Category Archives: 2022 Birding Blog

2022 Birding Blog, Birds by State and Region, Top 5 Birds

Top 5 birds to find in Wisconsin

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Each state in the US has its own unique set of habitats and animals that live within their borders. Among these animals are many bird species that only live in particular regions of the country and can sometimes not be easily found anywhere else in the world. One state that harbors a surprising array of bird species is Wisconsin. With a great lake to the east, boreal forest to the north, and migratory flyways overhead, Wisconsin is home to some rare species that can only be seen in a handful of places around the country. While there are plenty of birds to see in Wisconsin, there are 5 that stand out as signature species of the state that are extremely hard to find in most other regions of the United States. Here are the top five birds to find in the Wisconsin

5. Greater Prairie Chicken

Greater-prairie Chicken
Greater-prairie Chicken

At number five on our list is a species that can usually only be found on the Great Plains, the Greater Prairie Chicken. These stout, plump looking birds reside in grasslands and prairies where they feed on seeds, grains, fruits, and insects. Greater prairie chickens are listed as vulnerable after experiencing a massive decline in their population between 1966 and 2015. The reason this species is at number five on a list of birds to find in Wisconsin is that the dairy state is one of the only place to find greater prairie chickens east of the Mississippi river as a breeding population lives in the middle of the state. The most reliable place to see them is at the Buena Vista Grasslands where a management area is set aside for these birds. The easiest time to locate Greater Prairie Chickens is in winter when they can be found roosting in trees in the early morning or foraging in fields as they stand out better against the snow. The other time of year they can be found is during spring when they lek and males put on displays for females. The University of Wisconsin Stevens point allows people to rent blinds during this time to get a close up view of the Prairie Chickens lekking.

4. Snowy Owl

Badgerland Birding searches for Snowy Owls along Lake Michigan

Coming in at number four is a majestic bird species extremely recognizable to the general public, the Snowy Owl. Although they are thought of as a bird exclusive to the high arctic, some of them migrate south into the northern United States in winter, allowing people in many of the states bordering Canada a chance to see them on an annual basis. Some years, few snowy owls can be found in the US while other years many of them end up crossing the Canada border and occasionally even turn up as far south as the Carolinas. Even though there are a handful of states to find Snowy Owls in, they typically show up in relatively good numbers in Wisconsin and in places accessible to birders. Some spots to look for them are the rocks along the Lake Michigan coastline and in open farm fields, both of which can be found in copious amounts in Wisconsin.

3. Connecticut Warbler

Badgerland Birding searches for an elusive Connecticut Warbler

The first warbler on the list is a species that breeds in the most northern recesses of the state, the Connecticut Warbler. Connecticut Warblers are skulky, ground foraging, migratory birds with a yellow underside, a gray head, and a white eye ring. These secretive birds are notoriously difficult to find and are normally only seen or heard during migration. Speaking of migration, the Connecticut Warbler’s path from its wintering areas in South America through Florida, and then spreading out over the Great Lakes states and into Canada. The Connecticut warbler finds itself at number 3 on our list for a variety of reasons. First, the species as a whole has declined significantly since 1966 making it harder to find in general. Additionally, the range of this uncommon species is rather small compared to that of most warblers. Lastly, the majority of Connecticut warblers breed in Canada with the only states in the US harboring Connecticut Warblers during the breeding season being Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

2. Kirtland’s Warbler

Kirtland’s Warbler

Landing at number 2 in our countdown is the once federally endangered Kirtland’s Warbler. Identified by their gray backs with black streaks, yellow throat and underside, and white eye crescents, this species (which some consider to be the holy grail of Eastern United States warblers) is still a very rare sight in most parts of the country. While they are off the endangered list, there are still only about 4,800 individuals in the global breeding population. One of the reason’s the Kirtland’s Warbler is so rare, is because they are so picky about the habitat they breed in. This species only nests in Jack Pines generally between 5 and 15 feet tall. Any shorter or taller and they find the habitat to be unsuitable. Kirtland’s Warblers do migrate, spending most of the winter in the Bahamas, and can be seen occasionally along their migratory route, but the best place to see them is in their summer breeding grounds. The selectiveness of the Kirtland’s Warbler means there are only a few areas where they can be reliably found including some parts of Southern Canada, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

