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Writing Box with Design of Wild Pink, Butterbar, and Bird

Writing Box with Design of Wild Pink, Butterbar, and Bird

Public domain reproduction of illuminated book page, 3d object, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Writing Box with Design of Wild Pink, Butterbar, and Bird

Writing Box with Design of Wild Pink, Butterbar, and Bird

Public domain photo of a golden object, Japan, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Örn i Skansens fågelvoljär. Sverige. Public domain image.

Örn i Skansens fågelvoljär. Sverige. Public domain image.

Bilden ingår i en serie skioptikonbilder, märkt "Serie C. No.23. F.F.M. Imp. Skansen. Örn"

Bird of prey with its meal, a common rock dove (Columba livia), Boston National Historical Park, 2016.

Bird of prey with its meal, a common rock dove (Columba livia), Boston...

North America's only indigenous passenger pigeon, which may have gathered in flocks numbering in the billions, became extinct in 1914 at the hands of humans. So, how are pigeons one of the most easily-recogniza... More

Chickadee at feeding station. Pleasant Valley Bird & Wild Flower Sanctuary. Lenox, Massachusetts.

Chickadee at feeding station. Pleasant Valley Bird & Wild Flower Sanct...

Photograph shows chickadee at feeding station. Public domain photograph - historical image of Massachusetts, United States, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

House finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, 2016.

House finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), Florissant Fossil Beds National Mo...

American rosefinches form the genus Haemorhous. This includes Cassin's finch (H. cassinii), the purple finch (H. purpureus) and the house finch (H. mexicanus). Identify the house finch by its streaked flank fea... More

A drawing of a woman holding a bird on her shoulders. Fairy tale vintage old.

A drawing of a woman holding a bird on her shoulders. Fairy tale vinta...

Eagle bird photographs: Free images of eagles, available for commercial use and free download. Copyright-free, no attribution required.

Rock wren (Salpinctes obsoletus), Saguaro National Park, 2015.

Rock wren (Salpinctes obsoletus), Saguaro National Park, 2015.

Like most desert animals, rock wrens don't drink water (even in captivity). They get their water from the insects and spiders they eat. They are also fantastic singers, especially males. He may have an amazing ... More

Eurasian collared doves (Streptopelia decoacto) in a tree near Bullfrog Marina, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, 2015.

Eurasian collared doves (Streptopelia decoacto) in a tree near Bullfro...

Native to warm and subtropical Asia, these doves were introduced to North America in the 1980's.

Jim Fowler of Mutual of Omaha's "Wild Kingdom" television program admires a bald eagle. Fowler is exhibiting the bird at the U.S. Air Force Association's annual gathering during which the 40th anniversary of the Air Force is being celebrated

Jim Fowler of Mutual of Omaha's "Wild Kingdom" television program admi...

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Base: Las Vegas State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Camera Operator: Garfield Jones Release Status: Released to Public Co... More

Florida Keys Scenic Highway - Feeding Time at the Wild Bird Center

Florida Keys Scenic Highway - Feeding Time at the Wild Bird Center

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Original Caption: A young boy tosses a handful of food to pelicans who know it is feeding time on the docks on Florida Bay at the Wild Bird Center in Tave... More

Hawaiian coot (Fulica alai), Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, 2015.

Hawaiian coot (Fulica alai), Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park...

The Hawaiian coot, also called 'alae kea' in Hawaiian, is similar to the American coot (Fulica americana) you are probably familiar with. They are similar in appearance, size and weight as well as both exhibiti... More

Steller's jay, Yellowstone National Park, 2005.

Steller's jay, Yellowstone National Park, 2005.

Steller's jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) is a jay native to North America and is, perhaps not surprisingly, closely-related to the blue jay. Jays are noisy, (usually) colorful birds in the crow family. This particul... More

A mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) blends into the swamp, George Washington Memorial Parkway, 2011.

A mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) blends into the swamp, George Washingto...

