Bird Image Review

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Rufous-red tail (adults) — the namesake feature
2. Dark patagial bar on leading edge of underwing
3. Dark belly band across white underparts (light morph)
4. Broad, rounded wings with translucent flight feathers
5. Highly variable: light, dark, and rufous morphs in the West

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Rufous-red tail (adults) — the namesake feature
2. Dark patagial bar on leading edge of underwing
3. Dark belly band across white underparts (light morph)
4. Broad, rounded wings with translucent flight feathers
5. Highly variable: light, dark, and rufous morphs in the West

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Rufous-red tail (adults) — the namesake feature
2. Dark patagial bar on leading edge of underwing
3. Dark belly band across white underparts (light morph)
4. Broad, rounded wings with translucent flight feathers
5. Highly variable: light, dark, and rufous morphs in the West

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Rufous-red tail (adults) — the namesake feature
2. Dark patagial bar on leading edge of underwing
3. Dark belly band across white underparts (light morph)
4. Broad, rounded wings with translucent flight feathers
5. Highly variable: light, dark, and rufous morphs in the West

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Crow-sized accipiter with large, blocky head
2. Rounded tail tip with thick white terminal band
3. Blue-gray back (adults) or brown-streaked (immatures)
4. Dark cap contrasts with pale nape
5. Stiff, deliberate wingbeats in flight

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Crow-sized accipiter with large, blocky head
2. Rounded tail tip with thick white terminal band
3. Blue-gray back (adults) or brown-streaked (immatures)
4. Dark cap contrasts with pale nape
5. Stiff, deliberate wingbeats in flight

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Crow-sized accipiter with large, blocky head
2. Rounded tail tip with thick white terminal band
3. Blue-gray back (adults) or brown-streaked (immatures)
4. Dark cap contrasts with pale nape
5. Stiff, deliberate wingbeats in flight

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Jay-sized — smallest North American accipiter
2. Square-tipped tail with thin white terminal band
3. Small, rounded head barely projects past wings in flight
4. Snappy, quick wingbeats
5. Thin legs (the 'sharp shins')

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Jay-sized — smallest North American accipiter
2. Square-tipped tail with thin white terminal band
3. Small, rounded head barely projects past wings in flight
4. Snappy, quick wingbeats
5. Thin legs (the 'sharp shins')

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Two vertical black facial stripes on white face
2. Rufous back and tail in both sexes
3. Males: blue-gray wings contrasting with rufous back
4. Smallest North American falcon — robin-sized
5. Hovers in place while hunting — unique among falcons

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Two vertical black facial stripes on white face
2. Rufous back and tail in both sexes
3. Males: blue-gray wings contrasting with rufous back
4. Smallest North American falcon — robin-sized
5. Hovers in place while hunting — unique among falcons

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Dark bib/chest contrasts with white throat and belly (light morph)
2. Long, pointed wings — more slender than Red-tailed
3. Dark flight feathers contrast with pale wing linings from below
4. Gray-brown tail with fine barring (no rufous)
5. Often seen soaring in groups during migration

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Dark bib/chest contrasts with white throat and belly (light morph)
2. Long, pointed wings — more slender than Red-tailed
3. Dark flight feathers contrast with pale wing linings from below
4. Gray-brown tail with fine barring (no rufous)
5. Often seen soaring in groups during migration

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Dark bib/chest contrasts with white throat and belly (light morph)
2. Long, pointed wings — more slender than Red-tailed
3. Dark flight feathers contrast with pale wing linings from below
4. Gray-brown tail with fine barring (no rufous)
5. Often seen soaring in groups during migration

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. White rump patch — visible at any distance
2. Low, rocking flight over open fields with wings in V-shape
3. Owl-like facial disk
4. Long tail and long, narrow wings
5. Males gray, females brown — strong sexual dimorphism

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. White rump patch — visible at any distance
2. Low, rocking flight over open fields with wings in V-shape
3. Owl-like facial disk
4. Long tail and long, narrow wings
5. Males gray, females brown — strong sexual dimorphism

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. White head and tail (adults) — unmistakable
2. Massive yellow bill
3. Dark brown body, enormous wingspan (6-7 feet)
4. Immatures: blotchy brown and white, dark bill
5. Flat-winged soaring profile (vs Golden's slight dihedral)

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. White head and tail (adults) — unmistakable
2. Massive yellow bill
3. Dark brown body, enormous wingspan (6-7 feet)
4. Immatures: blotchy brown and white, dark bill
5. Flat-winged soaring profile (vs Golden's slight dihedral)

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Dark eye stripe through white face — 'bandit mask'
2. White underparts with dark wrist patches from below
3. Wings held in distinctive crook/M-shape in flight
4. Hovers before plunging feet-first into water
5. Brown above, white below — reversed pattern from most raptors

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Two-toned underwings: black linings, silvery flight feathers
2. Holds wings in strong dihedral (V-shape) while soaring
3. Rocks/teeters unsteadily in flight
4. Small, red, featherless head (adults)
5. Rarely flaps — soars on thermals for hours

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Large ear tufts ('horns') widely spaced
2. Yellow eyes with dark surrounding feathers
3. White throat patch ('bib')
4. Barrel-shaped body — heaviest owl in the Americas
5. Heavily barred underparts

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Long legs — stands upright on the ground
2. Lives in prairie dog burrows — often seen at burrow entrance
3. Round head with no ear tufts
4. Yellow eyes, white eyebrows, white chin stripe
5. Bobs and bows when alarmed

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: iridescent green head, white neck ring, yellow bill
2. Male: chestnut breast, curled black tail feathers
3. Female: mottled brown with orange-and-black bill
4. Blue speculum (wing patch) bordered by white bars — both sexes
5. Most common and recognizable duck in North America

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: iridescent green head, white neck ring, yellow bill
2. Male: chestnut breast, curled black tail feathers
3. Female: mottled brown with orange-and-black bill
4. Blue speculum (wing patch) bordered by white bars — both sexes
5. Most common and recognizable duck in North America

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Black head and neck with white chinstrap
2. Brown body, pale breast, black tail with white undertail coverts
3. Long black neck — distinctive in flight
4. Flies in V-formation, honking loudly
5. Highly variable in size across subspecies

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: white forehead/crown stripe ('baldpate'), green eye patch
2. Male: pinkish-brown body, white hip patch visible at distance
3. Female: warm brown head contrasting with grayish body
4. Short, pale blue-gray bill with black tip — both sexes
5. Often grazes on land; steals food from diving ducks

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: white forehead/crown stripe ('baldpate'), green eye patch
2. Male: pinkish-brown body, white hip patch visible at distance
3. Female: warm brown head contrasting with grayish body
4. Short, pale blue-gray bill with black tip — both sexes
5. Often grazes on land; steals food from diving ducks

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Enormous spatula-shaped bill — diagnostic
2. Male: green head (like Mallard) but with white breast and chestnut sides
3. Female: mottled brown with huge orange bill
4. Often feeds in circles, sweeping bill side to side
5. Pale blue shoulder patch visible in flight

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Enormous spatula-shaped bill — diagnostic
2. Male: green head (like Mallard) but with white breast and chestnut sides
3. Female: mottled brown with huge orange bill
4. Often feeds in circles, sweeping bill side to side
5. Pale blue shoulder patch visible in flight

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Smallest dabbling duck in North America
2. Male: chestnut head with green ear patch (hard to see at distance)
3. Male: vertical white bar on side of breast — visible at distance
4. Green speculum (wing patch) — both sexes
5. Fast, erratic flight in tight flocks

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Smallest dabbling duck in North America
2. Male: chestnut head with green ear patch (hard to see at distance)
3. Male: vertical white bar on side of breast — visible at distance
4. Green speculum (wing patch) — both sexes
5. Fast, erratic flight in tight flocks

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: bold white crescent on face in front of eye
2. Male: dark head with white crescent, spotted brown body
3. Pale blue shoulder patch visible in flight — both sexes
4. Small, early-migrating dabbler — first to leave in fall
5. Female: plain brown with dark eye-line, small bill

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: bold white crescent on face in front of eye
2. Male: dark head with white crescent, spotted brown body
3. Pale blue shoulder patch visible in flight — both sexes
4. Small, early-migrating dabbler — first to leave in fall
5. Female: plain brown with dark eye-line, small bill

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: entirely rich cinnamon-red body — unmistakable
2. Male: red eye stands out against cinnamon head
3. Female: nearly identical to female Blue-winged Teal
4. Pale blue shoulder patch in flight — both sexes
5. Primarily a western species — rare east of the Rockies

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: entirely rich cinnamon-red body — unmistakable
2. Male: red eye stands out against cinnamon head
3. Female: nearly identical to female Blue-winged Teal
4. Pale blue shoulder patch in flight — both sexes
5. Primarily a western species — rare east of the Rockies

