Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) Family: Parulidae By Jon Piasecki, Houston Audubon Conservation Technician The Northern Parula is a tiny species of warbler that can be seen throughout the eastern half of the United States during the migration and breeding seasons. Adults have beautiful blue-gray wings, head and back, white eye-arcs, a greenish back patch and […]

Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) Family: Laridae By Carrie Chapin, Houston Audubon Conservation Technician Common Terns are a fairly regular sight along the Upper Texas Coast as they migrate through in the spring and fall. Their numbers here peak in April and October, but a few individuals stick around during summer. One of the medium-sized terns, […]

Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) Family: Gruidae By Jon Piasecki, Houston Audubon Conservation Technician Sandhill Cranes are the smaller of the two species of crane native to North America. This species looks similar to their relative, the Whooping Crane, but are much more abundant. In fact, Sandhill Crane populations have been growing by nearly 4% each […]

Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) Family: Columbidae By Carrie Chapin, Houston Audubon Conservation Technician This week’s Beak of the Week focuses on the Rock Pigeon, a species often scoffed at by birders and city-goers alike. The Rock Pigeon is a charismatic, cosmopolitan species known to almost everyone due to its strong presence in pop culture and […]

Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) Family: Tyrannidae By Jon Piasecki, Houston Audubon Conservation Technician Vermilion Flycatchers are a beautiful species that stand out in their natural habitat. Adult males have a remarkably vibrant red crown, throat, and belly with black wings, back and eye patch. Females tend to be brown/gray with a white breast and red-orange […]

American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) Family: Fringillidae By Carrie Chapin, Houston Audubon Conservation Technician The American Goldfinch is a relatively common yet cute passerine whose flocks use many habitats, including neighborhoods, feeders, forests, fields, and edge habitats. Their range encompasses all of the contiguous U.S., though they do not breed in the southernmost states. This species […]

Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) Family: Passerellidae By Jon Piasecki, Houston Audubon Conservation Technician Eastern Towhees are a species of sparrow typically found throughout the eastern half of the United States. Their physical appearance is much different from many other “new world sparrows” that you may know. Adult males have a black head and back, with […]

Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) Family: Certhiidae By Carrie Chapin, Houston Audubon Conservation Technician The Brown Creeper is a unique species as the only North American member of the tree creeper family. Brown Creepers are uncommon in southeastern Texas and can be found foraging in dead and dying trees, with a preference for conifers. These birds […]

American Wigeon (Mareca americana) Family: Anatidae By Jon Piasecki, Houston Audubon Conservation Technician The American Wigeon is a species of dabbling duck that can be found throughout the United States on ponds, lakes, and marshes. These birds breed in the northwestern U.S., the western half of Canada, and Alaska. They can be seen migrating during […]

Pomarine Jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus) Family: Stercorariidae By Carrie Chapin, Houston Audubon Conservation Technician The Pomarine Jaeger is a rare and fascinating seabird, the largest of the three jaegers. Field identification of jaegers can be difficult due to the high variation in their populations; however, Pomarine Jaegers are the most barrel-chested of the jaegers and have […]