Wading Birds: A Few Others

The American Bittern is a large brown heron 23 to 27 inches in length and a wingspan of 45 inches. Although common in much of North America the American Bittern is usually well-hidden in bogs, marshes and wet meadows. Usually solitary, it walks stealthily among the dense grass. If it senses that it has been seen, the American Bittern becomes motionless, with its bill pointed upward, causing it to blend into the reeds. (See my photo below).  It is most active at dusk. More often heard than seen, this bittern has a call that resembles a congested pump. Like other members of the heron family, the American Bittern feeds on amphibians, fish, insects, and reptiles. The Bittern's numbers have declined in the southern parts of its range due to habitat loss. The Bittern is thus protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. 

American Bittern

photo taken at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Washington

The Double-crested Cormorant  is a member of the cormorant family of seabirds. Yet it is the only cormorant found on fresh water lakes and waterways. Thus it is widely distributed across North America. It is about 33 inches in length with a wingspan of 52 inches and weighing as much as 3.7 pounds. It is all-black except during breeding season when it gains a small double crest of black and white feathers. It has a bare patch of orange-yellow facial skin. Its feathers, like those of all cormorants, are not waterproof and it must spend time drying them out after spending time in the water. The Double-crested Cormorant swims low in the water, often with just its neck and head visible, and dives from the surface. It uses its feet for propulsion and is able to dive to a depth of 25 feet for 70 seconds. After diving, it spends long periods standing with its wings outstretched to allow them to dry, since they are not fully waterproofed. This species flies low over the water, with its bill tilted slightly upward, sometimes leaving the colony in long, single-file lines. Food can be found in the sea, freshwater lakes, and rivers. Like all cormorants, the double-crested dives to find its prey. It mainly eats fish, but will sometimes also eat amphibians and crustaceans. Fish are caught by diving under water. Smaller fish may be eaten while the bird is still beneath the surface but bigger prey is often brought to the surface before it is eaten. Cormorants regurgitate pellets containing undigested parts of their meals such as bones. 

Double Crested Cormorant

photo taken at Puget Sound, Washington

The Pelagic Cormorant is the more typical ocean going cormorant found in the North Pacific. This is a smallish cormorant, measuring 25 to 29 in in length, with a wingspan of about 40 inches and a weight of 52-86 oz. when fully grown. Adults in nonbreeding plumage are all-black with a metallic iridescence. In breeding plumage they grow two short crests (one on top of the head and one at the nape), white thighs, and scattered white filoplumes on the head and neck. (see my photo below). The long thin bill and the large feet with all-webbed toes are black throughout the year, while the patch of dark naked skin below the eye turns a vivid magenta in the breeding season. The Pelagic Cormorant breeds on rocky shores and islands. They do not form large colonies, but smaller groups may nest together. In some cases these birds alternate between two or three nesting sites in a region from one year to another. The nest is built at the cliff face, usually on ledges, less often in crevices or caves. Once the birds have found a nest site they like, they tend to remain faithful to it for the rest of their life. The nest is repaired and improved in each season if need be; it can thus grow up to 5 ft deep.

Pelagic Cormorant (breeding plumage)

photo taken on Olympic Peninsula Coast, Washington

The White-faced Ibis is a wading bird that breeds colonially in marshes, usually nesting in bushes or low trees. It can be found in the western United States into Mexico, southeastern Brazil, southeastern Bolivia, south to central Argentina, and along the coast of Central Chile. The White Faced Ibis is nearly identical to the Long Billed Curlew in size and shape (including the bill), although the plumage is quite unique. The back is dark green while the upper back, breast, and neck are a dark maroon. The bill is gray, and their is a white border around a red iris.

