Blog & Photo Archive
Birding is about finding beauty in the everyday birds; the thrill and passion comes from the backyard species as much as it does the once-in-a-lifetime bird, as does the responsibility to protect them.
These entries are vignettes, lessons, personal reflections, and conservation efforts.
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June 2, 2024
Painted Bunting
Georgia
This is a female Painted Bunting. It may be difficult to recognize as such—I certainly had a hard time at first, especially because the name "Painted Bunting" only applies to the male bird. While it's definitely important to give birds names that make sense with their species, I can't help but wonder if there are other methods of nomenclature that involve a more inclusive approach. For example, the Northern Cardinal, a very common bird species, has a name that make sense when trying to identify both the female and the male. In contrast, when naming a bird off a distinctive part of its plumage may be effective in the field, but one problem it presents is if a species is sexually dimorphic (when the male and female are phenotypically different). Many times, since males are more colorful and flashy, they are the ones the whole species is named after, inadvertently excluding the whole other sex. In the past, there has been no shortage of problematic naming, including naming birds after racist individuals as well as giving male birds the unspoken claim to the species' name. Slowly, birds that were named after people are being renamed. I wonder if there's a way that both sexes can be recognized while also retaining effective identification.
June 3, 2024
Mississippi Kite
Georgia
Mississippi Kites are very interesting raptors. They are known for their aerial insect-catching abilities, which explains their unusually small and delicate bill. Their insect diet helps farmers as a natural insect-control, which shows how despite how humans have encroached on natural spaces, if they land respect the land, humans and nature can coexist and mutually benefit. Additionally, they have been known to live in communal living spaces, where adolescent birds will help raise the chicks their parents hatch in subsequent mating cycles. Often, the phrase "fledging the nest" in popular culture has the connotation of leaving forever, but Mississippi Kites defy that tradition, demonstrating the extent to which birds, too, can have deep family bonds between children and parents—that this bond isn't restricted to mammals. Along similar lines, these kites are known to be aggressive during nesting season to humans who come to close to nesting grounds, sometimes dive-bombing in an effort to deter what they see as threats. Many birds (or animals falsely deemed "less intelligent") aren't recognized for their fierce devotion to their young, but if people take the time to observe the bonds that parent birds have for their chicks in the few precious weeks they're in the nest, I believe and hope that they will see differently.
June 4, 2024
Yell0w-throated Warbler
Georgia
Yellow-throated Warblers are known for their unusually long bills for warblers, since they forage in deep crevices within tree bark or pine cones. Additionally, they form monogamous pairs during the mating season, which is a beautiful and slightly unusual commitment in the birding world. They are some of the earliest migrants, so when you see them traveling south in fall or north in winter, you know that migration is just beginning. They also nest farther south in the US than most warblers but remain farther north during the wintering months, so you can see their bright yellow throats high up in the canopy even in cold. They nest much higher in trees than most warbler species and are different from other species relatives in that way. I am curious to understand the ways in which biodiversity works. I know that, often, even birds that occupy very similar places in the food web will have different approaches to hunting. Similarly, it appears that wood warblers that are even very closely related have very distinct behavioral traits. Both of these niches—hunting/catching food and nesting—are evolutionary methods to decrease habitat competition between otherwise similar species. I still am fascinated by how this even came about—how do animals know to fill certain niches, and how might these tactics be passed down to their offspring if, like many birds, they fledge only within a couple of weeks and don't receive much guidance from parents?
June 5, 2024
American Flamingo
Georgia
I saw these American Flamingos on Little Saint Simon's Island off the coast of Georgia. They were in the same marshy habitat as American Avocets and Roseate Spoonbills, and I was so lucky to be able to spot one with my birding camp group since they are a very rare sighting in Georgia. They are permanent residents in the Caribbean Islands as well as some parts of northern South America, but they are only known to make vagrant appearances even as far south as the Florida Keys. It's amazing that I got to see this species for my first—and probably only—time in my own home state, and this photograph is a testament to how beautiful moments often come about in strange and unexpected ways! They are all the more better like that.
This moment also prompted to me do some self-reflection. While I was initially so focused on these American Flamingos, I did notice, as I mentioned above, the beautiful American Avocets and Roseate Spoonbills, the latter of which also appears to be bright pink. Rare moments are beautiful, that is true, but I think they become even more wonderful when complemented by more commonplace species. When something rare comes about, it is our natural human tendency to turn and stare. I think about how these flamingos were either confused or, more likely, completely oblivious to its paparazzi crowd. They are just trying to live their lives, as are we. Sometimes as I birder I wonder how it feels to be on the other end of those binoculars—or if they even notice us at all.