Mallards are also commonly called simply, 'wild duck'. This dabbling duck lives in wetlands and enjoys eating water plants and small animals. Highly social, it congregates in groups / flocks of varying sizes. T... More

Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), Hampton National Historic Site, 2012.

Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), Hampton National Historic S...

Northern cardinals are found in southern Canada, through the eastern US and south through Mexico in woodlands, gardens, shrublands and even swamps. The common & scientific names of this bird refer to the cardin... More

Wood stork among American alligators, Everglades National Park, 2015.

Wood stork among American alligators, Everglades National Park, 2015.

This wood stork (Mycteria americana) goes about its own business with American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) lounging nearby.

Black oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani), Kenai Fjords National Park, 2012.

Black oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani), Kenai Fjords National Park,...

Researchers study details in the black oystercatcher's eye to aid in determining the sex of the bird.

Tern (Sternidae), Missouri National Recreational River, 2012.

Tern (Sternidae), Missouri National Recreational River, 2012.

Picryl description: Public domain image of wildlife, wild animals, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria citrea), Congaree National Park, 2012.

Prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria citrea), Congaree National Park, 20...

Picryl description: Public domain image of a bird, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Black oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani), Kenai Fjords National Park, 2012.

Black oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani), Kenai Fjords National Park,...

Researchers study details in the black oystercatcher's eye to aid in determining the sex of the bird.

Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus), Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, 2012.

Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus), Bering Land Bridge National Preserve,...

Flammeus literally means "flaming" or "color of fire" in Latin. Owls belonging to the genus Asio are known as the eared owls because their tufts of feathers resemble mammalian ears. Interestingly, these 'ear' t... More

Great blue heron (Ardea herodias), Congaree National Park, 2012.

Great blue heron (Ardea herodias), Congaree National Park, 2012.

Picryl description: Public domain image of a mountain cliff view, natural rocky landscape, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria citrea), Congaree National Park, 2012.

Prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria citrea), Congaree National Park, 20...

Picryl description: Public domain image of wildlife, wild animals, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Tern (Sternidae), Missouri National Recreational River, 2012.

Tern (Sternidae), Missouri National Recreational River, 2012.

Picryl description: Public domain image of wildlife, wild animals, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, 2013.

Tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), Chattahoochee River National Rec...

These birds live in deciduous or mixed evergreen-deciduous woods above 2,000 feet elevation. Distinguish the tufted titmouse from other similar titmice by the black patch just above its bill. This bird has inte... More

Winter park residents, Rock Creek Park, 2013.

Winter park residents, Rock Creek Park, 2013.

These are just some of the park's winter residents; see the tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) in flight and the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) resting in the tree.

Red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, 2013.

Red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), Chattahoochee River Nat...

These woodpeckers have strikingly-barred backs and gleaming red caps. Don't confuse this species with the similar but rarer red-headed woodpecker which has a mostly black back with big white wing bars. If you c... More

California condor (Gymnogyps californianus), Cedar Breaks National Monument, 2013.

California condor (Gymnogyps californianus), Cedar Breaks National Mon...

This New World vulture is the largest land bird in North America and one of the world's rarest bird species. Sadly, the condor became extinct in the wild in 1987 which means that every condor you see has been c... More

Great blue heron (Ardea herodias), National Capital Parks - East, 2013.

Great blue heron (Ardea herodias), National Capital Parks - East, 2013...

Breeding great blue herons gather in colonies or heronries to build stick nests high off the ground. Known for its dagger-like bill, slow walk while stalking prey and a conspicuous S-shaped curl in its neck, th... More

California condor (Gymnogyps californianus), Cedar Breaks National Monument, 2013.

California condor (Gymnogyps californianus), Cedar Breaks National Mon...

This New World vulture is the largest land bird in North America and one of the world's rarest bird species. Sadly, the condor became extinct in the wild in 1987 which means that every condor you see has been c... More

Great blue heron (Ardea herodias), National Capital Parks - East, 2013.

Great blue heron (Ardea herodias), National Capital Parks - East, 2013...

