Showing posts with label White-tailed Hawk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label White-tailed Hawk. Show all posts
Sunday, November 21, 2021
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Days 8-10--More Birding On a Shoestring At the Lower Rio Grande Valley
Green Kingfisher
Blue-winged Teal Pair
American White Pelicans
Reddish Egret, White Morph
White-tailed Hawk
Black-crested Titmouse
01-21 through 01-23-17
The weather has been excellent from the start, save for a couple of overcast days, but I
didn't even think about your ice storm, since I was able to leave a day early.
Highlights of this period were the Green Kingfisher and the Gray Hawk, but I must boast
several raptors during the trip that I never would have had in Oklahoma.
On the way back to the hotel was the best bird viewing, including this rare Reddish Egret,
the white morph. The usual Reddish Egret is difficult enough to find unless you're in
this area, so I took full advantage and waited a few minutes for proper conditions.
This trip also hosted a few parrots, but since we had never been to the area, it was more difficult to get good shots. I do promise that you'll see a couple of wild parrot species later!
I was also on a mission to get all the doves, and I did that, so there are more of those to come, too.
Saturday, February 4, 2017
Days One and Two of Birding the Lower Rio Grande Valley--Hidalgo County, TX
Great Kiskadee
Altamira Oriole
Great Kiskadee
White Peacock
Great Kiskadee
African Spurred Tortoise
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Red-bordered Pixie
Couch's Kingbird
White-tailed Hawk
Eastern Phoebe
01-14 and 01-15-17
This was from the first two days on the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Hidalgo County, just in
Mission, Texas alone. One didn't have to look too hard in order to locate these wonders.
A self-guided tour is not a bad thing, which you will learn over the next couple of weeks, as
birding this area is good at any time of year.
Valley specialities, such as these are endemic to this area, except, of course, the African Spurred Tortoise, which was a rescued animal. May I assure you that he is well treated, very friendly,
and is fed just like the king that he is. He recently celebrated his 14th birthday, and chances are excellent that he will outlive you, no matter your age.
Also, the red fox squirrel is familiar to many people, but I couldn't resist showing you how he
manages to get his water, which is fresh. Animals know where their bread is buttered and it
makes my heart sing in those respects.
The Couch's Kingbird may look familiar to some of you, but it must not be confused with the
Tropical Kingbird, also endemic to the area. The Couch's will have a shorter bill than the tropical variety with more brown on the back. The best way to tell is via its call, but it didn't utter a peep.
My shot of the White-tailed Hawk doesn't do it justice, but it was quite a distance from me. I was actually fortunate to be able to get it in the bright sunlight as well as I did, and it is only one of many
birds of only The Valley.
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