Spotted Dove

The Spotted Dove (Scientific name - Spilopelia chinensis) is also known as the Chinese Dove in Hawaii. The species is native to the Indian Sub-Continent and South East Asia. It has been introduced to many other parts of the world, including Hawaii, California, Australia and New Zealand.

This dove is mainly greyish brown with a grey head and a distinctive collar on its neck of black and white spots.

Photos were taken in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii in November 2012.

Zebra Dove

The Zebra Dove (Scientific name - Geopelia striata) also known as the Barred Ground Dove is native to South East Asia, although it has been introduced to other parts of the world. It was introduced to Hawaii in 1922. 

 This species is brownish grey in colour and is distinguished by black and white barring.There is white on the tips of the tail and it has a blue grey face with bare around the eyes.The photo was taken in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii in November 2012.

Common Moorhen

The Common Moorhen (Scientific name - Gallinula chloropus) is a waterbird that is very similar in appearance to the American Coot. These birds frequent marshlands and lakes and  are found in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, North Africa and North and South America. They are sometimes known as a waterhen.

They have mostly dark plumage with yellow legs, white under tail and a distinct red face shield. Tip of bill is yellow.

Photos were taken in April 2013 in Kensington Park, London, England.

European Robin

The European Robin (Scientific name - Erithacus rubecula) is simply known  as a Robin in the U.K. It is a plump thrush like bird that breeds in Europe, Western Asia and parts of North Africa. Attempts to introduce this species in Australasia and North America in the late 1800's and early 1900's were not successful. Populations are largely resident with a few that migrate to Southern Europe. 

The European Robin is a plump bird with a small bill. It has a brownish olive upper with a whitish belly and an orange breast and face. The face is lined with grey. 

Photos were taken in April 2013 in Kensington Park in London, England.

Red Tailed Hawk

The Red Tailed Hawk (Scientific Name - Buteo jamaicensis) is one of the most common hawks seen in North America.  In some areas it is known as the Chicken Hawk.  These birds like open country and can often be seen perched on fences and wires along the roadside.  These hawks range from Alaska to Central America and are also found in the Caribbean.

The Red Tailed Hawk is a large hawk and has broad wings. They are rich brown above and pale below with a streaked chest and belly. They have a cinnamon red tail.

Top two photos were taken near Port Colborne, Ontario in October 2010. The bottom photo was taken at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Delta, British Columbia in January 2011. Middle shot taken in Abbotsford, B.C. in November 2014.

Grey Francolin

The Grey Francolin (Scientific name - Francolinus pondicerianus), also known as the Grey Partridge is a medium sized partridge native to South Asia (India and Pakistan) and is also found in Sri Lanka.  It has been introduced to Nevada and Hawaii in the U.S. 

The Grey Francolin is grey/brown in colour and is barred over its body. They have a orange forehead and a slightly hooked beak. Males have one or two spurs on their legs.

Photos were taken in November 2012 in Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii.

Brown Pelican

The Brown Pelican (Scientific name - Pelecanus occidentalis) is a large stocky seabird found on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the Americas. On the Atlantic they range from Nova Scotia to Venezuela and on the Pacific from British Columbia to Chile and are also found in the Galapagos. They are one of the most common birds along the coastal areas of the Southern and Western U.S. They feed on fish and have a large stretchy throat pouch for catching fish.

The Brown Pelican has a grey/brown body and with yellow heads and white necks. The neck is long and thin, they have a long bill and a long wingspan. Immature Brown Pelicans are all grey/brown including the head and neck. 

There may be slight regional differences between the Brown Pelicans found on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, with the ones on the Atlantic said to be smaller and the ones on the Pacific having a red throat pouch.

The top three photos were taken in Florida in March 2011. The bottom photo was taken near Pismo Beach, California in August 2005.  

Immature in Flight

Red Winged Blackbird

The Red Winged Blackbird (Scientific name - Agelaius phoenixes) is common and abundant throughout North America. They are found as far North as Southern Alaska and the Yukon and South to Mexico and Central America. They are often found in wetlands perched on reeds or cattails. 

The males are mostly a shiny black with red and yellow patches on the wings. The red being more predominate during flight. The female is crisply streaked brown with white eyebrows.

Above photo taken in Abbotsford, B.C. at Mill Lake in January 2014. Other photos taken at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in August 2012 (female) and March 2013.  

Female

Northern Shoveler

The Northern Shoveler (Scientific name - Anas clypeata) is a medium sized duck found in wetlands throughout North America. The species has a distinctive spoon like bill that has comblike edges to filter food from water. They migrate South as far as Northern South America. This species is also found in Europe, Africa and South Asia. It is commonly referred to as Shoveler.

