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Bird of the Day, theme 'Downy Feathers'

natureAug 8, 202619310,180

Bird of the Day is a daily community event; today's theme is Downy Feathers, any bird showing soft, fluffy down feathers, with an alternate theme Shades of Purple. The gallery is full of close-up wildlife photography emphasizing chicks and juveniles, from shore-dwelling waders to waterfowl and passerines. Look for a killdeer chick pausing at a pond shoreline, clusters of wood duck babies on the water, and a raspberry-red male Purple Finch posted for the Shades of Purple alternative. Expect other entries showing goslings, a fluffed juvenile Great Blue Heron, merganser and eider ducklings, and a variety of newly fledged or downy-staged birds.

Kort Duce
@kortduce.bsky.social

A killdeer chick pauses while wading along the shoreline of a pond at a nature area in Longmont, Colorado. #BirdOfTheDay #DownyFeathers #bird #birdphotography #ECK #birds #photography #birdsofbluesky #BirdsSeenln2026 #nature #wildlife #wildlifephotography

Photo by Kort Duce A killdeer chick pauses while wading along the shoreline of a pond at a nature area in Longmont, Colorado. In this vertical color photograph, a killdeer chick in left profile fills the frame as it wades along the water’s edge, its reflection visible beneath it. Most of the scene is composed of the pond’s calm surface, while the foreground reveals the muddy shoreline. The city is refilling the pond after nearly 18 months of construction along the pond bank. The shoreline was significantly relocated to widen St. Vrain Creek and increase its capacity to accommodate future flooding. This image captures a beautiful portrait of a young killdeer in its natural wetland habitat, an ecosystem vital to the species’ survival.
104245d ago
Link The Cat 🇨🇦4

It looks like he’s wearing a little wool tuque. 🫶

Helen Bennett 🌿3

Wonderful shot Kort.... absolutely adorable!! 👏🤩

bobpop13.bsky.social3

Cuteness all the way, wonderful shot.

JackMcgraw 🇨🇦 3

I don't think it can kill a deer.

The power of now2

Hmm. A bird with a little hat how cute.

Vic2

Awesome! In Iowa we have lots of killdeer but I've never seen a chick!

Alan H
@alan678.bsky.social

Good morning, Helen @helenbennett.bsky.social has said: Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #DownyFeathers - any bird showing soft, fluffy down feathers. Alt #ShadesofPurple - any tone, hue or tint of purple on a birds plumage Fledgling Blue Tit #birds #photography #ECK #SmallBirdSaturday

A fledgling Blue Tit clings sideways to the slender green stem of a tall umbellifer, using its tiny feet to hold on while grasping a seed in one foot. Its fluffy yellow-green plumage, blue-grey wings and tail, and developing blue cap are visible against a smooth, blurred green background. The young bird’s delicate, acrobatic pose captures a charming moment as it appears to investigate or feed on the seed.
57745d ago
Neil Cameron4

I think that's not so much a tit as it is an out-and-out booorb. I bet you thought I was going to say something else... Fantastic image, Alan.

Atlantic Birding2

Amazing shot Alan; that Blue Tit does a good plank!!

Marjo Slingerland-Boks2

Morning Alan, that is a cutie and lovely photo 💛Have a fine day ✨️ 🤗

Mick Lister2

"So how long do you want me to hold this pose" 😀. Superb shot marra 👌. The green background is a soothing and complementary shade.

Justine Jones2

Great place for a snack, defying gravity too. Stunning as usual Alan 💚🤩

Yvonne Redknap2

I have never seen a cuter photo than this! It makes me smile. Beautiful,Alan. 😄

eddiephotos.bsky.social
@eddiephotos.bsky.social

#BirdOfTheDay One of my favourite heathland birds is the Dartford warbler.

#BirdOfTheDay One of my favourite heathland birds is the Dartford warbler.
32145d ago
Rina
@rina2012.bsky.social

Trying to get closer 🥰 "Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #DownyFeathers - Alt: #ShadesofPurple" #birds #birding #wildlife #photography #naturephotography #thelittlethings #ECK #EastCoastKin

Two pigeons are standing close together on a grey, asphalted surface. The pigeon on the left has plumage that is almost entirely dark grey to black. The pigeon on the right has light grey plumage with a shimmering, violet neck ring. The bird on the left gently touches the other’s head, which looks like a kiss (courtship behaviour). The scene was photographed in bright daylight with visible shadows.
21245d ago
alisonwillis1.bsky.social1

