Birding University
@birdinguniversity.bsky.social
Helping birders of all backgrounds grow their skills in birding, conservation, and community — because birding is for everyone
Substack: https://substack.com/@birdinguniversity
Substack: https://substack.com/@birdinguniversity
November is prime time for rarities across the U.S. and Canada! Check out our latest post on how to make the most of your rarity chase this season — and remember, dipping is part of the fun (really)! birdinguniversity.substack.com/p/birding-ti...
November 10, 2025 at 8:27 PM
November is prime time for rarities across the U.S. and Canada! Check out our latest post on how to make the most of your rarity chase this season — and remember, dipping is part of the fun (really)! birdinguniversity.substack.com/p/birding-ti...
W, X, & Y are for nothing! No bird families start with these letters. But species have these letters in their name—like the Wrentit, Xantus’s Hummingbird, & Yellowhead. From warblers to yellow flycatchers, what’s your favorite bird starting with W, X, or Y?
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
August 23, 2025 at 3:01 PM
W, X, & Y are for nothing! No bird families start with these letters. But species have these letters in their name—like the Wrentit, Xantus’s Hummingbird, & Yellowhead. From warblers to yellow flycatchers, what’s your favorite bird starting with W, X, or Y?
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
U is for Upupidae (#Hoopoes). Three species described, though the St. Helena Hoopoe is now extinct. The Eurasian (Common) Hoopoe ranges across Eurasia & Africa, and—on rare occasions—has even shown up in the U.S.
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
August 21, 2025 at 3:05 PM
U is for Upupidae (#Hoopoes). Three species described, though the St. Helena Hoopoe is now extinct. The Eurasian (Common) Hoopoe ranges across Eurasia & Africa, and—on rare occasions—has even shown up in the U.S.
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
T is for Trochilidae (#Hummingbirds). From deserts to cloud forests, 363 species dazzle across the Americas—24 have been detected in the U.S. & Canada. Tiny, brilliant, and unlike any other birds on earth. Do you have a favorite?
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
August 20, 2025 at 3:05 PM
T is for Trochilidae (#Hummingbirds). From deserts to cloud forests, 363 species dazzle across the Americas—24 have been detected in the U.S. & Canada. Tiny, brilliant, and unlike any other birds on earth. Do you have a favorite?
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
S is for Scolopacidae (Sandpipers & Allies). 98 species worldwide, 66 in the U.S. & Canada. From Arctic tundra to mudflats, grasslands, and open oceans, these shorebirds are among the planet’s most incredible—and most imperiled.
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
August 19, 2025 at 3:05 PM
S is for Scolopacidae (Sandpipers & Allies). 98 species worldwide, 66 in the U.S. & Canada. From Arctic tundra to mudflats, grasslands, and open oceans, these shorebirds are among the planet’s most incredible—and most imperiled.
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
R is for Rallidae (#Rails, #Gallinules & #Coots). 148 species occur worldwide, 20 in the U.S. & Canada. From the tiny, secretive Black Rail to NZ’s giant South Island Takahe, they’re found in wetlands, grasslands & even forests. Sadly, many flightless species are extinct.
August 18, 2025 at 3:07 PM
R is for Rallidae (#Rails, #Gallinules & #Coots). 148 species occur worldwide, 20 in the U.S. & Canada. From the tiny, secretive Black Rail to NZ’s giant South Island Takahe, they’re found in wetlands, grasslands & even forests. Sadly, many flightless species are extinct.
Q is for…ummm, nothing! There are no bird families that start with the letter Q. Nevertheless, some amazing birds proudly sport a Q in their name—#Quail, #Quelea, and #Quetzal come to mind. Which are your favorites? Tell us below!
📸 Golden-headed Quetzal | Kevin Vande Vusse
📸 Golden-headed Quetzal | Kevin Vande Vusse
August 17, 2025 at 3:02 PM
P is for Parulidae (#NewWorldWarblers). Of 116 species across the Americas, 56 occur in the U.S. & Canada. Beloved for their colors, songs & diversity, they’re arguably the crown jewels of North American birding. Do you have a favorite?
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
August 16, 2025 at 3:05 PM
P is for Parulidae (#NewWorldWarblers). Of 116 species across the Americas, 56 occur in the U.S. & Canada. Beloved for their colors, songs & diversity, they’re arguably the crown jewels of North American birding. Do you have a favorite?
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
O is for Odontophoridae (#NewWorldQuail). 34 species occur, most in the Americas, with six in the U.S.—from the familiar California Quail to the elusive Montezuma. Coveys brighten our birding, even if they’re heard more often than seen.