White Faced Ibis

photo taken at Whitewater Draw, Arizona

Wading Birds: Back to the Great Blue Heron

I thought since I showed you some of my favorite Great Egret photos, I should show you some of my favorite Great Blue Heron photos. So, here they are:

photo taken along Patagonia Creek, Arizona

photo taken on Harriett Lake, Oregon

photo taken at Hassayampa Preserve, Arizona

photo taken at Christopher Columbus Lake, Arizona

photo taken at Agua Caliente, Arizona

photo taken in Central Washington

photo taken at Agua Caliente, Arizona

photo taken at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington

photo taken at Puget Sound, Washington

photo taken in Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona

photo taken at Lake Cochise, Arizona

Wading Birds: Cattle and Snowy Egret

Two other egrets are the Cattle Egret and Snowy Egret. The Cattle Egret is found in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones. Originally native to parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe it has undergone a rapid expansion in its distribution and successfully colonized much of the rest of the world. Despite the similarities in plumage to the egrets, it is more closely related to the herons. The Cattle Egret is half the size of the Great Egret and often travels in flocks. (see second photo). During the breeding season, adults develop orange-buff plumes on the back, breast and crown, and the bill, legs and irises become bright red for a brief period prior to pairing. (third photo). Like other Egrets and Herons it nests in colonies, usually near bodies of water and often with other wading birds. Unlike most other herons, it feeds in relatively dry grassy habitats, often near cattle or other large mammals, since it catches insect disturbed by these animals. It can sometimes be seen removing ticks and flies from cattle.

Cattle Egret 

photo taken in Southeastern California

Cattle Egret Flock

photo taken in Southeastern California

Breeding Cattle Egret

photo taken at Lake Cochise, Arizona

The Snowy Egret Adults are a little larger than the Cattle Egret, although still much smaller than the Great Egret. They have a slim black bill and long black legs with yellow feet. The area of the upper bill, in front of the eyes, is yellow but turns red during the breeding season, when the adults also gain recurved plumes on the back, making for a "shaggy" effect. The juvenile looks similar to the adult, but the base of the bill is paler, and a green or yellow line runs down the back of the legs. Unlike the Cattle Egret, their breeding habitat is large inland and coastal wetlands. And like the Great Egret it nests in colonies, often with other waders, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. Snowy Egrets eat fish, crustaceans, insects, and small reptiles. They stalk prey in shallow water, often running or shuffling their feet, flushing prey into view, as well "dip-fishing" by flying with their feet just over the water. Snowy Egrets may also stand still and wait to ambush prey, or hunt for insects stirred up by domestic animals in open fields (like the Cattle Egret). At one time, the beautiful plumes of the Snowy Egret were in great demand by market hunters as decorations for women's hats. This reduced the population of the species to dangerously low levels. Now protected in the USA by law, the Snowy Egret has regained much of its population.

Snowy Egret

photo taken at Cochise Lake, Arizona

Wading Birds: Great Egret

The Great Egret is found throughout North America to varying degrees. I have found a significantly higher percent of Great Blue Herons in the Northwest versus the Great Egret. But the reverse is true in California. The Great Egret is a large bird with all-white plumage that can reach one meter in height, weigh up to 2 pounds, with a wingspan of 51 inches. Although smaller than the Great Blue Heron it is significantly larger than either the Snowy or Cattle Egret making it a little easier to identify. Apart from size, the Great Egret can be distinguished from other white egrets by its long yellow bill and black legs and feet, though the bill may become darker and the lower legs lighter in the breeding season. In breeding plumage, delicate ornamental feathers are borne on the back. Males and females are identical in appearance; juveniles look like non-breeding adults. It has a slow flight, with its neck retracted. This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes, ibises and spoonbills, which extend their necks in flight. The Great Egret is a year round resident along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts. Inland residents migrate to Mexico for the winter.  It breeds in colonies called "rookeries" -- just like the Great Blue Heron. These colonies are high up in trees close to water. In some places, the Great Egret will use the same nest that the Great Blue Heron uses -- a couple weeks after the Great Blue Heron. A large number of Great Egrets were killed around the end of the 19th century so that their plumes could be used to decorate hats. Numbers have since recovered as a result of conservation measures. It adapts well to human habitation and can be readily seen near wetlands and bodies of water in urban and suburban areas. The Great Egret feeds in shallow water or drier habitats, feeding mainly on fish, frogs, small mammals, and occasionally small birds and reptiles, spearing them with its long, sharp bill by standing still and allowing the prey to come within its striking distance. It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim. Great Egrets are fairly easy to photograph. With care -- and a little luck -- you can get very close allowing get detail in the plumage. Here are some favorite Great Egret photos of mine:

