Deep inside the flooded forest near Santarém, the air is dense with insects and the sweet smell of decay. A subtle motion draws my eye to a tree trunk dappled in filtered light—a slender, chestnut-brown bird spirals upward with careful, deliberate hops. Its short, only slightly decurved, bill gleams in the half-shade. This is Zimmer’s… Continue reading Zimmer’s Woodcreeper, a Amazon specialist
Category: Bird Identification Aid
A leucistic Common Crane in Brandenburg south of Berlin
A normal, dirty November day. In a field Common Cranes (Grus grus) are feeding on corn with Grey Geese (Anser anser). In the middle of flock, there appears a completely white bird that also seems to be larger. My heart seems to stop. There are actually only two species of crane in the world that… Continue reading A leucistic Common Crane in Brandenburg south of Berlin
Indian Pied Starlings in Bharatpur, Keoladeo
I’m on the path in Bharatpur, Keoladeo National Park. The morning air is damp and alive with calls, and among the bulbuls and mynas a sharp, whistling note cuts through. I look up, and there it is—a small group of Indian Pied Starlings (Gracupica contra) flashing their black-and-white plumage as they settle into the branches.… Continue reading Indian Pied Starlings in Bharatpur, Keoladeo
Pied Avocets, conspicuous coastal birds
When you stroll along coastal mudflats or estuaries, one bird that will likely catch your eye is the striking Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta). With their distinctive black and white plumage and graceful, upturned bills, these birds are not only a delight to observe but also an important species in coastal ecosystems. Let’s delve into what… Continue reading Pied Avocets, conspicuous coastal birds
Squamate Antbird in Cananeia, São Paulo
Early morning in December 2001, as the mist still clung to the coastal thickets of Cananeia, São Paulo, I caught a glimpse of movement—a flash of rust, black, and slate. Raising my binoculars, I focused in and confirmed what I’d hoped for: Squamate Antbird (Myrmoderus squamosus). It’s not a species one stumbles upon casually, especially… Continue reading Squamate Antbird in Cananeia, São Paulo
Bird photography in your own garden: use of a camouflage tent
At the beginning of last winter, I watched with interest the hustle and bustle around the bird table in our garden during breakfast. It was a beautiful morning with sunshine. A Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) kept coming to the bird feeder because he thought he would find sunflower seeds there. A little later, a… Continue reading Bird photography in your own garden: use of a camouflage tent
Observing Shorebirds in Tortuguero National Park/ Costa Rica
A stroll around the Mawamba Lodge in Tortuguero NP. A pop of pink in the mangroves. Easily recognizable by its bright pink plumage and distinctive spoon-shaped bill, the Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) is one of the most striking birds in Tortuguero. These birds typically inhabit shallow, saline waters where they use their wide bills to… Continue reading Observing Shorebirds in Tortuguero National Park/ Costa Rica
The Taxonomic Split of Cory’s Shearwater: What It Means for Your Bird Life List
Birdwatching is an endlessly rewarding hobby, especially when you manage to tick off a new species on your Life List. But what happens when one species becomes two? That’s exactly what happened with Cory’s Shearwater, a bird many of us have enjoyed spotting over the open ocean. Recently, a significant taxonomic split occurred, dividing Cory’s… Continue reading The Taxonomic Split of Cory’s Shearwater: What It Means for Your Bird Life List
Yellow-browed Warblers as vagrants in Middle Europe again!
High-pitched calls shout from the bushes along the banks of an oxbow of the Havel River a little river in northern Brandenburg in Germany. In the willows you can quickly spot Goldcrests (Regulus regulus), scurrying through the bushes inconspicuously but in large numbers. But it’s worth taking a closer look. And really, in this case… Continue reading Yellow-browed Warblers as vagrants in Middle Europe again!
An immature Pallid Harrier in the Niederer Fläming
On sunday, 13th of October, I had the unique opportunity to observe an immature Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus) in the Niederer Fläming region of Brandenburg, a truly exciting find for any birdwatcher. With its distinct features and behavior, this raptor should be unmistakable in good observation conditions. But identifying immature and femlae individuals can be… Continue reading An immature Pallid Harrier in the Niederer Fläming
A putative Hybrid Herring x Caspian Gull at Lake Gülpe in Brandenburg: A Detailed Observation
It was already evening at the outlet of the Gülper See into the Havel. The air was filled with the calls of migrating water birds. A white-headed gull sat on a boat bollard. In addition to the familiar sight of swans and ducks, this gull caught my attention. The first thing I noticed were its… Continue reading A putative Hybrid Herring x Caspian Gull at Lake Gülpe in Brandenburg: A Detailed Observation
Hoatzin on a Nest in Manu National Park
As the sun filters through the dense foliage of Manu National Park, I find myself on a quiet trail by the riverbank, scanning the treetops. Suddenly, the unmistakable silhouette of a Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) appears, perched delicately on a nest. This bird is a wonder, both ancient and peculiar, and here in the heart of… Continue reading Hoatzin on a Nest in Manu National Park