Month: May 2015

Species: Ardea modesta English Name: Eastern Great Egret Chinese Name: 大白鷺 Family: Ardeidae Description: This large egret (80-100 cm) has a white plumage, a large yellow bill (that become black in the breeding season) and long black to reddish legs. In Macao it is a resident that is commonly found in wetlands. Photos used under a Creative Commons license…

Species: Ardea cinerea English Name: Grey Heron Chinese Name: 蒼鷺 Family: Ardeidae Description: This large bird has 84-102 cm in length and 155-175 cm in wingspan. The plumage is mainly grey above and white below, with a black crest and supercilium. This specie occurs in Macao as a winter visitor. Photos used under a Creative Commons license References: – Department of…

Species: Bubulcus coromandus English Name: Eastern Cattle Egret Chinese Name: 牛背鷺 Family: Ardeidae Description: This egret has 46-56 cm in length, a yellow bill and white plumage, except for the summer when he gets a orange color on the head, neck, back and breast. In Macau, it is a passage visitor. Photos used under a Creative Commons license References:…

Species: Ardeola bacchus English Name: Chinese Pond Heron Chinese Name: 池鷺 Family: Ardeidae Description: This small heron (42-52 cm) has yellow eyes, legs and bill (with a black tip). During the breeding season, adults are marron, black and white. In the winter, plumage is greyish-brown and white. This species is a Macao resident, found in wetlands. Photos used under a…

Species: Nycticorax nycticorax English Name: Black-crowned Night Heron Chinese Name: 夜鷺 Family: Ardeidae Description: Adults have 58-65 cm in length, black crown and back, with the rest of their body white and grey. In the summer, a 2-3 cm long white plumes erect from the back of the head. This specie is mainly nocturnal and can be see in…

Species: Ixobrychus sinensis English Name: Yellow Bittern Chinese Name: 黃葦鳽 Family: Ardeidae Description: This small bittern has 30-40 cm length. The male has a black cap while the female has a brownish one. The species can be identified in flight by a black flying feathers and tail, that contrast with the rest of the body. It occurs in Macau…

Species: Platalea leucorodia English Name: Eurasian Spoonbill Chinese Name: 白琵鷺 Family: Threskiornithidae Description: This large waterbird (80-93 cm) is all white except for its dark legs and black bill with a yellow tip. He has a crest in the breading season. Can be found in Macau in winter time. Photos used under a Creative Commons…

Species: Tachybaptus ruficollis English Name: Little Grebe Chinese Name: 小鸊鷉 Family: Podicipediae Description: The little grebe is a small waterbird (23-29 cm in length) with a fluffy rear end and yellow gape. In the summer, adults have a rufous neck that is replaced by a brownish one in the winter. This is a resident species in Macau who occurs…

Species: Anas crecca English Name: Eurasian Teal Chinese Name: 綠翅鴨 Family: Anatidae Description: Small dabbling duck with 34-38 cm in length. The males have a brownish-red and green head and a grey body, while the females are mainly brown. It occurs in Macau as a winter visitor and can be found in lakes, estuaries, rivers and marches.   Photos…