Blue-throated Sapphire
RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser remarks that gold seems to be a rare plumage in hummingbirds. This truly is a unique and special glimpse at the tail feathers of a Blue-throated Sapphire, previously known as the Blue-throated Goldentail.
Read MorePalm Warbler
This pretty little Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) is one of many that passed through our region in the last couple of months, with most now further south than RTPI. Nevertheless, keep an eye out for this glowing yellow birds as we head into December if you want to brighten up your birding day. The habitual tail pumping is sure to help give it away!
Read MoreYellow-billed Cuckoo
This poor Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) may have a prolonged pause in southbound migration this fall…why? Take a look. Something missing? It does not have a tail between those wing tips, and while it is out of view it looked like it was ripped right off. The bird is probably happy to be alive, and it was still observed feeding on autumn snacks such as a praying mantis. Hopefully it will be warm enough for it to survive for now and get on growing, perhaps taking an eventual slower and more methodical trip to its wintering grounds.
Read MoreVesper Sparrow
It took a while, but I finally got my fall Vesper Sparrows! My friend and sensational birder and naturalist Frank Mantlik found these two beauties in the Stratford community gardens among many other Song, Savannah, Swamp and White-throated Sparrows. They later cooperated, ever so briefly, for a couple photos. These big sparrows look so wonderful with those huge eye rings, and one was really showing off those white feathers… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreTailless Song Sparrow
Considering it is migration time for our sparrows that usually means they are not undergoing a molt. They need those feathers to fly! This Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) looked like it was losing a few, though, and it certainly lost a tail. This can happen after a near miss from a predator… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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