and another winter warrior...

Photos by Barrythe Birder

Common Redpoll (Carduelis flammea)

The Common Redpoll is smaller than a sparrow, brown-streaked, with a bright red cap and a black chin.   Male has a pink breast.   It breeds from Aleutians west to Unalaska Island and Alaska and northern Quebec south to Newfoundland, Magdalen Islands and British Columbia.   It winters south to the Carolinas, Oklahoma and California.   The Audubon Society Field Guide says "A stand of winter weeds visited by a flock of these energetic little birds is a scene of feverish activity as they tear dried flower stalks apart and rush to the ground to picks up the seeds.   They spend much time on the ground, often in dense stands of weeds, and are therefore easier to overlook than goldfinches  and siskins.   They are tame and trusting, and allow close approach."

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Swainson's Hawk is still around!

                                                                                             Photos by BarrytheBirder

One again, just when I thought we'd seen the last of the Swainson's Hawks here in southern Ontario, just north of Toronto, one more has shown up at the end of November, in Aurora, Ontario.   I looks strong and healthy and well-fed.   But it should be in Florida or even further south at this time of year.

I believe this bird to be one of a family of six Swainson's Hawks that spent the spring, summer and fall here in the Aurora area.

Two years ago there was a single mated pair here, but this year it appeared to be a family of six.

It has been a revelation to watch this beautiful raptor almost every day and often up close.

Please

comment

if you wish.

Barry the Birder

Another winter warrior...

 
                                                                  Photos by BarrytheBirder

                PINE SISKIN (Carduelis pinus)

Prominent streaking; yellow at base of tail and in flight feathers conspicuous in flight; bill thinner than other finches finches.   Gregarious; may flock with Goldfinches in winter.   Found in coniferous and mixed woods in summer, but forest, shrubs, and fields in winter.   Its winter range is erratic, but always welcome.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirdeer

Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)

                                                                         Photos by BarrytheBirder

Chipping Sparrows are small and slim and widespread and common across southern Canada and most of the U.S.A.   But at this time of year, most will be heading further south to spend the winter in a band of U.S. states beginning in western Missouri and Texas and spreading eastward to North Carolina and the Atlantic seaboard.   A few may continue to be found in the Great Lakes region and New York..   They are normally found on lawns and in fields, woodland edges,  and pine-oak forests.   Winter adults are a little darker than summer adults.   

Goldfinches will be here all winter...

                                                                                                      Photos by BarrytheBirder

A goldfinch appears -

bright among the green shadows,

gone a flicker.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Mourning Doves are so appreciative...

Photos by Barry the Birder

Coos in the morning

echoes of grief after night 

sobs softened by light.

                                        - Justin Farley

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

It's not too soon to start...

                                                                 Photos by Barry the Birder

Start winter bird-feeding measures now

 before everything gets covered in snow.

It's cold and we've already had some snow, which means it's now time to prepare your situation for feeding resident winter birds.

The sooner you start preparing for winter bird feeding, the greater success you will have sustaining your feathered friends through the months ahead, not to mention your enjoyment of their antics at the feeders.

Best wishes and enjoy...

BarrytheBirder

Please comment if you wish.

Dark-eyed Junco ( Junco hyemalis)

 

                                                                     Photos by BarrytheBirder

Until recently the numerous geographical forms of this bird were considered separate species, but since they interbreed wherever their ranges meet, they are now considered one species.   The eastern form, formerly called the "Slate-coloured Junco", is the only one usually encountered  in eastern Canada and the eastern U.S.   Juncos are among the commonest of Northern American winter birds, often visiting winter feeders. 

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Canada's National Bird...the CANADA JAY

                                   Photo by Michael Rickershauser  /Audubon Photography Awards

Before I completely shut the door on my National Birds of the World Series ( see yesterday's blog), I feel must add one more bird to that suspended list: the CANADA JAY.