October 20, 2024
American Crow
Georgia
The American Crow is one of the most commonly heard bird calls across much of North America. While their reputation in contemporary lore might be an ominous or sinister one, corvids are very intelligent and community-oriented birds who form deep connections and can remember faces they've encountered even years later. One study on crows included a crow faced with a vase of water too deep to reach, so it began adding nearby stones into the water to bring the surface up to drinking level, demonstrating intelligence and trouble-shooting abilities similar to that of apes and humans. The takeaway here is if someone calls you a "bird brain!" you should feel complimented—if it's a birder, that is. On a more serious note, crows demonstrate extreme abilities to adapt to changing environments, allowing them to continue to thrive even in human-altered environments like big cities. Crows, however, remain an important reminder that even if some birds are able to adapt to new environments using tools and other methods, not all birds can.
November 2, 2024
Roseate Spoonbill
Florida
The Roseate Spoonbill is the only species of spoonbill in the Western Hemisphere. In the 1800s, they were nearly hunted to extinction due to their unique pink feathers (this coloration comes from the carotenoids in their diet, mostly comprised of shrimp). However, concerted conservation efforts allowed their populations to bounce back to the extent that they are now classified under least concern. Of course, they are still at risk, like countless other species, of habitat degradation and habitat loss, but their historical rebound is a reassurance that conservation efforts really do have lasting impacts if executed properly. The story of the spoonbill speaks to how science and conservation are not separate entities from public/social matters. The spoonbill's population grew back because conservation intersected society, and they serve as a reminder that to continue helping species that are now facing a similar decline, every citizen must play their part to help out the world in which they live; the work is not to be placed on the shoulders of a select few. The spoonbill's story is simultaneously hopeful and sobering because they are tangible evidence of the damage humans have done to this planet for centuries but also of the beauty of the humans who dedicate their lives to reversing that harm. Let the spoonbills in all their vibrant pink be a call to action for every member of society to educate themselves about conservation efforts on both local and worldwide scales.
November 9, 2024
Common Grackle
New York
I always wonder about the role natural selection plays in the world, especially in bird colorations. I know that sexual dimorphism exists for mating purposes and evolution in that regard, but I wonder about smaller differences between species, such as eye color or centimeter differences in wingspan. Adaptations helps nature to thrive, decreasing competition between species who would otherwise vie for the same resources. Diversity creates niche roles in the environment. But what accounts for eye color or leg color? Why does the Baltimore Oriole, also an icterid, have dark eyes while the Common Grackle has bright yellow/white ones? If natural selection occurs when an animal with traits better suited to the environment survives and reproduces with more success, how would eye color, for example, be that much of a game-changer that different icterids would evolve in that way? Perhaps there is no answer. Science is always looking for an answer, a solution, but perhaps there is none here. Maybe we should accept that. Or maybe, there is always an answer, but it's beyond our comprehension. Just something to ponder!
November 16, 2024
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Georgia
I'm still stuck on the circle of thinking about evolution. The Ruby-crowned Kinglet only shows its red patch when excited, agitated, or in an effort to find a mate. It flits about on small twigs/branches to glean insects off the narrow strips of bark. I am thinking about Professor Richard Prum's ideas about the "evolution of beauty"—that aesthetic preferences govern the trajectory of evolution, not just natural selection and survivorship. This idea is fascinating! It asks its audience to reconsider the brains of animals, taking preference and ideas of beauty into account. It adds a layer of complexity to our previous line of thought. I think Professor Prum's ideas are groundbreaking because they defy what was previously fact, demonstrating that science is not rigid but constantly evolving. He asks society to consider subjectivity, where science has previously been seen as objective. I also really like how he considers female sexual agency as a factor that drives evolution—an uncommon but crucial, progressive perspective in a male-dominated field. It's a hopeful prospect.
November 23, 2024
Common Merganser
New York
The common merganser is a diving duck. There are two types of ducks: dabbling and diving. Dabbling ducks are often more well-known amongst the general public. The most common example of a dabbling duck in Georgia is the mallard that is often seen in ponds. Dabbling ducks will feed on aquatic plants and invertebrates at the surface of the water, while diving ducks dive down into the water to catch their food, which consists of aquatic insects and small fish, as well as plants.
The common merganser is also a sexually dimorphic species, meaning males and females within the species have distinct phenotypic (physical) features. This is a female merganser. I chose this photo specifically when writing about the common merganser because I think it's important to move away from male-centric language and imaging when describing bird species. Usually, the distinctive, green-headed male is the one displayed—males, in general, are usually the first ones on display—with the female in the background or mentioned as a secondary characteristic of the species.
