I have spent a great deal of time this summer learning more about my backyard birds - this is one of my favorite pictures.  The look on the little one's face is just precious.  Having the American Goldfinch visit this year has been such a joy.  (in addition to the Blue Jay, Cardinal, House Finch, Sparrow, Mourning Dove, Chickadee and many more - including a red-tailed hawk, which made the others scatter!) 

Hi, these are my favorite birds around home. They have really bright orange and yellow colors and they like to be around yellowish flowers that we have at home.

Hello! I am from NYC Brooklyn to be specific, and I just recently discovered birding. I have been going out almost every day and I was able to see and identify birds for the first time. In prospect park I saw a yellow warbler, a black-and- white warbler, lots of robins and european starlings. Today I also saw a hummingbird, a brown-thrasher and a green heron. I have also identified 3 different kinds of woodpeckers it just one area! Red- bellied, downy and northern flicker. I am looking forward to identify more birds as I get more knowledgeable.

This is keanu he is a White-breasted nuthatch(Sitta Carolinensis) other wise known as a tree creeper. One day I was walking the dogs and a blue flash of feathers caught my eye, so I leashed my dogs to a tree and went over to investigate. What I found was a young bird struggling to set flight. So I picked him up, held him close, got the dogs and went home. The first thing I did was call my neighbor because she has looked after many small animals in need. She gave me a big box some birdseed and more things for the bird to survive. That night I took him out and let him explore my bed then, he fell asleep while I watched some YouTube videos. The next morning I took him out and he started climbing on me like I was a tree. After school my neighbor brought me to a sanctuary for all kinds of birds, but when we got there the a lady took him away without letting me say goodbye. Just today I found out that Nuthatches climb trees up and down and cant fall off trees easily. Every now and then I think of Keanu with a teary eye and think how his life must have been or still is today. This is my story on Keanu he didn't act normal like wild birds but he was special to me and will always hold a place in my heart. Thanks for listening to my story!  :)

Hi I'm a long time bird lover but in recent years find myself more and more interested in bird watching.  Mobile apps are mostly to blame and cornell has two that are fabulous.  I live in Southeastern Pennsylvania but spend a lot of the summer in OCNJ.  I love hawks, eagles and ospreys and consider myself fortunate to see them often.  When I was a child it was unheard of to see an Osprey locally or certainly a bald eagle.  In recent years I've seen bald eagles in my neighborhood in the Philly suburbs and Osprey are everywhere at the Jersey shore.  I would like to think conservation efforts take credit for that or maybe banning of DDT. My favorite bird over the years has been the Goldfinch.  We had a nesting pair at my first house that obliterated our sunflowers but it was worth it.  Last year the Carolina Chickadee may have replaced the goldfinch due to what I felt was an amazing experience.  I used a mobile app to identify one and then played the recorded song on the app.  Must have been a mating call because a male flew to the branch 3 or 4 feet from me.  He flew away and I called him right back with the soundbite.  We played at this for a few minutes until I finally released the little romeo. We have large oaks and poplars in our suburban yard and I'm privileged to see and hear woodpeckers, wren, pewee, grey catbird, cooper's hawk, redtail hawk, chickadee, sparrows and the occasional goldfinch or owl (mostly hear them).  I've even had a hummingbird in my back yard.

Hello! Happy to join in with everybody here. I've had to relocate from my urban home in NYC to a much more rural area in NJ. I am amazed at how many birds I see and hear out here! Taking this course has certainly enriched my exploration of my new environment, in a sonic sense in particular (I find bird sounds very inspiring). From the Wall Of Birds I've chosen the Common Loon. Not native around these parts but their calls are one of my favorites- for me it's an ancient sound. They are clumsy on land but so powerful and graceful in their element, water. I find that relatable. I didn't know that they can also remain underwater for up to 15 minutes! As for the locals, I've been enjoying the Pileated Woodpecker very much. They are elusive, I usually catch a glimpse of them flying if anything but I hear their call and drum patterns often. I wish I had a photo to share. I've also been really into the Turkey Vulture. I see them everywhere and find them fascinating. Not the prettiest bird but I like that they are a bit eerie and they are not scared of anything! I came across a gathering one morning and was absolutely awed and intimidated! I wish I had been a bit braver for a better shot but below you can get an idea of the size of the group I tiptoed past..

I'm Aagney from Karnataka, India. I've always loved birding both as a hobby and as a science. From the wall of birds i would pick the red whiskered bulbul( Pycnonotus jocosus ). In my neighborhood not a day goes by when I don't see this bird. I've closely watched it's rather clever antics and I always feel mesmerized by it. To this date I've seen about 53 species of birds in my neighborhood and about 9 of them visit my make-shift birdbath in my backyard. These include greattits, red whiskered and red vented bulbuls, white eyes, tailor birds, magpie robins and ashy prinias.

