Tag: american bird conservancy

The tiny, elusive LeConte’s Sparrow is closely related to other grassland sparrow species, including the Saltmarsh, Baird’s, and Henslow’s Sparrows. Like these relatives, the LeConte’s Sparrow behaves more like a mouse than a bird, foraging on the ground amidst thick vegetation, and scuttling away, rather than flying, when it feels threatened.

For those lucky enough to get a good look at one, the LeConte’s Sparrow shows several definitive ID features: a pumpkin-colored face with grey cheeks, a dark brown crown with white central stripe, and, perhaps most notably, a … Continue

In this species account, we highlight the Black Vulture found throughout the Americas, not the Black, or Cinereous, Vulture (Aegypius monachus), a different species native to Europe and Asia. “Our” Black Vulture is also known as the American Black Vulture and Mexican Vulture, and in other languages, by names such as Zopilote (thief), Urubu, or Gallinazo (buzzard, vulture).

The American Black Vulture can be identified by its all-black plumage, light gray legs, and a bald, grayish-black head and neck. The featherless head, a feature it has in common with … Continue

There was a time when woods across central and southeastern North America were filled with the mysterious nighttime song of the Whip-poor-will. Often heard but not seen, this bird’s evocative call now evokes sadness and nostalgia for many, especially as its song slowly disappears across its range. The Whip-poor-will is a member of the nightjar family, birds known for their haunting songs and nocturnal habits. Like the Whip-poor-will, other nightjars like Chuck-will’s-widow and the Common Nighthawk are also declining due to habitat loss and pesticide use, among other human-caused threats. … Continue