[order] CORACIIFORMES | [family] Momotidae | [latin] Momotus coeruliceps | [UK] Blue-crowned Motmot | [FR] Motmot houtou | [DE] Blauscheitel-Motmot | [ES] Momoto Comun | [NL] Blauwkapmotmot Subspecies Monotypic species Physical charateristics Green upperparts, green or rufous underparts depending on subspecies (very variable how dark), black central spot on upper breast, blue crown, black eyemask […]
Blue Ground-Dove (Claravis pretiosa)
[order] COLUMBIFORMES | [family] Columbidae | [latin] Claravis pretiosa | [UK] Blue Ground-Dove | [FR] Colombe cendree | [DE] Schmucktaubchen | [ES] Palomita Azulada (Arg), Tortolita Azulada, Turquita Azul (HN) | [NL] Blauwe Grondduif Subspecies Monotypic species Genus Physical charateristics A highly dimorphic species; males are “blue grey” & females are brown. Males a bright […]
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 […]
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 […]
Nacunda Nighthawk (Podager nacunda)
[order] CAPRIMULGIFORMES | [family] Caprimulgidae | [latin] Podager nacunda | [UK] Nacunda Nighthawk | [FR] Engoulevent nacunda | [DE] Weissbauch-Nachtschwalbe | [ES] Anapero nacunda | [NL] Nacunda-nachtzwaluw Subspecies Monotypic species Genus Physical charateristics Upperparts buff freckled with black. Breast brown with black barring and a conspicuous white V-shaped band across the throat. Lower breast, abdomen […]
Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis)
[order] CAPRIMULGIFORMES | [family] Caprimulgidae | [latin] Chordeiles acutipennis | [UK] Lesser Nighthawk | [FR] Engoulevent ronronneur | [DE] Texas-Nachtschwalbe | [ES] Anapero garrapena | [NL] Texasnachtzwaluw Subspecies Monotypic species Genus Physical charateristics It has a short bill, and the upper parts of the body have a grey and white patterning. Its head and chest […]
Blackish Nightjar (Caprimulgus nigrescens)
[order] CAPRIMULGIFORMES | [family] Caprimulgidae | [latin] Caprimulgus nigrescens | [UK] Blackish Nightjar | [FR] Engoulevent noiratre | [DE] Trauer-Nachtschwalbe | [ES] Chotacabras Negruzco | [NL] Roetnachtzwaluw Subspecies Genus Species subspecies Region Range Caprimulgus nigrescens SA Amazonia Genus Physical charateristics Small dark Nightjar appears almost totally black with the exception of the some whtie spots […]
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 […]
White Gallinule (Porphyrio albus)
The story When British ships belonging to what was known as the First Fleet were dispatched under Governor Phillip to Australia during the late 1780’s, their task was to found a penal colony to which British felons could be transported. Much of interest surrounds this rather unpleasant endeavour and one of the by-products of the […]
Wake Rail (Gallirallus wakensis)
The story The Wake Rail has acquired the grim celebrity of having been eaten out of existence by hungry Japanese soldiers during World War II. Unable to fly, these rails could scuttle about their island home quickly, but despite their agility any efforts to escape would have been no match for the concerted efforts of […]