Category: Birds Connect Our World

November 7, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 37

Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) with us in our virtual “Birds Connect Our World” edition! Have fun learning about a new migratory bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.

Migratory Bird of the Day: Belted Kingfisher

The Belted Kingfisher is easy to spot, sitting on a branch or wire overlooking water. It has a big head with a shaggy crest, stout pointed bill, and short legs. Both males and female birds have a slate-blue head and back, white collar and underparts with a blue breast band. Unlike many birds the female is more colorful than the male! They have an orange-brown lower band and sides. Juveniles are similar to adults, but with a browner chest band.

Belted Kingfisher breed across North America, from the southern US all the way up to Canada and Alaska. They nest in burrows in earth banks close to water. During the fall and winter some Belted Kingfishers will stay put, as long as there is plenty of unfrozen water for them to continue to feed in. Many others head south and spend the winter in Mexico, Central America, northern South America, and the Caribbean, where they can be seen from September to April. In most islands they are the only Kingfisher species present. But be careful not to confuse the Belted Kingfisher with the resident Ringed Kingfisher in Dominica, Martinique and Guadeloupe. This species is larger, has a heavier bill and more extensive reddish-brown underparts.

Belted Kingfishers live up to their name by catching and eating fish. They also eat crayfish, other crustaceans and insects. This diet means you are most likely to spot them close to water. They watch for fish perched on branches over water and telephone wires, then dive head-first to grab prey with their hefty bills. They also sometimes hover over water when fishing. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Belted Kingfisher!

Download the page from Migratory Birds of the West Indies Colouring Book. Use the photos below as your guide, or you can look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your coloured-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #WMBD2020Carib

Listen to the calls of the Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfishers make distinctive loud ‘rattling’ calls – you might hear one before seeing it!

Puzzle of the Day

Click on the images below to do the puzzles. You can make the puzzle as easy or as hard as you like – for example, 6, 8, or 12 pieces for young children, all the way up to 1,024 pieces for those that are up for a challenge!

Male Belted Kingfisher, with a fish. These birds will plunge into the water head-first, from a perch to catch fish; or sometimes they can be seen hovering above the water as they search for fish. (Photo by Chuck Hantis)

Juvenile Male Belted Kingfisher. During the fall and winter some Belted Kingfishers will stay put, as long as there is plenty of unfrozen water for them to continue to feed in. Many others head south and spend the winter in Mexico, Central America, northern South America, and the Caribbean (Photo by Daniel W Glenn)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Find out more about Belted Kingfishers with this colourful Information sheet. With more facts about their natural history, Including their breeding behaviour and what they eat. Also find out how they can be affected by plastic pollution.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk and see if you can spot any migratory birds. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of Belted Kingfishers at the waters edge! The first is an amazing ‘perch eye’ view of a female hunting for, catching, and eating a fish! In the second you can see a male Belted Kingfisher calling from his perch.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

November 3, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 36

Migratory Bird of the Day: Antillean Nighthawk

Querebebé! Querebebé! That is the Spanish name for the Antillean Nighthawk, and it is the sound you’ll hear at dusk when these birds take to the sky. (Local names in English-speaking countries are pid-i-mi-dix or gimme-me-bit). Look up and enjoy the show, because there’s nothing that isn’t awesome about Antillean Nighthawks.

Take for example their flight. You might at first think you’re seeing some sort of falcon because of their long, dark, pointed wings and their fast, agile flight. But an obvious white patch on the underside of the outer wing feathers will be the give-away that you’re seeing a nighthawk. And the somewhat erratic flight behavior you observe is the result of this large bird being in constant pursuit of airborne insects—from ballooning spiders to mayflies to mosquitos. To help them catch their aerial prey, Antillean Nighthawks have evolved wide mouths with a specialized jaw that can open both vertically and horizontally, creating a bigger “net.” They also have large and specially modified eyes that allow them to see acutely and in low-light conditions.

Antillean Nighthawks can be found throughout the northern Caribbean islands during their summer breeding season. Outside of that time, however, their whereabouts have remained mysterious. A few years ago in Guadeloupe, however, researchers caught a female Antillean Nighthawk on her summer nest, and tagged her with a solar-powered geolocator. A year later, she returned, and they were able to recapture her. When they downloaded the data of where she’d been during the rest of the year, they discovered that she had headed to South America, where she spent much of the time in the heart of the Brazilian rainforest! Read more about this incredible journey here.

During the day Antillean Nighthawks rest on limbs or on the ground where their mottled brown and gray plumage make them very difficult to see. Your best chance to see them is by taking a walk at dusk, listening for their characteristic call, “Querebebé!”. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Antillean Nighthawk!

Listen to the calls of the Antillean Nighthawk

The calls of the Antillean Nighthawk are a distinctive “pid-i-mi-dix” or “querebebé”, often repeated.

Puzzle of the Day

Antillean Nighthawk in Flight — Antillean Nighthawk takes flight. When you see them fly you might at first think you’re seeing some sort of falcon because of their long, dark, pointed wings and their fast, agile flight. But an obvious white patch on the underside of the outer wing feathers will be the give-away that you’re seeing a nighthawk. (Photo by Dax Roman)

Antillean Nighthawk Chicks. Antillean Nighthawks breed in the Northern Islands of the Caribbean. They migrate south outside the breeding season. Until recently their destination was a mystery, but recent tracking has shown at least one bird headed to Brazilian rainforest! (Photo by Dax Roman)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: The colours of the Antillean Nighthawk can make them blend in with their surroundings. Especially when they are sitting on the ground! This make then very hard to see. Can you spot all 7 hiding Antillean Nighthawks? Find the answers here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk and see if you can spot any migratory birds. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of the Antillean Nighthawks in the Caribbean! The first shows a bird perched on the branch of a tree, keeping perfectly still, to maintain its camouflage. In the second you can see an Antillean Nighthawk calling from the ground. In the final video you can see what Antillean Nighthawks look like when they are flying.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

October 24, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 35

Migratory Bird of the Day: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

As their name suggests, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are woodpeckers that eat sap from trees. They feed by drilling rows of small holes into tree bark with their stout, sharply pointed bills. This creates sap ‘wells’ from which to drink or ‘suck’ the oozing sap. They maintain these holes to keep the sap flowing and even defend them from other birds.

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers have a bright red crown, black-and-white striped face and back, and a large white wing patch. Their underparts are buffy or yellowish and they have a broad black breast band. Adult males have a red throat and females have a white throat. Juveniles are brownish-gray all over.

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers breed in eastern North America and Canada, mainly in boreal forest. It is the only woodpecker in eastern North America that is completely migratory. Some individuals travel only a short distance. Others travel as far south as Mexico, Central America and the West Indies. From October to April Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers can be found in the northern Caribbean. They are most common in the Bahamas and Cuba, but also occur in Jamaica, Hispaniola, Turks and Caicos Islands, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Females tend to migrate further south than males. In Central America three females for each male have been counted! If you see a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, look at its throat color to check if it is male or female. Do you see more females than males here in the Caribbean?

In addition to eating sap from trees Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers also eat fruit, seeds, and insects, including those attracted by the sticky sweet sap. During the winter they can be found in many places, as long as there are trees. Including forests, gardens, woodlands, and coastal areas. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker!

Listen to the calls of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

In winter, you might hear this soft mew call which they often repeat. But you are more likely to find them by their drumming, which they use to communicate with each other as well as feed.

Puzzle of the Day

Male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, these woodpeckers make ‘wells’ in tree bark and drink sap. They also eat insects that are attracted to the sweet sap. They will return to the same trees many times. (Photo by Stephen Buckingham)

Female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, these birds arrive in the Caribbean in Fall. Some individuals only travel a short distances within North American on migration. However, others travel as far south as Mexico, Central America and the West Indies (Photo by Scott Hecker)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Hone your observation skills and go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt! Print the cards on sturdy paper and use a clipboard or piece of cardboard as a writing surface outside. Younger children can do side 1 of the card, older children side 2. English, Spanish and French versions are available for free download here!

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk and see if you can spot any migratory birds, listen out for any drumming woodpeckers. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers in the wild! The first show a male (notice his red throat) drinking saps from ‘well’s he has made in a tree. The second shows a female (with a white throat), on her wintering grounds in Cuba.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

October 22, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 34

Migratory Bird of the Day: Northern Waterthrush

Although its name and plumage suggest this bird is a thrush, the Northern Waterthrush is in fact a warbler. This large, long-legged, long-tailed warbler spends much of its time on the ground. It has dark olive-brown upperparts, and buffy or yellowish underparts. The underparts are marked with dark brown streaks that become finer on the throat. It has a prominent, buffy stripe above the eye, usually narrowing towards the nape. The sexes are identical.

The Northern Waterthrush is sparsely distributed across a vast breeding range from Alaska eastward across Canada, with some birds breeding in the northern US. They are long-distance migrants and travel to the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America in fall. In winter, Northern Waterthrushes can be found throughout the Caribbean. Some birds will stay for the whole winter, but many more will pass through the islands for wintering grounds further south.

As their name suggests, Northern Waterthrushes occur in wet habitats. On the breeding grounds, these include wooded swamps, bogs, or other wetlands bordered by shrubs or thickets. On the wintering grounds, Northern Waterthrush are most often found in or near mangroves or other wetlands.

In the Caribbean, Northern Waterthrushes are solitary and hold territories. They frequently advertise their presence with loud, metallic, chink calls. If you hear one, look for it walking along the water’s edge. It bobs and teeters, jumps over obstacles, and rhythmically pumps its tail. Northern Waterthrushes feed mainly on aquatic insects, but they may also take snails, small clams, and crabs. The Northern Waterthrush is not currently threatened, but the loss of mangroves through development and climate change may be impacting this species. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Northern Waterthrush!