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: subtle gray-brown with black rear end — 'the boring duck'
2. White speculum — unique among dabbling ducks, visible in flight
3. Male: intricate vermiculated gray patterns up close
4. Female: similar to female Mallard but with orange bill sides and steeper forehead
5. Often overlooked due to subdued plumage

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: subtle gray-brown with black rear end — 'the boring duck'
2. White speculum — unique among dabbling ducks, visible in flight
3. Male: intricate vermiculated gray patterns up close
4. Female: similar to female Mallard but with orange bill sides and steeper forehead
5. Often overlooked due to subdued plumage

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: long, pointed tail extending well beyond body
2. Male: chocolate-brown head with white stripe up neck side
3. Elegant, slender profile — most graceful duck
4. Long neck for a dabbler — often tips up completely
5. Female: plain brown but with same long-necked, elegant shape

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: long, pointed tail extending well beyond body
2. Male: chocolate-brown head with white stripe up neck side
3. Elegant, slender profile — most graceful duck
4. Long neck for a dabbler — often tips up completely
5. Female: plain brown but with same long-necked, elegant shape

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Bold white ring around bill — 'Ring-billed Duck' would be more accurate
2. Male: black back and breast, gray sides with white vertical bar
3. Peaked/angular head shape — distinguishes from scaup
4. Male: dark purplish head (ring on neck nearly invisible)
5. Female: white eye-ring, pale face patch at bill base

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Bold white ring around bill — 'Ring-billed Duck' would be more accurate
2. Male: black back and breast, gray sides with white vertical bar
3. Peaked/angular head shape — distinguishes from scaup
4. Male: dark purplish head (ring on neck nearly invisible)
5. Female: white eye-ring, pale face patch at bill base

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: black head with purple sheen, gray back, white sides
2. Peaked/pointed head shape (vs Greater Scaup's rounded head)
3. White wing stripe only on secondaries in flight
4. Female: dark brown with sharp white patch at bill base
5. Most common diving duck on inland waters

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: black head with purple sheen, gray back, white sides
2. Peaked/pointed head shape (vs Greater Scaup's rounded head)
3. White wing stripe only on secondaries in flight
4. Female: dark brown with sharp white patch at bill base
5. Most common diving duck on inland waters

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: round, rich rufous-red head — bright and smooth
2. Male: gray body, black breast and tail
3. Blue-gray bill with black tip and white ring
4. Rounded head profile — distinguishes from Canvasback
5. Female: warm brown overall with pale area at bill base

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: round, rich rufous-red head — bright and smooth
2. Male: gray body, black breast and tail
3. Blue-gray bill with black tip and white ring
4. Rounded head profile — distinguishes from Canvasback
5. Female: warm brown overall with pale area at bill base

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: round white face spot on dark green head
2. Male: bright white sides, black back, mostly white scapulars
3. Bright golden-yellow eye — both sexes
4. Female: chocolate-brown head, gray body, yellow bill tip
5. Whistling wing sound in flight — 'whistler'

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: round white face spot on dark green head
2. Male: bright white sides, black back, mostly white scapulars
3. Bright golden-yellow eye — both sexes
4. Female: chocolate-brown head, gray body, yellow bill tip
5. Whistling wing sound in flight — 'whistler'

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: large white bonnet wrapping from behind eye over back of head
2. Male: mostly white body, dark back
3. Tiny — smallest regularly occurring diving duck
4. Female: dark with single white cheek patch (oval, not wrap-around)
5. Pops up and dives rapidly; fast wingbeats in flight

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: large white bonnet wrapping from behind eye over back of head
2. Male: mostly white body, dark back
3. Tiny — smallest regularly occurring diving duck
4. Female: dark with single white cheek patch (oval, not wrap-around)
5. Pops up and dives rapidly; fast wingbeats in flight

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: dark green head (looks black at distance), white body, red-orange bill
2. Female: rufous-brown crested head sharply contrasting with white throat
3. Long, thin, serrated red bill — both sexes
4. Largest merganser — heavy-bodied and long
5. Rides low in water; often seen in rivers

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: dark green head (looks black at distance), white body, red-orange bill
2. Female: rufous-brown crested head sharply contrasting with white throat
3. Long, thin, serrated red bill — both sexes
4. Largest merganser — heavy-bodied and long
5. Rides low in water; often seen in rivers

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Breeding male: bright sky-blue bill, rich chestnut body
2. Stiff, often-cocked tail held upright
3. Compact, chunky body riding low in water
4. Male: bold white cheek patch on dark head
5. Non-breeding male: dull gray-brown with same white cheek

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Breeding male: bright sky-blue bill, rich chestnut body
2. Stiff, often-cocked tail held upright
3. Compact, chunky body riding low in water
4. Male: bold white cheek patch on dark head
5. Non-breeding male: dull gray-brown with same white cheek

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Chicken-like white bill on dark slaty body — 'mud hen'
2. Not a duck — lobed toes, not webbed feet
3. Pumps head while swimming
4. Dark body with white undertail and bill
5. Red eye and small red frontal shield

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Two black breast bands on white chest — diagnostic
2. Orange-rufous rump visible in flight
3. Brown above, white below with long tail
4. Loud, piercing calls — often heard before seen
5. Famous 'broken-wing' distraction display near nest

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Long, thin, upturned bill — sweeps side to side
2. Breeding: rusty-orange head and neck
3. Black and white bold wing pattern in flight
4. Long, blue-gray legs — tallest shorebird in its range
5. Non-breeding: pale gray head and neck

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Long, thin, upturned bill — sweeps side to side
2. Breeding: rusty-orange head and neck
3. Black and white bold wing pattern in flight
4. Long, blue-gray legs — tallest shorebird in its range
5. Non-breeding: pale gray head and neck

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Breeding: bold dark spots across white breast and belly
2. Constant tail-bobbing and teetering motion — diagnostic
3. Stiff, bowed wingbeats low over water — 'butterfly flight'
4. Non-breeding: plain brown above, white below, white shoulder notch
5. Usually alone along stream/lake edges — not in flocks

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Breeding: bold dark spots across white breast and belly
2. Constant tail-bobbing and teetering motion — diagnostic
3. Stiff, bowed wingbeats low over water — 'butterfly flight'
4. Non-breeding: plain brown above, white below, white shoulder notch
5. Usually alone along stream/lake edges — not in flocks

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Long, downcurved bill — probes in mud
2. Breeding: glossy bronze-green body, red eye, white face border
3. Dark overall at distance — silhouette shows curved bill
4. Non-breeding: duller brownish, less distinct face pattern
5. Often in V-formation or lines in flight

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Long, downcurved bill — probes in mud
2. Breeding: glossy bronze-green body, red eye, white face border
3. Dark overall at distance — silhouette shows curved bill
4. Non-breeding: duller brownish, less distinct face pattern
5. Often in V-formation or lines in flight

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Small — sparrow-sized, smallest North American woodpecker
2. Short, stubby bill — about 1/3 head depth
3. Black and white with white back stripe
4. Males: small red nape patch
5. Outer tail feathers white with dark bars

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Small — sparrow-sized, smallest North American woodpecker
2. Short, stubby bill — about 1/3 head depth
3. Black and white with white back stripe
4. Males: small red nape patch
5. Outer tail feathers white with dark bars

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Medium — robin-sized; larger than Downy
2. Long, chisel-like bill — nearly as long as head depth
3. Black and white with white back stripe — like big Downy
4. Males: small red nape patch
5. Clean white outer tail feathers (no bars — vs Downy's barred)

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Medium — robin-sized; larger than Downy
2. Long, chisel-like bill — nearly as long as head depth
3. Black and white with white back stripe — like big Downy
4. Males: small red nape patch
5. Clean white outer tail feathers (no bars — vs Downy's barred)

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Brown with black barring above, spotted below
2. Black bib on upper chest
3. Bright white rump patch — obvious in undulating flight
4. Red-shafted (West): red under wings/tail, gray face, red moustache (male)
5. Often feeds on ground for ants — unusual for a woodpecker

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Brown with black barring above, spotted below
2. Black bib on upper chest
3. Bright white rump patch — obvious in undulating flight
4. Red-shafted (West): red under wings/tail, gray face, red moustache (male)
5. Often feeds on ground for ants — unusual for a woodpecker

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: rose-magenta gorget (throat), green back
2. Male: metallic wing trill in flight — diagnostic buzzy whistle
3. Female: buffy flanks, rufous at base of tail
4. Medium-sized hummingbird for the West
5. Breeds at higher elevations — common in mountain meadows

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: rose-magenta gorget (throat), green back
2. Male: metallic wing trill in flight — diagnostic buzzy whistle
3. Female: buffy flanks, rufous at base of tail
4. Medium-sized hummingbird for the West
5. Breeds at higher elevations — common in mountain meadows

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. All black — bill, legs, plumage, everything
2. Fan-shaped tail in flight (vs Raven's wedge shape)
3. Familiar 'caw' call — higher-pitched than Raven
4. Smaller than Raven — about 18 inches
5. Flaps more than soars (vs Raven's frequent soaring)

