Bird of the Week: Reddish Egret

Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens Content and photos by James Giroux The Reddish Egret is the least common of all the North American Egrets.  Plume hunters in the late…

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Bird of the Week: Common Nighthawk

Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor Compiled by Lisa S. Graham As the light fades in the evening, you may see a long-winged silhouette against the dimming light—looping, gliding, and darting with…

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Bird of the Week: Tricolored Heron

Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor Compiled by Yvonne Karnath   If you spend most of your birding time around Travis County, you probably think of the Tricolored Heron as a…

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Bird of the Week: Greater Roadrunner

Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus Compiled by Niyati Acharya   Armed with a battery of physiological and behavioral adaptations, the Greater Roadrunner thrives in arid regions, in the…

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Bird of the Week: Chestnut-sided Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warbler Setophaga pensylvanica   Content and photos by James Giroux   As mentioned in previous Bird of the Week articles, I live in Southwest Austin on a greenbelt, and…

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Bird of the Week: Orchard Oriole

Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius Compiled by Liam Molina   Orchard Orioles are the smallest orioles in North America, identifiable with their sharp, pointed bills. Males…

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Bird of the Week: Northern Parula

Northern Parula Setophaga americana Compiled by Liam Molina   The Northern Parula is a small warbler, and can be difficult to spot as it tends…

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Bird of the Week – Yellow-throated Vireo

Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons   Content and photos by James Giroux I live in Southwest Austin on a greenbelt, and I get a pretty good sampling of migrants and…

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Bird of the Week: The Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Sharp-Shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) Compiled by Lisa S. Graham.    The Sharp-shinned Hawk is a small forest raptor known for its lightning-fast flight and surprise attacks on smaller birds….

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Bird of the Week: The Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum Compiled by Liam Molina   The Cedar Waxwing is a frequent visitor you might spot in your backyard or through your binoculars. Beautifully…

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Bird of the Week: The Downy Woodpecker

Downy woodpeckers Picoides pubescens Compiled by Niyati Acharya Downy Woodpeckers are small versions of the classic woodpecker body plan. They have a straight, chisel-like bill, blocky…

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Bird of the Week: Golden-cheeked Warbler

Golden-cheeked Warbler Setophaga chrysoparia Content and photos by James Giroux The iconic Golden-cheeked Warbler is iconic for good reason. It is the only North American bird that exclusively…

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Bird of the Week: Hermit Thrush

Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus Compiled by Liam Molina   The Hermit Thrush is a small, plump bird that is known to make a stop in Texas in…

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Bird of the Week: The Elf Owl

Elf Owl Micrathene whitneyi Compiled by Niyati Acharya   The Elf Owl is an insectivorous species of the arid habitat.  It breeds in the Sonoran…

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Bird of the Week: Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris Compiled by Liam Molina   Named for its distinct ruby-red throat, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a common sight in woodland and brushy habitats….

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