Category Archives: Birds

Posted by Steve Boyes of National Geographic Expeditions The Bar-headed Goose is particularly distinctive with the black bands on the back of the head. This goose is native to the highland wetlands of China and Mongolia but spends its winter in the comparatively … Continue reading →

Least Sandpiper is on the left & Western Sandpiper on right.  First tip, color of the legs.  Least is yellow (greenish) and Western is black.  Often is hard to tell in poor light, distance, or mud on Least’s legs.  Least … Continue reading →

Posted by Steve Boyes of National Geographic Expeditions In South Africa the Xhosa people call the Spotted Eagle Owl isihulu-hulu. Photo by Melissa Stuckenberg   The Black Bulbul also occurs as a white headed morph. Photo by Pranesh Kodancha   This Black-headed Bunting … Continue reading →

Posted by Steve Boyes of National Geographic Expeditions The Bay-backed Shrike is widely distributed across India, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Photo by Pratik Humnabadkar   The Black-capped Chickadee is native to North America, it is the state bird of Massachusetts and Maine. Photo by … Continue reading →

Posted by Steve Boyes of National Geographic Expeditions The Asian Openbill uses their unusual bill to open molluscs. Photo by Palash Thakkar   The Black-headed Jay is known to occasionally scavenge scraps from humans. Photo by Rajeev Tyagi   Brahminy Kites are known … Continue reading →

The Bar-tailed Godwit is known to take the longest non-stop flight in its migration from the Arctic to Eurasia and Australia. Photo by Jaidevsinh Rathod   The Black-rumped Flameback adapts well to urban areas. Photo by Amit Prasad   The … Continue reading →

Saturday started out cool and foggy, with sun breaking through around 10:30. 31 birders found 52 species of birds. A nice morning. Mallard Ruddy Duck California quail Western grebe Clark’s grebe Double crested cormorant Great blue heron Great egret Snowy … Continue reading →

Posted by Steve Boyes of National Geographic Expeditions on September 1, 2017 The Asian Openbill uses their unusual bill to open molluscs. Photo by Palash Thakkar   The Black-headed Jay is known to occasionally scavenge scraps from humans. Photo by … Continue reading →

Posted by Steve Boyes of National Geographic Expeditions on July 14, 2017 These young Burrowing Owls live underground in burrows dug out by other creatures like prairie dogs. These were photographed in southern California, USA by Leslie Reagan   Wire-tailed swallow. There are two sub … Continue reading →

Posted by Steve Boyes of National Geographic Expeditions in Bird Watch on July 7, 2017 A Shikra homing in on an invertebrate prey. Photo by Suvadip Mondal‎. The Red winged laughing thrush is found only in China and Veitnam. Photo Jay Shah, China. Sometimes you just need … Continue reading →

Posted by Steve Boyes of National Geographic Expeditions in Bird Watch on June 30, 2017 Malabar parakeets are endemic to the Western Ghats of southern India. Photo by Nagaraj Chindanur‎. The Kori Bustard can weigh up to 18kg and is Africa’s largest flying bird. Photo by Edwin … Continue reading →

Posted by Steve Boyes of National Geographic Expeditions in Bird Watch on June 23, 2017 Whitebreasted Cormorants rely heavily on freshwater ecosystems. Photo by Owen Deutsch Photography Spotted Owlets have adapted to human landscape and are often found in cities … Continue reading →

Posted by Steve Boyes of National Geographic Expeditions in Bird Watch on June 16, 2017 Slaty-headed parakeets exhibit altitudinal migration; they move down to the warmer valleys of the Himalayas for the chilly winter. Photo by Awais Ali Sheikh. Although … Continue reading →

Posted by Steve Boyes of National Geographic Expeditions in Bird Watch on June 9, 2017 The Coppersmith Barbet gets its name from its metronomic call that sounds like a coppersmith striking metal with a hammer. Photo by Sanjoy Adak. Black-Tailed … Continue reading →

Posted by Steve Boyes of National Geographic Expeditions in Bird Watch on June 2, 2017 The Common Tailorbird is known for its incredible nests made from pieces of grass carefully sewn together. Photo by Debarpan Datta. The Wood Duck is … Continue reading →

Posted by Steve Boyes of National Geographic Expeditions on May 26, 2017 The slaty-headed parakeet has a wide range throughout the Himalayas. Photo by Dhairya Jhaveri‎ The Shrikes’ genus name, Lanius, is derived from the Latin word for “butcher”, and … Continue reading →

Posted by Steve Boyes of National Geographic Expeditions in Bird Watch on May 19, 2017 Greater Roadrunners spend most of their lives on the ground hunting lizards, small mammals, and birds. Photo by Leslie Reagan The Tui is endemic to … Continue reading →