Latest posts
SIB “Birds of the Week” – Hooded Merganser & Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus L: 18″, WS: 24″ WT: 22.4 oz.Bufflehead Bucephala albeola L: 13.5 WS: 21″ WT: 13 oz For winter birding at Seabrook, I always look forward to the arrival of two of my favorite ducks….the Hooded Merganser and the Bufflehead. Both are winter visitors for us. On a quick look, the males…
Bird of the Week … Osprey
I think he’ll be to RomeAs is the osprey to the fish, who takes itBy sovereignty of nature.Coriolanus Act 4 Scene 5 The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is one of the most widely distributed birds in the world, found on all continents except Antarctica. Its breasts and belly are mostly white with some dark speckling; the…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinal – Cardinalis cardinalisLength: 8.75″; Wingspan: 12″; Weight: 1.6 oz. We know many of our readers may be traveling and busy with family , so we thought when you have time you’d enjoy learning more about one of the favorite backyard visitors throughout eastern North America. Among other things, the Northern Cardinal is said to symbolize…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – American Robin
American Robin – Turdus migratoriusLength: 10″; Wingspan: 17”.Although generally this bird is thought to be a sign of spring in the more northern sections of North American, during the winter this migratory bird loves to hang in the warmer areas of the South gorging on our berries! The Robin is among the most abundant bird species on the…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing – Bombycilla cedrorumLength: 7.25″; Wingspan: 12″; Weight: 1.1 oz. I just love Cedar Waxwings and they are one of my very favorite birds! They are such a cool looking bird with that sleek brown crest that often lies flat over the back of the head. Waxwings are medium-sized gregarious birds that are silky brownish…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Green Heron
Green Heron – Butorides virescensLength: 18″; Wingspan: 26″; Weight: 7 oz. A relatively common sight on Seabrook Island, the green heron is a dark, stocky bird that appears to hunch over on slender legs, often at the edge of a pond, marsh or stream. Seen up close or through binoculars, it is a distinctive bird with a…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – European Starling
European Starlings are ubiquitous in the U.S. with an estimated population of 200 million; they are also a generally vilified species. Luckily for us, there are not many on Seabrook and they are primarily in the barn area. In my research for this article, I came across a fascinating piece that I hope you will…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird:Family – TrochilidaeSpecies – Archilochus colubrisLength: 3 – 3.75”; Wingspan: 4.25 – 4.5”; Weight: 0.1 oz (Submitted by Ron Schlidge) The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only hummer known by most Easterners and has a range that covers most of eastern North America. Both sexes have glittering green crown and upperparts, and the underparts are…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Black Skimmer
Black Skimmer – Rynchops nigerLength: 18″; Wingspan: 44″; Weight: 11 oz. We are among a lucky few to have the Black Skimmer along our beaches. As you can see from the map below, this dramatic and beautiful bird populates only a very small portion of the United States. Aside from its striking black and white…
SIB “Bird of the Week” – Gulls vs. Terns
If you guessed GULLS vs. TERNS, you are correct! All those birds on the beach – it’s very confusing. To make things a bit clearer, let’s discuss two very common and very similar groups: terns and gulls. What they are NOT are those little birds that run along the edge of the water, or the…
