21-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - INCA DOVE (Columbina inca) COURTESY MRS VALERIE FISHER

The Inca dove, also known as the Mexican dove, is a small and slender New World dove with a length ranging from 16.5 to 23 cm and a weight between 30 to 58 grams. Its gray-brown plumage is adorned with a unique scaled pattern, and it possesses a long, square tail with white-edged feathers that may become more prominent during flight. Notably, the underwings exhibit a reddish hue, characteristic of ground doves.

When observing the Inca dove, look for its scaled feather pattern and the white edges on its square tail. In flight, the reddish underwings are a distinguishing feature. Additionally, listen for the soft rattling noise produced by its wings upon takeoff.

The Inca dove is a terrestrial bird that forms flocks in deserts, scrublands, cultivated areas, and even urban environments. It is well-adapted to living in close proximity to human settlements, where it often takes advantage of readily available water sources.

This species is found from Costa Rica in the south to the American Southwest in the north. Its range has been expanding in recent decades, although it is not native to the historical lands of the Inca Empire. In the United States, the Inca dove has been observed in Florida, although it is unclear if a self-sustaining population exists there.

21-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus) COURTESY MRS VALERIE FISHER

The Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus, is a robust member of the tyrant flycatcher family. This avian species is characterized by its pale gray head adorned with a darker eye mask and an orange crown stripe. It boasts a heavy gray bill, a grayish-green back, and brown wings and forked tail. The underparts are a vibrant yellow, transitioning from a pale gray throat to an olive breast. Both sexes share a similar plumage, while juveniles can be distinguished by pale buff edges on their wing coverts.

Adults measure approximately 22 cm in length, weigh around 39 g, and have a wingspan ranging from 38 to 41 cm. Observers should look for the distinctive orange crown stripe and the bird's habit of perching openly, often high in trees.

The Tropical Kingbird favors semi-open areas with an abundance of trees and shrubs. It thrives in gardens, along roadsides, and in other areas where it can find a prominent perch to survey its domain.

This species has a broad range, breeding from southern Arizona and the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas through Central and South America to central Argentina and eastern Peru. It is also found on Trinidad and Tobago. Birds from the extreme northern and southern parts of their breeding range migrate to warmer areas after the breeding season.

The Tropical Kingbird is known for its acrobatic flights to catch insects mid-air, a behavior known as hawking. It may also hover to glean food from vegetation. These birds are fiercely territorial, defending their space against intruders of all sizes, from frigatebirds to hawks.

The call of the Tropical Kingbird is a high-pitched, twittering trill, described as "tree-e-e-e-e-e-e." Males sing a more complex version of this call at dawn.

Pairs of Tropical Kingbirds are monogamous and often remain together throughout the year. They nest high in trees, sometimes near water, constructing a bulky nest of vines, rootlets, and twigs. The female incubates a clutch of two to four eggs for about 16 days, with the young fledging after another 18 to 19 days.

Their diet consists mainly of insects such as beetles, bees, wasps, and dragonflies. They also consume berries and fruits from various plant species, including common guava and gumbo-limbo.

The IUCN lists the Tropical Kingbird as Least Concern, with a population trend that is increasing. Estimates suggest a global breeding population of around 200 million, and the species is considered to have a low conservation concern.

21-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - CLAY COLOURED THRUSH (Turdus grayi) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER

The Clay-colored Thrush, Turdus grayi, is a bird of modest plumage, its feathers a subtle palette of brown hues, lighter on the flanks and faintly streaked on the throat. This bird, similar in size to the American Robin, measures approximately 23 to 27 centimeters in length and weighs between 74 to 76 grams. The young are distinguished by a faint mottling on their backs and underparts. Notable identification features include a greenish-yellow bill with a dark base, pinkish or flesh-colored legs, and reddish irises.

When identifying the Clay-colored Thrush, look for its brownish plumage, which is lighter below and lightest on the flanks. The throat bears faint streaks, and the bird's bill is greenish-yellow with a dark base. The legs are pinkish or flesh-colored, and the irises are a distinctive reddish color. Juveniles may exhibit faint mottling on their back and underparts.

The Clay-colored Thrush is a familiar sight in yards and gardens, much like its relatives the American Robin, the Eurasian Blackbird, and the Song Thrush. It thrives in a variety of habitats, from South Texas to northern Colombia, often found in human-altered landscapes where fruiting trees are present.

