Author Archives: Michelle

Beak of the Week: Keel-billed Toucan

The uniquely beautiful and splendid qualities of birds never seize to amaze me! When I look at the Keel-billed Toucan, and compare it to, well, almost any other bird, I am endlessly boggled and surprised by how amazing the avian … Continue reading


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Beak of the Week: Emperor Penguin

As I started to look forward to celebrating another birthday this week, I decided I would review my bucket list and admire all of the wonderful possibilities I have created for myself—among them: visiting Antarctica. Albeit cold, errr freezing, there … Continue reading


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Beak of the Week: Eastern Bluebird

As we round out the remaining week of National Bird Feeding Month, I decided to feature the Eastern Bluebird, a highly sought after backyard visitor. In 1903, WL Dawson wrote in Birds of Ohio “How the waiting countryside thrills with joy when … Continue reading


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Beak of the Week: Downy Woodpecker

What is black and white and red all over? In your backyard—a Downy Woodpecker! A Downy Woodpecker This small woodpecker is common at backyard feeders all over the US and Canada, which makes it a perfect choice for Beak of … Continue reading


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Beak of the Week: Harris’s Hawk

My first Falconry experience at the Ireland School of Falconry In honor of this past Friday’s NatGeo WILD premier of “Aerial Assassins,” an exciting, action-packed documentary about birds, I couldn’t resist featuring the Harris’s Hawk as Beak of the Week!  … Continue reading


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Beak of the Week: Clark’s Grebe

Western Grebe again? Not so much! One of the most fascinating and, at times, frustrating elements of birding is the ability to distinguish very subtle features that may determine one species from another.  Can you identify the key differences between … Continue reading


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Beak of the Week: Western Grebe

Since Western Grebes are known to winter off the Pacific Coast, it wasn’t surprising to find this one (and many of his friends) at Lake Cachuma, which is located near Santa Barbara, California.  Though I am guilty of being a lover … Continue reading


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Beak of the Week: Dark-eyed Junco

  There are so many reasons why I love feeding birds!  And, while it is always exciting to see a new face stop by for a meal, it is equally refreshing to see familiar guests return for some feed, too! … Continue reading


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Beak of the Week: European Turtle Dove

“…My true love sent to me…Two turtle doves…And a partridge in a pear tree.”   Seasons Greetings! I hope everyone is having a happy and healthy holiday season. In the spirit of this festive time of year, I have chosen … Continue reading


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Beak of the Week: American Oystercatcher

An American Oystercatcher plucks a Moles Crab out of the sand. Allow me to introduce to you the American Oystercatcher! The long, vibrant reddish-orange beak and yellow, red-ringed eyes of this large, otherwise neutrally colored, shorebird are so striking it … Continue reading


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