Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)
One of the most unique and unmistakable North American birds, the Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) is an incredible waterbird with a massive bill used to scoop fish from the water while in flight. Watching a Black Skimmer feeding, using the length of the bill’s lower mandible to penetrate the water’s surface to snag prey, can seem rather surreal. Evolution and adaptation can certainly be unexpected and staggeringly effective. In this case this bird was playing with a leaf! Perhaps it was good foraging practice during this warm Florida vacation.
Read MoreCaspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)
This Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) was photographed in Florida by Twan but it could end up being one of the birds on Lake Erie soon enough. The massive tern, with its huge red bill and powerful wings, may make its way north to the shores of Chautauqua County in a month! Until then it will have to work on filling in that black cap.
Read MoreWhite-whiskered Puffbird (Malacoptila panamensis)
The White-whiskered Puffbird (Malacoptila panamensis) is a predator that sits and waits on branches like this one, starring silently from its perch until an opportune moment to strike. This bird’s name is derived from the bristle-like white feathers around the base of the bill. Photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project in Panama while on assignment for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History.
Read MorePileated Woodpecker Visit
I was thrilled to add this Pileated Woodpecker to my January 2015 bird list as I saw it yesterday in between bouts of snowfall. It was pecking its enormous bill at some of the dead bark and holes on this tree, hoping for some insects and having a taste – you can see its tongue in one of the photos! I ended up with all five expected woodpeckers at home to start the year with the others being Downy, Hairy, Northern Flicker and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. My “best” find this January was probably still the two Orange-crowned Warblers I enjoyed on New Year’s Day. What was...
Read MoreFerruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium ridgwayi)
This Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium ridgwayi) was described by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser as “tiny in stature, but not in tenacity”. It is only the size of a large sparrow but he can personally attest to the amount of significant amount of damage the bill and talons can inflict upon prey or banding human handlers.
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