1. Whooping Crane

Check this video out to learn more about Whooping Cranes

The top bird in our contdown is one that’s hard to miss if it’s around: the whooping crane. This massive bird has a wing span of 229 cm and is certainly one of the largest bird species in North America. They can be identified by their all white coloration with black wing tips and red on their head and face. What makes the Whooping Crane such a coveted bird to find is the fact that there are so few of them in the wild. Back in 1941, there were only an estimated 21 Whooping cranes in existence. Fast forward to now and there are around 600 of them between the wild populations and those kept in captivity. While there are certainly more of them around today, and the species has been trending in a slightly better direction, they are still not all that easy to locate. In fact, there are 4 populations of Whooping Cranes in the United States. One that lives in Texas and migrates to Canada, one that lives in Louisiana year round, one that lives in Florida year round, and one that migrates from Florida to Wisconsin. Considering the conservation status of the Whooping Crane and their overall rarity in the world, makes them an extremely sought after bird to find not only in the state, but throughout the continent. This fact elevates the Whooping Crane to the top of the list of the five best birds to find in Wisconsin

Did you enjoy this post? Let us know in the comments below. If you’re interested in a guided tour of some of the best places to bird in Wisconsin, click here. And as always, thanks for reading, we’ll see you next time, on Badgerland Birding.

2022 Birding Blog

What is World Shorebirds Day?

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Each year, fall migration brings a specific group of birds into the continental United States. These birds skitter around beaches and flooded fields, providing entertainment for birders who love them for their incredible variety along with the challenges that come with identifying them. What group is this? Shorebirds.

Shorebirds are sometimes thought of as any bird that frequents the coastlines of oceans and large lakes, but this isn’t quite accurate. In reality, the term “shorebird” describes a member of (a particular taxonomical group) the order Charadriiformes which includes birds such as sandpipers, plovers, snipe, and avocets among others. While the term “shorebird” is a somewhat colloquial term, it has gained popularity to describe these species.

Why was World Shorebirds Day created?

Red Knot
Red Knot

While some shorebird species are common, others are in significant trouble as their numbers drop and their habitats continue to disappear. As a result of the perilous future of shorebird species, World Shorebirds Day was born. World Shorebirds Day aims to bring awareness to these often overlooked species and create a fun event to help gather data on them.

When is World Shorebirds Day?

World Shorebirds Day is on September 6 each year and is surrounded by a shorebird count week. In recent years, this count week has been from September 1 through September 7.

How can I participate in World Shorebirds Day?

How to use eBird: A Beginner’s Guide

World Shorebirds Day is very easy to participate in. All you need is an eBird account. During the count week, go birding in locations where shorebirds could potentially be. Record your sightings on eBird, and then share your checklists with the username worldshorebirdsday. It’s also worth noting that the eBird mobile app can be a quick and easy way to count shorebirds.

How to use the eBird Mobile App: A Beginner’s Guide

Conclusion

World Shorebirds Day is a fun event that can add some excitement to the late summer and early fall. As migration begins, some amazing species will be moving through the continental United States, and what better way to celebrate than to go out and find them?

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2022 Birding Blog

5 Beginner Birding Mistakes You Should Stop Making

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Birding has a bit of a learning curve. Here are 5 beginner birding mistakes and how to prevent them. In the about 7 years I’ve been birding I’ve done all of these things and I’m sure I will do some of them again. This post is aimed for people going out and looking for specific species but can also apply to other aspects of birding. 

1. Forgetting Equipment

Number one, You forgot an important piece of equipment. There’s nothing worse than getting to your birding location only to realize you left your SD card in your laptop. Make sure that before your next trip, your camera batteries are charged, your SD cards are cleared and formatted, and you have your necessary gear such as a lens cleaning cloth, or other accessories. It’s also important that you have this gear ready at a moment’s notice because you never know when that next rare bird might show up.

2. Not Doing Your Research

Number two, you didn’t do your research. If you’re going after a rare bird it’s a good idea to get as much information about where it has been as possible. Check the eBird and list serve reports and reach out to people and ask. You’ll know more people over time and it will become much easier to do this. One of the worst things is showing up to a location and realizing it’s actually private property or only accessible by boat or something. The more you know beforehand the better. This can also help you build relationships with other birders and gather information you wouldn’t have known otherwise. Recently I went to look for a Couch’s Kingbird, and the eBird location turned out to not be the actual location the bird was being seen. I texted a friend and she gave me coordinates to the actual location nearby. Without this information, it would have been much harder to find the bird.

Check out the video below to see some examples of times we had to do a lot of prior research in order to find our target birds.

