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 (yes, i am aware of the abysmal quality of some of these images. just trust me bro)
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-collared Starling
Gracupica nigricollis
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.
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
Even though they're common, it took awhile before I actually saw one in person. They're so noisy and their bright blue feathers demand attention (even though they don't actually have blue feathers, it's an optical illusion). They have so many different calls, the first time I heard the squeaky gate call I was so confused as to what was making that sound.
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Sitta pusilla
They sound like rubber duckies!!! They're so small and full of energy and their squeaks are so cute! They're found mostly in pine forests in the Southeastern US. Nuthatches in general have extremely strong claws, making them super fun to watch as they dart across branches and around tree trunks. They are the only bird that can walk head first down a tree and can even walk upside down on branches, which allows them to find insects they may have missed on their way up. They also have strong beaks that helps with getting to their food - they will jam a nut or seed into tree bark, and hack away at it with their beak until it cracks open, earning them the name "nuthatch". Brown-headed ones in particular are one of the rare bird species that use tools: they use a piece of bark as a lever to pry up bark on trees to get to food hidden underneath. And, if the piece of bark is good, they will carry it around to use it again. Probably one of my favorite birds.
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.
Carolina Wren
Thryothorus ludovicianus
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
This photo quality sucks but they are such pretty birds and I hear their high pitched whistles all the time.
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.
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
I went to Texas for the first time and these guys were everywhere. I can't blame them though, cause Bucee's is pretty fire.
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
You know it's winter when these guys are around, and they're nicknamed "snowbirds". Their white tail feathers forming a V-shape that they flash when they take flight make them not too hard to identify. They're also one of the most common birds in North America.
Downy Woodpecker
Picoides pubescens
The smallest woodpecker in North America, they're so energetic and interesting to watch. Only males have the red patch on the back of their head.
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
Their tail wags are so cute (and makes them easy to identify)
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.
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
The biggest heron in North America, they are able to hunt both during the day and night.
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.
Javan Myna
Acridotheres javanicus
Their vocal mimicry abilities made them popular pets to be kept in cages, which led to a dwindling population in Java and Bali, where they are native. However, they are one of the most common birds in Singapore, so much so that they are considered an urban pest.
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-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
Their bellies are a really pale red, but the name Red-headed woodpeckers was already taken.
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.
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
"Oh, sweet Canada!" A beautiful winter bird with a beautiful song.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
There are two distinct subspecies: the eastern Myrtle and the western Audubon.