Blue Jay End
Speaking of hawks, it appears that I came upon the final remains of a Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) this morning with this very large pile of feathers strewn about under a small tree. The raptor sat here in a relatively quiet spot and plucked its prey, leaving little else behind. I would guess that an accipiter – probably a Cooper’s Hawk, but possibly a Sharp-shinned – took this Blue Jay hours earlier. It may not be the most enjoyable find for some, but it is the cycle of life in nature, and that hawk has to try to survive, too. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach...
Read MoreRed-shouldered Hawk
This is not one of the winter raptors we have trained our volunteers to record this season, but I will nonetheless take it. The Red-shouldered Hawk seen here was photographed earlier today while very engaged in tracking some sort of prey. It flew off a moment after this, attempting to go for it on the ground, then after missing out it flew into another tree across the street. I did not see what it was after but some small mammal was lucky – at least for the moment. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreGreen-breasted Mango Feathers
RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser decided to take a closer look at the feathers of the hummingbirds he has been banding in Costa Rica. Here’s the dorsal and ventral view of the male Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii).
Read MoreDrake Northern Shoveler
Here is a better and more fitting look at a drake Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) and the special bill it uses to filter everything from small invertebrates to seeds from the water. It makes you wonder why other ducks don’t have such a terrific adaptation…
Read MoreRed-throated Loon
Ever wonder why Common and Red-throated Loons like this one end up with a winter plumage of mostly varying shades of gray? Look no further! Winter waters, especially on cloudy days, match the birds perfectly…even the waves.
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