A tender moment, beautifully captured 😍

gwendolen1

What a lovey photo. 😀

Est1

Bonjour Rina 😊. Très belle photo 😍 ! Je te souhaite un beau samedi. 😘😘

Aj d'Wit (Audrey)1

An intimate moment. Lovely capture. 😍

Dave Meredith
@davemeredith.bsky.social

Today's alternative #BirdOfTheDay theme is #ShadesOfPurple (making me think of the album "Shades Of Deep Purple"). A raspberry red male Purple Finch. 😁 #BrucePeninsula #BruceCounty #ECK #photography #birds #nature #wildlife #TenMinutesFromHome #BackyardPhotography #VintageLens #ManualFocus

22345d ago
Helen Bennett 🌿2

What a beauty, great photo Dave. Ah, I know some Deep Purple albums but not that one! 😄

moniquebouchard.bsky.social1

Beautiful photo of the little bird! Is this bird from Ontario or the United Kingdom?

Jason1

The detail, colour and lighting are impeccable Dave 🤩👍🏼

Aj d'Wit (Audrey)1

That's a fine looking bird. 😍 Great photo, Dave. 👌

julielfrost.bsky.social
@julielfrost.bsky.social

Literally #DownyFeathers for today's #BirdOfTheDay. #Birds #Woodpeckers #Photography #Nature #Wildlife

A slightly disheveled downy woodpecker holds on to a branch against a green background.
22645d ago
Lecia Michelle
@leciamichelle.bsky.social

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #DownyFeathers. Wood duck babies. ❤️ #birds #photography #birdsofbluesky

Wood duck ducklings with brown and tan downy feathers in the grass.
19545d ago
Mennonite Mom (she/her) ❤️‍🩹🥄💙🌊💙4

💙 3 ducklings are quietly resting and waiting for Mom, like she told them to. The other one is standing up, ready to wander away and find trouble. Guess which one was my son in school, sigh. His poor teachers. 💙

Just Peachy1

Adorable! I love baby birds.

Patty Marie1

Aww, so fluffy and adorable!

The Old Magoo1

Your bird posts make my day!

justpoly1

This is precious. One of them is into you. 😀 I could see a decorator using this in so many places. I’m probably going too far here, but there’s an app, maybe photoshop, that can change pictures into paintings. This would be equally lovely as a painted image. All the best.

Atlantic Birding
@atlanticbirding.bsky.social

🪶 @helenbennett.bsky.social has chosen #DownyFeathers as #BirdOfTheDay theme. Alt. is #ShadesOfPurple I don’t know if this Grey Wagtail was making a fashion statement, moulting, brooding etc but looked like this for several days. #bird #birdphotography #ECK #birds #photography #birdsofbluesky

A Grey Wagtail in side profile standing on a wet tarmacadam surface. The bird is standing in the centre of the shot; facing right with its tail reaching to the left side of the shot. The bird has a grey head with a white stripe above the eye and whitish parts under the beak. Its upper parts are grey, turning to black at the flight and tail feathers. Its chest, belly and under the tail are yellow. The bird’s feathers are ruffled under and over the wings so that the soft, downy feather are sticking out and fluffy. The surface is covered in a thin layer of water and giving it a green/brown hue.
19545d ago
Neil Cameron5

I think we've all woken up looking that way... Great shot, AB.

Kathy💙2

Cool capture, Ian! Super cute, ruffled feathers and all.

Graham Jones2

Ready for the red carpet at the Oscars. Terrific photo AB.

Helen Bennett 🌿2

Wonderful image for the theme, it could be moulting... definitely a fashion statement! 👍😊 Thanks AB

Alan H1

Excellent shot AB. How cute is that. 👌🏼👌🏼

Marjo Slingerland-Boks1

That is a wonderful photo AB maybe it would just show how beautiful he/she is 🤔💛

SeaLevelOslo
@sealeveloslo.bsky.social

Maybe their eggs were golden too. Five goslings swimming by in the evening sun. #BirdOfTheDay #DownyFeathers 🪶 #birds #gosling #photography #BlueSkyArtShow #water

Five goslings lit up by the evening sun swim in a line on the sea. Gentle ripples caused by wind makes the water mix light blue reflections from the sky with dark reflections from land.
17845d ago
Amy Gann
@amygann.bsky.social

