There were dozens of Crested Caracaras [and vultures] in a barrow ditch...cleaning up road kill.
CRESTED CARACARA
photos taken: Chapman Ranch
habitat map: Caracara
length: 22-24 inches
wingspan: 50 inches
One lone Harrier landed and quickly flew off as I slowed down to get a photo
NORTHERN HARRIER
photo taken: Chapman Ranch
habitat map: Harrier
length: 18-22 inches
wingspan: 40-48 inches
A Red Tailed Hawk perched in a cropping of trees, soon to take off and fly away...
...and a 2nd one was watching, nearby
RED TAILED HAWK
photos taken: Chapman Ranch
habitat map: Hawk
length: 19-25 inches
wingspan: 46-58 inches
One plowed field was crawling with meadowlarks. I believe they are WESTERN meadowlarks being that the back feathers are such a lighter brown than Eastern. Coloration is best ID because the two, Eastern and Western reside in the state.
MEADOWLARKphotos taken: Chapman Ranch
habitat map: Meadowlark
length: 10 inches
wingspan: 14-16 inches
Whimbrels have a pale center stripe and brown stripes on each side of the center stripe on the head. Most often this bird is seen along the coastline, but these cotton fields were flooded in areas from heavy rainfall, and one section of land, they were feasting as has been noted before in Texas [also noted in past years around this area were Hudsonian Godwits -with upcurved bills- in flooded fields]....
In comparing, the whimbrel is smaller than, and shorter beak than the curlew. Lighter and more gray/white in plumage also.
WHIMBRELphoto taken: Chapman Ranch
habitat map: Whimbrel
length: 18 inches
wingspan: 32 inches
LONG BILLED CURLEW
note the longer bill and the browner/rusty belly
photo taken: Chapman Ranch
habitat map: Curlew
length: 22 inches
wingspan: 36 inches
EUROPEAN STARLING
photo taken: Chapman Ranch
habitat map: Starling
length: 8.5 inches
wingspan: 15 inches
Recently, there were two 'rare' birds reported being sighted on Chapman's Ranch. Altho the reports do not have specific coordinates or accurate mapping, and the ranch is over 20,000 acres with many county roads intersecting [and some roads impassable], I took a chance once again to drive out and see if I could find the two birds. More than likely seen in daylight, the rare [slowly becoming more populated species after fear of near extinction in the 1930s]...the White Tailed Kite. As I saw and photographed all the others, above, I was heading out to the main highway to get back home, and off to my right, I saw this. Could it be?
YES!!! A new bird for me.
I zoomed in...
WHITE TAILED KITE
photos taken: Chapman Ranch
habitat map: Kite
length: 16 inches
wingspan: 40 inches
....The other reported bird was the short eared owl....I went at dusk on another day, and no luck.
This Week's Participants:
Travels With Birds
Linda, Virginia USA
Lavender Dreams
Eileen
Sallie [Full Time Life]
Phil UK
Rosyfinch Ramblings
Lea's Menagerie
Cranium Bolts
Birds Seen in Africa and Europe
WOW! Really super duper post today!! First, the stunning Caracara! And the FOOT, I love it! Then the Whimbrel. I have never even HEARD of such a bird. I thought I at least knew the names of most birds here, but this is a new one to me. First time ever. The kite face reminds me a bit of a Shrike. He looks ghostlike. LOVE this!!!
ReplyDeleteI remember many years ago birding in Texas and there was a chicken processing plant and they used throw out all the unwanted parts trimmed from the carcasses and there were literally hundreds of Crested Caracaras present. I can't remember exactly where it was but it was spectacular.
ReplyDeleteAll beautiful images, but that kite is special!
ReplyDeleteHello, awesome variety of birds. I love the Caracara and the White-tailed Kite is a beauty! The Meadowlark is a favorite. I would love to see a Curlew. Great photos. Thanks for hosting. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to see that Kite! It's always neat to see something rare especially if you've never seen it before! You've gotten such wonderful photos on this outing! I love getting out...you never know what you'll see! Happy weekend and thanks for the party!
ReplyDeleteGreat selection of birds! Congratulations on finding the White Tailed Kite.
ReplyDeleteFabulous selection of birds in this post but my favourite shot is the first one. Brilliant Anni.
ReplyDeleteAwesome selection of birds!
ReplyDeleteNice mix of bird photos. Some of those birds are very intimidating looking.
ReplyDeleteEven though I have never seen a caracara, just through seeing photos on blogs, I would love to see one. Even better, see dozens. It's interesting how you can separate the two races of meadowlarks and that in Texas, both of them occur. Makes for testing birding.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week ahead Anni. And thanks for the link-up.
wow! the kite is gorgeous. I know you were beyond excited to see him.. my favorite today is the crested caracas.. I have never seen one and he is pretty amazing
ReplyDeleteWow, you got some fabulous shots of the Crested Caracaras! I would love to see them in person...as I would any of these really. The long bill of that curlew looks almost too long to deal with! As always, I sure love your birding posts.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a a Caracara, they are amazing. Thanks for hosting, have a great week. Diane
ReplyDeleteI LOVE them ALL, Anni!!...:)jp
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