Additionally, there is problematic language surrounding most sexually dimorphic species, where the male is referred to by the name of the species, while the female as referred to as the "female [species name]" as if the female is a subspecies and the male is the default. This archive aims to move away from such problematic habits.
November 30, 2024
Hermit Thrush
New York
The Hermit Thrush is a close relative of the American Robin. While their colorations vary dramatically, they have similar body and bill shapes. What's fascinating about their relationship is how distinct their 'personalities" are. The robin is often seen in large flocks, especially in winter down South, while the Hermit Thrush is usually solitary. I think this is due to their different habitats. The robin is usually seen on open fields, where having big flocks to watch out for predators is advantageous, while Hermit Thrushes prefer undergrowth and foliage, where having the same sized flocks would increase competition for resources that the robins don't typically experience in the fields. I think it's really interesting to see such behavioral differences, even within a single family.
December 7, 2024
Bufflehead
New York
The bufflehead is the smallest diving duck in North America. The bufflehead has the waterproof feathers characteristic of all ducks, which comes from an oil in a gland at the base of their tail that is spread to the duck's whole body when preening. I first saw this particular species of diving duck in the middle of New York City's Central Park. I remember standing in awe, letting my camera dangle dangerously on my neck over the water as I leaned over the railing to get a better glimpse. Everyone else in the park took notice of my conspicuous stance, but no one stopped to watch this bird dive into the water with me. I think there is beauty to be found wherever and whenever, and it was interesting for me to think about how many beautiful things we as a society might be missing if we go through life too quickly.
December 14, 2024
Dark-eyed Junco
New York
Until the 1970s, the Dark-eyed Junco was seen as five separate species because there were significant phenotypical (physical appearance) differences depending on geographical range. Now, while it's technically one species, there are still subspecies/groups, such as the Slate-colored, Oregon, Gray-headed, White-winged, and Pink Sided. This particular image is of the Slate-colored, which is the most common subspecies found in the eastern US. I think the evolution of the Dark-eyed Junco since the 1970s is very interesting because it's indicative of the reality that science is continuously changing and improving rather than being static and many people with different perspectives possess the possibility to contribute to science in a variety of ways!
December 21, 2024
Muscovy Duck
Georgia
Unlike the Bufflehead explored in a previous entry, the Muscovy Duck is a dabbling duck, feeding on the surface of ponds. It is not native to the United States, so the Muscovy Ducks people see here are the domesticated type. There are one of the largest duck species in the world! Because they are not native, they can be harmful to native species of dabbling ducks, such as the Mallard, due to increased competition for habitat and resources. Often, I see Muscovy-Mallard hybrids, and this can be dangerous for these hybrids because it reduces reproductive success. I think it's interesting to see how, often, the majority of park-goers won't notice the subtle harms that are going on beneath the surface (no pun intended) and the work that must continue to be done to raise awareness about so many causes that are common but discreet.
December 28, 2024
Allen's Hummingbird
California
I saw this bird for the first time in San Diego. My wandering eyes caught on the sun that reflected off its feathers as I passed. Sometimes, I feel very small, like when I look up at a cloudless sky or think about the number of stars in the universe or imagine how many people have occupied this earth before me. Other times, I feel very large—too large, almost—peering down at the insects by my shoes. And then there are times I feel both—the weight of my own body in the presence of an insect-sized bird, yet seeing the strength that it must exert every day for its whole life and feeling very weak in comparison. It's not a bad feeling at all, but rather one of awe, almost like the sublime of the Romantic Era :) I think about how its body goes into torpor every night to survive, its vulnerability and its simultaneous power. It’s a strange, paradoxical feeling, and this is just one of many reasons why I love hummingbirds.
January 5, 2025
Double-crested Cormorant
Georgia
This photo was taken at Murphey Candler Park, here in the Atlanta Metro Area, in November. I’ve always thought that the feathers of cormorants were waterproof, but I recently learned that they aren’t, which does make sense. Cormorants rely on water to weigh them down so that they can dive deep to catch fish. When the resurface, they spread their wings out to dry in the air. The evolution of such distinct and diverse ways of utilizing one aspect of nature, a lake, is fascinating to me. Before I became a birder, I probably never would have thought much (or known in the first place) about the difference between ducks, geese, gulls, grebes, and cormorants. I imagine I lumped them together in my mind before learning the distinctions. Ducks, however, have waterproof feathers and mallards, the only ducks I knew prior to birding, are dabbling ducks and have waterproof feathers, which is very different from cormorants. Something I love about birding is how much it has changed the way I view every part of the world—nature, my surroundings, and even the people I interact with. I'm always looking for details and noticing small, seemingly insignificant points of difference but also connection/common ground because birding requires one to recognize both, which is something I think is very important to living in our world.