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Large — hawk-sized, much bigger than a crow
2. Wedge-shaped tail in flight (vs Crow's fan shape)
3. Heavy, thick bill with shaggy throat feathers
4. Deep, resonant 'cronk' call — much lower than Crow
5. Soars and performs aerial acrobatics — rolls and tumbles

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Long, streaming tail — more than half total body length
2. Bold black and white body with iridescent blue-green wings and tail
3. Black bill (vs Yellow-billed Magpie in California)
4. Undulating flight with rapid wingbeats between glides
5. Builds large, domed stick nests

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Blue crest, wings, and tail with white and black barring
2. Black necklace across throat and around head
3. White face with blue crest — bold and noisy
4. White wing bars and tail corners visible in flight
5. Less common west of the Front Range (Steller's takes over)

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Black crested head transitioning to deep blue body
2. Prominent pointed crest — tallest of any North American jay
3. No white patches — all dark blue and black (vs Blue Jay's white)
4. Blue barring on wings and tail
5. Mountain forests — replaces Blue Jay in western mountains

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Blue head, wings, and tail with gray-brown back — no crest
2. White eyebrow stripe and throat, blue necklace
3. Long tail — overall lean, angular shape
4. Duller and grayer than California Scrub-Jay
5. Pinyon-juniper and oak scrub habitat

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Dark hood contrasting with white belly — like a 'tuxedo'
2. White outer tail feathers flash in flight — diagnostic
3. Pink conical bill
4. Several forms in CO: Oregon (brown back), Gray-headed (red back), Slate-colored (uniform dark)
5. Common feeder bird in winter — 'snowbird'

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Dark hood contrasting with white belly — like a 'tuxedo'
2. White outer tail feathers flash in flight — diagnostic
3. Pink conical bill
4. Several forms in CO: Oregon (brown back), Gray-headed (red back), Slate-colored (uniform dark)
5. Common feeder bird in winter — 'snowbird'

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Dark hood contrasting with white belly — like a 'tuxedo'
2. White outer tail feathers flash in flight — diagnostic
3. Pink conical bill
4. Several forms in CO: Oregon (brown back), Gray-headed (red back), Slate-colored (uniform dark)
5. Common feeder bird in winter — 'snowbird'

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Dark hood contrasting with white belly — like a 'tuxedo'
2. White outer tail feathers flash in flight — diagnostic
3. Pink conical bill
4. Several forms in CO: Oregon (brown back), Gray-headed (red back), Slate-colored (uniform dark)
5. Common feeder bird in winter — 'snowbird'

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Bold black and white crown stripes (adults)
2. Clean gray breast — unstreaked
3. Pink or orange bill
4. Immatures: brown and tan crown stripes (same pattern, warmer color)
5. Upright posture, medium-large sparrow

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Bold black and white crown stripes (adults)
2. Clean gray breast — unstreaked
3. Pink or orange bill
4. Immatures: brown and tan crown stripes (same pattern, warmer color)
5. Upright posture, medium-large sparrow

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Central breast spot amid heavy brown streaking
2. Pumps tail in flight — distinctive habit
3. Brown-streaked overall with rounded head
4. Pale median crown stripe bordered by brown
5. Highly variable plumage across range

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: gray crown, chestnut nape, black bib
2. Male: single bold white wing bar
3. Female: plain brownish with pale eyebrow and unstreaked breast
4. Chunky, short-tailed, thick-billed
5. Introduced species — almost always near buildings

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: gray crown, chestnut nape, black bib
2. Male: single bold white wing bar
3. Female: plain brownish with pale eyebrow and unstreaked breast
4. Chunky, short-tailed, thick-billed
5. Introduced species — almost always near buildings

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Bright rufous cap (breeding adults)
2. Clean white eyebrow, black eye-line
3. Small, slim sparrow with unstreaked gray breast
4. Winter: duller cap, buffy face with less contrast
5. Thin, dark bill — smaller than most sparrows

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Bright rufous cap (breeding adults)
2. Clean white eyebrow, black eye-line
3. Small, slim sparrow with unstreaked gray breast
4. Winter: duller cap, buffy face with less contrast
5. Thin, dark bill — smaller than most sparrows

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Rufous cap and eye-line — bicolored bill (dark upper, yellow lower)
2. Single dark breast spot on otherwise unstreaked gray breast
3. Two white wing bars
4. Winter visitor — arrives when Chipping Sparrows leave
5. Rusty side streaking

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Black hood and upperparts (male) with rufous sides and white belly
2. White spots on black wings and back — 'spotted'
3. Red eye
4. Scratches in leaf litter with both feet — loud rustling
5. Female: similar pattern but dark brown instead of black

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Black hood and upperparts (male) with rufous sides and white belly
2. White spots on black wings and back — 'spotted'
3. Red eye
4. Scratches in leaf litter with both feet — loud rustling
5. Female: similar pattern but dark brown instead of black

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: red head, breast, and rump (can be orange or yellow)
2. Male: brown-streaked flanks even within red areas
3. Female: plain brown-streaked with no distinctive markings — 'LBB'
4. Thick, curved bill — seed-cracking finch bill
5. Extremely common at feeders and around buildings

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: red head, breast, and rump (can be orange or yellow)
2. Male: brown-streaked flanks even within red areas
3. Female: plain brown-streaked with no distinctive markings — 'LBB'
4. Thick, curved bill — seed-cracking finch bill
5. Extremely common at feeders and around buildings

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Heavily streaked brown — nondescript until it flies
2. Yellow flash in wings and at tail base — visible in flight
3. Thin, sharply pointed bill (vs other finches' stubbier bills)
4. Nomadic — abundant some years, absent others (irruptive)
5. Often in tight, noisy flocks at feeders or in conifers

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Breeding male: brilliant yellow with black cap and black wings
2. White wing bars and white undertail on black wings
3. Undulating flight: 'po-ta-to chip' on each dip
4. Non-breeding: dull olive-yellow, still shows wing bars
5. Black forehead (breeding) distinguishes from Lesser Goldfinch

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Breeding male: brilliant yellow with black cap and black wings
2. White wing bars and white undertail on black wings
3. Undulating flight: 'po-ta-to chip' on each dip
4. Non-breeding: dull olive-yellow, still shows wing bars
5. Black forehead (breeding) distinguishes from Lesser Goldfinch

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Breeding male: brilliant yellow with black cap and black wings
2. White wing bars and white undertail on black wings
3. Undulating flight: 'po-ta-to chip' on each dip
4. Non-breeding: dull olive-yellow, still shows wing bars
5. Black forehead (breeding) distinguishes from Lesser Goldfinch

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: black cap extends to eye (no yellow forehead — vs American's black cap above bill)
2. Male: green or black back depending on population
3. Bright yellow underparts (both sexes)
4. Smaller and more compact than American Goldfinch
5. White wing patch at base of primaries

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: black cap extends to eye (no yellow forehead — vs American's black cap above bill)
2. Male: green or black back depending on population
3. Bright yellow underparts (both sexes)
4. Smaller and more compact than American Goldfinch
5. White wing patch at base of primaries

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: glossy black with red-and-yellow shoulder patches (epaulets)
2. Female: heavily streaked dark brown — looks like a sparrow
3. Males flash red epaulets in territorial display
4. Polygynous — males with multiple females in territory
5. Ubiquitous in marshes, fields, and roadsides

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: glossy black with red-and-yellow shoulder patches (epaulets)
2. Female: heavily streaked dark brown — looks like a sparrow
3. Males flash red epaulets in territorial display
4. Polygynous — males with multiple females in territory
5. Ubiquitous in marshes, fields, and roadsides

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: bright yellow head and breast on black body — unmistakable
2. Male: white wing patch visible in flight
3. Female: dusky brown with yellow breast and face — subdued but recognizable
4. Larger than Red-winged; dominates it in shared marshes
5. Bizarre, strangled buzzing song

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: bright yellow head and breast on black body — unmistakable
2. Male: white wing patch visible in flight
3. Female: dusky brown with yellow breast and face — subdued but recognizable
4. Larger than Red-winged; dominates it in shared marshes
5. Bizarre, strangled buzzing song

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: glossy black with purplish head and greenish body sheen
2. Bright yellow eye (male) — distinctive
3. Female: plain dark brown with dark eye
4. Walks on ground in parking lots and fields
5. Thinner bill than grackles; shorter tail

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: glossy black with purplish head and greenish body sheen
2. Bright yellow eye (male) — distinctive
3. Female: plain dark brown with dark eye
4. Walks on ground in parking lots and fields
5. Thinner bill than grackles; shorter tail

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Iridescent purplish-bronze plumage — glossy in good light
2. Bright yellow eye
3. Long, keel-shaped tail — held in V-shape in flight
4. Larger and longer-tailed than blackbirds but smaller than Great-tailed
5. Walks with a strut — confident and bold

