Black Crowned Night Heron 2 juveniles Feb 2021

Black Crowned Night Herons - 2 juvenile and 1 adult hidden in trees. 

I was very surprised to see the three of them in the trees.  

Doing a shake of feather 

Preening

second juvenile well hidden in trees 

 

Red-tailed hawk Toronto Feb 3, 2021

There is nothing more beautiful than watching a red-tailed hawk take off from a branch.  This is a juvenile hawk who has proved to be a excellent hunter. 

You can tell the health of a bird by the colour and texture of the pop.

Healthy 

This young hawk was very active at 430pm  Gave me some nice opportunities to watch him .

Looking up at a squirrel 

 

Green Winged Teal at Humber Bay. Feb 4 2021

It has been a long time since I went out looking for Ducks.  Had a few errands in the west end of town so stopped at Humber Bay.  Was amazed to see Wood Duck and Green winged Teal. 

Just to give you an idea of the size of the green winged teal.  Here she is beside a Mallard Duck.  

 

Bald Eagle 4th year stirs up the ducks at Humber Bay Feb 4 2021

While watching the ducks in the lake suddenly they all took off.  Bird of Prey must have been close. 

Look up and there by the condos is a bald eagle. 

He chased after the thousands of ducks in the lake.  

He finally gave up the chase and passed over the little bridge while a dozen people looked up in wonder. 

Not every day you go out and see a stunning Bald Eagle.  

 

Big Brown Bat in Toronto

Big Brown Bat

From Wiki 

Big Brown Bat

The big brown bat is a species of vesper bat distributed widely throughout North America. It was first described as a species in 1796.

 

Compared to other microbats, the big brown bat is relatively large, weighing 15–26 g and possessing a wingspan of 32.5–35 cm.

 

Big brown bats are insectivorous, consuming a diverse array of insects, particularly night-flying insects, but especially beetles. Some of the beetles it consumes are serious agricultural pests, including cucumber beetles. They are nocturnal, foraging for prey at night and roosting in sheltered areas during the day such as caves, tunnels, tree cavities, and human structures. Their breeding season is in the fall, shortly before their annual hibernation. After hibernation ends in the spring, females form maternity colonies for giving birth to young. Oftentimes only one offspring is produced per litter, though twins are common in the Eastern US.

 

Lifespans of 6.5 years are considered average.

Very nice to see one close up. 

Male 

Was with Richard and Robin when we saw the bat fly.  We were lucky to see it land.

Thank you Amanda Guerico for confirmation of species 

 

Tricolored Bat (Point Pelee)

Tricolored Bat 

WIKI information on this bat which is endangered 

The tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus) is a species of microbat native to eastern North America. Formerly known as the eastern pipistrelle, based on the errant belief that it was closely related to European Pipistrellus species, the closest known relative of the tricolored bat is now recognized as the canyon bat. 

Its common name "tricolored bat" derives from the coloration of the hairs on its back, which have three distinct color bands. 

It is the smallest bat species in the eastern and midwestern US, with individuals weighing only 4.6–7.9 g (0.16–0.28 oz). 

This species mates in the fall before hibernation, though due to sperm storage, females do not become pregnant until the spring. Young are born helpless, though rapidly develop, flying and foraging for themselves by four weeks old. It has a relatively long lifespan, and can live nearly fifteen years.

This bat was identified by Amanda Guerico.  With thanks Amanda