Cornell Lab of Ornithology
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The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a world leader in the study, appreciation, and conservation of birds and biodiversity. birds.cornell.edu/home/
(White-breasted Nuthatch by Hannah Criswell / Macaulay Library)
(White-breasted Nuthatch by Hannah Criswell / Macaulay Library)
Gray bird with black mask & hooked bill in Florida? That’s the adult LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE! Unlike mockingbirds, shrikes have a butcherbird rep, hunt prey, and sport a broad black mask. The only shrike found in Florida. More: allaboutbirds.org/guide/Loggerhead_Shrike
Loggerhead Shrike Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
The Loggerhead Shrike is a songbird with a raptor’s habits. A denizen of grasslands and other open habitats throughout much of North America, this masked black, white, and gray predator hunts from uti...
www.allaboutbirds.org
November 12, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Gray bird with black mask & hooked bill in Florida? That’s the adult LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE! Unlike mockingbirds, shrikes have a butcherbird rep, hunt prey, and sport a broad black mask. The only shrike found in Florida. More: allaboutbirds.org/guide/Loggerhead_Shrike
ANSWER: The Lawrence’s Goldfinch is identified by its black chin and forecrown, gray head, yellow breast patch, and pale gray underparts—distinct from American and Lesser Goldfinches. Learn more: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Lawren...
Lawrence's Goldfinch Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Among the most attractive of North American songbirds, male Lawrence’s Goldfinches are soft gray overall set off by a black face and copious amounts of lemon yellow throughout. But the species’ prefer...
www.allaboutbirds.org
November 5, 2025 at 5:59 PM
ANSWER: The Lawrence’s Goldfinch is identified by its black chin and forecrown, gray head, yellow breast patch, and pale gray underparts—distinct from American and Lesser Goldfinches. Learn more: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Lawren...
This brown, streaky, water-loving sandpiper with a long curved bill is a Whimbrel. Because of the 2025 taxonomy update that happened yesterday, Whimbrels were split into two species. Making this a Hudsonian Whimbrel (vs. a Eurasian Whimbrel) Learn more: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Hudson...
Hudsonian Whimbrel Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
An elegant, brownish shorebird with a very long, curved bill, the Hudsonian Whimbrel announces itself with effervescent, piping calls. It occupies open habitats—tundra for nesting; and mudflats, beach...
allaboutbirds.org
October 30, 2025 at 1:32 PM
This brown, streaky, water-loving sandpiper with a long curved bill is a Whimbrel. Because of the 2025 taxonomy update that happened yesterday, Whimbrels were split into two species. Making this a Hudsonian Whimbrel (vs. a Eurasian Whimbrel) Learn more: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Hudson...
QUIZ ANSWER: “RED-SHAFTED” NORTHERN FLICKER. Flickers are often found on the ground, where they forage for ants, beetles, & other insects. Northern Flicker consists of 2 unique forms: the eastern/boreal “Yellow-shafted” and the western “Red-shafted." Learn more: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northe...
Northern Flicker Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Northern Flickers are large, brown woodpeckers with a gentle expression and handsome black-scalloped plumage. On walks, don’t be surprised if you scare one up from the ground. It’s not where you’d exp...
www.allaboutbirds.org
October 22, 2025 at 7:06 PM
QUIZ ANSWER: “RED-SHAFTED” NORTHERN FLICKER. Flickers are often found on the ground, where they forage for ants, beetles, & other insects. Northern Flicker consists of 2 unique forms: the eastern/boreal “Yellow-shafted” and the western “Red-shafted." Learn more: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northe...
QUIZ ANSWER: This bird has broad, rounded wings, a long tail, rusty barring across the breast and belly, and a reddish eye. The leading edge of the wings is straight, and the head extends past the edge of the wings. These features ID a COOPER’S HAWK. Thanks, Jen Davis for sharing this photo!
Cooper's Hawk Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Among the bird world’s most skillful fliers, Cooper’s Hawks are common woodland hawks that tear through cluttered tree canopies in high speed pursuit of other birds. You’re most likely to see one prow...
www.allaboutbirds.org
October 7, 2025 at 11:38 PM
QUIZ ANSWER: This bird has broad, rounded wings, a long tail, rusty barring across the breast and belly, and a reddish eye. The leading edge of the wings is straight, and the head extends past the edge of the wings. These features ID a COOPER’S HAWK. Thanks, Jen Davis for sharing this photo!
This bird’s plump body, round head, & short, fine bill suggest that it is a member of the thrush family. CO is home to many thrushes. This individual’s pairing of a gray body w/ blue wings & tail clinches an ID of a female/immature MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mounta...
Mountain Bluebird Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Male Mountain Bluebirds lend a bit of cerulean sparkle to open habitats across much of western North America. You may spot these cavity-nesters flitting between perches in mountain meadows, in burned ...
www.allaboutbirds.org
October 1, 2025 at 6:14 PM
This bird’s plump body, round head, & short, fine bill suggest that it is a member of the thrush family. CO is home to many thrushes. This individual’s pairing of a gray body w/ blue wings & tail clinches an ID of a female/immature MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mounta...
This week’s mystery bird is a PIED-BILLED GREBE due to its stout bill, small size, rounded head, & overall brownish appearance. This individual’s unmarked bill (lacking the namesake pied pattern) & reddish-brown neck are found on immature and nonbreeding birds. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pied-b...
Pied-billed Grebe Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Part bird, part submarine, the Pied-billed Grebe is common across much of North America. These small brown birds have unusually thick bills that turn silver and black in summer. These expert divers in...
www.allaboutbirds.org
September 24, 2025 at 5:28 PM
This week’s mystery bird is a PIED-BILLED GREBE due to its stout bill, small size, rounded head, & overall brownish appearance. This individual’s unmarked bill (lacking the namesake pied pattern) & reddish-brown neck are found on immature and nonbreeding birds. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pied-b...