Maps updated with comments received as of 11 Aug 2010 In the 51st supplement of the AOU Checklist (July 2010), Winter Wren is split into Eastern and Western species. Basic identification of these two species is already covered in the Sibley Guide to Birds, but range maps need to be updated. Below are maps showing […]
New draft range maps for Winter Wren Read More »
The North American Checklist Committee of the AOU has published the 51st supplement to the AOU Checklist of North American Birds, which includes two major splits, some name changes (mostly from the creation of new genera), and some big changes in higher-level taxonomy. Below is a summary of the changes to English and Scientific names
New bird names in the 51st AOU Checklist supplement Read More »
The book Sibley’s Birding Basics has been translated into Spanish. More details and ordering info can be found at the Corbidi website (also in Spanish).
Birding Basics – Now in Spanish! Read More »
The eGuide for iPhone was recently updated with all new high-resolution images which can now be displayed full screen; a cleaner and simpler navigation interface, and dozens of additional sounds. More details are here. Several users have reported issues with some of the new sounds added in this update. Uninstalling and reinstalling the program seems
Updates to the Sibley eGuide to Birds of North America Read More »
Updated 19 May 2010 to add McLaughlin reference Previously I wrote about the variation in immature Ring-billed Gulls in October, using a series of photos from Cape Cod. On 18 April 2010 I devoted a little time (and a granola bar) to watching and photographing immature Ring-billed Gulls in a parking lot in Boston, MA.
Variation in immature Ring-billed Gulls – April Read More »
A little-known subspecies of Cliff Swallow in Mexico and Arizona appears to be very distinctive, and I offer a tentative guide to identification (and lots of questions). Click to see a Google map showing the distribution of dark-fronted Cliff Swallows. Please leave a comment or contact me with any further info. Variation in Cliff Swallow
Mexican Cliff Swallows Read More »
The following photo has been the subject of a discussion on the ID-Frontiers listserve recently. It’s a Swainson’s Thrush, but is it the first-ever record of a melanistic Swainson’s Thrush, or just a normal bird seen in shadow?
Color Illusion and thrush identification Read More »
Be sure to sign up at 10,000 Birds for your chance to win an original David Sibley painting of Spoon-billed Sandpiper – and help bird conservation efforts at the same time. New photos of bill shape and new survey results in southeast Asia. Jeremiah Trimble has posted a fascinating photo he took in Thailand here.
Updates on Spoon-billed Sandpiper Read More »
A favorite activity among avid birders is speculating and pontificating about which species should be “split” into new species (and new checkmarks on the life list). Another way of stating the question is “which subspecies should be elevated to full species status?” I’ve always tried to emphasize the value of paying attention to subspecies even when they don’t
The next 10 North American bird splits Read More »
Spring is always an exciting time for birdwatchers, as migrants pass through and summer residents return, all in their flashy breeding plumage. This time of year is equally interesting for tree-watching, and it is the best time of year for identifying trees from a distance by their color.
Identifying trees by color Read More »