Northern Red Bishop - Euplectes franciscanus

Another unusual bird in Southern California is the Northern Red Bishop. There were several sightings of this species in at least two different places: the ponds south of Eaton Canyon Park in Pasadena, and at the Santa Fe Dam. Those in the former were more skittish and preferred to stay at a distance. It was at Santa Fe that I had close encounters with this very colorful bird. I was looking for the Clay-colored Sparrows when I heard a commotion behind me. I turned and was surprised (shocked would be a better description) to find the bright red male Bishop staring at me.

Northern Red Bishops are native of central Africa. South of the equator, they are replaced by the aptly named but similarly plumaged Southern Red Bishop. The population in the Los Angeles area probably was a result of some escaped cage birds settling in the areas mentioned above. Males have gorgeously red and black pinata-like feathers while females are drab brown and can easily be mistaken for a sparrow.

Northern Red Bishop - Euplectes franciscanus - male
Santa Fe Dam, Irwindale, California
October 1, 2008

Canon 40D, 300mm+1.4X (420mm) handheld
ISO-400, 1/400, f7.1

Northern Red Bishop - Euplectes franciscanus - female

Santa Fe Dam, Irwindale, California

December, 30, 2008

Canon 40D, 300mm+1.4X (420mm) handheld

ISO-320, 1/500, f8

Taveta Weaver - Ploceus castaneiceps

When news about a Taveta Weaver seen at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine, California, spread in the internet, I wasted no time going there. After all, this bird was not supposed to be in Southern California so most likely it was an escapee. It didn't take me long to spot it as it fed not that far from the sanctuary's parking lot. Sadly, just about a week later, no more sightings had been reported of this lovely African species.

Taveta Weavers are native to Kenya and Tanzania. Because of its gorgeous golden color it is popular among cage bird enthusiasts and zoo keepers. As is common among weavers, it builds an intricate hanging nest usually over small bodies of water. Its food consists mainly of seeds and grass.

Taveta Weaver - Ploceus castaneiceps
San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, Irvine, California
January 2, 2008

Canon 20D, 100-400 zoom lens set at 400mm, handheld
ISO-400, 1/320, f6.3

Mottled Duck - Anas fulvigula

My wife and I were driving along the Florida state highway near Orlando whenI saw this lone duck along the road. It looked a little bit different from the very common Mallards. I slowed down and parked the car on the grassy shoulder. "Mottled Duck!" I told Cynthia excitedly. It was a lifer for us.

These ducks can be found along the Gulf Coast from south Alabama to northern Mexico. The nominate subspecies inhabits south Georgia and the Florida peninsula. They look similar to female Mallards and had been known to interbreed with that species. They feed by dabbling in shallow waters or by grazing on land.

Mottled Duck - Anas fulvigula
Orlando, Florida
April 6, 2009

Canon 40D, 300mm+1.4X (420mm) handheld
ISO-500, 1/250, f10

Eurasian Wigeon - Anas penelope

Our main target in going to Tewinkle Park in Orange County was the Yellow-throated Warbler, a tiny songbird not usually found in Southern California. The skies were overcast and did not bode well for our quest. The very first bird we saw was a duck with a red head so I triumphantly declared to my wife as "Redhead!" Getting closer, I noticed the orangey spot on its forehead. "Make that Eurasian Wigeon" I sheepishly told Cynthia. Actually, that should be a very good reason to celebrate inasmuch as this duck is also considered a rarity in the US.

Eurasian Wigeon, as the name implies, are very common in Europe and Northern Asia. In recent years they have increased in numbers along both Eastern and Western coasts of North America. It had been known to hybridize with less colorful American Wigeon. They are usually found in shallow ponds (such as the one at Tewinkle Park) feeding on pond weeds, aquatic plants and grass.

Eurasian Wigeon - Anas penelope
Tewinkle Park, Costa Mesa, California
March 10, 2007

Canon 30D, 500+1.4X (700mm) on a tripod
ISO-400, 1/800, f10

In comparison, the American Wigeon, which is very common in North America, seems drabber but still  has a beauty of its own. This pair was photographed in a city park.

American Wigeon - Anas americana
Almansor Park, Alhambra, California
March 15, 2005

Canon EOS Digital Rebel, 300mm+1.4X (420mm) handheld
ISO-200, 1/500, f8

Wood Duck - Aix sponsa

It was a rainy December day back in 2009. The wet weather did not deter my wife and I from visiting Almansor Park in Alhambra to look for birds. Going through the squishiest, muddiest grassy area in the park, we were rewarded by one of the most colorful ducks in the world: the Wood Duck!

Wood Ducks are found in North America and in some areas are local migrants. They are unique because they nest in tree holes usually above a body of water - ponds or freshwater marshes or occasionally city parks lagoons.

