Sulawesi Hornbill (Penelopides exarhatus)LPZoo by Lee
They have come out with the latest Update and I am again working on updating the blog. This time they added only 13 new species, deleted 2, and made 3 changes to names. But, as lately, they threw another family up in the air to rearrange it. This time it was the Hornbill-Bucerotidae family. It was really reshuffled and they changed some of the genus around.
Here are the new additions:
Aztec Rail (Rallus tenuirostris) – Was Subspecies of King Rail
Riparian Antbird (Cercomacra fuscicauda)- Was Subspecies
Bougainville Whistler (Pachycephala richardsi) – Was Subspecies
Black-eared Warbler (Basileuterus melanotis) – Was Subspecies
Tacarcuna Warbler (Basileuterus tacarcunae) – Was Subspecies
Yungas Warbler (Basileuterus punctipectus)- Was Subspecies
Roraiman Warbler (Myiothlypis roraimae)- Was Subspecies
Pale Baywing (Agelaioides fringillarius)- Was Subspecies
Deleted:
Norfolk Ground Dove
White-throated Whistler
Hard to find data yet on these because sites are being updated, just as this one is. Will update when all the 4.4 Version is complete.
Also: Sorry there has not been as many articles lately, but have been dealing with several health issues. The Bronchitis is almost over, now have stitches from skin cancer removal. Physical Therapy is helping. Praise the Lord, it could be a lot worse. It is just that everything came close together. Also, Praise the Lord for the way He created the human body.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. (Psalms 139:14 NKJV)
Blue-capped Ifrita (Ifrita kowaldi) cc jerryoldenettle
My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: (Proverbs 24:21 KJV)
The update to IOC Version 4.3 is now completed. Along with the spelling changes shown in Working On IOC 4.3 Version – Name Changes, here are some more of the changes that were made.
They added 7 new birds, most raised from a Subspecies to a Species and 3 deleted, which were lowered to a Subspecies.
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. (Genesis 2:19 NKJV)
The newest update for the I.O.C. Version 3.5 came out September 30th. Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures Birds of the World has the latest changes. There are now “10,507 extant species and 150 extinct species classified in 40 Orders, 232 Families (plus 5 Incertae Sedis) and 2284 Genera. The list also includes 20,967 subspecies.”
After making changes to around 300 pages, you should be able to find one of those 10,507 avian friends with out too much difficulty. What did they change?
They (I.O.C.) added 22 new species, deleted 2 that they turned back to just a subspecies, changed the names or spelling of 47 birds (37 of those changed the name Madagascar to Madagascan), plus they made 30 taxonomy changes.
In those taxonomy changes, they took the Paridae – Tits, Chickadees family and threw it up in the air and let it fall totally different. At least, that is my description of it. Actually, because of DNA studies, they found that the birds are related differently in the family than they thought. They also shuffled the Aratinga species of Parakeets around.
These are the two they deleted. They went back to being supspecies of the Black-faced Quailfinch, which is now only called a Quailfinch (Ortygospiza atricollis).
Cranes know when it’s time to move south for winter. And robins, warblers, and bluebirds know when it’s time to come back again. But my people? My people know nothing, not the first thing of GOD and his rule. (Jeremiah 8:7 MSG)
The Cranepage of the Bible Birds has been updated. I added a Gallery of most of the Cranes and some other information. Cranes are interesting and we get to see them quite often. We have two that walk through the yard almost daily. They are Sandhill Cranes. When they have young, they have been known to parade them through the yard to “show them off.”
The tallest Crane I have seen were the two Sarus Cranes which we encountered at the Wings of Asia Aviary at Zoo Miami. They came strolling down the walkway in the aviary right past me. I am only 4′ 10″ and they are 5′ 6″. Needless to say, I had to look up to them. I also gave them some space.
Isn’t the Creator fantastic in the variety of critters, especially the birds, that He has made and for us to enjoy.
Sarus Crane (Grus antigone) by Lee at Wings of Asia
“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? (Matthew 6:26 NASB)
I am still working a little behind the scenes on the IOC Version 3.2 update. My eye surgery has slowed me down somewhat. With the new families that were added (see Updating to IOC Version 3.2 Underway ) I am making quite a few changes. Because of those families, I am working backwards to make room for the new pages.
