[Bird]: Mute Swan

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

(Bird: Anatidae)

Adult female with cygnets. 12th July, 2013. Lodmoor RSPB Reserve (Dorset-UK).

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Notes:

Like crows and doves, swans have made a boundless impression on society. It is not just Western countries that the swan can be found depicted in artwork, heraldry or text. It is only natural that we associate something pure and white with peace and serenity, in stark contrast to the opposing darkness that shrouds secrets and the unknown.

Thanks to introduction, the mute swan has easily become the most widespread swan in the world. It is named for its silent tendencies, though anyone who has been around them long enough knows they don't refrain from hissing at those who walk too close. However, the mute swan seems to forget the basic whistling calls common of its relatives.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB)
• America (USA) 

The first time I recorded this species:

9th August, 2007 in England.

[Bird]: Collared Dove

(Eurasian) Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)

(Bird: Columbidae)

Adult. 9th July, 2009. Normandy (France).

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Notes:

This dove is highly associated with farmland and open habitats, usually not too far from human settlement. Though it sounds similar to the woodpigeon, the deliverance of the cooing is different; the dove gives three calls with the middle often higher pitched, whereas woodpigeons calls as many as five times in one sequence, the last two distinctly lower.

It has been introduced to North America where it occupies similar habitat to its native range.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB)
• America (USA)

The first time I recorded this species:

Pre-2006 at Eastleigh (Hampshire-UK).

[Bird]: Rock Dove

Rock Dove (Columba livia)

(Bird: Columbidae)

Feral pigeon (wild plumage). 22nd July, 2009. London (UK).

Feral pigeon (feral plumage). 27th June, 2009. Edmonton (Alberta-Canada).

Feral pigeon (intergrade plumage). 20th July, 2009. Southampton (Hampshire-UK).

Feral pigeons. 19th November, 2011. Santa Barbara (California-USA).

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Leucistic adult with wild-type plumage. 20th July, 2009.
Southampton (Hampshire-UK).

Leucistic adult. 6th March, 2010. Bentleigh East (Victoria-Australia)

Leucistic adult with albino-like eyes. 20th July, 2009. Southampton (Hampshire-UK)

Hypophaeomelanin schizochroistic or variant leucistic adult.
22nd July, 2009. London (UK)

Hypoeumelanin schizochroistic or variant "cinnamon" leucistic adult
showing feral-type plumage. 22nd July, 2009. London (UK).

Hypoeumelanin schizochroistic bird with plumage closer to
wild birds. 23rd July, 2009. London (UK).

A variant leucistic adult showing both cinnamon colouration of hypoeumelanin
schizochroism and white feathering typical of complete leucism. Feral-type
plumage. 4th February, 2010. Bentleigh East (Victoria-Australia).

Partially hypoeumelanin schizochroistic bird with "wild-type" plumage.
 7th May, 2007.  Southampton (Hampshire-UK)

Melanistic adult. 23rd July, 2009. London (UK)

Melanistic leucistic adult with feral-type plumage. 10th February, 2010.
Bentleigh East (Victoria-Australia).

Melanistic leucistic adult. 21st July, 2009. London (UK).

A brownish bird with wild-type plumage. 21st July, 2009.
London (UK).

Several odd birds. The two in the center are a slightly melanistic bird (top)
and a variant leucistic bird (bottom). Both feature wild-type plumage. 
23rd July, 2009. London (UK).

Describing this particular bird would be a bit of a mouthful...it has at least two
leucism types (complete and hypoeumelanin schizo), and melanism in the all-dark wing
 areas. 23rd July, 2009. London (UK).

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Notes:

Despite what it said about pigeons, there is little doubt that they remain one of the most successful birds in the world. Their adaptability to all kinds of environments except the most extreme is shared by only a few other birds. Unfortunately, nearly all rock doves seen are derived from captive birds. These "feral" pigeons (ssp. domestica) are confiding, tame and urban birds unlike the secretive wild birds that inhabit remote cliffs and rocky areas. Though all "feral pigeons" are rock doves, the species name rock dove should only be used to describe genuine wild birds, the same way pet dogs should not be called wolves. 

Extensive captive breeding of this species for racing or otherwise has resulted in the high abundance of several plumage mutations that are otherwise extremely rare in nature. As captive birds do not face the same dangers as wild birds, these mutations are spread to offspring at a much greater rate and over hundreds of years these odd coloured birds may well occur in over 1 in 4 birds.

Outside of Europe they are generally called rock pigeons instead of rock doves. The difference between a pigeon and dove is somewhat arbitrary; doves are usually the more slender and longer tailed birds in the family, whereas pigeons are the chunkier larger short-tailed birds. Both the rock
dove and stock dove are large heavy birds that probably fit the "pigeon" label better.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB)
• America (USA-Canada)
• Europe (GB)

The first time I recorded this species:

ssp. domestica: 2nd April, 2006 is my earliest record of the species, with a flock of birds from Hythe (Hampshire-UK). Though I have certainly seen these birds before this date.

