I was not sure what bird this was. The first choice under Merlin app is Forster’s tern. It appears like a non breeding adult.
It kept flying to an outtake area of a culvert as it came out from under a road. The tide was going out and the tern took advantage of fish coming out into the bay from the wetlands area. I saw it capture several fish flying in and out.
I almost thought it was showing off as this fish it carried around in a circle giving me lots of opportunities to get off some shots. Was he showing off? Or was he looking for a dining spot? Have a happy Monday!
This great blue heron had the best fishing spot. He was at one end of a culvert under a road while the tide was going out. He was catching fish left and right. This time he caught two fish at the same time.
Two For One DealTwo For One Deal
He was the centre of attention as other wading birds stopped, drew near and stared at him. Were they in awe of his fishing prowess? Did they hope he would drop one and they could fight over it? Did they hope he would share with one of them? He did drop them both it appeared as he waded to a beach area. Then, he appeared to pick the larger one up and eat it.
Two For One Deal
Then he walked off with the smaller one as the wading birds lost interest. Have a Happy Tuesday!
Black skimmer gets it’s name because it skims the surface of the water with it’s open bill. They are trying to feel the fish in the water.
Black Skimmer
I caught this bird flying at different times during the day, but saw more activity early morning and near sunset. I know fishermen like those times as well as when I am putting in a kayak early morning or taking out before dark I see them in their boats. All About Birds says “Its use of touch to catch fish lets it be successful in low light or darkness.”
Black Skimmer- This one was taken on a different day in different lighting conditions.
Coastal New Jersey is in it’s breeding area. However, I think I only observed adults in August.
Black Skimmer
They eat many kinds of fish including: smelt, flounder, menhaden, herring, among others. They will also go after shrimp and blue crab. They mostly choose fish 5 inches or less it sounds.
Black Skimmer
I was on a road with water on both sides and was surprised how close they would fly to me. Frequently they would fly over the road quite close. Either they were totally oblivious to me standing there, or they were giving me a show. Have a great week!
These white ibis babies were younger than the previous ones I posted. It looks like this one is on a small nest within a tree. The babies do not really look a lot like the parents.
White Ibis Babies
When baby Ibises hatch their bills are straight. They do not curve. The beaks start to curve at about 14 days old. I usually do not like using Wikipedia. They say they get this “Stork, Ibises, and Spoonbills of the World” by James Hancock , which was not accessible online. “The newly hatched American white ibis is covered with violet down feathers, deepening to dark brown or black on the head and wings….develops three black rings from around day six, before turning grey by around six weeks of age. ..then a few weeks later turns pink.”
White Ibis Babies- Tired
On the above two pictures you can see the three grey rings on the beak. So in August this baby white ibis was after 6 days old, but before 6 weeks old.
White Ibis Babies
According to NPS.gov immature ibis are dark brown with a white belly and white rump.These ibis seem to be older than the first two pictures. They would seem to be less than 6 weeks old though as they still have the three gray rings on their beak. Their feathers seem more brownish.
White Ibis Babies
I felt bad for the mom with the two babies. They seemed to be constantly chatting away to her. I am guessing they were begging for food. Animal parents get little sleep either it appears. White Ibis are not even supposed to be in NJ, however they are there in multiple spots. The Merlin App would not even provide a match for it. I hope you had a restful Labor Day.
I knew when I took this pictures it did not quite look exactly like a great blue heron and it appeared smaller than a great blue. It wasn’t until I got home and looked at these on the computer that I figured out it was a juvenile tricoloured heron.
I do not think I got any shots of an adult tricoloured heron. This bird can be seen along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast of the U.S. up to Massachusetts. They are considered year round residents according to All About Birds.
They usually forage alone for small fish.
I witnessed this one catch a few while I was watching it.
Where are the kids? Soon they will be ready to migrate.
Waiting for the Kids
First, one parent was waiting patiently with a fish.
Waiting for the Kids
Then the other parent showed up. They appeared to look all around and neither one took a bite of the fish. They looked like they were expecting their kids to return, but they never called out.
Waiting for the Kids
I did not see the kids return, maybe they showed up later and maybe they were able to be on their own. I understand the mother usually will leave first. The father will stay behind a little while with the kids before it leaves. The kids will leave around the same time or later than the father for warmer climates for the winter. Osprey on the East Coast of the US will travel to Central or South America for the winter.
I think maps need to be updated. This is another bird that is out of its breeding range. Their breeding area according to All About Birds is mostly in the deep south of the US, except a small swath of Delaware and Maryland. It’s year round range is in the states that border the Gulf of Mexico near the gulf.
White Ibis August
I spotted this with a group of others who were nesting in trees with other birds such as herons etc. in New Jersey.
White Ibis August
White Ibis are large wading birds who live in wetlands or near the coast. The information says they tend to hang out in large groups. I did see them in large groups from afar with what appeared to be Glossy Ibis in one location. I also saw one or two hunting for food a short flight from their nesting area with herons and ducks.
White Ibis August
White Ibis fly awkwardly in for a landing in trees.
Juvenile
White Ibis August
According to All About Birds ” Parents feed the chicks for 40–60 days after they leave the nest (but before they leave the colony) until they can forage by themselves. ”
This baby followed an adult to a body of water to forage.
White Ibis August
This juvenile looked like it might be on its own soon. Have a happy Sunday!
What bird is nocturnal, stocky, is a symbol for patience, and spends a lot of time motionless? It is the black-crowned night heron.
Black-Crowned Night Heron 2025- Daytime near nesting location
They have the word night in their name because they are nocturnal. Usually they are active at night and sleep during the day. They sleep with their eyes closed.
Black-Crowned Night Heron 2025
I actually saw some awake during the day because they had young still relying on them for food.
Black-Crowned Night Heron 2025
This is one is hunting near a culvert under a road. The tide was coming in and water was entering the wetlands from the ocean. The black-crowned night heron goes long periods of time seemingly motionless before it strikes.
Although I have seen this bird in New York I took these pictures in New Jersey. In New York these birds are more wary of people and keep a distance. Even kayaking I have not seen once this close. Have a Happy Friday!
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