Tag Archives: Birds of the World

Wings To Paradise II

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Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” (Genesis 1:20 NKJV

What a fantastic video – WOW! It is a bit long, but worth every minute of it. This is the 2nd one. See Part I  How can anyone watch these birds flying and not realize they have a fantastic Creator? This was produced by Wittydud on YouTube *

I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine. (Psalms 50:11 NKJV)

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Wordless Birds

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The Common Potoo – Video

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Common Potoo (Nyctibius griseus) by Daves BirdingPix

Common Potoo (Nyctibius griseus) by Daves BirdingPix

Thought I would share this video with you. A friend suggested that I watch it. It is really good.

Also, I didn’t do the usual Sunday Inspiration today because of honoring A J Mithra. It has affected me greatly. He had become a dear friend and I will miss him. I know he is enjoying the Lord’s presence, but there is still sadness here.

The world’s most brazenly hidden bird — the Common Potoo by jonnytropics

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Potoos are members of the Nyctibiidae – Potoos Family. There are seven species and the Lord has given them an appearance of wood or some camouflaged look.

This verse is out of context, but it describes our bird.

It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; there was silence, ….. (Job 4:16)

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Nyctibiidae – Potoos Family

Wordless Birds

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Birds of the World – Icteridae Family – Oropendolas, Orioles & Blackbirds

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Crested Oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus) at LPZ

Crested Oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus) at LPZ by Lee

Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” (Genesis 1:20 NKJV)

I have been working on finding photos for the Icteridae Family – Oropendolas, Orioles & Blackbirds. I have managed to get all by three of the species. Tried to find as many of the subspecies while working on the page.

There are 108 members in 27 Genera. They start off, taxonomic order, with the Oropendolas. We have enjoyed seeing the Crested Oropendola at the Lowry Park Zoo and the National Aviary. They make their hanging nest even there. Of the 11, I cannot find any photo of the Band-tailed Oropendola (Ocyalus latirostris). They have 3 Genus.

The Caciques are next with 12 members in two Genus; Cacicus and Amblycercus.

Then there are 3 Troupials in the Icterus Genus with Orioles; the Venezuelan, Orange-backed and Campo Troupials.

Then the Orioles appear next in the list. Those are some very pretty birds. There are 30 members in the Genus Icterus. Here in North America (US) we get to enjoy the Orchard, Hooded, Streak-backed, Spot-breasted, Altamira, Bullock’s, Baltimore, Scott’s and Audubon Orioles. (order by Stokes Guide). There is a Oriole Blackbird, but is not quite considered an Oriole. The Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi) is Critically Endangered and again I couldn’t find a photo, but did find a Bahamian Stamp with a picture of it.

Brown-and-yellow Marshbird (Pseudoleistes virescens) ©©CDTimm

Brown-and-yellow Marshbird (Pseudoleistes virescens) ©©CDTimm

Next the list alternates back and forth with Blackbirds and Grackles. Most are black with some colors. After 11 Genus of those, then 2 Marshbird are in the Pseudoleistes Genus.

A bird species that lands in my yard, the Brown–headed Cowbird is one of six Cowbirds. I have had as many as 50 Brown-headeds land in my yard and empty my feeders in no time flat. They are the Molothrus Genus. The Bronze-brown Cowbird (Molothrus armenti) escapes most photographers because no photos were found to use.

Peruvian Meadowlark (Sturnella bellicosa) By BirdPhotos.Com

Peruvian Meadowlark (Sturnella bellicosa) By BirdPhotos.Com

Going on down the list through more Blackbirds and Grackles, almost to the bottom, you find the Sturnella Genus which has the five Meadowlarks; Peruvian, Pampas, Long-tailed, Eastern and Western Meadowlarks.

After a Yellow-headed Blackbird, you end up with the Bobolink, which we just had an article about a few days ago. (That is why I worked on the page.) See The Christmas Bird? and an earlier one, Bobolink – Extraordinary Migrant.. Both are by ajmithra.

Photos missing for this family are listed below. If you have one you would allow us permission to use or let us link to your photo, please leave a comment. Thanks.

  • Band-tailed Oropendola (Ocyalus latirostris)
  • Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi) Critically Endangered
  • Bronze-brown Cowbird (Molothrus armenti)
  • Need subspecies

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Update to the IOC 2.10 Version Completed

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Hen (Northern) Harrier (Circus cyaneus) by J Fenton

Hen (Northern) Harrier (Circus cyaneus) by J Fenton

On October 18, 2011, the IOC released the Version 2.10 list of World Bird Names. I have been busy behind the scene again updating all the Birds of the World pages here to reflect that change. It is now complete.