Breeding great blue herons gather in colonies or heronries to build stick nests high off the ground. Known for its dagger-like bill, slow walk while stalking prey and a conspicuous S-shaped curl in its neck, th... More

Wood duck (Aix sponsa) ducklings, Rock Creek Park, 2013.

Wood duck (Aix sponsa) ducklings, Rock Creek Park, 2013.

The day after hatching, young wood ducks will climb to the tree nest entrance (or in this case, man-made nest box entrance) and jump! These precocial ducklings then make their way to the water where they are al... More

Long-eared owl (Asio otus), Mojave National Preserve, 2013.

Long-eared owl (Asio otus), Mojave National Preserve, 2013.

Those who approach quietly often see long-eared owls in the tamarisk trees at Kelso Depot Visitor Center. Over much of its range, long-eared owls occur with the similar-looking short-eared owl (Asio flammeus). ... More

Greater roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus), Montezuma Castle National Monument, 2013.

Greater roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus), Montezuma Castle Nationa...

Along with the lesser roadrunner (G. velox), it is one of only two species in the roadrunner genus, Geococcyx. The name 'geococcyx' is Latin for 'earth-cuckoo' but you may also know this bird by the name chapar... More

California condor (Gymnogyps californianus), Cedar Breaks National Monument, 2013.

California condor (Gymnogyps californianus), Cedar Breaks National Mon...

This New World vulture is the largest land bird in North America and one of the world's rarest bird species. Sadly, the condor became extinct in the wild in 1987 which means that every condor you see has been c... More

Prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria citrea), Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, 2016.

Prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria citrea), Jean Lafitte National Hist...

This small songbird is the only member of its genus, Protonotaria. Adult males have a bright orange-yellow head; females and immature birds are duller and have a yellow head.

California condor (Gymnogyps californianus), Cedar Breaks National Monument, 2013.

California condor (Gymnogyps californianus), Cedar Breaks National Mon...

This New World vulture is the largest land bird in North America and one of the world's rarest bird species. Sadly, the condor became extinct in the wild in 1987 which means that every condor you see has been c... More

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Fort Matanzas National Monument, 2013.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Fort Matanzas National Monument, 2013.

The osprey has many common names, including fish eagle, sea hawk, river hawk and fish hawk. While the osprey can live in a wide variety of habitats, it prefers to live and nest near bodies of water with an adeq... More

Young male Bullock's oriole (Icterus bullockii), Curecanti National Recreation Area, 2013.

Young male Bullock's oriole (Icterus bullockii), Curecanti National Re...

Bullock's orioles are sexually dimorphic, with males showing more color (as in the photo) than females. Males are also slightly larger and heavier. Juveniles resemble females with a pink or whitish bill and dar... More

Wild turkey, Wind Cave National Park, 2013.

Wild turkey, Wind Cave National Park, 2013.

The wild turkey is native to North America and is the same species as the domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Interestingly, the head and neck of the male (tom) turkey turns bright blue during courtship. So,... More

Western tanager (Piranga ludoviciana), Mesa Verde National Park, 2013.

Western tanager (Piranga ludoviciana), Mesa Verde National Park, 2013.

Find the western tanager at the park throughout spring and summer.

Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea), Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, 2013.

Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea), Bering Land Bridge National Preserve,...

The arctic tern is a strongly migratory seabird with a convoluted route between its northern breeding grounds and the Antarctic coast. By far, it has the longest known migration in the animal kingdom (up to 44,... More

Mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides), Craters of the Moon National Park & Preserve, 2013.

Mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides), Craters of the Moon National P...

The mountain bluebird is a relative of the eastern and western bluebirds.

Western scrub jay (Aphelocoma californica), Golden Gate National Recreation Area, 2014.

Western scrub jay (Aphelocoma californica), Golden Gate National Recre...

Don't confuse the scrub jay with a blue jay, which is an entirely different species of bird! True to its name, the western scrub jay prefers low scrub areas. These birds usually forage in pairs, family groups o... More

Tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata), Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, 2014.

Tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata), Glacier Bay National Park and Pre...

This puffin is easily differentiated from the only other two puffin species because of its thick red bill and yellow tufts.

Red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, 2014.

Red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), Sequoia and Kings Canyon Nationa...

As a perch-hunter, this bird sits atop branches and scans the ground for small animals to devour. If you see a raptor, identify the red-shouldered hawk by the rusty patches on its shoulders that give the animal... More

Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Arches National Park, 2014.

Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Arches National Park, 2014.

Blue-gray gnatcatcher (polioptila caerulea) catches a meal on the wing.

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), Sitka National Historical Park, 2015.

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), Sitka National Historical Park, 2015.

This wading bird is one of the most widespread of the curlews, which are a group of birds characterized by long, slender, downcurved bills and mottled brown plumage.

Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), George Washington Birthplace National Monument, 2014.

Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), George Washington Birthplace N...

Picryl description: Public domain image of a bird, eagle, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Great horned owl fledgling, Yellowstone National Park, 2014.

Great horned owl fledgling, Yellowstone National Park, 2014.

The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) was originally called the 'winged tiger' or 'tiger of the air' by naturalists, which has gained it the modern nickname of tiger owl. This extremely adaptable bird has suc... More

Arctic terns, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, 2014.

Arctic terns, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, 2014.

Arctic terns (Sterna paradisaea) will soon begin heading south. They fly from northern breeding grounds to antarctic wintering areas, travling up to 50,000 miles each year. Arctic terns are long-lived birds wit... More

American kestrel, Yellowstone National Park, 2014.

American kestrel, Yellowstone National Park, 2014.

The American kestrel (Falco sparverius) is the smallest falcon in North America and the smallest raptor in America (under traditional classifications.) Unlike other raptors, the sexes of the kestrel differ more... More

Spotted towhee (Pipilo maculatus), Pinnacles National Park, 2014.

Spotted towhee (Pipilo maculatus), Pinnacles National Park, 2014.

Look for the spotted towhee beneath the dense chaparral, noisily scratching at the leafy ground. This spunky bird will often be seen jumping backwards and scratching through the leaves, looking for seeds and in... More

Great blue heron (Ardea herodias), National Capital Parks - East, 2014.

Great blue heron (Ardea herodias), National Capital Parks - East, 2014...

Breeding great blue herons gather in colonies or heronries to build stick nests high off the ground. Known for its dagger-like bill, slow walk while stalking prey and a conspicuous S-shaped curl in its neck, th... More

Burrowing owl, Badlands National Park, 2014.

Burrowing owl, Badlands National Park, 2014.

Burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) nest and roost in burrows, like those excavated by prairie dogs. Because they live in open grasslands rather than forests, they have developed long legs that enable these lit... More

Starlings (Sturnidae), Nicodemus National Historic Site, 2014.

Starlings (Sturnidae), Nicodemus National Historic Site, 2014.

As summer becomes fall and fall becomes winter, Kansas witnesses one of the most impressive natural dramas: birds migrating south to warmer climates. These starlings, introduced to North America in the 1890s, a... More

Cactus wren, Saguaro National Park, 2014.

Cactus wren, Saguaro National Park, 2014.

True to its name the cactus wren (campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) builds nests in cactus plants, sometimes in a hole in a saguaro or sometimes where its nest will be protected by prickly cactus spines of a cho... More

Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) taking off, National Capital Parks - East, 2014.

Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) taking off, National Capital Parks -...

Breeding great blue herons gather in colonies or heronries to build stick nests high off the ground. Known for its dagger-like bill, slow walk while stalking prey and a conspicuous S-shaped curl in its neck, th... More

Brandt's cormorant, Redwood National and State Parks, 2014.

Brandt's cormorant, Redwood National and State Parks, 2014.

Brandt's cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) is a strictly-marine cormorant, inhabiting the Pacific coast of North America. The specific name penicillatus is Latin for 'painter's brush', meaning pencil of ha... More

Gambel's quail, Joshua Tree National Park, 2014.