Good morning! I'm glad to be here! Activity 1 - I really like the King Vulture, I saw it sometimes and it is a very beautiful bird. The vulture family attracts me a lot, as the indigenous people of my country say: life comes from death. But there is another bird that I love, the Long-billed Woodcreeper, I saw it once and was fascinated! Activity 2 - From my windonw, right now, I can see parrots, songbirds and vultures. Activity 3 - Almost every day a little bird comes to my windown, it is a songbird and I forgot his name. And every time he knocks on my windown and seems to say: "Hi guy! Forget this computer, let's go out now!". My little new friend... he doesn't know the corona virus.

A "shout out" to the Atlantic Puffin.  The coloring of a penguin and the bill like a parrot.  Excellent swimmers and fast flyers. Perhaps not so coordinated when on land but it does not stay on land much except when it is time to breed.  The Atlantic Puffin numbers have been decreasing and it is currently listed as Vulnerable.  The inspiring "Project Puffin" story about bringing breeding colonies back to Maine reflects the dedication and persistence of individuals to help restore this unique bird to the US.

Lots to learn, but enjoying the time to learn it. I have feeders in my yard that seem to be "standing room only" most days. The second activity, finding three birds from three different groups sounded hard until I looked out there. I saw a hummingbird, a lesser finch and several doves. I never thought of them in these different groups. So interesting.

I used to go birding all the time, then kids and work, etc.  I actually worked on a Northern Spotted Owl survey many years ago.  Since this pandemic I've been trying to find ways to get outside.  Birding is the perfect excuse, so I'm kinda starting over again with my girlfriend and some other friends.  Found a great new place to hang out in Omaha (a beautifully preserved wetland).  Wood Ducks, Mallards, and a Great Blue Heron today.

I think I saw a Western Screech Owl in my backyard at dusk. I flew near me and the sound of it's flight startled me a little. I live near the foothills south of Salt Lake City.

These are picture of western reef Heron that I clicked during the process of saving this young bird. Yes. It was struck in the well as it could not fly. With help of my hands I helped it reach my home first and then its home, the lake near my house that you see in the above pictures. For the first time I noticed this bird and with the help of Merlin bird app i found its name. Thanks to the Merlin. I am fond of three other birds : two I spotted in my neighborhood and One online : Owl, Small sparrow( Neighborhood)  and Flamingo  (Online). For some reasons I find the face of the owl interesting and at times scary too.  I would like to explore more about it. I am sad that there was a bird called Ornimegalonyx and it is no more now. It is an owl too.  I wish to do my part to coexist with exiting birds. Sparrow are cute when they fly and they build their home in our house. I always observe them when I get chance.  Flamingo is a bird I was introduced through a documentary. But I went on to learn that journey to Indian locations such as Mumbai and Chennai. Amazing! their birth and migration stories are.

On the Wall of Birds I chose the Montezuma Quail.  I enjoyed hearing their song.  I now know it belongs to the chicken like birds.  I had fun comparing the Montezuma quail to the obervations descibed in our lesson. It was hard to just pick one bird.  There are so many interesting birds to choose from.  Really enjoyed the first lesson.  I just purchased a new pair of binoculers and I am very happy with them.  They are 8x32 and are light weight.  I have observed turkey vulture in the raptor group, morning dove in the pigeons and doves group, and the northern cardinal in the songbird group.  These three birds I have know a long time but with my binoculars I am able to see so much detail.  I have been looking at the peaks, trying to understand size and shape, observing tail length,etc.  What fun. Hard to choose a favorite bird but I am very fond of hummingbirds.  I am an avid gardener and I am always happy when I see one hovering around my tube shaped red flowers.  I have seen the ruby throated hummingbird in my backyard.  I love being outside in nature and bird watching just adds a whole new way to see our wonderful environment.  Thanks¡

I have enjoyed bird watching for years. This covid spring and summer my two boys (ages 12 & 9), along with my wife have now really gotten into bird watching. We have been camping in Smoky Mountain National Park, visited multiple bird reserves, refuges and parks along with a trip to the NC coast to see some migratory birds as well. What a joy for me to see my family take to it. My oldest son is quite the researcher, now seemingly having memorized a couple field guides (he can tell me what page various birds are on and he is unbelievable in remembering details of size and marking etc.) My younger son is the artist, taking pictures and then drawing the birds...its also mesmerizing to me. Having studied under an ornithologist for a semester in the Rockies during my college days to now many years later having my family get into birding is a thrill for me. While at Smoky Mtn National Park we encountered a family of Pileated woodpeckers near the ranger station and we followed them around a bit enjoying the show. Just yesterday, at our home, we had a surprise visit from a couple Yellow billed Cuckoos....to date, since March, we have identified a little over 50 species in our yard (piedmont of NC, USA). To date, since March, we have identified almost 160 species from the mountains to the coast and all in between.

I've been bird watching for awhile, and went on a nice long bird watch walk with other birds today. I'm pretty sure I saw a Great Crested Flycatcher, and another birder agrees. But a third birder thought maybe just a mockingbird. What would you mark down?

