Notes from the Road Travelogue

About

Notes from the Road > About

Bird Life List

Updated November 18, 2025

A life list of all 1,454 bird species I have seen in my travels, including sketches and notes.

Bird Life List

Birds are a facet of travel, like tasting a region's food or learning about it's architecture. Look up in the sky when you travel, and ask yourself, 'What species of bird is that?' The act of asking that question is the act of keeping a bird life list. You don't need to be an avid birdwatcher to start a list. But the act of keeping one can become an amazing traveler's tool, helping you connect fragments of observed knowledge about botany, habitat and geography.

You cannot avoid birds as a traveler; they are the nearest thing to the most constant symbol of place wherever you go. They are in the city and in the country; they are in every habitat, including above the oceans far from land. You also cannot avoid birdwatchers wherever you go - they too are in the city and country, out there in the desert and above the ocean; a constant in travel. As a traveler, I have learned to appreciate both birds and the people who pursue them.

In the form of a bird life list, I've adopted the same passion and addiction as any birdwatcher out there, and I am not bothered by the strange way non-birdwatchers act around discussion of tallying a list of birds. However, I have always perceived birding differently than most birdwatchers. The way I approach it is not as a hobby, per se, but as an inseparable aspect of travel, as vital to the traveler's palette as tasting local food or talking to the locals.

Birding is a life-long lesson in biology, distribution and geography, and keeping a list of all the birds I have seen in my life pushes me to find new places and habitats on the road. A birdwatcher learns to see in a very different way than non-birders; making anybody who pursues birds on the road much more likely to observe things about a place than those who don't. I talk about this in my notes from the Bahia Palace in Marrakech, Morocco.

As of Purple-crowned Fairy, my bird life list includes 1,454 species, or about fourteen percent of the species in the world. My Bird Life List is organized by taxonomy, and includes marker and watercolor sketches throughout.

I also keep a butterfly life list, a dragonfly life list, a reptile life list and an amphibian life list.

Tinamidae (Tinamous)

Great TinamouTinamus major

Little TinamouCrypturellus soui

Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)

Black-bellied Whistling-DuckDendrocygna autumnalis

Emperor GooseAnser canagicus

Snow GooseAnser caerulescens

Ross's GooseAnser rossii

Graylag GooseAnser anser

Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifrons

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons), by Erik Gauger.

Tundra Bean-GooseAnser serrirostris

BrantBranta bernicla

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Brant (Branta bernicla), by Erik Gauger.

Cackling GooseBranta hutchinsii

Canada GooseBranta canadensis

Hawaiian GooseBranta sandvicensis

Mute SwanCygnus olor

Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinator

Tundra SwanCygnus columbianus

Whooper SwanCygnus cygnus

Ruddy ShelduckTadorna ferruginea

Common ShelduckTadorna tadorna

Muscovy DuckCairina moschata

Wood DuckAix sponsa

Torrent DuckMerganetta armata

Blue-winged TealSpatula discors

Cinnamon TealSpatula cyanoptera

Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeata

GadwallMareca strepera

Falcated DuckMareca falcata

Eurasian WigeonMareca penelope

American WigeonMareca americana

Hawaiian DuckAnas wyvilliana

Eastern Spot-billed DuckAnas zonorhyncha

MallardAnas platyrhynchos

Mottled DuckAnas fulvigula

White-cheeked PintailAnas bahamensis

Northern PintailAnas acuta

Yellow-billed PintailAnas georgica

Green-winged TealAnas crecca

Andean TealAnas andium

Marbled DuckMarmaronetta angustirostris

Red-crested PochardNetta rufina

CanvasbackAythya valisineria

RedheadAythya americana

Common PochardAythya ferina

Ring-necked DuckAythya collaris

Tufted DuckAythya fuligula

Greater ScaupAythya marila

Lesser ScaupAythya affinis

Steller's EiderPolysticta stelleri

Common EiderSomateria mollissima

Harlequin DuckHistrionicus histrionicus

Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillata

White-winged ScoterMelanitta deglandi

Common ScoterMelanitta nigra

Black ScoterMelanitta americana

Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalis

BuffleheadBucephala albeola

Common GoldeneyeBucephala clangula

Barrow's GoldeneyeBucephala islandica

Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus), by Erik Gauger.

Common MerganserMergus merganser

Red-breasted MerganserMergus serrator

Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensis

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis), by Erik Gauger.

Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)

Plain ChachalacaOrtalis vetula

Gray-headed ChachalacaOrtalis cinereiceps

Chestnut-winged ChachalacaOrtalis garrula

Band-tailed GuanPenelope argyrotis

Andean GuanPenelope montagnii

Spix's GuanPenelope jacquacu

Crested GuanPenelope purpurascens

Blue-throated Piping-GuanPipile cumanensis

Sickle-winged GuanChamaepetes goudotii

Odontophoridae (New World Quail)

Mountain QuailOreortyx pictus

Black-throated BobwhiteColinus nigrogularis

California QuailCallipepla californica

Gambel's QuailCallipepla gambelii

Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)

Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavo

Ocellated TurkeyMeleagris ocellata

Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellus

Greater Sage-GrouseCentrocercus urophasianus

Sooty GrouseDendragapus fuliginosus

Willow PtarmiganLagopus lagopus

Ring-necked PheasantPhasianus colchicus

Kalij PheasantLophura leucomelanos

Red JunglefowlGallus gallus

Gray FrancolinOrtygornis pondicerianus

Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufa

ChukarAlectoris chukar

Erckel's SpurfowlPternistis erckelii

Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)

Rock PigeonColumba livia

Stock DoveColumba oenas

Common Wood-PigeonColumba palumbus

Pale-vented PigeonPatagioenas cayennensis

Scaled PigeonPatagioenas speciosa

Scaly-naped PigeonPatagioenas squamosa

Bare-eyed PigeonPatagioenas corensis

White-crowned PigeonPatagioenas leucocephala

Red-billed PigeonPatagioenas flavirostris

Band-tailed PigeonPatagioenas fasciata

Ruddy PigeonPatagioenas subvinacea

Short-billed PigeonPatagioenas nigrirostris

European Turtle-DoveStreptopelia turtur

Oriental Turtle-DoveStreptopelia orientalis

Eurasian Collared-DoveStreptopelia decaocto

Spotted DoveSpilopelia chinensis

Laughing DoveSpilopelia senegalensis

Zebra DoveGeopelia striata

Inca DoveColumbina inca

Common Ground DoveColumbina passerina

Ruddy Ground DoveColumbina talpacoti

Blue Ground DoveClaravis pretiosa

Ruddy Quail-DoveGeotrygon montana

White-tipped DoveLeptotila verreauxi

West Peruvian DoveZenaida meloda

White-winged DoveZenaida asiatica

Zenaida DoveZenaida aurita

Eared DoveZenaida auriculata

Mourning DoveZenaida macroura

Gray-green Fruit-DovePtilinopus purpuratus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Gray-green Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus purpuratus), by Erik Gauger.

Cuculidae (Cuckoos)

Greater AniCrotophaga major

Smooth-billed AniCrotophaga ani

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani), by Erik Gauger.

Groove-billed AniCrotophaga sulcirostris

Pheasant CuckooDromococcyx phasianellus

Lesser Ground-CuckooMorococcyx erythropygus

Greater RoadrunnerGeococcyx californianus

Little CuckooCoccycua minuta

Dwarf CuckooCoccycua pumila

Squirrel CuckooPiaya cayana

Yellow-billed CuckooCoccyzus americanus

Mangrove CuckooCoccyzus minor

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Mangrove Cuckoo (Coccyzus minor), by Erik Gauger.

Hispaniolan Lizard-CuckooCoccyzus longirostris

Long-tailed KoelUrodynamis taitensis

The island of Tikehau had a total bird count of 25 species. I told myself, I bet I can increase that count by one. I had studied the birds of the South Pacific for months before arriving on Tikehau. On my first evening there, I left my family behind and walked into the woods of the small motu where we were staying. While there was a small trail system back there, it was obvious that it was rarely used, and the path was covered in flowering plants, indicating nobody had walked there for weeks at the very least.

I was not looking for birds, but just getting myself familiar with the island. But, suddenly, right in front of me, a large and ornately-feathered bird passes quietly right in front of me. I didn't know what to think, because after studying the birds of the Pacific for months, I could not recall anything like this at all. Birding is often about really knowing what you saw - your eye plays tricks on you and tried to convince you that you saw something you didn't. But this sighting really made me question whether my mind was playing the grandest trick on me. The bird I saw resembled those huge cuckoos of Latin America and the Caribbean - like a Squirrel Cuckoo or a Lizard-Cuckoo. But this is the Pacific Ocean, five-thousand miles from Belize or Panama! Indeed, I discovered that I saw a Long-tailed Koel, a type of Cuckoo known from the Pacific. Now, Tikehau is known for 26 birds.

Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)

Sand-colored NighthawkChordeiles rupestris

Lesser NighthawkChordeiles acutipennis

Common NighthawkChordeiles minor

Common PauraqueNyctidromus albicollis

Ladder-tailed NightjarHydropsalis climacocerca

Common PoorwillPhalaenoptilus nuttallii

Chuck-will's-widowAntrostomus carolinensis

Nyctibiidae (Potoos)

Great PotooNyctibius grandis

I love the mysterious potoos, and although I have only seen a few, I have managed to photograph each one. I write about them on my Potoo bird page.