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: very long, V-shaped tail — longer than body seems to warrant
2. Male: glossy purple-black, massive
3. Female: brown above, buffy below — much smaller than male
4. Yellow eye — both sexes
5. Extremely vocal — parking lot symphony of wild sounds

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: very long, V-shaped tail — longer than body seems to warrant
2. Male: glossy purple-black, massive
3. Female: brown above, buffy below — much smaller than male
4. Yellow eye — both sexes
5. Extremely vocal — parking lot symphony of wild sounds

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: glossy black body with chocolate-brown head
2. Short, thick, conical bill — finch-like
3. Female: plain gray-brown overall — nondescript
4. Brood parasite — lays eggs in other birds' nests
5. Smaller than most blackbirds; compact and short-tailed

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: glossy black body with chocolate-brown head
2. Short, thick, conical bill — finch-like
3. Female: plain gray-brown overall — nondescript
4. Brood parasite — lays eggs in other birds' nests
5. Smaller than most blackbirds; compact and short-tailed

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Bright yellow underparts with bold black V on chest
2. Brown-streaked upperparts — cryptic from above
3. White outer tail feathers flash in flight
4. Flat-headed, short-tailed profile on fence posts
5. State bird of 6 western states

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: bright orange face, underparts, and outer tail with black cap and eye-line
2. Male: large white wing patch
3. Female: yellowish head and breast, gray back
4. Hanging, woven nest — pendulous pouch in cottonwoods
5. Slender, pointed bill for nectar and insects

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: bright orange face, underparts, and outer tail with black cap and eye-line
2. Male: large white wing patch
3. Female: yellowish head and breast, gray back
4. Hanging, woven nest — pendulous pouch in cottonwoods
5. Slender, pointed bill for nectar and insects

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Bright yellow overall — yellowest North American warbler
2. Male: reddish streaks on yellow breast
3. Beady black eye on plain yellow face
4. Yellow tail spots visible from below in flight
5. Inhabits willows and riparian areas

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Yellow rump patch — visible in any plumage ('butter butt')
2. Yellow side patches on flanks
3. Audubon's form (West): yellow throat, white wing patch
4. Myrtle form (East): white throat, two white wing bars
5. Most abundant and widespread warbler; winters farther north than others

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Yellow rump patch — visible in any plumage ('butter butt')
2. Yellow side patches on flanks
3. Audubon's form (West): yellow throat, white wing patch
4. Myrtle form (East): white throat, two white wing bars
5. Most abundant and widespread warbler; winters farther north than others

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: bold black mask with white border above — 'bandit warbler'
2. Female: plain olive above, yellow throat and breast, no mask
3. Skulks in dense marsh vegetation
4. Wren-like behavior — stays low in cattails and reeds
5. White belly contrasts with yellow breast

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: bold black mask with white border above — 'bandit warbler'
2. Female: plain olive above, yellow throat and breast, no mask
3. Skulks in dense marsh vegetation
4. Wren-like behavior — stays low in cattails and reeds
5. White belly contrasts with yellow breast

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Red-orange breast — the bird everyone knows
2. Dark gray-black head and back
3. White eye arcs (broken eye-ring)
4. Yellow bill
5. White lower belly and undertail — not red all the way down

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: entirely sky-blue — the purest blue of any North American bird
2. Female: gray with blue wings and tail — muted but distinctive
3. Hovers while hunting — more than other bluebirds
4. Slimmer build than Western or Eastern Bluebird
5. Open mountain meadows and sagebrush — higher elevation than others

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: entirely sky-blue — the purest blue of any North American bird
2. Female: gray with blue wings and tail — muted but distinctive
3. Hovers while hunting — more than other bluebirds
4. Slimmer build than Western or Eastern Bluebird
5. Open mountain meadows and sagebrush — higher elevation than others

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Black cap and bib with white cheeks — the classic chickadee face
2. Buffy flanks, gray back, white edges on wing feathers
3. Acrobatic — hangs upside down while foraging
4. Lower elevation — below Mountain Chickadee's range
5. White cheek patch larger and brighter than Mountain's

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. White eyebrow stripe through black cap — diagnostic (Black-capped lacks this)
2. Otherwise similar to Black-capped: black bib, gray back
3. Slightly less buffy on flanks than Black-capped
4. Higher elevation — montane conifer forests
5. Hoarser, buzzy 'chick-a-dee' call vs Black-capped's clear version

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Walks headfirst down tree trunks — unique behavior
2. White face and breast, blue-gray back, black cap
3. Largest nuthatch — the one on your suet feeder
4. Short tail, big head, long bill — compact proportions
5. Males: jet black cap; females: dark gray cap

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Black eye-line through white eyebrow — 'bandit face'
2. Rusty-orange underparts (both sexes, brighter in males)
3. Blue-gray back, black cap
4. Smaller than White-breasted; higher-pitched nasal call
5. Conifer specialist — irruptive in winter

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Black eye-line through white eyebrow — 'bandit face'
2. Rusty-orange underparts (both sexes, brighter in males)
3. Blue-gray back, black cap
4. Smaller than White-breasted; higher-pitched nasal call
5. Conifer specialist — irruptive in winter

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Small, plain brown overall — no bold markings
2. Faint barring on wings and tail
3. Cocked tail — often held upright
4. Loud, bubbling song disproportionate to tiny size
5. Aggressively fills all nearby nest boxes — destroys competitors' eggs

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Olive-green with bold white eye-ring (broken at top)
2. Two white wing bars with dark bar below upper one
3. Ruby crown patch usually hidden — flashed when excited
4. Tiny — among smallest songbirds (4 inches)
5. Constant wing-flicking habit — diagnostic behavior

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Breeding: glossy black with purple-green iridescence, yellow bill
2. Winter: covered in white spots ('stars'), dark bill
3. Short, squared tail and triangular wings in flight
4. Walks (not hops) on ground with purposeful stride
5. Introduced species — now one of North America's most abundant birds

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Breeding: glossy black with purple-green iridescence, yellow bill
2. Winter: covered in white spots ('stars'), dark bill
3. Short, squared tail and triangular wings in flight
4. Walks (not hops) on ground with purposeful stride
5. Introduced species — now one of North America's most abundant birds

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Sleek brown crest swept back from head
2. Black mask edged in white
3. Yellow band across tail tip
4. Waxy red tips on secondary feathers — the 'wax' in waxwing
5. Travels in flocks; feeds on berries — passing them beak to beak

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Gray above, pale below — plain looking
2. White wing patches flash conspicuously in flight
3. Long tail often raised and lowered (wing-flashing display)
4. Sings incredibly varied repertoire — mimics dozens of species
5. Sings at night — sometimes all night in spring

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Iridescent blue-green above, clean white below
2. Sharp line between dark upperparts and white underparts
3. First swallow to arrive in spring
4. Immatures: brown above instead of blue-green
5. Eats berries in cold weather — unusual for a swallow

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Iridescent blue-green above, clean white below
2. Sharp line between dark upperparts and white underparts
3. First swallow to arrive in spring
4. Immatures: brown above instead of blue-green
5. Eats berries in cold weather — unusual for a swallow

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Green back and purple rump — brightest swallow
2. White extends above eye and wraps around rump sides
3. White flank patches nearly meet over tail
4. Smaller and more compact than Tree Swallow
5. More common at higher elevations than Tree Swallow

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Deeply forked tail — longest of any North American swallow
2. Blue-black above with orange-rufous underparts
3. Rufous forehead and throat
4. Graceful, swooping flight low over fields
5. Builds mud cup nests on buildings and bridges

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Square tail (vs Barn Swallow's forked tail)
2. Pale buffy rump patch — visible in flight
3. Dark throat with pale forehead (pale or dark varies)
4. Builds gourd-shaped mud nests in colonies under overhangs
5. Often in large flocks — the famous Capistrano swallows

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Yellow belly, gray head and breast
2. Black tail with white outer edges
3. Pale gray breast blending into yellow belly
4. Sits on wires and fences — sallies out for insects
5. Most common kingbird in Colorado

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Dark blackish above, white below — sharp contrast
2. White terminal tail band — like it was dipped in white paint
3. Hidden red-orange crown patch (rarely seen)
4. Aggressive — attacks much larger birds including hawks
5. Upright posture on exposed perches

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Pale grayish-brown above, cinnamon-orange belly and undertail
2. No wing bars, no eye-ring — plain face
3. Pumps tail while perched — classic phoebe behavior
4. Open, arid habitats — often on ranch buildings
5. Earliest flycatcher to return in spring

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Large shaggy crest — disheveled look
2. Blue-gray above, white below with blue-gray breast band
3. Female: additional rufous belly band (female more colorful — unusual)
4. Large head and dagger-like bill on small body
5. Hovers over water then plunges headfirst for fish

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Large shaggy crest — disheveled look
2. Blue-gray above, white below with blue-gray breast band
3. Female: additional rufous belly band (female more colorful — unusual)
4. Large head and dagger-like bill on small body
5. Hovers over water then plunges headfirst for fish

