Bill Bickle Photography, William Bickle Photography
CUBA
Bill has travelled into Cuba many times, usually in early springtime. The breeding season for these birds of Cuba is in full swing, and their beautiful plumage is on display mostly at this time! The other wildlife, lizards, Iguana and small creatures are most active at this time of year as well.
Not a Flamingo! Habitat: Freshwater and saltwater wetlands It's easy to confuse an adult roseate spoonbill with a flamingo, until you look at their bills. Though both wading birds are bright pink, it's not hard to know which species is called "spoonbill."
Fun Facts It's ironic that roseate spoonbills were hunted for their plumage: their feather color fades rapidly, so the fans and hats made from their plumes had only a limited lifespan. A spoonbill's nostrils are located at top of the bill, making it possible for the bird to breathe while the bill is under water. The roseate spoonbill gets much of its pink color from the food it eats. The crustaceans that it eats feed on algae which contain pigments that impart a pink/red color
Touchy-Feely A spoonbill feeds more by touch than by sight - - a handy adaptation for an animal that often feeds in water that's muddy or clogged with dense vegetation. The horny bill is equipped with sensitive touch receptors that detect vibrations given off by prey. When something touches the inside of the spoon, the bill closes on it quickly. This keen sense of touch and fast reflexes allow the bird to feed in cloudy water, and at night.
Cyclura nubila, also known as the Cuban Rock Iguana or Cuban Iguana is an endangered species of lizard of the genus Cyclura. It is the largest of the West Indian rock iguanas, one of the most globally endangered groups of lizards in the world
Cuba, Brown Pelican, Great flying skills, and ever alert for a meal
Brown Pelican in Flight CUBA, frequent visitor over water, often seen in small groups of 3 or 4 Cruising
Snowy Egret
Birds of a Feather? Spoonbills are very social birds. They spend most of their time in the company of other spoonbills, as well as other water birds. Not only do they feed in groups, but they nest in colonies with ibises, storks, cormorants, herons and egrets.
Good timing to catch the Pelican catching a small fish
Very colourful & Quick. Brilliant Emerald colour of the male when seen in the sunlight.