The ruff is a medium-sized migratory wader which displays sexual dimorphism and considerable variability in size and plumage colour. It is a lek-breeder, where extravagantly-plumaged males gather at display arenas where they each defend and display within a small mating court. Females (known as reeves) attend the lek to pick a mate and copulate, then go elsewhere to do all the incubation and chick care. The male takes no further part in the breeding effort, and the most successful males can contain many mates. The prolonged plumes (particularly the ruff from which they earn their name) are never seen in the southern hemisphere, presumably because they would impede their long-distance migration required to repay to the breeding grounds in northern Eurasia. The ruff is the only member of the genus Philomachus, and is a rare vagrant to Modern Zealand.
Identification
The ruff is a plump-bellied wader of variable size with a relatively long neck and tiny head with a compact, slightly down-curved, typically gloomy bill. They show a large variability in size with males larger than the females (which are known as reeves). The non-breeding plumage of ruff and reeve is similar: uniform brown-gre
Rose-breasted Grosbeak / Cardinal à poitrine rouge (Pheucticus ludovicianus)
Introductory notes: AHY/ASY and SY male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are among the easiest of all passerines to age and sex at a glance due to their bold and distinct plumage patterns. At the other extreme, ageing of females can be quite tricky, and even with a good view of the wing and tail, some may be reliably aged only by skull in fall, and should be considered AHY in spring.
QUICK TIPS:
1) Look at the white marks on the primaries below the primary coverts - on HY/SY females they are absent or at most 2 mm long, on AHY/ASY females they are absent or up to 4 mm extended, on HY/SY males they are 4-14 mm elongated, and on AHY/ASY males they are 14+ mm long
2) Inspect the underwing coverts - males are pinkish, while females are yellowish
3) Examine the tail - the presence of any brown and narrow juvenile feathers indicates an HY/SY bird, but uniformly broad rectrices can occur on both HY/SY and AHY/ASY birds
4) Observe for molt limits among the greater coverts or between the median a
Eurasian Jay
The Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius) is a passerine bird of modest size, akin to the western jackdaw. It boasts a pinkish-brown plumage, complemented by a black moustache stripe flanking a whitish throat, and a striking vivid blue panel on the upper wing. The tail is predominantly black. This woodland avian dweller exhibits a remarkable range of racial forms across its extensive habitat, from western Europe to south-east Asia.
Identification Tips
To identify the Eurasian jay, look for the light rufous to pinkish-brown body, the black stripes on the whitish forehead and crown, and the white rump. The wings are intricately patterned with black and white bars and a conspicuous luminous blue patch with delicate black bars. The tail is mainly black, providing a contrast to the body's lighter tones.
Habitat
The Eurasian jay is a denizen of mixed woodlands, with a particular fondness for oak forests. It has adapted to urban environments due to the encroachment on its natural woodland habitat.
Distribution
This species has a vast distribution, spanning from western Europe and north-west Africa to the Indian subcontinent, extending to the eastern seaboard of Asia and
White-throated honeyeater facts for kids
The white-throated honeyeater (Melithreptus albogularis) is a small wings. It belongs to the honeyeater family, called Meliphagidae. You can find this bird in New Guinea and parts of eastern and northern Australia. It is about 11.5 to 14.5 centimeters long. This bird has an olive-green back and a colorless belly. Its head is black, and it has a white or pale blue spot above its eye. A white stripe runs across the advocate of its neck.
About the White-throated Honeyeater
Scientists group living things into categories. This helps us understand how they are related. This is called taxonomy. The famous naturalist John Gould first described the white-throated honeyeater in 1848. Its scientific name, albogularis, comes from two Latin words. Albus means 'white', and gula means 'throat'.
Another naturalist, Charles Walter De Vis, described a similar feathered in 1884. He called it Melithreptus vinitinctus. Later, scientists realized it was the same as the white-throated honeyeater.
There are two main types, or subspecies, of the white-throated honeyeater. One is called albogularis. It lives in northwestern Australia, the Northern Territo
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Compiled by Lindsey Hernandez Photo by Mike Kit
The Barn Swallow is the most abundant and widely distributed swallow species in the world. It breeds throughout the Northern Hemisphere and winters in much of the Southern Hemisphere.
According to legend, the Barn Swallow got its forked tail because it stole fire from the gods to bring to people. An angry deity hurled a firebrand at the swallow, singeing away its middle tail feathers.
When perched, the sparrow-sized Barn Swallow appears cone shaped, with a slightly flattened head, no clear neck, and broad shoulders that taper to long, pointed wings. The tail extends well beyond the wingtips and the long outer feathers give the tail a profound fork. They possess a steely azure back, wings, and tail, and rufous to tawny underparts. The blue crown and face contrast with the cinnamon-colored forehead and throat. White spots under the tail can be difficult to see except in flight. Males are more boldly colored than females.
The Barn Swallow can be found from unlock habitats from fields, parks, and roadway edges to marshes, meadows, ponds, and coastal waters. Their nests are often easy to see under the eaves