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Long, pointed wings with bold white wing bars — visible in flight
2. Active at dawn and dusk — erratic, bat-like flight
3. Tiny bill but enormous mouth for catching flying insects
4. Males: white throat; females: buffy throat
5. Roosts lengthwise on branches — cryptic

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Slim, graceful with long, pointed tail
2. Pinkish-brown body with black spots on wings
3. White-edged tail visible in flight
4. Small head, thin neck — gentle proportions
5. Whistling wing sound on takeoff

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Pale sandy-gray overall — larger and paler than Mourning Dove
2. Black crescent on back of neck ('collar') — diagnostic
3. Square tail (vs Mourning Dove's pointed tail)
4. Dark primaries contrast with pale body from below
5. Invasive species — rapidly expanding across North America since 1980s

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Highly variable — blue-gray, checkered, red, white, mixed
2. Classic: gray with iridescent green/purple neck, two black wing bars
3. White rump visible in flight (wild-type birds)
4. Thick, fleshy cere at bill base
5. The common 'city pigeon' — found worldwide

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: iridescent green head, red eye wattles, white neck ring
2. Male: copper body, extremely long pointed tail
3. Female: cryptic brown — like a large, long-tailed quail
4. Explosive, cackling flush from cover
5. Introduced from Asia — now established in grasslands and cropfields

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: iridescent green head, red eye wattles, white neck ring
2. Male: copper body, extremely long pointed tail
3. Female: cryptic brown — like a large, long-tailed quail
4. Explosive, cackling flush from cover
5. Introduced from Asia — now established in grasslands and cropfields

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Large, dark-bodied with iridescent bronze plumage
2. Male: bare red-and-blue head, long beard, fan tail in display
3. Female: smaller, duller, small head with feathers
4. Strong legs — roosts in trees despite heavy body
5. Travels in flocks on the ground — scratches for food

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Large, dark-bodied with iridescent bronze plumage
2. Male: bare red-and-blue head, long beard, fan tail in display
3. Female: smaller, duller, small head with feathers
4. Strong legs — roosts in trees despite heavy body
5. Travels in flocks on the ground — scratches for food

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Large — stands 4 feet tall, 6-foot wingspan
2. Blue-gray body, black stripe over eye extending to plumes
3. S-curved neck in flight (retracted, not extended like cranes)
4. Yellow-orange dagger-like bill
5. Often stands motionless at water's edge, waiting to strike

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Black overall with orange throat patch and facial skin
2. Holds wings out to dry — characteristic spread-wing pose
3. Swims low in water with neck kinked upward — snake-like
4. Hooked bill for catching fish
5. Breeding: small tufted crests above eyes (rarely seen well)

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Massive white body with black flight feathers — visible in soaring flight
2. Enormous orange-yellow bill with throat pouch
3. Soars on thermals in group formations — often very high
4. Cooperative feeder — groups drive fish together
5. Breeding: horn-like knob on upper bill

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Tall (4 feet), gray body with red crown patch (adults)
2. Flies with neck extended straight out (vs herons' retracted S-neck)
3. Bustle of drooping tail feathers giving rear-heavy look
4. Often seen in large flocks during migration
5. Dancing display — leaping and bowing

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Rufous chest and shoulder patches (adults)
2. Bold black-and-white banding on tail and flight feathers
3. Translucent crescent 'windows' near wingtips from below
4. Medium-sized buteo — smaller than Red-tailed
5. Checkered black-and-white wings from above

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Rufous chest and shoulder patches (adults)
2. Bold black-and-white banding on tail and flight feathers
3. Translucent crescent 'windows' near wingtips from below
4. Medium-sized buteo — smaller than Red-tailed
5. Checkered black-and-white wings from above

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Largest North American buteo — massive and pale
2. Rufous legs feathered to toes — form dark V from below in flight
3. White underparts and underwings with dark wrist commas
4. Rich rufous back and shoulders
5. Large gape gives 'smiling' appearance

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Largest North American buteo — massive and pale
2. Rufous legs feathered to toes — form dark V from below in flight
3. White underparts and underwings with dark wrist commas
4. Rich rufous back and shoulders
5. Large gape gives 'smiling' appearance

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Largest North American buteo — massive and pale
2. Rufous legs feathered to toes — form dark V from below in flight
3. White underparts and underwings with dark wrist commas
4. Rich rufous back and shoulders
5. Large gape gives 'smiling' appearance

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Dark belly patch on white underparts (light morph)
2. Dark carpal patches on pale underwings
3. White tail base with broad dark terminal band
4. Feathered legs to toes (shared with Ferruginous)
5. Hovers frequently while hunting — unusual for a buteo

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Dark belly patch on white underparts (light morph)
2. Dark carpal patches on pale underwings
3. White tail base with broad dark terminal band
4. Feathered legs to toes (shared with Ferruginous)
5. Hovers frequently while hunting — unusual for a buteo

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Golden-tawny nape feathers — visible at closer range
2. All-dark body with slight dihedral in soaring flight
3. Immatures: white patches at base of tail and in wings
4. Massive size but more agile than Bald Eagle
5. Legs feathered to toes (Bald Eagle's legs are bare)

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Golden-tawny nape feathers — visible at closer range
2. All-dark body with slight dihedral in soaring flight
3. Immatures: white patches at base of tail and in wings
4. Massive size but more agile than Bald Eagle
5. Legs feathered to toes (Bald Eagle's legs are bare)

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Dark 'wingpit' patches (axillars) visible from below
2. Sandy-brown above — paler than Peregrine
3. Thin moustache stripe — less bold than Peregrine
4. Pointed wings, fast low-level flight over open terrain
5. White between eye and dark ear patch

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Dark 'wingpit' patches (axillars) visible from below
2. Sandy-brown above — paler than Peregrine
3. Thin moustache stripe — less bold than Peregrine
4. Pointed wings, fast low-level flight over open terrain
5. White between eye and dark ear patch

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Dark helmet and thick black moustache stripe
2. Slate-blue back (adults), barred underparts
3. Pointed wings, powerful chest
4. Steep, fast dives (stoops) exceeding 200 mph
5. Immatures: brown with heavy streaking below

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Dark helmet and thick black moustache stripe
2. Slate-blue back (adults), barred underparts
3. Pointed wings, powerful chest
4. Steep, fast dives (stoops) exceeding 200 mph
5. Immatures: brown with heavy streaking below

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Stocky, powerful small falcon — no hovering
2. Heavily streaked underparts
3. Dark tail with narrow pale bands
4. No bold facial pattern (vs Kestrel's two stripes)
5. Fast, direct flight with rapid wingbeats — 'tiny Peregrine'

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. White, heart-shaped facial disk — unmistakable
2. Pale golden-buff above with gray and white markings
3. White to pale cinnamon underparts with small dark spots
4. Dark eyes in pale face
5. Long legs; buoyant, mothlike flight

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Small with ear tufts — compact and stocky
2. Gray or rufous morph (rufous more common in East)
3. Yellow eyes, pale bill
4. Complex bark-like camouflage plumage
5. Descending whinny call (vs Western's bouncing-ball trill)

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Small with ear tufts — compact and stocky
2. Gray or rufous morph (rufous more common in East)
3. Yellow eyes, pale bill
4. Complex bark-like camouflage plumage
5. Descending whinny call (vs Western's bouncing-ball trill)

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Small with ear tufts — nearly identical to Eastern
2. Gray morph only in Colorado (no rufous)
3. Dark bill (vs Eastern's pale bill)
4. Fine crossbarring on underparts
5. Bouncing-ball trill call (vs Eastern's descending whinny)

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Buoyant, floppy flight low over open fields — mothlike
2. Dark wrist patches on pale underwings from below
3. Pale facial disk with dark eye patches — 'panda face'
4. Tiny ear tufts rarely visible
5. Active at dawn and dusk — often seen hunting in daylight

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: black head with green sheen (vs Lesser's purple)
2. Rounded head shape (vs Lesser Scaup's peaked head)
3. White wing stripe extends onto primaries in flight
4. Larger and heavier-billed than Lesser Scaup
5. Female: broad white face patch at bill base

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Long, sloping forehead blending smoothly into bill — distinctive profile
2. Male: dark rufous head darker than Redhead's, white body
3. Male: 'canvas-white' back — very pale, visible at distance
4. Larger and longer-billed than Redhead
5. Female: pale brown with same sloping profile

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Long, sloping forehead blending smoothly into bill — distinctive profile
2. Male: dark rufous head darker than Redhead's, white body
3. Male: 'canvas-white' back — very pale, visible at distance
4. Larger and longer-billed than Redhead
5. Female: pale brown with same sloping profile

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: white crescent (not round spot) on purple-black head
2. Male: more black on sides than Common Goldeneye
3. Female: entirely orange-yellow bill (vs Common's yellow-tipped black bill)
4. Purple (not green) head gloss on male
5. Prefers mountain lakes; less common than Common Goldeneye

