National birds of the countries of the world...

Photo by John C. Sullivan - Macauley Library

Palmchat (Dulus dominicus)

National bird of the Dominican Republic.   

The Palmchat is a small songbird native to the island of Hispanola known for its communal nesting habits.   It is a small, long-tailed bird with olive upper parts, heavily streaked white underparts, a thick bill and a red eye.

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BarrytheBirder

National Birds of the countries of the world...

                                                                  Photo by Macauley Library

Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)

The Andean Condor is the national bird of Bolivia.   Andean Condors are the largest raptors in the world and the largest flying bird in South America.   They also have the longest wingspan of any raptor.   The Andean Condor is also the national bird of Chile, Columbia and Ecuador.

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BarrytheBirder

National birds of the countries of the world...

                                                                   Photo by Charles J. Sharp

Clay-coloured Thrush (Turdus grayi)

National Bird of Costa Rica

The Clay-coloured Thrush  is a common bird of Central America, particularly known as the national bird of Costa Rica, where it is called Yiguirro.   It has a uniformly brown appearance and is recognized for its melodious song.   It forages on the ground and is classified as species of least concern.

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BarrytheBirder

National birds of the countries of the world...

Photo - American Bird Conservancy

Keel-billed Toucan (Rhamphastos sulphuratus)

The Keel-billed Toucan, also known as the Rainbow-billed Toucan or Sulphur-breasted Toucan is a species of Toucan native to southern Mexico, Central America and the far north-west of South America, and is found in tropical forests.   It is the national bird of Belize.   It is omnivorous and feeds on fruit, seeds, insects, invertebrates, lizards, snakes plus small birds and their eggs.

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BarrytheBirder 

National Birds of the countries of the World...

                  Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao)

National bird of Honduras

The Scarlet Macaw is known as the "Rainbow of the Rainforest".   It is also known as the Red and Yellow Macaw, the Red and Blue Macaw and the red-breasted Macaw".   It is a large yellow, red and blue neotropical parrot native to humid evergreen forests of the Americas.   A 'sassy' bird, it is filled with energy and personality, is highly intelligent and a capable escape artist.

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BarrytheBirder

National birds of the countries of the world...

 

Photo by Charles J. Sharp / Sharp Photography

Turquoise-browed Motmot

Official Bird of El Salvador

The Turquoise-browed Motmot, also known as the Torogoz, was declared national bird in in 1999.   It was chosen for its ability to remain free in captivity and its strong family bonds.   It represent freedom and family  unity.

It is also the national bird of Nicaraugua 

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Barrthebirder

National birds of the coutries of the world...

                                                                       Photo-World Bird Sanctuary

Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja)

The national bird of Panama

One of the heaviest raptors in the world.

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BarrytheBirder

National Birds of the countries in the world...

Photo by Stewart Finlayson

Golden Eagle

(Aquila chrysaetos)

National bird of Mexico

The Golden Eagle is the most common official national animal in the world.   It is the emblem of Mexico, Kazakstan, Albania, Germany and Austria.   In North America, it is found in Canada, U.S.A. and Mexico.

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BarrytheBirder

National birds of countries in the world...

Photo by BarrytheBirder

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

The Bald Eagle is America's national bird because it was chosen to be on the Great Seal of 1782 for its symbolic meaning of strength, courage and freedom, and because it is a species native only to North America.  Its presence on the Great Seal and other national symbols cemented its unofficial status for centuries before it was officially designated the national bird in December 2024.

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BarrytheBirder

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albocollis)

 
                                                                                     Photos by BarrytheBirder

The White-throated Sparrow is found across Canada and the eastern U.S.A.  Flocks scour the undergrowth of parks, woods and gardens in winter, foraging on the ground with other small birds.   They are very common in the east, but scarce in the west.   They summer in northern forests.   Their song is a clear whistled "oh, sweet, canada-canada-canada".

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BarrytheBirder

Kawartha Lakes boat trip birds...

 
Photos by BarrytheBirder

Trumpeter Swans

Great Blue Herons

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BarrytheBirder

Fixing a big mistake to a LARGE name...

                                                                         Photos by Al Large

Red-tailed Hawk
 

Back on October 1, I published the two great photos seen above, in my BarrytheBirder blogsite.   The photos were taken by a neighbour of mine at Delmanor Retirement Residence in Aurora, Ontario.   My neighbour's name is Al Large.   Unfortunately and inexplicably, the name I used in my blog of October 1, appeared as Al Small, instead of Al Large.   I've apologized to Al and I've promised if he has more bird photos in the future, I will certainly give him the proper photo credit.

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BarrytheBirder     

Osprey (Pandion jhaliaetus)

 

Photos by BarrytheBirder

The Osprey is a large gull-like raptor found near water.   The Osprey family contains only 1 species.   They are widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere and Australia.   They are found in Alaska, coast-to-coast across lower Canada, in the western U.S.A. and Atlantic coastline.

The distinctive long wing shape and dark eye-line are quite noticeable.

Ospreys are excellent fishermen, catching prey with their feet after an impressive feet-first dive, normally from a hover or a glide.   They usually enter the water completely.

They are able to take off from the surface, and shake vigorously to remove water, after becoming airborne.

Ospreys winter in the Caribbean, Central America and northern South America.

The Peterson Field Guide on Hawks states that "According tomuch folklore, Bald Eagles rob Ospreys of fish, but they do so rarely in real life.   The 2 species cohabit water areas surprisingly peacefuuly, with only an occasional antagonistic encounter, initiated by either species".

