Beak of the Week – Nelson’s Sparrow

November 21, 2024.Reading time 5 minutes.

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 […]

Beak of the Week – Red Knot

November 14, 2024.Reading time 4 minutes.

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. […]

Beak of the Week – Long-billed Curlew

November 7, 2024.Reading time 5 minutes.

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. […]

Beak of the Week – Peregrine Falcon

November 1, 2024.Reading time 4 minutes.

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 […]

Beak of the Week – American Redstart

October 25, 2024.Reading time 4 minutes.

American Redstart (Septophaga ruticilla) Family: Parulidae By Charlie Ayers, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician This week’s Beak of the Week belongs to a bird who is always ready for Halloween, the American Redstart. Adult males of this species are black overall with splashes of orange on the flanks, wings and tail. Females and immature males […]

Beak of the Week – Neotropic Cormorant

October 18, 2024.Reading time 5 minutes.

Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum) Family: Phalacrocoracidae By Charlie Ayers, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician This week’s Beak of the Week is the Neotropic Cormorant. When birding near any body of water, be on the lookout for this small, slim, nearly all black bird with a long tail, large webbed feet and a thin straight bill […]

Beak of the Week – American Avocet

October 11, 2024.Reading time 4 minutes.

American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) Family: Recurvirostridae By Charlie Ayers, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician This week’s Beak of the Week is one of the funkiest ones out there, the American Avocet. Look for this large wading bird’s long, thin, uniquely upturned bill, bold black and white wings and long blue-gray legs. American Avocets, like many […]

Beak of the Week – Red-headed Woodpecker

August 8, 2024.Reading time 5 minutes.

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) Family: Picidae By Grace Yaros, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician Red-headed Woodpeckers are among the most handsome and distinctive woodpeckers in North America. Adults are striking, with bright cherry red heads, white bellies, and black backs with a contrasting white rump. Their wings are black with large, bold white patches on […]

Beak of the Week – Eastern Screech-Owl

August 2, 2024.Reading time 4 minutes.

Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) Family: Strigidae By Grace Yaros, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician Roughly the size of an American Robin, these pint-sized predators are remarkably well-camouflaged. Individuals can be quite varied in appearance; there are gray and red color morphs, as well as intermediate individuals that are brownish overall. Red morph individuals are relatively […]

Beak of the Week – Sandwich Tern

July 19, 2024.Reading time 4 minutes.

Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis) Family: Laridae By Grace Yaros, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician Sandwich Terns are slender, medium-sized terns with shaggy crests. Adults have pale gray backs and wings, and clean white underparts. During the breeding season, adults often develop a slight pinkish wash on their chest and belly. Breeding adults have solid black […]