4 most numerous bird species on planet Earth*

Photo by BarrytheBirder

  No. 1 ~ House Sparrow

          No. 2 ~ European Starling

    No. 3 ~ Ring-billed Gull

No. 4 ~ Barn Swallow

*From 2021 research by Corey Callaghan at the University of New South       Wales in Australia and reported by Adam Vaughan, of NewScientist.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Black Brant Ducks by Dave Kemp off Vancouver Island...

 Photo by Dave Kemp

A small, dark stock sea goose (primarily coastal) seen mostly in northern Canada.   They fly in ragged formations and are rarely seen inland but some are seen in migrations through the Great Lakes and Appalachian regions in the fall.(Also known as 'American Brant' in the east).

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder 

Vancouver Island ducks...

Photos by Dave Kemp

Buffleheads

Long-tailed Duck

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Loons off Vancouver Island's east coast...

Photos by Dave Kemp

Common Loons

(during molt)

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Tree Swallows displace Bluebirds...

 

Photo by Barry Wallace

While Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) often precede Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) to nesting boxes in the spring, they are very often displaced from nesting boxes by Tree Swallows.   Starlings and House Sparrows are also known to displace nesting bluebirds.   Specially designed birdboxes have resulted in a comeback by bluebirds, but Tree Swallows usually prevail in open woodlands, orchards and farmlands and parks with nesting boxes.   The photo above was taken at Cold Creek Conservation Area in King Township, north of Toronto, Ontario.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

Black & White Warbler - one of the earliest spring migrants

Photos by BarrytheBirder

(Mniotilta varia)

This is the only warbler that regularly creeps along branches and up and down tree trunks like a nuthatch.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Wild Turkeys coming out of the woods...

 Photos by BarrytheBirder

It's officially spring and many bird types are showing up.  Many people have reported lots of Robins, already.   I've personally seen several Wild Turkeys coming out of the woods nearby, in addition to the Turkey Vulture I reported in yesterday's blog.

Please comment 

if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

First Turkey Vulture of 2023 in Aurora...

                                                                                                                Photos by BarrytheBirder

I spotted my first Turkey Vulture of this year on Thursday, March 16th, over Aurora, in York Region.   The period of time when Turkey Vultures are seen in these parts, gets longer and longer each year as the big black birds arrive sooner in the spring and head south later in the fall. It is now common in its mapped range and continues to expand its summer and and winter ranges northward.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Robins return...

 

                                                                                   Photo by BarrytheBirder

A few friends have mentioned over the last day or so that they have spotted their first Robin in the middle of March.   This week has started out warmer and sunnier

and it's officially spring now.   To me, this past winter is the second one in a row that seemed easier and gentler.   One wonders what else climate change has in store for us.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Winter warriors...

                                                                                                                Photos by BarrytheBirder

Dark-eyed Junco

(Junco hymalis)

In winter found in a wide variety of habitats, usually in flocks.   The Slate-colored Junco winters mostly in eastern North America.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Beautiful Vancouver Island photos by B.C. naturalist Dave Kemp...

Photos by Dave Kemp

    Please comment if you wish.

    BarrytheBirder

A magnificent-looking creature on the wing.......

Photo by BarrytheBirder

Red-tailed Hawk

(Buteo jamaicensis)

Has a distinctive, harsh, descending "Keeeeer" call.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Vancouver Island Harlequin Ducks by Dave Kemp

 

    Photos by Dave Kemp

Harlequin Ducks 

(Histrionicus

histrionicus)

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Vancouver Island birds by Dave Kemp...

Harlequin Ducks

Black Turnstone

                                     Oystercatchers

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Oystercatchers on Vancouver Island...

Photos by Dave Kemp

Please comment if you wish.

Barry the Birder

Coming in for a landing...

More Trumpeter Swans on Vancouver Island

Photos by Dave Kemp

   Please comment if you wish.

    BarrytheBirder

Vancouver Island Trumpeter Swans by Dave Kemp

 

Cygnus buccinator

Found in Great Lakes and upper Midwest regions.   Reintroduced into parts of its former range and introduced elsewhere.  Some of these individuals have wandered south in winter to the mid-South and mid-Atlantic regions.  They are similar in size (60" / 152 cm) to Mute Swans.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry the Birder