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This is a female Snail Kite, landing on a convenient perch with a snail. Snail Kites are endangered in Florida, and I’ve found their numbers down at the places I generally find them. This picture was taken when there were a lot on Lake Kissimmee, but that has changed. They have evolved into somewhat of a dead end, dieting exclusively, as far as I know, on snails. The adapted to an invasive snail with some beak development, which has probably saved them here. Generally, the delicately pick the snails from just below the surface of fresh water, often passing it from talon to beak on their way to a place to land to eat it. Some favorite landing spots grow large piles of empty snail shells. Limpkins, who also consume large numbers of snail, do the same but because they eat on the ground, and not on a perch like Snail Kites usually do, their litter is more dispersed. (Rostrhamus sociabilis) (Sony a1, 400mm 2.8 with a 1.4 extender; 560mm, f/4, 1/3200 second, ISO 2000)
Guillemot /Murre - Uria aalge
The common murre or common guillemot (Uria aalge) is a large auk. It is also known as the thin-billed murre in North America. It has a circumpolar distribution, occurring in low-Arctic and boreal waters in the North Atlantic and North Pacific. It spends most of its time at sea, only coming to land to breed on rocky cliff shores or islands.
Common murres have fast direct flight but are not very agile. They are more manoeuvrable underwater, typically diving to depths of 30–60 m (98–197 ft). Depths of up to 180 m (590 ft) have been recorded.
Common murres breed in colonies at high densities. Nesting pairs may be in bodily contact with their neighbours. They make no nest; their single egg is incubated on a bare rock ledge on a cliff face. Eggs hatch after ~30 days incubation. The chick is born downy and can regulate its body temperature after 10 days. Some 20 days after hatching the chick leaves its nesting ledge and heads for the sea, unable to fly, but gliding for some distance with fluttering wings, accompanied by its male parent. Chicks are capable of diving as soon as they hit the water. The female stays at the nest site for some 14 days after the chick has left.
Both male and female common murres moult after breeding and become flightless for 1–2 months. In southern populations they occasionally return to the nest site throughout the winter. Northern populations spend the winter farther from their colonies.
Some individuals in the North Atlantic, known as "bridled guillemots", have a white ring around the eye extending back as a white line. This is not a distinct subspecies, but a polymorphism that becomes more common the farther north the birds breed.
The common murre nests in densely packed colonies (known as "loomeries"), with up to twenty pairs occupying one square metre at peak season.[citation needed] Common murres do not make nests and lay their eggs on bare rock ledges, under rocks, or the ground. They first breed at four to nine years old, but most individuals recruit into the breeding population at ages six or seven, although birds may disperse (permanently depart their natal colony) if space is limited. Annual survival probability for birds aged 6–15 is 0.895, and average lifespan is about 20 years. Breeding success increases with age up to age 9-10 to 0.7 fledglings per pair, then declines in the oldest age birds, perhaps indicating reproductive senesence.
High densities mean that birds are close contact with neighbouring breeders. Common murres perform appeasement displays more often at high densities and more often than razorbills.
Allopreening is common both between mates and between neighbours. Allopreening helps to reduce parasites, and it may also have important social functions. Frequency of allopreening a neighbour correlates well with current breeding success.
Allopreening may function as a stress-reducer; ledges with low levels of allopreening show increased levels of fighting and reduced breeding success.
Alloparenting behaviour is frequently observed. Non-breeding and failed breeders show great interest in other chicks, and will attempt to brood or feed them. This activity is more common as the chicks get older and begin to explore their ledge. There has also been a record of a pair managing to raise two chicks. Adults that have lost chicks or eggs will sometimes bring fish to the nest site and try to feed their imaginary chick.
At time of extreme food stress, the social activity of the breeding ledge can break down.
On the Isle of May colony in 2007, food availability was low. Adults spent more of their time-budget foraging for their chicks and had to leave them unattended at times. Unattended chicks were attacked by breeding neighbour which often led to their deaths. Non-breeding and failed breeders continued to show alloparental care.
In areas such as Newfoundland, the birds, along with the related thick-billed murre, are referred to as 'turrs' or 'tuirs', and are consumed. The meat is dark and quite oily, due to the birds' diet of fish. Eggs have also been harvested.
Eggers from San Francisco took almost half a million eggs a year from the Farallon Islands in the mid-19th century to feed the growing city.
