Bird of the Week – Fiery-Billed Aricari
WC will break away from Alaska bird species for a bit and show some of the tropical species of the Western Hemisphere. The Fiery-Billed Aricari is a cousin to the better-known Toucan species. The spectacular bill has evolved to allow the bird to pluck, crush and eat fruits, berries and nuts. And it’s worth a close-up view. You can see the serrated edges in this closer view; they allow the bird to hold fruits and nuts. The bird is surprisingly delicate as it uses that big bill, plucking tiny berries and working the skin off of big fruits. The spectacular…
Bird of the Week – Whimbrel
At a little over 17 inches tall, this is one of the larger shorebirds that breeds in wetter alpine tundra areas in Alaska. The long, downcurved bill and distinctive white and brown-striped head make the bird easy to identify. You’ll likely hear the haunting, hollow whistle call before you find this bird; despite its size, it can be hard to see, especially hunched down on a nest. This bird was photographed on the east end of the Denali Highway. Technical stuff: f5.7, 1/320, ISO250 More bird photos at Frozen Feather Images.
Bird of the Week – American Golden-Plover
American Golden-Plovers breed in the northern two-thirds of Alaska, after migrating up from South America. This pretty lady was at Eagle Summit, working hard to lead WC away from her nest. If you walk on alpine trails or terrain in Interior Alaska, especially drier tundra, you’ll hear the distinctive “tk-wheee” call as the male and female work to divert your attention to them. Technical stuff: f7.1, 1/320, ISO200 More bird photos at Frozen Feather Images.