January 12, 2025
American Herring Gull
Maine
I saw this Herring Gull in near Acadia National Park in Maine. My family and I stopped on the side of the road beside some cliffs to look at the view, and this gull was standing at the very edge of a cliff. Of course, fear of heights isn't the same when you can fly, but its expression felt fearless and struck a chord within me nonetheless. It wasn't afraid of me, either, and let me get kind of close to it for photographs. I found this gull a nice break from the ones near more crowded beaches who screech all day and steal tourists' lunches. I wonder if this fearlessness but also quietude is a result of a lot of human interaction like many gulls on beaches that I've encountered or if it was because it actually hadn't encountered many humans yet. It's fascinating to see how two polar opposite experiences can have the same outcome. Also, I like how seeing this bird encouraged me to think more about animal personalities. Often in field guides or other identification tools, authors will include feeding behavior and short quips about a "fiery personality" or "shy temperament," as if all birds within a species are uniform. Just like humans, birds have different personalities or moods based on their environments, just as much as they might have distinctive behavioral traits based on their species. Seeing this gull made me think more about how not to generalize birds in my practice.
January 19, 2025
Black-billed Magpie
Colorado
My first time seeing a Black-billed Magpie was the summer of 2023 at Camp Colorado, a birding camp run by the American Birding Association. I associate this bird with kindness, intelligence, and community for several reasons. Corvids are extremely smart birds that are able to problem-solve using tools, and they are also capable of holding generational grudges, which is a testament to strong memory. More significantly in my mind, however, is how this bird greeted my entry into Camp Colorado and my exit. I met so many inspiring, passionate birders at this program, and I will remember the magpie as the bird who served as harbinger into a wonderful week of learning.
On a slightly different note, I find it really interesting to examine evolutionary manifestations of different species. For example, the Black-billed Magpie looks very similar (minus the bill color) to the Yellow-billed Magpie found in a different region, and both of these North American species closely resemble their European counterpart, the Eurasian Magpie. Other groups of birds, too, retain very similar phenotypic appearances, such as the Black-capped Chickadee and Carolina Chickadee. It's interesting to see how such different genes can exist beneath two or three seemingly identical species.
I wonder when these species were declared distinct, since back when birds were first being classified taxonomically, genetic research was virtually nonexistent. These distinctions between supposed "species" also brings me to question the role we humans have in carving up nature into distinct categories. Nature feels very fluid, offering room for hybrid offspring as well as constant evolution through natural selection. As such, the term "species" is only our mere approximation to encompass the inexplicable complexity that exists within nature. I struggle to find my position on how science, then, is inherently simplified since it is, at its core, a human practice.
January 26, 2025
Cedar Waxwing
Georgia
This Cedar Waxwing was part of a much larger flock one morning in my neighborhood during winter. They were easily visible due to their bright yellow bellies and tail tips. I was actually getting in the car to lead a bird walk for my school, so seeing all these waxwings with their feathers catching the light of the morning sun was a wonderful surprise. It showed me how beautiful moments can happen anywhere with any bird—even at the edge of your neighborhood in transit. Often, wonder appears in unexpected ways. Growing to embrace the spontaneity of beauty is another lesson birding has taught me since most of the time, birds flitting through the trees are uncooperative to our intrusive observations. Sometimes, though, they will stand still like this waxwing, and we will feel so lucky to have stepped outside unexpectedly the morning you encountered it.
February 5, 2025
Eastern Bluebird
Georgia
It occurred to me after taking this photo that I have never thought to photograph Eastern Bluebirds before. They're so common, and I see them nearly every day. The common birds should not escape our attention, however, and I learned a valuable lesson about seeing beauty in mundanity. When I photographed this bluebird, I thought about how the only birds I knew before birding were sparrows (no specific ones, mind you), crows, hawks (again, no specifics), vultures, cardinals, and bluebirds. I remember as a child, my parents would point out bluebirds, telling me how beautiful their bright blue feathers were. Once I began birding, though, I became fixated on novelty; I wanted to see that Common Raven, that Lincoln's Sparrow, etc., even if they were dull birds that most nonbirders would glaze over. Reflecting on my trajectory going from nonbirder to birder, I noticed how beautiful birds I once appreciated early on I came to dismiss myself, while the opposite remained true for rare-but-dully-colored birds that I longed to spot. As a birder now who is much more experienced and knows what she wants to get out of birding, I appreciate how I'm able to value the everyday birds as much as the rarer ones. Having a camera does help with that!