Listen to the calls of the Northern Waterthrush

The calls of the Northern Waterthrush are a loud sharp “tchip”

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Some warblers give you a big clue to the group of birds they belong to in their names, like ‘Hooded Warbler’ or ‘Yellow-rumped Warbler’. But some other warblers do not! Do you remember which of our migratory birds are warblers? Test your knowledge in our “Warbler or Not a Warbler” game. You can find the answers by looking at previous blog posts. You can find the answers here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk and see if you can spot any migratory warblers. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of Northern Waterthrushes in the wild! The first show a bird foraging on the ground in a mangrove, bobbing its tail up and down. The second shows a bird repeatedly giving its loud distinctive call, hearing this call is often a first clue that a Northern Waterthrush is around.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

October 21, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 33

Migratory Bird of the Day: Indigo Bunting

Indigo Buntings are well named. Males in breeding plumage are bright blue all over, with a purple-blue hue on the head. Females are cinnamon brown above, and paler below with faint streaking on the breast, and a blue tinge on the wings and tail. During fall and winter, males are a ‘patchy’ mix of brown and blue. Immature males resemble females. These stocky birds have finch-like conical bills and short tails.

Indigo Buntings breed across eastern North America. Most migrate in flocks to their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central America, southern Florida, and the northern Caribbean. You can follow their movements throughout the year on this ebird science page. These birds migrate at night, and use the stars to find their way. Unfortunately, Indigo Buntings are popular birds for the pet trade and are the target of illegal bird trappers in many countries, including Cuba, where they are prized for their beautiful songs.

Indigo Buntings are in the Caribbean from October through to early May. They are most commonly seen in the Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. They can also be found on other islands, such as Jamaica, Hispaniola, northern Less Antilles, but are less common there. In the Caribbean you might spot a bright blue male Indigo Bunting during spring, just before they head back to their breeding areas.

Indigo Buntings often feed in groups, and can be quite vocal as they flock together. Listen for their sharp twit calls. These shy birds can be found in grassy areas, rice-fields, woodlands, pasture edges, and dry scrub. They feed on small seeds, berries and a variety of insects. Indigo Buntings will also come to seed-feeders, so if you have one, keep an eye out for this lovely bird in your garden. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Indigo Bunting!

Listen to the calls and song of the Indigo Bunting

The calls of the Indigo Bunting are repeated emphatic “chip” sounds

The song of the Indigo Bunting sound like, “Sweet, sweet–where, where–here, here—see it, see it.”

Puzzle of the Day

Female Indigo Bunting. Indigo Buntings arrive in the Caribbean from October and stay until early May. They migrate at night, from North America, using the stars to navigate. (Photo by Karen Gallo)

Male Indigo Bunting , in breeding plumage they are bright blue all over. During fall and winter, males are a ‘patchy’ mix of brown and blue. (Photo by Stephen Buckingham)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: How much do you know about Indigo Buntings? Test your knowledge with this Indigo Bunting Word Scramble. You can find the answers by reading the text in this blog post, and by looking at the pictures of Indigo Buntings. You can find the answers here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk and see if you can spot any migratory birds, perhaps you might spot and Indigo Bunting. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of Indigo Buntings in the wild! The first shows a male Indigo Bunting feeding on seeds at a bird feeder. He is moulting so has patches of blue and brown feathers. The second shows the all-brown female foraging on the ground. In the third video a completely blue male, in breeding plumage, is feeding on seeds from a plant.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

October 20, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 32

Migratory Bird of the Day: Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroats are small active warblers, olive colored above with a bright yellow throat and upper breast. Males have a striking black ‘bandit’ mask, edged above with whitish gray. Females are plainer but show a contrast between a yellow throat and olive-brown face.

This warbler tends to skulk and hide in thick vegetation, often staying near to the ground. In fact, ‘Geothlypis’ the name of the genus (group of birds) this warbler is in, means ‘earth finch.’ It’s ground-dwelling foraging habits also give this bird its local name ‘Reinita Pica Tierra’ in Puerto Rico. Although often out of sight, you can find this warbler by listening for its call—a distinctive loud tchuck.

Common Yellowthroats breed across a huge area of the US and Canada. After breeding their behaviour varies, some birds stay put while others migrate. Some make long journeys, travelling from Canada to Central America. Others spend the winter in the Caribbean. They are most common in the Bahamas, Greater Antilles and Cayman Islands. In the Bahamas take care not to confuse Common Yellowthroats with the Bahama Yellowthroat! This endemic bird looks very similar but is larger, slow moving, has a longer heavier looking bill, and more uniformly yellow underparts.

During the winter you can find Common Yellowthroats in a variety of habitats, including pine, dry and montane forests, pastures, shade coffee, mangroves, and bushy areas often close to wetlands. They eat insects, which they often search for on the ground. Their diet includes flies, beetles, ants, termites, bees, wasps, grasshoppers, dragonflies, damselflies, moths, butterflies, and caterpillars! Like many warblers Common Yellowthroats migrate at night, making them vulnerable to collisions with buildings and other man-made structures. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Common Yellowthroat!

Listen to the calls of the Common Yellowthroat

The calls of the Common Yellowthroat are a strong “chuck” sound.

Puzzle of the Day

Breeding Male Common Yellowthroat with his striking black ‘bandit’ mask, edged above with whitish gray. During the winter you can find Common Yellowthroats in a variety of habitats, including pine, dry and montane forests, pastures, shade coffee, mangroves, and bushy areas often close to wetlands. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)

Female Common Yellowthroat, she doesn’t have a mask but still has a yellowthroat. This warbler tends to skulk and hide in thick vegetation, often staying near to the ground. (Photo by Linda Petersen)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Watching a birds behaviour can be a really great way to helping to identify which species you are seeing. Especially with tricky birds like warblers that can look similar to each other. Practice your bird behaviour watching skills with our bird behaviour bingo game. Spend some time watching birds and tick off behaviours as you spot them.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk and see if you can spot any migratory warblers. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of Common Yellowthroats in the wild! The first shows a male in breeding pluming, singing his characteristic “whichity-whichity-whichity” song; in the Caribbean you might hear this in spring before males migrate northwards. The second video shows a female Common Yellowthroat perched, you can see the difference in plumage between her and the male. Finally there is a Common Yellowthroat in winter plumage feeding on the ground, where this species can often be found!
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

October 16, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 31

Migratory Bird of the Day: Rose-breasted Grosbeak

These stocky looking birds have whitish, heavy cone-shaped bills, perfect for cracking open seeds and eating berries. Male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are very eye-catching. They have a bright rosy-red triangle on their breast, a black head and back, white belly and rump, and broad white wing-bars. Females are striped olive brown above, and buffy underneath with brown streaking on the breast and flanks. They have a broad white eyebrow bordered by a dark crown and whitish wing bars. The large pale bill and strong face pattern helps to identify females.

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks breed in deciduous woods across most of Canada and North Eastern parts of the US. This species is a long-distance migrant, travelling south in the fall to spend the winter in Central America, northern South America, and the Caribbean. They often migrate in small groups, sometimes joining other types of birds like tanagers and thrushes.

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are most commonly seen in the Caribbean during migration, in October or April, as individuals stopover on their journeys south or back north. Others will spend the whole winter here. They are most commonly seen in the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, and Cayman Islands. They are less common in Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and the rest of the Lesser Antilles.

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have a varied diet. During migration they mostly eat fruits, but on the breeding and wintering grounds, they also eat seeds, flowers, and insects. They glean insects from leaves or fly out to catch them in mid-air. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks can be found in woodlands, coffee plantations, at forest edges and sometimes in gardens. They will visit feeders so be sure to keep them stocked with their favorite foods, including sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and raw peanuts. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Rose-breasted Grosbeak!

Listen to the calls of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak

The calls of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak a high-pitched metallic sounding “Chink”

Puzzle of the Day

Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak, the large pale bill and strong face pattern helps to identify females (Photo by Linda Petersen)

Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak, in the Caribbean they are most commonly seen in the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, and Cayman Islands. They will visit feeders so be sure to keep them stocked with their favorite foods, including sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and raw peanuts (Photo by Jesse Gordon)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Can you find all the words in our Rose-breasted Grosbeak word search? All the words you need to find are linked to the appearance, behaviour, foods or locations of this species. Find the answers here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk and see if you can spot any migratory birds, maybe you will see a Rose-breasted Grosbeak or another colorful migratory species. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks feeding! The first video shows a male bird feeding on seeds, you can see him breaking them open with his heavy bill. The second shows some females, that are brown colored and steaked looking, eating fruits; this species will also eat insects. In spring male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have a beautiful fluting song, you can hear it in the final video.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

October 15, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 30

Migratory Bird of the Day: Cape May Warbler

Cape May Warblers are small warblers with a thin, slightly down-curved bill. Breeding males have a bright yellow breast streaked with black, a greenish back, and a yellow rump. They have a distinctive reddish brown cheek patch surrounded by yellow, a black eyeline and crown, yellow collar, and a white wing patch. Females are less brightly colored, with a grayish-olive cheek and a white wing-bar. In fall and winter, males are duller with a reduced cheek patch.

Over 80% of the population of Cape May Warblers breed in the boreal forests of Canada. Here they specialise in eating insects, especially spruce budworms. During fall birds migrate south to the Caribbean. The West Indies supports nearly the entire population of this species during the winter. Cape May Warblers are most common in the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and Cayman Islands.

You might see this species congregating around flowering plants. This is because nectar is one of their main food sources during the winter. In fact they are the only warbler that has a curled straw-like tongue which they use to drink nectar. Cape May Warblers can be found in almost any habitat with flowering plants in the Caribbean. This includes mountain forests, pine and broadleaf forests, dry scrub, pasture, shade coffee, mangroves, coastal thickets, gardens, and backyards.