Gambel's quail, Joshua Tree National Park, 2014.

Gambel's quail (Callipepla gambelii) chicks seek cover under Mojave yucca. Not to be confused with California quail (Callipepla californica), look for a black patch on the lower breast of the male bird. This pa... More

Waterfowl on the Kobuk River, Kobuk Valley National Park, 2015.

Waterfowl on the Kobuk River, Kobuk Valley National Park, 2015.

A flock of waterfowl, mostly mallards (Anas plathyrhynchos) and scaups (Aythya), rise up from the Kobuk River on a clear September day. Soon they will be gone and the land will seem a little quieter until next spring.

Sandhill cranes, Everglades National Park, 2014.

Sandhill cranes, Everglades National Park, 2014.

Sandhill cranes mate for life, choosing their partners based on dancing displays. They stretch their wings, pump their heads, bow and leap into the air during their mating displays. Juvenile sandhill cranes usu... More

Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), Fort Matanzas National Monument, 2014.

Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), Fort Matanzas National Monumen...

One of only three pelican species found in the western hemisphere and one of only two that feed by diving into water. Although a large bird in general, it is the smallest of the pelicans. Easily distinguish thi... More

Barred owl fledgling, Acadia National Park, 2014.

Barred owl fledgling, Acadia National Park, 2014.

The barred owl (Strix varia) is better known as the hoot owl because of its distinctive call. The only similar owl in an overlapping range is the spotted owl; however, the spotted owl, perhaps not surprisingly,... More

Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana), Grand Teton National Park, 2014.

Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana), Grand Teton National Park, ...

One Clark's nutcracker can cache up to 98,000 whitebark pine seeds in a single year. The gnarly whitebark pine survives in harsh environments with the help of birds like the nutcracker.

Birds are the most visible animals at the park, Pinnacles National Park, 2014.

Birds are the most visible animals at the park, Pinnacles National Par...

Picryl description: Public domain image of wildlife, wild animals, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Burrowing owl, Badlands National Park, 2014.

Burrowing owl, Badlands National Park, 2014.

Burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) nest and roost in burrows, like those excavated by prairie dogs. Because they live in open grasslands rather than forests, they have developed long legs that enable these lit... More

Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) families, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, 2014.

Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) families, Lake Roosevelt National Re...

Adult turkey hens with their baby turkeys, also known as poults.

Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, 2014.

Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), Pu'ukohola Heiau Na...

This heron can be found throughout most of the world, except the coldest regions and Australasia (where a related night heron is found instead). You probably know herons for their ambush predator behavior: a he... More

Piping plover chick, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, 2014.

Piping plover chick, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, 2014.

Piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) are sand-colored, sparrow-sized shorebirds that nest and feed along coastal sand and gravel beaches in North America. They're usually difficult to see when standing still and... More

Juvenile black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, 2014.

Juvenile black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), Pu'ukohola...

This heron can be found throughout most of the world, except the coldest regions and Australasia (where a related night heron is found instead). You probably know herons for their ambush predator behavior: a he... More

Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, 2014.

Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), Lake Roosevelt National Recreatio...

This powerful predator can take down birds and mammals that are larger than itself. However, that doesn't mean it will pass on tiny dishes like scorpions, mice and frogs. It's one of the most common owls in Nor... More

Tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), Yellowstone National Park, 2014.

Tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), Yellowstone National Park, 2014.

This migratory passerine breeds in North America and winters in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Very social outside breeding season, tree swallows may form flocks of several thousand birds near roost sites.

Great horned owl, Yellowstone National Park, 2014.

Great horned owl, Yellowstone National Park, 2014.

The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) was originally called the 'winged tiger' or 'tiger of the air' by naturalists, which has gained it the modern nickname of tiger owl. This extremely adaptable bird has suc... More

White-faced ibis (Plegadis chihi), Mojave National Preserve, 2014.

White-faced ibis (Plegadis chihi), Mojave National Preserve, 2014.