Activity 3: My favorite neighborhood bird is a Cooper's Hawk that I see pretty often. I live in the city of Rochester and I think the bird feeders people put out help feed this hawk. One day this past winter when out walking my dog, I saw the hawk pursuing a House Sparrow. The sparrow attempted to escape by landing in  someone's front yard. Nope. That didn't work, as the hawk darted over, grabbed the sparrow, flew across the street to alight in a tree, and started to consume its breakfast.

I've really been enjoying the intro to bird watching class. All the information is so helpful. So far, I've been able to identify several birds that have been coming to my feeders for quite some time now. It's nice to be able to look out the window and see who's really there, not just see "birds" in general.

<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">I live in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin and I </span>get a lot of American Goldifinches on my feeder along with sparrows and house finches.  Occasionally we will see a cardinal and there are a pair of mourning doves that will eat the seeds the other birds spill on the ground. This white bird appears to be a sparrow of some sort but it is all white. Is it possible that it is an albino sparrow?

Hi all, Very much enjoying this little intro course to birds.  I've been relatively successful in IDing the species around me and have found the BIRDNet tool really helpful. The other day, I came across this feather (see image) by my bird feeder.  The 'owner' was not observed and haven't seen any other like it since.  Any ideas??  I live in the Hamilton region of Southern Ontario.  I'd love to hear your thoughts!  

I live in San Diego and there are a few Anna’s Hummingbirds, I believe, (thanks Merlin App) that come by my front porch every day to peep the flower scene. I typically only see one at a time, but for a short while in -maybe- late May or early June there were upwards of six at a time! It was at that point I really began to enjoy their movements, sounds (namely the ‘buzzing’ of their wings), and those colors! A flash of green in the sunshine is really magnificent and is almost always cause for a pause. I haven’t completely figured out how to stay with their movements while using binoculars, but I am eager to start catching them up close.

I live in the Great Basin High Desert area.  While it is best to get out and take a walk up in the hills, or along the river, my backyard serves as my bird watching area during these unpredictable times.  I'm trying to plant flowers that attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.  Birds are attracted to the protective trees.  While it is not a large yard, I can easily find birds from three groups, (question 2.).   Mourning Doves flew in to explore.  Two Hummingbirds came to explore the Silvia and Penstemon.  However, I think some large Carpenter Bees rob them of some of the nectar. Rounding out the list are the songbirds Robins and my fave Scrub Jays and their youngsters. They are here all year and provide much entertainment.

I explored the Wall of Birds and immediately found one of my backyard favorites, the northern cardinal. Over 45 years ago I noticed a flock of male cardinals around a crabapple tree in my backyard as I watched from my kitchen window. Next day I placed hung a bird feeder from a branch of that tree and filled it with sunflower seeds. The cardinals found it and became regular visitors. I saw as many as 40 at a time in the late afternoon. That event made me become a birdwatcher. Over the years I have known many cardinal couples who have come to my feeders. I have noticed that if the female is around there is usually a male guarding her and discouraging other males from approaching. Several years ago I witnessed a sad event in my yard. In the late afternoon a female cardinal hit a picture window (despite the reflectors that hang from the inside of that window). Sadly she was dead instantly. He partner came looking for her and stayed with her, chirping and hopping around her body until the there was almost no light left. My husband and I were so sad to see his distress. It may seem silly but next morning we buried her in one of our flower beds.

One of the birds I picked in the Wall of Birds was the Oilbird. Where I come from,Venezuela, they are called Guácharo and are an important part of our nature culture (there is even a Guácharo monument!)  The Guácharo Cave, considered the largest in Venezuela, is located in the Guácharo National Park. It was explored by Alexander von Humboldt in 1799. I am attaching a picture of the cave's entrance and of the monument.   I now live in Lima, Peru, another great place to watch birds, however this is my first ever experience in bird watching. I took a stroll in a park near where I live in Lima and saw three birds that I managed to identify (I think) with the help of the Melin App: a group of Saffron Finches, two Long-Tailed Mockingbird, and a Vermilion Flycatcher. The Vermilion Flycatcher and the Blue-grey Tanager are my favorite birds. Although, I haven't seen Blue-grey Tanagers lately.

(1) Growing up in TN, my parents always fed the birds. Hands down I had to vote for the number one Cardinal as that bird is the first one I remember as a child and is still a number one beauty decades later. (2) A move to OH, and a home that backs up to a land trust area, we enjoy various groups of birds from songbirds, raptors, owls, woodpeckers, and doves...lots of doves. This year we were blessed with a barred owl family, Carolina wrens, a red tailed hawk family for the 4th year and most varieties of woodpeckers. (3) A bird that deserves a shout out is the Purple Martin. This is my 5th year as a PUMA colony landlord at our township garden. Who can’t love a bird that flies back and forth to South America each year to lay eggs, hatch their young and fly back? They are tough, personable, have a lovely chirp/chatter and don’t mind people hanging out with them. This year the colony has fledged 104 to send back to South America and some of them will return to our colony next year...we hope.