My birding life list. One bird at a time.
Hey guys, welcome back! Today we have another shorebird. This one, however is a bit unique from the other shorebirds we've taken a look at thus far. The sanderling is a tundra-breeding sandpiper and its US range differs from many others. They are found during migration in the middle of the country (in between the... Continue Reading →
Hey guys welcome back. Today we have a large and powerful seabird of the north Atlantic; the northern gannet. Gannets are strictly seabirds, rarely, if ever, found inland. Although they can be found as far south as the Gulf of Mexico in the winter, they breed in the north Atlantic and can be seen well... Continue Reading →
Hey guys, welcome back. I've talked a bit in the past about vagrant birds. These are birds that, for one reason or another, get blown way off course and are found well outside their natural range. Today's bird is one such example. Another confusing flycatcher in the Empidonax genus, the Hammond's flycatcher it rarely found... Continue Reading →
Hey guys welcome back. Today a little marsh bird, the Virginia rail. Virginia rails are small, plump birds of the marsh. Similar to the clapper rail but smaller and more brightly colored, Virginia rails are also much more widespread, being found in every one of the lower 48 states. They can be quite difficult to... Continue Reading →
Hey guys, welcome back. Today is one of the smaller species in the hawk genus of buteo. You might think, based on its name, that the broad-winged hawk can be easily identified by its supposedly broad wings. And while the wings are maybe a bit broader in comparison to larger cousins the red-tailed and red-shouldered... Continue Reading →
Hey guys welcome back! Hooray! More shorebirds! Hahaha! Yes, another shorebird, today the stilt sandpiper. Pretty much exclusively a visitor to the US during migration, the stilt sandpiper looks similar in plumage to its small peep relatives, but stands much taller. Size-wise think a pectoral sandpiper on stilts. Hence the name I suppose. Breeding plumage... Continue Reading →
Hey guys welcome back. Another flycatcher. As we well know by now, flycatchers, particularly those in the genus Empidonax are notoriously difficult to identify. Well the yellow-bellied flycatcher doesn't really have that issue. Pattern of the yellow-bellied is nearly identical to others in its genus, but color helps them stand apart. yellow-bellied flycatchers are noticeably... Continue Reading →
Hey guys welcome back. Today's duck is the blue-winged teal. The second teal species we've covered. Teals are small dabbling ducks, about 2/3 the size of a mallard. Female blue-winged teals look like females of many ducks, sporting a mottled brown plumage. Males feature an elegant look; black back, brown and black spotted body, and... Continue Reading →
Hey guys welcome back. Today we have a large shorebird with a pretty limited range. The Hudsonian godwit is a large, tall shorebird with a long, slightly upturned bill. In breeding plumage, the Hudsonian godwit has a bright rusty orange with a dark mottled brown back. The bill is orange with a black tip. Non-breeding... Continue Reading →
Hey guys welcome back. Today's little sandpiper is the dunlin. One of the more easy to ID shorebirds out there, well when they're in breeding plumage that is. That breeding plumage is a striking, and unique, array featuring a reddish brown back, gray face, and black belly patch. At one time they were actually known... Continue Reading →
Feathered Focus 