Canada's national bird is the Canada Jay (a.k.a. the Gray Jay or Whiskey Jack), which was officially designated by the Public Bill (Senate) S-221 in May 2025.   The decision followed a long public campaign led by Canadian Geographic and others, which identified the Canada Jay as a fitting symbol for its hardiness, intelligence and presence across the country.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Swainson's Hawk - my personal bird of the year

Please                  comment

if you wish.

BarrytheBirder                                                                                 

National Birds of the countries of the world...

 
Photo by Miguel Rouco / MacauleyLibrary

Barbary Partridge (Alectoris barbara)

National Bird of Algeria

The Barbary Partridge is the national bird of Algeria.   It is a striking-looking type of  terrestrial gamebird belonging to the pheasant family.   Barbary Partridges are quite popular with aviculturists and do well in captivity.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

National birds of the countries of the world...

Photo by Christoph Moning

Moussier's Redstart (Phoenicurus moussier)

National bird of Morocco

Moussier's Redstart is a small passerine bird in the genus Phoenicurus, formerly classified as a member of the thrush family., but is now classified as an Old World flycatcher.   It is am endemic resident breeder in the Atlas Mountains of northwest Africa.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

National birds of the counties of the world...

Photo: ryansamazingphotography

Italian Sparrow (Passer Italiae)

National bird of Italy

The unofficial national bird of Italy is the Italian Sparrow.   The species is endemic to the Italian peninsula and is also sometimes referred to as the Cisalpine Sparrow.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

National birds of the countries of the world...

 

Photo submitted

Gallic Rooster (coq gaulois)

National bird of France

The Gallic Rooster has had a chequered past becoming the national bird of France, but it was finally selected as a symbol of courage and bravery.   CoincIdentally the Gallic Rooster is also the national bird of Spain.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

National birds of the countires of the world...

Photo by istock.com/Creative Nature_nl

Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)

Natiornal bird of Ireland

The national bird of the Republic of Ireland is the Northern Lapwing, also known by its Irish name Pilibin.   It was officially declared the national bird by a committee of the Irish Wildlife Conservancy in 1990.   It us a medium-sized bird with a distinctive long crest-like feather on its head and iridescent green and purple plumage on its back.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

National birds of the countries of the world...

 I have decided to end this series of blogs on the national birds of the countries of the world.   As I started to get into European and African national birds, I have discovered that creating such a list is not as simple as I thought.   Some countries do have a national bird, other countries have more than one national bird, other countries have different names for their national birds depending on their location within the country, etc., etc. etc.   It has become too time-consuming and frustrating  to pursue this further.  November 16th will be the last entry in the series.

On to other birding things...

BarrytheBirder

National birds of the countries of the world...

                                                                                                       Photo - Toni Bayliss

     European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

       National bird of England

The European Robin, known simply as the Robin of Robin Redbreast in the British Isles, is a small insectivorous passerine bird that belongs in the old world flycatcher family Muscicapidae.   It conservation status is of least concern concern.   Legend has it that when Jesus was dying on the cross, the robin, then simply brown in colour, sang into his ear in order to comfort his pain.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

National Birds of the countries of the world...

                                                                                 Photo by Nathan Finger

KIWI (Apteryx mantelli)

National bird of New Zealand

The Kiwi, specifically the Brown Kiwi, is the national bird of New Zealand.   It is a flightless, nocturnal bird that is a prominent national symbol.   New Zealanders themselves are nicknamed "Kiwis", which is a source of pride for many.   The Kiwi is endangered and subject to conservation efforts.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

National birds of the countries of the world...

                                                                                      Photo by J.J. Harrison

EMU (Dromaaius novaehollandiae)

National Bird of Australia

The Emu is a species of flightless endemic to Australia, where it is the tallest native bird (up to 1.9 m. / 6 ft.3 in.).   It is the 3rd tallest living bird on earth, after its African relatives, the Common Ostrich and Somali Ostrich.

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BarrytheBirder

National birds of the countries of the world...

