A male wild turkey (western variety) fans out his majestically ruffled and iridescent feathers. (Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com)
NOVEMBER 2025
Wild Turkey
November’s bird is a turkey.
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No, I’m not talking about the ones destined for the Thanksgiving table. I’m talking about the turkeys left to roam free throughout North America. You can find wild turkeys in every state except Alaska, and I’ve had the joy of seeing a few of them freely going about their business.
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Once was during the morning rush, when I saw a turkey walking along the busy road that I took to work. Mind you, this wasn’t a country rural road. In fact, it was right outside a D.C.-area airport. Another notable sighting happened just this year, when a friend texted me a video of two wild turkeys crossing her suburban front lawn.
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Below are a few fun facts about these impressively large and beautiful birds (okay, their naked wrinkled heads are a little odd, but you can’t beat those beautiful ruffly feathers).
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Fact #1: Wild turkeys eat a variety of foods: acorns, nuts, berries, seeds, grasses. But did you know they will also eat bugs, snails, and small reptiles?
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Fact #2: Contrary to what many believe, turkeys really can fly. Well, at least the wild ones can. You won’t catch them soaring above the mountaintops, but you can find them flying up into trees to roost for the night.
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Oh, and that story about Ben Franklin wanting the turkey to be our national bird? Unfortunately, that’s just a myth (although he did respect turkeys).
An Eastern Screech-Owl perches on a leafy branch in autumn, its eyes open wide. (Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com)
OCTOBER 2025
Eastern Screech-Owl
For October we’re staying with owls. But this time, let’s talk about one of the smallest (and cutest) species: the Eastern Screech-Owl.
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How tiny are they? Well, at their smallest they can be about six inches tall and weigh only about four ounces. They eat small mammals and reptiles, as well as insects and even earthworms. And just like other owls, they sometimes eat other birds, too—in this case, we’d be talking smaller songbirds.
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Now, I don’t have much experience with these guys, but my husband claims to have seen one perched on the roof of our car in Florida one night. By the time I’d come out to see it, it was gone (that happens a lot with me, by the way).
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One really cool thing about this owl is the sound that it makes, which is perfect for spooky season. They have a variety of calls and songs, but the one that stands out the most is their haunting whinny. Think of a horse, but higher pitched and spookier.
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And now imagine hearing it while walking alone in the woods at midnight…
With piercing yellow eyes, a Great Horned Owl stares off into the distance. Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com)
SEPTEMBER 2025
Great Horned Owl
School is now in full swing, so what better bird to feature than our favorite feathered teacher—the owl! I’m sure most of you have seen images of owls wearing graduation caps caps and glasses (or similar accessories). I think the Great Horned Owl best pulls off the look. Of course, the ones I’ve met out in the wild only wore feathers, but they still had a wise air about them.
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I’ve come face to face with a few Great Horned Owls, and I’ve also heard them hoot. One time I heard their deep Who’s awake? Me, toooo during a late afternoon stroll in a Virginia park. I was surprised because it was still daytime. Later I learned that these owls will sometime hoot around sunset and sunrise.
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Great Horned Owls are large owls (some would say “thick”) with dramatic ear tufts. These owls are widespread in North America in a wide variety of wooded habitats, and they eat a wide variety of prey—from rabbits to ducks to reptiles and more. (This might be a good time to remind everyone to keep your cats indoors!)
Photo: A Prothonotary Warbler perched on a leafy branch. (Credit: Shutterstock.com). Look for these birds deep in the woods near streams, ponds, or lakes.
JULY/AUGUST 2025
Prothonotary Warbler
If you hear a birder shout, "Hey, I spotted a “lifer!” that means it’s the very first time they encountered that particular species. Well, ladies and gents, I spotted a lifer this summer: The Prothonotary Warbler!
Honestly, I’ve never actively searched for this bird. I think the name turned me off. But with the help of a guide from the Delaware Ornithological Society, I saw this adorably beautiful bird while on a group birding walk in June. We were at Killens Pond State Park, crossing a footbridge where the MurderKill River (yes, another odd name) meets the pond. The warbler decided to stop on a low branch at the water’s edge, only a few feet from the group.
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I didn’t get a picture, as usual. I’m not even sure I had time to raise my binoculars. But I got a good look at the bird because, like I said, it was really close. I believe it was male, because the feathers were so bright.
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So what’s up with the name? Well, it stems from that yellow plumage, which resembles the bright yellow robes worn by prothonotaries, who were papal clerks of the Roman Catholic Church. Can you guess the other bird named after a Catholic official?
Photo: A Chipping Sparrow perched atop a splintered branch (Credit: Shutterstock.com). The deep cinnamon cap is most prominent during breeding season.
