31. detsember 2016

Pruunpelikan, Pelecanus occidentalis

Pruunpelikan, Pelecanus occidentalis, Brown Pelican, pelikan
Järjekordne aasta on loojangu suunas liikumas, Head Vana-Aasta lõppu kõigile!
Another year is moving towards the end, have a wonderful Old Year's Day everybody!

30. detsember 2016

Pajusäälik, Cardellina pusilla

Pajusäälik, Cardellina pusilla, Wilson's Warbler, Wilsonia, säälik
Pajusäälik on väike lehelind, kes pesitseb Kanadas, Alaskal ja Lääne-USAs ning talved veedab Kesk-Ameerikas. Omapärane on nende puhul see, et mida lääne pool lind pesitseb, seda kirkamad on ta värvid. Kui Newfoundlandi ja Labradori poolsaare säälikud on sellised tuhmimad kollased, siis Alaskal ja Vaikse ookeani rannikul leidub ikka väga kirkaid tegelasi ja neil viskab ka oranži sisse. Foto tehtud Quetzalite rahvuspargis Talamanca mäestikus, Costa Ricas.
Wilson's Warbler is a small passerine that breeds in Canada, Alaska and the western USA but spends winters in Central America. It is an interesting fact that the bird trends toward brighter, richer coloration from the eastern part of the range to the west. The Pacific coast and Alaskan populations have the brightest yellow, even orangish plumage. The photo is taken in Parque Nacional Los Quetzales, Costa Rica.

29. detsember 2016

Laululuik, Cygnus cygnus

Laululuik, Cygnus cygnus, Whooper Swan, luik, olor, common
Laululuik Pärnumaal.
Whooper Swan in Pärnumaa, Estonia.

28. detsember 2016

Krabi-pesukaru, Procyon cancrivorus

Krabi-pesukaru, Procyon cancrivorus, Crab-eating raccoon, South American
Krabi-pesukaru ei toitu ainult krabidest, söögiks sobivad ka vähid, teised koorikloomad, väikesed kahepaiksed, kilpkonnamunad ja puuviljad. Elutseb see pesukaruliik Costa Ricast Argentiinani ning elupaigana eelistab mageveekogude lähedal asuvaid alasid. Kuigi olulisema osa elust veedab ta maapinnal, ei põlga krabi-pesukaru ka puudel turnimist. Fotol noor karupõnn Manuel Antonio rahvuspargis, Costa Ricas.
Crab-eating raccoon does not feed only on crabs but also on lobsters, other crustaceans, small amphibians, turtle eggs and fruits. It is found from Costa Rica to Argentina and its preferred habitat is near streams, lakes and rivers. This raccoon is primarily terrestrial but will also spend a significant amount of time in trees. On the photo you can see a young Crab-eating raccoon in Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica.

27. detsember 2016

Jääkoskel, Mergus merganser

Jääkoskel, Mergus merganser, Goosander, common, koskel
Kus on emaslind...
Where's the female bird...
Jääkoskel, Mergus merganser, Goosander, common, koskel
...seal on tavaliselt ka isaslind. Jääkosklate paar Läänemaa rahulike vetel.
...there's usually also the male bird. Pair of goosanders on the calm waters of Läänemaa, Estonia.

26. detsember 2016

Anoolis-sisalik, Anolis lizard

Anoolis-sisalik, Anolis lizard Anoolis-sisalik, Anolis lizard
Pühade ajal oleks päris tore, kui vats või siis kurk oleks kummist ja annaks venida. Aga ei ole. Aga näe mõnel on. Anoolis-sisalik Carara rahvuspargis, Costa Ricas.
During the holiday feasts you probably sometimes wish that the belly or throat was from rubber and could stretch. But it is not. But some do have that feature. Anolis lizard in Carara National Park, Costa Rica.

