The diminutive Burrowing Owl is one of our most endearing birds. It can look a bit comical as it peers over the rim of its burrow entrance bobbing and twisting its head. Cowboys have called it the “Howdy Owl” in response to this behavior.
Wild Turkey
Canvasback
The Canvasback stands out from the crowd. Its stately presence separates it from other ducks. It has been called “the aristocrat of ducks” (Mobray), and “elegant” (Alderfer). Its large size, sloping forehead and characteristic “dark at both ends and white in the middle” appearance (Bell and Kennedy) make it easy to pick out of a group of other ducks.
Fox Sparrow
The genus name Passerella (pass-er-EL-ah) is from Latin, passer, meaning a sparrow. The species name iliaca (eye-lih-AY-cah) is Latin relating to the marked flanks. The common name is from the reddish or tawny “fox” color of feathers. The Fox Sparrow (FOSP) is about 7” long with a wingspan of 10.5” and a weight of 1.1 oz. (32g). It is one of our largest sparrows.
Western Tanager
Semipalmated Plover
Snowy Owl
Common Raven
American Coot
Pink-footed Shearwater
Cassin’s Auklet
Passenger Pigeon
At the time the Pilgrims landed in Plymouth, MA the Passenger Pigeon was probably the most abundant bird in North America (Kaufman). Enormous nomadic flocks of these pigeons numbering in the millions roamed around the eastern two-thirds of the continent eating beechnuts, acorns, grains, and berries.