JUNE 2025
Chipping Sparrow
It's mid June, and the Chippers are out in full force (not the official nickname, by the way). Now when I say "full force," I don't mean that huge flocks are hanging out in my yard. They're still a constant presence, though, whether stopping by to peck at seed on the ground or belting out their song throughout the day. During a recent birding field trip at a local park, their mechanical trills formed a recurring backdrop to the other bird tunes.
I find Chipping Sparrows to be the cutest of the sparrows--at least of the ones in my neighborhood. They're small and wear a deep cinnamon colored cap in springtime. Their song is a long one-note trill--unmelodic and mechanical, like that of a sewing machine (or a loud insect).
Here are a few Fun Facts about these little guys:
Chipping Sparrows used to be called "hair birds" due to their habit of lining their nests with horse hairs. Although horses aren't common neighborhood animals anymore, you might still find a Chipping Sparrow gathering up dog or cat hair for the same purpose.
Fond of backyards and parks, these sparrows used to be the main "urban" sparrow of North America, but since the introduction of European House Sparrows in the mid 1800s, they've dropped a spot (you can read more about the House Sparrow in the March 2024 post).
Photos: A female (left) Purple Martin perches with her male companion (Credit: Shutterstock.com). Above them are photos of my bird condo and old nests that I found when I cleaned it out. One nest was mainly twigs and the other grass. Since I've never seen a Purple Martin hanging around, I suspect they belonged to starlings and house sparrows.
APRIL/MAY 2025
Purple Martin
I’m the proud owner of a Purple Martin condo! Well, it was already there when I bought my house, so I can’t really take credit. And it’s not in an ideal location. Purple Martins like their houses to be in open fields, and my condo has a gigantic hedge underneath. Plus, there’s trees not too far from it. And a house. And some parked cars.
But moving it is not an option for now, so after almost two years of procrastination (and no Purple Martin sightings), we decided to finally clean it up and get it ready for this year's arrivals. Most importantly, we closed the openings. That's because house sparrows and starlings, both non-native species, will muscle in before the Purple Martins return from their winter residences.
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Once I saw reports of Purple Martins arriving in my state (via a Purple Martin sighting map), I unsealed the condo. It’s now been a few weeks, and so far, no luck. ​So while I’m waiting, here’s some fun facts about these birds:
First, did you know that most Purple Martins in the eastern U.S. nest in man-made houses, like my condo? Before Europeans arrived in North America, Native Americans hung up empty gourds for them to nest in, so this practice goes way back. I guess the birds just got used to it. As swallows, Purple Martins feed on the wing, meaning they snap up their insect meals while in flight, often accompanied by some acrobatic feats!
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If anything dramatic happens on the condo front, I’ll be sure to post it on my blog!
MARCH 2025
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Bird Nerd begins in March, so this month I’ll feature the very first bird mentioned in my novel: The Yellow-rumped Warbler. Affectionately called the “butter butt” by some, this bird has yellow patches on the sides of its chest and a pat of yellow on its rump (which in bird anatomy is just above the tail). Sometimes the yellow patches can partially disappear under its folded wings, but it doesn’t take long to spot them when the bird moves around.
I’ve seen my share of Yellow-rumped Warblers on birding walks through the woods and sometimes (but rarely) in my yard. Since I’m on the East coast, my only experience is with the “Myrtle” variety, which has a white throat. Out West, the variety is called the “Audubon’s,” and it has a yellow throat.
They’re quite active as they flit around in trees for insects to eat. These warblers will also swing by feeders in winter or when migrating for a taste of suet, sunflower seeds, and sweets like raisins. Nyla from Bird Nerd would love to catch a glimpse of one in her yard and record it for the birding tournament. Will one stop by before the contest ends?
Fun fact: If you happen across a dark goose (or two) amid the flock, those would be Blue Geese, which are actually just color morphs of Snow Geese. Depending on where you live, you may see only a couple or quite a few.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
Snow Goose
Since my yard is still a winter wonderland after our first snow of the season, I’ll make the Snow Goose January’s bird. And since I’m late getting this out, I’ll make it February’s as well!
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This may shock you, but the first time I consciously spotted these birds was just last year. As is often the case, it was my husband who saw them first. He quickly beckoned me outside and pointed up to a flock of white birds with black-tipped wings flapping across a vivid blue sky. Then after that day—which is also often the case—I started seeing them everywhere.
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​Snow Geese have been in the news lately, but unfortunately for a sad reason. Many have been dying from the bird flu that’s going around. A good reminder to stay clear away from any dead or sick birds—especially waterfowl and other large species since they are the main carriers of this bird flu.
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Songbirds like the sparrows and cardinals you see in your yard are much less likely to be infected and also much less likely to spread it if they do have it. Still, it’s a good practice to wash your bird feeders regularly and wash your hands after handling bird-related stuff.
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Okay, end of public service announcement. Go out and watch some winter birds!