📸 California Quail | Phil Stollsteimer
📸 California Quail | Phil Stollsteimer
August 15, 2025 at 3:03 PM
O is for Odontophoridae (#NewWorldQuail). 34 species occur, most in the Americas, with six in the U.S.—from the familiar California Quail to the elusive Montezuma. Coveys brighten our birding, even if they’re heard more often than seen.
📸 California Quail | Phil Stollsteimer
📸 California Quail | Phil Stollsteimer
N is for Numididae (#Guineafowl). Eight species occur in Africa, though they’re often more familiar elsewhere as noisy farm residents, valued for their appetite for ticks. Have you seen any in their native range—like this Helmeted Guineafowl in Tanzania?
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
August 14, 2025 at 3:04 PM
N is for Numididae (#Guineafowl). Eight species occur in Africa, though they’re often more familiar elsewhere as noisy farm residents, valued for their appetite for ticks. Have you seen any in their native range—like this Helmeted Guineafowl in Tanzania?
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
📸 Kevin Vande Vusse
M is for Mimidae (#Mockingbirds & #Thrashers). These 35 long-tailed songsters of the Americas are renowned for their remarkable vocal mimicry. Twelve species occur in the U.S. and Canada, with the greatest diversity found in the Southwest. How many have you seen?
August 13, 2025 at 3:07 PM
M is for Mimidae (#Mockingbirds & #Thrashers). These 35 long-tailed songsters of the Americas are renowned for their remarkable vocal mimicry. Twelve species occur in the U.S. and Canada, with the greatest diversity found in the Southwest. How many have you seen?
L is for Laridae (#Skimmers, #Noddies, #Terns & #Gulls). Of the 105 species found worldwide, 59 have been recorded in the U.S. and Canada. From the tiny Least Tern to the massive Great Black-backed Gull, this group inhabits almost every corner of the planet. What’s your favorite?
August 12, 2025 at 3:02 PM
K is for... well, not a bird family! There are no bird families that begin with K—but plenty of incredible species have K in their name somewhere. Kestrels, Kingbirds, Kinglets, Kittiwakes, Knots—do you have a favorite? Let us know in the comments!
📸 Chris Roberts
📸 Chris Roberts
August 11, 2025 at 3:02 PM
K is for... well, not a bird family! There are no bird families that begin with K—but plenty of incredible species have K in their name somewhere. Kestrels, Kingbirds, Kinglets, Kittiwakes, Knots—do you have a favorite? Let us know in the comments!
📸 Chris Roberts
📸 Chris Roberts
J is for Jacanidae (#Jacanas). Only 8 tropical species exist. The Northern Jacana is the only species seen in the U.S., a rare vagrant from MEX. With their long, slender toes, they can walk on floating vegetation in wetlands.
📸 Northern Jacana | Ernesto Gomez (Public Domain)
📸 Northern Jacana | Ernesto Gomez (Public Domain)
August 10, 2025 at 3:02 PM
J is for Jacanidae (#Jacanas). Only 8 tropical species exist. The Northern Jacana is the only species seen in the U.S., a rare vagrant from MEX. With their long, slender toes, they can walk on floating vegetation in wetlands.
📸 Northern Jacana | Ernesto Gomez (Public Domain)
📸 Northern Jacana | Ernesto Gomez (Public Domain)
I is for Icteridae (New World #Blackbirds, Troupials & Allies). With 108 global species and 28 in the U.S.—including Yellow-breasted Chat (per AviList)—this familiar family includes orioles, blackbirds, meadowlarks, Bobolink, and more. Do you have a favorite?
📸 Chris Roberts
📸 Chris Roberts
August 9, 2025 at 3:01 PM
I is for Icteridae (New World #Blackbirds, Troupials & Allies). With 108 global species and 28 in the U.S.—including Yellow-breasted Chat (per AviList)—this familiar family includes orioles, blackbirds, meadowlarks, Bobolink, and more. Do you have a favorite?
📸 Chris Roberts
📸 Chris Roberts
H is for Hirundinidae (#Swallows). Of 92 species worldwide, 16 have been recorded in the U.S. and Canada. These agile aerial insectivores are highly specialized. Unfortunately, many have seen steep declines in North America over the past 50 years.
August 8, 2025 at 3:02 PM
H is for Hirundinidae (#Swallows). Of 92 species worldwide, 16 have been recorded in the U.S. and Canada. These agile aerial insectivores are highly specialized. Unfortunately, many have seen steep declines in North America over the past 50 years.