3. Jumping to ID Conclusions

Number three, concluding something you found is rare before looking at other options. This is something that happens when you’re normally not familiar with the birds in the area. You see something and look in the field guide or on the Merlin app and think you have the right species, but then you report it and it says it’s really rare. Sometimes spending a little more time with your field guide or searching online can prevent this, but also feel free to ask other birders or post on an ID page online. I will say however, sometimes new birders do find extremely rare birds and they’re correct on their ID. This happened to Ryan and I with a Red-shouldered Hawk, which is a relatively rare bird in Wisconsin. We took pictures of it and had our local naturalist help us with the ID. When we posted it to eBird, the reviewer asked for more information, and we had the photo to back up our sighting. Taking pictures of species you can’t immediately identify in the field also helps when you’re starting out because then they can be reviewed later. 

4. Starting With Expensive Gear

Number four, starting out with really expensive gear, In certain cases I’ve seen new birders get really excited and buy huge lenses and expensive equipment only to be frustrated that they’re not taking the kinds of photos or videos that they want to be taking. For beginners I’d suggest not worrying about having the newest, most high tech gear, and spend more time enjoying nature and learning about new species. I think a more versatile point and shoot camera is great, such as the Panasonic Lumix FZ-80.

Learn more about the Panasonic Lumix FZ-80

If you’re interested in purchasing the FZ-80 please consider using our Amazon Affiliate link by clicking here. We receive a small percentage from qualifying purchases.

5. Waiting to Go See Rare Birds

Number five, Waiting to go see rare birds. This one is tough because most people have work, school, and other commitments they can’t change, but if you want to see the newest rarity that was reported, my advice is to go as soon as possible. Many species can be one day wonders and the sooner you get to the site to try and see it, the better. Now of course, be safe, don’t speed, be reckless, or break any laws, but generally, this is true with most rarities. I remember one time there was a Barrow’s Goldeneye reported a few hours away from Ryan and I waited to go because I wanted to eat something before leaving. I finished my bowl of cereal and we left. Turns out we missed it by about 5 minutes. If I hadn’t eaten that bowl of cereal, we probably would have seen the bird.

All five of these mistakes are understandable and go along with the territory of being a beginner birder. That being said, any of these can still happen to skilled birders as well. Making mistakes is part of the learning process and these five have probably happened to most birders at one point or another.

2022 Birding Blog, ID Tips

Cooper’s Hawk vs. Sharp-shinned Hawk

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Cooper’s vs. Sharp-shinned Hawk is one of the most common identification questions for backyard birders. Adults both have a gray/blue back, long legs, and a banded tail, and juveniles also look similar to each other. However, if you know the identification points to look for, it can be much easier to differentiate the two.

When deciding between a Cooper’s or Sharp-shinned Hawk one of the first things to consider is range. The range of the Cooper’s Hawk spans over more of the United States year round, with Sharp-shinned Hawks spreading out more in the winter. Depending on the time of year, this could narrow down your choices.

Range

Size

First, let’s start with features that apply to adult and juvenile birds. In general, Sharp-shinned Hawks will be smaller than Cooper’s Hawks with the average individual measuring about 12.5 inches, and the average Cooper’s Hawk measuring about 16.5 inches. However, females are larger than males in both species and a large female Sharp-shinned Hawk can be about the same size as a small male Cooper’s Hawk. In general, if the bird seems very small (about Blue-jay size or smaller for Sharp-shinned) or very large (about crow sized or larger for Cooper’s) then then size can be used fairly reliably.

Shape

Another field mark present in both adults and juveniles is body shape and head size. Sharp-shinned Hawks will appear to not have much of a neck, with a small head. Cooper’s Hawks will appear to have normal proportions compared to other hawks. This feature can also be noticed in flight. The general body shape of a Sharp-shinned Hawk will also appear barrel chested with smaller hips, making the bird look top heavy, almost like the Hawk version of Gaston from beauty and the beast. The Cooper’s hawk body shape will be much more tubular with a center of gravity more near the middle of the body.

Legs

In adults and juveniles Sharp-shinned Hawks will appear to have longer thinner legs than Cooper’s Hawks and the eye on the Sharp-shinned may appear closer to the middle of the back and front of the head where in the Cooper’s they may appear closer to the front of the head, although this field mark can be subjective.

Tail

If you get a clear view of the tail this can also assist with ID, although I wouldn’t rely on this as your only field mark. In general, Cooper’s Hawks will have tail feathers that appear more rounded at this tips, while they are more squared off in the Sharp-shinned Hawk. This can be deceiving depending on how spread out the feathers are, and if there are missing feathers. There can also be differences in the amount of white on the tail tip (Cooper’s Hawks will have a broader white tip of the tailfeathers while Sharp-shinned may show a thinner white band) but this can be worn off the feathers which makes it a difficult feature to use reliably.

Flight Pattern

In flight, the Cooper’s Hawk will often fly with slower wingbeats before gliding. Sharp-shinned Hawks may have a more erratic-looking flight with faster wingbeats before gliding.

