that northern mockingbird is beautiful!

I posted 2 NIGHTJARS back in "F" - but I want to add that

NIGHTJARS and NIGHTHAWKS are called Goatsuckers (their Latin name, Caprimulgus, means goatsucker) because of an old legend that they suck milk from goats.  

I see nighthawks sometimes at dusk by Lake Michigan.
They have a very distinctive batlike way of flying.

Common Nighthawk photo by Christian Kappelmann.

OH, Rita! That video is great!

He has the same voice as a tui I've heard. Exactly. Terrific vocabulary and interaction.

here's a thanksgiving-topical chat with the same bird

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMEccNLXcQc&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Thank you!!

dale

MAGPIE

I am always delighted to see one (which I never do at home).
 
In Siberia people always told me that the magpie was a bad omen.  I like them anyway. A lot.

why are magpies so often hated? http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7316384.stm

very nice photo by fir002 (wiki). I think this is an australian magpie.

dale

MACAW

I took this at the Lima (Peru) zoo.

Dale

MOUSE-COLORED PENDULINE TIT

Oh, yes there is, too!!

wonderful photo at: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gXoJNsSObeuZvTkR77FxYA

Dale

Here's a collage I did in 2005, I think. Of a ridiculously large blessing.

Here's to saying "thank you" for very small things as well, and to learning to be grateful for things that may not seem that good, but are gifts nevertheless.

Happy Thanksgiving, all.

Dale

SO...a lilac-breasted roller and a rainbow lorikeet go into a bar...

SO...a lilac-breasted roller and a rainbow lorikeet go into a bar...

Limpkin!
Kris, I'd never heard that name before, I don't think!
Terrific bird!
wikipedia image:

Quote from: Annette on Today at 10:17:08 AM
Lapwing, Northern

Annette - I was happy to see this lapwing!
I used to see them in Siberia, way out in the steppes - noticed them for their crests!

I did a quick internet search and found a different lapwing, with a nice name, a critically endangered bird: the SOCIABLE LAPWING, also called the sociable plover

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2009/mar/30/sociable-lapwing-syrian-hunters-endangered
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071020093330.htm

dale

and the Laggar Falcon; as mentioned in the post about the Lanner, a hierofalcon

wikipedia says: It resembles the Lanner Falcon but is darker overall, and has blackish "trousers" (tibiotarsus feathers). Fledglings have an almost entirely dark underside, and first-year subadult birds still retain much dark on the belly.

Here is a link to a nice photo of one:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24580998@N08/3644590288/

and this is the shot from Wikipedia:

Gayle,
 
Looks like you got in there with a paintbrush. 
Why "lilac-breasted"? 

[LYREBIRD]

LYREBIRD

here's Attenborough's piece on the lyrebird: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjE0Kdfos4Y
(youtube has a number of parodies of this)

and here's that other wonderful one from a news story:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1kl7w3sdDE

A 19th century print by John Gould:

dale

LANNER FALCON

photo of one in Namibia, by Alastair Rae

The Lanner is a hierofalcon. These are four closely related species of falcon which make up the subgenus Hierofalco:
   ▪   Lanner Falcon, Falco biarmicus
   ▪   Laggar Falcon, Falco jugger
   ▪   Saker Falcon, Falco cherrug
   ▪   Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus

They represent members of their genus which are similar to species like the Peregrine Falcon in outward appearance, but usually with more phaeomelanins which impart reddish or brown colors, and generally more strongly patterned plumage reminiscent of hawks. Their undersides usually have a lengthwise pattern of dark blotches, lines or arrowhead marks. They hunt usually in level flight, more like goshawks than Peregrines with their dive attack or hobbies with their acrobatic pursuits. (wikipedia)

dale

CHECK OUT the KILLDEER'S STRIPES!!!!  
I'm thinking he has striped underpants on too, don't you think?