G is for Gaviidae (#Loons). 5 species exist gobally—all found in the U.S. and Canada. Most nest on Arctic lakes, but the Common Loon breeds farther south in boreal & northern forests. In winter, loons shift to coasts and large inland waters. Which have you seen?
📸 Chris Roberts
📸 Chris Roberts
August 7, 2025 at 3:02 PM
G is for Gaviidae (#Loons). 5 species exist gobally—all found in the U.S. and Canada. Most nest on Arctic lakes, but the Common Loon breeds farther south in boreal & northern forests. In winter, loons shift to coasts and large inland waters. Which have you seen?
📸 Chris Roberts
📸 Chris Roberts
F is for Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias & Allies). With 236 species worldwide—including goldfinches, grosbeaks & Hawaiian Honeycreepers—this colorful family spans boreal bogs and backyard feeders to tropical forests and more. Which finch is your favorite?
📸 Chris Roberts & BU
📸 Chris Roberts & BU
August 6, 2025 at 3:02 PM
F is for Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias & Allies). With 236 species worldwide—including goldfinches, grosbeaks & Hawaiian Honeycreepers—this colorful family spans boreal bogs and backyard feeders to tropical forests and more. Which finch is your favorite?
📸 Chris Roberts & BU
📸 Chris Roberts & BU
E is for Estrildidae (Munias, Parrotfinches, Waxbills, and allies). These tiny songbirds—138 species—originate from Africa and Asia. Several are now established in the U.S., with the Scaly-breasted Munia now common along coastal southern California.
📸 Michael Kuhn (CC BY 2.0)
📸 Michael Kuhn (CC BY 2.0)
August 5, 2025 at 3:03 PM
E is for Estrildidae (Munias, Parrotfinches, Waxbills, and allies). These tiny songbirds—138 species—originate from Africa and Asia. Several are now established in the U.S., with the Scaly-breasted Munia now common along coastal southern California.
📸 Michael Kuhn (CC BY 2.0)
📸 Michael Kuhn (CC BY 2.0)
D is for Diomedeidae (Albatrosses). With 20 species worldwide, these masters of the open ocean are built for distance. Ten species have graced U.S. & Canadian waters, from the Black-footed to the mighty Short-tailed Albatross. Do you have a favorite?
📸 USFWS (Public Domain)
📸 USFWS (Public Domain)
August 4, 2025 at 3:02 PM
D is for Diomedeidae (Albatrosses). With 20 species worldwide, these masters of the open ocean are built for distance. Ten species have graced U.S. & Canadian waters, from the Black-footed to the mighty Short-tailed Albatross. Do you have a favorite?
📸 USFWS (Public Domain)
📸 USFWS (Public Domain)
C is for Corvidae (Crows, Jays & Magpies). About 135 species worldwide, 21 in the US & Canada—including the ʻalalā (aka Hawaiian Crow), extinct in the wild since 2002. From the noisy Blue Jay to the brilliant Common Raven, which corvid amazes you most?
📸: Chris Roberts
📸: Chris Roberts
August 3, 2025 at 3:01 PM
C is for Corvidae (Crows, Jays & Magpies). About 135 species worldwide, 21 in the US & Canada—including the ʻalalā (aka Hawaiian Crow), extinct in the wild since 2002. From the noisy Blue Jay to the brilliant Common Raven, which corvid amazes you most?
📸: Chris Roberts
📸: Chris Roberts
We’re proud to unveil the Birding University logo! We chose the globally loved Barn Owls (three species!) to reflect how birds connect us all. Its heart-shaped face and starry crown symbolize learning, love, and discovery. Birding is for everyone—and so is BU.
August 3, 2025 at 12:00 PM
We’re proud to unveil the Birding University logo! We chose the globally loved Barn Owls (three species!) to reflect how birds connect us all. Its heart-shaped face and starry crown symbolize learning, love, and discovery. Birding is for everyone—and so is BU.
B is for Bombycillidae (Waxwings). Only three silky, fruit-loving species exist worldwide—Cedar, Bohemian, and Japanese Waxwings. With their soft tones and signature waxy red wing tips, waxwings are truly unmistakable. Which one is your favorite?
📸: Birding University
📸: Birding University
August 2, 2025 at 3:01 PM
B is for Bombycillidae (Waxwings). Only three silky, fruit-loving species exist worldwide—Cedar, Bohemian, and Japanese Waxwings. With their soft tones and signature waxy red wing tips, waxwings are truly unmistakable. Which one is your favorite?
📸: Birding University
📸: Birding University