Populations of Cape May Warblers have been declining over the last few decades; with a range-wide decline over a 45-year period (1970–2014) of 76%. This is partly due to deforestation and loss of its breeding habitat. In addition, like many other warblers, they migrate at night and are vulnerable to collisions with buildings and other man-made structures. Birds are also vulnerable to predation by cats. Let’s make sure Cape May Warblers have safe places to spend their winter in the Caribbean. You can help them survive by providing a bird-friendly habitat in your backyard, including bushy vegetation for cover, a source of fresh water, and native flowering plants that will provide plenty of nectar and fruits. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Cape May Warbler!

Listen to the calls of the Cape May Warbler

The calls of the Cape May Warbler are a short very high-pitched “tseet” which they tend to repeat.

Puzzle of the Day

Male Breeding Cape May Warbler, you can see his distinctive reddish-brown cheek patch, yellow neck collar and breast streaked with black, and white wing-patch. This species is declining and is threatened by breeding habitat loss. As almost the whole population spend winter in the Caribbean we can help them survive by providing a bird-friendly habitat in our backyards. (Photo by Linda Petersen)

Female Cape May Warbler. They are the only warbler that has a curled straw-like tongue which they use to drink nectar. You might see them congregating around flowering plants (Photo by Linda Petersen)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Warblers can sometimes be tricky to identify. They can look bit like other types of birds you might be seeing. Knowing about the size, shape and posture of birds can help. Can you find the warbler using its silhouette? Match the bird type to the correct silhouette. There are some hints to help you. Find the answers here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk and see if you can spot any migratory warblers. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of Cape May Warblers in the wild! The first video shows a male feeding on nectar from flowers in Cuba. In the second video you can see a male perched; his reddish-brown cheeks, yellow neck and underparts, streaked breast, and white wing patch are easy to see. As a comparison the final clip show a male Cape May Warbler in winter plumage, you can see him picking flies out the air to eat.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

October 14, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 29

Migratory Bird of the Day: Blue-winged Teal

Blue-winged Teal are small dabbling ducks. This means they feed near the surface of the water, rather than diving down into the water for food. Males in breeding plumage have blue-gray heads with a striking white crescent in front of their eye. Their underparts and sides are cinnamon-buffy colored with dense black spots, and they have a white patch near their black tails. Females are mottled brown all over with a whitish patch at the base of their bills and a dark eye line. In flight, both sexes show large pale-blue wing patches, which gives this species its name.

Blue-winged Teals breed across a wide swathe of the northern US and Canada. They winter in large flocks in the southern US, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and northern South America. They are the most common wintering ducks in the Caribbean. Some Blue-winged Teals have had their journeys tracked from the breeding grounds to their wintering areas, using satellite tags. You can see a map showing the migration route to Cuba of one of the tagged birds. Zoom in and you can see exactly where this Blue-winged Teal was during the winter.

As a long-distance migrant Blue-winged Teals are one of the first ducks to leave their breeding grounds. Males arrive on their wintering areas in drab ‘eclipse’ or hiding plumage, which looks very similar to the female. This plumage provides protection from predators when they are going through the wing moult in late summer and are flightless for about a month. Males gradually moult into their breeding plumage over the winter. Courtship and pair formation takes place on the wintering grounds and males follow their mates back to their natal area to breed.

Blue-winged Teals eat aquatic insects, molluscs, crustaceans and vegetation. You can find them in shallow fresh or saltwater habitats. They depend on these wetlands during the many months they spend in the Caribbean. It is therefore vital that we protect all our remaining wetlands to provide a winter home for Blue-winged Teals and so many other species. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Blue-winged Teal!

Listen to the call of the Blue-winged Teal

The calls of the Blue-winged Teal can vary, males give a nasal “chuck chuck chuck” females might make soft quacking sounds.

Puzzle of the Day

Male Blue-winged Teal in flight, you can see the white crescent on his face and blue wing patches, that have a white border on the male. Blue-winged Teals also have a green speculum (bright in the male and duller in the female). Males arrive on their wintering areas in drab ‘eclipse’ or hiding plumage, which looks very similar to the female. Then moult into this breeding plumage over the winter (Photo by Kinan Echtay)

Female Blue-winged Teal in flight — Female Blue-winged Teals are mainly mottled brown, as are ‘eclipse’ males; but in flight you can see that they also have blue on the wing (Photo by Ray Robles)

Blue-winged Teal pair. Courtship and pair formation takes place on the wintering grounds and males follow their mates back to their natal area to breed. (Photo by Sharon Cardin)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Can you find the real Teal? Work out which one of the Blue-winged Teals is NOT an imposter! Look at the pictures of the Teal and read the description above to help you spot the bird will all the correct features. And you can find the answer here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk and see if you can spot any migratory birds, if you are visiting a wetland look out for Blue-winged Teals or any other migratory ducks. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of of Blue-winged Teal using wetlands! The first video shows a small group of 2 males and a female swimming and dabbling for food. You can see the differences in color and plumage. In the second video some Blue-winged Teals are with other ducks and shorebirds in a wetland. When they make a brief flight you can catch a glimpse of their blue shoulder patches.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

October 13, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 28

Migratory Bird of the Day: Merlin

Merlins are a small falcon and a powerful, fast flier. Their upperparts are blackish gray to pale blue-gray in the male, and dark brown in the larger female. The darkness of the plumage varies geographically. The underparts are pale with heavy brown streaking and the tail is barred with black stripes. When perched look for the pale tan stripe above the eye. In flight, their pointed wings, long tail, and rapid powerful wing-beats help with identification.

Merlins have a wide distribution globally, through North and Central America and across Europe and Asia. In North America, this species breeds in the northern-most parts of the US and throughout most of Canada. Some Merlins winter in the south-central US and northern Mexico. Others undertake much longer migrations to the Caribbean, Central and South America, spending the winter as far south as Ecuador.

Merlins start arriving in the Caribbean in September. Some pass through the islands on their journey to points further south. Others stay for the whole winter, departing in April or early May. Merlins are winter residents in The Bahamas, Greater Antilles, US and British Virgin Islands, and the Cayman Islands. They are not as common in the Lesser Antilles.

An agile and skillful hunter, Merlins specialize in catching and eating other birds. They also eat large insects like dragonflies and small rodents. Merlins often hunt by flying fast and low and using sudden bursts of speed to take their prey by surprise in mid-air. During migration you might spot them by coastal lagoons or salt ponds, where there are plenty of shorebirds for them to hunt. They might also be in woodlands and forests hunting for other small birds. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Merlin!

Listen to the call of the Merlin

Merlins give high-pitched chattering calls, which they repeat.

Puzzle of the Day

Merlin With Prey — Female Merlin eating a dragonfly. These birds specialise on hunting small birds; but also eat large insects and rodents (Photo by Hank Halsey)

Perched Merlin — Male Merlin perched, notice the blue-grey upper parts, with heavy steaking on the breast, and a pale eye-stripe (Photo by Beth Hamel)

Male Merlin in Flight – these birds are agile and skilful hunters, using sudden bursts of speed to take their prey by surprise in mid-air. (Photo by BN Singh)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Use our template to write a poem about a Merlin. Each line of your poem should start with the letters of this birds name. This type of poem is called an ‘acrostic’. You can use words from the description and information about Merlins above. Think about how this bird looks, the way it flies, where is lives and how it finds food.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk and see if you can spot any migratory birds, if you are visiting a wetland or woodland area keep an eye out for a Merlin, which might be hunting for shorebirds or songbirds. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of Merlin in the wild! The first video shows a female perched on a post eating, after catching a small bird Merlins find somewhere safe to perch and have their meal. In the second video you can see a Merlin in flight, look for the barring on the long tail, its sharp pointed wings and the characteristic fast wing-beats.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

October 9, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 27

Migratory Bird of the Day: Black-whiskered Vireo

The Black-whiskered Vireo is a small bird with a big voice. In fact, it is best identified by its song because it is elusive and difficult to see! It is olive greenish-brown above and pale below with a long, hooked gray bill. It’s pale eyebrow stripe contrasts with a dark cap and eye stripe. The vireo’s name comes from the fine dark ‘whiskers’ or moustache stripe edging the throat. The whiskers and the absence of wing-bars help distinguish this vireo from other birds. Adults have a reddish iris. Juveniles are duller with faint whiskers.

Black-whiskered Vireos live in mangroves, woodlands, forests and gardens, feeding on insects and berries which it gleans from leaves. They often stay very still, up in the canopy of a tree. It can be hard to know they are there – unless they are singing!

The monotonous song of this Black-whiskered Vireo can be heard all day long. It consists of short 2-4 syllable phrases that differ slightly with a pause in between: John-chew-it!—Sweet-John!—Chew-it-John! Or the full Sweet-John-Chew-it! Many of the local names of this bird are renditions of the song, for example, ‘Julián Chiví’ and ‘Bien-te-veo’ in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic and ‘John-Chew-it’ in Jamaica. They also have a thin high-pitched tsit call and a sharp, nasal note yeeea.

In parts of the West Indies Black-whiskered Vireos are resident all year round; including on Hispaniola and in the Lesser Antilles. In other areas, including the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica and Puerto Rico, they are ‘summer migrants’. They spend the fall and winter in northern South America and migrate north in late winter or spring to breed in the Caribbean. Breeding birds prefer to nest in open areas of woodland or farmland areas with trees. They build a cup nest in a forked tree branch. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Black-whiskered Vireo!

Listen to the song of the Black-whiskered Vireo

The song of the Black-whiskered Vireo is an emphatic repeat of 2 or 3 notes.

Puzzle of the Day

Black-whiskered Vireo on Nest. In the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica and Puerto Rico, these birds are ‘summer migrants’. They spend the fall and winter in northern South America and migrate north in late winter or spring to breed in the Caribbean. (Photo by Dax Roman)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Whilst you are looking out for migratory birds, why not play our ‘bird spy bingo’ game. Keep an eye out for what the birds you see are doing, any signs that birds have been around, or the numbers of birds you see together in a group. There are 4 cards so you can either play on your own or with some friends!

