Unintentional Disturbances Threaten Waterbirds
There are a number of activities that can unintentionally scare, disturb or even threaten the survival of our waterbirds throughout the spring and summer seasons. Even a person with good intentions can fail to realize how sensitive a bird like the Piping Plover is, feeling threatened by dogs on the leash as they still see them as a predator invading their territory, making birds more prone to abandoning the area, wasting valuable energy or separating them from eggs or young, increasing mortality. Most beaches in Connecticut ban all dogs during the warm seasons in consideration of public...
Read MoreLong-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia linearis) Pair
We have showed you the exquisite male previously but here we have both the Long-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia linearis) male and a lovely female by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser. He notes that you can see the interesting sexual dimorphism Manakins have. Most species congregate in a lek, where the males perform a dance for the female, after which she makes the nest and raises the chicks. Photographed for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project in Costa Rica.
Read MoreNorthern Mockingbird nestlings
Can you identify these young ones? They’re from Connecticut and were seen today by Sean. They are a species tough for Western New York birders to find. They are Northern Mockingbirds.
Read MoreWild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) by Scott Kruitbosch
These Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) poults are an interesting story. I found them at home early one May morning a few years ago after I spotted their mother sitting on the ground. As I curiously approached her she made a loud squawk and hurried off into the woods. This distraction display did not work on me and I found these poults where she had been. They did not move much or make a noise and were so young I probably could have scooped them all up. Instead I snapped this picture and ran off so mom could return. The next question for you is…how many are there here? There are 11!...
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