Also, my eye surgery went well for a week, then when I got up from a nap last Thursday, my vision was blurred. After two visits to the Doctor, they say all is well, that something floated across inside. So far it is still there a week later. Right now, my vision is less than before the surgery. So, I have not been writing as many articles as normal. Continue to keep my in your prayers. They have definitely been felt.
Red-tailed Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron milnei) and Black-throated in forefront by Lee
While working on the Leiothrichidae – Laughingthrushes Family, I was enjoying remembering our visit to Zoo Miami this year. Those Laughingthrushes are sort of fun to watch. They hop around instead of walking. We were able to see the Sumatran (Black and White), Black-throated and the Red-tailed Laughingthrushes. I call the Sumatran “Joe Cool.” We have also seen the Red-faced Liocichla at the Riverbanks Zoo SC and the Red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea) by Dan at National Aviary PA
Here are the Families Updated to IOC 3.2 Version from Laughingthrush to Grosbeaks, Saltators & Allies:
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
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
Here are links to the Version 2.8 lists that are completed:
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
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
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.
The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:
The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.
Crunchy numbers
The Louvre Museum has 8.5 million visitors per year. This blog was viewed about 130,000 times in 2010. If it were an exhibit at The Louvre Museum, it would take 6 days for that many people to see it.
In 2010, there were 357 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 787 posts.
The busiest day of the year was September 28th with 617 views. The most popular post that day was South Lake Howard Nature Park.
Where did they come from?
The top referring sites in 2010 were wiki.answers.com, birdsofthebible.wordpress.com, search.aol.com, mail.yahoo.com, and facebook.com.
Some visitors came searching, mostly for nature, elephant ear plant, dragonfly, parrot, and nature pictures.
Attractions in 2010
These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.
This was produced by WordPress.Com and used with my permission. WordPress is a great place to have a blog. They have treated me very well and they work hard to keep their system running.
Thanks again to the Lord for His blessings on this blog. Thanks to all of you for stopping by to view this blog.
It took me awhile, but I finally got all the links up for the newest version (2.5) of the I.O.C. Now you should be able to find any bird on the lists.
Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) scrawny by Lee
Dan and I managed to get in a little birdwatching Friday at Lake Morton. We saw several weird things take place. At least I hadn’ t seen it before. Watched a Great Egret with what I thought was a fish, a scrawy Anhinga, and a one footed White Ibis.
The Anhinga that we saw was “scrawny.” It must have been in a molting stage, because it sure didn’t have many complete feathers. Also fed a one-footed White Ibis. Did manage to get some nice photos of a Limpkin and a Green Heron. There were some gulls around and I think it is a Laughing Gull I photographed. Haven’t seen one there before, at least not with that black hood.
Great Egret at Lake Morton
The Great Egret that was eating something, well, trying to, turned out to be a baby Mallard. I was photographing it from a distance and didn’t realize what it had until we got home and viewed the photos. Never did see it swallow it. The Egret flew off with it and when I spotted it later, there was no baby Mallard around. Hope he dropped it when he flew off. I was sad when I realized what had been going on.
Sunday, at church, our pastor was preaching on the death of Christ on the cross. He gave the following quote by Dorothy Sayers and it reminded me of what I had seen on Friday.
It is a curious fact that people who are filled with horror when a cat kills a sparrow can hear the true story of how people killed the Lord Jesus Christ told Sunday after Sunday and not experience any Shock whatsoever! Dorothy L. Sayers
The Lord loved us so much He was willing to lay His life down and pay for our sins. He has “finished” the payment and has raised Himself up and is in heaven with the Father. Do we hear that week after week and not acknowledge the truth? I trust you know the Savior.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:16-17 KJV)
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.
Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. (Psalms 68:13 KJV)
I have been working away updating the Doves and Pigeon pages. Since the Dove and the Pigeon are Birds of the Bible and we recently did an article about their eyes and voice, “Birds of the Bible – Dove’s Eyes and Voice,” figured it was time to update those pages. Please check the following links for information on the Doves and Pigeons:
The main Doves and Pigeons page
I am not finished as there are 321 Pigeons and Doves in the family and it will take quite awhile to round up photos for them. Stay posted as more photos are added. I am very thankful for all the photographers and videographers who have given their permission to use their photographs.
