Reflections of the Natural World

The Anhinga is among the most distinctive of North American birds, with long, snakelike neck, straight bill, large fanlike tail resembling that of a turkey Read more

The Magnificent Frigatebird is a massive seabird of warm tropical oceans and coastlines. Read more

Huge, long-legged, black-and-white waterbird, about the size of Great Blue Heron. White body with black flight feathers. Adults have a wrinkly bald head and fairly dark bill; juveniles have paler bill and more messy feathering on head and neck. Bill is thicker and more curved than herons. Forages mainly for fish by moving open bill… Read more

One of the most dazzling of all the world’s birds; the intricate yellow, red, and black pattern on the spread wings is truly otherworldly. When standing, rather heronlike shape but with a more horizontal posture and longer tail. Also look for striped black-and-white head and barred back. Found singly or in pairs along rivers or… Read more

The Royal Tern is a large tern, found strictly in coastal areas. Read more

The Elegant Tern is a long-billed tern of the Pacific coast, from the U.S. to Chile. Read more