25. detsember 2016

24. detsember 2016

Amazilia tzacatl, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

Amazilia tzacatl, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Rieffer's, koolibri
Amazilia tzacatl, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Rieffer's, koolibri
Kuna Eestis on tänasel päeval suur tõenäosus päkapikke ja jõuluvana (ning ka jõulukuuske) näha, siis sellest tulenevalt ka punastes ja rohelistes toonides pildid. Punase mütsiga linnu pilti sel aastal küll pole, samas sobib see tilluke punasaba-koolibri kaunil helikoonia õiel väga hästi. Mis sest, et see õis meenutab natuke kellegi kahe hambaga alalõuga :) Fotod tehtud Sarapiqui orus, Costa Ricas.
As today in Estonia is the day when there is a good chance to see Christmas elves and Santa Claus (and of course Christmas tree), the photos are also in red and green. Although this time I do not have a photo of a bird with a red cap, I think this tiny Rufous-tailed Hummingbird on a beautiful heliconia flower suits nicely. Despite the fact that this flower looks like someone's lower jaw with two teeth :) The photos are taken in Sarapiqui valley, Costa Rica.

23. detsember 2016

Sporophila minuta, Ruddy-breasted Seedeater

Sporophila minuta, Ruddy-breasted Seedeater, tangara Sporophila minuta, Ruddy-breasted Seedeater, tangara
See eestikeelse nimeta seemneõgija elutseb Lõuna-Ameerika põhjaosas ning Kesk-Ameerika läänerannikul. Isaslinnud on uhke punase kõhu ja hallika seljaga, kuid emaslindude välimus, nagu näha, jääb palju tagasihoidlikumaks. See tegelane oli Costa Rica Caño Negro märgalal veidi ämblikuvõrku takerdunud ning nägi päris palju vaeva, et sealt end välja pusida (mis lõpuks siiski õnnestus).
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater is found in northern South America and on the western side of Central America. The male birds have a fancy reddish belly (hence the name) but females, as seen from the photos, are much more plain. This birdie was a bit stuck in spider webs in Caño Negro Wetland, Costa Rica and it took a while before she freed itself.

22. detsember 2016

Hõbekajakas, Larus argentatus

Hõbekajakas, Larus argentatus, European Herring Gull, kajakas
Kuna akna taga talve ja Jõule väga ei paista, siis tuleb meeleolu tekitada piltide abil. Siin on üks näide - hõbekajakas kargel talvepäeval Harjumaa rannikul.
As there is no evidence of winter and Christmas behind the window, one must create the seasonal mood with photos. Here is one - European Herring Gull in a crispy winter day near the coast of Harjumaa, Estonia.

21. detsember 2016

Ameerika siidhaigur, Egretta thula

Ameerika siidhaigur, Egretta thula, Snowy Egret, haigur, heron Ameerika siidhaigur, Egretta thula, Snowy Egret, haigur, heron
Ameerika siidhaigur on väike haigur, kelle peamine elukoht on Lõuna-Ameerika (kust neid võib leida aastaringselt), kuid teatav osa on enda jaoks avastanud ka rändamise võlud. Nii leidubki neid suviti isegi Kanadas, kuid talveks lennatakse alati tagasi troopikasse. Selle liigi üheks eripäraks on see, et mune hauduvad nii isaslind kui emaslind ning siis kui toimub vahetus, antakse mõnikord teisele üle väike oksake (justkui teatepulk). Caño Negro märgala kaitseala, Costa Ricas.
Snowy Egret is a small egret whose main habitat is South America (where you can find them year round) but quite many of them have also discovered the magic of migration. Therefore you can find the egrets in summer even in Canada, although for winter all of them fly back to tropics. An interesting fact is that male and female Snowy Egrets take turns incubating their eggs. As one mate takes over for the other, it sometimes presents a stick, almost as if passing a baton. Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica.

