Author Archives: birdsinmyviewfinder

This relative of the American Robin is common in Central America but is a scarce resident in southernmost Texas. It is sometimes referred to as the Clay-colored Robin because of the close relationship but neither bird is related to European Robin. This lucky find was photographed at the Santa Ana NWR in Alamo TX inContinue reading “Found in the Clutter – Clay-colored Thrush”

Ruddy Ducks are a small freshwater diving duck with a scoop shaped bill and stiff tail that is often held upright. Males have a bright white cheek patch. They take on a chestnut color in the summer. Only a little bit shows here and there on these photos of males at this time of year.Continue reading “Ruddy Duck”

A pair of Common Goldeneye, male in the lead, flying over the Merrimack River in Massachusetts back in January. This diving duck has started moving back into Canada where it will nest in tree cavities. It is easy to see where they get their name.

Red-tailed Hawks are likely the most common hawk in North America. It is a large raptor with a stocky build. Females can be up to 26 inches (65 cm) long with a wingspan of 52 inches (133 cm). Most are a rich brown on the back with pale undersides that have a specked “cummerbund” patternContinue reading “Dark Morph Red-tailed Hawk”

I found this photograph while looking through some folders from 2019. An Altamira Oriole and a Golden-fronted Woodpecker were peacefully sharing oranges on a feeder station at the Santa Ana NWR in Texas. Luckily there were multiple oranges. Both species are residents of Mexico and Guatemala whose range extends into southern Texas.

Courtship displays by male Buffleheads include a run across the water much like a takeoff run, followed by a low short flight over the female of interest. The splashing is just part of showing off. Photographed at the Parker River NWR, Massachusetts.

Pied-billed Grebes, so named because of the black ring on their bill, are a small, chunky aquatic bird with almost no tail. They have the interesting ability to adjust their buoyancy and sink until only their head appears or even quietly submerge without diving. Photographed at Bosque del Apache, New Mexico.

This photo of a Northern Shoveler preparing to land shows the colorful speculum (secondary wing feathers) that is common in ducks with each species having its own distinctive pattern. The Shoveler has a powder blue, white and green speculum that is quite striking. The photo was taken at Bosque del Apache in New Mexico.

The Javelina, or Collared Peccary, resides in South and Central America. It is also found in the southwestern US. This pig-like mammal lives in desert and grassland environments. It stands about 2 feet (60 cm) high and weighs up to 55 pounds (25 kg). They are herbivores that will also eat lizards and rodents givenContinue reading “Non-avian Guest – Javelina”

There are two Bluebirds that are year-round residents of New Mexico. The first is this Western Bluebird photographed at the Randall Davey Audubon Center in Santa Fe. The other is this Mountain Bluebird photographed against a nearly matching clear sky at Santa Fe Community College.