It’s Sunday, and that is John Avise‘s Themed Bird Photos Day. John’s IDs and narration are indented, and you can enlarge his photos by clicking on them.
Birds Whose Names Tell What They Do
The official common names of many avian species give hints as to how these animals behave. Here I give several examples of what I am talking about— birds whose common names include a description of what they do. All of these photos were taken in Southern California.
Pacific Slope Flycatcher, Empidonax difficilis:
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea:
Downy Woodpecker, Picoides pubescens:
Clark’s Nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana:
Belted Kingfisher, Ceryle alcyon:
Black Skimmer, Rynchops niger:
Anna’s Hummingbird, Calypte anna:
Greater Roadrunner, Geococcyx californianus:
Burrowing Owl, Athene canicularia:
Yellow Warbler, Dendroica petechia:
Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis:
Red-throated Diver (or Loon), Gavia stellata:
Brown Creeper, Certhia americana:
OH!
That Black Skimmer!
That’s a post of its own!
^adding^^^
…
the post could be
“Look at this Black Skimmer”
Then the body “Look at this”
That’s it – MAN that set me up for my day!
The odd one out is the Swallow. I hope that all birds swallow! If they don’t, they become ex-birds very quickly. Ok, maybe it’s the rough-winged part of his name. 😉 Great pics!
Interesting theme. These are great, as usual. I’m particularly impressed with the flight shots. Swallows are so difficult with their twisty, “turny” patterns. Well done!
My. biased favorite is the roadrunner. Those are such awesome birds.
I read they can run 26 mph…beep,beep
And the roadrunners can fly! Not well evidently but surely well enough to escape the occasional 27+ mph coyote. Their problem in the desert is finding a place to fly to.
It seems you have travelled far a wide for this variety. Is the skimmer skimming for fish or insects or? Neat photo! (all are, really)
He’s skimming for fish, shrimp, or any other such goodies near the surface of the water.
Thanks, I imagine a lot of critters lurk on the surface of the ocean…or other large bodies of water.
Wonderful collection as always, John! The Blue-grey Gnatcatcher is adorable. They’re all great.
+1