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: spectacular fan-shaped crest — white with black border
2. Male: black and white body, thin serrated bill
3. Female: shaggy rusty-brown crest
4. Smallest merganser — compact and fast
5. Bright yellow eye (male)

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: spectacular fan-shaped crest — white with black border
2. Male: black and white body, thin serrated bill
3. Female: shaggy rusty-brown crest
4. Smallest merganser — compact and fast
5. Bright yellow eye (male)

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: shaggy, spiky green crest (messier than Common Merganser)
2. Male: rusty breast band, white collar, gray sides
3. Female: rufous head blends gradually into gray neck (vs Common's sharp contrast)
4. Thinner and more streamlined than Common Merganser
5. Red eye and thin red bill — both sexes

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: shaggy, spiky green crest (messier than Common Merganser)
2. Male: rusty breast band, white collar, gray sides
3. Female: rufous head blends gradually into gray neck (vs Common's sharp contrast)
4. Thinner and more streamlined than Common Merganser
5. Red eye and thin red bill — both sexes

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: ornate head pattern — iridescent green and purple with white stripes
2. Male: red eye, red bill base, chestnut breast with white flecks
3. Female: teardrop-shaped white eye patch
4. Rectangular head shape, long tail — sleek profile
5. Often perches in trees — nests in tree cavities

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: ornate head pattern — iridescent green and purple with white stripes
2. Male: red eye, red bill base, chestnut breast with white flecks
3. Female: teardrop-shaped white eye patch
4. Rectangular head shape, long tail — sleek profile
5. Often perches in trees — nests in tree cavities

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. White morph: all white with black wingtips ('frosty tips')
2. Pink bill with dark 'grinning patch' along edges
3. Blue morph: dark body, white head and upper neck
4. Massive migrating flocks, often mixed with Ross's
5. Orange-pink legs — both morphs

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. White morph: all white with black wingtips ('frosty tips')
2. Pink bill with dark 'grinning patch' along edges
3. Blue morph: dark body, white head and upper neck
4. Massive migrating flocks, often mixed with Ross's
5. Orange-pink legs — both morphs

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Smallest white goose — Mallard-sized
2. Stubby, triangular pink bill — no grinning patch (vs Snow)
3. Shorter neck and rounder head than Snow Goose
4. White plumage with black wingtips — like mini Snow Goose
5. Often found mixed in Snow Goose flocks

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Miniature Canada Goose — notably smaller
2. Short, stubby bill (vs Canada's longer bill)
3. Shorter neck — often looks neckless
4. Steeper forehead angle than Canada Goose
5. Higher-pitched call than Canada Goose

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Black above, white below — extreme contrast
2. Absurdly long pink-red legs — longest relative to body of any bird
3. Thin, straight, needle-like black bill
4. Red eye
5. Noisy and aggressive around nests

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Drab gray-brown when standing — unremarkable
2. Dramatic bold black-and-white wing pattern in flight
3. Large, heavy, straight bill — thick at base
4. Sturdy build — larger than most shorebirds
5. Loud 'pill-will-WILLET' call

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Drab gray-brown when standing — unremarkable
2. Dramatic bold black-and-white wing pattern in flight
3. Large, heavy, straight bill — thick at base
4. Sturdy build — larger than most shorebirds
5. Loud 'pill-will-WILLET' call

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Bright yellow legs, long and slender
2. Slightly upturned bill — 1.5x head length
3. Gray-brown and white speckled plumage
4. Larger than Lesser Yellowlegs (robin-to-pigeon sized)
5. 3-note call: 'tew-tew-tew'

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Bright yellow legs — like Greater but smaller (robin-sized)
2. Straight, thin bill — about 1x head length (shorter than Greater's)
3. More delicate and elegant than Greater Yellowlegs
4. Mottled gray-brown above, white below
5. 1-2 note call: 'tew' or 'tew-tew' (vs Greater's 3-note)

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Smallest shorebird in the world — sparrow-sized
2. Yellow-green legs — only small peep with yellow legs
3. Brown, streaky overall — warm-toned
4. Thin, slightly drooped bill
5. Feeds in muddy edges, often crouched low

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Slightly drooped bill tip — longer than Least's
2. Black legs (vs Least Sandpiper's yellow-green)
3. Rufous scapulars in breeding plumage
4. Larger and grayer than Least Sandpiper
5. Chevron-shaped flank streaks (vs Least's streaked breast)

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Long wings extending past tail tip when standing
2. Buffy breast with fine streaking fading into white belly
3. Scaly-patterned back from pale feather edges
4. Black legs, thin straight bill
5. Prefers drier habitats than other peeps — upland fields, mudflat edges

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Very long, straight bill — probes in sewing-machine motion
2. Chunky body with short legs — stocky shorebird
3. Breeding: rufous underparts with barred flanks
4. White wedge on back visible in flight
5. Sharp 'keek!' call — single note (vs Short-billed's 'tu-tu-tu')

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Extremely long, straight bill — longest proportionally of any shorebird
2. Cryptic brown-and-gold striped plumage — nearly invisible in marsh
3. Explosive, zigzag flush when surprised
4. Dark stripes through eye and across crown
5. Winnowing display: tail feathers vibrate in flight creating eerie sound

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Female more colorful than male — reversed sex roles
2. Breeding female: gray crown, black eye-line continuing as rufous neck stripe
3. Spins in circles on water to stir up food
4. Thin, needle-like bill — longest of the phalaropes
5. Non-breeding: very plain gray and white, yellowish legs

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Female more colorful than male — reversed sex roles
2. Breeding female: gray crown, black eye-line continuing as rufous neck stripe
3. Spins in circles on water to stir up food
4. Thin, needle-like bill — longest of the phalaropes
5. Non-breeding: very plain gray and white, yellowish legs

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Single black breast band on white chest (vs Killdeer's two bands)
2. Small, compact plover — sparrow-sized
3. Orange legs and orange bill base with black tip
4. Brown above, white below — like a mini-Killdeer
5. Short bill — typical plover run-stop-peck feeding style

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. No breast bands — unusually plain for a plover
2. Sandy-brown above, white below — cryptic on bare ground
3. Breeding: black forecrown and lore stripe on white face
4. Prefers short-grass prairie and plowed fields — rarely near water
5. White wing stripe visible in flight

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Large shorebird with long, slightly upturned bicolored bill (pink base, dark tip)
2. Warm cinnamon-buff overall — marbled brown pattern
3. Cinnamon underwings visible in flight
4. Larger than Willet, smaller than Curlew
5. Often feeds in shallow water, probing deeply

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Extremely long, downcurved bill — longest of any North American shorebird
2. Warm buffy-brown overall
3. Cinnamon underwings visible in flight
4. Large — nearly crow-sized
5. Grassland breeder; dramatic flight displays

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Red crown and nape (red 'cap')
2. Black and white striped face with red throat
3. Neat rows of sap wells drilled in trees
4. White wing patch visible at rest
5. Black breast patch between red throat and yellow belly

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Red crown and nape (red 'cap')
2. Black and white striped face with red throat
3. Neat rows of sap wells drilled in trees
4. White wing patch visible at rest
5. Black breast patch between red throat and yellow belly

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Extreme sexual dimorphism — male and female look like different species
2. Male: mostly black with white face stripes, red throat, yellow belly
3. Female: brown-barred body, no red — resembles a different woodpecker
4. White rump and wing patch
5. Found in high-elevation conifer forests

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Extreme sexual dimorphism — male and female look like different species
2. Male: mostly black with white face stripes, red throat, yellow belly
3. Female: brown-barred body, no red — resembles a different woodpecker
4. White rump and wing patch
5. Found in high-elevation conifer forests

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Entirely red head — solid crimson, unmistakable
2. Bold black and white body — large white wing patches
3. In flight: half-black, half-white wings from above
4. Catches insects in flight — flycatcher-like behavior
5. Immatures: brown head (not red) — often confuse birders

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Entirely red head — solid crimson, unmistakable
2. Bold black and white body — large white wing patches
3. In flight: half-black, half-white wings from above
4. Catches insects in flight — flycatcher-like behavior
5. Immatures: brown head (not red) — often confuse birders

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Dark greenish-black back — no white patches or barring
2. Pink-red belly, gray collar, dark red face
3. Slow, buoyant, crow-like flight — unusual for a woodpecker
4. Catches insects on the wing like a flycatcher
5. Acorn-caching behavior in winter

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: brilliant orange-rufous body, iridescent red-orange gorget
2. Female: rufous on flanks and tail base, green back
3. Extremely aggressive and territorial at feeders
4. Rufous tail with dark central feathers (both sexes)
5. Common fall migrant through Colorado

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: brilliant orange-rufous body, iridescent red-orange gorget
2. Female: rufous on flanks and tail base, green back
3. Extremely aggressive and territorial at feeders
4. Rufous tail with dark central feathers (both sexes)
5. Common fall migrant through Colorado