20. detsember 2016

Leevike, Pyrrhula pyrrhula

Leevike, Pyrrhula pyrrhula, Northern European bullfinch, Eurasian, finch Leevike, Pyrrhula pyrrhula, Northern European bullfinch, Eurasian, finch Leevike, Pyrrhula pyrrhula, Northern European bullfinch, Eurasian, finch
Praegusel kesisel ajal on puude otsa jäänud pihlakad lindude jaoks tõeline lotovõit. Mis siis, et need on veidi käärinud ning võivad ka sööjad purju teha. Harjumaa.
At current meager times the rowan fruits that are still on the trees are like a jackpot for the birds. It does not matter that fruits can be fermented and even make the birds drunk. Eurasian Bullfinch in Harjumaa, Estonia.

18. detsember 2016

Aafrika elevant, Loxodonta africana

Aafrika elevant, Loxodonta africana, African bush elephant, savanna
Joogipaus. Aafrika elevant Krugeri rahvuspargis, LAV-s.
Drink break. African bush elephant in Kruger National Park, South Africa.

17. detsember 2016

Salutihane, Poecile palustris

Põhjatihane, Poecile montanus borealis, Willow Tit, Parus montana, tihane
Tonaalne harmoonia. 
Salutihane (ehk sootihane) ja põhjatihane on välimuselt praktiliselt eristamatud, kuid õnneks laulavad nad erinevaid laule. See isend vidistas salutihaste tuntumaid hitte. Harjumaa.
Tonal harmony.
Marsh Tit is confusingly similar to willow tit but fortunately they sing different songs. This guy performed with the well known hits of the marsh tits. Harjumaa, Estonia.

16. detsember 2016

Pachyramphus cinnamomeus, Cinnamon Becard

Pachyramphus cinnamomeus, Cinnamon Becard
See eestikeelse nimeta kärbsenäppide kauge sugulane on troopilise Ameerika lind. Toiduks tarvitab ta suuri putukaid ja ämblikke ning vahelduse mõttes sööb kõrvale ka marju. Nagu pildilt näha, on lind osav pesaehitaja ning lisaks sellele on ta ka üsna nutikas. Nimelt loob ta tavaliselt oma meistriteosed herilaste pesade lähedusse, mis peaks teda ja ta järglasi kaitsma võimalike vaenlaste eest. Kariibi mere rannik, Costa Rica.
Cinnamon Becard is a bird of tropical America. It feeds mainly on large insects and spiders but to spice things up, the bird also eats berries. As you can see from the photo, this becard is quite a builder and it is smart too. The bird often creates its masterpieces near a wasp nest to protect itself and the offsprings from the predators. Caribbean coast, Costa Rica.

15. detsember 2016

Pasknäär, Garrulus glandarius

Pasknäär, Garrulus glandarius, Eurasian Jay, rästas
Mõned kuused on ka keset Harjumaa metsasid ära ehitud.
Some spruces in the middle of the forest have also Christmas decorations. Eurasian Jay in Harjumaa, Estonia.

14. detsember 2016

Kuldlauk-lootoselind, Jacana spinosa

Kuldlauk-lootoselind, Jacana spinosa, Northern Jacana, jassaana, Middle American, jaçana Kuldlauk-lootoselind, Jacana spinosa, Northern Jacana, jassaana, Middle American, jaçana Kuldlauk-lootoselind, Jacana spinosa, Northern Jacana, jassaana, Middle American, jaçana
Kuldlauk-lootoselind ehk kuldlauk-jassaana on niiske, troopilise Ameerika lind. Neile meeldivad eriliselt sood ja rabad, kuid ka muud mudased ja vesised paigad lähevad loosi. Elupaiga valiku tingib toidulaud, kuhu kuuluvad peamiselt veetaimedel konutavad putukad ning vesirooside õiepungad, kuid mitte ainult. Lisaks sobivad veel ka mudas ja vees elutsevad teod, ussid, krabid, molluskid ning kalad. Fotod tehtud Costa Ricas, Caño Negro märgala keskel asuval soisel heinamaal, mis niiskel hooajal muutub madalaveeliseks järveks.
Northern Jacana is a bird of tropical America. Their favorite habitats are swamps and marshes but other muddy and wet places will do as well. The habitat preference comes from a diet - jacana feeds mainly on the insects on the surface of vegetation and ovules of water lilies. They will also consume snails, worms, small crabs, fish and mollusks. The photos are taken in Costa Rica, in the middle of Caño Negro wetland, on a meadow that is a shallow lake in the wet season. 

