‘BAHAMA DUCK‘ Anas bahamensis
Photos taken on Abaco by Gerlinde Taurer, a major contributor to “Birds of Abaco”
WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAIL . ABACO . BAHAMAS
Author Archives: Rolling Harbour
BROWN PELICAN Pelecanus occidentalis
BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER
The Black-and-White Warbler Mniotilta varia is a fairly common winter resident on Abaco. They are the only birds of the genus Mniotilta (“moss-picker” gr.). Unlike most warblers these birds behave rather like nuthatches, creeping along the trunks and branches of trees grubbing insects out of the bark. Pine trees are ideal for this. A lot of the 37 species of warbler on Abaco are small and yellow. But as soon as I saw one of these for the first time, I was very relieved. I knew exactly what it was – the bird that has been described as ‘a flying humbug’.
SUMMER WINTER
Finally, this is a great short video of this little bird in action. Even if you only watch the first 30 seconds, you will be enchanted…
Image Credits: Bruce Hallett, Tom Shelley, Tom Reed. All are contributors to “The Delphi Club Guide to the Birds of Abaco” (Publ. March 2014)
AMERICAN COOT . ABACO . BAHAMAS
Coots and gallinules (moorhens) tend to get overlooked as birds of interest, being familiar to all and far from unusual in many locations. However, it is hard to imagine a more dramatic waterfowl image than this coot on the point of lift-off. Gerlinde Taurer, a significant contributor to BIRDS OF ABACO, captured this moment – a split second with the bird’s wings raised and the frantic paddle as the bird takes off.
ABACO PARROTS
LAUGHING GULLS ON ABACO, BAHAMAS
LAUGHING GULLS ON ABACO, BAHAMAS
Leucophaeus atricilla
A humorous conversation
A rather wind-blown gull in non-breeding plumage
WHAT DO LAUGHING GULLS SOUND LIKE? ARE YOU OVERSENSITIVE?
I made a couple of short recordings of the gulls in full humour mode; also a short video of the breeding pair above. If you have never heard them before, you might want to listen to the full 30 seconds. For anyone else there’s a convenient lull at around 15 secs before they kick off again.
Breeding adult (Birdorable)
All photos, audio clip, video: Keith Salvesen / Rolling Harbour
TRICOLORED HERONS
TRICOLORED HERON: AN ELEGANT & PATIENT FISHER
The Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor is one of 6 heron species found on Abaco, and is a permanent breeding resident. To which can be added 4 sorts of egret to complete a line up of expert fishers, all equally at home hunting in the water or from the shore, or surveying the scene from nearby vantage points like bushes and trees. A long neck, a long bill and long legs make this heron species ideally adapted for wading. Like other herons and egrets, it will stand stock-still waiting for the perfect fish to swim into range. However they are also active hunters, and will stalk prey or chase it by striding quickly through the water in pursuit. They eat fish, crustaceans, reptiles, and insects.
The heron and egret species of Abaco
Breeding plumage: smart blue bill and a fish to put in it
Credits: Phil Lanoue (1, 7); Dan Pancamo (2); Keith Salvesen (3); Woody Bracey (4); Bruce Hallett (5)
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER . ABACO . BAHAMAS
From Birds of Abaco
PLOVERS ON ABACO, BAHAMAS
ABACO’S SIX PLOVER SPECIES
WILSON’S PLOVER Ochthodromus wilsonia PR B 2
‘Broken Wing Display’ to distract predators from a nesting area
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola WR 1 (Intermediate Plumage)
AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis dominica TR 4
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER Charadrius semipalmatus WR 2
KILLDEER Charadrius vociferus WR 2
PIPING PLOVER Charadrius melodus WR 3
Photo credits: Sandy Walker, Craig Nash, Tom Sheley, Clare Latimer, Tony Hepburn, Bruce Hallett, Tom Reed
BAHAMA WARBLER: ABACO’S ENDEMIC RESIDENT
BAHAMA WARBLER Setophaga flavescens: ABACO’S ENDEMIC RESIDENT
A SPECIALITY BIRD
The Bahama warbler is a significant species with a near-unique status in the Bahamas:
- Found only on Abaco and Grand Bahama
- One of only 5 bird species endemic to the Bahamas
- One of only 2 endemic warbler species on Abaco (with the BAHAMA YELLOWTHROAT)
- One of only 5 permanent year-round resident warblers (33 others are migratory), the other 3 being the OLIVE-CAPPED, YELLOW, and PINE warblers.
Until 2011, the BAWA was classified as a subspecies of the YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER. The ornithological powers-that-be then recognised that the two species were distinct in both appearance and in vocalisation, and split them into separate species (this splitting / amalgamating process occurs annually and plays havoc with the precious ‘Life Lists’ kept with such rigour by ardent birders**.
The BAWA has such a confined range that even the extensive reach of the wonderful Cornell Lab of Ornithology has not got as far as this bird. The info sections of the otherwise comprehensive website for Neotropical Birds are blank and waiting for someone to upload some details. Here are a few facts in one of a very good series of info-graphics produced by the BAHAMAS NATIONAL TRUST.
** I have never even started a Life List, which demonstrates just how lightweight I am as a bird person
Credits: Alex Hughes (1, 4); Bruce Hallett (2, 6); Woody Bracey (3); Tom Sheley (5); Range Map, Cornell; Info G, BNT
THE BIRDS OF ABACO 