The white-faced ibis is very similar in appearance to the glossy ibis in its non-breeding plumage (as pictured). However, the white-faced ibis is smaller with somewhat warmer-colored plumage. To tell them apart... More

Long-billed curlew (Numenius americanus), Golden Gate National Recreation Area, 2014.

Long-billed curlew (Numenius americanus), Golden Gate National Recreat...

The long-billed curlew's diet includes many invertebrates and even some vertebrates; however, its bill is best adapted for capturing shrimp and crabs living deep below tidal mudflats or earthworms in flooded pa... More

Clark's nutcracker, Crater Lake National Park, 2015.

Clark's nutcracker, Crater Lake National Park, 2015.

One Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) can cache up to 98,000 whitebark pine seeds in a single year. The gnarly whitebark pine survives in harsh environments with the help of birds like the nutcracker.

Nēnē adults and goslings (Branta sandvicensis), Haleakalā National Park, 2014.

Nēnē adults and goslings (Branta sandvicensis), Haleakalā National Par...

Nene or nēnē (pronounced nay-nay), is the official state bird of Hawai'i. It is thought that the nene evolved from the Canada goose (Branta canadensis) after arriving on the Hawai'ian islands about 500,000 year... More

Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, 2014.

Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), Lake Roosevelt National Recreatio...

This powerful predator can take down birds and mammals that are larger than itself. However, that doesn't mean it will pass on tiny dishes like scorpions, mice and frogs. It's one of the most common owls in Nor... More

Nēnē on nest (Branta sandvicensis), Haleakalā National Park, 2014.

Nēnē on nest (Branta sandvicensis), Haleakalā National Park, 2014.

Nene or nēnē (pronounced nay-nay), is the official state bird of Hawai'i. It is thought that the nene evolved from the Canada goose (Branta canadensis) after arriving on the Hawai'ian islands about 500,000 year... More

Young barred owls, Everglades National Park, 2015.

Young barred owls, Everglades National Park, 2015.

The barred owl (Strix varia) is better known as the hoot owl because of its distinctive call. The only similar owl in an overlapping range is the spotted owl; however, the spotted owl, perhaps not surprisingly,... More

American goldfinch (Spinus tristis), Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, 2014.

American goldfinch (Spinus tristis), Wolf Trap National Park for the P...

This species has quite a large range and found anywhere from Wolf Park to as far west as California and north to British Columbia, Canada. The preferred habitat includes brushy thickets and weedy grasslands sim... More

Red-throated loons (Gavia stellata), Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, 2014.

Red-throated loons (Gavia stellata), Bering Land Bridge National Prese...

The red-throated loon is the most widely distributed of the loons but it breeds primarily in the Arctic. It is also the smallest and lightest of the loons. Look for the distinctive reddish throat patch during b... More

Wood stork (Mycteria americana), Fort Matanzas National Monument, 2014.

Wood stork (Mycteria americana), Fort Matanzas National Monument, 2014...

As of 2014, this large American wading bird is classified as a threatened species. It is the only stork presently breeding in North America, with small breeding populations in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina a... More

Common merganser (Mergus merganser), Glacier National Park, 2014.

Common merganser (Mergus merganser), Glacier National Park, 2014.

This large, long-bodied duck has long, thin wings and a very straight, narrow bill - which is very unlike the typical flat duck bill. Females, as you can see, have shaggy crests on the back of their heads. Male... More

American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), Cape Lookout National Seashore, 2014.

American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), Cape Lookout Nati...

Though uncommon at Cape Lookout NS in late fall, these striking American white pelicans were seen at Old Drum Inlet in October 2014. With a wingspan of about 8-feet, they are considerably larger than our reside... More

Eastern phoebe (Sayornis phoebe), Catoctin Mountain Park, 2014.

Eastern phoebe (Sayornis phoebe), Catoctin Mountain Park, 2014.

This tyrant flycatcher's common name comes from its song, which sounds like 'fee-bee'. The eastern phoebe has a white throat, dirty breast and buff underparts. Two other Sayornis (phoebe) species exist: the bla... More

Pileated woodpecker (Hylatomus pileatus), Fort Washington Park, 2014.