                                                                                 Photo by Christoph Moning - Macauley Library

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

National bird of Greenland

The White-tailed Eagle is Greenland's national bird.   A.k.a. as the "Nattoralik" in Greenlandic, or Sea Eagle, it is the largest bird in the country and is found primarily along the southwest coast.   It is a massive bird with broad, long wings and a wingspan that can be up to 8.0 ft. 

Please comment if you wish.  

BarrytheBirder 

National birds of the countries of the world...

Photo - by Larry Boudre / Macauley Library

GYRFALCON (Falco rusticolus)

National Bird  of Iceland

The national bird of Iceland is the Gyrfalcon.   It is the largest falcon in the world.   It is a fierce predator of the High Arctic, where it chases down ptarmigans in flight ans plummets down from the sky at high speeds to strike prey on the ground.   Nesting on remote cliffs in the far reaches  of Canada, Alaska and the North Atlantic, Gyrfalcons are safe from human disturbances but face challenges from warming climate changes.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

National birds of the countries of the world...

Photo by Stefania Polinoro

Venezuelan Troupial (Icterus icterus)

National bird of Venezuela

The Venezuelan Troupial, known is Venezuela as just the Troupial, is the national bird of that country.   It is found in Venezuela, Columbia and the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Trinidad and Puerto Rico.   Its population is stable and of least concern.   I has a very distinctive black and orange body with a bold white wing stripe.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

National birds of the countries of the world...

Image by Aled Thompson Art

Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus)

National Bird of Suriname

The Great Kiskadee is found from Texas to Argentina, and is also very common in Bermuda, where it was introduced in the 1950s.   It is a large boldly-marked and boisterous flycatcher.   Its conservation status is of least concern (its population increasing).

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder                           

National birds of the countries of the world...

Photo by Marco Valentini / Macauley Library

Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) 

National bird of Uruguay

The Southern Lapwing is the national bird of Uruguay.   It is a big, noisy shorebird in the plover family, related to the Killdeer and American Golden Plover.   It has an eye-catching colour pattern with black breast, white belly and bronze-shaded shoulders.   Its eyes are bright red with a pinkish eye-ring, and its legs and feet range from reddish to black.   Its head is topped by a wispy black crest. 

It is also found by different names in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

National Birds of countries of the world...

                              

    Photo - Rainforest Alliance

Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus)

National bird of Peru

Males are unmistakable, featuring brilliant scarlet or orange plumage, black wings and tail, and a large, fan-shaped, disk-like crest that sometimes obscures the bill.   Females are more subdued with dull brown plumage and a smaller crest for camouflage.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

National Birds of the countries of the world...

Photo by Jarbos.mattos/Instagram

Bare-throated Bellbird (Procnias nudicollis)

National bird of Paraguay

Endemic to the Atlantic forests of eastern Brazil, north-eastern Argentina and eastern Paraguay, the Bare-throated Bellbird is famous for its loud, bell-like calls heard throughout the treetops.   The dazzling snow-white males perch high above the canopy, and the olive-yellow streaked females blend easily into dense foliage. 

Please comment if you wish.

BaerrytheBirder

National Birds of the countries of the world...

Photo by Murray Foubister

HOATZIN (Opisthocomus hoazin)

National Bird of Guyana

The Hoatzin is a chicken-sized bird with a blue face and orange mohawk-like crest and with several other characteristics that set it aside from all other birds.   It is a neotropical birds that lives along slow-moving rivers and lakes in the Amazon Basin, where they are easy to find in their habitat.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

National birds of the countries of the world...

 Photo by Gabriel Willow / Macauley Lbrary

Resplendent Quetzel (Pharomachrus mocinno)

National Bird of Quatemala

The Resplendent Quetzel is the national bird of Guatemala.   It is a small bird found in Central America and southern Mexico.   It lives in tropical forests, particularly montane cloud forests.   It is a spectacular sight with shimmering plumage of metallic blues, greens and reds.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder