Stephenson Family Amateur Bird Journal: April 2008

Lesser Goldfinch

This bird we saw down the street from our home. It has a sweet sound.

Turkey Vulture

Update: We saw this critter flying directly over head in our neighborhood.

Wow! Try getting this critter up close on the camera is a task. It definitely moves way too fast for my camera. Fortunately it flew low enough on top of the parking area that my daughter got to see the red head on this vulture while I was trying to get the camera to record. We will continue to try and get a closer photo on our hikes.

Common Raven

Today we saw the raven outside the Dairy Queen in Carefree.

Hybrid Duck

We found out some interesting information about the various types of ducks at the pond. These are hybrid ducks. Mallards will breed with escaped domestic ducks and the result is all sorts of shapes and sizes of interbreed ducks.

Yellow Rumped Warbler

We learned this bird has a funny nickname, "Butter Butt." When it flies away, it has a yellow rump.

Verdin

We only have this one photo of the Verdin. We were at the Riparian Preserve in Gilbert.

Great-tailed Grackle

Male is dark color during the breeding season

Female has the beigy breast

Two males during the late winter. Notice their color.

Backed African Vulture

Nope, we did not go on safari. Saw this vulture at a bird show

Black-necked Vulture

The Black-necked vulture was part of the Birds of Prey Show

Rooster

We did not see a sign on what type of rooster this was

Chicks

Chicks being kept warm

Gosling

These sweet goslings were hiding in the bush

Skein of Canadian Geese

One evening we heard lots of geese honking overhead. This was taken as the geese were flying over our neighborhood.

Red-tailed Hawk

We saw this beauty off the Loop 101

This hawk we saw in the Bird of Prey show at the Renaissance Fair

These two are amazing. We were told that the Red-tailed Hawk is popular in our area and they can come in a variety of color shades.

Lanner Falcon

This beauty we saw at the Arizona Renaissance Fair

House Sparrow

You never know what you find outsite a Starbucks

Common Crow

We saw this crow in the parking lot looking for food

Ring-necked Duck

Green-winged Teal

We saw this pretty duck at the Gilbert Riparian Reserve

American Coot

These birds have interesting feet and red eyes.

Crested Duck

Okay, I bet you did not know a duck could have a fancy hair-do. This one we saw at the pond in McCormick Ranch area.

Mallard Duck

Male Mallard Duck

Female Mallard Duck

Black-necked Stilt

Shhhh...birds sleeping.

Northern Shoveler

If you have not seen one of these ducks up close, we highly recommend it. The beak looks like a a shovel.

Anna's Hummingbird

This hummingbird was absolutely gorgeous! The irridescent color was breathtaking as the sun was setting.

American Avocet

The Riparian Preserve in Gilbert has such a variety of birds to view. This bird was a first for all of us to see.

American Kestrel "Sparrow Hawk"

This morning we saw this hawk down the street from our house. Amazing looking bird. Especially to see it dive in flight.

White Pigeon

Oddly enough, this is the only White Pigeon we have seen on our numerous outings. This was at the McCormick Ranch area. It is a duck pond area frequented by our family and other folks in the area. Great spot to go and feed the ducks.