Hood vs. Cap

Now let’s move on to characteristics of only adult birds. Both Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks will have gray-blue backs with rufous and white barring on their chests, and red eyes. One of the more distinctive differences in adults is that the Sharp-shinned Hawk will often appear hooded with a dark nape while the Cooper’s Hawk will appear capped, white a light nape.

Neck

Sharp-shinned Hawks may also appear as though they don’t have a neck, while Cooper’s Hawks will normally show a more pronounced neck.

Chest Streaking

Now let’s move on to the juveniles. Juveniles of both species have brown backs with white spots, brown streaks on the chest, and yellow eyes. The most reliable color field mark is that the streaking on the chest is bold and larger in Sharp-shinned Hawks (it may also appear more blurry) and is thinner and more defined in Cooper’s Hawks. The streaking may also not go down as far on the lower stomach in Cooper’s Hawks.

Behavior

There are also some more anecdotal behaviors that have been noted between the species that may be true some of the time but not always. It’s been suggested that Sharp-shinned Hawks prefer to perch in trees and shrubs while Cooper’s Hawks may be found more often on fences or poles. Additionally, Cooper’s Hawks may target larger prey such as does while Sharp-shinned Hawks might go after smaller birds.

Summary

In summary, an adult Sharp-shinned Hawk will normally appear smaller with almost no neck, a broad chest, a hooded head, long thin legs, eyes closer to the middle of the head, and a squared off tail with a thin white tip. In flight they may also appear more erratic. Cooper’s Hawks will generally be larger with a capped head, normal neck, tubular appearance, thicker legs, eyes closer to the beak, and rounded tail feathers with a thicker white band at the end. Their wingbeats in flight may also appear slower. Juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawks will have more streaking on the chest that appears almost blurry, while Cooper’s Hawks will have finer, more defined streaking with possible less on the lower stomach. While you’re out in the field try to note as many ID features as you can and get photos when in doubt. In the end, it’s always okay to mark the bird down as a Cooper’s/Sharp-shinned Hawk. This is a tricky ID, but hopefully with these tips, you’ll be armed with the best knowledge about differentiating these two species.

If you prefer to watch our video on the topic, check out the link below!

2022 Birding Blog, ID Tips

Eastern Towhee vs. Spotted Towhee

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The Eastern Towhee and the Spotted Towhee are two extremely similar looking birds both native to the United States. While at a quick glance they may seem difficult to distinguish from one another, there are actually a few simple ways to tell them apart.

Fun Fact: The Eastern Towhee and the Spotted Towhee used to be lumped together as a single species called the Rufous-sided Towhee. To learn more about the Eastern Towhee check out this article.

Range

While range can’t always be used to correctly determine between Eastern and Spotted Towhees, much of the time it can be. These species have ranges that typically don’t overlap, but both have been known to end up in places they aren’t normally found in.

The Eastern Towhee resides in the Eastern United States, living year round in the Southeastern states such as Florida and Georgia. During summer, many of them migrate north ending up in places like New York, Southeastern Canada, and Michigan.

Click here to see a video of Badgerland Birding searching for an Eastern Towhee in its normal range.

Eastern Towhee Range Map by sdakotabirds.com

The Spotted Towhee is a bird of the Western United States and Mexico. They winter in the south-central U.S. in states such as Texas and Oklahoma and move into the Northwestern states and Southwestern Canada to breed. Many Spotted Towhees live in Western states such as California and Oregon year round.

Click here to see a video of Badgerland Birding finding a Spotted Towhee outside of its normal range.

Spotted Towhee Range Map by sdakotabirds.com

Most of the time, range is going to be a significant factor determining which of these two species is in the area, but they do sometimes cross over to the opposite side of the country, making location a fairly reliable, but not iron clad way of telling the Spotted and Eastern Towhee apart.

Coloration

Male Eastern and Spotted Towhees both look very much alike. Both have a black back, black head, white underside, and rufous color on their sides. However, there is one major diagnostic difference; the Spotted Towhee lives up to it’s name and has white spots on its back and wings. The Eastern Towhee does have white markings on it’s back and wings but not nearly to the same degree as the Spotted Towhee.

The females of these two species look fairly different. The female Eastern Towhee has brown on its back, wings, and head, with the same rufous sides and white underside as the male. The female Spotted Towhee looks just like the male Spotted Towhee complete with white markings on the wings and back, but has more of a charcoal gray color, making it look quite different from the female Eastern Towhee.

