30 May 2018
As regular readers of this blog will know I do a weekly bird survey at the University of Waterloo, but I always take note of other interesting discoveries too.
Most birds are now breeding, much of their song has become muted, they are secretive and we are entering the "slow" period for birders. It will be quiet until the hatch years birds birds fledge and join the adult population.
The first bird I saw this morning was this leucistic American Robin (Turdus migratorius).
Leucism is a condition in which there is a partial loss of pigmentation, resulting in white, pale or patchy colouration of the feathers - but not the eyes as in albinism.
Each year we see a few American Robins manifesting leucism to one degree or another, so perhaps this species, or Turdus thrushes in general, have some inherent susceptibility to this condition. I will have to do a little research!
A pair of Northern Flickers (Colaptes auratus) was busy feeding young with a veritable shuttle service being maintained by the two parents.
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) is a very common bird, but for some reason I do not often encounter them in the woodlot. This individual was kind enough to stay put while I took a picture.
For the most part Mallard (Anas platyrynchos) drakes take no part in raising their young, so it was quite unusual to see this devoted father taking on his full share of responsibility for his offspring.
The sheer cuteness factor of recently hatched ducklings will never be diminished.
Just before leaving the woodlot I came across this Hippodamia glacialis ladybug.
It is quite large as ladybugs go, and is native to North America, making it a pleasing find when there are so many alien species that have found their way to this continent by one means or another.
I have a couple more weeks to go until we suspend the monitoring until late August, but perhaps the woodlot has other secrets to reveal before we wind it up for the spring.
Hello, great captures of the Robin and Flicker. Sweet shot of the Mourning Dove. The ducklings are adorable. I have never seen a ladybug like in your photo. Great find. happy birding, enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteMen så roligt att se Herr And med sina småttingar, kanske jämställdheten börjat influera fågelvärlden?
ReplyDeleteWe can only hope, huh?
DeleteThe ducklings are so cute! The ladybug is also very pretty.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeletethe young of anything is always a joy to see, affirming the cycle of life... and I adore ladybugs (any bugs really!)... YAM xx
Hello David!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great selection of birds! Fantastic shots!
Like all the birds but especially the Robin and the adorable ducklings! So cute!
Have a lovely day!
Dimi...
Interesting the condition of Leucism on the robin, I wonder if it occurs on any of the thrushes here. It is actually quite attractive! The flickers are fascinating, something I have never seen. Love the ducklings and the ladybird. Enjoy the week Diane
ReplyDeleteIt is quite attractive, Diane, and as far as I have been able to observe does not seem to impair their ability to find a mate or breed successfully. I do wonder, however, whether it makes them more susceptible to predation.
DeleteWe seem to get a fair few leucistic Blackbirds over here, again a member of the thrush family. We also get a lot of corvids with odd white feathers.
ReplyDeleteInteresting .... a bird in the same genus too.
DeleteParenting is hard work. Regardless of species.
ReplyDeleteLove the birds, and the ladybug. Sadly we have rather a lot of introduced plants, birds and animals too. Mostly introduced by us - also an introduced species.
Often see a ladybirds here.
ReplyDeleteThe ducklings are sweet as most small babies are.
Hi David.
ReplyDeleteGood to read that there is less pigment in these birds.
Groettie from Patricia.
Lovely captures...especially the mallard family!
ReplyDeleteAn interesting post with lovely images. The ducklings certainly have the cute factor and I love the photos of the ladybug - good to hear it is native. Over here we have been "invaded" by the large non-native Harlequin ladybird.
ReplyDeleteI love the water and light reflection around the ducks. Very nice photo!
ReplyDeleteI thought of you yesterday when we traveling up a very busy and touristy Ocean Highway and a white blur swooped across the road and landed on a telephone pole -- a red headed woodpecker! Made my day.
I wonder if your Mourning Dove is becoming a garden bird like our once garden rarity the Woodpigeon. We already have the Collared Dove as a garden bird and both species find good pickings in the average garden.
ReplyDeleteOur Blackbirds are subject to leucism but it's not common. More than once someone has identified one as a Ring Ouzel !!
Mourning Dove is very common in gardens, Phil. In fact there is one sitting on the rim of our bird bath right now.
DeleteIt is slowing down here but I see lots of young out and about making it hard to ID unless they are with their "folks". Love the lady bug!! And the chorus line of ducklings is precious.
ReplyDeleteI like to see all your birds.
ReplyDeleteEspecially mallard babies with their father is lovely!!with smile...
Very good pictures David. The first two species are great and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images, I love all of them.
ReplyDeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteyour picture of the mourning dove is sooo beautiful.
To see ducklings is allways a treat; your pictures are lovely. Very special indeed is "daddy duck" guiding his family - a good role-model!
Best regards, Corrie
BEAUTIFUL!
ReplyDeleteOlá David!
ReplyDeleteAdoro todas as suas descobertas com as aves.
São tão bonitas as desta semana!
Um abraço e boa sorte!
Those ducklings just make my heart swoon.
ReplyDeleteIn your photos I can notice spring is in all its splendor, full of birds and lush vegetation. The registration of robin with partial leucism is very good; I also like those flicker of the Colaptes genre, quite different in coloration to the Colaptes of my zone although I like its color.
ReplyDeleteI like the markings on the Ladybird, I don't we have one quite like that here!
ReplyDeleteA very nice selection here.
ReplyDeleteI particularly like the lady bug, and the ducklings are so sweet.
My good wishes for the month of June.
All the best Jan
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteAnother successful trip, interesting to see the leucism in the Robin, have seen it in Blackbirds here but never in Robins, but will keep an eye on our locals.
Ducklings are always great to see.
All the best, John
Hola David.
ReplyDeletePreciosas fotos, me llama la atención la del Turdus migratorius leucístico. Aquí en Europa también disfrutamos de los Anas platyrhynchos y sus numerosas familias.
Un cordial saludo,
Rafa.
Gracias, Rafa!
DeleteWe"re a little behind you here, some of the summer visitors have only just arrived........
ReplyDeleteI agree that the ducklings have an undeniable cuteness factor. In the first shot, with the parents, it looks like they are all lined up at a starting line! Ready, set, go!
ReplyDeleteHello David,
ReplyDeletethese are fascinating pictures again and in particular the woodpecker is great!
Really a very old tree full of holes hihi .... "gatcheaas".
It is known that you are following research at the university for the birds :-) Now there are many birds on nests or for their youngsters to take care of.
Fun that duck with his stuff and even a beautiful ladybug.
Dear greeting and a hug from me,
Helma xx
All that I do with birds, Helma, provides me with a very satisfying life. David xo
DeleteI'll have to check out my neighborhood robins. AND I will have to get to the ditch for a look at the babies. I've been away but they should be out in full force now!
ReplyDeleteBuen reportaje, los patos son preciosos y veo que también haces buenos macros.
ReplyDeleteSaludos!