Birds with Camouflage in the perfect environment

Some birds have a very good camouflage color depending on the territory they live. For example these Redshanks that I found at Lake Neusiedler last year they have a very good plumage that protects them from being seen from various predators. Some of the birds have this camouflage color all the year and some of them change into a breeding plumage that makes them a lot more difficult to spot.

For example these redshanks that I found there in the dry grass perfectly fit into this environment and can hardly be seen when hiding in the dry high grass. In spring when I took these pictures they where very excited since it was mating season. A perfect time for every photographer because a lot of birds are so concentrated about mating that they don't really care about the photographers and you can get pretty close to them for some nice pictures.

Redshanks prepare for mating. Picture: Florian Glechner.

Since a lot of birds breed in the meadow in reed or other places on the ground they rely on their camouflage not to be seen from predators. Their feathers are adapted to their surroundings and help them in hiding. Every species has developed a different kind of "protection". Some of them are adpated to the color of dry grass, others to the color of tree bark, sand or other different environments they breed in. Some birds, like the Swan or the heron wich have a white color are even relying on their size.

Male redshank preparing to hop on :-) Picture: Florian Glechner.

I think they are very beautiful birds. Picture: Florian Glechner.

Redshank looking for food in the dry grass. Picture: Florian Glechner.

They like shallow water and spots near the water for hunting. Picture: Florian Glechner.