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Barry Wallace

Northern (Baltimore) Oriole (Icterus galbula)

                                                                                                     Photos by BarrytheBirder

The Northern Oriole was formerly considered two species: the "Baltimore Oriole" in the east and the "Bullock's Oriole" in the west.   Both types are readily distinctive by their contrasting black and bright orange colours.   It is found in southern Canada, throughout the U.S.A. and parts of Mexico.

As seen in the attached photos, they feed on nectar, sugar water and fruit.

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BarrytheBirder

Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)

 

                                                                                                            Photo by BarrytheBirder

Red-breasted Nuthatches  are found in lower Canada and throughout the United States.   They prefer dense conifers and mountains in the summer, other trees also in in migration.   They are usually quiet and tame and display typical head-down behaviour.

They are easily recognized  by their noticeable cinnamon underparts and prominent white supercilium.

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BarrytheBirder

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitte carolinensis)

 
                                                                                              Nuthatches are short-tailed birds that walk up, down and around tree trunks and limbs. and they nest in holes in trees.

White-breasted Nuthatches are common in leafy forests and also thrive in parks and suburbs with large trees.   They typically visit bird feeders for suet and sunflower seeds.

In winter, they often travel in flocks with chickadees and other small birds, and are found in southern Canada, throughout the U.S.A. and into Mexico.

The all-white face and chest, plus the narrow blue/black crown stripe are distinctive.

           Photos by BarrytheBirder               

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BarrytheBirder

Northern Harrier / Marsh Hawk - Circus cyaneus)

Female

Harriers are fairly large large birds that perch low and fly close to the ground. wings upraised, as they search for mice, rats, frogs, and other prey.   They are fairly common in wetlands and open fields, seldom soaring high except in migration.

Males are generally grey overall, with barred underparts.   Females are brown, with a reddish collar and reddish barred underparts.   Immatures resemble adult females.

Harriers, formerly known as Marsh Hawks, are found in Alaska, across Canada, throughout the United States, and in Mexico.

Male

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BarrytheBirder

Mourning Dove (Zenaida Macroura)

Photos by BarrytheBirder

The Mourning Dove is the most abundant and widespread dove in southern Canada, the U.S.A., Mexico, Panama and West Indies.   It is found in a wide variety of habitats, including farmyards, grassy meadows, cultivated fields, towns and suburbs, parks and backyard feeders.

It has a trim body and its long tail tapers to a point.   It has black spots on its upperwings and pinkish wash below.

The Mourning Dove's call is a mournful oowoo-woo-woo-woo.   Its wings produce a fluttering whistle as it takes flight.   In some American states it is hunted as a gamebird, while in others it is protected as a songbird.

It may breed as far north as southeastern Alaska.

The Mourning Dove's young are fed regurgitated partially digested food known as pigeon milk, according to the Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds.

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BarrytheBirder

Merlin (Falco columbarius)

 
                                                                                       Photos by BarrytheBirder

Kenn Kaufman describes this bird as: 'A compact, dashing falcon, very fast and direct in flight".   They are found across Canada, in the U.S. and Mexico.  They are usually uncommon, seen as scattered singles, but sometimes in fair numbers, as along coastlines in migration.

Male is blue-gray above, females brown; both are streaked below.   They are much smaller than the Peregrine and Prairie Falcons.   They are powerful flyers, and do not hover.   They catch birds in flight.

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BarrytheBirder

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)

Photos by BarrytheBirder

The Hooded Merganser male (above) has an elaborate crest, white with a black border, which can be raised high or flattened.   Smaller female is more uniformly dark, with a dull yellow bill and a paler bushy crest (see below/on right).

This merganser is found over much of the East in Canada and the U.S.   In breeding season it is found on rivers, woodland ponds and protected backwaters.

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BarrytheBirder

Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)

 

Photo by BarrytheBirder

The Eastern Meadowlark is one of the best-known birds of American farmlands.   Its cheerful song is familiar in most rural areas, including south-central Canada.   The Audubon Society Field Guide says meadowlarks are often polygamous with more than one female being found in the territory of a single male.   Because they breeds in hayfields, their nests may destroyed by mowing but unless the season is well advanced, they will usually nest again.

They breed from southeastern Ontario, Nova Scotia, Minnesota, South Dakota, New Mexico, and Arizona through Central America to northern South America.

They are commonly found in moist meadows and fields and upper marsh edges.   They have declined in the East in recent decades.

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BarrytheBirder

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

      Photos by BarrytheBirder

                                                                                                                 Female

Mallard Ducks are the most familiar duck of the northern hemisphere and are found across Canada and the United States.   They frequent a wide variety of shallow-water environments.   National Geographic Field Guide states feral and domestic birds are permanent residents, often found in public parks, including south of their normal range.

The Audubon Society Field Guide says of the Mallard: "Ancestor of the common white duck, wild Mallards frequently interbreed with domestic stock, producing a bewildering variety of patterns and colour.   They also hybridize with wild species such as the closely related Black Duck and even occasionally with Pintails."

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BarrytheBirder

Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon)

                                                

                                                                       Photo above and below by BarrytheBirder

The Belted Kingfisher is a solitary waterside bird in almost of North America, and the only kingfisher found in most of the continent.   It can be found perched on branches above streams and ponds or on low coastal rocks. It hovers over water or watches from from low perches, then plunges headfirst to catch small fish.   They are generally solitary.   They dig nest burrows in steep stream banks with their strong bills and feet.

                                                                                                          Photo by Dave Kemp

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BarrytheBirder