Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens)Family: Tyrannidae The Acadian Flycatcher is a bird that experienced birders will often consider a challenge to identify. The Acadian Flycatcher, along with about a dozen other species of North American flycatchers, belongs to the Empidonax family, and species within Empidonax can only really be identified by very small details, of which […]
Read MoreHouse Sparrow (Passer domesticus)Family: Passeridae The House Sparrow is easy to find year-round, even in the heat of summer. House Sparrows thrive in urban environments, where there are often very few resources available for birds, but they can also be found in a variety of suburban and agricultural landscapes. Where food is available, large flocks […]
Read MoreBrown-headed Nuthatch(Sitta pusilla)Family: Sittidae Often found clinging to tree trunks and branches, the Brown-headed Nuthatch is equally at home climbing upward and downward among the high branches of pine forests. Their rather unique habit of walking down tree trunks headfirst may appear silly, but it comes in handy when they are foraging for insects in […]
Read MoreWhite-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) Family: Columbidae “Who cooks for you?” Though the Barred Owl has made this phrase famous in the bird world, the call of the White-winged Dove also fits this same rhythm – albeit at a bit higher pitch. In large parts of its breeding range in the desert southwest, the White-winged Dove […]
Read MoreFulvous Whistling-Duck(Dendrocygna bicolor)Family: Anatidae The Fulvous Whistling-Duck can generally be found visiting the Houston area during the summer breeding season. They visit our area while most species of North American waterfowl are breeding further north, taking up residence in marshy ponds, irrigated fields, and coastal wetlands. While their regular migration may be rather well understood, […]
Read MoreRed-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) Family: Picidae The Red-headed Woodpecker can easily be recognized by – you guessed it – its red head. In fact, the Red-headed Woodpecker’s red head is so vibrantly colored that scientists have given it a Latin name that also means ‘woodpecker with a red head’. Aside from its bright red head, […]
Read MoreCave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva)Family: Hirundinidae The Cave Swallow is an increasingly common species in the greater Houston area. At first glance, the Cave Swallow appears very similar to the closely related (and more abundant) Cliff Swallow. Both species are generally light below and darker above, both species have a buffy rump patch that is easily […]
Read MoreGreen Heron (Butorides virescens)Family: Ardeidae What do you mean, I’m short? The Green Heron – our Beak of the Week – is one of the smallest resident members of the heron family in the Houston area. Full-size Green Herons are approximately 18 inches (45 cm) from beak to tail, which means they are comparable in […]
Read MoreBay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea)Family: Parulidae When in doubt…look at the feet? Or at least that’s what you do when you are in doubt as to whether you are looking at a non-breeding female/young Bay-breasted or a Blackpoll warbler. Because these two can look very similar, biologists will use the distinctive blue-grey color of the soles […]
Read MoreMagnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) Family: Fregatidae Is that a dinosaur, soaring up there? Well, perhaps not quite, but our Beak of the Week – the Magnificent Frigatebird – is soaring into the Houston area these days. This pirate-bird of the high seas is commonly seen from boats and beaches throughout the late spring and summer months. […]
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