US-based artist and designer Dennis Hlynsky films various creatures as they fly, walk or crawl through the world, tracing their deeply complex and intricate pathways. He does this by editing the video so that each creature in the video leaves...
Thousands of #starlings gathered over Brighton Pier at the end of a mild November day: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32768071@N06/6371693135/
Birds of prey are majestic whether perched or soaring high above. Their gaze and posture regal in nature, the true kings of the bird world.
13 cm (5") Fairly common but irregular - irruptive species. Far northern forests and tundra in summer; in winter, brush and snow covered weedy fields, feeders. Very tame and social forming large winter flocks. In flight; undulating...
A Downed AT-ST model from Fantasy Flight Games I painted. Citadel paints with GaleForce 9 terrain flocks and Swamp tufts by Army Painter.
Flamingos often form large, synchronized flocks during migration, which can number in the thousands. This synchronized flight helps them conserve energy and navigate more efficiently over long distances. #flamingos
On open fields in winter, flocks of Horned Larks walk and run on the ground, examining the soil and stubble in search of seeds. If disturbed, the flock makes away in swift, twisting flight, making...
Chlidonias leucopterus, White-winged Tern. Buoyant “river tern” found in or near bodies of fresh water across much of the world, including Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. In winter, they migrate to Africa, southern Asia and Australia. Found in flocks around rivers, lakes, and wetlands, where it picks food from surface. They fly slowly over the water to surface-pick items and catch insects in flight. They mainly eat insects and small fish. In flight, the wing-beats are shallow and leisurely.
The Knot is a dumpy, short-legged, stocky wading bird. In winter, it is grey above and white below. In summer the chest, belly and face are brick-red. In flight, it shows a pale rump and a faint wing-stripe. It forms huge flocks in winter which wheel and turn in flight, flashing pale underwings as they twist and turn. They can be found in large muddy estuaries around the coast. Its length is 23-25cm and the wingspan 47-54cm.
Chunky bird with broad, triangular wings and short, decurved bill. Dark brownish-gray plumage overall, with white outer primaries distinctive in flight and at rest. Tail black with white tip broken by black at the center. Pale underwings contrast strongly with dark belly in flight. Usually in small flocks, in open woodland areas.
Hartlaubius auratus, Madagascar Starling. Slim, dark-brown starling. Male is rich brown while female is paler and grayer. Both sexes have a big white patch in the wing that is conspicuous in flight. Madagascar endemic that is found most commonly in rainforest, but also in dry deciduous forest, gallery forest, scrub, and plantations. Usually found in pairs or small flocks, often around fruiting trees. Call is a simple “pu-leet” that is often given in flight.
Bombycilla cedrorum, Cedar Waxwing, family Bombycillidae. A native of North and Central America, breeding in open wooded areas in southern Canada and wintering in southern U.S. and Central America. Its diet includes cedar cones, fruit, and insects. Usually in flocks in open woods and forest edges. Often perches in leafless treetops. Shifts its diet from insects to berries primarily in fall and winter. Calls are high, thin, whistles. They call often, especially in flight.
White belly and underwings contrast with a large buffy-chestnut breast band framed in black. Long tail extensions are prominent in flight. Females have white throats; breeding males have solid black throats. Found on dry open plains and dried-out river and lake beds. Makes daily visits to water holes usually in the morning, often in large flocks. In flight, hurried and pigeonlike. Some populations are nomadic or migratory, while some are sedentary. Gives low, laughter-like calls, often while in flight.
Estrilda nonnula, Black-crowned Waxbill is a common species of estrildid finch found in western-central Africa. Found in grassy areas within a variety of habitats, including forest edge, woodland, moist savanna, cultivation, and gardens. Usually in pairs or flocks. The calls include high-pitched “tsik” and “tseet” notes which are often given in chorus by a flock, especially in flight.
Utterly unmistakable large shorebird: gleaming white adult has a black back, black flight feathers, and a very heavy dark bill, which is used to dispatch crustaceans and other invertebrates. Narrow dark smudge around the eye imparts a sleepy appearance. Juvenile similar to adult but back pale brown. Inhabits sandy beaches and shorelines, as well as coral outcrops, rocky coasts, and mangroves. Forages in flocks, often giving raucous, tern-like calls in flight.
Medium-sized, rather nondescript raptor with overall dark plumage. Varies considerably across range, but always note tail fork (can disappear when tail is fully open), and short head and neck. Juvenile averages paler and more contrastingly-marked. Flight style buoyant, gliding and changing direction with ease. Frequently forages in urban areas, rubbish dumps, aquatic habitats, and grassland, but usually avoids heavily forested areas. Sometimes solitary, but also gathers in large flocks on migration and at good feeding areas.
Hyperactive little yellow bird with an off-white belly and white “spectacles.” Found in a wide range of habitats, from mangroves to gardens to forest edge; generally favors more open forested areas, not dense tangles. Travels in flocks, sometimes mixed in with other species. Note light bouncing flight. Gives bright but faint “zwee!” calls both while foraging and in flight.
Tiny, short-tailed bird with a thin, slightly upturned bill. Yellow eyering in all plumages, but different subspecies vary tremendously in plumage, ranging from black-headed to white-headed, streaked and unstreaked; in flight all, show prominent pale wingstripe. Inhabits woodlands, where usually seen in small flocks that methodically clamber along tree trunks, probing for insects in bark. Birds give frequent “chip-chip” call as they forage.
Small finchlike bird with large range from Colombia to Argentina. Primarily found at high elevations in the Andes, but occurs lower towards the southern part of its range. Male is gray overall with stout yellow bill, rufous undertail coverts, and small white mark on wing. Look for white in tail in flight. Female is brownish and streaky with dingy bill. Look for pairs or flocks in open habitats including disturbed agricultural areas and dry grasslands.
The crowned hornbill is a common resident of the coastal and riverine forests of southern (only the eastern coast) to northeastern Africa. It forages mainly in trees, where it feeds on insects (often caught in flight), small rodents, small reptiles, seeds and fruits. This hornbill species can be seen in flocks, usually in the dry season.