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: black chin with thin purple band at bottom (hard to see)
2. Female: plain — clean white underparts, green back
3. Tail pumps while hovering — characteristic behavior
4. Drab compared to other hummers — no rufous, no broad-tailed trill
5. Bill slightly downcurved

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: black chin with thin purple band at bottom (hard to see)
2. Female: plain — clean white underparts, green back
3. Tail pumps while hovering — characteristic behavior
4. Drab compared to other hummers — no rufous, no broad-tailed trill
5. Bill slightly downcurved

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. All-over dull blue — no crest, no white markings
2. Crow-like shape with strong bill for pine nuts
3. Travels in noisy, tight-packed flocks — sometimes hundreds
4. Short tail gives compact appearance
5. Walks on ground more than other jays

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Gray body with black wings and black central tail feathers
2. White outer tail feathers and white wing patches flash in flight
3. Long, heavy, spike-like black bill for prying open pine cones
4. Caches thousands of pine seeds for winter — remarkable memory
5. High-elevation conifer forests near treeline

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. White outer tail feathers — visible in flight
2. White eye-ring on plain face — no crown stripe
3. Rufous shoulder patch (lesser coverts) — often hidden
4. Fine breast streaking on pale underparts
5. Often sings from fence posts at dusk — hence 'vesper'

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Bold harlequin face pattern — chestnut, black, and white
2. Single dark central breast spot (like American Tree Sparrow)
3. White tail corners visible in flight
4. Large sparrow with rounded tail
5. Open habitat — grasslands with scattered trees

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Fine, crisp streaking on buffy breast band
2. Buffy moustache stripe and eye-ring — 'baby-faced' look
3. Gray face contrasting with brown crown stripes
4. More secretive and skulking than Song Sparrow
5. Raised crown feathers give peaked head appearance

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Yellow lores (between eye and bill) — often faint but diagnostic
2. Short, notched tail
3. Heavily streaked breast and flanks on white underparts
4. Pale median crown stripe
5. Grassland bird — runs on the ground, reluctant to fly

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Flat-headed with large bill — distinctive profile
2. Unstreaked buffy breast (adults) — unlike most grassland sparrows
3. Buffy-orange face with pale eye-ring
4. Short tail — barely visible above grass
5. Insect-like song — often only way to detect them

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Chunky, large sparrow — biggest Emberizid sparrow
2. Heavy triangular breast streaking that may merge into central spot
3. Rufous tail pumped in flight (Sooty and Red forms)
4. Scratches vigorously in leaf litter with both feet
5. Variable: western birds range from sooty brown to slate gray

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Chunky, large sparrow — biggest Emberizid sparrow
2. Heavy triangular breast streaking that may merge into central spot
3. Rufous tail pumped in flight (Sooty and Red forms)
4. Scratches vigorously in leaf litter with both feet
5. Variable: western birds range from sooty brown to slate gray

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Black crown, face, and bib on breeding adults — striking
2. Large — biggest North American sparrow
3. Pink bill
4. Immatures: less black, scaly crown pattern
5. Winters in central Great Plains — uncommon in Colorado

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Black crown, face, and bib on breeding adults — striking
2. Large — biggest North American sparrow
3. Pink bill
4. Immatures: less black, scaly crown pattern
5. Winters in central Great Plains — uncommon in Colorado

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. White throat sharply defined against gray breast
2. Yellow lores (spot between eye and bill)
3. Bold head stripes: black and white (or brown and tan) morph
4. Tan-striped morph common — brown and tan replacing black and white
5. Darker and browner overall than White-crowned Sparrow

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. White throat sharply defined against gray breast
2. Yellow lores (spot between eye and bill)
3. Bold head stripes: black and white (or brown and tan) morph
4. Tan-striped morph common — brown and tan replacing black and white
5. Darker and browner overall than White-crowned Sparrow

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Rufous crown, olive-green body — unique color combo
2. White throat with dark moustache stripe
3. Yellow-green tones on wings and tail
4. Secretive — often stays in dense shrubs
5. Gray face and breast contrast with green upperparts

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Plain gray-brown overall — large, drab sparrow
2. Rusty-brown cap, dark central breast spot
3. Rufous undertail coverts visible at close range
4. Necklace of dark streaks across breast
5. Resident of rocky canyon and scrub habitat

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: bright rose-pink crown contrasting with brown nape ('beret' effect)
2. Male: crisp, fine streaking on white flanks and undertail
3. Female: crisp, fine streaking on white underparts — sharper than House Finch
4. Slightly larger than House Finch with straighter bill ridge
5. Higher elevation — montane forests

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: bright rose-pink crown contrasting with brown nape ('beret' effect)
2. Male: crisp, fine streaking on white flanks and undertail
3. Female: crisp, fine streaking on white underparts — sharper than House Finch
4. Slightly larger than House Finch with straighter bill ridge
5. Higher elevation — montane forests

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Crossed bill tips — visible at close range, diagnostic
2. Male: brick-red to orange-red overall with dark wings
3. Female: olive-yellow with dark wings
4. No wing bars (vs White-winged Crossbill)
5. Feeds on conifer cones — often hangs upside down

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Crossed bill tips — visible at close range, diagnostic
2. Male: brick-red to orange-red overall with dark wings
3. Female: olive-yellow with dark wings
4. No wing bars (vs White-winged Crossbill)
5. Feeds on conifer cones — often hangs upside down

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Massive pale bill — like it's wearing a wax nose
2. Male: bold yellow body, black head and wings, white wing patches
3. Female: gray with yellow-green tones and white wing patches
4. Large and stocky — biggest finch at feeders
5. Irruptive — unpredictable winter visitor

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Massive pale bill — like it's wearing a wax nose
2. Male: bold yellow body, black head and wings, white wing patches
3. Female: gray with yellow-green tones and white wing patches
4. Large and stocky — biggest finch at feeders
5. Irruptive — unpredictable winter visitor

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: bright yellow with neat black cap — like a yarmulke
2. Female: yellow overall with olive-green cap (may show dark hint)
3. No wing bars, no tail spots — plain bright yellow
4. Small, active, often near water
5. Flips tail frequently while foraging

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: bright yellow with neat black cap — like a yarmulke
2. Female: yellow overall with olive-green cap (may show dark hint)
3. No wing bars, no tail spots — plain bright yellow
4. Small, active, often near water
5. Flips tail frequently while foraging

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Drab olive-green overall — 'the boring warbler'
2. Orange crown patch rarely visible
3. Faint blurry breast streaking
4. Split eye-ring and faint eye-line — subtle face pattern
5. Dullest warbler but commonest in migration through Colorado

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Gray overall with yellow breast patch and rump
2. Bold white eye-ring on plain gray face
3. Rufous crown patch (usually concealed)
4. Bobs tail constantly — distinctive behavior
5. Dry, brushy mountain slopes — pinyon-juniper habitat

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Gray hood on male — dark and complete
2. Bold white eye arcs (broken eye-ring) — not a complete ring
3. Bright yellow below from breast down
4. Skulks in dense underbrush — hard to see
5. Female: paler gray hood, same eye arcs

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: jet black with vivid orange patches on wings, tail, and sides
2. Female/immature: olive-gray with yellow patches where male has orange
3. Fans tail and droops wings to flash patches — startles insects
4. Extremely active and acrobatic — like a warbler-butterfly
5. Long, flat tail fanned constantly

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: jet black with vivid orange patches on wings, tail, and sides
2. Female/immature: olive-gray with yellow patches where male has orange
3. Fans tail and droops wings to flash patches — startles insects
4. Extremely active and acrobatic — like a warbler-butterfly
5. Long, flat tail fanned constantly

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: deep blue head, wings, tail with rusty-orange breast and flanks
2. Male: blue throat (vs Eastern's orange throat)
3. Female: gray with blue tint on wings and tail, pale orange breast
4. Chunkier than Mountain Bluebird
5. Often in small flocks at fruiting trees in winter

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: deep blue head, wings, tail with rusty-orange breast and flanks
2. Male: blue throat (vs Eastern's orange throat)
3. Female: gray with blue tint on wings and tail, pale orange breast
4. Chunkier than Mountain Bluebird
5. Often in small flocks at fruiting trees in winter

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: bright blue above, rusty-orange breast and throat
2. Male: orange throat (vs Western's blue throat)
3. Female: gray-blue with pale orange wash on breast
4. White belly contrasts with orange breast
5. Eastern Colorado — overlap zone with Western Bluebird

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Male: bright blue above, rusty-orange breast and throat
2. Male: orange throat (vs Western's blue throat)
3. Female: gray-blue with pale orange wash on breast
4. White belly contrasts with orange breast
5. Eastern Colorado — overlap zone with Western Bluebird

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Rufous tail contrasting with brown back — diagnostic among thrushes
2. Cocks tail upward and slowly lowers it — characteristic behavior
3. Spotted breast on buffy-white underparts
4. Thin white eye-ring
5. Only catharus thrush wintering in North America