photo taken in Southcentral California

photo taken in Central Washington

photo taken at Hassayampa Preserve, Arizona

photo taken at Christopher Columbus Lake, Arizona

photo taken at Agua Caliente, Arizona

photo taken at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona

photo taken at Whitewater Draw, Arizona

photo taken at Sweetwater Wetlands, Arizona

Wading Birds: The Herons

For the next couple of days -- barring any any amazing new adventure -- I will show you some of the Wading Birds (excluding shorebirds that both wade and "swim" which I'll cover another time).  First up, the Herons, starting with the Great Blue Heron. I have a great many Great Blue Heron photos, some of which I have already showed you. This one I just find interesting. The Great Blue Heron is a large wading bird in the Heron family, common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North and Central America, as well as the West Indies and the Galapagos Islands.  It is a rare vagrant to Europe. It is the largest North American heron, with a head-to-tail length of 36-55 in, a wingspan of 166-79 in, and a weight of 4.4-8 pounds. Notable features include slaty a pair of black plumes running from just above the eye to the back of the head. The feathers on the lower neck are long and plume-like; it also has plumes on the lower back at the start of the breeding season. 

Great Blue Heron

photo taken at Christopher Columbus Lake, Arizona

The Black-crowned Night Heron is a medium-sized heron found throughout a large part of the world, except in the coldest regions and Australia. The breeding habitat is fresh and salt-water wetlands. Black-crowned Night Herons nest in colonies on platforms of sticks in a group of trees, or on the ground in protected locations such as islands or reed beds. Three to eight eggs are laid. It is migratory in the northernmost part of its range, but otherwise resident. The North American population winters in Mexico and the southern United States. They stand still at the water's edge and wait to ambush prey, mainly at night or early morning. They primarily eat small fish, crustaceans, frogs, and aquatic insects. During the day they rest in trees or bushes. 

Black Crowned Night Heron

photo taken at Agua Caliente Arizona

The Green Heron lives in the wetlands of North and Central America. It is relatively small; adult body length is about 17 in. The neck is often pulled in tight against the body. Adults have a glossy, greenish-black cap, a greenish back and wings that are grey-black grading into green or blue, a chestnut colored neck with a white line down the front, grey underparts and short yellow legs. The bill is dark with a long, sharp point. Female adults tend to be smaller than males, and have duller and lighter plumage, particularly in the breeding season. Juveniles are duller, with the head sides, neck and underparts streaked brown and white, tan-splotched back and wing covets and greenish-yellow legs and bill. Hatchlings are covered in down feathers which are light grey above and white on the belly. The species is most conspicuous during dusk and dawn, and typically retreats to sheltered areas in daytime. They will feed actively during the day, however, if hungry or provisioning young. Shore-living individuals adapt to the rhythm of the tides. They mainly eat small fish, frogs and aquatic arthropods, but may take any invertebrate or vertebrate prey they can catch, including such animals like leeches and mice. Green Herons are intolerant of other birds when feeding and are not seen to forage in groups. They typically stand still on shore or in shallow water or perch upon branches and await prey. Sometimes they drop food, insects, or other small objects on the water's surface to attract fish, making them one of the few known "tool using" species. They are able to hover briefly to catch prey.

Green Heron

photo taken at Agua Caliente, Arizona

Intermediate Mammals - Part IV

My two brothers have been here the past week. One is from South Carolina and sees Dolphins and Alligators regularly, and once in a while a Manatee appears in their bay. My other brother lives in Bolivia and that is a whole new ballgame. I am mindful of the opportunities people have to see animals in the area they live that most people have never seen (other than a zoo or sea life park). People who live and boat along the Oregon Coast get a marvelous opportunity to see Tufted Puffins for example. When I was looking for Mountain Goats on Mount Evans,  I realized that people who live in the area -- and hike or bike up Mount Evans often have an opportunity that few other people have. With that caveat, I'll continue with my rather meager collection of "aquatic mammals". I took some photos of Sea Lions that were in a cave along the Oregon Coast once. But, even with 400 ASA film the photos weren't good enough to show you.  I would love to go back now that I have my Canon 5D Mark II that is capable of shooting ASA 3200 equivalent. First up today, Harbour Seals. Harbour Seals (also know as the Common Seal) are found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere. An adult can attain a length of six feet and weigh 290 pounds. Harbour Seals "hang out" in familiar resting spots, generally rocky areas where land predators can't reach them, near a steady supply of fish to eat.   Females live 30 to 35 years, males 20–25 years. Males fight over mates underwater. Females mate with the strongest males, then bear single pups, which they care for alone. Pups are able to swim and dive within hours of birth, and they grow quickly on their mothers' milk. While the Otters have very dense "fur" to keep them warm, Seals have fatty tissue - "blubber"  - to keep them warm. They are able to dive for up to ten minutes, reaching depths of 1500 feet, but average dives may be three minutes long at depths of about 65 feet. Seal hunting, once a common practice, is now mostly illegal. There are exceptions in some countries where they interfere with commercial fishing areas.