The IOC World Bird List 2.10 contains 10,466 species classified in 40 Orders, 233 Families (including 5 Incertae Sedis) and 2234 Genera. They added 18 species, changed the name of 23 birds and made 28 changes to the taxonomy.

The birds, mostly from splits, added were:

Sira Curassow (Pauxi koepckeae)

Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)

Cape Verde Buzzard (Buteo bannermani)

Oberholser’s Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus epius)

Sula Fruit Dove Ptilinopus mangoliensis

Everett’s Scops Owl Otus everetti

Negros Scops Owl (Otus nigrorum)

Mexican Barred Owl (Strix sartorii)

Salim Ali’s Swift (Apus salimalii)

Blyth’s Swift (Apus leuconyx)

Cook’s Swift (Apus cooki)

Magdalena Antbird Myrmeciza palliata

Urrao Antpitta (Grallaria urraoensis)

Tablas Drongo (Dicrurus menagei)

Moheli Bulbul (Hypsipetes moheliensis)

Saipan Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus hiwae)

Pagan Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus yamashinae)

Bornean Spiderhunter (Arachnothera everetti )

The Northern Harrier – Hen Harrier above is one of those splits. When J Fenton took the photo it was called a Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus). Now the Hen Harrier has taken the Circus cyaneus Scientific name and the subspecies (Circus hudsonius) is now the Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius). Confused? Don’t feel bad. I have no idea whether that photo is of a Hen or Northern Harrier. Which ever it is, Jim or James took a  great photo of a Hen or Northern Harrier. 

Such is the naming of the birds today. I have to update my pages every time the IOC releases another Version. As I have said many times on this blog, Adam had it a lot easier and got “first dibs” at naming them after their Creator presented them to Adam.

Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. (Genesis 2:19-20 NKJV)

Barking Boobook (Ninox connivens) by Ian

Barking Owl (Barking Boobook) (Ninox connivens) by Ian

English Names Updates for IOC Version 2.10

Previous Name               Scientific Name         New Name

Northern Harrier – Circus cyaneus – Hen Harrier
Grey-hooded Gull – Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus – Grey-headed Gull
Maroon-chinned Fruit Dove – Ptilinopus subgularis – Banggai Fruit Dove
Barred Owl – Strix varia – Northern Barred Owl
Rufous Boobook – Ninox rufa – Rufous Owl
Powerful Boobook – Ninox strenua – Powerful Owl
Barking Boobook – Ninox connivens – Barking Owl
Donaldson-Smith’s Nightjar – Caprimulgus donaldsoni – Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar
Fork-tailed Swift – Apus pacificus – Pacific Swift
Himalayan Goldenback – Dinopium shorii – Himalayan Flameback
Common Goldenback – Dinopium javanense – Common Flameback
Lesser Goldenback – Dinopium benghalense – Black-rumped Flameback
Greater Goldenback – Chrysocolaptes lucidus – Greater Flameback
Crimson-backed Goldenback – Chrysocolaptes stricklandi – Crimson-backed Flameback
Somali Boubou – Laniarius (erlangeri) nigerrimus – Black Boubou
Stresemann’s Bush Crow – Zavattariornis stresemanni – Stresemann’s Bushcrow
Cricket Longtail – Spiloptila clamans – Cricket Warbler
Comoros Bulbul – Hypsipetes parvirostris – Grand Comoro Bulbul
Donaldson-Smith’s Sparrow-Weaver – Plocepasser donaldsoni – Donaldson Smith’s Sparrow-Weaver
Quail-Finch – Ortygospiza – 3 species Quailfinch
Colombian Brush Finch – Arremon basilicus – Sierra Nevada Brush Finch
Phelps’s Brush Finch – Arremon perijanus – Perija Brush Finch
Buffy-flanked Brush Finch – Arremon phaeopleurus – Caracas Brush Finch
Venezuelan Brush Finch – Arremon phygas – Paria Brush Finch

The Birds of the World are all listed here according to the IOC Version 2.10. You can find the following helps to help locate these birds:
Indexes

Orders

Families
Families – Alphabetical (Scientific)
Families – Alphabetical (English)
Families – Taxonomic (Scientific – English)
Families – Taxonomic (English – Scientific)

Species 
First Name of Bird
Last Name of Bird

(Tip* – Use Control+F on your keyboard to use Find or Search when looking for a specific bird in the lists.)

