Magdalena Bay
Today was warm, sunny, and calm. A perfect day to explore the mangrove channels of Magdalena Bay by Zodiac. Three unrelated species of mangroves grow side by side, often forming dense thickets along the shores of the bay, creating and providing a productive, nurturing and sheltered habitat for many creatures. It is an attractive place for birds that live in or near the mangroves to feed. A variety of birds were the stars of our show today.
They all utilize different strategies and techniques in order to allow diversity and reduce competition. Shorebirds have a range of bill shapes and lengths and feed at different levels in the substrate. Many of the herons depend on stealth and lightning reflexes. Others are more active in their search for small fish and crustaceans. Long legs can be an added advantage for both shorebirds and waders. The osprey and the kingfisher can actually plunge briefly into the water in pursuit of fish, using their talons and bill respectively. In mid-air the osprey will turn its quarry to face head first, making the bird's flight more aerodynamic. The waterthrush easily bobs its way amongst the roots of the mangroves looking for insects and other tiny invertebrates. Even scrub jays are found in this habitat. Excellent eyesight enables birds to spot their prey, sometimes from a long distance. The overall highlight of our tour was certainly the mangrove warbler. Often elusive, singing males (yellow with a red head) were quite conspicuous today. It was a thrill to see all of these birds on our morning excursion.
Birds shown, clockwise from bottom: Long-billed curlew (Numenius americanus), Green heron (Butorides virescens),Yellow-crowned night-heron (juvenile) (Nyctanassa violacea)
Today was warm, sunny, and calm. A perfect day to explore the mangrove channels of Magdalena Bay by Zodiac. Three unrelated species of mangroves grow side by side, often forming dense thickets along the shores of the bay, creating and providing a productive, nurturing and sheltered habitat for many creatures. It is an attractive place for birds that live in or near the mangroves to feed. A variety of birds were the stars of our show today.
They all utilize different strategies and techniques in order to allow diversity and reduce competition. Shorebirds have a range of bill shapes and lengths and feed at different levels in the substrate. Many of the herons depend on stealth and lightning reflexes. Others are more active in their search for small fish and crustaceans. Long legs can be an added advantage for both shorebirds and waders. The osprey and the kingfisher can actually plunge briefly into the water in pursuit of fish, using their talons and bill respectively. In mid-air the osprey will turn its quarry to face head first, making the bird's flight more aerodynamic. The waterthrush easily bobs its way amongst the roots of the mangroves looking for insects and other tiny invertebrates. Even scrub jays are found in this habitat. Excellent eyesight enables birds to spot their prey, sometimes from a long distance. The overall highlight of our tour was certainly the mangrove warbler. Often elusive, singing males (yellow with a red head) were quite conspicuous today. It was a thrill to see all of these birds on our morning excursion.
Birds shown, clockwise from bottom: Long-billed curlew (Numenius americanus), Green heron (Butorides virescens),Yellow-crowned night-heron (juvenile) (Nyctanassa violacea)