A baby gambel's quail pauses to eat under the watchful eye of its dad. For the #birdoftheday theme of #downyfeathers #birds #quail #gambelsquail #protectnature #EastCoastKin #babybird

A baby gambel's quail eats under the watchful eye of its dad
16345d ago
Helen Bennett 🌿1

So sweet... beautiful capture Amy ✨

Dawn Photography1

What an interesting looking bird, how beautiful Amy 🤗💜

Charlie Ludwig
@chuck4242.bsky.social

A juvenile Great Blue Heron fluffed out in the morning light. #BirdOfTheDay #DownyFeathers #Birds #Birding #Wildlife #Nature #Photography #Animals #Photos #Photo #ECK

a juvenile Great Blue Heron standing prone on a tree stump in the morning light. Trees and sky are behind the subject.
17445d ago
Helen Bennett 🌿1

Wonderful capture, Charlie! The composition is beautiful, and that morning glow on the heron's feathers is stunning. 👏 ✨️

Rob Crank Photography
@robcrank68.bsky.social

Good morning folks. @helenbennett.bsky.social themes for #BirdOfTheDay are #DownyFeathers, any bird showing soft, fluffy down feathers. The Alt is #ShadesofPurple, any tone, hue or tint of purple on a bird's plumage. #birds #ECK @rspb.bsky.social #CanonR5mkii #ukbirding #birdphotography #BirdLife

Tulisa Tufted Duck heard a rumour about some upcoming trouble near where she and her ducklings reside, so she was heading off to book them and holiday so they weren't at home when the trouble arrives. But it wasn't going to be easy with her having 4 young ones in tow, but anything was better than being at home if a battle erupts. Captured at WWT Slimbridge.
15145d ago
Alan H2

Poor Carrie. Blooming Oystercatchers. Good mum and dad let her know what was happening Rob. I got so invested in that story. 😂😂😂 Great shots and alts mate.

Marjo Slingerland-Boks1

Aww what a lovely photos and wonderful Akts Rob✨️❤️

Diane Furlong1

Great captures and stories, Rob.

Aj d'Wit (Audrey)1

Fabulous photos, Rob, with a reminder that for the newest birds on Earth there are many perils.

Lizzie Wallis1

Super shots, Rob. Love Tony, from the other side of the pond 🤣

Lorraine 🦆🦋🐝🦔🦊🌿1

Poor Alison 😔 Lovely photos, Rob

James Petruzzi
@hawaiianimages.bsky.social

For the #BirdOfTheDay theme #DownyFeathers ...when we first moved into our current place, there was a recently planted palm tree that was maybe two meters high. Some zebra doves decided to nest on one of the fronds, this is a rarely seen dove chick! #birds 📷🌿🦉

A grey, fuzzy baby zebra dove framed in the green V of the palm frond that's holding up the nest. A sibling can be seen blurred in the background
13545d ago
Helen Bennett 🌿3

Beautiful image James... it must have been great to discover the nest in the palm tree and be able to see the chicks. Thanks for sharing 👏 ✨

Get To Know Nature2

Oh my goodness, what a remarkable shot!! 😍

Chris S2

Little sweeties! Lucky them to have you as their overseer/protector! ❤️🪶

Molly Bangles1

So sweet! What a beautiful shot 💚

The Garden Jungle
@thegardenjungle.bsky.social

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #DownyFeathers, so here is an Eider Duck chick I captured at Seahouses in Northumberland on the shoreline #birds #thegardenjungle #wildlifephotography #birdwatching #shropshire #UKwildlife #birdphotography #canon #photography

Eider Duck
13045d ago
Aj d'Wit (Audrey)1

Oh my ... this is just the cutest. 😍 Excellent photo. 👍

swandiveswim.bsky.social1

❤️My goodness, that has to be the best 'floof' picture yet!

LaffingKat1

Such a cute little fluffball!

Doug Engstrom1

What a cute shot. I love the detail you've captured on the down.

Kevin Wertman
@kevin.wertman.org

Helen has set the alt #BirdOfTheDay theme to #ShadesOfPurple, so here's a golden breasted starling I saw out at Animal Kingdom. One of many interesting birds they have there that I never really noticed until I took up photography. 🙂 #Photography #Birds #AnimalKingdom

A multcolored bird stands on a railing made from a long piece of rebar. It has a bright yellow chest, a metallic blue green head and bright metallic purple coloring on its wing. Behind is blurred browns with a small quarter circle of green in the upper right.
14145d ago

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