Phenology is the study of the timing of natural events, and I have recently begun to realize how useful it is for distinguishing subspecies of birds. In San Diego in Mar 2009 I noticed differences in behavior and molt timing that were helpful in distinguishing Belding’s and Northern Savannah Sparrows. I wrote about this again […]
Subspecies by phenology – Great Blue Heron Read More »
Here’s an opportunity to own a piece of my original art. I have donated an original acrylic painting of the leaf and fruit of Sugar Maple to Mass Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sactuary in Topsfield, MA. The piece will be part of the silent auction at their Spring Syrup Pancake Fling on the morning of
Original art of Sugar Maple Read More »
Here is another video showing two minutes of footage of foraging Spoon-billed Sandpipers at Pak Thale, Thailand. All three clips included here show the “shoveling” method of foraging. Watch for a lifting action as the bill is pushed forward into the mud and then lifted to a more horizontal angle (which causes the head to
More video of feeding Spoon-billed Sandpipers Read More »
A few species of birds with false eyespots are well-known: pygmy-owls and American Kestrel come to mind. In these species of birds, spots on the back of the head produce the illusion of eyes, and create what is called deflective (or parasematic) coloration. Deflective coloration is defined as patterns which “produce the impression of a head at the
The two faces of Downy Woodpecker Read More »
Spoon-billed Sandpiper populations have been declining for decades, but the reasons are still unclear. Update September 2010 – My conclusion below is that climate change is likely to be the cause of declines, but recently Zockler et al (pdf here) concluded that hunting on the wintering grounds is a more significant threat. Apparently fledging rates at
Why is Spoon-billed Sandpiper disappearing? Read More »
I recently posted about an apparent hybrid sandpiper in Thailand. A few days earlier on the same trip (7 Feb 2010) I had seen another odd sandpiper that didn’t fit any known species. As I’ve worked on this post I feel safe ruling out Curlew Sandpiper, and the only things wrong for Dunlin are the
A second odd sandpiper from Thailand Read More »
On 14 Feb, 2010, while watching Spoon-billed Sandpipers at Pak Thale, Thailand, I observed a small sandpiper that did not fit any known species. I assume it is a hybrid, but I don’t know what species might be involved. It was in view twice for a total of only about 10 minutes, and I was
An apparent hybrid sandpiper in Thailand Read More »
One of the most distinctive birds in the world, the Spoon-billed Sandpiper hardly seems like an identification problem, but to pick one out of a flock of stints is really more difficult than you would think. Overall shape and size, color, and behavior are very similar to the stints. The spoon-shaped bill is surprisingly hard to
Identification of Spoon-billed Sandpiper Read More »
The Spoon-billed Sandpiper has one of the most striking and unusual bill shapes of any bird, but the function of the odd spoon-shaped bill has never been determined, and I was particularly interested in watching the birds in Thailand for any clues that might help solve this mystery.
Bill shape and foraging habits of Spoon-billed Sandpiper Read More »
My trip to Thailand (4-14 Feb 2010) was a great success, and I’ll be posting some observations, photos, and sketches here over the next few days. The known Spoon-billed Sandpiper site at Pak Thale was very reliable, with several individuals seen each day there, and up to six in view at once (7 and 10
Finding Spoon-billed Sandpipers in Thailand Read More »