It was one of those mornings that felt promising, with the quiet rustle of the willows and brambles on the breeze in Keem Bay on Achill Island, County Mayo. As I moved to the edge of the gulley above the stone bridge, another birdwatcher mentioned a sighting earlier that caught my attention. In a small… Continue reading A vagrant in Ireland: a glimpse of the elusive Barred Warbler
Category: Bird Identification Aid
Sanderlings and a Lone Dunlin: A Moment on the Pebble Ballycastle Beach, Mayo
It’s early morning, and the pebble-strewn shore is alive with the soft chatter of shorebirds. Among them, a strong flock of Sanderlings (Calidris alba) scurries back and forth, their pale plumage blending into the beach’s muted tones. Darting in sync with the rhythm of the waves, they feed eagerly on small invertebrates. Just beyond them,… Continue reading Sanderlings and a Lone Dunlin: A Moment on the Pebble Ballycastle Beach, Mayo
Young Mediterranean Gull among the gulls of Blåvandshuk
You might simply be looking at the gulls on the beach at Blåvandshuk when, suddenly, one stands out as not quite belonging: a young Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) amidst the familiar grey and brown birds. Such a sighting is particularly interesting in early August. At this time of year, the gatherings of gulls at the… Continue reading Young Mediterranean Gull among the gulls of Blåvandshuk
Sulphur-breasted Parakeet in the Amazon
In the lush canopy of tropical forests, the vibrant colors of the Sulphur-breasted Parakeet (Aratinga maculata) shimmer against the deep green backdrop. Picture this: a group of these lively birds flutters about a fruiting mango tree, their bright yellow underparts contrasting with their green wings and backs. They chatter excitedly as they feast on ripe… Continue reading Sulphur-breasted Parakeet in the Amazon
Birding Yelkouan Shearwater in Sicily
The light over the Sicilian coast is even softer in the early morning. And the sea has only just begun to shift its hue from a deeper, metallic gray to an ever-brighter blue. I stand on a rocky headland facing the Isola delle Correnti, scanning the horizon where the boundary between water and sky blurs.… Continue reading Birding Yelkouan Shearwater in Sicily
Why a Once-Common Bird Is Disappearing: the Eurasian Tree Sparrow
In the past, it was simply part of the scenery. Anyone walking along village streets, passing by barns, or traveling through the countryside would hear the lively chirping of small sparrow flocks almost everywhere. Amidst hedges, fruit trees, and stables, the Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) was a familiar companion of daily life. Today, however,… Continue reading Why a Once-Common Bird Is Disappearing: the Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Is it correct to call Italian Sparrow a species?
It starts like a simple question on a walk through an Italian village: that small brown bird hopping between café tables, is it just another House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), or something more? Many bird enthusiasts have had this moment. The Italian Sparrow (Passer italiae) looks familiar, yet slightly different. That subtle difference opens a much… Continue reading Is it correct to call Italian Sparrow a species?
Goshawks as idols
I catch only a glimpse at first, a shadow slipping between trunks, fast and silent. It vanishes almost as soon as it appears. Moments later, the forest reacts, small birds scattering in alarm. Encounters like this are what make the Eurasian Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis or Astur gentilis) so compelling. It feels less like observing a… Continue reading Goshawks as idols
The Blue-crowned Motmot-complex
The song is a common sound of rain forest especially early in the morning. It is a monotone “boop-oop”. Occasionally, when duetting, there is a rolling series of hoots. Nevertheless, the first time you notice a motmot, it will probably be not due to its sound. Instead, it is the slow swing of the tail,… Continue reading The Blue-crowned Motmot-complex
Cinnamon Tanager near Garganta del Diablo at Iguazú
We arrive a little after 8:00 a.m. at the small landing stage near Garganta del Diablo. The morning still feels untouched. No visitors, no voices, only the wide murmur of the river and the humid air rising from the forest. A lone Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) stands on the railing of the walkway, as if… Continue reading Cinnamon Tanager near Garganta del Diablo at Iguazú
Gold-ringed Tanager in Tatamá mountains, a region in Colombia
The first time you notice it, it almost feels unreal. A small bird moves through the subcanopy, and suddenly a flash of gold catches the eye. For a moment it looks like a ray of sunlight caught in feathers. When the bird turns again, the pattern becomes clearer: a dark body, contrasted by striking golden… Continue reading Gold-ringed Tanager in Tatamá mountains, a region in Colombia
Andean Goose in the highest parts of Argentina
Morning on the high Andean plateau arrives quietly. Frost still clings to the grasses, and the shallow bog pools reflect a pale sky. In these open wetlands, movement is easy to spot against the sparse vegetation. A pair of large white birds stands near the water’s edge, occasionally lowering their heads to graze. Their black… Continue reading Andean Goose in the highest parts of Argentina