Prairie Spiderwort

Prairie (or Western) Spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis)

Genus: Tradescantia
Family: Commelinaceae (Spiderwort)

Eared Grebe

Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)

Order: Podicipediformes     Family: Grebes (Podicipedidae)

 The Eared Grebe is the most abundant grebe in the world. They range throughout most of central and western North America. It is 30-33 cm (12-13 in) long. And both sexes incubate the eggs.

White-faced Ibis

White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)

Order: Ciconiiformes             Family: Ibises (Threskiornithidae)

Closer shot of a White-faced Ibis

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)

Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cardinals and Grosbeaks (Cardinalidae)

While Indigo Bunting males may appear blue, they are actually black. It is the diffraction of light as is passes through their feathers that make them appear blue.

Range from the central plains states to the east coast of the United States.

Killdeer

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)

Order: Charadriiformes     Family: Plovers (Charadriidae)

This small shorebird measures 23-27 cm (9-10.5 in) in length. Even though they are shorebirds they often do not nest or live near the water. They do not build ‘traditional nests’ and in fact use no nesting materials at all. Instead they lay their eggs among gravel and stones that are similar in color and size. Both sexes incubate the eggs. When predators threaten the eggs or the young, the parent will simulate a broken wing and lead the predator away. They live and breed throughout the Americas and the Caribbean. A flock is also known as a ‘season’ of Killdeers.

Wood Duck

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)

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

American Avocet

American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana)

Order: Charadriiformes     Family: Avocets and Stilts (Recurvirostridae)

The American Avocet is a wading bird 46-51 cm long (18-20 in) that eats insects, crustaceans, and invertebrates.  It ranges throughout most of the western United States, into southern Canada, and south throughout most of Mexico. Both sexes incubate the eggs and the young leave the nest within 24 hours of hatching. In winter, the head and neck change to a gray coloration. 

Woe to the predator that come close to a nesting Avocet. They can be very aggressive when defending their nests, sometimes even physically striking the predator.