Lazuli Bunting

Passerina amoena 

Appearance: 

Small, finch-like songbird 

Coned shaped bill

Gently sloping forehead 

Male (breeding): 

     Bright blue above 

     Pumpkin-colored breast 

     White belly and shoulder patch 

Juvenile / Male (non-breeding):

     Mottled blue and tan above 

     Pumpkin-coloured breast 

Female: 

     Grayish-brown above 

     Blue tinge to wings and tail 

     Two buffy wing bars 

     Pale cinnamon or tan breast

This gorgeous bird has been frequenting Beckwith Park for the last few days. And he’s certainly been attracting a lot of attention singing from exposed branches in his bright breeding plumage.  Unfortunately, as Lazuli Buntings are a rarity in the area, it was from birders and not females of his own species. 

Listen to it’s call. 

Blue Jay

Cyanocitta cristata

Appearance:

Large, crested songbird

Blue upper parts, with black and white markings

White underparts

Black necklace

Rounded tail

Listen to it’s call.

Growing up in Ontario, I was used to seeing Blue Jays year-round. However, this is the first time I’ve seen one in Victoria. Although scarce, there always seem to be a few reports every Winter.  Better photos to follow, hopefully. 

Learn more about the Blue Jay. 

Ancient Murrelet

Synthliboramphus antiquus

Appearance:
Small auk
Black face and crown
Grey back
White underparts
Pale, stubby bill
White throat extending back and up to ears
Breeding plumage:
   Black throat
   White band at neck
   White eyebrow

Listen to its call.

I stopped off at Ogden Point yesterday for a chilly walk along the breakwater. There were a number of seabirds around including Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot and a couple of these little fellows: another lifer for me and a rarity for this area.

And now a bit of trivia for you. The name Ancient resulted from the grey back resembled a shawl draped across an old person's shoulders

Learn more about the Ancient Murrelet.

Rusty Blackbird

 Euphagus carolinus

Appearance: 

Medium-sized blackbird

Pale yellow eye

Slender, slightly decurved bill

Male (breeding):

     Glossy black

 Male (non-breeding):

     Rusty feather edges 

     Bold eyebrow

Female :

    Grey-brown

    Rusty feather edges

    Bold eyebrow

    Darker feathers around eye

Listen to its call. 

With a new year upon us and COVID making it difficult to do much else, I've decide to ramp up my birding a bit.  Friday netted me a distant view of a Wilson's Snipe and a Black Phoebe in Central Saanich.  This afternoon, I made a trip to King's Pond in search of a Rusty Blackbird that has been hanging about lately  Happily, I located it in a large flock of Brewer's Blackbirds that flew in to partake of the bird seed liberally scattered on the ground by the many families enjoying the sunshine. 

Learn more about the Rusty Blackbird.