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Showing posts from July, 2016

Collared Inca

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This is another of the 41 species of hummingbirds we saw while in Ecuador. Coeligena torquata Collared Incas are extremely quick fliers but occasionally identify themselves in the forest by flashing open their white tails. These large hummers frequent humid montane forests—especially those that are dense and moss-filled, and also live around shrubby forest edges. They tend to feed low in dense, tangled shrubs and hover underneath flowers to feed. Both males and females have white outer tail feathers and large chest patches. The chest patch is either white or rufous, depending on geographic location. http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p_spp=264376

My, what big eyes you have.

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Taken back in May 2016. Previously called a Solitary vireo now it's the blue headed vireo. Usually the are difficult to see but this one popped up right in front of me. Vireo solitarius The Blue-headed Vireo is the easternmost form in the "Solitary Vireo" complex. Formerly considered one species, three species now are recognized. In appearance it is the most brightly colored of the three. source - Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue-headed_Vireo/id

The juggler

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We had a pair of cedar waxwings come into the yard today. Didn't realize any berries were ready. He/she tossed the berries up and in. Bombycilla cedrorum Many birds that eat a lot of fruit separate out the seeds and regurgitate them, but the Cedar Waxwing lets them pass right through. Scientists have used this trait to estimate how fast waxwings can digest fruits. source - Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cedar_Waxwing/lifehistory