February 12, 2025
Purple Finch
Georgia
The photo may have surprised you. It's not often a female bird of a sexually dimorphic species like the Purple Finch is presented without the company of a male. This may be partly due to the fact that males are often brighter and thus attract more attention. It does not escape my notice that sexually dimorphic species are often named after the male's physical attributes, either a result of human-based beauty bias or because of an underlying androcentric way of viewing the world that taints even science, a field typically associated with "fact" and "objectivity." Of course, it is known that science is inextricably a result of its social context. With this photo, I encourage birders to think more deeply about limitations within science and established "truths."
February 19, 2025
Mourning Dove
Georgia
We first noticed her a couple of days before. Her nest is right outside our front door. Every day without fail, she sits in her nest—even when it got significantly below freezing (a little uncommon for Georgia!). I admire the dedication of nature, and seeing this mother at all hours of the day makes me appreciate the inexplicable forces of the world and the universe that make a mother have such a deep connection with her to-be offspring.
(It is important to recognize that nests should not be tampered with, and we humans must maintain our distance. This photo was taken from across the porch with a wide-zoom camera to give this dove space, and we minimize foot traffic through our front door to avoid scaring her. We encourage readers to practice this respect in similar situations.)
February 26, 2025
Snowy Egret
California
This Snowy Egret was at a pond in the middle of a theme park in Southern California. I think it's bittersweet to see instances of these—that birds have adapted to our human presence. On one hand, it is reassuring to note that these birds continue surviving despite our harmful impact on their environments. In turn, however, it is saddening that these birds must adapt in the first place—to our theme parks, our homes, our cities, the whole world we have built for our own comfort. I encourage readers to think more about other times they have seen nature adapt like this.
March 6, 2025
Royal Terns
South Carolina
These two Royal Terns were part of a much larger group of terns. It was a very windy, stormy-looking day. The tern to the right looks almost identical to the one on the right, but it's actually a juvenile—perhaps one very close to adulthood. I really like this photo because of how it captures the dynamic between the juvenile and its mother. At the risk of anthropomorphizing the two, this image looks like a child asking their mother for food. Though it can't be seen in the photo, the mother doesn't give her child what it's asking for. I believe she wanted her child to learn to take care of itself—learn independence and autonomy. Seeing the two together was silly and sweet, but it also reminded me the price (and inevitability) of growing up. Being a high school junior means I, too, will leave this nest I call home. I don't feel nearly ready enough to do so, and I will seek out many more moments like these with my mother throughout my lifetime.
March 12, 2024
Chipping Sparrow
Georgia
Chipping Sparrows are one of the most common sparrow species in Atlanta. From my personal experience, they're usually found near pine trees or on grassy fields. I've always found Chipping Sparrows particularly interesting because of how close humans can get to them. I wonder if it's because their habitats allow for more human contact or if, perhaps, there's a more innate/biological "laid-backness" to them. Similarly to the Herring Gull entry above, I am also interested in looking at different bird traits and behavioral patterns—if I really got to know a group of birds within the same species, would I be able to parse out distinctive personalities? Would I be able to tell them apart from one another as time passed? Of course, all birds have immense phenotypic diversity and as observant as I'd like to say I am, I'm pretty sure my observation abilities are very much clouded by a human-centric viewpoint
March 19, 2025
Carolina Wren
Georgia
Carolina Wrens have beautiful songs, and they're unusually loud in comparison to their small body size. :) I see them as the quintessential "underdog" of the birding world because of their feisty nature and seeming grit. I also think it's beautiful how they are monogamous in mating, meaning they stay with their mates for years and even stay with their mates together in a single territory year-round. I wonder what makes different bird species monogamous or have different mates in different years. Do they mourn when one mate dies? Do species with monogamous relationships have different, stronger relationships with their offspring? To what extent is it genetic vs. individual agency? I am also curious to see whether or not monogamous birds are more successful reproductively than non-monogamous species.
March 26, 2025
American Robin
Georgia
The American Robin was one of the first birds on my life list. I remember spotting a fledgling robin in my backyard and thinking it was an entirely new species. The joy of a new birder seeing the world through new eyes is such an inimitable experience that I wish I could somehow go back and record my exact feelings on that day. Sometimes we birders forget to photograph the common birds, but seeing this species reminds me of what remains constant in my life despite everything that has changed around me. It is important to continue seeing beauty in the mundane or else everything will become, in some way, disappointing.
