Walking through central Oregon’s ponderosa forests, the twittering and chirping one is most likely to hear is the Pygmy Nuthatch, feeding on insects while climbing all over the ponderosa a... — Updated 8/2/2022 Full story

When the Spotted Towhee [Piplio Maculatus] is seen, often on low branches or on the ground, its colors are a stunning contrast to all the surroundings. It is a common bird of the thickets... — Updated 6/28/2022 Full story

The American Dipper [Cinclus mexicanus] or Water Ouzel is found singing and bobbing on fast- moving streams throughout the western U.S. Searching for aquatic insects and small fish, the Dippe... — Updated 5/24/2022 Full story

If you want a unique challenge, venture into the Cascades and attempt to find and listen to the brilliant Nashville Warbler [Leiothlypis ruficapilla]. Nashville Warblers are so called... — Updated 5/12/2022 Full story

Raucous, boisterous, annoying, disagreeable are just a few terms used to describe the Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri). Granted, much of their behavior can be described as loutish, and a... — Updated 4/19/2022 Full story

The Western Bluebirds (sialia mexicana) will soon be returning to Oregon after wintering in California and Mexico. Dropping from a perch to feed on ground insects or consuming many berries... — Updated 3/15/2022 Full story

The Mountain Bluebird [Sialia currucoides] seeks out open areas with a mix of grasses, shrubs and trees, in mountainous areas up to 12,500 feet. Clearcuts, meadows, and sagebrush/juniper... — Updated 11/30/2021 Full story

Frequently seen in fall on lawns, roads, suet feeders, and trees, the Northern Flickers (Colaptes auratus) are large, black-spotted woodpeckers with a sparkling red slash [male] on their... — Updated 10/19/2021 Full story

The American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) are gathering in fields and farms and bird feeders, as thistles and grasses are reaching maturity. The bright warbles and twitters are heard as... — Updated 9/28/2021 Full story

Gliding up- and downstream on the Metolius or Deschutes rivers, the American Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) searches for available fish, which is 99 percent of its diet. When its prey is... — Updated 9/7/2021 Full story

Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus Rufus) is a fiery and often quarrelsome hummingbird that is the most common visitor to our nectar feeders. The brilliant orange gorget and rufous back flash... — Updated 8/3/2021 Full story

The red-naped sapsucker [Sphyrapicus nuchalis] feeds on the sap and insects drawn to the sap after drilling small holes in mostly deciduous trees: birch, willow, and especially aspen.... — Updated 6/29/2021 Full story

The white-crowned sparrow in the accompanying photograph is busy building a nest in the middle of Oregon grape leaves here in my yard in Camp Sherman. The females choose the nest site and... — Updated 6/8/2021 Full story

The northern shrike (Lanius borealis) is a predatory songbird, who perches quietly, often in the top of a tree, before swooping down after insects, mice, and small birds. It kills more than... — Updated 4/27/2021 Full story

Evening grosbeaks (Coccothraustes vespertinus) are returning to Central Oregon now in search of seeds and possible nesting sights. They were erroneously named by Midwest settlers in the... — Updated 3/30/2021 Full story

Northern flickers (Colaptes auratus) are large, black-spotted woodpeckers that feed mainly on ants and beetles. They are often seen on lawns and sidewalks gleaning insects and may be seen in... — Updated 3/9/2021 Full story

In early spring the symphonious melodies of the male American robin [Turdus Migratorius] are heard over the entire U.S. They begin mating in April and can produce up to three broods by the... — Updated 2/23/2021 Full story

Williamson’s Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) are generally found in the mountains of the western U.S. where they prefer forests of older coniferous trees. Sapsuckers are a specialized gro... — Updated 1/12/2021 Full story

Ah the common Song Sparrow, (Melospiza melodia) — our winter companion, chirping their way through cold soggy weather. Unnoticed by many, loved by a few, the Song Sparrow is a bright... — Updated 12/15/2020 Full story

The Marsh Hawk or Northern Harrier [circus hudsonius] is a member of a global group of raptors that are equipped with special tools for silent hunting. Its long, broad wings allow it to... — Updated 11/25/2020 Full story

The Common Yellowthroat [Geothlypis trichas] is a warbler that inhabits many environs, from low swamps to 6,000-foot-elevation streams. Its “witchity, witchity, witchity” call can be hea... — Updated 10/20/2020 Full story

The smallest falcon, the Merlin (Falco columbarius), primarily hunts smaller birds while flying — flushing birds from thickets and chasing them using their amazing speed and... — Updated 9/22/2020 Full story

Quickly moving rivers and streams are home to the Common Merganser (Mergus merganser). Cruising jet-like up and down waterways, only a few inches above the ripples, landing and then diving... — Updated 9/2/2020 Full story

As one walks around meadows and open backyards, you are likely to hear a blurry sound “pee-wee, pee-wee,” often followed by a “pip, pip”. This is the call of a Western Wood Pee-wee (contop... — Updated 8/11/2020 Full story

The Green-tailed Towhee [pipilo chlorurus], with its distinctive rust crest, is a somewhat secretive ground-nesting bird. On occasion a Towhee uses porcupine hair to line its nest, where it... — Updated 7/22/2020 Full story