near Nosara, Costa Rica

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Common ravens (Corvus corax) are one of the most ubiquitous birds on Earth, inhabiting many habitats of the northern hemisphere. As one of the most clever members of the clever order of corvids, ravens are renown for their intelligence in a number of different cultures. The Navajo include them in numerous legends as tricksters, along with coyotes, but as masters of the coyote. The dark color represents magic and transformation. Ravens are often bearers of spiritual messages.

This raven in question however was mostly looking to pick up a tasty morsel of food...

Tags:   raven grand canyon

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Broadtailed hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) in a subalpine aspen forest. The males, differentiated by their throat patch, defend their territory with spectacular circular flights at high rates of speed while emitting a shrill whistle. At this elevation (3200 m) they will go into torpor when the temperatures get too cold in summer. They spend their winters sensibly in Central America.

Tags:   broadtailed hummingbird aspen forest Colorado subalpine

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Fledgling blue jay on her/his second day of flight, resting in a pinyon, hoping for a parent to fly by with food to share.

Tags:   Blue jay fledgling skeptical look

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White tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura, breeding male- you can tell by the gleam in his eye) on Niwot Ridge, Colorado. These birds can be incredibly well hidden with their cryptic feathers. However, they often make clucking noises (as did this guy), and with careful searching can be spotted. I'm amazed the coyotes and foxes haven't managed to consume all of them, due to their tendency to give their hiding spot away with their characteristic call (www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-tailed_Ptarmigan/id)

Tags:   white tailed ptarmigan Lagopus leucura Niwot Ridge southern Rocky Mountains cryptic birds

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