BACKYARD BIRDING IN MERIDA, YUCATAN AND BEYOND – THANKS GIVINGS, 2016

Thanksgiving Day, November 24, will be honored by many US citizens around the world. On a different interpretation, take time to thank birds for their roles in our world whether for pollination, insect and rodent consumption, seed and fruit dispersers, nutrient recyclers as scavengers, inspiration, incredible beauty, wondrous behaviors and of course, songs.

I chose a recording from the Long-tailed Mockingbird of Peru to exemplify note diversity of birds.

http://www.xeno-canto.org/135239

Images below illustrate a few examples of birds I observed in the desert city of Lima or the Amazon rainforest in Peru. Thanks for all of them!

MAY YOU EXPERIENCE A BOUNTIFUL YEAR FILLED WITH GRATITUDE!

SPECIES:

Red-and-green Macaw/Green-winged Macaw, Ara chloropterus

Red-capped Cardinal, Paroaria gularis

Saffron Finch, Sicalis flaveola

Orinoco Goose, rare in Peru, Neochen jubata

Shiny Cowbird, Molothrus bonariensis

Plumbeous Kite, Ictinia plumbea

Silver-beaked Tanager, Ramphocelus carbo

Black-fronted Nunbird, Monasa nigrifrons

Scarlet Macaw, Ara macao

DISCLAIMER: References do not agree on details about these species.

A Guide to the Birds of Venezuela; The Birds of South America, Vol. 1, The Oscine Passerines; http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p_spp=121116; http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/distribution?p_p_spp=67111; http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p_spp=638796; Roger Ahlman, XC135239. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/135239

Cherie Pittillo, “nature inspired,” photographer and author, explores nature everywhere she goes. She’s identified 56 bird species in her Merida, Yucatan backyard view. Her column, published on the 7^th and 21^st of each month, features anecdotes about birding in Merida, Yucatan and beyond. Contact: all4birdies@gmail.com  All rights reserved, ©Cherie Pittillo