Birders

[Nearfest2]

Yep. Apparently it's because they are not citizens of Canada. Seriously. This is the explanation I heard.

That's completely untrue. And birds aren't citizens. They're inhabitants.

"In 1758, the Swedish taxonomist Carl Linnaeus included the Canada goose in the 10th edition of Systema Naturae, which classified animals, plants, and minerals.

But Linnaeus, writing in Latin, didn’t use the term 'Canada goose' in the 10th edition. He referred to the bird as Anas canadensis, a protonym, or early version, of the now-accepted scientific name, Branta canadensis, or 'black goose of Canada.'"

So I'm wondering why the american robin is still called that. Is it a citizen? A bit trivial I suppose but interesting anyway how some get their names. I suppose most people just call it a robin.

From what I hear, there is a lot of politics that does into the naming and classification of birds. However, there is also a lot of science. Advancements in genetics has made ornithologist go back and reclassify birds. For example, observations of interbreeding between the Baltimore Oriole and the Bullock's Oriole led to both being classified as a single species, called the Northern Oriole from 1973-1995. Research later showed that the two birds actually did not interbreed significantly, so the Baltimore Oriole and Bullock's Oriole were both brought back into the taxonomy.

[adap2it]

Yep. Apparently it's because they are not citizens of Canada. Seriously. This is the explanation I heard. So I'm wondering why the american robin is still called that. Is it a citizen? A bit trivial I suppose but interesting anyway how some get their names. I suppose most people just call it a robin.

That's because the Robin is generally accepted to be the British Robin, much like the "OPEN" in golf.

[Nearfest2]

There is the American Robin and the European Robin. The AMRO is named after the EURO due to the orange breast, but they are not related birds. AMRO is a thrush and EURO is an Old World flycatcher. They are each commonly called just "robin" by the local population. Additionally, outside of vagrants, their territories do not overlap, so there is little need to qualify which type of robin it is, unless you are reporting your sightings to an organization like Cornell Lab (i.e. eBird, etc.).

[JKL2000]

The American Robin has a more gamey flavor.

[Nearfest2]

The American Robin has a more gamey flavor.

[Plasmatopia]

"...the Swedish taxonomist Carl Linnaeus..."

The original Flower King.

[TCC]

Hi!.
I`m an "extremely casual" birder too!.

Come to Costa Rica, be my guest Chad/friends!.
I`m going to share a couple of videos, some information and ... who knows!.

Bird Photography Workshop - Costa Rica (With Wildlife Photographer Glenn Bartley)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRnh8P5m3Ks (8:47)

An extension:
Costa Rica - A Photographic Expedition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWaH9pVnMs4 (7:48)

One of many good specialized sites that you may find:
http://www.birdwatchingcostarica.com/


Enjoy!.

[Progbear]

From what I hear, there is a lot of politics that does into the naming and classification of birds. However, there is also a lot of science. Advancements in genetics has made ornithologist go back and reclassify birds. For example, observations of interbreeding between the Baltimore Oriole and the Bullock's Oriole led to both being classified as a single species, called the Northern Oriole from 1973-1995. Research later showed that the two birds actually did not interbreed significantly, so the Baltimore Oriole and Bullock's Oriole were both brought back into the taxonomy.

I have thrown up my hands in frustration in ever understanding the psychology, politics and whatever that goes into taxonomy and “scientific names.” To switch over to my former life as an aquarist; when I started out, the vast majority of the cichlid family seemed to fit into two genera: Aequidens and Cichlasoma. Now, it seems that every species belongs to a unique genus.

[Digital_Man]

[That's completely untrue. And birds aren't citizens. They're inhabitants.]

Yeah, I didn't think so. Yes, I know they aren't and can't be "citizens" and I always thought it was a dubious explanation at best anyway.

[Yves]

I'm a casual birder. I like to track them down in various city parks or whenever I can get out to the country somewhere. My enthusiasm has waned a little because I am finding that my 75-300 lens just isn't strong enough to take me to the next level; amd I'm not willing to spend a boatload of money on a stronger one. I'm also more a fan of a point and shoot approach as opposed to setting up somewhere with a tripod and camouflage gear etc...

Spring is returning and I will be out again, even if it's to see the same 15-20 species I have already photographed many times. You can always get a better shot!

[Nearfest2]

Hi!.
I`m an "extremely casual" birder too!.

Come to Costa Rica, be my guest Chad/friends!.
I`m going to share a couple of videos, some information and ... who knows!.

Bird Photography Workshop - Costa Rica (With Wildlife Photographer Glenn Bartley)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRnh8P5m3Ks (8:47)

An extension:
Costa Rica - A Photographic Expedition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWaH9pVnMs4 (7:48)

One of many good specialized sites that you may find:
http://www.birdwatchingcostarica.com/


Enjoy!.

