Bird watching tours, trips, adventures and birder news in North Carolina and beyond
Another species of bird has returned to central NC, the Golden crowned Kinglet!I absolutely love these little guys. Not only are they the most adorable bird ever but they are really fun to photograph too!Kinglets are energetic and intelligent creatures, always chittering and chatting at me while walking in the woods.I spotted this one in…
Happy to spot my first of autumn White-throated Sparrows in my yard today!These are the birds I always look forward to seeing as their arrival harks the return to cooler weather ahead as the season changes.This little fella sat quite patiently for me as he relaxed and preened on a large brush pile which I…
While birding in a friends backyard in Raleigh NC, I was delighted to spend some time with an adorable Brown headed Nuthatch.Measuring only about 3.5 to 4.3 inches in length, these are one of the smallest species of Nuthatch but don’t let their diminutive size fool you.These tiny birds have big personalities and are actually…
It’s been really nice to get outside in the mornings lately now that autumn is finally here. That chill in the air means one thing…the best time of the year is coming soon.Weird duck season!Each fall, millions of waterfowl arrive to spend the winter in eastern NC and by far, the weirdest duck of them…
Happy to catch a good look at this lovely Magnolia Warbler this past week in Raleigh, NC.I’ve been trying to get a good photo of this species for years and even though I’m not crazy about the harsh lighting in these pics, these are the best images I’ve got so far so I’ll chalk this…
While on a recent birding trip at Cape May NJ, I spotted a couple of Fish Crows on the beach.I absolutely adore crows and was so happy to get a little time photographing these beautiful & intelligent creatures.They were completely unbothered by my presence as the pair strolled across the sand, pecking clumps of seaweed…
Bay-breasted Warblers breed in the boreal forests of Canada and the northern U.S., particularly in areas dominated by spruce and fir trees. During migration, they can be found in a wide range of habitats, including brushy fields and mixed deciduous forests, especially in areas where water is present.
As you can see, the Black Skimmer’s most distinctive feature is its bill, with the lower mandible being longer than the upper. This adaptation allows the bird to “skim” the water’s surface while flying, scooping up small fish and crustaceans.
As it flies just above the water, the black skimmer’s lower mandible drags through the water. When it touches a fish, the bird snaps its bill shut, making it one of the few birds that can hunt by touch.
The Yellow Warbler is known for its bright yellow plumage. Males are particularly vibrant, often with reddish streaks on their chest, while females tend to be a bit duller but still a warm yellow color.
The Eastern Phoebe’s name comes from its distinctive, raspy “fee-bee” whistle call, which it often repeats throughout the day, especially during breeding season.
Another way to make a ID is to watch their behavior. They’ve got a fluttery, low-to-the-ground flight pattern in which frequently dart out from a perch to catch insects and then return to the same perch or one nearby.