13. detsember 2016

Urvalind, Acanthis flammea

Urvalind, Acanthis flammea, Common Redpoll, Mealy, Carduelis Urvalind, Acanthis flammea, Common Redpoll, Mealy, Carduelis
Punase mütsiga urvalind on Eestis talikülaline - saabub sügisel ja lahkub kevadel. Näha võib teda, nagu nimigi vihjab, puudel, millel on urvad. Seda seetõttu, et seemned on talvel nende lindude praktiliselt ainus toit (suvel sobivad putukad kah). Fotod tehtud Harjumaal.
Common redpoll with its red cap is a winter visitor in our country - it arrives in autumn and leaves in spring. You can usually see the bird on the trees that has catkins as the seeds are the main diet in winter (in summer the insects will do as well). The photos are taken in Harjumaa, Estonia.

12. detsember 2016

Puna-aara, Ara macao cyanopterus

Puna-aara, Ara macao cyanopterus, Scarlet Macaw, papagoi, makao, parrot Puna-aara, Ara macao cyanopterus, Scarlet Macaw, papagoi, makao, parrot
Uhke puna-aara enda lemmikoksale maandumas. Tegemist oli küll väga suure puuga, kuid sobilikke istumisoksi oli seal väga piiratud hulk (aarade arvates) ning seetõttu toimus pidev üksteise nügimine ning vahel ka kaklus. Kuigi välimuselt on aara väga glamuurne, siis ütleme nii, et temast paremaid laululinde on palju (väga palju). Carara rahvuspark, Costa Rica.
Gorgeous Scarlet Macaw landing on its favorite branch. It was a quite big tree but the number of acceptable perches was very limited (at least from macaws' point of view) and therefore quarrels and even fights were constant. Although macaw looks very glamorous, one should mention that there are (a lot) of better songbirds in the world. Carara National Park, Costa Rica.

11. detsember 2016

Mets-nümfkoolibri, Thalurania colombica venusta

Mets-nümfkoolibri, Thalurania colombica venusta, Crowned Woodnymph, koolibri, Purple, violet, green, black, capped Mets-nümfkoolibri, Thalurania colombica venusta, Crowned Woodnymph, koolibri, Purple, violet, green, black, capped
Mets-nümfkoolibri on koolibri, keda leidub Guatemalast Põhja-Peruuni. Elupaigaks sobivad niisked metsad, nii mägedes kui madalamatel kõrgustel. Fotod said tehtud Manuel Antonio rahvuspargis, Costa Ricas.
Crowned Woodnymph is a hummingbird that is found from Guatemala to Northern Peru. The suitable habitats are moist forests, both lowland and montane. The photos are taken in Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica.

10. detsember 2016

9. detsember 2016

Punaselg-sirk, Ramphocelus passerinii

Punaselg-sirk, Ramphocelus passerinii, Passerini's Tanager, tangara
Eestvaade...
Front view...
Punaselg-sirk, Ramphocelus passerinii, Passerini's Tanager, tangara
...ja tagantvaade. 
Punast selga pole nagu kusagil, kuigi linnu nimi sellele viitab. Kas keegi kusagil eksis nimepanemisega? Siiski mitte. Pildil on emaslind, hoopis teistes toonides isaslindu näeb siin. Caño Negro märgala, Costa Rica.
...and the back view. 
The name of the bird is Scarlet-rumped Tanager but there is nothing scarlet about it. Somebody made a mistake naming the bird? Actually no. On the photo there is a female bird, you can see quite differently coloured male bird here. Caño Negro wetland, Costa Rica.