Population:
UK breeding:
950,000 pairs
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This room is part of the Old Royal Palace at Prague Castle and is known as the Diet Hall. It was built in the late Gothic style and used for meetings of the Bohemian Estates. The hall is notable for its impressive ribbed vaulting and the royal throne placed beneath a canopy decorated with the emblem of Bohemia. Here, important political and judicial sessions were held, along with ceremonial events.
An owl that belongs to the family of the family earless owl genus Strix and is found in Taiwan, China, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Often commonly found in dense forest and is highly nocturnal with the main diet being of birds, reptiles and small mamaks.
It's typical to see a Green Heron such as this one in shallow water or at water's edge, on the hunt for the small fish that make up most of the diet of these birds. So it was a surprise and a treat for me to spot this one up on a branch. And by the looks of its "expression," this bird was perhaps just as surprised to see me. 😄
Twice yesterday (March 2) this bird made kills. Here it is eating a House Finch. For those who may not know. the diet for Sharp-shinned hawks is mostly birds. This is in my backyard, Yakima County, Washington. I don't like the white snow background but that was my only option. Although it is not evident from this photo the hawk is sitting on large snow covered planter. about 30 feet from me. IMG_4624
Someone has dropped a chunk of watermelon on my nature strip. I took it to the garden to watch, which birds would fancy it. At lunchtime it provided a welcome variety in the diet of two visiting Pied Currawongs.
Leica M-P & Summilux-M 35mm
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my written permission.
© Toni_V. All rights reserved.
"Dietes Iridoides
Dietes iridioides, commonly named African iris, fortnight lily, and morea iris, is a species of plant in the family Iridaceae that is native to Southern Africa."
Robin - Erithacus rubecula
Wash and Brush up!
Double Double click!
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The European robin (Erithacus rubecula), known simply as the robin or robin redbreast in the British Isles, is a small insectivorous passerine bird, specifically a chat, that was formerly classified as a member of the thrush family (Turdidae) but is now considered to be an Old World flycatcher.
The robin occurs in Eurasia east to Western Siberia, south to Algeria and on the Atlantic islands as far west as the Azores and Madeira. It is a vagrant in Iceland. In the south-east, it reaches the Caucasus range. Irish and British robins are largely resident but a small minority, usually female, migrate to southern Europe during winter, a few as far as Spain. Scandinavian and Russian robins migrate to Britain and western Europe to escape the harsher winters. These migrants can be recognised by the greyer tone of the upper parts of their bodies and duller orange breast. The European robin prefers spruce woods in northern Europe, contrasting with its preference for parks and gardens in Ireland and Britain.
Attempts to introduce the European robin into Australia and New Zealand in the latter part of the 19th century were unsuccessful. Birds were released around Melbourne, Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin by various local acclimatisation societies, with none becoming established. There was a similar outcome in North America as birds failed to establish after being released in Long Island, New York in 1852, Oregon in 1889–1892, and the Saanich Peninsula in British Columbia in 1908–1910.
The robin is diurnal, although has been reported to be active hunting insects on moonlit nights or near artificial light at night. Well known to British and Irish gardeners, it is relatively unafraid of people and drawn to human activities involving the digging of soil, in order to look out for earthworms and other food freshly turned up. Indeed, the robin is considered to be a gardener's friend and for various folklore reasons the robin would never be harmed. In continental Europe on the other hand, robins were hunted and killed as with most other small birds, and are more wary.
Robins also approach large wild animals, such as wild boar and other animals which disturb the ground, to look for any food that might be brought to the surface. In autumn and winter, robins will supplement their usual diet of terrestrial invertebrates, such as spiders, worms and insects, with berries and fruit. They will also eat seed mixtures placed on bird-tables.
The robin features prominently in British folklore, and that of northwestern France, but much less so in other parts of Europe. It was held to be a storm-cloud bird and sacred to Thor, the god of thunder, in Norse mythology. Robins feature in the traditional children's tale, Babes in the Wood; the birds cover the dead bodies of the children.
More recently, the robin has become strongly associated with Christmas, taking a starring role on many Christmas cards since the mid 19th century. The robin has appeared on many Christmas postage stamps. An old British folk tale seeks to explain the robin's distinctive breast. Legend has it that when Jesus was dying on the cross, the robin, then simply brown in colour, flew to his side and sang into his ear in order to comfort him in his pain. The blood from his wounds stained the robin's breast, and thereafter all robins got the mark of Christ's blood upon them.
