Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Black-faced Grassquit

I am linking up with World Bird Wednesday and Nature Notes

This bird is one of my latest lifers from Curacao..the Black-faced Grassquit. Weird name but a very cute bird. It is considered a Tanager and is known to breed along the coast of Venezuela. The male is olive green above and has a black head and breast. The female and the immature are dull olive-gray and paler gray underparts.




The Black-faced Grassquits feed mostly on seed of grasses and weeds. When I saw them they were chowing down at the sugar feeder.



I was happy to be able to see both the male and female. Above the female is perched on the sugar feeder with the Bananaquits. I know professional photographers prefer to take photos of the birds in more natural surroundings. But, being a birder I am into seeing a new bird where ever it maybe... even on the feeders.

I have been busy working during the week and going on weekend daytrips and family get togethers I have not updated my lifer list. I must do that soon I am really behind.

To see more beautiful birds from around the world check out Springman's World Bird Wednesday  And for some nature scenes please visit Michelle's  Nature Notes.

Thanks to Springman for hosting World Bird Wednesday and to Michelle for hosting Nature Notes. I also appreciate everyone who stops by to see my post. I wish you all a great week and happy birding.

42 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

i rather like the olive and slate color of the male. :)

Unknown said...

Great sightings Eileen!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

DeniseinVA said...

Like you I will take my bird sighting where ever it is and be grateful for it. Wonderful shots of this little bird Eileen. You saw so many beautiful ones on your trip. Thank you so much for sharing them with us.

NatureFootstep said...

congrats to the lifer. Italways feel good when you see something new. :)

SquirrelQueen said...

I'm with you, I like to see birds in any environment, natural or man made. That is a really cute little bird.

Debbie said...

i'll take them where ever i can get them!!

there are so many leaves on the trees, this time of year, it is almost impossible to get a good tree shot!!

love the colors and i love seeing all these birds from your trip!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Eileen, What a nice bird! So happy you have shared these birds with us. The females seem to follow the bird pattern of being not as flashy. I'd like to see these in person some day. Have a fantastic Wednesday tomorrow!

SandyCarlson said...

These are fantastic shots, Eileen. You are some talent!

mick said...

I agree! It's great to see new birds wherever you can.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Love your header, Eileen... Great bird picture. There are so many interesting birds in Curacao.... Thanks for sharing.

Loved reading about your little trip to the Shenandoah National Park.. You know how much we love that area.

Hugs,
Betsy

Brian King said...

I've never seen one of these before. Congratulations on a lifer!

NatureStop said...

Weird name indeed but very cute.Nice shots.Thanks for sharing and have a great day.

Shantana

Chaparral Earth said...

I love creating a garden with plants that attract birds and adding to it little bird feeder areas where I myself contribute to their Buffe. I don't do it so much for their benefit as I do it to satify my own selfish longing to escape city life and surround myself with a bit of country even if it's only momentary.

Rohrerbot said...

Congrats on the lifer!!! Very cool find and what a beautiful bird!

Tina´s PicStory said...

they are sooo cute! :)

Linda said...

I wish I could identify enough of them to start a lost! I love the colors of that little male!

Carver said...

The little bird is a beauty. Great post.

Phil Slade said...

An interesting little bird the grassquit Eileen. Bet it's hard to see in greenery with those shades of plumage.

rainfield61 said...

Birds keep us very busy.

Libby said...

Hi Eileen! Glad you saw another lifer - male and female and got such good photos!

You hit the nail on the head - weird name but cute birds!

Jen Sanford said...

Very cool! I am all for birds wherever they happen to be found (feeders or in the middle of the woods). Take what you can get!

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

I agree with you-- shoot 'em where you see them. Nobody complains about seeing a photo of a Red-tailed Hawk nesting on a building!

Betty Manousos said...

great bird showing, dear eileen!thank you for sharing.

congratulations on the lifer!! such a pretty little bird!

hope you have a great remainder of the week.

Adam Jones said...

What a lovely bird. Nice photo.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

They're charming birds and I appreciate your posting them. I'd be thrilled to see one on a feeder.

Chris said...

Lifers are something very important. it keeps you going on and help you not to be too bored when Birding ;-) Congrats on this one!

EG CameraGirl said...

cute birds. Your life list must be very long!

Salitype said...

cute little birds ! the name is hard to remember 'black-faced grassquit'

Aligaga

Tiago Braga said...

Lovely birds, very sweet and nice

Rambling Woods said...

a grassquit..what an interesting name for a cute little bird.. You have quite the lifelist now..thank you for linking up to Nature Notes Eileen...Michelle

Gail Dixon said...

Such interesting birds! It doesn't matter to me if they're on the feeders or out in the wild. I just enjoy them so.

Reena said...

I love seeing the birds whether they are in the wild on a feeder. Great shots.

Nature Rambles said...

A new one to me. Interesting name!

Anonymous said...

I will take bird captures, wherever I can. Lovely photos.

Anonymous said...

I agree wholeheartedly. Take them where you can get them. Nice shots and a really cute bird I've not heard of before today.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful clouds formations and bird shots.

Liz said...

Lovely little birds! I'd love to have a feeder in my yard.

Gattina said...

I love these fluffy clouds !

Hilke Breder said...

Saw this bird in Aruba. Your images are so much better than mine! Love the rich blue in your header shot!

Springman said...

Great bird, a new one for me, thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Cute :)

Anonymous said...

What adorable birds!! Happy WBW!!

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