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Leucistic Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis

10,000 Birds

The little stiff-tails are almost year-round at Jamaica Bay though almost all leave to breed in the summer and in the depths of winter, when the ponds are almost completely frozen, they tend to head for open water. I can see why you thought you had found a new breed with this one. Do you think it is the female? Wicked, right?

Ducks 150
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The plovers of Estero Lagoon, Florida

10,000 Birds

Getting to know the subtleties in differences between closely related species takes years of dedication and practice. Thirdly, many species of shorebirds display such vast differences in their summer and winter plumages that it is always interesting to note how some birds in the same flock are in contrasting stages of plumage.

Florida 183
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Best Bird of the Weekend (First of March 2011)

10,000 Birds

This cruel, cruel fate we endure in western New York torments man and beast alike. I had a beautifull view on 5 horned grebe here (one in breeding plumage), in Ann Arbor Michigan, for the 3 seconds it lasted, until I heard a huge “CRRACK&# , and I fell through the ice. And my first Killdeer of year! Wicked, right?

2011 153
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A Problem with Gulls

10,000 Birds

Among these white-headed/dark-winged gulls formerly lumped into the genus Larus , there were 18+ recognized species the last time I checked, sharing similarities that make telling them apart for the amateur birdwatcher very difficult. 1998), then the proper name for this species is L. fuscus – should be separated as species.

2011 157
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White-faced Ibis at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

10,000 Birds

Being winter, this bird is in non-breeding plumage with more brown upper parts and lacking the white face it acquires in its aternate (breeding) plumage. OpticsPlanet - Great prices on binoculars for birding , spotting scopes , telescopes , flashlights , compasses & more! It was foraging in breast deep water. Wicked, right?

Wildlife 155
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Petrel Paradise

10,000 Birds

Birders who have been to California might be familiar with the latter two, indeed we would be close to the Poor Knights Islands later in the day, the site of the only breeding colony of Buller’s Shearwaters in the whole world. The final large petrel species is another gadfly petrel, albeit a much larger one than the Cook’s Petrel.

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Thrashing XXX

10,000 Birds

In the right season, with a little luck, we often find it, and sometimes it perches high and long enough that we can admire its scimitar of a bill, its stern face pattern, and even the patch of rusty red on the undertail that gives the species its English and its scientific names. Thanks for visiting! Wicked, right? Hat-tip to Stella.

2011 140