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Birds of the World – Vermilion Cardinal

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Vermilion Cardinal (Cardinalis phoeniceus) ©WikiC

Vermilion Cardinal (Cardinalis phoeniceus) ©WikiC

Why is Your apparel red, And Your garments like one who treads in the winepress? (Isaiah 63:2 NKJV)

The Cardinalis genus of the Cardinalidae – Grosbeaks, Saltators & Allies Family includes three species. Oswaldtanager of YouTube caught a great video of the Vermilion Cardinal (Cardinalis phoeniceus) and I wanted to share it. These are only found in  Colombia and Venezuela.

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Here in the United States, we get to see the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Northern Cardinal by Aestheticphotos

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) by Aestheticphotos

and the Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus). These are the other two genus members.

Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) ©WikiC

Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) ©WikiC

These are robust, seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinctive appearances; the family is named for the red plumage (colored cardinal like the color of a Catholic cardinal’s vestments) of males of the type species, the Northern Cardinal.

The Cardinals or Cardinalidae are a family of passerine birds found in North and South America. The South American cardinals in the genus Paroaria are placed in another family, the Emberizidae.

Paroaria
Red-crested Cardinal (Paroaria coronata) by DavesBP – Video
Red-cowled Cardinal (Paroaria dominicana)– Video 
Red-capped Cardinal (Paroaria gularis) by DavesBP-Video by Keith
Masked Cardinal (Paroaria nigrogenis)
Crimson-fronted Cardinal (Paroaria baeri)
Yellow-billed Cardinal (Paroaria capitata) – Video

And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. (Matthew 27:28 NKJV)

See:

Birds of the World

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Updated To The I.O.C. Version 2.9

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Wood Stork Tree at Circle B - 7-22-11

Wood Stork Tree at Circle B – 7-22-11 by Lee

I just finished updating this site to the new I.O.C. Version 2.9 List of Birds. It seems to be a challenge around here to keep up with them, but this one wasn’t so bad. All the changes have been made and the Indexes are all corrected. I separated the Genera names from Species names. That meant making 26 new pages, but it should make it easier to find them.

The IOC now list 10,448 species of birds in the world with this version. Some names were changed and so were some taxonomic revisions made. That means in simple terms that they added 15 species, deleted 5, changed the English names of 16 and shuffled the taxonomy 34 times. Most of us would would not notice, but if you live where that bird is active, then it would concern you.

Actually, they are to be highly commended. There are numerous ornithologists and birding organizations all around the world who contribute to this lists. The IOC World Bird List can be found at Worldbirdnames.Org.

Some of the main pages here:

Birds of the World

Orders

Families

And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. (Ecclesiastes 12:12 KJV)

I.O.C. Version 2.8 World Bird List Released Today

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Puerto Rican Tody (Todus mexicanus) by Judd Patterson

Puerto Rican Tody (Todus mexicanus) by Judd Patterson

The I.O.C. Version 2.8 World Bird List was released today and this time I am going to get with it immediately. In fact, I knew it was going to be available on March 31st, so I halted the 2.7 work and began the 2.8 Version two days ago. It’s back to the changes on the 233 Families, but this time it will be easier. (I hope!)

And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. (Ecclesiastes 12:12 KJV)

This Version of the International Ornithological Congress (IOC), now the International Ornithologists’ Union, has added 15 Species, deleted 3, changed the names of 9 and the ranges of 27 birds. They made changes to the Taxonomy “32 of which 29 are changes of Genera, especially resurrection of Antrostomus for 11 species of New World Caprimulgus and revisions of Aimophila sparrows to follow AOU.” All of this amounts to: “The IOC World Bird List 2.8 contains 10,438 species classified in 40 Orders, 233 Families (including 5 Incertae Sedis) and 2232 Genera.” (from the IOC World Bird List site) The 233 Families is why there are 233 pages to maintain every time a new update comes out.

Blue-winged Teal by Dan at Circle B

Blue-winged Teal by Dan at Circle B

Some changes were made to the new pages completed. There are links at the bottom of the page to the websites of the photographers who have given their permission to use their fantastic photos used on that page. They are already listed in the sidebar, but this might encourage you to also visit their sites. We are thankful for each one who has given permission. If you are a bird photographer and would be willing to let your photos be used, please send an e-mail to:  Lee@leesbird.com. It is a desire to have a photo of each bird species of the world on this site.

