Birds from Here and There

Blue-winged Kookaburra

The Blue-winged Kookaburra (Dacelo leachii) is one of the largest members of the kingfisher family. It has a streaked head and blue wings and rump and a characteristic extended manic laughing call. This forest-dwelling bird is common throughout most of northern Australia and southern New Guinea. The call is loud and maniacal and ends abruptly. Morning and evening songs by the family group announce territory. Kookaburras mate for life. (Miami MetroZoo - January 24, 2004)

Grey-headed Kingfisher

Grey-headed Kingfisher (Halcyon leucocephala) (Dallas Zoo - March 9, 2007)

Red-and-green Macaw

Green Winged Macaw (Ara chloropterus) (Parrot Jungle Island - Miami, FL - April 23, 2004)

GreRed-and-green Macaw

Green Winged Macaw (Ara chloropterus) (Parrot Jungle Island - Miami, FL - April 23, 2004)

Scarlet Macaw

Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) (Parrot Jungle Island - Miami, FL - April 23, 2004)

Sun Parakeet

Sun Parakeet (Aratinga solstitialis) (aka Sun Conure, Yellow Conure) - Despite having once been abundant, a history of unsustainable trapping has made the strikingly plumaged Sun Parakeet one of South America’s rarest parrots.Status: Endangered --> Status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Parrot Jungle Island - Miami, FL - April 23, 2004)

Sun Parakeet

Sun Parakeet (Aratinga solstitialis) (aka Sun Conure, Yellow Conure) - Despite having once been abundant, a history of unsustainable trapping has made the strikingly plumaged Sun Parakeet one of South America’s rarest parrots.Status: Endangered --> Status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Parrot Jungle Island - Miami, FL - April 23, 2004)

Hyacinth Macaw

This is "Ray," a Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus). I don't know if he's still around but ... he has/had been living at Parrot Jungle since 1988. He is/was a crowd avorite at the entrance to the park where he plays with the public and is one of their friendliest Macaws. The Hyacinth Macaw is the largest of all parrots, measuring up to 1 meter in length from his beak to the tip of his tail. Ray's favorite foods are Brazil and Macadamia Nuts. Status: Vulnerable --> Status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Parrot Jungle Island - Miami, FL - April 23, 2004)

Hyacinth Macaw

This is "Ray," a Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus). I don't know if he's still around but ... he has/had been living at Parrot Jungle since 1988. He is/was a crowd avorite at the entrance to the park where he plays with the public and is one of their friendliest Macaws. The Hyacinth Macaw is the largest of all parrots, measuring up to 1 meter in length from his beak to the tip of his tail. Ray's favorite foods are Brazil and Macadamia Nuts. Status: Vulnerable --> Status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Parrot Jungle Island - Miami, FL - April 23, 2004)

Great Egret

The Great Egret (Casmerodius albus) (aka Great White Egret or Common Egret) is a large egret. It is sometimes confused with the Great White Heron in Florida, which is a white morph of the closely related Great Blue Heron (A. herodias). Note, however, that the name Great White Heron has occasionally been used to refer to the Great Egret. Apart from size, the Great Egret can be distinguished from other white egrets by its yellow bill and black legs and feet, though the bill may become darker and the lower legs lighter in the breeding season. In breeding plumage, delicate ornamental feathers are borne on the back. Males and females are identical in appearance; juveniles look like non-breeding adults. It has a slow flight, with its neck retracted. This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes, ibises and spoonbills, which extend their necks in flight. The Great Egret is not normally a vocal bird; at breeding colonies, however, it often gives a loud croaking cuk cuk cuk. The Great Egret is the symbol of the National Audubon Society, one of the oldest environmental organizations in North America. (Parrot Jungle Island - Miami, FL - April 23, 2004)

