Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Molothrus ("struggle to sire") ater ("black")

Juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) on Half Moon Bay Pelagic September 2022

Featured Subspecies: unclear
Weight: 38-49g  /  Length: 16-22cm  /  Wingspan: 36cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A noted brood-parasite, the brown-headed cowbird isn't nearly as specialised into it as other noted species such as the common cuckoo, and taks a fairly cattershot approach, to the point where it has been recording attempting to parasitise over 220 other species. It's aided by the fact it is prolific at producting eggs, with up to 36 a season being recorded! Bizarrely, the first time I saw this species was miles out to sea where one came in and landed on our boat!

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Molothrus
SUBSPECIES: M. a. artemisiae, M. a. obscurus, M. a. ater, M. a. californicus

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Breeding or resident throughout almost all of Lower 48, Winters only in Southern Florida
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen on the Half Moon Bay Pelagic Trip and in Half Moon Bay

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Pelecanus ("pelican") occidentalis ("Western")

 

Numerous Brown Pelican (subspecies P. o. californicus) at Half Moon Bay, California - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Weight: 2-5kg  /  Length: 100-152cm  /  Wingspan: 200-228cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The smallest of the extant pelican species and one that capable of achieving great local abundancy when the right conditions are met - in the case of Half Moon bay, perhaps hundreds were roosting on the rocky harbour walls, enabled by the abundant fishing grounds of the Pacific. They are also similarly, a species that tolerates humans well, with them being seen regularly even in urbanised areas along the sea.

Related Species:
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Pelecanidae
Genus: Pelecanus
SUBSPECIES: P. o. californicus, P. o. carolinensis, P. o. occidentalis, P. o. murphyi, P. o. urinator

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 

Much of the coast of the Lower 48
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Berkeley, Monterey, Half Moon Bay, Half Moon Bay Pelagic Trip and San Francisco

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Hudsonian Whimbrel (Numenius hudsonicus)

OTHER NAMES: Hudsonian Curlew
Latin Etymology: Numenius (bird mentioned by Hesychius) hudsonicus (of the Hudson)

Adult Hudsonian Whimbrel (Numenius hudsonicus) at Berkeley, California - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: Unknown
Weight: 270-493g  /  Length: 37-47cm  /  Wingspan: 75-90cm
NO UK STATUS/ Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A recent split from the closely related Eurasian Whimbrel due to genetic and plumage differences, like most US waders they are tundra breeders which migrate South during the Winter, although in this instance their wintering range extends right down to the southern tip of Patagonia in South America. It is not recognised by all authorities, but is by ones including IOC and BOU.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Numenius
SUBSPECIES: N. h. rufiventris, N. h. hudsonicus

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Breeds in Alaska and Winters coastally in the Lower 48.
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Berkeley and Half Moon Bay

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus*, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Western Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

OTHER NAMES: Fish Eagle, Sea Hawk, River Hawk, Aurifigios, Ospreit, Ossifragus

Latin Etymology: Pandion (a mythical Athenian King) haliaetus ("sea eagle")

Adult Western Osprey (subspecies P. a. carolinensis) at Half-Moon Bay, California - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: Pandion haliaetus carolinensis
Weight: 900-2100g  /  Length: 50-66cm  /  Wingspan: 180cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Ospreys are one of the rarer birds currently living in the country - they currently have 150 pairs in the country. However, unlike most birds with such a low population, several factors make them comparatively easy to see for their rarity. Firstly, because they are rare but also visually impressive, their presence makes them something of a tourist attraction. Combined with their rarity this means that many of their nest sites are well observed and infrequently have hides set up to watch them. The majority of the birds are in and around Scotland, but for a much more accessible location, Rutland Water is probably easier to get to for most people. Ospreys are summer visitors, spending their winters in Africa.  Though scarce in the UK, they have a broad global distribution.

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Pandionidae
Genus: Pandion
Subspecies: P. h. haliaetus, P. h. carolinensis, P. h. ridgwayi, P. h. cristatus  

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A very local Summer migrant breeding species (200-250 pairs) and passage migrant

 - Birds seen in multiple years at the well publicised viewing sites at Rutland Water

UNITED STATES 
Breeding or resident throughout almost all of Lower 48, Winters only in Southern Florida
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen in Half Moon Bay and Berkeley 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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