Aleutian Tern (Onychoprion aleuticus) Science Article 2 abstract A record in the May, 1920, number of THE CONDOR (page 111) of the probable breedingof the Aleutian Tern near Yakutat appears to rest on ‘sight’ identification only, andthe actions of Mr. Walker’s birds were so different from the usual habits of this speciesthat 1 am forced […]
Category: Charadriiformes
Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)
[order] CHARADRIIFORMES | [family] Laridae | [latin] Rynchops niger | [UK] Black Skimmer | [FR] Bec-en-ciseaux noir | [DE] Amerikanischer Scherenschnabel | [ES] Rayador Americano | [NL] Amerikaanse Schaarbek Subspecies Monotypic species Genus The skimmers, all three species belonging to the genus Rynchops, are obviously closely related to the terns. Thet are easily separated from […]
Yellow-legged Gull (Larus cachinnans)
[order] CHARADRIIFORMES | [family] Laridae | [latin] Larus cachinnans | [UK] Yellow-legged Gull | [FR] | [DE] Gelbfussmove | [ES] | [NL] Geelpootmeeuw Subspecies Monotypic species Genus Gulls are a large group of about 50 species with represenatatives all over the globe and occupy a great diversity of habitats: sea coasts, lakes, rivers, cities and […]
Brown-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus)
[order] CHARADRIIFORMES | [family] Laridae | [latin] Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus | [UK] Brown-headed Gull | [FR] Mouette du Tibet | [DE] Braunkopfmowe | [ES] Gaviota Centroasiatica | [NL] Subspecies Monotypic species Physical charateristics The bird is about 42 cm in length and both the sexes are alike. The under parts are pale grey. The legs and […]
Ellis Sandpiper (Prosobonia ellisi)
The story Whether there was one extinct species of sandpiper occupying the Pacific islands of Tahiti and Moorea or whether there were, in fact, two remains something of an enigma. The naturalists who actually saw the birds in life and handled fresh specimens were convinced that there was only one, but more recent commentators have […]
Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis)
The story The Great Auk is one of the true stars of extinction. Its story rises and falls like a Greek tragedy. This was a creature that had evolved perfectly to take advantage of a particular ecological niche but its very adaptation rendered it totally incapable of withstanding the depredations of man. It is probably […]
White-winged Sandpiper (Prosobonia leucoptera)
The story Whether there was one extinct species of sandpiper occupying the Pacific islands of Tahiti and Moorea or whether there were, in fact, two remains something of an enigma. The naturalists who actually saw the birds in life and handled fresh specimens were convinced that there was only one, but more recent commentators have […]
Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)
[order] CHARADRIIFORMES | [family] Laridae | [latin] Sterna paradisaea | [UK] Arctic Tern | [FR] Sterne arctique | [DE] Kusten-Seeschwalbe | [ES] Gaviotin Artico | [NL] Noordse Stern Subspecies Monotypic species Physical charateristics The Arctic Tern is slightly smaller than the Common Tern with long, narrow wings and very short legs. In breeding plumage, the […]
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)
[order] CHARADRIIFORMES | [family] Laridae | [latin] Larus marinus | [UK] Great Black-backed Gull | [FR] Goeland marin | [DE] Mantelmowe | [ES] Gavion Atlantico | [NL] Grote Mantelmeeuw Subspecies Monotypic species Physical charateristics Largest gull in the Western Paleartic, with large wings, massive head and bill. White head, underbody and tail, with slaty black […]
Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus)
[order] CHARADRIIFORMES | [family] Charadriidae | [latin] Charadrius mongolus | [UK] Lesser Sand Plover | [FR] Pluvier de Mongolie | [DE] Mongolen-Regenpfeifer | [ES] Chorlitejo Mongol Chico | [NL] Kleine Woestijnplevier Subspecies Genus Species subspecies Breeding Range Breeding Range 2 Non Breeding Range Charadrius mongolus EU c, e AF, OR, AU Charadrius mongolus atrifrons c […]