Habour Seal Pups

photo taken Oyhut Wildlife Area, Washington

On to the America Beaver which is the largest rodent in North America.  Adults can weigh up to 75 pounds. The beaver is semi-aquatic and has many traits suited to this lifestyle. It has a large flat paddle-shaped tail and large, webbed hind feet. The unwebbed front paws are smaller and have claws. The eyes are covered by a nictitating membrane which allows the beaver to see underwater. The nostrils and ears are sealed while submerged. A thick layer of fat under the skin insulates the beaver from its cold water environment. The beaver's fur consists of long, coarse outer hairs and short, fine inner hairs. The fur has a range of colors but usually is dark brown. Scent glands near the genitals secrete an oily substance known as castoreum, which the beaver uses to waterproof its fur. Beavers are mainly active at night. They are excellent swimmers but are more vulnerable on land and tend to remain in the water as much as possible. They are able to remain submerged for up to 15 minutes. Beavers are most famous, and infamous, for their dam-building. They maintain their pond-habitat by reacting quickly to the sound of running water, and damming it up with tree branches and mud.  The largest beaver dam is 2,790 ft in length — over twice the width of the Hoover Dam - located on the southern edge of Wood Buffalo National Park in Northern Alberta.

American Beaver

photo taken in Colorado State Forest

Intermediate Mammals - Part III

My collection of water mammals is somewhat limited. I had both a mink and a couple of nutrias but, cannot find them, so ....  (Thank goodness for Digital and iPhoto now). 

Anyway, starting with the Otters.  The Sea Otter  is found along the northern coasts of the Pacific Ocean. Adult Sea Otters weigh between 30 and 100 pounds making them the heaviest members of the weasel family, although still one of the smallest marine mammals. Unlike most marine mammals, the Sea Otter's primary form of insulation is an exceptionally thick coat of fur, the densest in the animal kingdom. Although it can walk on land, the sea otter lives mostly in the ocean. The Sea Otter inhabits nearshore environments where it dives to the sea floor to forage. It preys mostly upon marine invertebrates such as sea urchins, molluscs, and crustaceans. Sea Otters were hunted extensively for their fur between 1741 and 1911, and the world population fell to 1,000–2,000 (from about 300,000). Oil spills in the North Pacific have also taken its toll. Consequently the Sea Otter is classified as an "endangered species" and there is an international ban on hunting them.

Sea Otter

photo taken in Puget Sound, Washington

The Northern River Otter is a semi-aquatic (equally versatile in the water and on land) member of the weasel family found in and along the waterways and coasts of North America.  An adult River Otter can weigh up to 30 pounds making it much smaller than the Sea Otter. Like the Sea Otter, the River Otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur. The River Ottter makes a burrow close to the water's edge in river, lake, swamp, coastal shoreline, tidal flat, or estuary ecosystems. Their dens have many tunnel openings—one of which generally allows the otter to enter and exit the body of water. Female otters give birth in these underground burrows, producing litters of one to six young. North American River Otters prey mostly upon fish, but also consume various amphibians, turtles, and crayfish. Also like the Sea Otter, the River Otter's population has declined significantly due to trapping and habitat loss. A number of reintroduction projects have been initiated to help stabilize the reduction in the overall River Otter population. The River Otter is more social than the Sea Otter as evidence by this photo of three adult River Otters sharing what appears to be a 30 pound King Salmon:

Northern River Otter

photo taken on the Columbia River

in the Julia Butler Hansen National Wildlife Refuge

in Southwest Washington / Northwest Oregon