American Kestrel

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

Order: Falconiformes          Family: Falcons (Falconidae)

The American Kestrel also known as a Sparrow Hawk. It is the smallest of the North American hawks and is the only Kestrel in the Americas. This is a very common falcon found throughout North and Central America and much of South America. During the summer months they eat mostly large insects such as grasshoppers. During the winter months they feed on small mammals, birds, and amphibians. Flocks are known as a ‘soar’ or ‘flight’ or ‘hover’.

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

Order: Ciconiiformes        Family: Bitterns, Herons and Egrets (Ardeidae)

Common Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)

Order: Anseriformes        Family: Ducks, Geese and Swans (Anatidae)

This is a medium size diving duck. The head is an iridescent green which can appear black at a distance. The female has a mottled grayish, brownish back, brown head, and the bill is gray with a yellow tip. The eyes of both male and female are golden, hence the name Goldeneye. They can be identified simply by the sound of their flight. Their wings produce a loud whistling sound. They are nicknamed by hunters as the ‘Whistler’.

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

Order: Ciconiiformes        Family: Bitterns, Herons and Egrets (Ardeidae) 

The great blue heron is a fairly common bird of lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. It stands about 4 feet tall when its long neck is extended. It breeds from Southern Canada and Alaska down into Mexico. This guy looks cold but they tolerate the cold well, spending winters as far north as southern Alaska. As long as they have open water to fish in, they’re happy. They feed on mostly fish, but also eat small amphibians like frogs and even occasionally a mouse or two that may be so unlucky as to wander too close. They generally breed in colonies known as rookeries. Their nests are built in trees. With a six foot wing span they are the largest of the herons in North America.

Male Hooded Merganser

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes Cucullatus)

Order: Anseriformes          Family: Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Ducks, Geese and Swans 

Medium sized duck with a large black bill, yellow eyes, and green head. Coloring for both male and female are reminiscent of the Mallard, except the Mallard has a smaller bill. The Shoveler is also sometimes known as a Spoonbill.

A flock of ducks is also known as a “brace”, or a “flush”, or a “raft”. The terms “team” and “paddling” are also commonly used.

Hooded Mergansers

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes Cucullatus)

Order: Anseriformes          Family: Ducks, Geese, and Swans

 

Two males seeking the attention of a female, who appears to be playing hard to get. This is a great
time of year for photographing. I'm starting to see new birds every day and because so much of
the water is still frozen, they are concentrated on the open bits of water.