[Bird]: Canada Goose

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

(Bird: Anatidae)

Adult female. 7th June, 2009. Broadmoor Lake Park, Sherwood Park (Alberta-Canada).

Canada geese preparing for migration. 27th August, 2008. pre-development Emerald Hills, Sherwood Park (Alberta-Canada).

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Notes:

Probably the most well-known goose in modern day culture. Indeed it has been introduced all over the world, but not as widely as the house sparrow or rock dove. In its native Canadian range this bird flocks in the thousands every autumn to migrate south to warmer climes, a fantastic spectacle to watch. Even the smallest pond cannot avoid being covered in hundreds if not thousands of Canada geese (and often one or two cackling if one is lucky enough).

Birds kept in captivity represent several subspecies and thus birds from all over America can be seen in places where they are introduced.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB)
• America (USA-Canada) 

The first time I recorded this species:

21st February, 2008 is my first native record of this species along the Edmonton River Valley (Alberta-Canada).

25th April, 2006 is my earliest record of an introduced bird at Eyeworth Pond, New Forest (Hampshire-UK).

[Bird]: Brent Goose

Brent Goose (Branta bernicla)

(Bird: Anatidae)

ssp. nigricans (black brant). 18th February, 2012. Playa del Rey, Los Angeles (California-USA).

ssp. bernicla (dark-bellied brent goose). 27th October, 2014. Keyhaven (Hampshire-UK).

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Notes:

A small dark goose that winters in large congregations in northern Europe. Three subspecies are recognized, two Atlantic and one Pacific. It is sometimes known as the brant, particularly in America. An exception occurs when the American subspecies occurs as a vagrant in England, in which case it is almost always referred to as brant or black brant among observers even when brent goose is usually used. 

Brant is also common usage in countries where vagrant American "brant" have appeared, but European "brent geese" have not. Australia is one example. In comparison, areas where only "brent geese" have appeared "brent goose" becomes the common colloquialism. This is one of the most peculiar "American vs English" spelling scenarios in history!

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB)
• America (USA) 

The first time I recorded this species:

ssp. bernicla: 28th December, 2007 at Lepe Country Park (Hampshire-UK).
ssp: nigricans: 15th January, 2012 at SeaWorld San Diego (California-USA).

[Bird]: Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)

(Bird: Anatidae)

Adults. 25th January, 2015. Circle B Bar Reserve (Florida-USA).

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Notes:

Whistling is not uncommon in the duck world. Many species, wood ducks and wigeon in particular, have whistle-like calls which sound superficially similar to shorebirds.

I have seen this species in:

• America (USA) 

The first time I recorded this species:

25th January, 2015 at the Circle B Bar Reserve (Florida-USA).

[Bird]: Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

(Bird: Falconidae)

30th June, 2013. Cwmtydu (Wales-UK).

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Notes:

A falcon that can be seen all over the world except in the most extreme of habitats, and may be one of the most widespread bird species in the world. It is the fastest recorded animal when diving steeply at over 200 mph, though is known to be surpassed by the white-throated needletail at normal flight speed. Other swifts may also be faster, but the research on the subject is lacking. 

Though widespread it is rarely common anywhere. Keep an eye on the skies every now and then, as they often soar on warmer thermals.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB)
• America (North) 

The first time I recorded this species:

2nd August, 2009 at the Shatterford section of Beaulieu Road Station, New Forest (Hampshire-UK).

[Bird]: Osprey

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

(Bird: Acciptridae)

Adult ssp. carolinensis. 21st January, 2015. Honeymoon Island (Florida-USA)

Adult ssp. carolinensis. 21st January, 2015. Honeymoon Island (Florida-USA)

Adult ssp. haliaetus. 26th June, 2013. RSPB osprey-watching point in Snowdonia (Wales).

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Notes:

The "fish hawk", a unique bird of prey found all over the world. The species shows regional differences in size, colouration and markings, but only recently was one of these subspecies (the Australian cristatus) given full species status. The three remaining subspecies are still classified under this original osprey species.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB)
• America (USA)

The first time I recorded this species:

ssp. haliaetus: 26th June, 2013 at an RSPB point in Snowdonia. (Wales-UK).
ssp. carolinensis: 12th April, 2014 at Zuma Beach. (California-USA).

[Bird]: House Sparrow

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

(Bird: Passeridae)

Adult male. 16th October, 2010. Mordialloc (Victoria-Australia)

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Leucistic female. 26th April, 2010. Karkarook Park (Victoria-Australia)

Leucistic female. 19th September, 2014. New Quay (Wales-UK)

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Notes:

One of the most underrated birds, introduced to many countries and common in urban areas. The male at least isn't as dull looking as people often make out. It is one of the more "modern" birds, more recently evolved than many other families. Hence, it is the last bird in nearly all field guides that go by taxonomical order, as this method of ordering starts with the  most primitive species.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB)
• America (USA-Canada) 
• Oceania (Australia)

The first time I recorded this species:

2nd of April, 2006 in Hythe (Hampshire-UK). However, I certainly saw this species before this date.