This Cattle Tyrant is far from home, surprising birders with a rare appearance in Corpus Christi, TX. He spends much of his time looking for insects in a very specific couple of blocks downtown. A favorite spot is the restaurant patio at Water Street Oyster Bar. This turned out to be a happy coincidence as…
A Royal Tern stands on East Beach in Galveston, Texas, wearing subtle winter plumage along the Gulf Coast. In winter, the black crown recedes, leaving a white forehead and shaggy dark crest. Compared to Sandwich Terns, Royal Terns are bulkier with thicker orange bills. Gull-billed and Forster’s Terns show slimmer shapes and different feeding styles….
1. Madera Canyon – Santa Rita Lodge Best time to go: Late spring to early summer (April–June) when migrants are active and birds are breeding. 2. Patagonia‑Sonoita Creek Preserve / Patagonia Lake State Park Tip: Visit during spring or early summer for best diversity; the riparian woodland supports birds during nesting season. 3. Sweetwater Wetlands…
Last year, Birch Bay birders recorded a rare Black-headed Gull, an exciting find for Washington’s inland coastal waters. This gull showed a dark ear spot, pale gray mantle, and bright white underparts in clean nonbreeding plumage. It looked very much like nearby Bonaparte’s Gulls, but its red-based bill and orange legs provided clear identification clues….
At the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, the Cinnamon Teal is a striking sight in sunlit ponds and quiet marsh edges. Males show deep chestnut plumage, a glossy blue forewing patch, and vivid red eyes that shimmer above the waterline. These dabbling ducks feed by filtering tiny organisms and biofilm through specialized comb-like plates along their…
Two Burrowing Owls peek curiously from behind desert wood at Rainbow Owl Preserve in Nevada. These small ground-dwelling owls live in open scrublands and abandoned burrows. Unlike most owls, they are active during the day, making them a photographer’s delight. Their piercing yellow eyes and bold posture show off their desert toughness. A cool fact…
Las Vegas is famous for casinos, but its desert landscapes hold stunning surprises for bird lovers. The Mojave Desert offers diverse habitats that attract both resident and migratory species. From shimmering wetlands to rocky canyons, birding near Las Vegas is full of life and color. Clark County Wetlands Park: An Urban Oasis for Birds Just…
The Great Egret (Ardea alba) is a familiar sight at Corn Creek Field Station. They are often seen standing motionless near the ponds or along irrigation ditches. Its tall, slender form and pure white plumage make it easy to identify even at a distance. This species frequents shallow wetlands where it hunts for small fish,…
The Curve-billed Thrasher is a striking desert songbird often seen among prickly pear cactus at the Desert Botanical Garden. This oasis in the city is found between Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona. Its distinctive curved bill helps it feed on cactus fruit and insects hidden among spines. Visitors can easily spot this grayish-brown bird by its…
A California Condor soaring above Navajo Bridge is unforgettable especially for those first timers. Its wingspan reaches an impressive nine and a half feet making them the largest bird in North America. White patches under its wings shine brightly against the blue Arizona sky, making it the easy identifier vs Turkey Vultures. The condor glides…
End of content
End of content
