Author: Jim Gain
-
Louisiana Waterthrush
The Louisiana Waterthrush can be observed foraging along streams and rivers, often bobbing its tail up and down while walking along the water’s edge. They primarily feed on insects, aquatic invertebrates, and small fish, and are known to take advantage of disturbed areas, such as those created by human activity…
-
Squirrel Cuckoo
Squirrel Cuckoos are large arboreal cuckoos with a very long, graduated tail and rufous upperparts. They are found in a variety of forested habitats, including deciduous and evergreen forests, as well as secondary growth and edge habitats.
-
Vermilion Flycatcher
The Vermilion Flycatcher is a small, brightly colored bird found throughout the Americas. Males have a striking bright red plumage on their head, breast, and back, while females have a more subdued brownish-red coloring. They are typically found in open habitats such as grasslands, savannas, and scrublands, and can also…
-
White Hawk
The White Hawk is a large raptor found throughout Central and South America. Plumage is white overall with black wingtips and a black tail band. Immature has more black on wings, as do adults of populations in southern Central America. White Hawks are typically found in forested areas, particularly near…
-
Green-breasted Mango
This bird is named after its brilliant green breast feathers and its scientific name honors the French naturalist, Florent Prévost. The males have a shiny green body with a black throat, while the females have a duller green coloration with a white throat.
-
Valley Blackbirds
By Jim Gain Learn 100 Common Valley Birds is a photo blog series highlighting the 100 most common Valley bird species. Post #29 in the Learn 100 Common Valley Birds series. (Species 49, 50, & 51/100 + 1 BONUS bird) Red-winged Blackbird #49 The Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is a…
-
Collared Trogon
The Collared Trogon is a medium-sized trogon species found in the forests of Mexico, Belize, Central and South America. Males are easily distinguished by their striking plumage, with a metallic green back, a bright red breast, and a white collar around the neck. Females have a similar color pattern but…
-
Red-throated Ant-Tanager
These birds are known for their distinctively colored plumage, with the males sporting a vibrant red throat, reddish-gray head, and brownish back and wings, while the females are more subdued with brownish-gray plumage overall. These birds primarily feed on insects (ants) and other small invertebrates, which they forage for in…
-
Hairy Woodpecker
By Jim Gain Beautiful Birds of the Sierra Nevada – Blog Post #5 ABOUT THIS SPECIES The Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) is a species of woodpecker found in various regions of North America, including the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. It is a fairly common year-round resident that is more…
-
Roadside Hawk
The Roadside Hawk is a common bird of prey found throughout Mexico, Central and South America. It is a medium-sized raptor with a distinctive reddish-brown back and wings, a pale belly, and a grayish-white head. Its eyes are large and yellow, and its bill is short and curved, making it…
Reflections of the Natural World 