They have has a long dark spoon shaped bill, dark in colour in males and more grey and orange in females. The male has an iridescent green head, white chest and rusty brown sides. Back is darker and they display more green near the tail.  The female is mostly brown in colour. 

Three top photos were taken in March 2013 at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Delta, B.C.  Bottom two photos taken at Mill Lake, Abbotsford, B.C. in February 2015,

Female

American Bittern

The American Bittern (Scientific name - Botaurus lentiginosus) is a stocky heron found in marshes and reed beds. It Breeds in Canada and the Northern U.S. and migrates to Mexico and Central America and is also found in the Caribbean. The American Bittern is a solitary bird and because of its coloration is difficult to see. If it senses it is being approached it will stand still and lift its head straight up to blend in. 

 The American Bittern has a thick neck and bill. It is mainly brown with beige and white streaks/stripes. 

Photos taken March 2013 at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Delta, B.C.

Northern Saw-whet Owl

The Northern Saw-whet Owl (Scientific Name - Aegolius acadicus) is a small owl that is found in most parts of North America from Alaska to Mexico. It is found in woodlands and often perched in coniferous trees. When approached it will remain still. The Northern Saw-whet Owl has a round face with brown streaks and no ear tufts. It has a brown streaked body and a black bill. Eyes are yellow.Photo taken in January 2011 at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, B.C.

Hawaiian Goose

The Hawaiian Goose (Scientific name - Branta sandvicenis), also known in Hawaii as "Nene" is a species found only in the Hawaiian Islands and now only on the islands of Maui, Kauai and Hawaii. It is the state bird of Hawaii and is considered an endangered species. It is the rarest goose in the world.

The Hawaiian Goose has a brownish grey body with a black head and back of neck. It has buff coloured cheeks and a furrowed neck. Bill is black.  

Photo was taken in November 2006 near the Kilauea Lighthouse on the Island of Kauai in Hawaii.

American Coot

The American Coot (Scientific name - Fulica americana), although often seen with ducks is not a duck. It does frequent lakes and marshes. It is sometimes called a "mud hen". The American Coot is found in most parts of North America and in Mexico. They migrate and winter as far south as Panama.

 
 The American Coot has a mostly dark grey or black body with the head being darker. the bill and face are white with a red spot on the forehead. Eyes are red. 






Top three photos were taken at Mill Lake in Abbotsford, B.C. in 2010, 2011, 2012. Bottom photo taken at George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Delta, B.C. in March 2013.

Egyptian Goose

The Egyptian Goose (Scientific name - Alopochen aegyptiacus) is native to Sub-Saharan Africa. Its name is derived from the fact that it was considered sacred by the ancient Egyptians. It has also been introduced to Great Britain, France, Germany and the Netherlands.

The Egyptian Goose has a brown back with a lighter  belly. The head is whitish with a distinct brown eye patch and yellow eyes. There is also a brown neck ring. Legs and bill are pink.  

Top two photos were taken in August 2010 in Capetown, South Africa. Bottom two photos were taken in March 2013 in Kensington Park, London, England.

Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill

The Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill (Scientific name - Tockus leucomeias) is one variety of the family of Hornbills found in Africa and Asia. There are over 50 varieties of Hornbills. The Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill is native to Southern Africa. They are omnivorous and can be found foraging on the ground for food.  The long downwardly curved bill has led to its nickname "the Flying Banana".

The Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill has a long downward curved yellow bill with a casque. It has a white belly, grey neck and head with a black stripe down the head. Its back is black with white spots and stripes. It has long tail feathers.

Photos taken in August 2011 at Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.

Java Sparrow

The Java Sparrow (Scientific name - Lonchura oryzivora) is native to Indonesia. It has however been introduced to Sri Lanka, Puerto Rico and Hawaii.  It is also sometimes known as the Java Finch, Java Rice Sparrow and Java Rice Bird.

The Java Sparrow has a grey back and chest, with a pink or buff belly and black tail feathers. It has some white under it's tail. Legs are pink. The head is black with white cheek patches and the eyes have a red eye ring. The bill is thick and reddish with some white.

Photos were taken in Maui, Hawaii in November 2012.

American White Ibis

The American White Ibis (Scientific name - Eudocimus albus), also known as the White Ibis is a wading bird found in the deep South of the U.S. from the mid-Atlantic states to the Gulf Coast. It is also found in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and in the North West part of South America. 

 The American White Ibis is mainly white with some black on its wingtips that is usually only visible during flight. It has a long curved reddish bill, reddish face and reddish legs. The photographs of the adult bird were taken in March 2011 near Jupiter, Florida.The photo of the juvenile (bottom right) was taken in Tavernier, Florida in August 2016.