Birds

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…

Green is one of the rarest true bird colors in North America. While many birds appear olive-green (warblers, female buntings, immature birds), only a handful are genuinely emerald-green. Most ‘green’…

Small brown birds are the most identification-challenging group in North American birding. To the casual observer they all look alike — generic ‘LBJs’ (Little Brown Jobs). But each species has…

Grey is one of the most common base colors in North American birds — a subtle, neutral palette that helps birds blend with bark, shadows, and dappled light. From the…

A long tail dramatically changes a bird’s silhouette and makes for unmistakable identification from a distance. From the keel-shaped tails of grackles to the flowing streamers of Scissor-Tailed Flycatchers, long-tailed…

A crest — a tuft of erectile feathers on top of the head — is one of the most striking and recognizable features in birds. Crests serve multiple functions: visual…

A red beak (or bill — the terms are interchangeable in birding) is one of the most striking features in birds. Red bills come in two main types: the bright…