Marbled Murrelet

Brachyramphus marmoratus

Appearance:
Small, chunky auk
Short, pointed, black bill
Short tail
Winter plumage:
   Black upperparts
   White underparts, throat, chin and collar
   White stripe over wings
Breeding plumage:
    Dark mottled brown all over

Listen to its call.

I saw a pair of these murrelets yesterday off the breakwater at Ogden Point.  They only stopped by for a minute before diving underwater, presumably in search of food.

Learn more about the Marbled Murrelet.

Black-legged Kittiwake

Rissa tridactyla

juvenile

Appearance:
Medium-sized gull
Black legs
White head and underparts
Slate-gray back and wings
Black wingtips
Small, yellow bill (adult)
Juvenile:
    Gray patches on nape and crown
    Dark spot at the ear
    Black spot above rear half of eye
    Black collar and terminal band on tail
    Black "W" bar across wings
    Black bill

Listen to its call.

The Black-legged Kittiwake is usually far out at sea. However, a number of them have been seen around the Victoria shoreline lately, probably as a result of the storm we had a few weeks back.  I photographed this bird off the Ogden Point Breakwater this morning. Apparently, there had been two immature birds and an adult around a bit earlier, but I only saw the one.

Learn more about the Black-legged Kittiwake.

Northern Flicker - yellow-shafted

 Colaptes auratus auratus

Appearance:
Large woodpecker
Brown back with narrow black bars
Black chest patch
Black spots on belly
White rump
Yellow under wings and tail
Grey head
Brown face and throat
Red crescent on nape of neck
Black moustache (male)

Listen to its call.

Yellow-shafted Flickers reside in eastern North American while the Red-shafted ones reside in the west. So, you can imagine my surprise to see one with a yellow tail at my backyard feeder this morning.  In the picture below, you can just see the red crescent on the nape of her neck. Note the absence of a moustache.

Learn more about the Northern Flicker.