Scaly-breasted Hummingbird (Phaeochroa cuvierii) by Sean Graesser
We arrived in Costa Rica yesterday and got right to work today. We woke up this morning to our hummingbird feeders being visited by over 200 individuals. We have set all of our traps and research begins tomorrow. This Scaly-breasted Hummingbird (Phaeochroa cuvierii) got caught when we were setting up today. We have already observed two out of range species at the feeders.
Read MoreBird feeding basics
We are now into the beginning of the bird feeding season in the U.S. as more chilly air filters down from Canada with every passing cold front. Observing bird feeders in a yard is one of the most popular hobbies in America, and we end up fielding a large number of queries about it each fall and winter. I wanted to go over some of the basic points plus tips and tricks to feeder and yard bird watching that I have learned over the years from observing my own to recalling what my grandfather did when I was a small child. First of all, what type of home and yard do you have? Is it 40 acres full...
Read MorePine Siskin (Spinus pinus) by Scott Kruitbosch
After watching a cat stroll through the RTPI feeder area today (no kidding!) kicking up birds we were talking about what we’d seen lately and I thought I should ask – have you had any Pine Siskins yet? We haven’t but we hope to soon as individuals like this can add a subtle green splash to the duller seasons.
Read MoreNorthern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) by Twan Leenders
Sorry to all the Boston Red Sox fans but we have to root for the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series…
Read MoreTufted Titmouse and the fall
The air may not feel like autumn as we have had much above-average temperatures during the first week of October. However, the leaves look like the fall season is here. The Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) is a common forest and feeder species spreading north and increasing in number. This is true throughout much of its range and is likely due to a combination of factors including rising global temperatures, especially in these parts of the United States, increased numbers of bird feeders and people feeding birds throughout the winter, and habitat change including the regrowth of...
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