Eastern Towhee vs. Spotted Towhee
Eastern Towhee vs. Spotted Towhee

Song

The Eastern and the Spotted Towhee have very similar calls. but with subtle differences. The Eastern Towhee sounds something akin to “drink your tea” with the first note being sharp and the rest of the call being a trill. They also make other sounds as well including a “chew-wee” or”tow-hee” call.

Eastern Towhee Call

The Spotted Towhee’s call is a lot like that of the Eastern Towhee but it can have several sharp notes before a more accentuated and somewhat faster sounding trill.

Spotted Towhee Call

Eastern Towhee summary

An adult Eastern Towhee will have the following characteristics that can be used to separate them from Spotted Towhees:

Range in the Eastern half of the United States

A mostly black back and wings with some white markings but no true “spots”

Overall brown color on the head, back, and wings of the female

A song that sounds like “drink your tea,”

Eastern Towhee
Eastern Towhee side profile

Spotted Towhee summary

An adult Sotted Towhee will have the following characteristics that can be used to separate it from an Eastern Towhee:

Range in the Western half of the United States

A black back and wings with numerous white spots

Gray color on wings, back, and head of female that looks otherwise the same as the male

A song that sounds faster and more buzzy than the Eastern Towhee with more notes at the beginning of the call

Eastern Towhee x Spotted Towhee hybrid

It’s worth noting that these two species do hybridize and can often create offspring that confuse birders. Hybrid Eastern and Spotted Towhees can be identified by the markings on the back and wings. They will have a combination of white lines, blotches, and spots. To see what one of these hybrid birds looks like you can click here.

Conclusion

At first, the Eastern Towhee and the Spotted Towhee look like very similar species. However, with a bit of knowledge on how to distinguish them, it can be a lot easier to make a positive identification.

2022 Birding Blog

Common Questions About the Gila Woodpecker Answered

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Where do Gila Woodpeckers live?

Gila Woodpeckers can be found in some of the southwestern states in hte U.S. including Arizona, California, and New Mexico. They also live throughout most of Mexico. This woodpecker species lives in a variety of habitats including urban areas and riparian zones but is most known for its ability to survive in arid places such as deserts.

How does the Gila Woodpecker survive in the desert?

The Gila Woodpecker is well suited for life in a hot and arid environment. They get most of the liquid they need from the food they eat so they don’t need s consistent supply of water. Additionally, they are able to use the Saguaro Cacti in the desert as a nesting site as well as a shady and cooler place to spend the hottest times of the day.

What does the Gila Woodpecker eat?

Gila Woodpeckers eat a very wide variety of food items including spiders, worms, insects, berries, cactus fruit, nuts, other birds eggs, and much more. They will even feed from bird feeders taking things such as suet and corn. Much like other woodpecker species, Gila Woodpeckers find insects and other invertebrates by tapping on dead trees and triangulating the position of anything living below the surface of the tree.

Why is the Gila Woodpecker endangered?

Although the Gila Woodpecker has just a small range in the United States, it is NOT federally endangered and is a currently a species of low conservation concern.

What does a Gila Woodpecker do in a cactus?

Gila Woodpeckers use cacti (specifically the Saguaro Cactus) as a nest site. The adult pair will excavate a cavity and often wait for the newly created nesting site to dry before using it. It’s worth noting that Gila Woodpeckers don’t only nest in cacti but actually use a wide variety of trees. However, here is something quaint about this particular species nesting in a cacti.

Is the Gila Woodpecker a flicker?

The Gila Woodpecker is not a species of flicker and is distinctly different from both Northern Flickers and Gilded Flickers. Some of the behavioral differences between flickers and woodpeckers is that flickers perch horizontally more often and spend more time on teh ground than woodpeckers do.

How does the Gila Woodpecker help the Saguaro Cactus?

The Gila Woodpecker has something of a symbiotic relationship with the Saguaro Cactus. The woodpecker helps the cactus by eating its fruit and spreading its seeds to new areas of the desert. It’s also possible that Gila Woodpeckers eat insect pests that could pose a problem to the cacti if left unchecked. In return, the woodpeckers get a place to nest as well as an ampersand’s supply of fruit.

Do Gila Woodpeckers mate for life?

Many sources indicate that Gila Woodpeckers mate for life but the majority of these sources use anecdotal evidence as data. It does seem that during a particular breeding season, Gila Woodpeckers are monogamous, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that they keep the same pair for the duration of their life.

Do Gila Woodpeckers have a yellow belly?

Gila Woodpeckers do not have yellow bellies. Their underside is actually tan with their back having black and white patterned feathers and adult males having red on the top of their head.

