It’s Sunday, and that means a batch of themed bird photos by John Avise. John’s intro and IDs are indented, and you can enlarge them by clicking on them.
“Common” Birds
Several bird species have the word “Common” (upper case C) in their official common name. These are the subject of this week’s post. Oddly, however, not all Common species are particularly common (lower case c), at least in my experience. And, conversely, many bird species that are common do not have Common in their common name. Comprenez vous? The state where each photo was taken is indicated in parentheses.
Common Goldeneye, Bucephala clangula (California):
Common Grackle, Quiscalis quiscula (Michigan):
Common Ground-Dove, Columbina passerina (California):
Common Loon, Gavia immer (Michigan):
Common Merganser, Mergus merganser (Michigan):
Common Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus (California):
Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor (Michigan):
Common Redpoll, Carduelis flammea (Alaska):
Common Tern, Sterna hirundo (California):
Common Raven, Corvus corax (Colorado):
Common Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas (California):
Common and beautiful! Thanks!
Beautiful photos John! Thanks for sharing these!
Really like the pose of the last one on the fence. Just sort of has an attitude. And I like the little water droplet— perhaps bird was considering it?
What uncommonly beautiful birds!
Now is there any bird named the “Rare ________”?
Beautiful pictures as always.
I do want to point out the Common Moorhen (or Gallinule) there is likely Gallinula galeata instead of chloropus. The latter species name was once used to refer to the European Common Moorhen and the American Common Moorhen, but as of 2011 only refers to the European Common Moorhen. The former species name is now the correct one for the American Common Moorhen.
Thanks for noting this taxonomic update, of which I had been unaware.
Common doesn’t mean dull. Thanks for these common beauties.