The list of species is quite long now, because of the listing of the subspecies. You might find it useful to go to the Find feature of your browser to help locate the bird you are searching for. Here is how to do so:

Use the Ctrl+F keyboard shortcut.
This works on Firefox (shows up at bottom of page), Internet Explorer and Chrome (shows up at top of page).

As previously stated, Adam had it a whole lot easier naming the birds.

Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. (Genesis 2:19-20a NKJV)

Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius)y by Ian Montgomery

Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius)y by Ian Montgomery

Here are links to the Version 2.8 lists that are completed:

More Birds of the World
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Birdwatching and Still Kicking Up Dust

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Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) shot thru window with screen by Lee

Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) shot thru window with screen by Lee

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalms 16:11 NKJV)

Some birdwatching has been going on around the yard and neighborhood. Every once in a while, I do get away from the computer and look around, though only nearby. Yet, I have been seeing some interesting birds, especially some I have never seen in the yard. I was watering a new tree when I heard a sound I didn’t recognize at first. After searching and praying that it would come into view, I spotted a Pileated Woodpecker on a power pole. Been here 5 years and it is the first one spotted from the yard. Then I spotted 2 Chipping Sparrows yesterday and 3 today. (also a yard first) Today an American Goldfinch showed up on my feeder. All 3 of those species were new to the yard. They were kept company by 2 Cardinals, Boat-tailed Grackles, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Eurasian Collarded Doves, Mourning Doves and Red-winged Blackbirds.

Blue-winged Teal by Dan at Circle B

Blue-winged Teal by Dan at Circle B

Dan took some photos today out at Circle B Bar Reserve while I was busy. He said there was lots of activity and many photographers taking advantage of that activity. One photo in particular caught my interest and I have included it. He also had some neat photos of an immature Black-crowned Night-Heron, but they aren’t available yet.

I am still working on updating the Birds of the World section to the IOC World Bird List, ver. 2.7. I have over 91 Families updated and started working on the Index also. The Species List of the First Name of the Birds and Genus is updated “A” through” Z”. So at least you can find the birds.

American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) by Lee thru window

American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) by Lee thru window

As I have been updating, I have been adding photos to some of the families. Some of the Families that we have written about lately have also been updated even though they are beyond the 91 completed.

Thrush – Turdidae was updated when Return Of The Robins was written.

Meliphagidae Family mentioned in Ian’s Bird Of The Week – Yellow-spotted Honeyeater

Strigopidae Family mentioned in Formed By Him – Kakapo

Since the last update, Birdwatching and Still Updating, I have now completed these bird species:

Kingfishers are next on the agenda.

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Birdwatching and Still Updating

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Eagle in nest feeding eaglets by Dan

Nest at South Lake Howard Park 2 years ago.

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 KJV)

On the way to town today, we stopped by the South Lake Howard Nature Park again for just a few minutes. (15) It was a beautiful day. Surprised how few in number the birds were, but the variety of birds wasn’t bad. In the 15 minutes we were able to see the following:

Osprey, Little Blue Heron, Great Egret, 6  White Ibises flying by, Common Moorhens, Boat-tailed Grackles, Quakers (Monk Parakeets – they have a big nest there), Blue Jay, 3 Mockingbirds, Northern Cardinal, Palm Warblers and a black and light colored Warbler-not a Black-and-White though, Mr and Mrs Wood Duck swimming by, and up on the tower both Mr and Mrs Bald Eagle were perched. (They have a nest in the park) and a White Ibis on the ground walking around with the reddest legs and beak I have ever seen. Spring is definitely in the air here in Central Florida. Oh, yes, there was a nice sized alligator sunning on the bank. No camera with us unfortunately.

Also, I am still kicking up dust behind the scenes on updating the Birds of the World pages. It was a busy week-end and I didn’t get much done on it. See – Updating the Birds of the World Again 2/24/11 .

I am working on the Herons and have finished these Families since the last update:

As I have been working on the pages, I have been adding new photos of some of the missing birds. It is taking longer, but hope to make more species viewable.

Update – 3/17/11:

See – Birdwatching and Still Kicking Up Dust
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I.O.C. World Bird List Version 2.6 Update Complete

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Black-girdled Barbet (Capito dayi) ©CC

Black-girdled Barbet (Capito dayi) ©CC

Finally got the site updated to the I.O.C. World Bird List Version 2.6. Fell behind because of our trip to Indiana. Now it is up to date. (I think!)