Double-crested Cormorant

The Double-crested Cormorant is the most numerous and widespread North American cormorant. It's also the only one that occurs in large numbers inland as well as on the coast. Growing in numbers throughout its range, this cormorant is increasingly being blamed for declines in sport fisheries and for devastating fish farms. The Double-crested Cormorant makes a bulky nest of sticks and other materials. It frequently picks up junk, such as rope, deflated balloons, fishnet, and plastic debris to incorporate into the nest. Large pebbles are occasionally found in cormorant nests, and the cormorants treat them as eggs. (Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden - February 11, 2006)

Caribbean Flamingo

The Caribbean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber), also called the American flamingo, is the most brightly colored and largest of all flamingos. With their bright feathers and strongly hooked bills, flamingos are among the most easily recognized waterbirds. Their pink or reddish color comes from the rich sources of carotenoid pigments (like the pigments of carrots) in the algae and small crustaceans that the birds eat. The Caribbean flamingos are the brightest, showing their true colors of red, pink, or orange on their legs, bills, and faces. They are a scarlet pink color overall and have black primary feathers. Their bill is downward bending at its midpoint. They have large bodies and flexible long necks topped with a small head. The flamingo's long legs and feet are bare, and their toes are webbed, which is good for wading. Young birds are mostly grey and do not develop their characteristic pink until after the first year. The sexes are similar in appearance. Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Center is situated only a few minutes drive from downtown Nassau, Bahamas. The 5-½ acre park is part jungle, part gardens and home to hundreds of beautiful mammals, birds and reptiles from around the world, including many endangered species from the Bahamas and the Greater Caribbean. (April 25, 2004)

Beautiful Bird

Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Center is situated only a few minutes drive from downtown Nassau. The 5-½ acre park is part jungle, part gardens and home to hundreds of beautiful mammals, birds and reptiles from around the world, including many endangered species from the Bahamas and the Greater Caribbean. (April 25, 2004)

Caribbean Flamingos

The Caribbean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber), also called the American flamingo, is the most brightly colored and largest of all flamingos. With their bright feathers and strongly hooked bills, flamingos are among the most easily recognized waterbirds. Their pink or reddish color comes from the rich sources of carotenoid pigments (like the pigments of carrots) in the algae and small crustaceans that the birds eat. The Caribbean flamingos are the brightest, showing their true colors of red, pink, or orange on their legs, bills, and faces. They are a scarlet pink color overall and have black primary feathers. Their bill is downward bending at its midpoint. They have large bodies and flexible long necks topped with a small head. The flamingo's long legs and feet are bare, and their toes are webbed, which is good for wading. Young birds are mostly grey and do not develop their characteristic pink until after the first year. The sexes are similar in appearance. Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Center is situated only a few minutes drive from downtown Nassau, Bahamas. The 5-½ acre park is part jungle, part gardens and home to hundreds of beautiful mammals, birds and reptiles from around the world, including many endangered species from the Bahamas and the Greater Caribbean. (April 25, 2004)

Caribbean Flamingos

The Caribbean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber), also called the American flamingo, is the most brightly colored and largest of all flamingos. With their bright feathers and strongly hooked bills, flamingos are among the most easily recognized waterbirds. Their pink or reddish color comes from the rich sources of carotenoid pigments (like the pigments of carrots) in the algae and small crustaceans that the birds eat. The Caribbean flamingos are the brightest, showing their true colors of red, pink, or orange on their legs, bills, and faces. They are a scarlet pink color overall and have black primary feathers. Their bill is downward bending at its midpoint. They have large bodies and flexible long necks topped with a small head. The flamingo's long legs and feet are bare, and their toes are webbed, which is good for wading. Young birds are mostly grey and do not develop their characteristic pink until after the first year. The sexes are similar in appearance. Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Center is situated only a few minutes drive from downtown Nassau, Bahamas. The 5-½ acre park is part jungle, part gardens and home to hundreds of beautiful mammals, birds and reptiles from around the world, including many endangered species from the Bahamas and the Greater Caribbean. (April 25, 2004)

Smew [male]

The Smew (Mergellus albellus) is a small diving duck which is often considered to be a link between the Goldeneyes and the larger Mergansers. (Miami MetroZoo - February 23, 2007)

