Some clues to help distinguish between these two often-confused finches.
What’s That Bird?
Have you ever seen a large, black bird fly by and wondered: Is that a crow or a raven? Do you have trouble telling the difference between a swallow and a swift? Is that sound you’re hearing an owl or dove? You are not alone. Many people are curious about the wide variety of birds they encounter, and putting names to those birds is a rewarding experience. We’re here to help with resources to help you, from our bird ID app to our birding hub.
Here at Audubon, we love encouraging people to learn more about the birds around us because there is no guarantee that they will be around forever. For a half century, bird populations have been declining due to habitat loss and climate change. It’s part of our mission to protect birds and ensure that they are around for future generations to study and admire.
For more than a century, we’ve preserved bird habitats, conducted scientific research, worked with policymakers to enact commonsense conservation laws, and engaged communities across the hemisphere to protect the natural resources upon which birds—and we—depend. Our hemispheric approach recognizes that the majority of bird species in the Americas migrate annually between Canada, the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Our programs are like the birds—not bound by political boundaries and seamlessly integrated across the Western Hemisphere. We are working to halt, and ultimately reverse, the decline of bird populations across the Americas. Will you join us?
A close look at these two doppelgängers shows some key contrasts in markings and song.
Don’t let this ID cook your goose. Here are a few tips to help you solve the puzzle.