There are a number of reasons why I decided to take on this project. My first reason has to do with my interest in birds. This began shortly after moving to Victoria ten and a half years ago. With our house backing onto a wooded area, the chirping of birds is a familiar sound all year long. I often glance out the window to see birds of all forms in the yard throughout the day. Frequently I will pull out the Birds of Victoria or Birds of North America reference guides we have on hand. Unfortunately, the drawings in the first aren’t overly helpful for identification and the number of entries in the second is overwhelming. My second reason has to do with a photography course I took a number of years ago. Since that time I have been trying to think of a practical reason to buy a new camera. Taking pictures of birds requires a powerful zoom lens which my previous point-and-shoot camera could not accommodate. Perfect! My final reason was my desire to take on a new project to welcome in 2011. Hence, bird of the day was born.



Wednesday, January 13, 2021

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.
Posted by at
Labels: ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)