This bird's range extends from South Texas, where it is expanding its territory, to northern Colombia. It is predominantly found on the Atlantic slope west and north of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, with an isolated population around Oaxaca City, Mexico.

21-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - BALTIMORE ORIOLE (MALE) (Icterus galbula) COURTESY OF VALERIE FISHER

The Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula) is a small icterid blackbird, a migratory breeding bird common in eastern North America. The male's vibrant orange and black plumage is reminiscent of the coat-of-arms of the 17th-century Lord Baltimore, hence the name. This medium-sized passerine typically measures 17–22 cm in length with a wingspan of 23–32 cm. Adults are characterized by white bars on the wings, with males boasting a more pronounced orange hue on the underparts, shoulder patch, and rump, while females and juveniles display a more subdued yellow-brown and dull orange-yellow coloration.

Males are distinguished by their black head and back with bright orange to yellow-orange underparts and a solid black tail. Females and juveniles are less boldly colored, with a mix of brown and orange hues. All adults have distinctive white wing bars, which are useful for identification from a distance or in flight.

Baltimore orioles favor open woodland, forest edges, and partially wooded wetlands. They are also found in orchards, farmland, urban parks, and suburban areas with woodlots. During winter, they inhabit flowering canopy trees, often over shade coffee plantations.

The Baltimore oriole breeds from the Canadian Prairies and eastern Montana eastward through southern Canada and the eastern United States, migrating to winter in Central America and northern South America. They are rare vagrants to Western Europe.

Outside of mating season, Baltimore orioles are solitary. They are monogamous, though extra-pair copulation is not uncommon. Males establish territories in the spring and perform various displays to attract females. After mating, the female weaves a remarkable hanging nest where she lays her eggs.

The male's song is a series of sweet whistles, while calls include a nasal "veeer" and a low chatter. Females also sing, especially when defending their nests. Both sexes emit specific warning calls during confrontations.

Baltimore orioles are generally monogamous and solitary outside the breeding season. The female constructs a hanging, pouch-like nest at the end of a branch, where she lays 3-7 eggs. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after about two weeks.

Orioles primarily feed on insects, berries, and nectar. They are adept at foraging in trees and shrubs and are known to sip at hummingbird feeders. They play an important ecological role by consuming pests such as the forest tent caterpillar moth.

28-3-2017 TARCOLES RIVER COSTA RICA - BOAT BILLED HERON (Cochlearius cochlearius)

The boat-billed heron (Cochlearius cochlearius ), colloquially known as the boatbill, is an atypical member of the heron family, and was formerly placed in a monotypic family, the Cochleariidae. It lives in mangrove swamps from Mexico south to Peru and Brazil. It is a nocturnal bird, and breeds semicolonially in mangrove trees, laying two to four bluish-white eggs in a twig nest.

The boat-billed heron grows to about 54 cm (21 in) long. Adults are pale grey to white in color, with chestnut-colored abdomens and black flanks. The massive, broad, scoop-like bill, which gives rise to this species' name, is mainly black. This bird is also adorned with a crest which is thought to be used in mate attraction as it is larger in males. The sexes are similar in appearance, the main differences being that females are slightly smaller, grayer in appearance, and have shorter crests than males. Newly hatched nestlings have green-yellow skin, with their upperparts covered in gray down feathers. Their upper bill is black and they have green-yellow legs. Juveniles are darker in color than adults and lack a crest.

Boat-billed herons feed on shrimp and small fish such as Dormitator latifrons, a species of sleeper goby. They tend to forage in vegetative streams, shallow water, and lagoons. When foraging in streams, they use low-hanging branches and mangrove roots to stand over the water. In ponds they will walk slowly through the water up to 10 cm (4 in) deep or will forage near the water's edge. In order to capture prey they will lunge at fish or scoop the surface of the water with their bills which are uniquely shaped for this method of capture. Additionally, they have been observed using two different feeding techniques; standing and slowly stalking prey, or disturbing the water and chasing prey.Boat-billed herons will forage nocturnally, and have been seen leaving the roost 30 minutes after sundown to feed. It has been observed that they do not feed when a light source is present such as daylight, moonlight, or artificial light. One study hypothesized that in order to forage for food in the dark and in shallow, muddy water, their bills are sensitive to touch which helps them feel for their prey.

Boat-billed herons breed during the rainy season and have been recorded as producing two clutches during this time, laying their first clutch in February during the end of the dry season. Their clutch sizes range from two to four eggs, with more eggs being laid during the first nesting period than the second. They usually nest in colonies, but have been observed nesting solitarily. Human disturbance can lead to a decrease in reproductive success, as herons tend to avoid human contact and will abandon nests if necessary.

Boat-billed herons range from Mexico to Peru, Brazil, and northeastern Argentina. They are nonmigratory birds that tend to live in seasonal lagoons and estuaries, and nest in mangroves.

28-3-2017 TARCOLES RIVER COSTA RICA - BARE THROATED TIGER HERON (Tigrisoma mexicanum)

The bare-throated tiger heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum) is a wading bird of the heron family, Ardeidae, found from Mexico to northwestern Colombia, with one recorded sighting from the United States in Hidalgo County, Texas. It is 80 cm (31 in) in length and weighs 1,200 g (42 oz).

This large species is found in more open habitats than other Tigrisoma herons, such as river and lake banks. It waits often motionless for suitable prey such as fish, frogs or crabs to come within reach of its long bill.

This is a solitary breeder, not normally found in heron colonies. The nest is a small flattish stick platform in a tree into which 2–3 green-tinged white eggs are laid.

The throat is bare and is greenish-yellow to orange in all plumages. The adult has black crown and light grey sides of the head, the sides of the neck and the upperparts otherwise blackish narrowly barred buff. The median stripe down the fore-neck is white-bordered with black; the remaining underparts are dull cinnamon brown. The juvenile is buff coarsely barred with black, more mottled and vermiculated on wings; the throat, median underparts, and belly are whitish.

The flight is heavy, and the call is a hoarse howk-howk-howk. Males also give a booming hrrrowwr! call, especially at sunset. During emission of the call, the beak opens wide and undulations can be seen along the course of the throat from mid-thorax caudally.

A large but short-legged primitive-looking heron of mangroves and freshwater wetlands in tropical lowlands. Usually found in wooded areas, but also in lagoons in open wetlands. It has a bare yellow throat in all plumages (not always visible) and greenish legs. The adult has grey cheeks, finely barred plumage and rusty brown thighs. The immature has very conspicuous blackish and bright brown barring (hence the name Tiger Heron).

The rufescent tiger heron is found in wetlands from Central America through much of South America. It generally occurs below 500 m (1,600 ft), though it has been recorded as high as 1,600 m (5,200 ft) in Colombia.

28-3-2017 TARCOLES RIVER COSTA RICA - ANHINGA (FEMALE) (Anhinga anhinga)

The Anhinga, sometimes known as the snakebird, darter, American darter, or water turkey, is a distinctive water bird inhabiting the warmer parts of the Americas. Its name, derived from the Brazilian Tupi language, translates to "devil bird" or "snake bird," a nod to its serpentine swimming style where only its neck protrudes above the water's surface. The Anhinga is part of the darter family, Anhingidae, and is a close relative to its Indian, African, and Australian counterparts. It is a large bird, with a length of about 89 cm and a wingspan of 1.14 meters, and it is known for its sharp, slender beak used for spearing fish.

The male Anhinga boasts a glossy black-green plumage with wings and tail of a glossy black-blue, and a distinctive white tail tip. The back of its head and neck feature elongated feathers that are gray or light purple-white, with the upper back and wings adorned with white spots or streaks. The female, on the other hand, has a pale gray-buff to light brown head, neck, and upper chest, with a chestnut lower chest or breast and a back that is browner than the male's. Juveniles are mostly brown until their first breeding season.

Anhingas are typically found in warm, shallow waters, where they can be seen swimming with only their necks visible above the surface.

The species is widespread, with the American Anhinga divided into two subspecies: A. a. anhinga, found mainly east of the Andes, and A. a. leucogaster, located in the southern United States, Mexico, and some Caribbean islands. Migration patterns are influenced by temperature and sunlight, with birds moving towards the equator during winter.

Anhingas are adept swimmers, using their webbed feet to pursue prey underwater. They spear fish with their sharp beaks and are known for their unique drying behavior, where they spread their wings to dry their non-waterproof feathers and absorb heat, often standing in a posture that resembles a male turkey.

The Anhinga is often mistaken for the double-crested cormorant due to its size and shape. However, it can be distinguished by its longer and wider tail and sharply pointed bill, as opposed to the cormorant's shorter tail and hook-tipped bill.

Anhingas feed on a variety of aquatic prey, including fish, amphibians, invertebrates, and insects. They are skilled hunters, stalking fish underwater and spearing them with their beaks. Larger fish are repeatedly stabbed and then released, while smaller catches are brought to the surface and swallowed head-first.

The Anhinga is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 in the United States. With a vast global range and frequent occurrence, the species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.

28-3-2017 CARARA NAT PARK, COSTA RICA - WHITE WHISKERED PUFFBIRD (Malacoptila panamensis)

The white-whiskered puffbird (Malacoptila panamensis ), also called the white-whiskered soft-wing or brown puffbird, is a near-passerine bird in the family Bucconidae, the puffbirds, nunlets, and nunbirds. It is found from southeastern Mexico through Central America (except El Salvador), Colombia, and Ecuador into Peru.

The white-whiskered puffbird is about 18 cm (7.1 in) long with an average weight of about 43 g (1.5 oz). Unlike most puffbirds, the male and female have different plumages. Both sexes have bristles around the base of the large bill, and white "whiskers", which are actually tufts of feathers. The nominate adult male's upperparts are brown to chestnut brown. The forecrown has narrow buff or tawny streaks and most of the rest of the upperparts have buff or tawny spots. The tail is chesnut brown. Its lores, supercilium, cheeks, and the sides of the neck are tawny. The throat and upper breast are tawny to tawny buff and the rest of the underparts are buffy white with darker streaks on the breast and flanks. The adult female has less of a chesnut cast; its crown is grayer and its upperparts olive to brown. Most of the underparts are buff to cinnamon-buff with darker streaks; the abdomen is white. Juveniles are like the female but with heavier streaking on the underparts. The subspecies are all similar to the nominate, differing mainly in the shades of gray, brown, and rufous and in the density of the streaking.

1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - RED WINGED BLACKBIRD (FEMALE) (Agelaius phoeniceus)

The Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is a striking and abundant passerine bird, belonging to the family Icteridae. Exhibiting pronounced sexual dimorphism, the male is resplendent with glossy black plumage, accented by a vibrant red shoulder patch edged with a yellow border. The female, in contrast, is cloaked in more subdued hues of brown, adeptly blending into her surroundings.

Males are easily identified by their jet-black feathers and the scarlet and yellow "epaulets" on their wings. Females are more cryptic, with a mottled brown appearance, often with streaks or lighter undersides. Both sexes possess a pointed bill and a medium-length, rounded tail.

Red-winged Blackbirds are versatile in their choice of habitat, though they show a strong affinity for wetlands. They are commonly found in freshwater and saltwater marshes, particularly where cattails are present. They also inhabit dry upland areas such as meadows and prairies.

This species is widespread across North America, from Alaska and Newfoundland, extending south to Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, and parts of Central America. They are also found in isolated regions of El Salvador, Honduras, and Costa Rica.

Red-winged Blackbirds are known for their territorial nature, especially during the breeding season. Males can be seen perched conspicuously, singing and displaying their shoulder patches, while females are more secretive, often foraging within dense vegetation.

The male's song is a distinctive, scratchy "oak-a-lee," while the female's vocalizations include a chattering "chit chit cheer teer teer." Their calls serve as important communication signals within their social structure.

Nesting in loose colonies, the female constructs a basket-like nest attached to marsh vegetation or shrubs. Clutches typically consist of three to four eggs, which are incubated solely by the female. Red-winged Blackbirds are polygynous, with males defending territories that may contain multiple females.

The Tricolored Blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) can be confused with the Red-winged Blackbird, but males of the former have darker red epaulets edged with white, not yellow.

An omnivorous bird, the Red-winged Blackbird's diet includes seeds, grains, insects, and small animals. They exhibit foraging flexibility, adapting their diet seasonally and based on availability.

The Red-winged Blackbird is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. Despite its abundance, habitat destruction and changes in agricultural practices have led to population declines in some areas. However, the species' adaptability has allowed it to persist in a variety of environments.

23-3-2017 SAN GERARDO DE DOTA COSTA RICA - THICK BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris)

The thick-billed euphonia (Euphonia laniirostris ) is a species of bird in the family Fringillidae, formerly placed in the Thraupidae.

Small, compact, short-tailed finch-like bird. Usually yellow below and blue-black above with a thick bill. To identify male euphonias, focus on the crown and throat: in Thick-billed, the crown is entirely yellow and the throat is also yellow. Females are extremely difficult to separate from other euphonias, especially Yellow-crowned, but are often seen in pairs or small groups with the more distinctive males. They frequent open woodland habitats, edges and gardens. They may form foraging flocks with other species such as warblers and tanagers.

This euphonia measures 10 cm (3.9 in). The male has entirely yellow underparts from throat to vent save for a small terminal patch of white on the undertail. Upperparts are a dark blue-black except for the yellow crown patch which extends from the bill over the head to just past the eye. The female, like many euphonias, is dull olive above and yellow below.

It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, and heavily degraded former forest.

13-4-2017 HUELVA, SPAIN - YELLOW LEGGED GULL (Larus michahellis)

The yellow-legged gull is a large gull found in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, which has only recently achieved wide recognition as a distinct species. It was formerly treated as a subspecies of either the Caspian gull L. cachinnans, or more broadly as a subspecies of the herring gull L. argentatus.The genus name is from Latin Larus which appears to have referred to a gull or other large seabird, and the species name honours the German zoologist Karl Michahelles.

The yellow-legged gull is a large gull, though the size does vary, with the smallest females being scarcely larger than a common gull and the largest males being roughly the size of a great black-backed gull. They range in length from 52 to 68 cm (20 to 27 in) in total length, from 120 to 155 cm (47 to 61 in) in wingspan and from 550 to 1,600 g (1.21 to 3.53 lb) in weight. Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 40.8 to 47.2 cm (16.1 to 18.6 in), the bill is 4.6 to 6 cm (1.8 to 2.4 in) and the tarsus is 5.6 to 7.5 cm (2.2 to 3.0 in). Adults are externally similar to herring gulls but have yellow legs. They have a grey back, slightly darker than herring gulls but lighter than lesser black-backed gulls. They are much whiter-headed in autumn, and have more extensively black wing tips with few white spots, just as lesser black-backed. They have a red spot on the bill as adults, like the entire complex. There is a red ring around the eye like in the lesser black-backed gull but unlike in the herring gull which has a dark yellow ring.

14-4-2017 GIBRALTAR - BARBARY MACAQUE (Macaca sylvanus)

The unique Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) are the only primates, occurring north of the Sahara in Africa. In addition, these animals are the only macaques, found outside of Asia. As highly adaptable creatures, they are capable of surviving in various environments and temperatures from fir and mixed oak forests to sheer cliffs. Moreover, the Barbary macaques are among the few monkeys, inhabiting cold and snowy regions. They are communal foragers, looking for food both terrestrially and in trees.

The Barbary macaque has a dark pink face with a pale buff to golden brown to grey pelage and a lighter underside. The color of mature adults changes with age. In adults and subadults, the fur on the back is variegated pale and dark which is due to banding on individual hairs. In spring to early summer, as the temperatures rise, the adult macaques molt their thick winter fur. The species shows sexual dimorphism with males larger than females. The boneless vestigial tail is greatly reduced compared with other macaque species and, if not absent, measures 4-22 mm (0.16-0.87 in).

The natural range of these primates covers the Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco in North Africa. The Barbary monkeys have also been introduced from Morocco to Gibraltar, where these animals currently occur in a small population. They are most commonly found in high-altitude mountains, rocky cliffs, and gorges. The ideal habitat of this species is cedar forest, although the animals often inhabit mixed forests of cedar and holm-cork oak, pure oak forests, shrubby rock outcrops along coasts as well as grasslands, found at low elevations within their range.

Barbary macaques are generally active during the daytime hours, sleeping at night in single-sex clusters of 2-3 macaques. Most of their active time is spent traveling and looking for food. The Barbary macaques are highly social animals, gathering in groups of up to 59 individuals with an average of 24. These troops contain individuals of both sexes with equal proportions. Both males and females have their separate hierarchies. Females form strictly matrilineal hierarchies, where each individual is specifically ranked. Meanwhile, the social system of males is somewhat looser. In addition, males of this species are less aggressive than females. Mutual grooming is a common activity in these primates. It's an important part of their life, which helps remove parasites and reduce stress as well as enhances interpersonal relationships between members of a group. About half of all communication between conspecifics contains aggressive behavior. However, the Barbary macaques are more peaceful animals, than most primates.

Barbary macaques have a polygynandrous (promiscuous) mating system, where individuals of both sexes have numerous mates. They breed in November-December and produce offspring in April-June. A single infant is born after a gestation period of 158-170 days. The Barbary macaques are known to practice cooperative breeding, which means that all members of the troop take care of newborn babies. Weaning occurs at about 1 year old. The age of reproductive maturity is 4.5-7 years old in males and 2.5-4 years old in females, after which the latter continue living with their natal troop, whereas the former have to disperse.

14-4-2017 GIBRALTAR - SPANISH FESTOON BUTTERFLY (Zerynthia rumina)

Zerynthia rumina, the Spanish festoon, is a butterfly belonging to the family Papilionidae. It is a widespread species in Iberia and frequents most habitats.

It is found in North Africa, the Iberian Peninsula and southern France.

Zerynthia rumina is an extremely striking species. In south east France it can be confused with the southern festoon (Zerynthia polyxena). The two can be told apart by the presence of blue on the hindwing of the southern festoon.

The Spanish festoon also has extensive red on the forewings.

The flight period is generally in April and May with the possibility of a very small second brood in September.

Its size is 40-45 mm wingspan

Prefers calcareous hillsides with low, abundant vegetation

Altitude is up to 2,200 metres

It develops in a single generation between February and June, and in coastal areas it has a second generation in autumn.

It perches in the sun on the ground and on wild flowers 

Host plant Aristolochia, A. pistolochia, A. rotunda, A. longa,  Aristolochia baetica , A. fontanesi

Although it is not in danger in most of its flight territory, there are two endemic subspecies that are close to extinction if immediate protective measures are not taken. One of them is cantabricae Gómez-Bustillo (between the southwest of Santander, Palencia and Burgos) and the other, minima Gerhandinger (El Regajal, Aranjuez-Madrid) (Source MMA)

12-5-2019 CALIFORNIA, USA - WESTERN GREBE (Aechmophorus occidentalis) CAM FOTO

The Western Grebe, known scientifically as Aechmophorus occidentalis, is the largest grebe in North America. It presents a striking black-and-white plumage with a long, slender neck reminiscent of a swan, and captivating red eyes. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males typically larger than females.

Distinguishing the Western Grebe can be a challenge due to its close resemblance to Clark's Grebe. Key identification markers include the Western Grebe's black plumage around the eyes and a straight greenish-yellow bill, contrasting with the Clark's white eye surroundings and upturned bright yellow bill. The downy young of the Western Grebe are grey, while those of Clark's are white.

Western Grebes are found in freshwater lakes intermingled with marsh vegetation and open water. They are adept at navigating these aquatic environments, where they build their nests and engage in their elaborate courtship displays.

This species is widespread across western North America, with no specific concentration of abundance. They are year-round residents in some southern and Mexican locales, while others migrate to coastal regions during winter.

Western Grebes are social birds, nesting in large colonies and engaging in complex mating rituals, including the mesmerizing "rushing ceremony" where pairs dash across the water's surface in unison. They are also known for their mate-feeding behavior, where males provide food to their partners during egg formation and incubation.

The communication repertoire of the Western Grebe includes a "ticking" alarm signal for chicks to hide and a "clucking" noise signaling feeding time. These vocalizations play a crucial role in the survival of their young.

The breeding season sees these birds performing intricate dances and displays to attract mates and establish pair bonds. They construct nests from plant debris, with both sexes contributing to the building and maintenance throughout the laying and incubation periods.

The Western Grebe is often confused with Clark's Grebe, but careful observation of their eye coloration and bill shape can help differentiate the two.

Western Grebes are adept hunters, diving for a variety of aquatic prey including carp, herring, mollusks, crabs, and amphibians. They exhibit a unique hunting technique, often peering into the water before plunging in pursuit of their catch.

The IUCN lists the Western Grebe as Least Concern, but populations have been declining due to human disturbance, habitat destruction, and oil spills. Conservation efforts are underway to protect and restore their natural habitats to ensure their continued survival.

Western Grebes are almost always in the water, where they dive for prey or rest on the surface. They can disappear for long periods during dives. Courting birds have a captivating display in which the pair races side by side across the water, their necks gracefully curved and bills pointed to the sky.

Breeding birds use freshwater lakes; nonbreeding birds are found in both freshwater and saltwater environments, though never far from shore in oceans.

A mostly migratory northern subspecies, occidentalis, breeds in the U.S. and Canada. It is larger, with longer wings, than the southern subspecies, ephemeralis, that breeds only on the Mexican Plateau.

10-4-2017 PUNTA DEL GARDO, THE AZORES - AZOREAN CHAFFINCH (Fringilla coelebs ssp. moreletti)

The Azores chaffinch (Fringilla moreletti) is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It is a subspecies of the common chaffinch that is endemic to the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores, part of Macaronesia in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is locally known as the tentilhão or sachão.

The head and part of the dorsum are bluish gray, with the rest of the dorsal area being greenish; the wings and tail are black and white; the throat and chest are pink. The bill is lead-colored. The paws are pinkish brown. The plumage of the females is more discreet, dominating the brown tones.

The Azores chaffinch inhabits all of the Azorean Islands and is one the most common birds in the archipelago, It can be seen from sea-level to the mountainous interior, including the highest areas of Pico.

10-4-2017 PUNTA DEL GARDO, THE AZORES - AZOREAN BULLFINCH (Pyrrhula murina)

The Azores bullfinch, or São Miguel bullfinch, known locally as the priolo, is a passerine bird belonging to the true finch family. This plump bird, with its shorter wings and longer tail, is endemic to the island of São Miguel in the Azores. It measures 15–17 cm in length and weighs around 30 grams, with males being marginally larger than females. The plumage is more subdued than its Eurasian counterpart, featuring a black cap, face, wings, and tail, with the remainder of the body in shades of grey or pale grey-brown.

Males and females are almost indistinguishable, though males may show a faint pinkish hue on the belly and flanks. The Azores bullfinch can be recognized by its melancholic, flute-like whistle, which serves as its contact call.

This bird is found primarily in native laurisilva forests at elevations of 300–800 meters above sea level, particularly in the Serra da Tronqueira range and, seasonally, around Salto do Cavalo.

The Azores bullfinch is confined to São Miguel Island in the Azores, with its presence notably absent from the western end of the island.

The species exhibits seasonal movements within its range, tracking the availability of food sources throughout the year.

10-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - SOUTHERN LEOPARD FROG (Lithobates sphenocephalus)

The southern leopard frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus or Rana sphenocephala ) is a medium sized anuran in the family Ranidae (The True Frogs). It is native to eastern North America from Kansas to New York to Florida. It is also an introduced species in some areas. This species lives in cool, clear water in the north, whereas in the south it occurs in warmer turbid and murky waters of coastal and floodplain swamps, twilight zones of caves, and abandoned mines.

This frog is up to 13 cm long. It is green or brown in color with a yellowish ridge along each side of the back. Rounded dark spots occur on the back and sides; a light spot is seen on each eardrum. The male has larger fore limbs than the female. The breeding male's vocal sacs are spherical when inflated. The call is described as a "ratchetlike trill", "chuckling croak", or a "squeaky balloon-like sound".

The larva is mottled, and the eyes are positioned on the top of the head. It grows to 7.6 cm in length before maturing. The female lays an egg mass that is "baseball-sized" when close to hatching time, and contains up to 1500 eggs.

8-11-2017 HANNINGFIELD RESERVOIR, ESSEX - BRITISH DUNNOCK (Prunella modularis ssp. occidentalis),

The dunnock (Prunella modularis) is a small passerine, or perching bird. It is the most widespread member of the accentor family.

he dunnock has a drab appearance which may have evolved to avoid predation. It is brownish underneath and has a fine-pointed bill. Adults have a grey head, and both sexes are similarly colored. Unlike any similar-sized small brown bird, dunnocks frequently flick with their wings, especially during territorial disputes or when competing for mating rights. This gives rise to one of their common names, "shufflewing".

unnocks are native to large areas of Eurasia, inhabiting much of Europe including Lebanon, northern Iran, and the Caucasus. They are partially migratory; some populations are resident while birds in northern and eastern parts of the range are migratory. Dunnocks favor habitats that include forests, woodlands, shrubs, gardens, parks, and hedgerows.

Dunnocks are active during the day typically feeding on the ground. They are usually seen alone, but sometimes, may join foraging flocks. Dunnocks are territorial, especially during the breeding season, and may engage in conflict with other birds that encroach upon their nests. Males sometimes share a territory and exhibit a strict dominance hierarchy; older birds tend to be the dominant males and first-year birds are usually sub-dominant. Female territorial ranges are almost always exclusive. However, sometimes, multiple males may cooperate to defend a single territory containing multiple females. The main call of dunnocks is a shrill, persistent 'tseep' along with a high trilling note, which betrays the bird's otherwise inconspicuous presence. The song is rapid, thin, and tinkling, a sweet warble that can be confused with that of the Eurasian wren but is shorter and weaker.

1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - RED WINGED BLACKBIRD (MALE) (Agelaius phoeniceus)

The Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is a striking and abundant passerine bird, belonging to the family Icteridae. Exhibiting pronounced sexual dimorphism, the male is resplendent with glossy black plumage, accented by a vibrant red shoulder patch edged with a yellow border. The female, in contrast, is cloaked in more subdued hues of brown, adeptly blending into her surroundings.

Males are easily identified by their jet-black feathers and the scarlet and yellow "epaulets" on their wings. Females are more cryptic, with a mottled brown appearance, often with streaks or lighter undersides. Both sexes possess a pointed bill and a medium-length, rounded tail.

Red-winged Blackbirds are versatile in their choice of habitat, though they show a strong affinity for wetlands. They are commonly found in freshwater and saltwater marshes, particularly where cattails are present. They also inhabit dry upland areas such as meadows and prairies.

This species is widespread across North America, from Alaska and Newfoundland, extending south to Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, and parts of Central America. They are also found in isolated regions of El Salvador, Honduras, and Costa Rica.

1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)

The Snowy egret (Egretta thula ) is a small white heron. It is the American counterpart to the very similar Old World Little egret, which has become established in the Bahamas. At one time, the plumes of the snowy egret were in great demand as decorations for women's hats. They were hunted for these plumes and this reduced the population of the species to dangerously low levels. Now protected in the United States by law, under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, this bird's population has rebounded.

Adult Snowy egrets are entirely white in color apart from the yellow lores between the long black bills and the eye, black legs, and bright yellow feet. The nape and neck bear long, shaggy plumes known as aigrettes. Immature Snowy egrets have duller, greenish legs.

Snowy egrets are native to North, Central, and South America. They are present all year round in South America, ranging as far south as Chile and Argentina. They also occur throughout the year in the West Indies, Florida, and coastal regions of North and Central America. Elsewhere, in the southern part of the United States, they are migratory, breeding in California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Snowy egrets live in wetlands of many types; this includes marshes, riverbanks, lakesides, pools, salt marshes, mangroves, and estuaries.

Snowy egrets are highly social and often forage in groups with gulls, terns, ibises, and other herons; they also nest in colonies. Snowy egrets are active at dawn and dusk and rest during the day. They stalk prey in shallow water, often running or shuffling their feet, flushing prey into view by swaying their heads, flicking their wings, or vibrating their bills. They may also hover, or "dip-fish" by flying with their feet just above the water surface. Snowy egrets may also stand still and wait to ambush prey, or hunt for insects stirred up by domestic animals in open fields. These birds are usually silent; during courtship displays, when threatened or defending their territory they make a harsh squawk.

Snowy egrets are monogamous, which means that both males and females have only one partner. The breeding season starts in spring. The male establishes a territory and starts building the nest in a tree, vines, or thick undergrowth. He then attracts a female with an elaborate courtship display which includes dipping up and down, bill raising, aerial displays, diving, tumbling, and calling. The female finishes the construction of the nest with materials brought by the male. It is constructed from twigs, rushes, sedges, grasses, Spanish moss, and similar materials and may be 15 in (38 cm) across. The female lays up to 6 pale bluish-green eggs which hatch after about 24 days. The young are altricial and covered with white down when first hatched. They leave the nest after about 22 days and become reproductively mature at 1 to 2 years of age.