The ABCs of Birds - E

[anneintoronto]

E is for Eastern Meadowlark

Eastern Meadowlark: Short ground-dwelling bird with buff- and black-streaked brown upperparts. Head has black-and-white striped crown, white face, black eyestripe and a pointed bill. Throat to belly is yellow, broad black V on breast. Brown tail has white edges and undertail coverts.  [whatbird.com]

I used to see more of these wonderful singers than I have for a while now!  I'm sure they are still out in the country!  Not too many meadows in downtown Toronto!

I see in whatbird.com, that a male Eastern Meadowlark typically has two mates at a time, and on rare occasion, three.
NO WONDER HE IS SINGING!! 

Anne in Toronto

[gayle]

Eagle, Martial

Dale,  Here is another juvenile martial eagle.  When mature, the white underparts will have back spots.

A screen shot from safari.tv in South Africa

Gayle

[MAK]

Here's a great pic of a Martial Eagle.

[Patti from Kentucky]

E is for Espanola Mockingbird...this is a mockingbird that only lives one place: on the island of Espanola in the Galapagos.  We took both of these photos there.  The second photo illustrates the fact that Galapagos birds are very tame, since the islands are free of land predators (including humans, until fairly recently, in evolutionary time).

[Dumpsterkitty]

I may not have much to share, but I really am enjoying this!  So many birds...so little time!

[anneintoronto]

E is for Espanola Mockingbird...this is a mockingbird that only lives one place: on the island of Espanola in the Galapagos.  We took both of these photos there.  The second photo illustrates the fact that Galapagos birds are very tame, since the islands are free of land predators (including humans, until fairly recently, in evolutionary time).

The second photo is priceless, Patti!!  Nice catch!
Anne in Toronto

[anneintoronto]

    E is for Eastern Starling

European Starling: Small, chunky, iridescent purple and green blackbird with long, pointed yellow bill, pink legs, and short tail. The feathers on back and undertail show buff edges. Feeds in open areas, normally on the ground. Strong, direct and swift flight on rapidly beating wings.  [whatbird.com]


I always love the iridescent on their backs!  Especially in full sunlight!  We didn't have many Starlings this year...  Not sure why.  I missed their racket at 5am in the morning!  No really!  I couldn't get back to sleep it was sooooo quiet! I can tell you that the Sparrows were happy -- no Startlings to fight with over food and dust bathes!

Anne in Toronto 

[gayle]

Egret
A medium to large heron of shallow salt water, the Reddish Egret comes in a dark and a white form. It is a very active forager, often seen running, jumping, and spinning in its pursuit of fish.

I have also seen the Reddish Egret hunting for fish  while still with its wings outstreched in something of a mantling postion.

Gayle

[dale]

Patti - you're looking at that mockingbird as if you trust it not at all!

Anne - that's the prettiest starling photo I've ever seen...Mine are too busy perfecting their cell phone imitations to dress up like that!

Bluebirds leave me speechless.

[Patti from Kentucky]

Patti - you're looking at that mockingbird as if you trust it not at all!

Yes, I think I was half expecting it to start a conversation after it approached me so aggressively!

Patti

[anneintoronto]

Anne - that's the prettiest starling photo I've ever seen...
Bluebirds leave me speechless.

The starling was headed for a formal function, so put on his best plumage!
The bluebird has to be one of my all time favourites!  Hard to believe they are real live little beings!
Anne in Toronto