With the IOC adding a new Order:

Suliformes which pulled the Frigatebirds, Gannets, Cormorants and Anhingas out of the Pelecaniformes Order

and adding new Families:

Capitonidae-New World Barbets

Semnornithidae-Toucan Barbets

Pnoepygidae-Wren-babblers

Macrosphenidae-Crombecs and African Warblers

Pellorneidae-Fulvettas & Ground Babblers

Leiothrichidae-Laughingthrushes

With all those changes and the others they made, I trust this site is functioning with out too many errors. Had to add new pages and rearrange lots of  others. Tried to be cautious, but if you find any errors on the links, please leave a comment so it can be fixed.

Thanks for any understanding of mistakes. Haven’t arrived yet to perfection.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:57-58 KJV)

Updated Family Pages to IOC Ver. 2.5

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California (Western) Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica) by Daves BirdingPix

California Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica ) was Western by Daves BirdingPix

The IOC World Bird List Version 2.5 was just released on July 4th. I have been busy updating the Family pages and just finished.

They have made 19 changes to the English Names, added 13 new birds and deleted 1. They also made 93 changes to the Taxonomy, and made 12 changes to the Ranges. Now they will get busy and start planning the changes to the 2.6 list, but that will give me a 3-4 month rest before they release that one.

With all the DNA studies going on and other proposals, the number of birds and where they come from, stay in a constant flux. Here, we know where they came from, the Lord created them, but as to how they have “multiplied and plenished the earth” is what keeps the ornithologists busy. All this changing gives me something to do every few months.

So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:21 NKJV)

I still have to update the indexes, but for now the Family pages are up to date.

To see the Family Pages – Click Here.

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Pied Kingfisher – Concentrated Diver

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Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) by Peter Ericsson

Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) by Peter Ericsson

While having the privilege of obtaining some photos for future blogs from Peter Ericsson’s Galleries, I obtained a few photos of the Pied Kingfisher. I thought this Kingfisher was very pretty. Then I found this amazing video from BBC Worldwide and decided to share these. Another reason, my attempts to photograph our Belted Kingfishers is never very successful. Thankfully Peter and the videographers had better success.

When the Lord created the birds, He gave them so many amazing abilities. The way the Kingfisher keeps his head so steady is absolutely fantastic.

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? (Romans 11:33-34 KJV)

The Pied Kingfisher is about 7 – 10 in or 17-25 cm long with a white with a black mask, a white supercilium and black breast bands. The female has only one breast band. The crest is neat and the upperparts are barred in black. There are several subspecies. It is common throughout sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia from Turkey to India to China. It is resident, and most birds do not migrate, other than short-distance seasonal movements. In India it is distributed mainly on the plains. It is thought to be the world’s 3rd most common kingfisher and a noisy bird.


Fish is its main diet, though it will eat other aquatic invertebrates. It usually hunts by hovering over the water to detect prey and diving vertically down bill-first to capture fish. When not foraging, they have a straight rapid flight and have been observed flying at nearly 32 mph.

Pied Kingfisher from BBC Worldwide – Shows this diving ability

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2 NKJV)

During breeding season (February to April), they make its nest in a hole excavated in a vertical mud bank about five feet above water. The nest tunnel is 4 to 5 feet long and ends in a chamber. Several birds may nest in the same vicinity. The usual clutch is 3-6 white eggs. The pied kingfisher sometimes reproduces co-operatively, with young non-breeding birds from an earlier brood assisting parents (helpers) or even unrelated older birds.

And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head. (Matthew 8:20 NKJV)

Kingfishers “are monogamous, teritorial, and sometimes colonial.”  Courtship displays are noisy and the displays are in duet as they raise their wings or spiral in flight. Recent suggestion is that the Pied Kingfisher and the American green kingfishers are derived from an Old World species (kind), with the Pied Kingfisher or its ancestor losing the metallic colouration afterwards. The Alcedinidae Family is where the Kingfishers and Kookaburras are found. At present there are 95 of them. They belong to the Coraciiformes Order. The Order includes Rollers, Ground Rollers, Kingfishers, Todies, Motmots, and Bee-eaters.

Pied Piper up close by IndiaVideo.org

Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number. (Job 9:10 KJV)

Peter Ericsson is in Thailand and is a Christian photographer. His two sites are Peter Ericsson’s Photo Galleries and his blog Thaibirder . Please visit his sites for some fantastic photagraphy.

Information taken from Wikipedia,  Complete Birds of the World, and Bird

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