Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana) Family: Tyrannidae We at Houston Audubon wish you all a Happy New Year, full of renewal and good luck. And what is luckier than finding a Fork-tailed Flycatcher in Galveston County? This Central and South American species rarely ventures into the United States, but last Wednesday, one made its way into […]
Read MoreNorthern Gannet (Morus bassanus) Family: Sulidae This week’s Beak of the Week looks out of this world. While immature Northern Gannets are patchy brown birds, adults are sleek, white, heavy-set birds with black wingtips, yellowish napes, and have spears for bills. If the appearance of this bird wasn’t enough to impress you, just watch it […]
Read MoreCommon Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) Family: Fringillidae The Common Redpoll is a small finch with a stubby, conical, yellow bill, a dark spot beneath its bill, a red spot on its forehead, dark wings, and dark streaking on the flanks, and upper body. An adult male will have a rosy wash to the breast. As a […]
Read MorePine Siskin (Spinus pinus) Family: Fringillidae The Pine Siskin can normally be found across southern Canada and in higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains, spreading more widely across the northern and western United States during winter. Pine Siskins prefer to feed on the cones of spruce trees, and, in years when spruce trees do not […]
Read MoreHermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) Family: Turdidae Houston birders are starting to see ever more Hermit Thrushes appear in the forest. These spotted birds fly to the Southern United States and Mexico in the fall to spend the winter before flying north again in the spring. Of the common American thrushes, the Hermit Thrush is one […]
Read MoreChipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) Family: Passerellidae Breeding adult Chipping Sparrows have gray bodies, tan and black wings, a distinct bright rufous crown, white eyebrows, malar and throat, and a striking black eyeline. Immature birds will have less distinct eyelines and crowns, and will have a tan wash all over. They may also have slight streaking […]
Read MoreNorthern Pintail (Anas acuta) Family: Anatidae The Northern Pintail feeds on seeds and aquatic insects, which they usually find by up-ending while swimming, tipping forward and dabbling at food under the surface of the water. When feeding in this manner, their uniquely long necks allow them to reach food items that are up to a […]
Read MoreSwainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) Family: Accipitridae Swainson’s Hawks are uncommon, but increasing breeders on the Upper Texas Coast. During fall migration, we have a great opportunity to see enormous swirling flocks, or kettles,of Swainson’s Hawks passing through. These prairie specialists have one of the longest migrations of North American raptors, with some birds flying more […]
Read MoreRed-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) Family: Sittidae Along with the change of seasons, you may also have noticed the arrival of this week’s Beak of the Week: the Red-breasted Nuthatch. The Red-breasted Nuthatch can be found year-round in the northern and western parts of the United States, and can be found further south during winter. They […]
Read MoreRufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) Family: Trochilidae Hummingbirds are generally known for being quick and energetic fliers, but the Rufous Hummingbird just may be the zippiest of them all. The Rufous Hummingbird is a tiny hummingbird that is very agile in flight, even when compared to other hummingbirds. Despite their small size, Rufous Hummingbirds are particularly […]
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