Wow! We are looking to go to Costa Rica next spring (2018). Any and all advice is welcome!!!

[Nearfest2]

Spring is returning and I will be out again, even if it's to see the same 15-20 species I have already photographed many times. You can always get a better shot!

Keep your eyes peeled, buddy. Get yourself some warblers!

[Jefferson James]

This is the kind of madness I deal with on a daily basis. My front yard looks like a hillybilly bar -- peanut shells everywhere. I'm considering them fill at this point, a soil amendment.

I really do wish we had cardinals out here; these Steller's jays are like the blue spray-painted version, all graffiti'd out.

Western Grey Squirrel appears courtesy of Warner Bros., LTD.

Like my home demos, my home movies suck, too, but the intent is there. There needs to be a "crop out finger" app.

[Yves]

Keep your eyes peeled, buddy. Get yourself some warblers!

Yes, I've gotten a few of them over the years. A little too early up here though..

[Dave (in MA)]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/think...-bird-watcher/

[Rune Blackwings]

There is the American Robin and the European Robin. The AMRO is named after the EURO due to the orange breast, but they are not related birds. AMRO is a thrush and EURO is an Old World flycatcher. They are each commonly called just "robin" by the local population. Additionally, outside of vagrants, their territories do not overlap, so there is little need to qualify which type of robin it is, unless you are reporting your sightings to an organization like Cornell Lab (i.e. eBird, etc.).

The American robin is larger and can carry a coconut easier that a European robin or European swallow...

[Nearfest2]

Yes, I've gotten a few of them over the years. A little too early up here though..

Oh for sure. We've had a few Pine Warblers, which are the the first ones through anyway (with the Pine Warblers), but it's even early for them.

[Nearfest2]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/think...-bird-watcher/

I saw this article. What a dopey photograph. Teeny binoculars and one of the straps is in front of one of the lenses. *head slap*

[rcarlberg]

I shot this at the local zoo.

Wow.

Most zoos don't ALLOW hunting!

[rcarlberg]

Beautiful bird, the Norwegian Blue.

Yesterday I was driving down the road and a bald eagle swooped down on the car in front of me (which happened to contain my wife). Majestic bird, maybe a 6 foot wingspan. I was afraid he would carry off my wife's car!

Couple years ago I caught a bluejay feasting on berries in the sun, in my front yard. They had started to ferment and he was drunk as a skunk. I picked him up (he let me; he couldn't even STAND up, let alone fly) and I put him in a pet carrier overnight. The next morning he'd sobered up and skedaddled as soon as I let him out. With a good story to tell his grandkids.

[walt]

On two occasions over the last couple of years i've seen red-tailed hawks swoop and seize squirrels on the grounds of my co-op.More often i've seen hawks eating birds.Squirrels are probably a difficult quarry to dispatch,being quick, decent sized and alert.Seeing the hawk taking a squirrel was one of the more arresting sights in nature.

Nature red in tooth and claw....indeed.

[Dave (in MA)]

I saw this article. What a dopey photograph. Teeny binoculars and one of the straps is in front of one of the lenses. *head slap*

Since birds sing, hipster-boy thought he should use opera glasses.

[ronmac]

Wow.

Most zoos don't ALLOW hunting!

They were delicious with a touch of shrimpiness to them. Delectable.

[Progbear]

On two occasions over the last couple of years i've seen red-tailed hawks swoop and seize squirrels on the grounds of my co-op.More often i've seen hawks eating birds.Squirrels are probably a difficult quarry to dispatch,being quick, decent sized and alert.Seeing the hawk taking a squirrel was one of the more arresting sights in nature.

If you have a backyard bird feeder, expect to attract sharp-shinned hawks (and their bigger brothers, Cooper’s hawks). Their main food is smaller birds. There’s a few videos on Youtube of sharp-shinned hawks capturing, killing and eating birds (invasive pests like starlings and English sparrows, no big loss).

Unfortunately before the days of dash-mounted car cameras but I saw the most amazing sight on the way back home from Sacramento via the river road (160): an osprey flying by with a fish in its talons. It dropped it right in front of my car and another swooped in and caught it in mid-air!

The other amazing bird sight I actually did manage to get a photo series of: during a (curtailed) hike out to Tomales Point, a raven caught and flew off with a garter snake. I need to find those photos.

[Dave the Brave]

One fine day a couple of years back I was outside my office building feeding the backy habit and a Peregrine Falcon swooped down right in front of me and scooped up a pigeon.

Fine sight to see.


DtB