Common Moorhen – Juveniles watching a passerbyGallinula chloropus July – Texas L=14” ...... WS=21”...... WT=11 oz Order: Gruiformes (Rails, Cranes, and Allies) Family: Rallifae (Rails, Gallinules and Coots) Common Moorhens have large feet and very long toes allowing them to walk on floating plants and very soft soil on shorelines and in marshes. Even though their feet lack lobes or webs they swim well. They nest near emergent vegetation close to relatively open water. The young lack the bright colors of the mature bird and typically stay close to the parent and the nest while learning to forage.
Pied-billed Grebe –foraging Podilymbus podiceps October – Texas L=13” ...... WS=16” ...... WT=1 lb Order: Podicipediformes (Grebes) Family: Podicipedidae (Grebes) The Pied-billed Grebe is a secretive bird with a loud and reaching call that is frequently heard before the bird is spotted. They are seldom seen in flight during the day since they prefer to avoid danger by diving or sinking from view. The sinking is accomplished by expelling air from the area between the feathers and body and from air sacs. Grebes are strong swimmers due to the unusual ability of their feet to rotate 90 degrees between the power stroke and the recovery stroke. This is different from all other families of living birds. In this picture the two grebes were diving for food and every 3-4 minutes they would swim to each other, chatter for about 20 seconds and then dive again.
Eastern Screech Owl – Sleeping and watchingMegascops asioJune – Texas L=8.5”...... WS=20” ...... WT=6 oz Order: Strigiformes (Owls) Family: Strigidae (Typical Owls) Eastern Screech Owls are small owls that roost and sleep during the day and are likely to rely on camouflage for defense during these times. While hard to find in daytime they will, if found, let humans come very close before fleeing. These birds “played possum” in the dense bushes and allowed the photographer to approach within 2 feet.