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Buffy eye-ring and buffy face — warm spectacles
2. Olive-brown above (vs Hermit's rufous tail contrast)
3. Spotted breast like other thrushes
4. Uniform upperparts — no tail contrast (vs Hermit)
5. Migrant through Colorado — spiraling song given at night

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Gray overall with white eye-ring — plain but elegant
2. Buff wing patches visible in flight
3. White outer tail feathers
4. Long tail — slim, upright posture on exposed perches
5. Defends juniper berry territories in winter — unusually territorial for a thrush

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Tiny — one of North America's smallest songbirds (4.5 inches)
2. Plain gray-brown with long tail — nondescript
3. Travels in noisy, active flocks of 10-40 birds
4. Builds remarkable hanging sock-like nest (up to a foot long)
5. Interior birds have dark ear patches; coastal birds have brown caps

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Tiny — smallest nuthatch, barely 4 inches
2. Gray-brown cap coming down to eye (no eye-line like Red-breasted)
3. Pale grayish underparts
4. Travels in noisy chattering flocks
5. Ponderosa pine specialist

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Spirals up tree trunks — opposite direction from nuthatches
2. Brown-streaked bark-like plumage — nearly invisible against bark
3. White underparts, stiff tail used as prop against trunk
4. Thin, downcurved bill for probing bark crevices
5. Flies to base of next tree and spirals up again — methodical

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Rich rufous-brown overall with white throat and breast
2. Very long, downcurved bill — probes into rock crevices
3. Flattened body for moving along cliff faces
4. Cascading, descending song echoes off canyon walls
5. Dark belly contrasts with white breast

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Pale gray-brown above with subtle spotting
2. Buffy tips on tail feathers — visible spread in flight
3. Finely streaked breast, pale underparts
4. Bobs up and down — distinctive behavior
5. Builds paved 'walkway' of small stones leading to nest

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Bold white eyebrow stripe on brown head
2. Black and white streaking on back
3. Rounded, skulking shape in cattails and reeds
4. Cocked tail — typical wren posture
5. Males build multiple dummy nests in territory

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Tiny — long tail makes up half its length
2. Blue-gray above, white below, white eye-ring
3. Long black tail with white outer feathers — constantly fanned and cocked
4. Active and wheezy — like a miniature mockingbird
5. Black eyebrow (males in breeding) gives 'angry' look

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Yellow crown stripe bordered by black (orange center in males)
2. White eyebrow stripe and black eye-line — striped face
3. Olive above, pale below, two white wing bars
4. Even smaller than Ruby-crowned — tiny and round
5. Conifer specialist — often high in spruce and fir

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Black mask through and behind eye — like a bandit
2. Gray above, white below with hooked bill — a predatory songbird
3. Impales prey on thorns and barbed wire — 'butcher bird'
4. White wing patches flash in undulating flight
5. Smaller and darker mask than Northern Shrike

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Slate gray overall — like a gray uniform
2. Black cap
3. Rufous undertail coverts — usually hidden but diagnostic
4. Long tail — often cocked upward
5. Skulks in dense shrubs

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Bright rufous-brown above with long tail
2. Heavy brown streaking on white underparts
3. Yellow eye — piercing
4. Long, slightly downcurved bill
5. Sings from exposed perches — phrases in pairs

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Gray-brown above, streaked whitish below
2. White wing bars — unusual for a thrasher
3. Short, straight bill (vs other thrashers' curved bills)
4. Yellow eye
5. Strongly tied to sagebrush habitat

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Brown above, white below with distinct brown breast band
2. Smallest North American swallow
3. Nests in colonies — burrows in sandy banks and bluffs
4. Clean brown breast band (vs Northern Rough-winged's smudgy throat)
5. Quick, fluttery wingbeats

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Brown above, dingy brownish throat fading to white belly
2. No breast band — just diffuse brown wash on throat
3. Larger and steadier flight than Bank Swallow
4. Usually alone or in pairs (vs Bank Swallow's colonies)
5. Rough-edged outer primary feathers — the 'rough wing'

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Black and white torpedo shape — fast and streamlined
2. White throat, breast, and flanks form H-pattern on underside
3. Long, slightly forked tail
4. Nests on cliffs — often with Violet-green Swallows
5. Fastest bird in level flight in North America

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Dark cigar-shaped body — 'flying cigar'
2. Very rapid, stiff wingbeats — wings never seem to bend
3. Short, squared tail — stiff spines for clinging to vertical surfaces
4. Chattering flight calls — constant twittering
5. Nests in chimneys and hollow trees — declining as chimneys are capped

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. All dark above and on breast, white belly — like wearing a tuxedo
2. Sharp line between black breast and white belly
3. Pumps tail — classic phoebe behavior
4. Always near water — streams, ponds, fountains
5. Builds mud nest under bridges and overhangs

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Gray-olive above with pale underparts — intermediate Empidonax
2. Rounded eye-ring (vs Cordilleran's teardrop)
3. Short bill, moderate tail length
4. Sagebrush and open mountain shrub habitat
5. Pumps tail downward (vs Hammond's upward tail flick)

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Olive-gray above, grayish breast, yellowish belly
2. Bold eye-ring on large-headed profile — big-headed look
3. Short bill on a big-headed bird
4. High-elevation dense conifer forests
5. Flicks tail upward (vs Dusky's downward pump)

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Olive-brown above, pale below with faint breast vest
2. Minimal or no eye-ring — key distinction from Alder
3. Two dull wing bars
4. Willow thickets near water
5. Best identified by voice: sneezy 'FITZ-bew!'

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Pale gray throat and breast, pale yellow belly
2. Rufous in tail visible in flight — rusty tail flashes
3. Two white wing bars on dark wings
4. Bushy-crested appearance — slight mohawk
5. Dry, open woodlands — pinyon-juniper, desert scrub

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Dark vest flanking white breast center — looks like a dark vest over white shirt
2. White tufts sometimes visible on sides of rump
3. Large head, short tail — stocky flycatcher
4. Sits at very tops of tall dead trees
5. Emphatic 'Quick, THREE BEERS!' song

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Dark olive-gray above and below — darkest small flycatcher
2. No eye-ring or only very faint one
3. Two pale wing bars, lower one more prominent
4. Dark mandibles — both upper and lower
5. Sits on exposed branches mid-canopy — less active than Empidonax

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Mottled gray-brown — cryptic on ground
2. Short tail with white outer corners (male)
3. Tiny, rounded body — smallest nightjar
4. Enters torpor in cold weather — only bird known to 'hibernate'
5. Huge eyes, tiny bill with enormous gape

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Gray overall with purplish-pink breast
2. White crescent on back of neck above iridescent green patch
3. Pale band across end of tail — the 'band' in the name
4. Yellow bill with dark tip
5. Mountain forests — often in flocks at fruiting trees

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Long tail and legs — runs on ground up to 20 mph
2. Streaked brown and white with shaggy crest
3. Blue and red bare skin behind eye
4. Heavy bill — catches lizards and snakes
5. X-shaped footprints — two toes forward, two back

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Stocky, hunched heron with thick neck
2. Adult: black crown and back, gray wings, white underparts
3. Red eye (adults)
4. Immatures: brown with white streaking — look very different from adults
5. Active at dusk and night — hence 'night-heron'

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Stocky, hunched heron with thick neck
2. Adult: black crown and back, gray wings, white underparts
3. Red eye (adults)
4. Immatures: brown with white streaking — look very different from adults
5. Active at dusk and night — hence 'night-heron'

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Tall, all-white with long yellow bill and black legs
2. Largest white egret — stands 3+ feet tall
3. Slow, deliberate stalk in shallow water
4. Long, sinuous S-curved neck
5. Black legs/feet distinguish from Snowy Egret

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. All white with black bill and black legs
2. Bright yellow feet — 'golden slippers' (diagnostic)
3. Smaller and more active than Great Egret
4. Shuffles feet in water to stir up prey — distinctive hunting method
5. Yellow lores (between bill and eye) — brighten in breeding

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Compact, stocky white egret — shorter-necked than Snowy or Great
2. Breeding: buffy-orange wash on crown, breast, and back
3. Yellow bill and legs (non-breeding); orange-red bill (breeding)
4. Often in fields with livestock — eats insects stirred up by cattle
5. Relatively recent arrival to Americas from Africa

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Field Marks to Verify:

1. Olive-green above, yellowish below — typical Empidonax
2. Teardrop-shaped eye-ring (pointed behind) — key field mark
3. Two buffy wing bars
4. Lower mandible entirely orange-yellow
5. Mountain canyon habitat — prefers shady, moist areas

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: Adult Flight

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M Perch

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M Perch

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M Perch

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M Perch

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M Perch

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M Perch

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: F

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M Breeding

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M Breeding

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: F

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: F

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: F

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: M

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: Summer

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →

Variant: Winter

View on All About Birds →

Report Issue →