April 2, 2025
European Starling
New York
The European Starling was introduced to North America, specifically New York, in the 1890s and is an invasive species. These starlings cause many ecological problems because they fight with native birds for resources. It is important to notice that these beautifully colored birds are responsible for the upheaval of natural balance all across the United States—they are the indirect result, yet again, of the damage that comes from humans overstepping their boundaries in nature. I also think it's very interesting to go through life as a birder. Starlings are ubiquitous in cities, but I never would have noticed them—much less understood the environmental disasters their species creates in North America—before becoming a birder. Sometimes, I think, Ignorance is bliss. But then I remember that I am glad I know the reality so I can help. Responsibility can sometimes feel like a burden, but it mostly just feels like a relief that we can find ways to help.
April 9, 2025
Tufted Titmouse
New York
I saw this Tufted Titmouse in Central Park, and it was my first time birding in such a well-known birding spot—The Ramble. In contrast with the sobering message above about the European Starling, I think this titmouse photo is hopeful because it represents what conservationists and compassionate humans are doing to combat previous damage through consciously providing safe spaces—Central Park and many others—for birds and other wildlife. I saw my first black squirrel here, too!
April 16, 2025
Rock Pigeon
New York
Rock Pigeons are also an invasive species, introduced to North America from Europe like the European Starling mentioned a couple weeks prior. It's very interesting to see how much phenotypic (physical appearance) diversity there is within even one flock. Perhaps it came from artificial selection of pigeons long ago, as well as genetic variation due to regional differences that have now united in urban areas. While pigeons now are inextricable from the stereotypes of dumpster-diving, trash-loving, city slicker birds, they are actually very intelligent. They have remarkable honing abilities and have been known to find their way back home after being blindfolded and released thousands of miles away. Seeing pigeons bobbing about in the dirty streets of crowded cities while possessing such raw navigational abilities really makes me reconsider the ways in which talent and intelligence manifest themselves in such diverse ways—among humans and other animals.
April 24, 2025
Mourning Dove fledglings
Georgia
These are the offspring of the mourning dove from above. Every day when I came outside the house, I would see the two siblings huddled beneath our porch. They brought so much joy to my everyday, and they reminded me about the beauty in the mundane. They reminded me that birding is about finding love, beauty, and wonder in hidden, discreet places to find out how much more there is to the world that what we can see on first glance. For a few weeks after they had gone, we kept seeing Mourning Doves occupying the roofs of the four closest houses to us, but after those few weeks, they were gone. Perhaps one of them (or both!) will occupy the same nesting spot their parents did. When they left, I felt sad, but something my mother said has stuck in my mind: "If you love them, set them free."
May 1, 2025
Northern Flicker
New York
I first saw the Northern Flicker in 2020 in my backyard when my aunt was giving my dad a haircut. It was the beginning of COVID, and my brother and I had just begun birding. It was on the ground, and he and I stood there while it sat on the floor right beside the makeshift haircut session and then flew into the pine trees behind it. Retrospectively, seeing this Northern Flicker in such an unusual time and place is demonstrative of the importance of remembering that "miracles" or rare moments of nature occur in unconventional places. Now years later, looking back on this moment in Central Park, seeing how far we've come as a society since that scary era but how much work we have yet to do is a humbling thought. While our human world was falling apart, the birds were still searching for insects and feeding their young and just trying to survive. I wonder if they were curious as to why we were all wearing masks or why the world was so quiet for those few months—or if they were too busy to care.
June 8, 2025
American Goldfinch
Maine
I just returned from attending Hog Island Audubon Camp (Coastal Maine Bird Studies program) in Maine, and I wanted to take this next few archive entries to acknowledge and reflect on what I learned from this life-changing experience. The island itself was breathtaking and the birds were absolutely unforgettable, but what I'll remember most about my time there was the people I met and the community we built. One of our camp leaders, Holly Merkel, said, "birds are community builders." At every meal (when we weren't taking our lunches out on field trips), we sat together under a big white tent—adults and teens alike, sharing stories and finding points of connection across our geographical differences. I chose this goldfinch to be the first of my series of Hog Island entries because of how its brightness reminds me so much of the brilliant, kind, deeply caring individuals I met and bonded with on the island. Goldfinches, furthermore, are a highly social species, found in large groups, sometimes with other finch species. At our meals, we could often catch a glimpse of this bright yellow in the trees just beyond the tent. Many of us would then stop all conversation to pull out binoculars or cameras or just turn around and observe in peace with bare eyes. Ultimately, the goldfinch was a staple of our mealtime (and many other times) at Hog Island, and its brightness reflects the warm light that spread across the whole island because of the people it briefly welcomed on.