Pileated woodpecker (Hylatomus pileatus), Fort Washington Park, 2014.

This large, distinctive woodpecker doesn't migrate and should be fairly easy to spot in leafless trees during winter. To locate the pileated woodpecker, look for large, oval holes in dying trees where the bird ... More

Willet (Tringa semipalmata), Fort Matanzas National Monument, 2014.

Willet (Tringa semipalmata), Fort Matanzas National Monument, 2014.

Willets are a large shorebird in the sandpiper family, Scolopacidae. This willet caught a fiddler crab on the river shoreline. Other prey species include various marine invertebrates, grasshoppers or other insects.

Sandhill crane (Grus canadensis), Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, 2014.

Sandhill crane (Grus canadensis), Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, ...

Sandhill cranes mate for life, choosing their partners based on dancing displays. They stretch their wings, pump their heads, bow and leap into the air during their mating display. Juvenile sandhill cranes usua... More

Great blue heron (Ardea herodias), Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, 2014.

Great blue heron (Ardea herodias), Chattahoochee River National Recrea...

Breeding great blue herons gather in colonies or heronries to build stick nests high off the ground. Known for its dagger-like bill, slow walk while stalking prey and a conspicuous S-shaped curl in its neck, th... More

Barred owl (Strix varia), Chickasaw National Recreation Area, 2014.

Barred owl (Strix varia), Chickasaw National Recreation Area, 2014.

Picryl description: Public domain image of wildlife, wild animals, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Starlings (Sturnidae), Nicodemus National Historic Site, 2014.

Starlings (Sturnidae), Nicodemus National Historic Site, 2014.

As summer becomes fall and fall becomes winter, Kansas witnesses one of the most impressive natural dramas: birds migrating south to warmer climates. These starlings, introduced to North America in the 1890s, a... More

Sandhill cranes, Everglades National Park, 2014.

Sandhill cranes, Everglades National Park, 2014.

Sandhill cranes mate for life, choosing their partners based on dancing displays. They stretch their wings, pump their heads, bow and leap into the air during their mating displays. Juvenile sandhill cranes usu... More

Chipping sparrow (Spizella passerina), Theodore Roosevelt National Park, 2015.

Chipping sparrow (Spizella passerina), Theodore Roosevelt National Par...

Throughout the year, adults are gray below with an orangish-rush color above. Adults in breeding plumage (like the one pictured) have a persimmon-red cap, a white supercilium and a black trans-ocular line. Adul... More

Great white heron, Everglades National Park, 2015.

Great white heron, Everglades National Park, 2015.

An all-white population of the great blue heron (Ardea herodias), called the great white heron, is found only in the Caribbean and southern Florida. Once thought to be a separate species from the great blue her... More

Arctic terns, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, 2015.

Arctic terns, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, 2015.

Arctic terns (Sterna paradisaea) fly from northern breeding grounds to antarctic wintering areas, travling up to 50,000 miles each year. Arctic terns are long-lived birds with many reaching 30 years of age. Bas... More

Joshua Tree National Park - Gambel's quail (Callipepla gambelii), Joshua Tree National Park, 2015.

Joshua Tree National Park - Gambel's quail (Callipepla gambelii), Josh...

Not to be confused with California quail (Callipepla californica), look for a black patch on the lower breast of the male bird. This patch is absent in the California quail.

Yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea), Ocmulgee National Monument, 2015.

Yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea), Ocmulgee National Mo...

Two species of night herons are found in the Americas, the yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea) and black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax). Both species are stocky, wading birds with long... More

Rock wren (Salpinctes obsoletus), Zion National Park, 2015.

Rock wren (Salpinctes obsoletus), Zion National Park, 2015.

Like most desert animals, rock wrens don't drink water (even in captivity). They get their water from the insects and spiders they eat. They are also fantastic singers, especially males. He may have an amazing ... More

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