Bird of the Week: Bonaparte’s Gull

Bonaparte’s Gull Chroicocephalus philadelphia Compiled by Niyati Acharya The species is named after Charles Lucien Bonaparte, a French ornithologist and nephew to the former French emperor Napoleon…

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Bird of the Week: Chestnut-collared Longspur

Photo Credit: Chestnut-collared Longspur (Calcarius ornatus) – David M. Bell Chestnut-collared Longspur Calcarius ornatus Compiled by Lindsey Hernandez Sources include: Cornell Lab of Orinthology, USGS, Audubon Society. Each year, the Chestnut-collared Longspur passes through…

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Bird of the Week: Pine Siskin

Pine Siskin Spinus pinus Compiled by Lisa S. Graham.  The Pine Siskin is a small, lively finch with a streaky appearance and restless nature. Often more…

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Bird of the Week: Cinnamon Teal

Cinnamon Teal Spatula cyanoptera Content and photos by James Giroux One of the many great joys of birding is watching the seasons change, and welcoming the incoming migratory…

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Bird of the Week: Gadwall

Photo Credit: Gadwall – Brima Battle/UFWS Gadwall Anas Strepera Compiled by Niyati Acharya Gadwall is a wigeon-sized duck that nests in freshwater marshes and on lakes and impoundments.  Gadwall’s range has…

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Bird of the Week: Greater White-fronted Goose

Photo Credit: Greater White-fronted Goose (Greenland) Anser albifrons flavirostris – Ryan Schain Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons Compiled by Lindsey Hernandez Each winter, from October through early spring, the Greater White-fronted…

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Bird of the Week: Eastern Meadowlark

Photo Credit: Eastern Meadowlark – Doris Bookens, Macaulay Library. Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna Compiled by Lisa S. Graham.  The Eastern Meadowlark is a classic songbird of open country—hayfields,…

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Bird of the Week: Pine Warbler

Photo Credit: Pine Warbler — James Giroux Pine Warbler Setophaga pinus Content and photos by James Giroux Believe it or not, cooler days are on the way – along…

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Bird of the Week: Pied Billed Grebe

Photo Credit: Pied Billed Grebe, Mike Carlo/USFWS, Public Domain, https://www.fws.gov/media/pied-billed-grebe-11 Pied Billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps Compiled By Niyati Acharya Pied-Billed Grebes are stocky waterbirds, 30-38 cm (12-15 in) in…

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Bird of the Week: Black-throated Sparrow

Black-throated Sparrow Amphispiza bilineata Compiled by Lisa S. Graham. The Black-throated Sparrow is a classic songbird of the desert — perfectly at home among sagebrush, creosote, and rocky washes. If your backyard…

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Bird of the Week: Green Kingfisher

Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana  Content and photos by James Giroux How can you not love the Green Kingfisher?  The male and female are both a gorgeous emerald and white color, and the…

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Bird of the Week: Double-Crested Cormorant

Double-Crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) By Niyati Acharya The Double-crested Cormorant is a large, black waterbird common to lakes and shorelines throughout North America. Though an expert fisher, its feathers lack the…

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Bird of the Week: Swainson’s Hawk

Compiled by Lindsey Hernandez Photo Credit: Rick Lewis The Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) is a striking raptor that arrives in Central Texas each year from their wintering grounds in the Pampas…

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Bird of the Week: Black Vulture

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus Compiled by Lisa S. Graham Photo credit:  Francisco Dubón, Macaulay Library The Black Vulture plays an important role in the ecosystem as a scavenger. When in flight, it’s often…

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Bird of the Week: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea  Content and photos by James Giroux Unless you are a birder, the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher might be one of those birds you never knew existed. This, despite the bird…

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