Nicobar Pigeon

The Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica) is one of the most beautiful of the many species of pigeons or doves. Like all pigeons, the Nicobar pigeon is rather thick-set with a relatively small head, but is heavier than most pigeons the same size. The general coloration is dark green iridescent, with a short white tail. Display plumage of the neck is green with coppery and greenish-blue overtones. Feathers of the mantle and wing coverts are pointed. The bill is black, the legs are red, and the iris is white in adult females, but brown in sub-adults and males. The Nicobar Pigeon is found in southeast Asia, particularly on the Nicobar islands to New Guinea, and as far north as the Philippines. Status: Near Threatened --> Status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Miami MetroZoo - February 23, 2007)

Black-naped Oriole

The Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis) rarely descends to the ground. They forage high in trees and usually stay within the canopy. Nevertheless, they are not birds of the deep forest. Originally from coastal woodlands and mangroves, they have adapted to cultivated areas and parks and gardens. There was something behind the fence that this guy wanted so badly . . . he was trying desparately to get on the other side. (Miami MetroZoo - February 23, 2007)

Common Merganser [male]

The Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) is a large diving duck with a long thin bill that is found along large lakes and rivers across the northern hemisphere. The long bill has toothy projections along its edges that help the duck hold onto its slippery fish prey. (Miami MetroZoo - February 23, 2007)

Javan Cochoa

The Javan Cochoa (Cochoa azurea) is endemic to the mountains of west and central Java, Indonesia. This unobtrusive species qualifies as Vulnerable because it has a small and naturally fragmented range and population, which is likely to be declining owing to habitat loss at the lower fringes of its altitudinal range. Status: Vulnerable --> Status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Miami MetroZoo - February 23, 2007)

White-eared Catbird

The White-eared Catbird (Ailuroedus buccoides) is a large aggressive species, and though in the bowerbird family, it neither builds a bower nor has an elaborate display. (Miami MetroZoo - February 23, 2007)

Red-tailed Laughingthrush

Red-tailed Laughingthrush (Garrulax milnei) (Miami MetroZoo - February 23, 2007)

Oriental Magpie Robi

The Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis) is a native species in Singapore, where it is known by the Malay names Kampung/Cerang. Once very common in the 1920s, it was pushed to near extinction by the 1970s, largely due to the introduction of mynahs, illegal poaching, and the disappearance of its natural habitat in the face of rapid urbanization. Attempts to reintroduce the bird were conducted in the 1980s, but the species remains vulnerable and hence protected by law. It is a commonly found species in Hong Kong and Bangladesh, where it is the national bird. (Miami MetroZoo - February 23, 2007)

Great Argus Pheasant [male]

One of the most unusual of all bird species, the Great Argus Pheasant (Argusianus argus) males are unmistakable with massive primary, secondary and tail feathers. The face is blue, the crown is black with a distinctive short crest. The upperparts are brown, finely mottled with buff; iridescent ocelli can be found on the wings and tail. The wings can continue to grow until the bird reaches its sixth year. The male is among the largest of all pheasants. Females are similar but smaller than males; they also lack the ornate tail and wings. The Argus Pheasant has long tail feathers with beautifully ornate-eye-like designs on the ends of them. The male is astoundingly large; he can reach as much as 3 feet in length. The Argus Pheasant has one of the loudest calls of all birds. This call helps to ward off enemies as well as locate family members gone astray. The Argus Pheasant seems to only associate with their own families. Both the male and the female have a part in hatching and raising their young. They are not very social outside of their families unless they are performing the mating ritual. Status: Near Threatened --> Status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Miami MetroZoo - February 23, 2007)

Red-bellied Woodpecker

The female (bottom left) did not want her picture to be taken :)A common woodpecker over much of the South, the Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is scarcer farther north but has expanded its breeding range northward in recent decades. Like most woodpeckers, it is beneficial, consuming large numbers of wood-boring beetles as well as grasshoppers, ants, and other insect pests. It also feeds on acorns, beechnuts, and wild fruits. It is one of the woodpeckers that habitually stores food. (Miccosukee Indian Village - February 3, 2007)

