Birding

A Cedar Waxwing and a Bohemian Waxwing perched on a branch, both holding a berry in their mouth.
Stylish and Social, Winter Waxwings Provide a Wonderful ID Challenge
December 16, 2022 — Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings look very similar and are more likely to intermingle in the colder months. Here’s how to tell them apart.
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A flock of Common Redpolls fly through a snowy field in golden sunlight.
This Year’s Bonanza of Boreal Birds Once Again Bears Out the Winter Finch Forecast
December 15, 2022 — As predicted, grosbeaks, crossbills, and other northern birds are on the move, visiting feeders and delighting birders. Prognosticator Tyler Hoar explains what goes into the annual projection.
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A grid of six colorful photos of a wide variety of birds.
Log On and Team Up for a Whole New Type of Big Year
December 15, 2022 — Audubon staff used eBird in 2022 for a count that emphasized collaboration over competition. Here’s how to launch your own group effort.
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An illustration of 3 cartoon ducks—Surf Scoter, Northern Shoveler, and Red-breasted Merganser—each with labels describing distinctive features.
An Ode to Weird Duck Time
November 29, 2022 — Cartoonist Rosemary Mosco reflects on a season that’s special to her—and not only because she invented it.
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A flock of ducks flying in the same direction with an out of focus landscape in the background.
A Duck Hunter’s Tips for Quickly Identifying Waterfowl on the Wing
November 14, 2022 — Take limits require rapid ID of fast-flying birds—a useful skill for any birder. One waterfowler breaks down how she does it.
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Binoculars and a cell phone on a wood table outside, the eBird app open on the phone shows nearby birding hotspots.
A Beginner’s Guide to Using eBird
October 07, 2022 — Birders and scientists alike have come to depend on this powerful platform. New to birding or intimidated by eBird? Don’t worry, we’ve got you.
Birding
A plain, light-colored bird sings while perched on a mossy branch dappled in sunlight.
How Merlin Bird ID Helped Me Discover the ‘Elevator Music of Birding’
August 25, 2022 — After the seemingly magical song identification app helped me discover the Warbling Vireo's song, I now hear it everywhere I go.
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Here’s How Drastically Birding Has Changed Over the Past 50 Years
July 28, 2022 — On the 25th anniversary of his book "Kingbird Highway," Kenn Kaufman reflects on the many ways the hobby has transformed since he first hitchhiked across the country chasing birds in the 1970s.
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A seemingly endless flock of Royal Terns, mostly white and gray birds with spiky black crests and bright orange beaks, nest in a closely-packed crowd. A single bird in the center and its tiny, fuzzy, light-colored chick look towards the camera.
The Big Tern Cheat Sheet: How to ID Four Common Species
July 01, 2022 — In summer, North America’s four largest terns are near look-alikes. With a keen eye for detail you can tell them apart.
Birding