At last…. The Sibley eGuide is now available for Blackberry! Check it out at the Blackberry App Store Now Blackberry owners can enjoy having the entire content of the acclaimed Sibley Guide to Birds on a device that fits in your pocket – all 810 species, over 6600 paintings, over 700 range maps, and detailed […]
The eGuide for Blackberry is available! Read More »
The Mexican Duck was formerly considered a species (Anas diazi), and is currently lumped with Mallard (as subspecies Anas platyrhynchos diazi), but recent DNA studies suggest that Mottled Duck (not Mallard) is its closest relative (McCracken et al. 2001). Whatever its genetic background, it is clear from field observations that Mexican Ducks and Mallards interbreed
Intergradation between Mexican Duck and Mallard in Arizona Read More »
11 May 2011, 6:00 to 8:30 PM – Lecture at Boston Public Library, Boston, MA Sponsored by the New England Forestry Foundation. I’ll be talking about the history of forests and bird populations in New England, and the critical need for young forest, shrubland, and grassland. With a book-signing after. Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St, Copley Square, Boston,
Two new events coming up this month Read More »
I’ve just updated the list of field identifiable subspecies incorporating several readers’ comments, adding notes on several species, and adding an asterisk to highlight the most distinctive subspecies (as determined by my own subjective and arbitrary review process). Thanks to all who have contributed. Please keep sending suggestions and comments.
Updated List of Identifiable Subspecies Read More »
Note: I’m preparing posts on the range and identification of Brant subspecies, which will help make the following more understandable to those who are not already well-versed in the intricacies of Brant. Over the last fifteen or so years I have seen several odd “gray-bellied” Brant along the US Atlantic coast. This spring I finally
Three interesting Brant from Massachusetts Read More »
It’s time to revisit the variation in Cliff Swallows along the Gulf Coast – with dark-fronted Cliff Swallows nesting in southern Mississippi and Louisiana. I’m continuing to update the Google map of Cliff Swallow forehead colors, thanks to all who have submitted info and especially Susan Epps, who surveyed many locations on the Gulf Coast
Dark-fronted Cliff Swallows in Louisiana and Mississippi Read More »
A Korean translation of this post is here With the recent surge in the availability of digital audio devices, the use of playback to attract birds into view has increased exponentially. This has fueled an ongoing debate among birders about the ethical issues surrounding the use of recorded bird songs in the field. There is
The Proper Use of Playback in Birding Read More »
On 5 April 2011 in Concord Massachusetts I was walking the edge of a field where I often go birding, and heard very distinctly the sputtering call of an Eastern Kingbird. It was about four weeks early for that species, and I assumed it was a European Starling mimicking from the trees above me, but
Vocal copying by American Robin Read More »
Not an April Fool’s joke, this is a real photo taken today by Scott Young in New Hampshire (Thanks, Scott). Clicking the photo links to his Flickr site where you can also see other photos of redpolls, including Hoarys.
Sibley Guide in action – Redpoll Identification Read More »
Reader Richard Messer sent me the photos below, asking if I knew what the behavior was that displayed the white “rump spots” of the Carolina Wren. My answer is “no”. I’ve noticed spots like this a few times in the field, but never had a chance to really wonder about them. The BNA account for
Carolina Wren mystery spots Read More »