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk and see if you can spot any migratory birds. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of Black-whiskered Vireos in the wild! The first video shows a bird singing loudly in Cuba. In the second video you can see a Black-whiskered Vireo giving it’s high-pitched tsit call as it searches for food. In both look out for the characteristic black ‘moustache’ lines on the throat.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

October 6, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 26

Migratory Bird of the Day: Baltimore Oriole

Male Baltimore Orioles are stunning birds, with fiery orange underparts and black on the head, mantle, tail, and wings. They also have orange rumps and tail patches, and white wing-bars. Females range in colour from yellow to brownish with a mottled brownish-olive head and mantle. Immature birds resemble females. All birds are medium sized and sturdy looking, with sharply pointed blue-gray bills.

Baltimore Oriole breed across the mid-US and up through central Canada. These birds weave amazing gourd-shaped, hanging nests from hair, human-made fibers such as string or wool, and plant fibers such as grasses, plant stems, and Spanish moss. They are known for their rich, beautiful, flute-like songs.

Baltimore Orioles are mid to long distance migrants. They spend the winter in Florida, the northern Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America. In the Caribbean they are most commonly seen in the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica and Puerto Rico. Baltimore Orioles migrate in large flocks, and even during the winter you might spot them together in a group. They can be found in gardens, open woodlands, scrub, swamps, and at forest edges.

Baltimore Orioles eat insects (especially caterpillars), spiders, fruit, and nectar. Before and during migration they prefer nectar and ripe fruits. The sugars in these foods are easily converted into fat, which supplies energy for migration. You might spot them eating any fruits in your garden, or you could put some out from them. Baltimore Orioles sometimes use their slender beaks to feed in an unusual way, called “gaping.” They stab their sharp closed bill into a soft fruit. As they open their beaks inside the fruit they make a cut from which they drink the juice with their tongues. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Baltimore Oriole!

Listen to the call of the Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Orioles are often silent when spending the winter in the Caribbean, but you might hear this rattling alarm call.

Puzzle of the Day

Female Baltimore Oriole, she is brownish yellow. Notice the sharp blue-grey bill, which she can use to cut into fruits and drink the juices. (Photo by Linda Petersen)

Male Baltimore Oriole — Beautiful male Baltimore Oriole, with contrasting fiery orange and black plumage. (Photo by Daniel W Glenn)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Baltimore Orioles love to eat fruits to get enough energy for their migration! Join the dots to reveal the male and female and female Baltimore Orioles feeding. You could also color them in,

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk and see if you can spot any migratory birds or maybe some have arrived in your garden? Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of Baltimore Orioles. In the first you can see the stunning plumage of the male Oriole. In the second a Female Oriole is feeding on some fruit somebody have left out for her.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

October 5, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 25

Migratory Bird of the Day: Bicknell’s Thrush

Bicknell’s Thrushes can be a challenge to encounter at any time of year because they live in remote mountain forest habitats and are shy. They are brownish-olive above with whitish underparts that are heavily spotted on the breast and sides. Their distinctive song, most often heard at dawn and dusk on the breeding grounds, descends in a nasal, gyrating spiral. Their call, given year-round, is a penetrating, downward slurred whistle peeert or beeer.

Bicknell’s Thrush breeds only in a few high-elevation coniferous forests of the northeastern US and southeastern Canada. They spend the winter on only four Greater Antillean islands – Hispaniola, Cuba, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. Here they inhabit dense, moist broadleaf forests from sea level to over 2,000m. Most birds are restricted to remote mountainous areas. About 80-90% of the total population winters on Hispaniola, especially in the Dominican Republic. This makes Bicknell’s Thrush a range-restricted habitat specialist at both ends of its migration.

The Bicknell’s Thrush population is small and numbers are declining. Classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, it is considered one of North America’s most at-risk breeding songbirds. Its forest breeding habitat is under siege from pollution, ski development, telecommunications tower and wind turbine construction, and global climate change. In the Caribbean, loss of the species’ preferred dense, humid broadleaf forests is occurring at unsustainable rates.

Habitat conservation is the key to ensuring the long-term survival of the Bicknell’s Thrush. In the Caribbean, especially on Hispaniola, this means conservation of moist forest habitats. We need to stop cutting down forests and restore them instead. We also need to strengthen enforcement of Protected Areas and employ sustainable agricultural practices. Despite daunting challenges, local conservation efforts are making progress. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Bicknell’s Thrush!

Listen to the call of the Bicknell’s Thrush

The calls of the Bicknell’s Thrush their wintering grounds is a downward slurred “peeert” whistle

Puzzle of the Day

Bicknell's Thrush Singing — Bicknell’s Thrush calling or singing in the Dominican Republic, its main wintering grounds. (Photo by Dax Roman)

Bicknell's Thrush (Photo by Dax Roman) — Bicknell’s Thrush perched in its montane wintering habitat in the Dominican Republic. . (Photo by Dax Roman)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: How much do you know about Bicknell’s Thrush? Test your knowledge with our crossword puzzle. You can find the information to answer the clues the text above, in the coloring book page or by looking at the pictures of Bicknell’s Thrush. And you can see the answers here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk and see if you can spot any migratory birds. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of a Bicknell’s Thrush in the wild! In the first video, shot in Blackcap Mountain in Maine, the bird is perched in a tree and you will hear it making its down-slurred peeeert whistle call. In the second video, shot in Vermont, a parent is returning to its nest to deliver insect food items to young chicks.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

October 3, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 24

Migratory Bird of the Day: Osprey

The Osprey is a big, powerful fish-eating bird, with a hooked black beak. It has a white head with dark eye stripe, chocolate brown upperparts, and white underparts, with variable brown speckling on the breast. These birds fly with a slight bend at the ‘wrist’. This distinctive ‘M’ shaped silhouette, when seen from below, means Ospreys can be identified from far away or when light conditions are not good enough to see their colouring. You might also hear their shrill high-pitched whistling call before you spot them.

In some parts of the Caribbean, including the Bahamas and parts of Cuba, Ospreys are present year-round and breed. During the autumn these resident birds are joined by migratory individuals from North America. Ospreys make long journeys from their breeding areas, sometimes travelling thousands of miles. Some birds pass through the Caribbean to areas further south, such as this individual called Edwin, whose migration was one of many tracked with satellite tags. Others remain in the Caribbean during the winter.

The Ospreys that breed in the Caribbean are a different sub-species than the migratory birds. These birds, with the sub-species name ridgwayi, look quite different. The brown eye stripe tends to be very faint (in some birds it is almost absent), and they do not show brown markings on their breast. This gives birds the appearance of having overwhelmingly white heads and chests.

This species was endangered by the effects of pesticides in the mid-20th century. After such pesticides were banned in the US in 1972, Ospreys have made a comeback. Ospreys specialize on catching and eating fish and so are most commonly seen in coastal areas and around wetlands and ponds. If you watch for long enough you might spot one carrying a fish in its talons. If you are lucky you may even, see an Osprey plunge feet first into the water and pluck out a fish! Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Osprey!

Listen to the call of the Osprey

The calls of the Osprey are high-pitched whistles, often repeated.

Puzzle of the Day

Osprey in Flight — Osprey in flight. Ospreys make long journeys, sometimes thousands of miles, from their breeding areas in North America to wintering areas . (Photo by Hemant Kishan)

Osprey with Fish. Ospreys specialise on eating fish, they hunt by plunging feet-first into the water. (Photo by Bernie Duhamel)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Take a look at this interesting infographic! In it you can find out more about Ospreys, where they breed in the US and how they are being affected by plastic pollution.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk along the coast or at a wetland and see if you can spot an Osprey or any other migratory birds. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of Ospreys. The first shows the Ospreys’ amazing hunting method, with the bird grabbing a fish from the water! The second shows a Osprey, having made a successful catch, eating a fish.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

October 1, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 23

Migratory Bird of the Day: Magnolia Warbler

The handsome Magnolia Warbler is an active warbler that often stays low in trees, flitting about and showing off its distinctive tail pattern—white near the base and black at the tip. Breeding males have bright yellow underparts with heavy black streaking, sometimes forming a necklace band on its upper breast. They also have a black mask and back, gray crown, white eyebrow behind the eye, and a wide white patch on their wings. Females are paler in colour with gray upper parts and mask, olive back, and two white wing-bars. Non-breeding birds have a gray head, much less streaking, 2 wing bars, and a hint of a pale gray breast band.

Magnolia Warblers breed mainly in northern parts of Canada, preferring to nest in young conifer trees. They spend the winter in Central America, including south-eastern Mexico to Panama, and in parts of the Caribbean. They are most common in the Bahamas and Cuba, and are also found in the rest of the Greater Antilles.

During the winter the Magnolia Warbler can be found in nearly all habitat types, including swamp edges, woodlands, cocoa plantations, orchards, and gardens, from sea-level all the way up into the mountains. Here they will be looking for insects and occasionally fruit to eat.

Magnolia Warblers do not in fact have a strong preference for magnolia trees. They got their name because the scientist who first documented them found them in a magnolia tree. These warblers, like many others, migrate at night in large mixed species flocks. All birds migrating at night are vulnerable to collisions with tall structures such as buildings, communications towers, and energy infrastructure. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Magnolia Warbler!

