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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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Meet Suliformes, one of the newest orders of birds

10,000 Birds

Brown Pelicans , and the northernmost Brown Booby breeding colony on this side of the Pacific. Frigatebirds (Fregatidae) Five species of frigatebird ply the planet’s tropical skies and seas. Ringer Gannets and Boobies (Sulidae) Black-and-white gannets breed on the cold, rocky coasts of the northern and southern oceans.

2011 151
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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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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 185
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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.

Wildlife 155
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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? Thanks for visiting!

Ducks 151
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Autumn colours

10,000 Birds

The male Bar-tailed Godwit are the first to show us breeding plumage and then the Red Knot and Curlew Sandpipers have two beautiful reds-red wine rather than cranberry juice! Here is a little test-there are 6 species of shorebird in the photo-can you identify them? Breeding colour becomes rather obvious! Thanks for visiting!

2011 150