What is special about Gila Woodpeckers

The Gila Woodpecker is a hardy bird that manages to not only survive but thrive in a hostile environment. If you ever get the chance to travel to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, make sure to take some time and track down this interesting species.

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2022 Birding Blog, Top 5 Birds

5 Common Backyard Birds you DON’T want at your bird feeder

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Bird feeding is an absolutely massive industry in the United States, and why wouldn’t it be? The hobby of feeding birds offers people the chance to get up close looks at a wide variety of species ranging from cute to extremely bright. While there are plenty of amazing birds to play host to, there are also some that you really don’t want making themselves at home at your bird feeder. Whther it’s due to their gregarious nature, or the way they bully other birds, here are 5 birds you don’t want visiting your bird feeder. 

Before we get started, keep in mind that this is a subjective list and some people may adore these particular species and welcome them to their yard and at their bird feeders. We aren’t saying any of these birds are necessarily bad, but rather that they may be problematic for other species in the yard.

Common Grackle

Common Grackle

Kicking off the countdown is a large blackbird species wide spread across much of the United States: the Common Grackle. Common Grackles live in Eastern North America with their summer range expanding north into Canada and west as far as Idaho. They are actually quite sleek in appearance with a long tail, jet black body,  iridescent head, and bright yellow eye. While they are a native species and therefor not a huge problem from an invasive standpoint, they can still pose problems due to the way they behave around the feeders. With a larger size than most other backyard birds, Common Grackles tend to take over and can become bullies. Additionally, they tend to flock with other black bird species, meaning there will probably be an all out onslaught of activity at the feeder when they are around, thus preventing other birds from getting seeds. 

European Starling

European Starling

The first invasive species on our list; European Starlings are native to Europe and Asia but were released into the united states, eventually spreading across the country. To be fair, starlings are actually quite beautiful birds with many different colors shining from their feathers, but the problem is that where there is one, many are sure to follow as these flocking birds gather together in large groups. If starlings find a bird feeder, they often dominate the space, and prevent other more timid bird species from approaching. Additionally, European Starlings are cavity nesters, and will occupy bird houses and other suitable nesting sites, preventing native species from using them. In sum, European Starlings can have a negative impact on the biodiversity of a yard, but they aren’t nearly as destructive as other species on this list.

Cooper’s Hawk

Cooper’s Hawk

Where there is an abundance of prey items, there are sure to be predators. One of the biggest natural threats to backyard birds are raptors such as Cooper’s Hawks. Other species that could occupy a spot on the list for a similar reason are Sharp-shinned Hawks and Merlins. Out of these birds, the Cooper’s Hawks gets the nod due to the fact that their range encompasses most of North America, and because they seem to often be found loitering around bird feeders. These large yet streamlined raptors feed mostly on medium sized birds such as Robins, Mourning Doves, and Woodpeckers, but have been known to catch smaller birds as well. Cooper’s Hawks are native to North America and are an important part of the ecosystem, but it’s understandable why feeder watches don’t want the birds they care for and become familiar with killed by anything, even another bird.  These predators are extremely good at what they do, landing them a spot at number three on the list, but keep in mind that their presence could actually be a sign of a healthy ecosystem.

Brown-headed Cowbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

Although Brown-headed Cowbirds are native to North America and are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, most people dislike them because they are brood parasites. This means that rather than raising their own young, they lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. The young often outcompete or kill the other nestlings and can sometimes be seen being fed by their different species parents. Cowbirds often flock with other blackbirds and can show up in very large numbers, not only preventing other species from getting food but most likely also parasatizing their nests. It’s also worth noting that the Brown-headed Cowbird is extremely wide spread in the United States, meaning that people in almost every state have most likely encountered them at some point. The fact that Brown-headed Cowbirds being in a yard means that other species have less of a chance to raise young makes them one of the most despised species by backyard bird lovers, and puts them at number two on our list. 

House Sparrow

House Sparrow

Coming in at number one is a species that anyone living in a city is probably familiar with: the House Sparrow. Some people enjoy having House Sparrows at their feeders, and they are pretty humorous to watch with their constant bickering. However, there are even more people who completely detest them. The reason for this is because much like the European Starling, House Sparrows are not originally native to North America and spread like wildfire across the country upon their release into the New World. Not only are they numerous, but they are also extremely territorial and aggressive, often outcompeting other species. In addition to their antics at bird feeders, House Sparrows have been known to kill cavity nesting birds such as Eastern Bluebirds, and anyone who has ever had to deal with them invading a bird house knows the horror that they can inflict on more passive species. If House Sparrows take up residence near a bird feeder, they are hard to get rid of and have posed major problems ever since they were first introduced to North America, earning them the title of the number one common backyard bird, that you don’t want visiting your bird feeder. 

