Semipalmated Plover – ForagingCharadrius semipalmatus September – Nova Scotia L=7.5” ...... WS=19” ...... WT=16 oz Order: Charadriiformes (Shorebirds, Gulls, Auks, Allies) Family:Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings) The Semipalmated Plover is a common shorebird whose population appears to be increasing – unusual for a plover. Possible explanations for this increase is increased nesting sites in the subarctic due to habitat disturbances by humans and arctic geese, its widespread winter distribution (along the entire Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific coasts of the United States and Mexico), and flexibility as regards food sources.
Sanderling – ForagingCalidris albas September – Nova Scotia L=8” ...... WS=17” ...... WT=2 oz......m>f Order: Charadriiformes (Shorebirds, Gulls, Auks, Allies) Family:Scolopacidae (Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies) The waves come in chasing the Sanderling and then the waves go out, the Sanderlings chasing the waves. All the while the Sanderlings are picking at the sand and eating crustaceans, worms, and mollusks exposed in the wave’s action. In this picture the bird is running from the waves and eyeing the sand for food. These plump shorebirds breed in the high arctic and then migrate to a very large area from British Columbia in the west and Massachusetts in the east south to southern Chile/Argentina.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird – MaleSelasphorus platycerus August – Colorado L=4” ...... WS=5.25”...... WT=0.13 oz Order: Apodiformes (Swifts and Hummingbirds) Family: Trochilidae (Hummingbirds) The Broad-tailed Hummingbird breeds at high elevations in the southern and central Rocky Mountains, eastern California, and Mexico. One identifying characteristic is the male’s shrill buzzing sound that occurs during flight. This buzzing is due to tapered outer feathers on their wings that buzz when air passes through them.