Listen to the call of the Magnolia Warbler

The calls of the Magnolia Warbler are a slightly rasping “zeep”

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: We have met quite a few migratory warblers so far & will be meeting a few more! Some of these birds can look similar to each other. Take a look at this helpful guide, from wildlife artist Christine Elder, for identifying warblers. Add colors of the bird you see, look at its behavior and add some notes to help you identify and remember it.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Check out this article Identifying Warblers in the Caribbean with detailed tips and tricks to help you identify warblers.
Take a walk and see if you can spot any migratory Warblers. Try using the identification guide above, and a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of Magnolia Warblers feeding. In the first video there is a female foraging on the ground, there is a male, in breeding plumage visible in the background near to the end, so you can compare plumages. In the second video a male is feeding, picking insects from the leaves. You can also see the male fan his tail, showing the unique black and white tail pattern of this species.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

September 30, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 22

Migratory Bird of the Day: Great Blue Heron

The Great Blue Heron is an impressively large wading bird, with a 6ft wing-span! With their long lanky legs and neck they stand at 4 ft or more. This is in fact the largest heron in North America and the Caribbean. Overall this bird is grayish-blue with a massive, sharp yellow bill. They also have black stripes running from above the eye to the back of the head leading to short black plumes. Adults have white crowns, whereas juveniles have gray or a mix of white and gray on the crown.

Great Blue Herons fly with deep slow wing beats. Often their long necks will be tucked in, but their long legs trail behind. In flight, you can also see that their black flight feathers contrast with the gray plumage on the rest of the wing and back. There is also a white form or race of the Great Blue Heron, called the ‘Great White Heron.’ This looks similar to a Great Egret, but is larger, has a more massive bill, and pale legs.

The Great Blue Heron has a very wide range. It can be found across most of North America, and lives year-round in many places, including a few Caribbean islands (e.g., Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands). Great Blue Herons are mainly a Winter visitor in the region, however, and can be found on most islands from October to April .

Great Blue Herons are found in both fresh and saltwater wetlands. They eat mostly fish, but also amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, crabs, and other birds. They grab smaller prey using their bill like tweezers. They use their dagger-like bills to impale larger prey such as large fish or frogs, and swallow their prey whole. This handsome bird is usually solitary. It can be seen standing motionless, in shallow water, waiting for an opportunity to grab an unsuspecting meal. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Great Blue Heron!

Listen to the call of the Great Blue Heron

The calls of the Great Blue Heron are a deep croaking frog like “guarr” repeated several times.

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Blue Herons live in wetland habitats and have a very varied diet! Take a look at the Great Blue Heron in a food web. It shows the Heron and it’s food & the food of it’s food! Can you add the correct labels to each level? Find the answers here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk to a wetland, look out for a Great Blue Heron, or maybe a migratory duck. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of Great Blue Herons in the wild. In the first watch as the Heron grapples with & then eats a water snake! The second shows a Great Blue Heron flying, with its characteristic deep wing-beats.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

September 29, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 21

Migratory Bird of the Day: Kirtland’s Warbler

The Kirtland’s Warbler is a very rare warbler that almost became extinct 50 years ago. It is blue-gray above, lemon-yellow below, has black streaks on its sides, and white crescents above and below the eye. Males have black from the base of the bill to the eye. Females are similar but with no black on the face, and less brightly colored than males. Kirtland’s Warblers can be seen ‘pumping’ their tails as they look for food.

Kirtland’s Warblers breed only in a very small area in the US. They nest in Jack Pine forests in Michigan, Wisconsin and lower Ontario. This species winters mainly in the Bahamas, on the islands of Eleuthera, Cat Island, Long Island and San Salvador. Its migration has been tracked using tiny light sensitive tags called geolocators. Learn more here.

The Kirtland’s Warbler feeds on insects and fruit. In the winter, they are microhabitat specialists. They can be found in coppice and scrub habitats with large amounts of Black Torch, Wild Sage and Snowberry shrubs. These are some of their favorite fruits to eat. Kirkland’s Warblers can be hard to spot during the winter, they tend to hide in dense vegetation.

Kirtland’s Warbler was one of the first species to be placed on the North American Endangered Species list. In 1974 there were only 170 pairs. The decline of this bird was caused by loss of breeding habitat and nest parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds. Extensive conservation work is ongoing to provide nesting habitat and control cowbird numbers. Thanks to this effort there are now over 2,300 pairs, and in 2019, the species was delisted. Research on Kirkland’s Warbler in The Bahamas has helped boost both local and international conservation. The Kirtland’s Warbler Research and Training Project trained Bahamian students in field research, ecology, and conservation. Many of these students have gone on to become conservationists in The Bahamas. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Kirtland’s Warbler!

Listen to the call of the Kirtland’s Warbler

The calls of the Kirtland’s Warbler are a repeated short “Chip”

Puzzle of the Day

Male Kirtland's Warbler — Male Kirtland’s Warbler. He is blue-gray above, lemon-yellow below, with some black in front of his eye. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)

Female Kirtland's Warbler — Female Kirtland’s Warbler, she is very similar to the male but less brightly colored. Both males and females have a white ‘broken’ eye-ring. These Warblers specialise in breeding in jack pines. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Use our fun worksheet to create your very own Kirtland’s Warbler stamp. Use the Kirtland’s Warbler stamps from the Bahamas, the colouring page or our photos for your inspiration!

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk and see if you can spot a migratory warblers. Unless you are in the Bahamas you might not see a Kirtland’s Warbler but see what other migratory birds you can find. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the video of the handsome male Kirtland’s Warbler. He is in his jack pine habitat on the breeding grounds. In the video you can hear him singing!
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

September 28, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 20

Migratory Bird of the Day: Barn Swallow

The medium-sized Barn Swallow gets its name from its nesting habits. Although they originally used caves, they have shifted to nesting mostly in barns and other human-made structures. Groups of swallows will all use the same building. Birds build mud nests attached to walls. This strong connection with humans has made it one of the most familiar and well-studied swallows.

Barn Swallows have glossy steel-blue upperparts and crown, chestnut to white underparts, and a chestnut forehead and throat. The long tail is deeply forked with white spots. Males and females have similar plumage, but females and immature birds are duller and have shorter tail streamers. They often line up in large flocks on overhead wires with their long forked tails sticking out.

Barn Swallows have the widest distribution of any swallow in the world. They are long-distance migrants, traveling in huge flocks and covering up to 11,000 km (6,800 mi) on migration. In the Americas, they breed in North America and spend the winter in Central and South America. Some birds pass through the Caribbean on fall and spring migration. Thus, you are most likely to spot them here during migration, but a few birds overwinter.

Like many swifts and swallows, these striking birds are masters of flight! The swoop and turn, flying fast over wetlands and fields, catching mosquitoes and other tiny flying insects. This flight pattern can make them difficult to identify, especially since they are often seen in mixed-species flocks with other swallows during migration. Just keep an eye out for that deep fork in the tail! Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Barn Swallow!

Listen to the call of the Barn Swallow

The calls of the Barn Swallow can be a loud “cheep” and a thin mechanical sounding “chit”

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Barn Swallows cover a huge area of the Americas over the course of a year. They spend the summer breeding in the north and winter further south. Find out more about this wide-ranging bird in this fascinating fact-sheet! FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk, remember to look up! And see if you can spot a Barn Swallow or any of our other migratory birds. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the video below of a Barn Swallow perched on a fence. When they are not hunting for food on the wing this species can often be seen perched on twigs, fences and overheard wires.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

September 25, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 19

Migratory Bird of the Day: Hooded Warbler

This is another Warbler where the name gives us a clue to what the bird looks like! Males of this species can be recognized by the striking black ‘hood’ surrounding it’s bright yellow face. They also have bright yellow underparts and an olive-green back. Females may show a faint hood but these vary depending in part on age. First year birds lack a hood. Another great ‘clue’ to identify this warbler is the way it flicks and fans its tail, revealing white outer tail feathers, as ‘flashes’ of white.

Hooded Warblers breed across Midwestern and eastern parts of the US. They are long-distance migrants and head south to Central America, South Mexico and the Caribbean in Fall. They will spend the winter here. During this time they are most commonly found in the Bahamas and the Greater Antilles. On their migration they may stopover in Jamaica. These little birds like to use understory vegetation in forests and mangroves. This ‘lower level’ living makes them a bit easier to spot compared to the many warblers who prefer the tree-tops! Here they will be looking for insects and spiders to eat. You might spot them looking for food on the ground.

Both male and female Hooded Warblers defend territories during the winter. This means you’re unlikely to see them together (unless they are fighting over a territory!). The way that Hooded Warbler’s flick their tail, flashing white patches, seems to help them catch insects. It could be that it causes insects to take flight, making them easier to see or catch. As with many other warblers, Hooded Warblers migrate at night and are vulnerable to collisions with made-made structures. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Hooded Warbler!

Listen to the call of the Hooded Warbler

The call of the Hooded Warbler is a loud and metallic-sounding “chip” . Males and females make this call when defending their territories.

Puzzle of the Day

Male Hooded Warbler, with his black hood contrasting strikingly with his bright yellow face. Another way to help identify this warbler is the way it flicks and fans its tail, revealing white outer tail feathers (Photo by BN Singh)

Female Hooded Warbler, she is a bit less striking but you can see that she still has a trace of a ‘hood’ and a yellow face. Both male and female Hooded Warblers will defend territories during the winter (Photo by BN Singh)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: So far we have met five different Warblers that migrate to the Caribbean. How much can you remember about each one? Test your knowledge and be reminded of some facts and ID features with our Match the Fact to the Warbler game!

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk and see if you can spot a migratory warbler or any of our other migratory birds. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of both male and female Hooded Warbler. You can see the differences in their plumage. In both videos the birds are flicking their tails, and revealing flashes of their white outer tail feathers.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

September 24, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 18

Migratory Bird of the Day: Northern Parula

This tiny colourful bird is one of the smallest warblers, and weighs only ~8.6g! Northern Parulas are a smart shade of blue-gray above, with a greenish-yellow patch on the back. They have a yellow throat and breast and a white belly. Also look out for two white wing-bars and their distinctive white eye crescents. Breeding males have a black and chestnut coloured breast band. There might be some faint remains of this still visible during fall migration. Females are similar to males but duller and usually lack the breast bands.