Do you agree with our list? Are there species you would add or remove? Let us know in the comments below. Also, if you enjoyed this post, please like and subscribe as it helps our channel continue to grow. Thanks for watching, we’ll see you next time, on Badgerland Birding.

2022 Birding Blog, Bird Facts

Gila Woodpeckers: 5 Fascinating Facts

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The Gila Woodpecker is an extremely interesting species at home in places inhospitable to other birds. This medium sized, boisterous woodpecker is most often thought of as a habitat specialist living amongst the cacti of America’s deserts. In reality, that is in fact a completely accurate depiction. However, there is even more to this species than meets the eye. Here are five fascinating facts about the Gila Woodpecker.

They only live in a few States

The Gila Woodpecker is an extremely specialized species that only resides in the American southwest and Mexico. The population in the United States is concentrated in just three states; California, Arizona, and New Mexico, with the vast majority of that population residing in Arizona. Additionally, Gila Woodpeckers rarely stray from their normal range and simply don’t show up away from their expected habitats.

They thrive in places with no trees

Gila Woodpecker
Gila Woodpecker on Saguaro Cactus

While Gila Woodpeckers will certainly forage and nest in trees, they do not need them to survive or breed. A large part of this is because they utilize giant Saguaro Cacti as nurseries. During their breeding season, Gila Woodpeckers excavate cavities in living cacti, and then use them to raise their young. It’s worth noting that these woodpeckers typically wait a few months after creating the nest cavity to use it in order for any liquids in the cactus to dry.

They create homes for many other species

The cavities created by Gila Woodpeckers are not only used by the woodpeckers themselves. After the woodpeckers are done nesting, several other bird species may take up residence in the shelter including Elf Owls, flycatchers, thrashers, and Cactus Wrens among others.

They become aggressive during breeding season

After creating a nest cavity and taking up residence in their new cactus home, male Gila Woodpeckers actively defend their territory. They will do this by chasing off any birds that gets too close, even if that bird is a larger size such as White-winged Doves. They will also call loudly to warn other birds not to cross their boundaries.

They eat almost anything

Gila Woodpecker
Gila Woodpecker at Saguaro National Park

Gila Woodpeckers are omnivorous and eat an extremely wide variety of food items. Much of their diet consists of insects and other invertebrates including spiders, grubs, worms, grasshoppers, and cicadas, but they also eat fruits, eggs of other birds, and even hatchlings of other birds. One very important thing that Gila Woodpeckers eat is the fruit of the Saguaro cactus. During the months when this fruit is available, these woodpeckers will eat copious amounts of it and inadvertently spread the seeds to new locations, thus proliferating the spread of Saguaro cacti. Gila Woodpeckers will also visit bird feeders and eat suet, nuts, and corn.

Conclusion

The Gila Woodpecker is an extremely unique species of Woodpecker only found in a very specific part of North America. They are extremely tough and have found a way to survive in one of the most harsh environments in the continent. They are an important part of the ecosystem where they live, and bring a lot of energy into what can sometimes at first glance seem to be a lifeless desert.

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2022 Birding Blog

What is the Great Backyard Bird Count?

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Every February, an event occurs in the birding world that is open to everyone across the globe: The Great Backyard Bird Count.  The Great Backyard Bird Count aims to collect data on bird populations before their annual spring migration, and the organizations behind the count need your help! Here is everything you need to know about this massive event and how you can join in on the fun. 

History of the Great Backyard Bird Count

In 1998, an initiative was created by the Cornell lab of Ornithology in conjuncture with the National Audubon Society to try and gather data on birds. The idea was for citizens to aid in data collection to get as much information as possible, and The Great Backyard Bird Count was born.

The GBBC as its abbreviated, was the first online community science project to focus on wild birds and actually show results as they came in, making it highly interactive and appealing to participants. 

In 2009, Birds Canada joined the other two organizations and in 2013 the great backyard bird count went global as eBird started being used to tally results.

Over the years the GBBC has grown with over 300,000 people participating and over 6,000 species being tallied on an annual basis.

What is the Great Backyard Bird Count?

Why is the Great Backyard Bird Count Important?

The Great Backyard Bird Count is important for a few different reasons. First, the data gathered by participants is used to analyze trends in bird populations and gain a better understanding of which species may be in need of help. Additionally, the data can also be compared with past years to see a clearer picture of what populations may be like in the future. Overall, there are a lot of ways the data ends up getting used, and it can help scientists see potential problems for birds before they progress to far to be fixed.

When is the Great Backyard Bird Count?

