breed from Alaska to Labrador and south to south-central California and northern Mexico.    They are more common in the west than the east.   They winter along the Pacific Coast from south Alaska to Mexico and across the southern United States to Maryland.

Adults have striking black and white striped crowns, brownish streaked backs and wings which have two white wings bars.   Face, nape and breast are gray.   They have whitish chins and pale bellies, plus pale bills that vary from yellow to pink.   

Please comment if you wish.

Barrythe Birder

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albocollis)

Photos by BarrytheBirder

Adult White-throated Sparrows have two colour morphs; white striped birds usually mate with tan-striped ones (see photo above).

White-throated Sparrows are large and distinctive and found  across central Canada and the eastern United States.   They are common and nest in brushy coniferous and mixed woodlands (very common in east, scarce in the west, and usually summer in northern forests).  They winter in woodland undergrowth, brush, and gardens.

They have a conspicuous and strongly outlined white throat, a mostly dark bill; dark crown stripes and eye line. Their broad eyebrows are yellow in front of eyes, and the remainder is either white or tan.   Upperparts are rusty brown, underparts grayish, occasionally with diffuse streaking.

The White-throated Sparrow's song is a thin whistle, generally two single notes followed by three triple notes: pure sweet Canada Canada Canada (often heard in winter).

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis)

                                                                Photo: Cornell Lab of Ornitholgy

Winter Wren - "...a tiny ball of energy"

The Winter Wren is found across southern Canada and the the eastern United States.  The Cornell Lab of Ornithology recently described the Winter Wren in the following fashion: "In a tangled understory of eastern forests, a tiny ball of energy lets loose with a rich cascade of bubbly notes".   This songster is the Winter Wren, shaking as sings its astoundingly loud song.   I sports a palette of browns and dark barring on the wings, tail, and belly.   It usually holds its tiny tail straight up and bounces up and down,   It is a rather weak flyer that hops and scampers among fallen logs in a mouse-like fashion, inspecting upturned roots and vegetation for insects.

In summer, Winter Wrens are often commonly found in evergreen forests near streams with lots of fallen logs and dense understories.

In winter they become much more widespread in southern Canada and the eastern U.S., and move from deep forest into more open or younger woods where they are easier to find.   Personally, I have never found one, but then I have never looked for one.   I may have seen one or heard one at some time in the past, but the Winter Wren does not have a place on my birding life-list.

More than 80 species of wren live in North and South America, but only one  wren occurs in the rest of the world (the Eurasian Wren).

                                                     Winter Wren Photo:  Eastern Ecological Science Centre

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder