1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - BROWN PELICAN (MALE) (Pelecanus occidentalis)

The Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) has been described as a comically elegant bird. Groups of these seabirds glide above surf along western and southern coasts, gracefully echoing the waves with their rise and fall. They plunge-dive from high up to feed, the force of impact serving to stun small fish, which they then scoop up. Today this species is fairly common - a good example of recovery from the pesticide pollution that once threatened them with extinction.

The Brown pelican is the smallest of the eight extant pelican species but is often one of the larger seabirds in their range nonetheless. Like all pelicans, it has a very long bill, measuring 280 to 348 mm (11.0 to 13.7 in) in length. The nominate subspecies in its breeding plumage has a white head with a yellowish wash on the crown. The nape and neck are dark maroon–brown. The upper sides of the neck have white lines along the base of the gular pouch, and the lower foreneck has a pale yellowish patch. The feathers at the center of the nape are elongated, forming short, deep chestnut crest feathers. It has a silvery gray mantle, scapulars, and upperwing coverts (feathers on the upper side of the wings), with a brownish tinge. The lesser coverts have dark bases, which gives the leading edge of the wing a streaky appearance. 

The uppertail coverts (feathers above the tail) are silvery white at the center, forming pale streaks. The median (between the greater and the lesser coverts), primary (connected to the distal forelimb), secondary (connected to the ulna), and greater coverts (feathers of the outermost, largest, row of upperwing coverts) are blackish, with the primaries having white shafts and the secondaries having variable silver-gray fringes. The tertials (feathers arising in the brachial region) are silver-gray with a brownish tinge. The underwing has grayish-brown remiges with white shafts to the outer primary feathers. The axillaries and covert feathers are dark, with a broad, silver–gray central area. The tail is dark gray with a variable silvery cast. The lower mandible is blackish, with a greenish-black gular pouch at the bottom for draining water when it scoops out prey. The breast and belly are dark, and the legs and feet are black. It has a grayish-white bill tinged with brown and intermixed with pale carmine spots. The crest is short and pale reddish-brown in color. 

The back, rump, and tail are streaked with gray and dark brown, sometimes with a rusty hue. The male and female are similar, but the female is slightly smaller. The nonbreeding adult has a white head and neck, and the pre-breeding adult has a creamy yellow head. The pink skin around the eyes becomes dull and gray in the non-breeding season. It lacks any red hue, and the pouch is strongly olivaceous ochre-tinged and the legs are olivaceous gray to blackish-gray. It has pale blue to yellowish-white irides which become brown during the breeding season. During courtship, the bill becomes pinkish red to pale orange, redder at the tip, and the pouch is blackish. Later in the breeding season, the bill becomes pale ash-gray over most of the upper jaw and the basal third of the mandible. The Brown pelican is exceptionally buoyant due to the internal air sacks beneath its skin and in its bones. It is as graceful in the air as it is clumsy on land.

The Brown pelican occurs throughout the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf Coasts of the Americas. Most brown pelican populations are resident (nonmigratory) and dispersive (moving from their birth site to their breeding site, or their breeding site to another breeding site); however, some populations migrate, depending on local conditions. Brown pelicans are strictly marine and coastal birds but occasionally follow large rivers during storms. They avoid the open sea and rarely occur far offshore, usually frequenting shallow waters along coasts, as well as estuaries and bays. They breed on the arid coasts of flat, bare, remote islands, or occasionally in mangroves. Brown pelicans can often be seen around fishing ports.

Brown pelicans, after bathing, use their beaks to spread oil from the uropygial gland over their feathers.

Courtship displays by Brown pelicans usually last 2-4 days, but sometimes as long as three weeks.

Brown pelicans incubate their eggs by means of their webbed feet, turning the eggs from time to time.

Brown pelicans are the only type of pelican that dive in order to catch prey. They glide low above the water and when they see a fish they fly to a height of 10 m (30 ft), fold their wings back, and plunge down into the sea.

Brown pelicans do exercises, including stretching and turning their pouch inside out to maintain its flexibility.

Brown pelicans are very gregarious and live throughout the year in flocks. They are diurnal but sometimes forage at night during a full moon. They sleep on land either while standing on both their feet or resting on their breast and belly, their head sideways on their shoulder with their beak tilted towards the side. This is the only pelican species that dives from height as the main method of obtaining food. Their air sacs enable buoyancy for them in the water. They do not swim under the water but plunge their head below the surface when catching prey. Brown pelicans are territorial during the nesting period. Threat displays, often carried out when another pelican is too close to an individual’s nest involve head swaying, indicating readiness to interact, and bowing and a "hrraa-hrraa" sound. Young pelicans who approach a nest too closely are often killed.

Brown pelicans do not have many natural enemies. Although nests on the ground are sometimes destroyed by flooding, hurricane, or other natural disasters, people pose the biggest threat to pelicans. In the early 20th and late 19th centuries, pelicans’ feathers were sought after to adorn women’s clothing, especially hats. Today tourists and fishermen threaten them by disturbing their colonies, especially in Mexico.

1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - COMMON GRACKLE (Quiscalus quiscula)

The Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) is a large icterid bird, notable for its glossy, iridescent plumage and its presence across much of North America. Males are particularly striking with their shimmering heads, while females are less iridescent. These birds possess a long, dark bill, pale yellow eyes, and a lengthy tail, contributing to their distinctive silhouette.

Adult Common Grackles are identified by their size, ranging from 28 to 34 cm in length, and their iridescent feathers that can appear purple, green, or blue on the head, with a bronze sheen on the body. The males are larger than the females and exhibit more pronounced iridescence and keeled tails in flight. Juveniles are brown with dark brown eyes.

Common Grackles thrive in open and semi-open areas, often near water. They are adaptable and can be found in a variety of environments, from dense trees, particularly pines, to shrubs and man-made structures.

These birds are widespread across North America, primarily to the east of the Rocky Mountains. They are permanent residents in much of their range, with northern populations migrating to the Southeastern United States.

Common Grackles are gregarious and may form large colonies. They are known for their resourcefulness and opportunistic feeding habits, often foraging on the ground, in shallow water, or among shrubs. They may also exhibit "anting" behavior, using insects to apply substances to their feathers.

The Common Grackle's vocalizations are varied, ranging from a simple "chewink" to a complex series of whistles during the breeding season. Their calls can be harsh and loud, and they are capable of mimicking the sounds of other birds and even humans.

During the breeding season, males display by tipping their heads back and fluffing up their feathers. They nest in well-concealed cups in dense vegetation, often in colonies, and lay clutches of four to seven eggs.

The Common Grackle can be distinguished from other grackle species by its size, iridescence, and distribution. It is less sexually dimorphic than larger grackle species.

Omnivorous in nature, Common Grackles consume a wide range of food, including insects, minnows, frogs, eggs, berries, seeds, grain, and even small birds and rodents. They have a specialized keel in their bill for cracking hard nuts and kernels.

Although currently robust in population, the Common Grackle has experienced a significant decline, with a 61% drop to 73 million individuals from historical highs. As a result, it is classified by the IUCN as Near Threatened.

1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - WESTERN CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis ssp. ibis)

The western cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a species of heron (family Ardeidae) found in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones. Most taxonomic authorities lump this species and the eastern cattle egret together (called the cattle egret), but some (including the International Ornithologists' Union) separate them. Despite the similarities in plumage to the egrets of the genus Egretta, it is more closely related to the herons of Ardea. Originally native to parts of Asia, Africa and Europe, it has undergone a rapid expansion in its distribution and successfully colonised much of the rest of the world in the last century.

It is a white bird adorned with buff plumes in the breeding season. It nests in colonies, usually near bodies of water and often with other wading birds. The nest is a platform of sticks in trees or shrubs. Western cattle egrets exploit drier and open habitats more than other heron species. Their feeding habitats include seasonally inundated grasslands, pastures, farmlands, wetlands and rice paddies. They often accompany cattle or other large mammals, catching insect and small vertebrate prey disturbed by these animals. Some populations of the cattle egret are migratory and others show post-breeding dispersal.

The adult cattle egret has few predators, but birds or mammals may raid its nests, and chicks may be lost to starvation, calcium deficiency or disturbance from other large birds. This species maintains a special relationship with cattle, which extends to other large grazing mammals; wider human farming is believed to be a major cause of their suddenly expanded range. The cattle egret removes ticks and flies from cattle and consumes them. This benefits both species, but it has been implicated in the spread of tick-borne animal diseases.

1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL (Larus fuscus)

The lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus ) is a large gull that breeds on the Atlantic coasts of Europe. It is migratory, wintering from the British Isles south to West Africa. It has increased dramatically in North America, most common along the east coast. Formerly just a winter visitor, many birds are now spotted year-round. Some winters they occur in large numbers. Even on the west coast, this species has become an annual winter visitor in California with birds reported around most of the state each winter. They've even been seen in numbers at the Salton Sea.

The lesser black-backed gull is smaller than the European herring gull. The taxonomy of the herring gull / lesser black-backed gull complex is very complicated; different authorities recognise between two and eight species. This group has a ring species distribution around the Northern Hemisphere. Differences between adjacent forms in this ring are fairly small, but by the time the circuit is completed, the end members, herring gull and lesser black-backed gull, are clearly different species. The lesser black-backed gull measures 51–64 cm (20–25 in), 124–150 cm (49–59 in) across the wings, and weighs 452–1,100 g (0.996–2.425 lb), with the nominate race averaging slightly smaller than the other two subspecies. Males, at an average weight of 824 g (1.817 lb), are slightly larger than females, at an average of 708 g (1.561 lb). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 38 to 45 cm (15 to 18 in), the bill is 4.2 to 5.8 cm (1.7 to 2.3 in), and the tarsus is 5.2 to 6.9 cm (2.0 to 2.7 in). A confusable species is the great black-backed gull. The lesser is a much smaller bird, with slimmer build, yellow rather than pinkish legs, and smaller white "mirrors" at the wing tips. The adults have black or dark grey wings (depending on race) and back. The bill is yellow with a red spot at which the young peck, inducing feeding (see fixed action pattern). The head is greyer in winter, unlike great black-backed gulls. Annual moult for adults begins between May and August and is not complete on some birds until November. Partial prebreeding moult occurs between January and April.

1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - BROWN ANOLE LIZARD (Anolis sagrei)

The Brown anole (Anolis sagrei) is a species of lizard native to Cuba and the Bahamas. It has been widely introduced elsewhere, via the importation and exportation of plants where the anole would lay eggs in the soil of the pots, and is now found in the United States. It has also been introduced to other Caribbean islands, Mexico, and Taiwan.

Brown anoles are normally a light brown color with darker brown to black markings on their back, and several tan to light color lines on their sides. Like other anoles, they can change color, in this case, a darker brown to black. Their dewlap ranges from yellow to orange-red. The tail has a ridge that travels all the way up to behind the head. Female Brown anoles can be distinguished from males by a light brown stripe that runs over their backs.

Brown anoles are native to Cuba and the Bahamas. Today, their range has extended as far as Georgia and parts of Mexico. These lizards typically avoid trees and prefer smaller plants and shrubs and are found in both urban and suburban areas.

Brown anoles are active during the day and are often seen basking on tree branches or rocks. When the weather is cold they hide under tree barks and inside rotten logs. They are social creatures. Female and male territories are separate but there are usually two or more female territories within one male territory. Males are very territorial and often fight with each other to protect their home range. Anoles use visual cues as their primary signaling mode. Males like to have high vantage points so they can overlook their territory in search of females to mate with or to spot other rival males that have encroached on their territory. They'll often bob their head up and down quickly before displaying their dewlap and will do sets of push-ups. When pursued or captured, Brown anoles can detach most of their tail. The piece that breaks off will continue to move, possibly distracting the predator and allowing the anole to escape. The lost tail will partially regrow. If provoked, Brown anoles will bite, urinate, and defecate. Also, some Brown anoles may do a short hiss if caught, injured, or fighting.

19-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - RED CHEEKED CORDONBLEU (MALE) (Uraeginthus bengalus)

The Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu (Uraeginthus bengalus) is a diminutive and charming finch, a resident breeder in the drier regions of tropical Sub-Saharan Africa. The male is adorned with a striking red patch on each cheek, which can occasionally appear orange or yellow, set against a backdrop of brown upperparts and a pale blue breast, flanks, and tail, with a contrasting yellow belly. The female, though similar in form, is a more subdued version and lacks the cheek spot. Juveniles resemble the female but with blue limited to the face and throat.

When observing these birds, look for the male's distinctive red cheek patches and the pale blue coloring on the breast and tail. Females are less colorful, lacking the cheek spots, and both sexes have a small stature, measuring a mere 12.5–13 cm in length.

The Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu thrives in a variety of habitats, excluding dense forest interiors. It is commonly found in open dry grasslands, savannas, and areas surrounding human habitation, from sea level to elevations of 2,430 meters.

This species boasts a vast range across central and eastern Africa, from Senegal and Gambia in the west, stretching east to Ethiopia and Somalia, and southward to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique. It has also been introduced to Hawaii and Oahu.

These finches are often seen in pairs or small groups, foraging on the ground in open areas. They are known to be granivores, with a diet primarily consisting of grass seeds.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - CROWNED WOOD NYMPH (Thalurania colombica) COURTESY MRS VALERIE FISHER

The Crowned Woodnymph, known scientifically as Thalurania colombica, is a dazzling species of hummingbird belonging to the emeralds tribe, Trochilini. This avian jewel exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males adorned in violet and green, while females wear a more subdued palette of greens and grays.

Male Crowned Woodnymphs measure between 9.5 to 11.5 cm in length and weigh a mere 4 to 5.5 grams. They boast a violet forehead, crown, upper back, and belly, with a dark bronzy green nape and a bluish green lower back and rump. Their throat and chest shimmer in glittering green, and they possess a deeply forked, blue-black tail. Females, slightly smaller at 8.5 to 9.2 cm and weighing 3.5 to 4.2 grams, have bright green upperparts and a pale gray underbelly, with their tails featuring blue-black with white-tipped outer feathers.

These birds favor the interiors, edges, and clearings of humid primary and mature secondary forests. They are also found in semi-open landscapes such as coffee and cacao plantations and gardens, but avoid open scrublands.

The Crowned Woodnymph is found from Belize and Guatemala to far-northern Peru, with seven recognized subspecies distributed across this range.

This species exhibits altitudinal movement post-breeding in Costa Rica and local movements to follow flowering events. Both sexes defend rich nectar sources, with females showing more aggression in territory defense.

The presumed song of the Crowned Woodnymph is a monotonous, plaintive squeaky chip, "ksit…ksit…ksit..", and it also produces short dry chips that can form a trill or chatter.

Breeding seasons vary geographically, with nests being cups of treefern scales and plant down, adorned with lichen and moss, and typically placed under a leaf on a horizontal twig. The clutch size is two eggs, though incubation and fledging periods are not well documented.

The Crowned Woodnymph feeds on nectar from various flowering plants, preferring to forage in covered or semi-open areas. It also consumes small arthropods, capturing them by hawking from a perch or gleaning from foliage.

The IUCN has classified the Crowned Woodnymph as Least Concern. Despite a very large range and adaptability to fragmented forests, the population is believed to be decreasing, though no immediate threats have been identified.

23-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - BALTIMORE ORIOLE (MALE) (Icterus galbula) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER

The Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula) is a small colorful bird that received its name from the resemblance of the male's colors to those on the coat-of-arms of Lord Baltimore. It is the state bird of Maryland. It is also the namesake and mascot for the Baltimore Orioles baseball team.

The adult male of this species is orange on the underparts shoulder patch and rump. All of the rest of the male's plumage is black. The adult female is yellow-brown on the upper parts with darker wings, and dull orange-yellow on the breast and belly. Adult birds always have white bars on the wings. The juvenile oriole is similar-looking to the female, with males taking until the fall of their second year to reach adult plumage.

Baltimore orioles are found in the Canadian Prairies and eastern Montana in the northwest eastward through southern Ontario, southern Quebec, and New Brunswick, and south through the eastern United States to central Mississippi and Alabama, and northern Georgia. They migrate to winter in the Neotropics as far north as Mexico and sometimes the southern coast of the United States, but predominantly in Central America and northern South America. These birds prefer large, leafy deciduous trees, but do not generally reside in deep forests. They can be found in open woodland, forest edge, and partially wooded wetlands or stands of trees along rivers. They are very adaptable and can breed in a variety of secondary habitats. In recent times, they are often found in orchards, farmland, urban parks, and suburban landscapes as long as they retain woodlots. In Mexico, Baltimore orioles winter in flowering canopy trees, often over shade coffee plantations.

23-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - RIVOLI'S HUMMINGBIRD (Eugenes fulgens) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER

The Rivoli's hummingbird, or Eugenes fulgens, is a striking member of the hummingbird family. This species, also known as the magnificent hummingbird, is one of the largest hummingbirds found in the United States, sharing the title with the blue-throated hummingbird. Males are slightly larger than females, with a body length ranging from 11 to 14 cm and a wingspan of approximately 18 cm. They weigh between 6 to 10 grams. The Rivoli's hummingbird is a dazzling creature, particularly when sunlight illuminates its iridescent plumage, revealing a spectrum of vibrant colors.

The male Rivoli's hummingbird boasts a green-bronze dorsal side that transitions to a more bronzed hue on the black-tipped tail. Its crown shimmers with violet, while the throat gorget glows with a bright blue-green. The rest of the head is black, save for a white spot behind the eye, and the chest mirrors the green-bronze of the back, leading to a grayish belly. The female, on the other hand, is bronze-green dorsally with a dull gray underside and a distinctive white stripe behind her eye. Immature birds resemble the female but are darker and browner.

This species thrives in the mountainous regions, making its home in the interior and edges of pine-oak forests and cloud forests, from about 1,500 meters up to the timberline. It can also be found in secondary forests, grasslands, and is known to frequent bird feeders.

Rivoli's hummingbird has a breeding range that extends from the southwestern United States through to Honduras and Nicaragua.

Partially migratory, the Rivoli's hummingbird is a year-round resident from north-central Mexico to northern Nicaragua. It breeds in southeastern Arizona and possibly in southwestern New Mexico and other Mexican states but does not overwinter there. It is subordinate to the larger blue-throated hummingbird but coexists with various other hummingbird species.

The breeding season in the U.S. spans from May to July and may occur year-round in El Salvador. The female builds an open cup nest adorned with lichen, using soft feathers and moss bound with spider silk. The nest is typically placed on a horizontal branch or in a fork, often above streams and at least 6 meters off the ground. The female incubates two white eggs, with the incubation and fledging periods resembling those of other hummingbirds.

Rivoli's hummingbird feeds on nectar from a diverse array of flowering plants, with the specific varieties varying by season, elevation, and latitude. In some parts of Mexico, males defend feeding territories. The species also consumes small insects, which constitute a significant portion of its diet compared to other North American hummingbirds.

19-3-2017 BUTTERFLY WORLD, COCONUT GROVE, MIAMI - RED BILLED FIREFINCH (MALE) (Lagonosticta senegala)

The Red-billed Firefinch, also known as the Senegal Firefinch, is a diminutive and vibrant member of the Estrildidae family. Measuring a mere 10 cm in length, the male is resplendent in scarlet plumage, save for his brown wings, and sports a pink bill complemented by a yellow eye-ring. The female, in contrast, is adorned with brown upperparts and buff underparts, with a modest red patch before each eye and a similarly pink bill.

To identify the Red-billed Firefinch, look for the male's striking scarlet body and brown wings, and the female's more subdued brown and buff coloration with red eye patches. Both sexes have a distinctive pink bill, which is quite useful for identification.

This species thrives in proximity to human settlements and can often be found mingling with other species such as the Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu. It favours open grasslands and cultivated areas, adapting well to environments altered by humans.

The Red-billed Firefinch is a resident breeder across much of Sub-Saharan Africa. It has been introduced to Egypt, where it has since become extinct, and to southern Algeria, where it is currently expanding its range.

19-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - MALACHITE BUTTERFLY (Siproeta stelenes)

Siproeta stelenes (malachite) is a Neotropical brush-footed butterfly (family Nymphalidae). The malachite has large wings that are black and brilliant green or yellow-green on the upperside and light brown and olive green on the underside. It is named for the mineral malachite, which is similar in color to the bright green on the butterfly's wings. Typically, the wingspread is between 8.5 and 10 cm (3.3 and 3.9 in). The malachite is found throughout Central and northern South America, where it is one of the most common butterfly species. Its distribution extends as far north as southern Texas and the tip of Florida, to Cuba as subspecies S. s. insularis (Holland, 1916), and S. s. biplagiata, and south to Brazil.

Adults feed on flower nectar, rotting fruit, dead animals, and bat dung. Females lay eggs on the new leaves of plants in the family Acanthaceae, especially Ruellia. The larvae are horned, spiny, black caterpillars with red markings, The pupal stage is green, with sharp, gold spines that can puncture predators.

Malachites often are confused with the heliconiine Philaethria dido. They have similar coloration, but their wing shapes are different.

19-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - PURPLE HONEYCREEPER (MALE) (Cyanerpes caeruleus)

The Purple Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes caeruleus, is a diminutive and vibrant member of the tanager family Thraupidae. This Neotropical avian jewel is adorned with a striking plumage; the male boasts a deep purple hue with contrasting black wings, tail, and underbelly, and sports vivid yellow legs. The female and immature birds present a more subdued palette, with green upperparts and yellowish-buff underparts streaked with green. A cinnamon throat and a distinctive blue moustachial stripe complete their attire. Both sexes have a long, black, decurved bill, with the Trinidadian subspecies C. c. longirostris exhibiting a notably longer bill than its mainland counterparts.

When identifying the Purple Honeycreeper, look for the male's unmistakable purple and black coloration and the female's green and buff streaked appearance. The long, curved bill is a key feature for nectar feeding, and the bright yellow legs of the male are quite distinctive. Juveniles resemble females but may lack the blue moustachial stripe.

This species is primarily a denizen of the forest canopy, but it also adapts to human-altered landscapes such as cocoa and citrus plantations. It thrives in a variety of forest types, including low-growing premontane rainforests rich in epiphytes and mosses, as well as elfin forests and páramo at higher elevations.

The Purple Honeycreeper is found across northern South America, from Colombia and Venezuela through the Amazon Basin and the Guianas. Its range extends west of the Andes to parts of southern Panama and reaches the western fringes of the Pantanal. It is generally seen at elevations up to 1,000 meters above sea level but has been recorded as high as 2,300 meters.

19-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - PURPLE HONEYCREEPER (FEMALE) (Cyanerpes caeruleus)

The purple honeycreeper (Cyanerpes caeruleus ) is a small Neotropical bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is found in the tropical New World from Colombia and Venezuela south to Brazil, and on Trinidad. A few, possibly introduced birds have been recorded on Tobago.

The purple honeycreeper is 4.5 in (11.5 cm) long, weighs 0.42 oz (12 g) and has a long black decurved bill. The male is purple with black wings, tail and belly, and bright yellow legs. Females and immatures have green upperparts, and green-streaked yellowish-buff underparts. The throat is cinnamon, and there is a blue moustachial stripe. The call of purple honeycreeper is a thin high-pitched zree. The Trinidadian subspecies C. c. longirostris has a longer bill than the mainland forms.

The species is a bird of northern South America, and besides the Amazon Basin and the Guianas, a coastal range occurs west of the Andes, including parts of southern Panama. In the south, its range extends to the extreme western Pantanal. Though it is most frequently seen in the lowlands up to 3,300 ft (1,000 m) ASL or so, it has been encountered as high as 7,500 ft (2,300 m) ASL.

This is a forest canopy species, but also occurs in cocoa and citrus plantations. At the upper limit of its altitudinal range, it frequents premontane rainforest, usually rather low-growing (33–50 ft/10–15 m) and full of epiphytes and mosses, and even elfin forest and páramo.

The purple honeycreeper is often found in small groups. It feeds on nectar (particularly from bromeliad and similar flowers, to which its bill shape is adapted), berries and seeds (i.e., Trema and Clusia ), fruit (i.e., bananas and papayas) and insects, mainly in the canopy. It is a bold and inquisitive bird, responding readily to the call of the ferruginous pygmy owl (Glaucidium brasilianum ) by coming out of cover and searching for the presumed predator to mob it. The female purple honeycreeper builds a small cup nest in a tree, and incubates the clutch of two brown-blotched white eggs.

20-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - INDIAN SILVERBILL (Euodice malabarica)

The Indian silverbill, or white-throated munia, is a diminutive passerine bird adorned with a conical silver-grey bill. It boasts buff-brown upperparts and pristine white underparts, with buffy flanks and a contrasting dark plumage on its wings. The rump is a striking white, and the tail is a deep black. The tail feathers taper in length from the center outwards, giving it a pointed appearance. Both sexes share a similar plumage, while the juveniles can be distinguished by their buff underparts and shorter tails.

When attempting to identify the Indian silverbill, look for its silver-grey bill and the stark contrast between its white rump and dark wings. The bird measures approximately 11 to 11.5 cm in length. The pointed tail and the uniform coloration of adults versus the buff tones in juveniles are also key identification markers.

The Indian silverbill is a bird of dry, open habitats. It is commonly found in scrublands, fallow fields, and areas of cultivation, sometimes venturing near bodies of water. It is a species that thrives in the plains but can also be encountered up to elevations of around 1200 meters in certain sub-Himalayan regions.

This species is native to the Indian Subcontinent and parts of the Middle East. Its range extends across Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Iran, and Israel. The Indian silverbill has also been introduced to other parts of the world, where it has successfully established populations in countries such as Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United States, and parts of southern France.

Indian silverbills are sociable creatures, often seen in flocks that can number up to 60 individuals. They forage primarily on the ground or among low shrubs and grasses. A distinctive trait is their constant, soft cheeping or chirping calls as they move about in search of food. They exhibit a rapid sip-and-swallow technique when drinking water.

The Indian silverbill communicates with a soft, cheeping or chirping sound, which serves as a contact call within the flock.

Breeding seasons for the Indian silverbill vary by region, with southern India seeing nests in winter and northern India after the summer. Their nests are rather untidy balls of grass with a side entrance, often placed in thorny Acacia shrubs. They have also been known to utilize old nests of baya weavers and sometimes build beneath the platform nests of larger birds such as vultures or storks. The species is known for intraspecific nest parasitism, where females lay eggs in the nests of other pairs. Clutches typically contain 4 to 8 white eggs, incubated by both parents for about 11 days. Helpers may also assist in the nesting process.

The diet of the Indian silverbill is predominantly seed-based, including a variety of grass seeds and occasionally crop species. They have also been observed feeding on insects and visiting nectar-bearing flowers, such as those of Erythrina trees.

20-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - BOAT TAILED GRACKLE (FEMALE) (Quiscalus major)

The boat-tailed grackle (Quiscalus major) is a striking bird, with the male boasting a glossy, iridescent black plumage and a distinctive keel-shaped tail, measuring 37–43 cm in length. The female, considerably smaller at 26–33 cm, is cloaked in tawny-brown with darker wings and tail. Both sexes exhibit a robust physique, but it is the male's long dark bill and pale yellowish or brown iris that often catch the observer's eye.

Adult males are entirely black with a shimmering iridescence and a pronounced tail. Females are smaller, with a shorter tail and brownish coloration. The wingspan ranges from 39–50 cm. Juvenile males resemble the adults but lack the iridescence, while immature females are duller with possible blotches on the breast. Eye color varies geographically, with Gulf Coast and inland birds having dark eyes, and Atlantic birds pale eyes.

The boat-tailed grackle is a coastal denizen, favoring saltwater marshes and, in Florida, inland waters. It is not uncommon to find them in urban settings, rummaging through refuse or perched in parking lots.

