Karen and I started the day with a walk through West Hollywood to a neighborhood park. We saw some nice birds and met a nice lady. I explained the reason I was taking a photo of a lemon tree is that we never see them in Michigan. On hearing that I was new to the Los Angeles area, this elderly lady who was walking gingerly with her cane was kind enough to warn me to watch out for the homeless people. I guess if I was a little older and had a cane, I wouldn't have to worry,
We also had a nice walk through Will Rogers State Park and the trails at Malibu Lagoon State Beach. I saw 14 new birds for the year, four of which were "life birds," i.e. birds I had never seen in my life.
180 Species though January 23
Our first bird at Will Rogers State Park was a Nanday parakeet. Many parrots and parakeets have escaped from captivity and established wild populations. At some point, the American Birding Association decides that they are firmly established and therefore "countable." The Nanday parakeets in the Los Angeles area are among 8 species of parakeets and parrots that are countable in certain areas of the USA. So, hurray!
Why do you take the time to scan through hundreds of gulls and pelicans?
Because you might find one of these--
Heerman's Gull. My favorite gull (until I see an Ivory Gull).
Osprey finishing dinner
Cassin's Kingbird
California Scrub Jay
Ravens have one more pinion feather than crows. So, according to an old joke, the difference between a crow and a raven is a matter of a pinion.
Since both birds are large and all black, it can be hard to tell them apart. Ravens are bigger, but that may not be helpful unless you see one standing next to a crow. I find the best way to tell them apart is by looking at the bill. The raven's bill is massive compared to that of a crow. We saw both species on our morning walk, Although the photos aren't good, they illustrate the difference in bill size. I will let you figure out which is which.
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