Field Notes

Cedar Waxwings eat predominantly fruit, especially in winter. As is the case with fruit-eaters, their distribution is unpredictable and largely dependent on the location and abundance of fruiting plants like serviceberry and mulberry (in summer) and mistletoe and madrone (in winter). Their... read more »

Anna's Hummingbirds sparkle with iridescence... with their emerald green back and hot pink throats — known as gorgets. But wait! Catch them in a certain light, and the sparkle goes away, or entirely new and vibrant colors appear. The microscopic structure of the feather barbules — not pigments —... read more »

Photographer Gregg Thompson had a stroke of good fortune. He wrote:In late September, I noticed a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers on this tree trunk. It was too late in the year for them to have any chicks, and after I read a bit, I decided this was a roosting tree. It could have been a nesting site... read more »

Join us for 18 days of wildlife viewing and cultural attractions!Travel to South Africa with BirdNote during the best time of year: the transition into spring and early summer. Visit the Greater Kruger Conservancy to see iconic animals and birdsEnjoy special excursions to observe whales,... read more »