Harlequin Duck

The Harlequin Duck (Scientific name - Histrionicus histrionicus) is a small diving duck that prefers fast moving streams and surf areas. They are found on the Northwestern and Northeastern coasts of North America and also in Greenland, Iceland and as far as Russia. They are colourful ducks with the male having chestnut sides and white markings including white bands on breast and neck, a white face patch with a rust "eyebrow" and a single white "dot" behind the eye. On first glance at a distance, one might think they are Wood Ducks.  The female is less colourful with a dark sooty brown body and smaller white face patch.  Photos were taken in May 2014 on Whiffen Spit, Sooke, B.C. (near Victoria, B.C.)

Female and male

Savannah Sparrow

The Savannah Sparrow (Scientific name - Passerculus sandwichensis) is a medium sized sparrow found throughout North America, as far north as Alaska and as far south as Honduras. It can also be found in Cuba, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands. These sparrows prefer open areas such as grasslands, marshes and farmlands. They are identifiable by the yellow patch between eye and bill. Photos were taken in April 2014 in the Glen Valley area of Langley, B.C. (Top) and at Brydon Nature Lagoon, Langley, B.C. in May 2014.

Black Oystercatcher

The Black Oystercatcher (Scientific name - Haematopus bachmani) is a large shorebird found along the shoreline of Western North America from the Aleutian Islands of Alaska and South to the Baja Penninsula. They are mainly black but have a large red bill and a red ring around the eyes. They have pale pink legs. From a distance they resemble a crow until one sees the bill.  They are very engaging to watch, especially when they interact with one another. As the name suggests they feed on submerged shellfish, however Oysters are rarely consumed.  Photos taken at Tsawwassen, British Columbia in April 2014.

Fox Sparrow

The Fox Sparrow (Scientific name - Passerella iliaca) is a fairly large sparrow that likes to forage on the ground for its food. This bird is found throughout North America from Alaska in the North and as far South as Baja California. The Fox Sparrow is mostly rusty brown with a rust and grey head. The breast is heavily marked with distinctive rufous chevrons.  The photos were taken in March 2014 at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Delta, B.C. (Top) and in April 2014 at the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve in Chilliwack, B.C.

Bahama Mockingbird

The Bahama Mockingbird (Scientific name - Mimus gundlachii) is a fairly large mockingbird, larger than the more common Northern Mockingbird.  Its range is confined to the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos, southern Jamaica and a few islands near Cuba.  It is sometimes a vagrant to the southeastern part of Florida. It does not mimic other species but does have a beautiful song of varied notes.  It is mostly brown in colour with streaking on the breast and two white strips on its wings.  Photos were taken at Little San Salvadore Island (Halfmoon Cay) in the Bahamas in March 2014.

European Starling

The European Starling (Scientific name - Sturnus vulgaris) is also known as the Common Starling. Their name comes from the fact that they have short wings and resemble stars in flight.  They are found throughout North America, having been introduced in New York in the nineteenth century by Shakespeare enthusiasts.  They are also found throughout Europe and into the Middle East. They have been introduced in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. They look black, but have a purplish green iridescence. In winter they are brown with white spots.  Photos taken in Vancouver in December 2013 (top) and April 2014 (middle) and Surrey in March 2014.

Purple Gallinule

The Purple Gallinule (Scientific Name - Porphyrio martinica) is also sometimes known as a "swamp hen". These birds are in the rail family and resemble coots and moorhens. They range from the southern U.S, through the Caribbean and Central America and down into South America, as far south as Argentina. They  have large feet and can be seen walking across floating vegetation.  They have a dark purple neck and underside and a green back. Their bill is red with a yellow tip and they have a blue forehead. Legs and feet are yellow. Photos taken in March 2014 in the Florida Everglades near Weston, Florida.

Palm Warbler

 The Palm Warbler (Scientific name - Setophaga palmarum) is a small songbird that is found in the eastern part of North America as far north as Canada and south into the Caribbean. It has a rusty cap and yellowish underparts. These birds are distinctive as they are always wagging their tails. These photos were taken in March 2014 on Little San Salvadore Island 
(Half Moon Cay) in the Bahamas.

Green-winged Teal

The Green-winged Teal (Scientific name - Anas crecca) is a small dabbling duck found throughout North America. It breeds in Canada and Alaska and winters in the southern Caribbean and Mexico.  It is a beautiful duck with the male having a distinctive rufous coloured head with a dark green ear patch. Photos were taken in March 2014 at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Delta, B.C. and at Blackie Spit, Crescent Beach, Surrey, B.C.

Male

Female

Bufflehead

The Bufflehead (Scientific name - Bucephala albeola) is a small diving duck found throughout North America. They range from Alaska to Mexico. The male is easily distinguished by the large white wedge at the back of its dark head. It has a dark back and white body. The head is somewhat iridescent and shows green to purple. The female is much more plain with a greyish brown body and darker back. The female head is dark brown with a oval white patch on the cheek. 

Female

The photos were all taken at Mill Lake, Abbotsford, B.C. between November 2013 and January 2014. 

Male