June 9, 2025
Common Loon
Maine
The Common Loon is known for its haunting call that travels well across large Northern lakes or other bodies of water. This loon was found in the bay near Hog Island. At camp, I learned that loons have to be in big bodies of water because their legs are positioned so far back on their bodies that they are unable to walk upright or take off directly from the water. While this unique adaptation allows for them to swim fast and move their legs like a rudder, it can harm them if they land in a body of water that's too small. They need a lot of space to use the water as a runway to take off. From a conservation standpoint, loons can also land in big parking lots if they mistake them for water, and it can be dangerous because they are stranded, unable to walk or take off and fly. People can help loons by calling local animal rescues. It's not a good idea to try to move a stranded loon unless you're a trained rehabilitator because you run the risk of placing them in a body of water that's too small and just as harmful for them.
June 10, 2025
Bald Eagle
Maine
Being the national bird of the United States, it's natural for people to be drawn to the Bald Eagle. However, often, the image of this eagle is altered for the public eye (and ear). For example, the classic eagle call in so many movies and commercials is actually that of the Red-tailed Hawk. To me, it says something that our national bird has been changed for a "better image" into something inauthentic or incomplete. What I really liked about the other birders I met at this camp is that we as a community placed emphasis on valuing the everyday bird just as we would a rarity or our national bird. In contrast with what seem to be our nation's values of superficiality prioritizing façade over true identity, the birding focus was instead one of genuine appreciation for the natural world in all its beauty and imperfection.
June 11, 2025
Atlantic Puffin
Maine
While I loved every moment of this camp, my favorite day was our trip to Eastern Egg Rock. We learned that Eastern Egg Rock once had puffins nesting on it, but they disappeared due to hunting in the late 1800s. Dr. Stephen Kress started Project Puffin in 1973 in order to bring these puffins back to Eastern Egg Rock, raising baby puffins by hand, making decoys, and finally succeeding in restoring a puffin colony to the island. Now, there are more than 1,000 pairs across three Maine Islands. On Eastern Egg Rock, we met researchers who live there through the summer season and learned about their lifestyle, responsibilities, and projects they conduct throughout the season. It was fascinating to be able to see puffins up close and see the tangible results of Dr. Kress' Project Puffin after its inception in 1973.
I think these puffins are both an example of the role that hope and hard work can play into successful conservation efforts but also of the terrifying reality of the harmful role we humans have played for centuries in the destruction of land and population. It is important for as many people as possible to learn about Project Puffin and others like it because, often, our harm to the natural world is unintentional—awareness is the first step for change.
June 12, 2025
Common Tern
Maine
In addition to puffins on Eastern Egg Rock, there are also Common Terns, Arctic Terns, the occasional Roseate Tern, Laughing Gulls, Common Eiders, Black Guillemots, among others. Putting terns back on Eastern Egg Rock was another part of Dr. Kress' work with Project Puffin, since puffins and terns have a symbiotic (commensalism) relationship, meaning puffins benefit while terns are neither harmed nor particularly benefited. More specifically, puffins are naturally very docile and gentle, whereas terns are more aggressive. Puffins get lots of protection from the terns because they nest near one another, and the terns will fight off any predators that come. When we stepped onto Eastern Egg itself, we were warned beforehand about the danger of looking up. For one, terns had eggs on the path, so we needed to look down and point out all the eggs to those behind us in the line. Also, if we looked up, it was risky because we were getting divebombed by the terns who wanted to protect their territory and eggs. I think the relationship between terns and puffins is such a good example of symbiosis in the natural world. I also think the success of Eastern Egg Rock's puffin population is a testament to Dr. Kress' very astute observations about the behavior of puffins to know to bring back terns to Eastern Egg as well.
June 13, 2025
Common Eider
Maine
Common Eiders were spotted nearly every day of our trip, either far out in the sea or close by in the bay near Hog Island, which is why I chose to close out my series with this bird. While this photo is of a male, there is something significant about female eider behavior. I learned that Common Eider males will often leave their partners after she begins to incubate the eggs. Females will then join other females with ducklings to form large groups as a survival effort against predators. I think this is such a unique and fascinating adaptation, a feminist approach to care and cooperation between other females in similar stages of raising young.
