Semipalmated Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla)

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Order : Charadriiformes
This is a diverse order which includes about 350 species of birds in all parts of the world. Most Chardriiformes are strong flyers, some species performing the most extensive migration of any birds. Most live near water and eat invertebrates or other similar small animals and most nest on the ground. the order is split into 3 main suborders; Charadrii (about 200 species including Sandpipers, Plovers and Lapwings ), Lari ( about 92 species including Gulls, Turns, Skimmers and Jaegers), and Alcidae ( about 21 species including Auks, Guillemots and Puffins)

Family : Sandpipers (Scolopacidae)
Predominantly birds of arctic regions, the Scolopacidae is a large family of waders or shorebirds, the majority of which eat small invertebrates picked out from mud, soil or sand. Different bill lengths mean that different species can feed in the same habitat without competing with each other. They are usually found in groups on or near the beach. For the most part they are silent in winter and on migration.

Name : Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla)
Length : 13 - 15 cm ( 5 - 6 in )

Adults have black legs and a short straight dark bill. The upperparts are dark grey-brown, underparts white, head and neck are tinged light grey-brown. Their breeding habitat is the southern tundra in Canada and Alaska where they nest near water. The males make several shallow scrapes, the female chooses one and adds grass and other materials to line the nest. The male assists in incubation, and a few days after hatching the female leaves the young with the male, however the young are able to feed themselves. The birds forage on mud flats and beaches picking up aquatic insects and crustaceans by both sight and feel. (the bill). They are long distance migrants and winter in coastal South America, the Caribbean and southern North America, migrating in flocks that can number in the hundreds of thousands, but such large groups are highly dependent on some key stop over habitats during their migration.

#Semipalmated Sandpiper #Calidris pusilla #Sandpipers #Scolopacidae #Charadriiformes #arctic shorebirds #migrant birds #coastal birds #North American migrant birds #birds #birds of Tobago

Bird identification images

Brown Pelican

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

Brown Pelican

Order : Pelecaniformes
A diverse group of aquatic birds that fall into three suborders; Pelicani (Pelicans, Darters, Cormorants and Boobies) Fregatae ( Frigate birds ) and Phaethones ( Tropic birds). All are fairly large birds and all have webbed feet. Each suborder then having specialised adaptations for the different ways of life, the Frigatebird never alighting on water while the Anhinga swims underwater for extended periods of time.

Family : Pelicans (Pelecanidae)
Having been around for over 40 million years the pelican is found on every continent except Antarctica. They are birds of coastal and inland waters where different species have adapted two main ways of obtaining food. The most popular used by White Pelicans is group fishing where they form a line to chase schools of small fish into shallow water where they simply scoop them up. Larger fish are caught with the tip of the bill, thrown up, and swallowed head first. Plunge diving is the second method of fishing used almost exclusively by Brown Pelicans where the Pelican will dive into the water usually folding it’s wings at the last moment. They often fish in small groups, and can be accompanied by Sea Gulls like the Laughing Gull which will attempt to steal the catch literally right from the birds mouth. Pelicans nest colonially, the male bringing the nesting material, the female heaping it up to form a simple structure. Pairs are monogamous for a single season at the nest, but continue to feed independently.

Name :Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
Length 105 - 140 cm ( 41 - 55 in )

The Brown Pelican is the smallest member of the Pelican family. It lives strictly on coasts from Washington and Cape Cod to the mouth of the Amazon River, nesting in colonies usually on small Islands. The nest can vary from a simple scrape on the ground to a bulky stick nest made in small trees. The Brown Pelican can usually be seen flying in small groups in single file, often flying mere feet above the water surface. They catch they prey, exclusively fish, by plunge diving head first into the water, giving an aerial display that can continue for hours at a time, resting on the waters surface as needed. The fish are caught in the long bill which has a large throat patch underneath, swallowed quickly, before taking off for another foray. They are mostly brown above, grey- white below with large wings that can span up to 3 meters.

#Brown Pelican #Pelecanus occidentalis #Pelicans #Pelecanidae #Pelecaniformes #aquatic birds #Seabird #Sea Bird #coastal birds #bird #birds of Tobago

Bird identification pictures