December 2024
Snowy Owl
December opened with an Arctic blast in the Midwest and Northeast that dumped boatloads of snow and dropped temperatures into teeth-rattling territory. So what better bird to feature this month than the Snowy Owl?
Regardless of how snowy and cold things may get this winter, there's not much of a chance I'll catch a glimpse of this chunky beauty in my state of Delaware. These birds live way up in the high Arctic, and the population that migrates to North America only comes down as far south as Canada and the very northern part of the U.S. Which is not to say they never make surprise appearances further south. Keep an eye out in wide open spaces like prairies, coastlands, and even airports!
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And here are a couple of fun facts I recently discovered: First, Snowy Owls are featured in prehistoric cave paintings in Europe! Secondly, unlike most other owls, the Snowy Owl is active in the daytime. Makes sense when you think about it. In the Arctic Circle, the sun stays up all summer, so if a Snowy Owl wants to eat, it sure better get used to daytime hunting!
October/November 2024
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
“Life lists” are big in the birding world. Whether on paper, electronic, or checkmarks next to pictures in a field guide, a life list is simply a record of all the different bird species you’ve seen in your life. When you hear a birder say, “I saw a lifer today!” that means it was their first time ever seeing the bird. Chances are they were really excited.
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So why this long intro? Well, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak was one of those birds that I longed to find for years. I mean, look at him! That color combo, the elegance, the style. Problem was, they only passed through my neck of the woods, and despite setting out safflower, black-oil sunflower seeds, and other favorite foods, I got no stopovers at my feeders.
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Then a few years ago, at the tail end of a Blue Ridge Mountains getaway, I went out alone on the balcony for one last look. And wouldn't you know it--a Rose-breasted Grosbeak landed in full view! Unfortunately I wasn’t near my phone and my husband wasn’t within earshot, so I just sat there, motionless, and admired the bird’s sunlight beauty.
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So that’s that. Not much in terms of bird facts for this one, so I’ll leave you with this link for more!
SEPTEMBER 2024
Song Sparrow
“Madge, Madge, Madge, put on your teakettle -ettle -ettle -ettle!”
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This was one of the first bird songs I learned after becoming a birder. It’s from the Song Sparrow, (and no, the bird doesn’t actually talk). The phrase is a mnemonic, which is a fancy word for a pattern that helps you remember something. I think this mnemonic is pretty close, especially when it comes to the rhythm of the song.
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Song Sparrows do live up to their name, singing loudly and often while perched for everyone to see. There’s one (or maybe different ones, since I can’t tell them apart) who often sings from a utility line right outside my house. You can also identify a song sparrow from the dark spot in the middle of its chest, although I’ve seen some where the spot isn’t as visible.
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Sparrows in general are pretty hard to tell apart, so try learning a few different sparrow songs to help you out! In my novel BIRD NERD, Nyla encounters two delightful sparrow songs in the wild (one that whistles a cheery tune and another whose rhythmic whistles sound like a bouncing ping-pong ball)!
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JULY/AUGUST 2024
Summer Tanager
Summer is in full force, and so is the scorching heat! I’ve been focusing so much on trying to keep cool these past few weeks that I almost forgot to post my July bird!
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I’d had another bird planned, but in honor of the heatwave, I’m designating the Summer Tanager as the July (and August) bird. This is one I haven’t encountered yet in person, mainly because it typically doesn’t visit feeders. These birds enjoy feasting on bees and wasps, which they snatch out of the air and then beat against branches to kill before removing their stingers. Ouch!
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You’ll have a better chance of finding one in a park or while hiking in the woods. Listen for a song that sounds sort of like a robin’s, but shorter. It also does a pit-ti-tuck clicking call.
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And of course, you can also look for something red flitting about in the trees. More often than not it’ll be a cardinal, but there’s always a chance you’ll have a lucky day. And don’t forget to look out for females, too. They’re mustard yellow and have a beauty of their own.
JUNE 2024
Gray Catbird
This wild singer makes an appearance in my novel BIRD NERD, where I list him under “Birds That Sound Like R2 D2.” That’s because the Gray Catbird's long and complicated song has a bunch of whistles, whines, squeaks and other sounds that remind me of my favorite Star Wars robot. The cat part of the name comes from the “mew” call that often punctuates the end of the song.
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The handsome and vocal bird is also responsible for an old saying, “sitting in the catbird seat,” which means being in a favored or prominent position. Fitting, since male catbirds do like to sing from prominent perches. I’ve seen it in action after catbirds started coming to my feeder to test the new fruity suet I hung up. Often a lone catbird would sit high atop the pole belting out a song or simply standing guard.
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The story of exactly how the "catbird seat" expression came to be is rather murky and also quite interesting. Here are links to the curious origins:
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Male and female House Finches
at my feeder.