Wood Duck - Aix sponsa
Almansor Park, Alhambra, California
December 12, 2009

Canon 30D, 100-400 @ 400mm
ISO-800, 1/160, f5.6 handheld

Nene - Branta sandvicensis

The very first time Cynthia and I visited the Big island of Hawaii in 2005, we were lucky to see the endemic Nene (also known as Hawaiian Goose). The birds - there were about four them - were so tame and were apparently used to people that they all hang out by the parking lot of Mt. Kilauea crater. One Nene even had the audacity to chase my wife, perhaps hoping for some handouts. Unfortunately on our return trip in 2011 we never saw any.

The Nene is the state bird of Hawaii and is an endemic species. It's name was presumably derived from its soft call. Despite their being accustomed to human presence, the Nene is the rarest and most endangered goose in the world. Only a few individuals survive in the islands of Kauai, Maui and the Big Island.

Nene - Branta sandvicensis
Mt. Kilauea Crater National Park, Hawaii
September 19, 2005

Canon 20D, 300mm+1.4X (420mm)
ISO-400, 1/250, f6.3 handheld

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis

One of the most ubiquitous birds in North America is the Canada Goose. They are found practically everywhere - near ponds, lakes, backyards - and in some places are even considered as pests. Although they are considered as "trash birds" I always make it a point to take photos of this species everytime we visit the United States.

Canada Geese are unmistakable with their long black necks and a white cheek patch. Recently though there was a split which made the Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) a separate species. Cackling Geese are generally smaller in size and has shorter necks and bills than the Canada Geese.

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis
Legg Lake, South El Monte, California
March 26, 2011

Canon 5D MkII, 300mm+1.4X (420mm)
ISO-400, 1/400, f7.1 handheld

Cackling Goose - Branta hutchinsii
Los Angeles Arboretum, Santa Anita, California
February, 13, 2008

Canon 30D, 100-400mm at 310mm
ISO-400, 1/800, f10

Wandering Whistling Duck - Dendrocygna arcuata

It was our very first birding sortie of the year 2011. My friend Neon and I spent an unseasonably warm day at the Candaba Wetlands. At the end of the day, I chalked up four lifers one of which was this lovely Wandering Whistling Duck.

These waterbirds are so named because of the whistling sound coming from their wings when they fly and their distinctive, shrill calls. Wandering Whistling Ducks inhabit the tropical and subtropical wetlands of Australia, New Guinea, Borneo and Indonesia. They are common residents in the Philippines.

Wandering Whistling Duck - Dendrocygna arcuata
Candaba Wetlands, Pampanga
January 4, 2011

Canon 5D MkII, 500mm+1.4X (700mm) handheld from car window
ISO-100, 1/400, f6.3

Palawan Peacock Pheasant - Polyplectron napoleonis

One of the places where the endemic Palawan Peacock Pheasant is almost guaranteed to be seen is at the area near the Ranger's station at the Puerto Princesa Underground River Park. This particular male had been accustomed to human presence over the course of time. The locals say that this bird had been here for about 14 years now. Hopefully it will find a mate so that it can propagate its kind at this tourist spot.

This species is endemic to the island of Palawan. Its status is considered vulnerable due to the clearance of lowland forests which it inhabits. As is typical of this family, the males are more colorful than the females. The females are smaller, duller, generally brown with indistinct buff markings.

Palawan Peacock Pheasant - Polyplectron napoleonis
Puerto Princesa Underground River Park, Palawan
May 16, 2013

Canon 5D Mk II, 500mm, gimbal head on a tripod.
ISO-6400, 1/13, f4

Kalij Pheasant - Lophura leucomelanos

We were told that there are a lot of birds at the Volcano National Park at the Big Island of Hawaii. True enough, the very first bird we saw was a Kalij Pheasant - another introduced species whose population had increased rapidly. It was a lifer for us. They were quite plentiful at the park - we saw them again when we returned two days later.

These colorful ground dwellers are a native of south Asia ranging from the Himalayan forests to western Thailand. It was introduced to the Big Island of Hawaii in 1962. 

Kalij Pheasant - Lophura leucomelanos
Volcano National Park, Hawaii
March 27, 2012

Canon 5D Mk II, 300mm+1.4X (420mm)
ISO-1600, 1/1000, f5.6, handheld
available light

The female lacks the bright blue coloring on the neck and has a scaly brown plumage. 

(Some individuals were banded by the Park Rangers to monitor the population).

Grey Francolin - Francolinus pondicerianus

One of the surest ways to see a Grey Francolin is at the vicinity of the Mauna Lani Hotel in the Big Island of Hawaii. We were looking for a place to park our rented car when Cynthia shouted, "there it is!" I quickly stopped the car next to the sidewalk. My wife grabbed the camera lying in the back seat and fired away. 

The last time we saw this bird it was at the grassy area between the hotel building and the beach. We were surprised (and relieved) that this time we were able to see our target bird just next to the parking lot!

Grey Francolins are found in the grasslands and scrublands of South Asia. In 1958 this species was introduced to all the main islands of Hawaii but it was on the Big Island that they became more common.

Grey Francolin - Francolinus pondicerianus
Kona, Hawaii
March 28, 2012

Canon 5D Mk II, 300mm+1.4X (420mm)
ISO-100, 1/640, f6.3 from car window