Finding Photos for Limpkins was not a problem for us. That is one of the birds we see very frequently in this area.
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Information from Wikipedia with editing
“The Limpkin (also called “carrao”, “courlan”, “crying bird”), Aramus guarauna, is a bird that looks like a large rail but is skeletally closer to cranes. They are in the GRUIFORMES family. It is found mostly in wetlands in warm parts of the Americas, where it feeds primarily on apple snails of the genus Pomacea. Its name derives from its seeming limp when it walks.”
Range and habitat
The Limpkin occurs from peninsular Florida (and formerly the Okefenokee Swamp in southern Georgia) and southern Mexico through the Caribbean and Central America to northern Argentina. In South America it occurs widely east of the Andes; west of them its range extends only to the Equator.
Limpkin & Baby at Saddle Creek By Dan'sPix
It inhabits freshwater marshes and swamps, often with tall reeds, as well as mangroves. In the Caribbean, it also inhabits dry brushland. In Mexico and northern Central America, it occurs at altitudes up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft).
Description
The Limpkin is a somewhat large bird, 66 cm (26 in) long, with a wingspan of about 102 cm (40 in) and a weight of about 1.1 kg (2.4 lb). Its plumage is drab—dark brown with an olive luster above. The feathers of the head, neck, wing coverts, and much of the back and underparts (except the rear) are marked with white, making the body look streaked and the head and neck light gray. It has long, dark-gray legs and a long neck. Its bill is long, heavy, and downcurved, yellowish bill with a darker tip. The bill is slightly open near but not at the end to give it a tweezers-like action in removing snails from their shells, and in many individuals the tip curves slightly to the right, like the apple snails’ shells. The white markings are slightly less conspicuous in first-year birds. Its wings are broad and rounded and its tail is short. It is often confused with the immature White Ibis.
This bird is easier to hear than see. Its common vocalization is a loud wild wail or scream[4][5] with some rattling quality, represented as “kwEEEeeer or klAAAar.” This call is most often given at night[4] and at dawn and dusk. It has been used for jungle sound effects in Tarzan films and for the hippogriff in the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Other calls include “wooden clicking”, clucks, and in alarm, a “piercing bihk, bihk…”.
Sound provided by xeno-canto.org Behavior and feeding
Limpkins are largely nocturnal and crepuscular, except that in Florida refuges, where they do not fear people, they are active during the day. Even so, they are usually found near cover.
Because of their long toes, they can stand on floating water plants; they also swim well. They fly strongly, the neck projecting forward and the legs backward, the wings beating shallowly and stiffly, with a jerky upstroke, above the horizontal most of the time.
Snail remains at Lake Hollingsworth by Lee
forage primarily in shallow water and on floating vegetation such as water hyacinth and water lettuce They walk slowly with a gait described as “slightly undulating” and “giving the impression of lameness or limping”, “high-stepping”, or “strolling”, looking for food if the water is clear or probing with the bill. They feed on small aquatic life, principally apple snails. The availability of this one mollusk has a significant effect on the local distribution of the Limpkin. When a Limpkin finds an apple snail, it carries it to land or very shallow water and places it in mud, the opening facing up. It deftly removes the operculum or “lid” and extracts the snail, seldom breaking the shell. The extraction takes 10 to 20 seconds. It often leaves piles of empty shells at favored spots.
Freshwater mussels are a secondary food source. Less important prey items are land snails, insects, frogs, and lizards.
Reproduction
Males have territories of several hectares, where they call loudly and chase other males away. Nests are built on the ground, in dense floating vegetation, in bushes, or at any height in trees. They are bulky structures of rushes, sticks or other materials. The clutch consists of 5 to 7 eggs, averaging 6, which measure 6.0 cm × 4.4 cm (2.4 in × 1.7 in). Their background color ranges from gray-white through buff to deep olive, and they are marked with light-brown and sometimes purplish-gray blotches and speckles. Both parents incubate for about 27 days. The young hatch covered with down, capable of walking, running, and swimming. They follow their parents to a platform of aquatic vegetation where they will be brooded. They are fed by both parents; they reach adult size at 7 weeks and leave their parents at about 16 weeks.
Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 