May 2024
House Finch
The House Finch is the second “House” bird on my list, and like the House Sparrow of March, it also has an interesting origin story. As you recall, House Sparrows were brought over from Europe and released into New York City, then multiplied…and multiplied….from there. As for House Finches, these birds, which originated in the western U.S. and Mexico, were brought to the east coast by pet dealers who tried to sell them as “Hollywood Finches.” Eventually the dealers released them out of fear of getting arrested.
Male House Finches have beautiful rosy red heads and upper chests while the females are grayish brown with blurry streaks on their bellies. They like to stick close together, and I often see them in pairs at my feeder. They take the “house” part of their name quite seriously, often nesting in places close to and attached to homes like patio flowerpots and door wreaths. A pair nested a few times in one of the support arms of my door’s portico. We made it a point to be extra quiet coming in and out of the house!
House Finch eggs in nest by my door.
Fledgling House Finches
from a different year.
Actual photos of a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker working on my backyard maple tree, plus a close-up of the rows of holes he left in my pecan tree.
April 2024
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Let’s go exotic for April! Well actually, the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker—despite its quirky name—is pretty common in North America. You can find them from Canada all the way down to Panama.
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Sapsuckers drill holes into bark just like other woodpeckers. But don’t expect to hear any jackhammering when they’re around. They’re quieter workers, making neat rows of holes to search for sap and trapped insects that they lick up with their brush-tipped tongues. They also make and maintain shallow rectangles that they return to for later meals.
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When I moved to my new house last year, I noticed one of my trees was filled with rows of little holes—from the trunk way up its branches. At the time, having had no idea this was a sapsucker’s work, I spent hours online looking up what kind of strange tree I had before learning that it was a sapsucker to blame! Right after finding that out, sure enough, a sapsucker landed in the tree.
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Now he’s moved to the sugar maple right outside my office. That’s him in the photos. (The red patch on the throat gives him away as a “he”).
March 2024
House Sparrow
Keeping with the theme of "common" everyday birds, I present the House Sparrow. It’s got “house” in its name, so that’s a clue as to where they like to hang out. Okay, not inside your house, of course, but you’ll find them pecking around places where people are, such as suburban neighborhoods, city streets, and farms.
If you hear lots of chirping inside your neighbor’s hedge, there’s a good chance a few house sparrows are inside. (By the way, that's the extent of their singing--just chirps.)
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When I was growing up, any small brown bird was a sparrow to me. But actually, there’s lots of different kinds of sparrows in North America—dozens, actually!
And here’s a fun fact for ya: The House Sparrow isn’t native to North America. Back in 1851, a bunch of them were brought over from Europe and released in New York City (yeah, people did odd stuff like that back then).
February 2024
Northern Cardinal
Our February bird is another one that’s common in North America—The Northern Cardinal. It’s a pretty bird, and popular, too: Seven states claim it as their official bird, and many a holiday card and calendar have featured a stunning male posing against a snowy backdrop (although the females have a beauty of their own—just not as showy).
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One particular reason February is a good month to talk about cardinals is the holiday of love that we celebrate—Valentine’s Day. Cardinals, you see, have been known to mate for life. And get this—during breeding season, the males will feed seeds to their partners! I’ve actually seen this happening at my feeder station and couldn’t help but let out an, Aww, how sweet! (especially since it looks like they’re kissing when they do that). My husband and I have taken to calling any cardinal pair we see “Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal.”
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Northern Cardinals are fine singers, too, with their cheer-cheer-cheer and birdie-birdie-birdie and what I’ve heard someone describe as the space laser gun. They’re also frequent feeder visitors, often the first to come in the morning and the last to stop by in the evening.
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And yet, with all the reasons to love cardinals, how many of us pass them by with barely a passing glance? Let’s resolve this year to stop and admire the cardinals in our lives.
January 2024
American Robin
January’s Bird of the Month is the humble American Robin, one of my earliest bird memories growing up in the city. For a while I thought its official name was Robin Redbreast, since that’s what so many people called it. (The fact that the bird’s breast looked orange confused me, but I just went along with it.)
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American Robins aren’t birdseed eaters. They prefer worms and insects and often forage on the ground. They also eat berries; I’ve seen them in winter plucking them from trees and shrubs. They will join in on the bird action in your yard and may partake if you offer stuff like mealworms and fruit. They also visit birdbaths.
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The robin’s song is relatively loud and goes something like cheerily, cheer up, cheer up, cheerily, cheer up. They also do a loud laugh.
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Fun fact: Every once in a while an American Robin will get blown off course during migration and end up across the Atlantic! British birdwatchers will flock to see this rare (for them) species with their own eyes. So whenever you're out birding and think to yourself “Oh, it’s just a boring robin,” try to remember how amazing the sight is to those in the U.K.