If I could take only one lesson or memory away from this camp, it would be the phrase, "We are stronger together." Birds have shown us this reality again and again. The goldfinches who are community-oriented; the puffins who need to see the presence of other puffins on an island before they decide to nest there too; puffins who rely on terns for protection; and, finally, Common Eiders who rely on the strength of other females for protection and a collective commitment to all the ducklings, protecting their own and those of their companions equally.
July 2, 2025
Scarlet Tanager
New York
Whenever people describe the Scarlet Tanager, they seem to be describing the male: Ruby-red body, stark black wings. Striking. Memorable. Of course, it's understandable to name a species after its most noteworthy or distinctive qualities, though I can't help but think about how many birds are named after the male plumages. This is a female Scarlet Tanager. It, too, is beautiful—bright yellow-green and gray bill, though it seems the male gets all the attention. I wonder if there's a way to combine both noteworthiness with inclusivity when naming birds.
July 9, 2025
Great Blue Heron
Georgia
Despite seeing the Great Blue Heron nearly every single day, being in Atlanta, it has still taken me months to add it to this archive! I wonder why. Perhaps the reason lies precisely in the fact that I see it every day. This archive's goal, as has been stated numerous times, is to spotlight the beauty and conservation efforts of both rare birds as well as the everyday ones, though the concept of novelty remains so deeply engrained in me, in society, that it takes a conscious effort to distance myself from the tendency to prioritize colorful or rare birds.
The Great Blue Heron is of low conservation concern, which is wonderful news. Its population across its range has benefited from conservation efforts to help beaver populations because of the concerted effort that have gone into preserving and creating marshes and wetlands. This relationship between the heron and the beaver is a good example of how each living creature in an ecosystem is connected to others—nothing exists in isolation, and it is important to consider collective influences when trying to conserve a species.
Blackburnian Warbler
July 18, 2025
Warblers
The first time I heard about the songbird group warblers was when my ornithology teacher explained the birds that we would likely see on an upcoming field trip. When he showed us pictures of the Common Yellow-throat and Wilson’s warbler I was struck by how vibrantly colored these songbirds were. At the time, I believed that there were only 5 or 6 warblers; little did I know how abundant new world warblers were in the US and Canada.
After my ornithology class ended, I left the US and visited Tanzania and Madagascar. After that visit, I moved to Jordan for ten months. Because I was in countries with different avian life, I began to forget about the beloved warblers in the Americas and lost my appreciation for these beautiful and admirable songbirds.
When I returned from Jordan, I was dismayed about my forgotten knowledge of warblers and promised myself to re-acquaint myself with them before attending the Young Birders Event at the Cornell lab of ornithology.
An opening activity at the Young Birders Event was an ice breaker where we all shared a species of bird we wanted to see during the event. Nearly everyone wanted to see a species of warbler that I had never heard of and I was sorry that I did not study the new world warblers prior to the event.
During our first birding outing we visited a forested area in Ithaca. As we started birding, yellow warblers and chestnut-sided warblers soon began singing around us. A group leader pointed out the chestnut sided warbler and I was struck by the distinctively colored plumage of the songbird and suddenly felt glad that I was surprised to see the chestnut-sided warbler for the first time without prior knowledge of the species.
As we continued on the trail, more species of warblers such as the Blackburnian Warbler, the Magnolia Warbler, and the Canada Warbler began appearing. Part of me felt happy that I had not studied these birds earlier and that I could be surprised by their beauty in the field.
In conclusion, being surprised by new birds in the field can make you appreciate species more than having prior knowledge of a species. I learned this lesson at the YBE and it has made me much more excited to learn about species that are unfamiliar to me.
August 1, 2025
Barn Swallow
I have always seen Barn Swallows flying above lakes or other bodies of water near grasslands and open fields. This particular swallow was my first good look at its brilliant, iridescent black back, orange cheeks, and soft peach-colored underbelly. Its forked tail hung prominently behind it, framed by long, angular wings. It was sitting on a "reserved parking spot" sign near public bathrooms in Grand Teton national park in Wyoming. I look closer and noticed that there were many other Barn Swallows perched on fence posts and nearby branches. They had nests tucked onto the side of the bathroom buildings, and some were trying in vain to clutch the walls for support and enter their nests. No one noticed these brilliantly-colored birds. Most people did give me an odd look briefly as they passed me, mostly because I had a large camera and was standing next to the bathroom stalls. I think it's very interesting how they went so unnoticed because now I could never just pass by the perfect opportunity to photograph birds that are mostly seen flying fast and high above us. I wonder what I could have missed in all my years as a child going to public bathrooms in national or city parks.