A pair of Downy Woodpeckers has set up housekeeping in the silver maple at the end of my alley. But a second male has decided he wants in on the action, making for some neighborhood drama...

when I found this one, I wondered at the time if they mimicked dead insects covered in fungus

Genus Compsus Compsus from Q. Blanco House Maynas Province, Peru on November 11, 1992 by geneise

Similar to one I found south of Iquitos in the early 90s:

www.inaturalist.org/observations...

Spent a little time out back with Sammy yesterday, and had a few Broad-winged Hawks, a bunch of swallows, and an Osprey go over.

her little white eyelashes just kill me

#Sammy

How to be Hawky, with Janet Ng - American Birding Association Raptor conservation expert Janet Ng joins host Nate Swick this week to discuss the impacts of energy infrastructure on hawk populations in open country of the North American West. In their discussion on this week's podcast, Ng emphasizes the importance of diverse partnerships in keeping these wild places "hawky."

Raptor conservation expert Janet Ng joins host Nate Swick this week to discuss the impacts of energy infrastructure on hawk populations in open country of the North American West.

Listen here: www.aba.org/how-to-be-ha...

The Devil Wears Parula - American Birding Association In a five-part Special Section in the Mar. 2026 Birding, the ABA presents diverse commentaries on the state of the birding community in the second half of 2020s. In this commentary, birding veteran Pe...

In the Mar. 2026 Birding, the ABA presents diverse commentaries on the state of the birding community. In this commentary, birding veteran Peter Pyle takes a playful but thoughtful look at the use of "electronic pishing."

Read the full article here: www.aba.org/the-devil-we...

A new thing that we've been working on for the past few months is up! Check it out:

... and that's my picture of the Kelp Gull right there! 👇

Oregon and Washington: Fall 2025 - American Birding Association

The Oregon and Washington: Fall 2025 is up!

Highlights include Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Northern Wheatear, and Yellow-green Vireos.

Read the full report: www.aba.org/oregon-and-w...

Southern California Fall 2025 - American Birding Association

The Southern California: Fall 2025 Regional Report is out!

Highlights include Ruddy Ground Dove, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and Bar-tailed Godwit.

Read the report here: www.aba.org/southern-cal...

How to Know the Birds: No. 93, The Politics of Species Limits - American Birding Association The Florida Scrub-Jay, an ecological marvel, is a major draw for birders in Florida. What if the bird were "just" a subspecies? Would that make a difference?

New How to Know the Birds column, by Ted Floyd!

The Florida Scrub-Jay, an ecological marvel, is a major draw for birders in Florida. What if the bird were "just" a subspecies? Would that make a difference?

Read here: www.aba.org/how-to-know-...

Random Birds, April 2026, with Ted Floyd - American Birding Association

New podcast episode!

Host Nate Swick leans once again on Birding magazine Editor Ted Floyd for another Random Birds discussion. The Random Number Generator has a certain late winter, early spring bias with warblers and gulls and warblers and gulls. 

Listen here: www.aba.org/random-birds...

Camp Surfbird: Building Community for Young Birders Through Partnership - American Birding Association Through partnership and shared experience, Camp Surfbird creates meaningful opportunities for young birders to connect, grow, and discover what’s possible in birding and beyond.

Kim Check, the ABA's Director of Young Birder Programs, thoughtfully reflects on Camp Surfbird and how the ABA's partnership with the San Diego Bird Alliance creates meaningful opportunities for young birders to connect, grow, and discover.

Read here: www.aba.org/camp-surfbir...

Black-and-white Warbler, by Jonathan Ley

Today’s Migrant: Black-and-white Warbler

Weird fact: Unlike other warblers and most other birds, often moves headfirst down trees.

Have you found a Black-and-white Warbler yet?

A thread of some short warbler videos as we count down to their return up here. First up, an iconic warbler of lakeshore brush & willow habitats, the Northern Yellow Warbler.
#birds #spring #warblers

The Feather Wars with James H. McCommons - American Birding Association

New episode of the American Birding Podcast!

The early years of bird conservation in North America is a fascinating period, recounted in the book The Feather Wars by James H. McCommons.

Listen here: www.aba.org/the-feather-...

Birding magazine.

Coming soon to a mailbox near you!

If you're not an active ABA member, don't miss the next issue of Birding by joining or renewing today at ABA.org/membership.

Pine Warbler, by Jonathan Ley

Today’s Migrant: Pine Warbler!

One of the earliest returning warblers, Pine Warblers often show up weeks before peak migration.

Have you seen a Pine Warbler yet this spring?

What's This Bird LIVE! March 13, 2026 YouTube video by American Birding Association

Join me and @n8swick.bsky.social Nate Swick at NOON Central TODAY! We'll be working through some tricky IDs—sandpipers, ducks, hawks, geese, and parrots!—taking your questions, and more, on @aba.org ABA's What's This Bird LIVE!

www.youtube.com/live/AbszNvh...

March 2026 Photo Quiz - American Birding Association It’s a dark bird, a rather small one, seen from directly behind. Ugh. But take heart! We can do this. Check out the bird’s rather unusual coloration. And look at those striking white wing-bars. Or are...

March photo quiz is up! Take your best guess!

www.aba.org/march-2026-p...

A New Type of Birding Celebrity: Interview with Max St. John - American Birding Association Max St. John, a new type of birding celebrity, explains how his viral “hungover birder” videos blend humor and birding culture while introducing thousands of people to the hobby.

Max St. John is a new type of birding celebrity.

The ABA interviewed Max St. John, whose massively popular videos have introduced thousands of people to birding, about how he blends humor with birding culture in the age of online content creators.

Read here: www.aba.org/a-new-type-o...

Better Together - An ABA Young Birder Essay - Owen Deutsch Photography By ABA Young Birder, Edith Dawson “There’s no combination of words I could put on the back of a postcard.” These first lyrics of my favorite Jack Johnson song perfectly captured my feelings as I sat i...

New ABA young birder essay on Owen Deutsch's blog!

Edith Dawson reflects on how birding brings people together: owendeutsch.com/better-toget...

The Hawaii: Spring 2025 Regional Report is out!

Highlights include an "unprecedented" amount of Kermadec Petrel sightings and a Laysan x Black-footed Albatross hybrid.

Read the report here: www.aba.org/hawaii-sprin...

Happy birthday, beautiful.

(image I took 25 years ago from the roof of the Sears Tower)

What's This Bird LIVE! February 27, 2026 YouTube video by American Birding Association

Join me and @n8swick.bsky.social Nate Swick at NOON Central TODAY! We'll be working through some tricky IDs (did someone say LBJs?), taking your questions, and more, on @aba.org ABA's What's This Bird LIVE!

www.youtube.com/live/l0ngIYW...

What's This Bird LIVE! February 13, 2026 YouTube video by American Birding Association

Join me and @n8swick.bsky.social Nate Swick for some tricky IDs, bird banter and more, at @aba.org ABA's WTB LIVE, today at NOON central!

www.youtube.com/live/wMAkOk1...