May 14 2023
Few birds are as closely associated with the deserts of the American Southwest as the Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus). Large for a wren, boldly patterned, and anything but shy, this desert songbird can often be seen perched conspicuously on a cholla cactus, mesquite branch, or other elevated lookout. Its scratchy, mechanical song is one of …
May 13 2023
Few North American seabirds live a life as unexpected as the Marbled Murrelet. At first glance, this compact auk seems perfectly at home on the cold waters of the Pacific, diving beneath the surface in search of small fish. But when breeding season arrives, many Marbled Murrelets leave the ocean behind, fly deep into coastal …
May 13 2023
Few North American birds are as instantly recognizable as the Bald Eagle. With its enormous wings, powerful yellow bill, dark brown body, and brilliant white head and tail, an adult Bald Eagle is an unforgettable sight whether it is perched above a river or soaring across an open sky. The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is …
May 13 2023
The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the most impressive birds of prey in the world. Powerful, fast, and remarkably agile for its size, this enormous raptor can be found soaring above mountains, grasslands, deserts, and other open landscapes across much of the Northern Hemisphere. Its name comes from the warm golden-brown feathers covering …
May 13 2023
Few birds of prey are as familiar across North America as the Red-tailed Hawk. Whether it is soaring in wide circles above a field, watching the ground from a roadside utility pole, or letting out its unmistakable raspy cry, this powerful raptor has become one of the defining birds of the North American landscape. Red-tailed …
May 13 2023
The American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) is a small, slender songbird of wide-open landscapes. It breeds in some of North America’s most dramatic environments—from Arctic tundra to windswept alpine meadows—and then appears much farther south during migration and winter, when flocks may gather in farm fields, along muddy shorelines, and beside reservoirs. At first glance, the …
May 13 2023
The Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) is a small songbird of wide-open landscapes, equally at home on windswept prairie, Arctic tundra, coastal dunes, agricultural fields, and mountain slopes above the trees. Although its sandy brown plumage often blends into the ground, a closer look reveals a surprisingly distinctive bird with a dark facial mask, a black …
May 07 2023
Few backyard birds capture the imagination quite like the Eastern Bluebird. With its brilliant blue feathers, warm rusty-orange breast, and gentle, musical voice, this small songbird brings a welcome burst of color to fields, gardens, orchards, and quiet country roads. The Eastern Bluebird, scientifically known as Sialia sialis, is one of three bluebird species found …
May 07 2023
Few North American birds make an entrance quite like the Pileated Woodpecker. Nearly as large as a crow, this striking forest bird combines a mostly black body, bold white facial stripes, and a brilliant red crest that rises dramatically from the back of its head. Its appearance is only part of the story. A Pileated …
May 06 2023
Scattered across the volcanic islands of the Galápagos, a group of small, mostly brown or black birds has transformed how scientists understand life on Earth. They are not especially flashy. They do not possess the brilliant colors of parrots or the dramatic silhouettes of eagles. Yet their extraordinary variety of beaks, diets, behaviors, and habitats …
