Pinocchio's Cousins

We found a few birds with exceptionally long bills this week and it reminded me of the story of Pinocchio. I'm not lying! These birds have big beaks!

We were headed home from a morning of birding when a "Bird Text" alerted us to a MARBLED GODWIT. We weren't far from Kettle Point, so changed course and found the bird with a 13 cm long bill! The main breeding areas are in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. A very small breeding area can be found on James Bay. This bird probably had a failed nest and was heading south for the winter. They are rarely seen in Lambton County.

 A couple more pictures of the GODWIT showing size comparison to a Ring-billed Gull.

Early Saturday morning in Canatara, Deryl found a WILLET running along the beach. It was spooked by a Coopers Hawk, but a few hours later, it surprisingly returned.

 The conspicuous black and white wing markings 

on the WILLET are diagnostic when in flight.

Although not necessarily known for a very long beak, perspective 

can appear to change the size of the Red-headed Woodpeckers bill.

I recently watched 3 young crows "lengthen" their beaks by 

using sticks to dig in the mud for bugs at the edge of Lake Chipican!

And we can't forget about Hummingbirds with their very long Pinocchio-like beak!