American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
Crows and many other corvids hold "funerals" for their dead. Current research suggests the purpose of crow funerals is for them to learn about potential threats and danger.
birds!
i like birds so here are some pictures i've taken of them (but be warned, i am an absolute amateur at both birding and photography)
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
It seems the early bird got the worm.
Azure-winged Magpie
Cyanopica cyanus
Gorgeous bird with a tail as long as its body.
Black-billed Magpie
Pica hudsonia
Like all magpies, very noisy and social. This photo also doesn't do justice to their beautiful iridescent plumage.
Black Swan
Cygnus atratus
A black swan event is when something unpredictable with extreme consequences occurs. This term came about when Europeans, who believed swans were only white, discovered black swans in Australia.
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
Honk
Canada Jay
Perisoreus canadensis
Also known as "whiskey jack" and "camp robber", they have a very varied diet and will eat human food. This one had a hankering for shredded cheese.
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
I don't think anything I say here can top how ornithologist Edward Forbush described them in 1929: "the little brown-capped pensioner of the dooryard and lawn, that comes about farmhouse doors to glean crumbs shaken from the tablecloth by thrifty housewives.”
Collared Finchbill
Spizixos semitorques
Their main diet is fruit, but they also eat insects and seeds.
Eurasian Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus
They are also known as "swamp chickens" or "marsh hens".
Feral Pigeon
Columba livia domestica
Don't let him drive the bus!
Fish Crow
Corvus ossifragus
Their calls are shorter and more nasal than American Crows.
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
They are capable of using fishing lures, such as bread or insects, to attract fish in the water.
The streaks on its neck indicate this is a juvenile. And yes this was taken through binoculars.
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
To keep their feathers clean, they roll around in dirt, a behavior known as dust bathing.
Large-billed Crow
Corvus macrorhynchos
Wow, that is one large bill.
Little Egret
Egretta garzetta
During the breeding season, they have 2 plumes on their head. These plumes were so valuable during the 19th century that they were hunted extensively and went locally extinct in some parts of Europe. Luckily, with the help of conservation laws, their population grew back and continues to do so today.
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Male mallards (called drakes) don't quack, only females do.
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
In addition to their "nostalgic" cooing, they also produce a sound with their wings when they take off. It's called a "wing whistle" and it's a way for them to announce danger.
Muscovy Duck
Cairina moschata
The males are the largest ducks in North America.
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
They are able to mimic around 200 songs of other birds, as well as cats, dogs, frogs, car alarms, and various sounds they hear in their environment. Their scientific name translates to "many-tongued mimic", which is a very apt name.
Probably the most common bird I see on a daily basis, as evidenced by the number of photos I have taken of them.
Oriental Magpie
Pica serica
Their calls are described as being comparable to an old camera: "chachacha!"
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
This raptor bagged its dinner in the form of a grey squirrel.
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
Caught this fella in the middle of singing. This was one of the first bird songs I was able to remember!
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
The most common vulture in North America, they have an extremely strong sense of smell which they use to locate carrion (decaying animal flesh). In addition, the chemical found in carrion (mercaptan) is the same chemical that is put in natural gas to make it smell bad. So turkey vultures are also attracted to gas leaks!
More (gross) turkey vulture facts because they are one of my favorite birds:
to cool themselves down, they will urinate and/or defecate on their legs. If they feel threatened, they can also projectile vomit up to 10 feet away.