Why Do These Drake Common Goldeneyes Look Different?
Both of these drake Common Goldeneyes were photographed on January 7, 2018, but they don't look quite the same.
Comparing Adult Ring-billed and California Gulls
For most of the year Ring-billed and California Gulls are some of the most common gulls here in northern Utah and for some people it might be challenging to tell them apart.
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay – A Familiar Bird with a New Name
The long-awaited Scrub-Jay split has officially happened! Western Scrub-Jay can be crossed out in a our fields guides and the two new names California Scrub-Jay and Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay can be penciled in.
Whimbrels and Long-billed Curlews
When I lived in Florida I was able to see and photograph two of our largest North American shorebirds during winter which are Whimbrels and Long-billed Curlews.
Comparing Black-crowned and Yellow-crowned Night Herons
The adult Black-crowned and Yellow-crowned Night Herons aren't terribly difficult to tell apart though the juveniles can be more of a challenge.
Eastern and Western Willets in breeding plumage
I've had the good fortune to photograph both the eastern and western Willets in breeding plumage, the eastern in Florida and the western in Utah and Montana.
Sage Thrashers
Sage Thrashers are from the Mimid family. They forage mainly on the ground for insects, though they do eat berries at times.