Bird of the Week: Red-Tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Compiled by Lisa S. Graham. If you’ve ever heard a bird screaming in a western, chances are it was the call of the Red-tailed Hawk – even…

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Bird of the Week: Hooded Warbler

Hooded Warbler (Setophaga citrina) Content and photos by James Giroux It’s spring in Central Texas! And as the wave of new spring flowers and leaves makes its way…

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Bird of the Week: Franklin’s Gull

Franklin’s Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan Written and Compiled by Lindsey Hernandez Painting by Louis Agassiz Fuertes circa 1900 Photo by USFW The Franklin’s Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan) is a delicate and graceful seabird known for its…

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Bird of the Week: Pileated Woodbecker

Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) Compiled by Lisa S. Graham Photo credits: Thierry Grandmont, Macaulay Library (Pileated Woodpecker photo); Universal Studios (Woody Woodpecker drawing) Thanks to Universal Studios, anyone who watched the Woody…

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Bird of the Week: Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer Rynchops niger  Content and photos by James Giroux – except where indicated There are many ways that birds obtain food, but the beak always plays an important role. With the…

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Bird of the Week: Painted Bunting

Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) Compiled by Lisa S. Graham Photo credit:  David Hollie, Macaulay Library Mature male Painted Buntings are impossible to misidentify.  The vibrant combination of blue, green, red, and orange…

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Bird of the Week: Field Sparrow

Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla  Content and photos by James Giroux Sparrows are often overlooked by the general population, and even by some birders. Because many of them look alike, there are a…

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Bird of the Week: Least Sandpiper

Compiled by Lindsey Hernandez Featured Photo Credit: Least Sandpiper Great Meadows NWR, Concord, MA Credit: Steve Arena/USFWS The Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) is a small shorebird and the smallest member of…

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Bird of the Week: House Finch

Compiled by Lisa S. Graham Photo credit:  Martina Nordstrand, Macaulay Library House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) House Finches originate from the western US and Mexico.  In 1940, pet stores in New York released…

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Bird of the Week: White Crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys  Content and photos by James Giroux – except where indicated The word “dashing” is typically not used to describe members of the sparrow family. But, the word is…

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Bird of the Week: Grasshopper Sparrow

Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum Content and photos by James Giroux Most sparrows head north from Central Texas before early spring, but there are a few species that breed here in the Austin…

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Bird of the Week: Woodhouse’s Scrub Jay

By Abby West Featured Photo by Chris Wood Woodhouse’s scrub-jays are an odd bunch, described as the Blue jay of dry lowlands from Nevada south to Mexico. They’re most often seen…

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Bird of the Week: White-winged Dove

White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica Compiled by Lisa S. Graham Photo credit:  Jeff Timmons, Macaulay Library White-winged doves became a household word in 1981 for fans of Stevie Nicks and her hit song “Edge…

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Bird of the Week: Wood Duck

Wood Duck Aix sponsa  Content and photos by James Giroux There are few North American birds that can rival the Wood Duck for flashiness and color. Just count the colors: red, yellow,…

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