Northern Parulas breed in the eastern North America, from Florida up to the boreal forests of Canada. Interestingly they have a strange gap in their breeding range, missing from large parts of Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, and some states in the Northeast. Northern Parulas rely on Spanish moss to nest. This ‘gap’ could be linked to a lack of this vital resource due to habitat loss and increasing air pollution. Northern Parulas migrate south in the fall and arrive to spend the winter in the Caribbean from August onwards. It is one of the most common migrant warblers in the region. When they get ready to head north again from March you might even hear their ascending buzzy song!

This dainty and active warbler feeds on insects, and can be found during the winter in dry forest and scrub. They will pick insects from the undersides of leaves, as well as catch them in the air. They can also be found in many human-modified landscapes including, pastures, coffee, cacao, and citrus plantations. Northern Parulas mainly migrate at night and may join mixed-species flocks with other types of wood warblers. Night migrations leave wood warblers, like the Northern Parula, vulnerable to collisions with made-made structures such as tall buildings or communication towers. Hundreds to thousands are killed annually from collisions during migration throughout their range. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Northern Parula!

Listen to the call and song of the Northern Parula

The call of the Northern Parula is a sharp “chip” sound.

In Spring you might also hear the song of the Northern Parula, an ascending buzzy trill.

Puzzle of the Day

Male Northern Parula — Northern Parula male – this tiny colorful warbler has bluish upper-parts, yellow throat and breast, white belly, two white wing bars and white eye-arcs. Note that males have black and reddish chest bands. (Photo by Steve Buckingham)

Female Northern Parulas are similar to males but less colorful; chest bands are paler or absent. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Can you match the insect names to the photos? Insects are a very important food source for migratory birds, many head south on migration in search of insects to help them survive the winter. Warblers in particular often specialise in eating mainly insects. Find the answers here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk and see if you can spot a migratory warbler or any of our other migratory birds. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of the Northern Parulas, where you can see the differences between the males and females. The first video shows a male bird, wintering in Cuba, foraging for insects on leaves. The second shows a female Northern Parula sunning herself.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

September 23, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 17

Migratory Bird of the Day: Yellow-rumped Warbler

There is no mystery as to where the Yellow-rumped Warbler got its name, you are likely to see a flash of its trademark yellow rump patch as it flits around in a tree. In fact its nick-name is “butter-butt”! This bird also has bright yellow patches on the sides of its breast and a distinctive white throat. Breeding Males are vividly coloured and have a black mask across their eye. They also have black and white streaking on the chest. Females and younger birds look similar but are duller and brownish on the back and head. Males will look also look brownish during the winter. All birds at all times of year still have the distinctive white-ish throat and yellow rump.

There are two subspecies of this warbler, known as “Audubon’s” and “Myrtle.” It is the “Myrtle” subspecies which is most likely to be in the Caribbean (and which is described above). The “Audubon’s” subspecies has a yellow throat and no black eye-mask.

Yellow-rumped Warblers are one of the most common and wide-spread warblers. They breed across a wide area of Canada and the Northern US and in the autumn migrate south to the southern US, Central America, and the Caribbean. They are one of the last migrants to arrive, typically not turning up until November. They spend the winter here, and are most commonly found in the Bahamas and islands of the Greater Antilles.

Unlike many of the migratory warblers Yellow-rumped Warblers like to hang out together and are often seen in small groups. In the Caribbean, they live in woodlands, gardens, scrubby areas, coffee plantations, mangroves, and the edges of swamps. They eat insects and can sometimes be spotted making looping flights from perches to snatch insects out of the air. Unlike many warblers they also eat berries of many different plants. The fact that they can digest the wax berry coating means that Yellow-rumped Warblers can survive colder temperatures when there are no insects by eating bayberries and wax myrtle berries. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Yellow-rumped Warbler!

Listen to the call of the Yellow-rumped Warbler

The call of the Yellow-rumped Warbler is an abrupt “check”

Puzzle of the Day

Female Yellow-rumped Warbler. She is browner in colour than the male but you can still see her yellow sides, and streaking in the chest. (Photo by Linda Peterson)

Male Yellow-rumped Warbler in his breeding plumage. He will look duller during Fall and winter. But would still have the yellow rump and sides you can see in this picture. (Photo by Karen Gallo)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Read the text above to find out facts about the Yellow-rumped Warbler. Then use the clues to rearrange the letters and reveal the words in our Yellow-rumped Warbler word scramble! Find the answers here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk and see if you can spot a migratory warbler or any of our other migratory birds. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of both male and female Yellow-rumped Warblers. The female in the first video is eating myrtle berries. In the second video you can see a male in breeding plumage.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

September 22, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 16

Migratory Bird of the Day: Gray Kingbird

The Gray Kingbird is a large conspicuous species of tyrant flycatcher, a large family of birds known as energetic insectivores. It is gray above and white below and has a dark mask—a distinctive, but faint, black band extending from the base of the beak through the eye. It also has a large black beak with a slight hook at the tip, typical of this group of birds. This species is fiercely territorial during the breeding season and can often be seen chasing and fighting other individuals, employing amazing acrobatic manoeuvres in aerial dogfights. They are also known to chase and attack other birds, dogs, and humans who get too close to their nest. In The Bahamas, this species is locally called “Fighter” or “Pickereely” based on its aggressive behavior and the call it makes. Gray Kingbirds are present year-round in some islands (Hispaniola and islands east), but in others (e.g., Bahamas, Cuba and Jamaica) they arrive in April, breed, and leave in September, and are hence known as “summer migrants.” Their range extends from Florida, the Caribbean, parts of Central America and northern South America. They prefer open habitats and can be seen in abundance in urban and suburban areas. Gray Kingbirds are also found in pinelands, coastal areas and mangroves. Birds that migrate have longer wings, shorter tails and larger bills than those that are resident. Gray Kingbirds feed mainly on various flying insects, including beetles, bees, moths, wasps, and dragonflies. They also eat fruits, seeds, and small vertebrates, like lizards. They may rarely eat hummingbirds, perhaps mistaking them for large insects, killing them by repeated blows on a branch before swallowing them! In The Bahamas, they have been seen eating poisonwood berries. Gray Kingbirds are often seen conspicuously perched, making their loud buzzy calls, pi-tirr-ri or pit-cherrie, repeated often. They sally out from these high perches to grab food items in mid-air. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Gray Kingbird!

Listen to the call of the Gray Kingbird

The call of the Gray Kingbird is a loud high-pitched “pipiri pipiri” trill.

Puzzle of the Day

Gray Kingbird with its wings outstretched. You can also see the red feathers this species had on the top of its head! These are revealed only when the bird is excited. (Photo by Rafy Rodriguez)

Gray Kingbird, Perched, as they so often are. You can see the faint black line that runs through the eye, and the large slightly hooked beak. (Photo by Dax Roman)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Gray Kingbirds often fly out from their perch to snatch insects from the air, with their beak, to eat. Can up help the hungry Gray Kingbird to catch a fly? Follow the right trail and get a tasty fly for the Kingbird to eat! And here is the Answer Key. FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk and see if you can spot a Gray Kingbird or any of our other migratory birds. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of Gray Kingbirds in the wild! The first shows a bird preening, you can also hear it making its high-pitched trilling call in this clip. The second shows a Gray Kingbird eating an insect it has just caught and then cleaning its beak.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

September 21, 2020

Birds Connect Out World – Day 15

Migratory Bird of the Day: Prairie Warbler

The males of this small warbler are bright yellow below and olive-green above with black streaking on the sides. They also have a black eye-line and a black semicircle under the eye, in a pattern that gives a “spectacled” appearance. Females and immature birds have a similar pattern, but it is less clearly defined and not as colourful. The underparts are paler yellow and the head may be yellow or greyish. These warblers can often be seen wagging their tails up and down.

Despite its name, the Prairie Warbler does not in fact breed in the open prairies. It breeds in forests and scrubby areas in the southeastern US. It arrives in the Caribbean from late August and will spend the winter here. Their numbers will start decreasing again in April as they head back north. They are most common in Northern parts of the Caribbean, including the Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Their entire population spends the winter either in the Caribbean or Florida, making this a very important region for the species. During the winter Prairie Warblers like to live in coastal dry forests, mangroves, woodlands, orchards, and coffee farms; they may even show up in your garden! They eat insects and spiders that they pick off leaves and branches or catch out of the air. They have also been observed eating fruit.

Prairie Warbler numbers have declined in recent years due to loss of their preferred habitats. Along with many other migratory birds, they also face threats such as collisions with glass and predation from free-roaming cats. Making sure they have safe places to spend the winter, with plenty of bushy vegetation for them to forage in, can help this species. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Prairie Warbler!

Listen to the call of the Prairie Warbler

The call of the Prairie Warbler is a brief “chuck” . On its wintering grounds, you are not likely to hear the high-pitched song of rapidly ascending notes it makes when breeding.

Puzzle of the Day

Male Prairie Warbler, with his bright yellow face and belly. You can see the black spectacle-like marking around his eye. The entire population of this species spends the winter either in the Caribbean or Florida (Photo by Mark Tegges)

Female Prairie Warbler, she is similar to the male but less brightly coloured. You can help this species by making sure they have safe places to spend the winter, with plenty of bushy vegetation for them to forage in. (Photo by Stephen Buckingham)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Play ‘Habitat Bingo‘ ! Find or identify the the objects in the Habitat Bingo – put an X in each square when you do. How many of the plants, birds, animals, resources or behaviours can you spot?