The dates of the Great Backyard Bird Count vary depending on the year. In 2022 the Count took place from February 18th to February 21st.

How do You do a Bird Count?

To join in the count, find a window of 15 minutes or more during the four day window to look for birds either out in the wild or in your back yard. Tally the birds that you see and submit them with either eBird or Merlin. 

You can enter the bird reports as an individual or as a group by sending your data to a single person in your group and having them submit all of the sightings together. To do this, the eBird trip reports feature could be a good option. 

How to use the eBird Trip Reports feature

In addition to the birding and tallying, there are some other ways to get involved too. By adding photos of the birds you see to your eBird checklists you can enter them into the Macauley library, a photo data base connected to eBird. You may even be lucky enough to have your photos featured.  Additionally, you can send in photos of people in your group birding to share your experiences during the count. Last but not least, you can also keep track of the lists coming through by way of the live map.

Who Sponsors the Great Backyard Bird Count?

Wild Birds Unlimited is the original and primary sponsor of the Great Backyard Bird Count.

Conclusion

The Great Backyard Bird Count is a fun and easy way to participate in a global initiative to collect data on birds. Anyone and everyone can do it from beginners, to feeder watchers, to advanced birders. The information collected provides a clearer picture of bird populations accross the globe and each person is important in making the information as accurate as possible. So go out, and have fun during the Great Backyard Bird Count. And as always, thanks for reading, we’ll see you next time, on Badgerland Birding.

2022 Birding Blog, Editorials

Birding is an Awesome Hobby: Here are 5 Reasons Why

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You may be surprised to learn that one of the fastest growing outdoor hobbies is birding. Birding is defined as the observation of birds in their natural habitats as a hobby. Once thought of as an activity reserved for retirees, birding is starting to catch on with a whole new generation, because as it turns out, birding is awesome, and these are the top five reasons why.

Birding takes you to unique places


Something great about birding is that it can take you to a variety of places. Birds live in pretty much every environment and location imaginable, so there’s no shortage of locations to visit. Many of them are beautiful and scenic, while others are urban and populous. State parks, natural areas, large cities and backyard bird feeders are all places people go to find birds. Sometimes the most memorable birding trips can be the ones involving the most ecclectic places that you woudn’t have gone to if not for the birds. Birding is essentially a scavenger hunt that takes place in every corner of the world so who knows what strange and wonderful place you will end up visisting because of it.

Horicon Marsh
Horicon Marsh

Birding can be low cost


In terms of cost effective hobbies, birding can be at the top of the list. It’s totally free to go outside and take a walk, or stay inside and look out the window. Otherwise a state park sticker and the cost of gasoline can open up a lot of possibilities on a small budget. That being said, there can be some aspects of birding that are more on the pricey side. Buying gear like cameras, scopes, and binoculars can certainly be expensive, but those types of items are typically one time or infrequent purchases and while helpful, they are not necessary to be a birder. The good news is that to participate in birding, the costs can be minimal to non existent depending on what you want to do.

Birding can be social


While some people love the solitutde of birding by themselvs, there are also many who love the social aspect of birding. Just like any community, the birding community has many forums, message boards and groups, both online and in person to participate in. Chances are, there is some sort of bird club or ornithological society nearby and even if there isn’t there are almost certainly other birders nearby that can be found via facebook or other social media sites. Whether you’re looking for a tight knit group to go birding with our a larger community to share ideas with, you can certainly find it.

Birding can be competitive


While many people think of birding as a leisurly activity, it can actually be quite competitive. The Big Year is a birding competition in which people try to find as many bird species as they can in a calendar year. While this type of bird competition can be a long grind, others are more fast paced such as big day competitions where birders try and find as many species as they can in a single day. There are also birding records that include the first person to see a bird in a particular county or state as well as life list totals. If there is something that can be quantified in birding, chances are that someone has started a competition around it. For people that are competitive and love nature, birding can be an incredible hobby.

Fox Sparrow
Fox Sparrow

Birding can be what you want it to be


Undoubtedly one of the best things about birding is that it is what you make it. Since there are so many different fascets to the hobby, there is something for everyone and each individual can find a niche that suits them. Since there are no firm rules governing the hobby it really is up to each person to make birding what they want it to be. If they want to be a competitive lister, bird photographer, or casual feeder watcher it’s all under the umbrella of birding.


Although birding is starting to gain traction as a main stream hobby, some people have predicted that birding is about to get much more popular, and It makes sense that it would. There are so many things about birding that make it an incredibly fun hobby for people of all ages and skill levels that it’s only a matter of time before the secret gets out. Do you know people who would enjoy birding? Send them this article and get them started on their journey.