8. detsember 2016

Põhjatihane, Poecile montanus

Põhjatihane, Poecile montanus borealis, Willow Tit, Parus montana, tihane
Uudishimulik põhjatihane Harjumaal.
Curious Willow Tit in Harjumaa, Estonia.

7. detsember 2016

Mustrind-selvavutt, Odontophorus leucolaemus

Mustrind-selvavutt, Odontophorus leucolaemus, Black-breasted Wood-quail, vutt, White throated
Mustrind-selvavutt on lind, keda leidub ainult Costa Ricas ja Panamas. Elutseb ta mägistes metsades ning tegutseb peamiselt maapinnal, taimede varjus. Tänu oma tumedale värvusele on teda seal ka üsna keeruline märgata. Vutt liigub reeglina ringi salkades ning ka see isend oli ligi kümneliikmelise gängi liige. Foto tehtud Carara rahvuspargis, Costa Ricas.
Black-breasted Wood-quail is a bird that can be found only in Costa Rica and Panama. Its habitats are montane forests and the bird usually moves around on the ground, in the protective shadow of the undergrowth. As the quail's plumage is in darker tones, it is quite a hard to notice the bird on the dark jungle floor. Usually they move around in flocks and this individual was also a member of the gang, around ten birds strong. The photo is taken in Carara National Park, Costa Rica.

6. detsember 2016

Roohabekas, Panurus biarmicus

Roohabekas, Panurus biarmicus, Bearded Reedling, roovilbas, Parrotbill, Tit, habekas, vilbas
Nüüd sa näed mind...
Now you see me...
Roohabekas, Panurus biarmicus, Bearded Reedling, roovilbas, Parrotbill, Tit, habekas, vilbas
...ja nüüd mitte.
...and now you don't.
Roohabekas, Panurus biarmicus, Bearded Reedling, roovilbas, Parrotbill, Tit, habekas, vilbas Uhkete vuntsidega roohabekas tegutsemas oma tavalises elukeskkonnas, Harjumaal.
Bearded Reedling in its natural habitat in Harjumaa, Estonia.

5. detsember 2016

Ameerika hallhaigur, Ardea herodias

Ameerika hallhaigur, Ardea herodias, Great Blue Heron, haigur, Würdemann, white Ameerika hallhaigur, Ardea herodias, Great Blue Heron, haigur, Würdemann, white
Ameerika hallhaigur on väga sarnane meie piirkonna hallhaigrule, kes on küll mõnevõrra väiksem ja natuke heledamates toonides sulestikuga. Läänepoolkeral on see haigur peamiselt Põhja- ja Kesk-Ameerika lind, kuigi teda leidub ka Venetsueelas ja Galapagose saartel. Eluviisilt on aga mõlemad liigid üks-ühele - kahlatakse madalas vees, pea õlgade vahel ning kui saaki märgatakse, siis sirutatakse kael järsult välja ja haaratakse ohvrit võimsa nokaga. Caño Negro märgala, Costa Ricas.
Great Blue Heron is quite similar to our own European Grey Heron that is, though, a bit smaller and has somewhat lighter plumage. In the western hemisphere, this heron is mainly North and Central American species although you cand find it also in Venezuela and Galapagos islands. But concerning the behaviour, both species are almost identical - they wade in shallow water, head between the shoulders and when they see a prey, there is a lightning-fast thrust of the neck and head as they stab the victim with their strong bills. Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica.