Red-bellied Woodpecker

A common woodpecker over much of the South, the Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is scarcer farther north but has expanded its breeding range northward in recent decades. Like most woodpeckers, it is beneficial, consuming large numbers of wood-boring beetles as well as grasshoppers, ants, and other insect pests. It also feeds on acorns, beechnuts, and wild fruits. It is one of the woodpeckers that habitually stores food. (Miccosukee Indian Village - February 3, 2007)

Red-bellied Woodpecker

A common woodpecker over much of the South, the Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is scarcer farther north but has expanded its breeding range northward in recent decades. Like most woodpeckers, it is beneficial, consuming large numbers of wood-boring beetles as well as grasshoppers, ants, and other insect pests. It also feeds on acorns, beechnuts, and wild fruits. It is one of the woodpeckers that habitually stores food. (Miccosukee Indian Village - February 3, 2007)

Red-bellied Woodpecker

A common woodpecker over much of the South, the Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is scarcer farther north but has expanded its breeding range northward in recent decades. Like most woodpeckers, it is beneficial, consuming large numbers of wood-boring beetles as well as grasshoppers, ants, and other insect pests. It also feeds on acorns, beechnuts, and wild fruits. It is one of the woodpeckers that habitually stores food. (Miccosukee Indian Village - February 3, 2007)

Red-bellied Woodpecker

A common woodpecker over much of the South, the Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is scarcer farther north but has expanded its breeding range northward in recent decades. Like most woodpeckers, it is beneficial, consuming large numbers of wood-boring beetles as well as grasshoppers, ants, and other insect pests. It also feeds on acorns, beechnuts, and wild fruits. It is one of the woodpeckers that habitually stores food. (Miccosukee Indian Village - February 3, 2007)

Caribbean Flamingo

The Caribbean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber), also called the American flamingo, is the most brightly colored and largest of all flamingos. With their bright feathers and strongly hooked bills, flamingos are among the most easily recognized waterbirds. Their pink or reddish color comes from the rich sources of carotenoid pigments (like the pigments of carrots) in the algae and small crustaceans that the birds eat. The Caribbean flamingos are the brightest, showing their true colors of red, pink, or orange on their legs, bills, and faces. They are a scarlet pink color overall and have black primary feathers. Their bill is downward bending at its midpoint. They have large bodies and flexible long necks topped with a small head. The flamingo's long legs and feet are bare, and their toes are webbed, which is good for wading. Young birds are mostly grey and do not develop their characteristic pink until after the first year. The sexes are similar in appearance. (Miami MetroZoo - February 16, 2008)

Canada Geese with Goslings

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) (Newbury, MA - June 2, 2005)

Canada Geese with Goslings

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) (Newbury, MA - June 2, 2005)

Canada Goose with Gosling

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) (Newbury, MA - June 2, 2005)

Canada Goose

Canada Goose (Brantao canadensis) (Newbury, MA - June 2, 2005)

Canada Goose

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) (Newbury, MA - June 2, 2005)

Canada Geese with Goslings

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) (Newbury, MA - June 2, 2005)

Canada Gosling

Canada Gosling (Branta canadensis) - That little one has a hold of that bread :) (Newbury, MA - June 2, 2005)

Canada Gosling

Canada Gosling (Branta canadensis) (Newbury, MA - June 2, 2005)

Canada Goose

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) (Newbury, MA - June 2, 2005)

Canada Goose with Goslings

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) (Newbury, MA - June 2, 2005)

Canada Goose with Goslings

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) (Newbury, MA - June 2, 2005)

Canada Goose

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) (Newbury, MA - June 2, 2005)

Canada Geese with Goslings

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) (Newbury, MA - June 2, 2005)

Canada Goose with Goslings

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) (Newbury, MA - June 2, 2005)

Canada Geese with Goslings

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) (Newbury, MA - June 2, 2005)