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk and see if you can spot any migrant birds. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the video below of a Prairie Warbler feeding. You can see this bird moving amongst the vegetation, picking up insects from the leaves- this type of foraging is called ‘gleaning’.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

September 19, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 14

Migratory Bird of the Day: Royal Tern

Royal Terns are elegant white seabirds with a black cap. Tern identification can be tricky as there are many tern species that share the same white body, long pointed wings, and black cap. While they look similar, these species all have different field marks and behaviors that can make identification fun and easy once you get to know them! The best way to tell Royal Terns from other Caribbean terns is by their large size, long, bright, carrot-orange beak, and forked tail. During the breeding season, Royal Terns have a black cap and shaggy black crest. In the winter the top of the head turns white but they retain the black crest. Immature birds look similar to non-breeding adults but their beak is more yellow and their back may be speckled.

Royal Terns are almost always found near the coast—they don’t visit inland areas often. Royal Terns are expert hunters, hovering and then plunge-diving into the water to catch small fish. Some Royal Terns are resident in the Caribbean and can be found here year-round. They are the largest tern species that breeds in the Caribbean. During the breeding season from May to August, Royal Terns form big colonies on isolated cays and islands to raise their chicks. In the Caribbean, they often share colonies with Sandwich Terns. After chicks hatch, they form large groups called crèches that stay together while parents are off catching food. Parents can recognize their own chicks from the rest of the group by their call!

During the winter their numbers increase as the local residents are joined by migratory individuals from further north in the US. In the winter, you might see flocks of Royal Terns resting or “loafing” on sandy flats near shallow water, mudflats, beaches, docks, or pilings or buoys in the water. Royal Terns are declining in parts of the Caribbean, probably because of loss of breeding habitats and human disturbance. You can help by staying away from nesting colonies during the summer so that parents can safely raise their chicks. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Royal Tern!

Listen to the call of the Royal Tern

The call of the Royal Tern is a rasping high-pitched “Kri-i-ik.”

Puzzle of the Day

Breeding Royal Tern — Royal Terns are large terns with a bright carrot-orange beak and forked tail. During the breeding season they have a black cap and shaggy black crest. (Photo by Beth Hamel)

Nonbreeding Royal Tern in flight — Royal Tern in flight. Note the long pointy wings and large bright orange beak. This tern is in non-breeding plumage – the top of the head is white but it still has a black crest. (Photo by BN Singh)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Royal Terns hunt for small fish by sight, they scan the water looking then dive in to pick out the fish with their beak! Can you also hunt for fish and help the Tern find a meal? There are 10 fish for the hungry Tern to eat. And the locations can be found here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk at beach or wetland and see if you can spot any terns. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of Royal Terns! The first video shows a bird with a fish at the water’s edge. The second video shows two birds engaged in pre-copulatory behavior – male standing on the female’s back – which they often do for a few minutes before copulating. Then the male is shown walking around and giving an aggressive display to nearby birds called Aggressive-Upright – the wings are held low and away from the body, and the head is held high with bill up or horizontal. This display may be given when adults are protecting young, when they are walking through or a colony, or when they are approached by other birds during courtship activities.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

September 18, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 13

Migratory Bird of the Day: Painted Bunting

This small passerine is an amazing rainbow coloured bird! The beautiful multi-coloured male is unmistakable with his blue head, red throat, belly and rump, and bright green back. Males also have a thin red ring around their eyes. As with other buntings these birds have a short conical bill. Females and immature birds are far less colourful—olive-green above and yellowish-green below. Despite their bright colours Painted Buntings might not always be easy to spot, with their habit of hiding amongst the vegetation and staying close to the ground.

Unlike some of the migratory birds we have seen Painted Buntings do not make epic long-distance migrations. They breed in the south-eastern US and then migrate in the fall to spend the winter in the northern Caribbean and Central America. They do not come very far south and start arriving, mainly in the Bahamas and Cuba, from October. They stay until spring and start to head north in April.

Painted Buntings can be found in brush, scrub and grassy areas. There they hunt for insects and spiders or pull the seeds off grasses. If you have a seed feeder you might get a visit from a Painted Bunting. Unfortunately, the beauty of the Painted Bunting has made them long popular as caged birds. Although trapping and international trade has been banned in many countries, birds are still trapped and sold as pets, particularly in Mexico and Cuba. Trapping and loss of their habitat are probably factors in the long-term decline of this species, which is now listed as a “species of concern.” You can help Painted Buntings and other migratory birds by providing various seeds and a source of freshwater in your backyard, and educating others not to keep wild birds as pets. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Painted Bunting!

Listen to the call of the Painted Bunting

The call of the Painted Bunting is a loud “chip” which it might repeat.

Puzzle of the Day

Male Painted Bunting — The brightly coloured male Painted Bunting. It is these beautiful colours that have made this species such a popular cage-bird in some places. And the illegal trade in wild birds has contributed to their decline (Photo Hemant Kishan)

Female Painted Bunting. Although not at colourful as the male she is still recognisable from her bright green colour and short conical beak (Photo by Wildpix)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Find the hidden words in our colourful Painted Bunting word search! All the words are linked to this bird, where they migrate to, where they live and the foods that they eat. How many can you find? Here is the Answer Key!

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Take a walk and see if you can spot any migrant birds. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of Painted Buntings feeding! The first shows the beautiful males foraging on the ground for seeds. In the second an immature bird (which looks a lot like a female) is on some grass eating the grass seeds.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

September 17, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 12

Migratory Bird of the Day: Blackpoll Warbler

The Blackpoll Warbler is a member of the Parulidae Family, small active songbirds known as wood warblers. Breeding males have a black cap, white cheeks, black malar stripes, and black streaking on the back and sides. Breeding females are more cryptically coloured with olive-gray to olive-yellow upperparts, a dark eye-line, and some streaking. In the fall and winter males are olive above with streaks on the back, and whitish to pale yellow below with blurry streaks on the chest. Females are similar but with reduced streaking. Both sexes have yellow-orange coloured legs and distinctive white wing-bars, which are helpful for identification.

Blackpoll Warblers breed in boreal forest habitat in Alaska and Canada and winter in northern South America. These birds weigh less than 14g, but they make some epic journeys on migration. They can fly nonstop for up to 3 days! In a single flight across the ocean to South America, they can cover over 2,770 km. Not all Blackpoll Warblers make the trip in one go. Many stop over in the Caribbean both in the autumn and spring.On these refueling and resting stops they can be found in many places, such as mangroves, scrubby areas, and woodlands. The total journey made by this tiny bird, from breeding areas to their wintering areas can be over 8,000km. Find out more about their migration here.

Long journeys are tough for such small birds. Before leaving Blackpoll warblers feed until they double their body weight! They eat insects, feeding by picking them off leaves. Blackpoll Warblers migrate at night, sometimes in large numbers. Unfortunately, they are attracted to bright lights. This means they sometimes collide with lighthouses, communication towers, and tall buildings. Long-term monitoring data show that this species, like many other birds, is undergoing a widespread decline. More research is needed on the causes of the decline. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Blackpoll Warbler!

Listen to the call of the Blackpoll Warbler

The calls of the Blackpoll Warbler are a thin high-pitched “zeet-zeet-zeet.”

Puzzle of the Day

Female Blackpoll Warbler during the breeding season. She is olive-yellow and streaked which makes here harder to spot than the male. But notice the bright orange legs, which help identify her as a Blackpoll Warbler (Photo by Hemant Kishan)

Breeding Blackpoll Warbler — Breeding Male Blackpoll Warbler has a distinctive black cap and white face. He also has orange legs. (Photo by Hemant Kishan).

Fall Migration Blackpoll Warbler. Both the male and female become more uniformly olive. But the orange legs and wing bars help to identify them. These amazing little birds travel thousands of kilometres to reach their wintering grounds during the fall migration (Photo by Anthony Levesque).

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Guide the Warbler and Sandpiper safely through their migration in our Migration Maze! Watch out for dangerous hazards like power lines, tall buildings and predators and get the birds to safety in the Caribbean. And here is the Answer Key.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

If you visit a woodland, mangrove or even just a patch of scrubby bush there might be some warblers around to you to spot! They start arriving at around this time of year. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of a female Blackpoll Warbler, foraging for insects. You can see that she is looking for them on the undersides of the leaves. Note the bold white wing bars.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

September 16, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 11

Migratory Bird of the Day: Lesser Scaup

Moving on from shorebirds, but sticking with the watery theme, today’s migratory bird is a duck. The Lesser Scaup is medium sized for a duck and like many ducks, the male and female look quite different from each other. Males have black heads with purple/ green iridescence, a black neck and breast, white sides and greyish ‘marbled’ looking backs. They also have blue bills and bright yellow eyes. Females are warm chocolate brown, with a white patch that varies in size just behind the bill. Both sexes have a white wing-stripe, which runs half-way along the trailing edge of the upper wing and can be seen as they fly.

The Lesser Scaup is a diving duck that swims and feeds under water. Their bills are shaped like scoops, which helps them dig through soft mud looking for aquatic animals and plants. These ducks have quite a wide breeding range, across Canada and part of the US. They migrate south to spend the winter in warmer areas. They wait until there is ice on the lakes in North America before they begin migration, and they spend the winter farther south than any other diving duck in their species group (Aythya). This means that during November some will arrive in the Caribbean. They are most common in the northern Caribbean, including the Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico, but can be found in other islands too.

When in the Caribbean Lesser Scaups can be found on large open water bodies, either fresh or coastal waters, often in groups. This species is very similar to another duck, the Greater Scaup. The best way to tell them apart is by head shape—the Lesser Scaup’s head is more narrow and egg-shaped with a peak (highest point) near the back of the head, while the head of the Greater Scaup is perfectly round. In addition, the sides and back of the Greater Scaup are lighter and it has a larger black nail on the tip of the bill. Luckily the Greater Scaup is far less common in the Caribbean so there shouldn’t be too many opportunities to mix them up! Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Lesser Scaup!

Listen to the call of the Lesser Scaup

The Lesser Scaup is often silent, but the females tend to make more noise than males. You might hear their ‘barking’ calls.

