F/6.3, 1/1600, ISO 400.
American Oystercatchers
Day 248 / 365
What did the egg say to the other egg?
You crack me up!
Interesting Fact: American Oystercatchers insert their long blade-like bills into mussels and other bivalves, severing the powerful adductor muscles before the shells can close. ( http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/1013/overview/American_Oystercatcher.aspx )
F/6.3, 1/640, ISO 800.
Yellow-breasted Chat
Day 247 / 365
Why did the Yellow-breasted Chat scale the chain-link fence?
To see what was on the other side.
Interesting Fact: Unlike most warblers, this species has been known to mimic the calls of other birds, and it’s the largest North American warbler. ( http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/342/overview/Yellow-breasted_Chat.aspx )
F/6.3, 1/800, ISO 800.
The American Goldfinch
Day 244 / 365
Why did the little bird get in trouble at school?
He got caught peeping on a test.
Interesting Fact: The American Goldfinch changes from winter plumage to breeding plumage by a complete molt of its body feathers. It is the only member of its family to have this second molt in the spring; all the other species have just one molt each year in the fall. ( http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/91/_/American_Goldfinch.aspx )
F/ 6.3, 1/1000, ISO 500.
Red-tailed Hawk
Day 243 / 365
How do witches keep their hair in place while flying?
With scare spray.
Interesting Fact: Red-tailed Hawks have a very keen eyesight that is 8 times as powerful as a human’s, allowing them to see prey as small as a mouse from 100 feet (~30 meters) away. ( http://beautyofbirds.com/redtailedhawks.html )
F/6.3, 1/125, ISO 200.
Red-tailed Hawk
Day 242 / 365
Did you know my fiancé does a great bird impression.
She watches me like a hawk.
Interesting Fact: In flight, this hawk travels at speeds from 20 to 40 mph (64 km/h); however, when diving to catch prey, their speed may exceed 120 mph (190 km/h). ( http://beautyofbirds.com/redtailedhawks.html )
F/6.3, 1/1250, ISO 400.
Great Egrets
Day 235 / 365
Why does the bird bring toilet paper to the party?
Because he is a party pooper.
Interesting Fact: The pristinely white Great Egret gets even more dressed up for the breeding season. A patch of skin on its face turns neon green, and long plumes grow from its back. Called aigrettes, those plumes were the bane of egrets in the late nineteenth century, when such adornments were prized for ladies’ hats. ( http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Egret/lifehistory )
F/ 6.3, 1/500, ISO 320.
Double-crested Cormorants
Day 230 / 365
Which side of the Cormorant has the most feathers?
The outside.
Interesting Fact: Cormorants often stand in the sun with their wings spread out to dry. They have less preen oil than other birds, so their feathers can get soaked rather than shedding water like a duck’s. Though this seems like a problem for a bird that spends its life in water, wet feathers probably make it easier for cormorants to hunt underwater with agility and speed. ( http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Double-crested_Cormorant/lifehistory#at_food )
F/ 6.3, 1/1000, ISO 640.
Greater Yellowlegs
Day 223 / 365
How do baby birds learn to fly?
They wing it!
Interesting Fact: They often feed actively, running after fish or other fast-moving aquatic prey. ( http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/252/overview/Greater_Yellowlegs.aspx )
F/6.3, 1/1250, ISO 400.
Great Egret
Day 221 / 365
What do you get when you kiss a diseased bird?
Cherpies
Interesting Fact: Resident to medium-distance migrant. Most Great Egrets move south for winter, traveling as far as the West Indies or southern Central America. They migrate by day in small flocks. During mild years, Great Egrets may stay as far north as Massachusetts. Individuals from the southern U.S. may not migrate at all. In late summer and fall, Great Egrets range widely over the continent. ( http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Egret/lifehistory )
F/6.3, 1/500, ISO 200.
European Starling
Day 220 / 365
What kind of birds do you usually find locked up?
Jail-birds!
Interesting Fact: A female European Starling may try to lay an egg in the nest of another female. A female that tries this parasitic tactic often is one that could not get a mate early in the breeding season. The best females find mates and start laying early. The longer it takes to get started, the lower the probability of a nest’s success. Those parasitic females may be trying to enhance their own breeding efforts during the time that they cannot breed on their own. ( http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/European_Starling/lifehistory )
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