The Change of Seasons...

When I first started birding, I tried to learn the different species and know the difference of male and female...then, when I thought I'd be able to recognize a certain bird from a distance, the 'change' happened. Along with the change of seasons in weather, so too the plumage!!  I had to start all over and learn more.   Some sites and guide books refer to breeding/non-breeding colors while others will remark that the change is summer/winter colors.  Here are examples.

LEAST BITTERN

large photo:  non breeding colors [winter] could be female or male or immature [inset - summer or breeding colors]  Explained HERE

photos taken:  Leonabelle Turnbull Refuge

habitat map:  Bittern

SPOTTED SANDPIPER

large photo:  summer breeding colors [inset non-breeding colors could be female or male winter colors]  Explained HERE

photos taken:  Packery Channel and Oso Bay

habitat map:  Sandpiper

BLACK BELLIED PLOVER

large photo:  partial summer or breeding colors [inset - non-breeding colors - winter]  Either could be male or female since both sexes are nearly identical!  Explained HERE

photos taken:  Oso Bay and Indian Point Park

habitat map:  Plover

ROSEATE SPOONBILL

large photo:  summer breeding colors [inset - non breeding colors or female/immature]

photos taken:  Charlie's Pasture and Hans Suter Park

habitat map:  Spoonbill

In South Texas, the Spoonbill has some of the highest amount of plumage change during seasons.  It could go from pale pink to a rich deep pink with red patches on wings and yellow on the back of the neck and chest, to deep red and bright orange tail feathers.  Their bald, plain head in the winter goes from a sage colored green flesh to gray/yellow and black.   Their legs change from a pale pink/black to all very dark pink/red.   A remarkable difference.

BROWN PELICAN

large photo:  breeding colors [inset - non breeding colors could be male, immature or female] - Explained HERE

photos taken:  Port A Ship Channel and Sunset Lakes

habitat map:  Pelican

Note a large group of Brown Pelicans is called a squadron!!

LITTLE GREEN HERON

large photo:  non-breeding colors [inset - breeding colors]

Through the years of birding experiences, the rich color change in plumage and leg color from yellow to deep orange-red would indicate breeding color change, tho there is no distinction remarks on the Cornell website.

photos taken:  both Pollywog Ponds

habitat map:  Heron

TRI-COLORED HERON

large photo: non breeding colors [inset - breeding colors]  The plain colors become much more vivid...the greenish yellow legs turn pink, the  yellow beak turns blue and the dull purple/plum feathers will become much brighter during the breeding season...again, no distinction remarks on the Cornell website.

photos taken:  Indian Point Park and Leonabelle Turnbull Refuge

habitat map:  Heron

WILLET
large photo:  breeding colors [inset - non breeding colors]  Explained HERE
photos taken:  Hans Suter Park and Packery Channel
habitat map:  Willet


WHITE IBIS
large photo:  breeding colors [inset - non breeding colors] Explained HERE
photos taken:  NAS at Ocean Drive and Pollywog Ponds
habitat map:  Ibis




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