Bird Identification

Downy vs hairy woodpecker: the downy is small with a short bill, the hairy larger with a long bill. Here is every difference in size, bill, tail, and voice.

Spotting a red bird is one of the most striking moments in backyard birding. The intensity of red in a male Northern Cardinal, the brilliant scarlet of a tanager, or…

Blue is one of the rarest colors in nature — and one of the most striking when it appears on a bird. From the sky-blue Mountain Bluebird to the deep…

Yellow is one of the most common colors in North American birds, appearing on dozens of species ranging from the brilliant American Goldfinch to the diverse warbler family. Yellow plumage…

Black birds are among the most commonly seen and most commonly misidentified birds in North America. The American Crow looks similar to the Common Raven; grackles look like blackbirds; starlings…

Brown is the most common color in North American birds — and the most challenging for identification. Dozens of species share generally brown plumage with subtle variations in streaking, tail…

Black and white plumage is one of the most common color patterns in North American birds — and one of the easiest to spot from a distance. The bold contrast…

A bird with a red head is among the most striking sights in backyard birding. From the brilliant all-red Northern Cardinal to the dramatic black-and-white Red-Headed Woodpecker, red-headed birds catch…

A yellow breast is one of the most attention-grabbing features in birds — bright, photogenic, and immediately diagnostic for many species. From the brilliant lemon-yellow of an American Goldfinch to…

Orange in birds occupies the visual space between red and yellow, often appearing as warm rust, fiery orange, or bright citrus depending on the species. From the brilliant Baltimore Oriole…