© Robert P - monacoeye • Everglades

Bird name: Purple Gallinule
Latin: Porphyrio martinica
Other: American Purple Gallinule • Frango d’água-azul (Br)
Family: Rallidae - Rails, Swamphens
Range: Americas
Similar: Common Gallinule

Thanks to Bob for sending the above photo of an American Purple Gallinule seen in the Everglades in Florida.

Further, below, a couple of juveniles seen on the banks of the Chagres River in Central Panama. Also Regua, Brazil.

Not technically in the Gallinule family.

Purple Gallinule in flight, Regua, RJ, Brazil, September.
More photos...

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Do not copy • Florida 2009

Bird name: Boat Tailed Grackle
Latin: Quiscalus major
Other: Boat-tailed Grackle
Family: Icteridae • Grackles
Range: USA - southeast coast, esp Florida.
Similar: Great-tailed Grackle, Common Grackle

The Boat-tailed Grackle, seen here in Florida, has a particular fondness for car-parks (see photo below in “more photos”). It lives in Florida and along the coast to the north and west. Many thanks to Alexia for sending in these great photos.More photos...

Copyright: AT/monacoeye • Point Reyes, December • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Brewer’s Blackbird
Latin: Euphagus cyanocephalus
Other:
Family: Icteridae • New World Blackbirds
Range: North America, some migrating to Mexico.
Similar:

This is an adult male Brewer’s Blackbird, identifiable by bright yellow iris and glossy blue-indigo plumage, purplish on head. Seen here in California.

Copyright: AT/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Washington DC, April 2008

Bird name: Canada Goose
Latin: Branta canadensis
Other:
Family: Anatidae • Geese
Range: Widespread North America

Canada Geese spotted by Alasdair beside the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Washington DC.

Copyright: AT/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission. California, Dec 2010

Bird name: Western Gull
Latin: Larus occidentalis
Other:
Family: Laridae • Gulls
Range: Western coast of North America

Thanks to Alasdair for sending in this shot of a Western Gull, and a few other birds from California!

The Western Gull is a large white-headed gull, which lives on the west coast of North America.

Below, in “more photos”, a first winter Western Gull.More photos...

Copyright: AT/monacoeye • Point Reyes, December • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Double Crested Cormorant
Latin: Phalacrocorax auritus
Other: Cormorán orejudo (Es)
Family: Phalacrocoracidae • Cormorants
Range: North America to Mexico
Similar:

Thanks to Alasdair for sending this record shot of Double Crested Cormorants resting off Point Reyes.

Copyright: AT/monacoeye • Point Reyes, December • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Marbled Godwit
Latin: Limosa fedoa
Other: Picopando canelo (Es)
Family: Scolopacidae • Waders
Range: Canada, migrating south to USA, Mexico, South America

The Marbled Godwit is a large wader with long pinkish bill with black tip. Seen here in California.