This bird is a permanent resident along the coasts of the Southeastern United States, with a presence that extends to several Gulf Coast cities and towns.

24-1-2018 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - MALLARD X MUSKOVY DUCK (Anas platyrhynchos × cairina moschata)

Mallard breeds can be somewhat confusing. They can be larger than normal or much smaller, darker or lighter, all white or all black. Watch for the little curled feathers on the back of the male, above the tail. Only the Mallard and its domestic descendants have those.

The domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus ) or domestic mallard is a variety of mallard that has been domesticated by humans and raised for meat, eggs, and down feathers. A few are also kept for show, as pets, or for their ornamental value. Almost all varieties of domesticated ducks, apart from the domestic Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata ), are descended from the mallard.

Domestic ducks (mainly mallard, Anas platyrhynchos domesticus, with some Muscovy ducks, Cairina moschata domestica) are ducks that have been domesticated and raised for meat and eggs. A few are kept for show, or for their ornamental value. Most varieties of domesticated ducks, apart from the Muscovy duck and hybrids, are descended from the mallard, which was domesticated in China around 2000 BC.

Duck farming is simplified by their reliable flocking behaviour, and their ability to forage effectively for themselves. Over 80% of global duck production is in China. Breeds such as White Pekin are raised for meat, while the prolific Indian Runner can produce over 300 eggs per year. In East and Southeast Asia, polycultures such as rice-duck farming are widely practised: the ducks assist the rice with manure and by eating small pest animals, so that the same land produces rice and ducks at once.

22-3-2017 TROGON LODGE, COSTA RICA - SOOTY CAPPED CHLOROSPINGUS (Chlorospingus pileatus)

The Sooty-capped Chlorospingus, also known as the Sooty-capped Bush Tanager, is a diminutive passerine that boasts a modest length of 13.5 cm and a weight of a mere 20 grams. This bird is adorned with a blackish head, complemented by a striking white supercilium and a grey throat. Its upperparts are cloaked in an olive hue, while the underparts are a vibrant yellow, transitioning to white on the belly. A particular population near the Irazu-Turrialba region exhibits a greyer plumage with an absence of yellow on the underparts.

To identify the adult Sooty-capped Chlorospingus, look for its darker head and pronounced supercilium, which set it apart from the common Chlorospingus. Immature birds present with a browner head, a less vivid olive-tinged supercilium, and a duller coloration below.

This species thrives in the mossy mountain forests, secondary growth, and adjacent bushy clearings, typically found from 1600 meters altitude to regions above the timberline.

The Sooty-capped Chlorospingus is an endemic resident breeder, gracing the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama with its presence.

These birds are sociable creatures, often seen in small groups or as part of a mixed-species feeding flock.

24-1-2018 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - DOMESTIC MUSCOVY DUCK (Cairina moschata var. domestica)

The Muscovy or Barbary is the domesticated form of the wild Muscovy duck, Cairina moschata. There are a number of local or regional breeds, and drakes of these are commonly cross-bred with domestic ducks to produce the hybrids called mulards.

The Muscovy had been domesticated by various indigenous peoples of the Americas well before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492.

Domestic Muscovy drakes weigh some 4.5–6.3 kg. The duck is much smaller, typically about half the size of the drake, with a weight of 2.3–3.2 kg. 

Recognised colour varieties include five solid colours – black, blue, chocolate, lavender and white  – and eight 'magpie' colours, in which the whole back from the tail to the shoulders and the underside from below the tail to the breast is coloured black, blue, chocolate or lavender, the remainder being white. In the standard magpie colourings the crown of the head is also coloured; in the white-headed magpie colours the head is white.

24-1-2018 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - GREYLAG GOOSE (Anser anser)

The Greylag goose (Anser anser) is a large goose in the waterfowl family Anatidae. Its distribution is widespread, with birds from the north of its range in Europe and Asia migrating southwards to spend the winter in warmer places. It is the ancestor of most breeds of domestic goose, having been domesticated at least as early as 1360 BC.

The Greylag is the largest and bulkiest of the grey geese of the genus Anser, but is more lightly built and agile than its domestic relative. It has a rotund, bulky body, a thick and long neck, and a large head and bill. It has pink legs and feet, and an orange or pink bill with a white or brown nail (hard horny material at the tip of the upper mandible). The plumage of the Greylag goose is greyish brown, with a darker head and paler breast and belly with a variable amount of black spotting. It has a pale grey forewing and rump which are noticeable when the bird is in flight or stretches its wings on the ground. It has a white line bordering its upper flanks, and its wing coverts are light-colored, contrasting with its darker flight feathers. Its plumage is patterned by the pale fringes of the feathers. Juveniles differ mostly in their lack of black speckling on the breast and belly and by their greyish legs. Adults have a distinctive 'concertina' pattern of folds in the feathers on their necks.