4. detsember 2016

Palmi-amatsoonpapagoi, Amazona autumnalis salvini

Palmi-amatsoonpapagoi, Amazona autumnalis salvini, Red-lored Parrot, amazon, papagoi, amatsoon
Kui mõni arvab, et Costa Ricas metsad ja salud kubisevad papagoidest (ikkagi troopiline paradiis ju), siis see on tõest üsna kaugel. See kehvapoolne pilt on tõend ainsast kohtumisest papagoidega meie kolmenädalase reisi jooksul (kui puna-aarad välja arvata, mida sai sihipäraselt otsima mindud). Palmi-amatsoonpapagoi Caño Negro märgalal, Costa Ricas.
If somebody thinks that Costa Rica forests and jungles are teeming with parrots (being the tropical paradise after all), he or she cannot be more wrong. This rather poor photo is the evidence of our only accounter with parrots during our 3-week trip (if to exclude Scarlet Macaws that we went looking specifically). Red-lored Parrot in Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica

3. detsember 2016

Harilik orav, Sciurus vulgaris

Harilik orav, Sciurus vulgaris, Red Squirrel, Eurasian Harilik orav, Sciurus vulgaris, Red Squirrel, Eurasian
Härra salapärane käbisid jahvatamas. Pärnumaal.
Mysterious mister squirrel obliterating pine cones in Pärnumaa, Estonia.

2. detsember 2016

Mustkurk-säälik, Setophaga virens

Mustkurk-säälik, Setophaga virens, Black-throated Green Warbler, Dendroica
Mustkurk-säälik on väike laululind, kes pesitseb Põhja-Ameerikas ning külmema aja veedab Kesk-Ameerikas ning Lõuna-Ameerika põhjaosas. Eelistab ta elupaigana okaspuumetsi, kuid üks alamliik on koduks valinud hoopis Atlandiäärsed küpressisood. Foto tehtud Quetzalite rahvuspargis Talamanca mäestikus, Costa Ricas.
Black-throated Green Warbler is a small songbird that breeds in North America and winters in Central America and the northern parts of South America. It prefers coniferous forests as habitat but one subspecies has found cypress swamps on the Atlantic coast as suitable places to live. The photo is taken in Parque Nacional Los Quetzales in Talamanca mountain range, Costa Rica.

1. detsember 2016

Naerukajakas, Larus ridibundus

Naerukajakas, Larus ridibundus, Black-headed Gull, Common, Chroicocephalus, kajakas
Naerukajakas täies hiilguses. Harjumaal.
Black-headed Gull in all its glory. Harjumaa, Estonia.

30. november 2016

Ameerika redulind, Heliornis fulica

Ameerika redulind, Heliornis fulica, Sungrebe, Finfoot, grebe, MarsupialAmeerika redulind, Heliornis fulica, Sungrebe, Finfoot, grebe, Marsupial
Ameerika redulind on troopilise Ameerika veelind, kes on eluviisilt üpris arg. Elutseb ta soodes ja rabades, hoides ujudes võimalusel taimestiku varju. Redulinnu eripäraks on see, et isaslindudel on tiibade all taskud, milles ta transpordib oma poegi. Vajadusel nii ujudes kui ka lennates. Tegemist on unikaalse lahendusega, mida pole ühelgi teisel linnuliigil. Fotod tehtud vihmasel Frio jõel, Caño Negro märgalal, Costa Ricas.
Sungrebe or American finfoot is an aquatic bird of the tropical America that is quite shy by nature. Its habitats are usually swamps and marshes where it keeps itself in the protective cover of vegetation if possible. The unique feature of sungrebe is the fact that the male bird has pouches or pockets under the wings where it can carry chicks. During swimming or even flight. That is the feature that no other bird in the world has. The photos are taken on a rainy Frio river in Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica.

29. november 2016

Pöialpoiss, Regulus regulus

Pöialpoiss, Regulus regulus, European Goldcrest, CommonPöialpoiss, Regulus regulus, European Goldcrest, Common
Lindude kuningas - just sellist nime kannab pöialpoiss ladina keeles. Nimi tuleneb tema kuldsest kroonist ning tiitli takistuseks pole seegi, et ta on Euroopa tiivulistest väikseim. Harjumaa.
King of the birds - it is the translation of the latin name of goldcrest. The name obviously derives from the "golden crown" and even the fact that it is the smallest avian in Europe does not affect this powerful title. Harjumaa, Estonia.