There are several groups of birds that are infamous for their tricky to ID members. I’ve always had a theory on why certain groups throw even the most experienced birders for a loop. We as a whole are very visually orientated, noticing patterns and bold colors, but do tend to have issues comparing differences in…
Author: Kayla Fisk
Eclipse Plumage in Ducks
There are several groups of birds that are famous for being tricky to ID — gulls, shorebirds, and fall warblers are usually the first to come to mind. In the late summer, another group can often be added to the list — ducks. While this group in the winter and spring can be an easy…
The Six Keys to Bird ID
So you want to be a bird expert?Or maybe just a better birder? But what exactly makes someone an expert? Is it someone who has a large life list and traveled the world? Or maybe they have an ornithology degree or are a paid guide? Or is it just someone who has been birding all…
Birds: The Gateway Drug to the Natural World
Before I start, I wanted to talk about something very serious, birds. They look innocent enough, small, cute, but often they lead to a condition known as ecological awareness. And birds are often the gateway drug to this condition. It usually starts innocently enough. Let’s take a look at Larry’s case. All names have been…
How to find winter finches
Today we’re diving into something really exciting for the winter birding season: the Winter Finch Forecast for 2025-26. If you’ve ever wondered which northern finches might show up in your backyard this winter, where they might turn up, and how you can find them — you’re in the right place. First, what is the Winter…
Bird ID Challenge: White-winged Scoter vs Surf Scoter
One of the tougher ID challenges birders may face during the winter months when the sea ducks leave their northern breeding grounds, is telling apart female-type White-winged Scoters and Surf Scoters. Males in adult plumage of these two species don’t really pose much of a challenge. Their bold bills and markings on their head make…
Project Feederwatch
Have you ever wondered how your backyard bird feeder could help scientists track bird populations across North America? Project FeederWatch, which runs from November 1st until April 30th, lets YOU turn your bird-watching into real scientific data that makes a difference. Project FeederWatch is a community science project run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology…
The mystery of the two morphs of the White-throated Sparrow
If you’ve ever spent time watching a flock of White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) scratching in the leaf litter, you may have noticed something interesting, not all of them look alike. Some have bright white head stripes, while others are more soft tan ones. These aren’t just variations in plumage; they represent one of the most…
New Hybrid Bird Species discovered in Texas: The Grue Jay
In 2023, a new wild hybrid bird species was documented in a suburb of San Antonio, Texas. The parent species, a Blue Jay and a Green Jay. The range of these two species currently barely overlaps, with just a small spot in southern Texas. It is believed that due to climate change, that the range…
Keys to Bird ID: Size and Shape
When you first start birding, it can be overwhelming, there are so many bird species that can be found at any particular time and place. Even within a state, there can be several hundred species that can be found within its borders throughout the year. New York, for example, has 514 species that have been…