Greylag geese breed in Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Baltic States, northern Russia, Poland, eastern Hungary, and Romania. They also breed locally in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and North Macedonia. The eastern race extends eastwards across a broad swathe of Asia to China. European birds migrate southwards to the Mediterranean region and North Africa. Asian birds migrate to Azerbaijan, Iran, Pakistan, northern India, Bangladesh, and eastward to China. In North America, there are both feral domestic geese, which are similar to greylags, and occasional vagrant greylags. Greylag geese seen in the wild in New Zealand probably originated from the escape of farmyard geese, same as in Australia, where feral birds are now established in the east and southeast of the country.

24-1-2018 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - EURASIAN COOT (Fulica atra)

The Eurasian coot (Fulica atra), also known as the common coot, or Australian coot, is a member of the rail and crake bird family, the Rallidae. It is found in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and parts of North Africa. It has a slaty-black body, a glossy black head and a white bill with a white frontal shield. The sexes are similar. Similar looking coot species are found throughout the world, with the largest variety of coot species living in South America.

The Eurasian coot (Fulica atra), also known as the common coot, or Australian coot, is a member of the rail and crake bird family, the Rallidae. It is found in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and parts of North Africa. It has a slaty-black body, a glossy black head and a white bill with a white frontal shield. The sexes are similar. Similar looking coot species are found throughout the world, with the largest variety of coot species living in South America.

24-1-2018 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - BLACK REDSTART (FEMALE) (Phoenicurus ochruros)

The Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) is a small, charismatic passerine bird, exhibiting a blend of dark and vibrant plumage. Males are distinguished by their dark grey to black upperparts and breast, with a striking orange-red rump and tail. Females and juveniles are more subdued in color, with grey to grey-brown feathers and the same vivid tail coloration that is the hallmark of the species.

Adult males are easily identified by their dark upperparts and black breast, contrasting with the orange-red lower rump and tail. The belly and undertail may vary from blackish-grey to orange-red, depending on the subspecies. Females and juveniles are less conspicuous, with overall greyer tones and a distinctive orange-red rump and tail. The presence of pale fringes on the secondaries forms a whitish wing panel in some subspecies.

The Black Redstart has adapted remarkably to urban environments, often found nesting in crevices or holes within buildings. Originally a dweller of stony mountainous regions, it now thrives in industrial areas with similar structural features.

This species is widely distributed across south and central Europe, Asia, and north-west Africa. It is a resident in milder regions, while populations in the northeast migrate to warmer areas during winter.

24-1-2018 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula)

The European robin (Erithacus rubecula), known simply as the robin or robin redbreast in Great Britain and Ireland, is a small insectivorous passerine bird, a member of the chat subfamily of the Old World flycatcher family. It is a plucky little bird, with a length of about 12.5–14.0 cm and a weight of 16–22 g. Both sexes are similarly adorned with an orange breast and face, lined with grey, brown upper-parts, and a whitish belly.

Adult robins can be identified by their orange breast and face, bordered by a bluish-grey on the sides of the neck and chest. The upperparts are brownish, or olive-tinged in British birds, and the belly is whitish. The bill and eyes are black. Juvenile robins are distinguishable by their spotted brown and white plumage, with patches of orange gradually appearing as they mature.

The European robin is a bird of diverse habitats, found in woodlands, gardens, and parks across its range. It is particularly associated with areas where the soil is dug or disturbed, allowing it easy access to its invertebrate prey.

This bird has a wide distribution across Europe, extending east to Western Siberia and south to North Africa. It is sedentary in most of its range except the far north, where it is migratory.

The robin is diurnal and is known for its boldness in human presence, often seen investigating gardeners at work. It is territorial, with males known to fiercely defend their territory. The robin's diet is primarily composed of insects and worms, but it will also consume berries and fruit, especially in autumn and winter.

The robin's song is a delightful fluting warble, more plaintive during the winter months. Both sexes sing, with the male's song typically starting before dawn and ending after dusk. Urban robins may sing at night, possibly to avoid noise pollution during the day.

Robins are versatile in their choice of nesting sites, often opting for unusual locations such as nooks in machinery or even discarded clothing. They typically lay two or three clutches of eggs per season, with the eggs being cream, buff, or white and speckled with reddish-brown.

The European robin is unique among the Erithacus genus, with its closest relatives being the Japanese robin and the Ryukyu robin, which are now placed in a different genus.

Robins primarily feed on insects, spiders, and worms. During colder months, their diet is supplemented with berries and fruit. They are also known to visit bird tables for seed mixtures and suet.

The European robin is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable and possibly increasing population. It does not face any significant threats that would warrant concern for its long-term survival.