H.J. Ruiz – Avian101 – Page 993 – "My Backyard Visitors" – All about birds

Gallery of Birds # 33

Today is another sunny day, temperature is in the high 70’s now, at this time the sunlight is too harsh to do anything outdoors. I do my office work listening to beautiful music and looking ot the window once in a while too see if I see any new birds.

Our grass (Bermuda grass) is starting to turn green already, it will begin the growing process for this season. Pollen is nasty around the area where we live. My wife suffers with the pollen allergy.

I have some pictures for you. Stay safe!

Red-Winged Blackbird (Male)

Red-Headed Woodpecker

Eastern Towhee (Male)

Brown-Headed Cowbird (Male)

Tufted Titmouse

Tags: birding, Brown-Headed Cowbird, Eastern Towhee, photography, photos of birds, Red-headed woodpecker, Red-Winged Blackbird, Tufted Titmouse

Boat-Tailed Grackle

Boat-tailed Grackle -Spc.Name: Quiscalus Major

A large, long-tailed blackbird, the Boat-tailed Grackle is found exclusively along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of the United States. The noisy, iridescent, purple-black male is hard to miss when it displays on power lines and telephone poles. The smaller brown female is much less conspicuous, and might even be mistaken for a different species.

Adult Description

Large blackbird.
Long tail.
Male shiny black, female brown.

Male Description

Iridescent purple-black over entire body, wings and tail more greenish. Eye color variable from dark brown to light yellow.

Female Description

One-half size of male. Back and head cinnamon brown. Breast and belly paler brown or buffy. Tail and wings dark brown. Pale brown line above eye contrasts slightly with indistinct dark line through eye. Eye color variable from cream to dark brown.

I observed these birds for a while and I was surprised by how astute they are. It was funny to see them pickup food and go to a puddle and dunk it to soften it! 🙂 Cool!

Boat-Tailed Grackle (Male)

Boat-Tailed Grackle (Female)

Boat-Tailed Grackle (Male)

Boat-Tailed Grackle (Female)

Boat-Tailed Grackle (Male)

Tags: birding, birds, Boat-Tailed Grackle, photography, photos of birds

Laughing Gull

Laughin Gull – Spc.Name: Larus Atricilla

A smallish gull with a black head, the Laughing Gull is abundant along the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Infrequently found away from the ocean, it takes advantage of human habitat modifications, foraging in parking lots and dumps, and breeding on dredge spoil islands.

Adult Description

Small gull.
Back ashy gray.
Underparts white.
Wingtips black with white tips and a white band.
Entire head black in breeding season.

Immature Description

Juvenile: White underneath, with dusky wash on sides of neck and across breast. Crown, ear region, and nape dark dusky gray. Forehead, chin, and throat white. White crescents above and below eyes. Back and wings dusky brownish gray. Tail pale gray with black subterminal band, not including white outer feathers.

Note: These photos I’m posting were taken in Jekyll Island, Ga. a couple of days ago during our short vacation. 🙂 It was wonderful!

Franklin’s Gull - Spc.Name: Larus Pipixcan

Tags: birding, Laughing Gull, photography, photos of birds

Field Sparrows, good birdies!

Today’s topic is the Field Sparrows ( Spizella Pusilla)

Nothing wrong with these little fellows, they’re assiduous visitors of our feeders, during all seasons and at all times. They’re there always! 🙂

These birds seem to be more adjusted and adapted to urban life and presence of humans. They don’t feel intimidated by people, unlike other birds that you can’t even blink in front of them and they get spooked, making them difficult to be photographed without having to use some kind of a camouflage and get closer; the alternative is to have a very expensive telephoto lens that allows you to get good shots at longer distances. ( Too much $$$$…My goodness!)

Meanwhile I find this specie of birds to be strong in a way of having a good instinct for survival. They get their seeds whether it rains, snows or high wind or in presence of most birds large or small. I guess that they are able to sort out all potential risks. Good birdies! 🙂