By Nick Minnich, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician More than a century of community science efforts has provided researchers, conservation biologists, and wildlife agencies with valuable data related to the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America. While originating as an alternative to the popular Christmas “Side Hunt,” this community science event […]
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Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) Family: Anatidae By Theresa Kelly, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician What’s black and white and flies all over? This week’s Beak of the Week! The aptly-named Common Goldeneye can be identified by its bright amber eye, an easily distinguishable feature in both males and females. As is common to many avian […]
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Ross’s Goose (Anser rossii) Family: Anatidae By Nick Minnich, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician This Beak of the Week is short and stubby compared to its taxonomic ally, the Snow Goose. The Ross’s Goose is often referred to as a miniature version of the other white geese, previously belonging to the genus Chen. Like other […]
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Zineera Seth, Houston Audubon Communications and Marketing Director It’s that time of year! You get to shower your friends and family with love and gifts. It can be challenging to think of something unique and special year after year, so we’re here to help. Whether you have bird lovers in your life or you’re trying […]
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Nelson’s Sparrow (Ammospiza nelsoni) Family: Passerellidae By Charlie Ayers, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician This week’s Beak of the Week brings pumpkin spice to the table, the Nelson’s Sparrow. The Nelson’s Sparrow is quite colorful for a member of this family. They can be identified by their bold yellow-orange faces, gray cheeks, and a neat […]
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Sneed B. Collard III, Author There’s no one right way to start birding. Some people begin by catching “birding fever” from friends. Others, by watching birds in their gardens. Perhaps a “spark bird” captures your attention and propels you into the larger joys of birding. Or maybe you get wowed by Blue-footed Boobies and Magnificent […]
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Welcome to the newest member of our team and the final Coastal Conservation Technician to join us in High Island this season – Theresa Kelly! Originally from the Philadelphia area, Theresa went to school at University of Delaware where she graduated with a degree in Wildlife Ecology & Conservation this past May. Always an avid […]
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Red Knot (Calidris canutus) Family: Scolopacidae By Theresa Kelly, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician This week’s Beak of the Week may seem to be a bit of a misnomer, as the Red Knot’s winter plumage can be fairly drab: pale brown underneath and speckled on the back and wings just like so many other shorebirds. […]
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Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) Family: Scolopacidae By Nick Minnich, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician This week’s beak is nothing short of impressive. There’s a lot of information one can gather about a bird’s life simply by studying their physical characteristics; nonetheless, a bird’s bill often provides valuable insight into the species’ foraging and food preference. […]
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Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) Family: Falconidae By Nick Minnich, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician This week’s Beak of the Week is equipped with a unique adaptation that makes it the ultimate aerial hunter. Peregrine Falcons, regarded as the fastest flying bird, also have the widest natural distribution of any bird on Earth, nesting on every […]
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