Tag: Science

Plate 47: American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus Shorebirds that can be heard from far away by their shrill and loud call. Where the summer holidays are spent by the sea—in places…

Plate 46: Yellow-Breasted Chat Icteria virens Though he prefers to hide in thickets and shrubs, his loud voice gives him away. The Yellow-breasted Chat is not only the largest, but…

Plate 45: Yellow-Billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus Shy, solitary birds better known by their note than by sight. This slim, long-tailed bird is far more common than people suspect for he…

Plate 44: Long-Billed Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris Nervous, active little bird with short wings that hides in long grasses. Crown brown, bordered on sides with black; white line over eye;…

Plate 43: Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata Dashing and impudent, this brilliant blue bird of the crow family is hard to miss. You may admire him greatly or hate him intensely.…

Plate 42: Green Heron Butorides virescens Found at the edges of ponds and creeks crouching in wait for food. Anyone who spends time near a lake, pond or stream will…

Plate 41: American Goldfinch Spinus tristis Small, twittering bird with a fondness for thistle seeds. The American or Common Goldfinch often is called “wild canary.” Altho he is not a…

Plate 40: Purple Grackle Quiscalus quiscula Member of the blackbird family that follows the plow in search of grubs and worms. Almost everyone who lives or has traveled any place…

Plate 39: Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Named for their call, these plovers fake a broken wing to distract predators from their young. The killdeer is the common plover which we see…

Plate 38: Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica High-pitched chatterers that prefer nesting in the eaves of buildings or your chimney. Unlike swallows which bend their wings, this bird holds his wings…

Plate 37: Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo Widely associated with Thanksgiving, these common birds are seen all year round. The sight of a flock of Wild Turkeys coasting on their strong…

Plate 36: White-bellied (white-breasted) Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis Active and agile little birds known for their habit of descending trees. Nuthatches are one of the few “upside-down” birds. Chickadees and titmice…

Plate 35: Maryland (Common) Yell0wthroat Geothlypis trichas Beautifully colored summer songbird found in thickets near roads and streams. The adult male of this species wears a black mask over his…

Plate 34: Virginia Rail Rallus limicola Marsh bird that is "seldom seen but often heard." The pig-like grunts and squawks of a pair of Virginia Rails may bewilder the casual…

Plate 33: Mottled Owl (Eastern Screech Owl) Megascops asio Small night bird known by its distinct and spooky call. The Screech Owl is the smallest of the eared owls, about…

Plate 32: American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla One of the most beautiful and conspicuous of the warblers. Here is a bird well worth finding. It is common and confiding, but its…

Plate 31: Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis Found perching on fence posts or telephone wires, these bright blue harbingers of spring are easy to spot. This small thrush, only slightly larger…