Puzzle of the Day

Female Lesser Scaup are mostly dark brown but with a variable size white patch behind the bill. (photo by Matt Grube)

Male Lesser Scaup – a gorgeous bird with glossy purple-black head and breast, white sides and marbled grey back, blue bill and bright yellow eyes. Note how the narrow head is ‘peaked’ – tallest at the back of the head. This the best way to distinguish it from the Greater Scaup which has a perfectly round head. (Photo by Rick Evets)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Find out more about the Lesser Scaup by looking at this cool information sheet! It has facts about where they breed, when and where they migrate, and a map to help you see just how far they travel. And about what they like to eat!

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Visit a pond or wetland and see if you can find and identify any ducks. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
Enjoy the videos below of Lesser Scaup in the wild! The first one shows a group of birds feeding (3 males but one is an immature). Watch them ‘vanish’ under the water to forage and the pop back up with food. In the second video you can see a group of males and females flying. The white patch at the base of the females’ bills is obvious, as is the white stripe in the wings of both the males and females.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

September 15, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 10

Migratory Bird of the Day: Black-necked Stilt

Unlike many shorebirds, the elegant Black-necked Stilt is instantly recognizable. It has very long stilt-like red-pink legs and is bright white with striking black on the head, neck and back. When it flies you can see its long pink legs trailing out behind. It uses its long thin beak to probe for food in mud and water. This group of shorebirds has the second-longest legs, in relation to its body size, of any bird in the word! Only the flamingos beat them.

This shorebird is resident in the Caribbean and breeds here, especially in parts of the Bahamas, the Virgin and Cayman Islands and Greater Antilles. This means you might see juvenile birds as well as adults. These are often smaller, with paler pink legs, and dark brown, rather than black on their necks and backs. Unlike some of our other migratory shorebirds, Black-necked Stilts may actually become less common in some areas of the Caribbean in the autumn and winter.

When disturbed, Black-necked Stilts are very noisy birds – they sound the alarm with a loud raucous series of notes wit-wit-wit-wit-wit-wit that they give incessantly until the disturbance goes away. Vigilant parents will also dive at predators and feign a broken wing to lead predators away from the nest.

Black-necked Stilts can be found in all sorts of wetlands, inland or by the coast. They use wetland areas to nest as well as to spend the winter. They are very adaptable and will use man-made wetlands such as sewage ponds and rice-fields. They feed by wading through the water, catching aquatic insects, crustaceans and even small frogs and fish! Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Black-necked Stilt!

Listen to the call of the Black-necked Stilt

When disturbed, Black-necked Stilt sound the alarm with a loud raucous series of notes wit-wit-wit-wit-wit-wit that they give incessantly until the disturbance goes away.

Puzzle of the Day

Black-necked Stilt and chicks — Black-necked Stilt parent and 4 fluffy chicks – the chicks leave the nest within a day and can feed themselves, but the parents brood them and guard them until they older. (Photo by Rick Evets)

Black-necked Stilts in flight — Black-necked Stilts are impressive in flight with their long pink legs trailing behind and calling loudly as they fly. (Photo by Ray Robles)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Today we have reached the end of our celebration of shorebirds in the Caribbean! We have told you about 10 different species of shorebirds. How many do you know? Remind yourself of each on of these amazing birds by playing our Shorebirds Memory Matching Game. Each time you make a match there will be a short paragraph on the species main ID tips. Don’t forget that some of these birds look different in their breeding plumage compared to their winter plumage! Having trouble seeing all 10 pairs on your screen? Just use the drop-down box in the top right of the screen to reduce the number of pairs. FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Visit a pond, wetland or nearby beach and see how many different shorebirds and waterbirds you can find and identify. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
If you’re able, do a count of the species that you see – learn more about counting waterbirds and the Caribbean waterbird Census at this link. Learn more about World Shorebirds Day and the Global Shorebird Count (September 3 to 9, 2020) at this link.
Enjoy the videos below of Black-necked Stilts. In the first one you can see a Black-necked Stilt using it’s long legs to wade into deep water, and plunging in its head to look for food. In the second video a flock of Black-necked Stilts take flight; notice their striking black and white plumage and their long legs trailing behind them!
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

September 14, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 9

Migratory Bird of the Day: Greater Yellowlegs

There is no mystery as to where this elegant, fairly large shorebird got its name. The long, bright yellow legs are a real give-away when identifying this bird. But take care not to mix it up with its smaller cousin the Lesser Yellowlegs! To pick out the Greater Yellowlegs, as well as the larger size, look for the relatively longer beak, sometimes slightly upturned. Also overall look Greater Yellowlegs look a bit chunkier. Greater Yellowlegs are mottled grey above and white on the belly. You will often hear their three to four ringing note “Kiu-Kiu-Kiu” calls, which are another great way to be sure you got the right species ID. (Lesser Yellowlegs usually give only 2 notes and the call is sharper and more clipped.) Greater Yellowlegs breed in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska, in bogs and marshes. They start arriving in the Caribbean from August. Greater Yellowlegs are most commonly seen on their southward migration through until October. Some will continue on to South America, but others will spend the winter here. Greater Yellowlegs can be found in wetlands, both freshwater and on the coast. They show up in rice-fields, mud flats and on mangrove edges. They love to wade into the water, searching for small fish, crustaceans and snails. Sometimes this means you cannot see their yellow legs! In some parts of the Caribbean, hunters shoot Greater Yellowlegs and other shorebirds. But, one of the main threats to Greater Yellowlegs is the ongoing loss of wetland habitats, in the places it spends the winter. Making sure that wetlands in the Caribbean are preserved will help this species and many others find safe, food-rich places either to refuel on migration or to spend the winter. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Greater Yellowlegs!

Listen to the call of the Greater Yellowlegs

The Greater Yellowlegs call is a strident three or four-note “Kiu-Kiu-Kiu.“

Puzzle of the Day

Greater Yellowlegs with tiny fish — Greater Yellowlegs. One of the main threats to Greater Yellowlegs is the ongoing loss of wetland habitats, in the places it spends the winter (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)

Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. The difference in size is apparent if you see them side by side, but when they are alone, it is difficult to judge the bird’s size! In this case, the best ID tip is to use the length of the bill relative to the head size. If it is about equal (1:1), then it is a Lesser Yellowlegs. If it is clearly longer than the head width (about 1.5 to 1), then it is likely a Greater Yellowlegs. (Photo by Anthony VanSchoor)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Migrating shorebirds spend lots of their time flying. Remember that Whimbrels can fly for up to 6 days without stopping! You can make your own flying shorebird, with this flight animator. Just follow the instructions to get your shorebird flying! FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Visit a pond, wetland or nearby beach and see how many different shorebirds and waterbirds you can find and identify. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
If you’re able, do a count of the species that you see – learn more about counting waterbirds and the Caribbean waterbird Census at this link. Learn more about World Shorebirds Day and the Global Shorebird Count (September 3 to 9, 2020) at this link.
Enjoy the videos below of feeding Greater Yellowlegs. The first video show a bird feeding, as this species often does, in shallow and sometimes deep water, probing and swishing its long beak from side to side to stir up the water and feel for its prey. The second video is longer and shows a useful comparison of Greater Yellowlegs with Lesser Yellowlegs. You can also hear the 3-4 note call tew tew tew that the Greater Yellowlegs often gives when alarmed or taking flight.
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.

September 12, 2020

Birds Connect Our World – Day 8

Migratory Bird of the Day: Piping Plover

This small, plump, sand-colored shorebird has orange legs and a short stubby beak. In the spring and summer this beak has an orange base and birds have a black band all or part of the way around their neck and breast. In the autumn and winter the beak is usually all black and some birds completely lose the band on their breast. They make a high-pitched whistling call. Piping Plovers do not go as far south as some shorebirds and mainly spend the winter in the Northern Caribbean. The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Cuba are important wintering grounds. During the autumn and winter Piping Plovers can be found in sandy places at the water’s edge. Here they look for worms, insects and mollusks to eat. They can be seen quickly running in search of food and suddenly stopping when they find something. Piping Plovers breed in North America. Developments on beaches and lake shores mean Piping Plovers have lost some of their breeding habitat. This means Piping Plovers are now far less common than they used to be. Nesting areas on beaches are now often protected from disturbance to try to help the population increase. Making sure they also have safe places to feed and rest in the Caribbean during the winter is also important. You can find out more about a year in the life of Piping Plover including an important discovery in the Bahamas. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Piping Plover!

Listen to the call of the Piping Plover

The Piping Plover’s call is rather soft whistling “peep”

Puzzle of the Day

Breeding Piping Plover. Piping Plovers breed in North America. Developments on beaches and lake shores mean Piping Plovers have lost some of their breeding habitat (Photo by BN Singh)

Non-breeding Piping Plover. . During the autumn and winter Piping Plovers can be found in sandy places at the water’s edge. Here they look for worms, insects and mollusks to eat. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Over the last week we have met a few different types of Plovers. Can you remember what each one looked like? Test you knowledge by trying the match pictures of each Plover species to their names. Try looking back at previous days for tips on what each Plover looked like! And find the Answer Key here. FOR KIDS AND ADULTS:

Visit a pond, wetland or nearby beach and see how many different shorebirds and waterbirds you can find and identify. Use a bird field guide or the FREE Merlin bird ID app to help you identify the birds you are seeing.
If you’re able, do a count of the species that you see – learn more about counting waterbirds and the Caribbean waterbird Census at this link. Learn more about World Shorebirds Day and the Global Shorebird Count (September 3 to 9, 2020) at this link.
Enjoy the videos below of Piping Plovers in different types of plumage. The first show a Piping Plover spending the winter in the Caribbean (Cuba). The second video was filmed in April and you can see what Piping Plovers look like in breeding plumage. In both you can see how ’round’ and plump looking these birds are!
Visit MigratoryBirdDay.org for many more free activities and resources to learn about migratory birds, their threats and conservation actions you can take.