Birders

[Firth]

I’ve shown pics of these roseate spoonbills before. This is from this year.

[Duncan Glenday]

Leg color and head color are different, and the bill is much thicker at the base. The stork also has a much thicker neck. The biggest differentiator here though is geography. Since Firth is in Florida, Wood Stork would be the answer since Sacred Ibises live in Africa.

...and Australia. Probably an invasive species, but very common. I saw the "bin chickens" multiple times in Australia in December and January.

These storks are significantly larger than the ibis I’ve seen in FL. There is quite a variation of color of the ibises.

Yep - on further reading, and per Chad's description, they're similar at a glance, but actually quite different - and the stork is a lot bigger.

[Duncan Glenday]

I’ve shown pics of these roseate spoonbills before. This is from this year.

Roseate SB?

[Firth]

Roseate SB?

Yep, a younger one. The older ones look like they were sprayed with blood.

[Nearfest2]

...and Australia. Probably an invasive species, but very common. I saw the "bin chickens" multiple times in Australia in December and January.

There are no records of African Sacred Ibis in Australia in eBird, but there is an Australian Ibis that looks similar, https://ebird.org/species/ausibi1.

[Duncan Glenday]

There are no records of African Sacred Ibis in Australia in eBird, but there is an Australian Ibis that looks similar, https://ebird.org/species/ausibi1.

Interesting - and thanks for the clarification. I just researched them. Almost no real difference between them, though they do have different scientific names. They certainly have different behaviors, though. My observations : the Aussies are pretty tame and earn their "bin chicken" nick name, while the Africans tend to be more wild, and far less frequently seen in urban environments.

[Firth]

I think we know what this bird is:

[Duncan Glenday]

I think we know what this bird is:

African fish eagle?


Okay, okay - I'll quit making those comparisons

On a serious note, though, the American bald eagle is very similar to the African fish eagle. The biggest diff. is that the African is a few cm shorter, and the white goes half way down its belly. Very similar mating, feeding, and behavior patterns.

perched-African-fish-eagle.jpg
(Click to enlarge)

[Firth]

Interesting!

[Duncan Glenday]

Pic I took of a bald eagle in Union Mills, MD about 10 years ago:

DSC07410-2.jpg
(Click to enlarge)

[Firth]

How far away were you when you took that pic? What lens?

[Shadow]

I think we know what this bird is:

I saw a nice one today at the landfill. If you look around there is always a shitload there.

[Duncan Glenday]

How far away were you when you took that pic? What lens?

Taken with an old Sony DSLR (I don't recall the model, and don't have the camera any more).

I was maybe 20 feet away, used a Vivitar 70-210 zoom.

From the EXIF : taken 9/12/2010, at f3.5, 1/125th of a second, ISO 100, no flash.

[ForeverAutumn]

I’ve shown pics of these roseate spoonbills before. This is from this year.

I saw a flock of Roseate Spoonbills in the Everglades many years ago. It's still a birding highlight for me. Along with the swimming Anhinga that I was fascinated by until my family dragged me away.

[Nearfest2]

Birds are moving! I've had three good ones in the last two days!

- Clay-colored Sparrow
- Long-tailed Ducks
- Black Scoter

[ForeverAutumn]

Birds are moving! I've had three good ones in the last two days!

- Clay-colored Sparrow
- Long-tailed Ducks
- Black Scoter

Canada Geese are arriving in droves. I don't think anyone told them about the big snowstorm we had here last week. I saw a bunch of them in a parking lot today, mulling around a giant snow bank. If they are waiting for the snow to melt into ponds, they have a long wait.

[Firth]

Canada Geese are arriving in droves. I don't think anyone told them about the big snowstorm we had here last week. I saw a bunch of them in a parking lot today, mulling around a giant snow bank. If they are waiting for the snow to melt into ponds, they have a long wait.

I think Canada Geese have decided to live here MD forever.

[Shadow]

I think Canada Geese have decided to live here MD forever.

And shit everywhere.

[Firth]

And shit everywhere.

Yeh Ft Meade Lake Burba is a dumping ground.

[progmatist]

Canada Geese are arriving in droves. I don't think anyone told them about the big snowstorm we had here last week. I saw a bunch of them in a parking lot today, mulling around a giant snow bank. If they are waiting for the snow to melt into ponds, they have a long wait.

I think Canada Geese have decided to live here MD forever.

Enough with the foul language.

[Shadow]

Enough with the foul language.

I saw a woodcock picking at the ground next to an on ramp to 95 this morning. (What are you laughing at? He said cock.) Something else I have never seen the other day. When riding the beltways I always look for hawks in trees or on light posts. I saw two the other day sitting on the same branch. They were each facing the opposite way.

[Nearfest2]

I saw a woodcock picking at the ground next to an on ramp to 95 this morning.

Woodcock mating displays are cool. They're funny birds.

Something else I have never seen the other day. When riding the beltways I always look for hawks in trees or on light posts. I saw two the other day sitting on the same branch. They were each facing the opposite way.

Not uncommon. They're likely scanning different areas for prey.

[Nearfest2]

Spring migration is in full swing! Get our there and find the migrants!

[ForeverAutumn]

I was down by the waterfront yesterday (Lake Ontario), with binoculars but, foolishly, without a camera and saw two lifers, male and female Buffleheads and either Lesser or Greater Scaup. It’s so hard to tell them apart and either one would be a lifer.

I may try to head back down there later in the week with my camera, if I have time. Apparently there are a few Wood Ducks and Long-tail Ducks hanging around that area. I’d like to look for them.

[Nearfest2]

[QUOTE=ForeverAutumn;1181985]I was down by the waterfront yesterday (Lake Ontario), with binoculars but, foolishly, without a camera and saw two lifers, male and female Buffleheads and either Lesser or Greater Scaup. It’s so hard to tell them apart and either one would be a lifer.

Buffleheads are great. The males look amazing in bright sun with the iridescence. We have tons of them around here during the winter. There are number still here in the local lakes.

Scaup can be tough. Lesser have a peak at the back of their heads and a thinner bill and nail (nail being the dark marking on the front tip of the bill). Greater have more of a flattish head and a wide bill. They also have more white on the trailing edge of their wing in flight.

I may try to head back down there later in the week with my camera, if I have time. Apparently there are a few Wood Ducks and Long-tail Ducks hanging around that area. I’d like to look for them.

Wood Ducks are gorgeous, but super skittish. Approach with stealth.

Long-tailed Ducks are awesome. The male's black and white plumage is really cool... and that namesake tail! We get a lot of them at the Jersey Shore, but not many inland here. They're a rarity when they do show up.

Early migrants for me:
- Tree Swallow
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow
- Louisiana Waterthrush
- Brown Thrasher
- Greater Yellowlegs
- Lesser Yellowlegs
- Osprey
- Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
- Pine Warbler (new feeder bird!)

Bring on the warblers!