An alternative legend has it that its breast was scorched fetching water for souls in Purgatory.
The association with Christmas more probably arises from the fact that postmen in Victorian Britain wore red jackets and were nicknamed "Robins"; the robin featured on the Christmas card is an emblem of the postman delivering the card.
In the 1960s, in a vote publicised by The Times, the robin was adopted as the unofficial national bird of the UK.
In 2015, the robin was again voted Britain's national bird in a poll organised by birdwatcher David Lindo, taking 34% of the final vote.
for Heinz Dieter
and its neighbor
a colorful new day !
I see trees so green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you.
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.
I see skies so blue and clouds so white.
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night.
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.
The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by.
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do.
They're really saying I love you.
I hear babies crying, I watch them grow.
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know......
The tide was receding leaving an amazing assembly of worm casts and tiny depressed feeding pits. They are made by lugworms who have U shaped burrows beneath the sand and seabed. They eat microorganisms and organic debris. They are eaten by curlews, oystercatchers and godwits – plus crabs and fish! Some escape and live for several years.
Schlafplatz von Obdachlosen
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With all the rain we have been getting this spring, the sprouts of May are thickening up really nice. I love how the color of the trees in this shot are balanced and heavy. Toss in a Providence & Worcester "orange" and we have our fruit and veggies for our diet today.
P&W WONR South at Acme Pond, Thompson, CT
Hello !
It's always nice to see a young Robin in the garden.
Robin
Erithacus rubecula
Spideog
Redbreast, Ploughman's Bird, Ruddock
One of Ireland's top-20 most widespread garden birds.
Status: Resident
Conservation Concern: Green-listed in Ireland. The European population is regarded as Secure by BirdLife International.
Identification: Probably the most familiar garden bird - the bright orange-red breast and facial area make it unmistakable. Upperparts a uniform greyish brown, belly and lower breast greyish white. The bill is dark and pointed and the legs black. Can appear very plump and rounded, especially in cold weather when the bird fluffs out its feathers. Can be very confiding, often perching motionless close to gardening activity. Occasionally cocks tail briefly.
Call: Song a wispy, relatively slow series of notes ranging up and down the scale, becoming more rapid in parts - the notes rolling into each other. Somewhat melancholy - winter song even more so. Calls include a "tick" which is sometimes repeated to sound like an old clock being wound up. Also a plaintive, barely audible "seep".
Diet: Insects and some fruits, including apples. Readily comes to bird tables.
Breeding: Breeds throughout Ireland in many different habitats. Nest usually well-concealed in a bank, ivy or cavity in tree or wall. Sometimes chooses unusual location such as a hat or garment hanging in garden shed. Will use open-fronted nestboxes.
ZH870 Lockheed Martin Hercules C4 at Cosford Airshow 2023. It's time to take a Diet Coke Break my trusty old friend! This was one of the last times we would see a RAF Hercules operational.
Amtrak B32-8PHW #504 sits outside the wheel shop at Amtrak's 18th St yard in Chicago, seen from my window seat on train 354.
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Falco sparverius male carrying Jerusalem Cricket (or Potato Bug) of genus Stenopelmatus,
San Luis Obispo Co., California
I happened onto a kestrel nest site while I was patiently watching some other birds at a nest nearby. I went back regularly in May and watched as the adults occasionally brought back food for the nestlings. At the earlier stages both male and female adult would perch like this briefly before going into the nest hole, enabling at least a brief look at what they were carrying. Mostly Jerusalem Crickets (which are mainly nocturnal to my understanding!). During later stages of feeding the nestlings, there was no pausing at this ledge, so I was hopelessly uncertain what was coming in, as well as being stymied for photography.
for #FlickrFriday theme #Balance
A balanced diet is one that gives the body the nutrition it needs to function properly. In order to get a truly balanced diet, one must have a literal interpretation of this concept.
African Hoopoe (Upupa africana) is a woodland bird fairly common throughout southern Africa. The diet consists mostly of insects, their larvae and pupae. It occasionally hawks termite alates. The African Hoopoe does not drink and gains all of its moisture requirements from the food it eats.
Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, Botswana
Conservation status: Least concern
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Part of a flock of about a dozen Bearded Tits collecting grit from the path to help digest their winter seed diet. I could hear all the pinging but was looking at the reed tops rather than the path. Unfortunately not much detail in this shot, but it gives a better idea of the behaviour than my other closer shots.