23 Jun 2011 – Concord, MA Sitting at my desk today I was roused by a bird call that I did not immediately recognize. This is a very rare occurrence for me, especially at my house where I spend many hours every day, and I know the birds that are here very well. As the […]
No more Dendroica? If you’re connected to the birding grapevine, you’ve probably already heard that the AOU has rearranged the species of Wood-Warblers (Family Parulidae) and that the genera Parula, Wilsonia, and Dendroica are gone, merged into other genera. ((These changes won’t become official until published in the next month or so, but it’s unlikely
The new Wood-Warbler taxonomy Read More »
There is more evidence of the dire situation with Spoon-billed Sandpiper – efforts are currently underway to develop a captive-breeding population. A team led by staff from the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) and Birds Russia, along with several other international organizations, is currently in Siberia working to locate and capture a small number of
New efforts to save Spoon-billed Sandpiper Read More »
On 9 May 2011 several birders saw and heard a strange oriole in Georgetown, South Carolina (photos here). They identified it as a Scott’s Oriole, a first state record and the first spring record in the east. When other birders saw the photos, some questioned why the bird was not an Orchard Oriole (common in
A “mystery” oriole and the limitations of identification by impression 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 »
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 »