Common PotooNyctibius griseus

Andean PotooNyctibius maculosus

Apodidae (Swifts)

Black SwiftCypseloides niger

Chestnut-collared SwiftStreptoprocne rutila

White-collared SwiftStreptoprocne zonaris

Gray-rumped SwiftChaetura cinereiventris

Band-rumped SwiftChaetura spinicaudus

Chimney SwiftChaetura pelagica

Vaux's SwiftChaetura vauxi

Short-tailed SwiftChaetura brachyura

Alpine SwiftTachymarptis melba

Common SwiftApus apus

Pallid SwiftApus pallidus

White-rumped SwiftApus caffer

White-throated SwiftAeronautes saxatalis

Antillean Palm SwiftTachornis phoenicobia

Fork-tailed Palm SwiftTachornis squamata

Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)

White-necked JacobinFlorisuga mellivora

Bronzy HermitGlaucis aeneus

Rufous-breasted HermitGlaucis hirsutus

Band-tailed BarbthroatThrenetes ruckeri

White-bearded HermitPhaethornis hispidus

Green HermitPhaethornis guy

Straight-billed HermitPhaethornis bourcieri

Long-billed HermitPhaethornis longirostris

Pale-bellied HermitPhaethornis anthophilus

Little HermitPhaethornis longuemareus

Stripe-throated HermitPhaethornis striigularis

Reddish HermitPhaethornis ruber

Sparkling VioletearColibri coruscans

Brown VioletearColibri delphinae

Lesser VioletearColibri cyanotus

Purple-crowned FairyHeliothryx barroti

Black-throated MangoAnthracothorax nigricollis

Green-breasted MangoAnthracothorax prevostii

Purple-throated CaribEulampis jugularis

Tourmaline SunangelHeliangelus exortis

Green ThorntailDiscosura conversii

Black-crested CoquetteLophornis helenae

White-crested CoquetteLophornis adorabilis

Speckled HummingbirdAdelomyia melanogenys

Long-tailed SylphAglaiocercus kingii

Ecuadorian HillstarOreotrochilus chimborazo

Black-tailed TrainbearerLesbia victoriae

Blue-mantled ThornbillChalcostigma stanleyi

Tyrian MetaltailMetallura tyrianthina

Bronzy IncaCoeligena coeligena

Collared IncaCoeligena torquata

White-tailed StarfrontletCoeligena phalerata

Sword-billed HummingbirdEnsifera ensifera

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera), by Erik Gauger.

Buff-tailed CoronetBoissonneaua flavescens

Chestnut-breasted CoronetBoissonneaua matthewsii

Fawn-breasted BrilliantHeliodoxa rubinoides

Giant HummingbirdPatagona gigas

Rivoli's HummingbirdEugenes fulgens

Talamanca HummingbirdEugenes spectabilis

Fiery-throated HummingbirdPanterpe insignis

Purple-throated Mountain-gemLampornis calolaemus

Santa Marta WoodstarChaetocercus astreans

Mexican SheartailDoricha eliza

Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubris

Black-chinned HummingbirdArchilochus alexandri

Bahama WoodstarNesophlox evelynae

Anna's HummingbirdCalypte anna

Costa's HummingbirdCalypte costae

Calliope HummingbirdSelasphorus calliope

Rufous HummingbirdSelasphorus rufus

Allen's HummingbirdSelasphorus sasin

Broad-tailed HummingbirdSelasphorus platycercus

Volcano HummingbirdSelasphorus flammula

Cuban EmeraldRiccordia ricordii

Broad-billed HummingbirdCynanthus latirostris

Red-billed EmeraldChlorostilbon gibsoni

Garden EmeraldChlorostilbon assimilis

Western EmeraldChlorostilbon melanorhynchus

Violet-headed HummingbirdKlais guimeti

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Violet-headed Hummingbird (Klais guimeti), by Erik Gauger.

Santa Marta BlossomcrownAnthocephala floriceps

Violet SabrewingCampylopterus hemileucurus

Lazuline SabrewingCampylopterus falcatus

Bronze-tailed PlumeleteerChalybura urochrysia

White-vented PlumeleteerChalybura buffonii

Crowned WoodnymphThalurania colombica

SnowcapMicrochera albocoronata

Scaly-breasted HummingbirdPhaeochroa cuvierii

Olive-spotted HummingbirdTalaphorus chlorocercus

Violet-crowned HummingbirdRamosomyia violiceps

Blue-vented HummingbirdSaucerottia hoffmanni

Snowy-bellied HummingbirdSaucerottia edward

Steely-vented HummingbirdSaucerottia saucerottei

Cinnamon HummingbirdAmazilia rutila

Buff-bellied HummingbirdAmazilia yucatanensis

Rufous-tailed HummingbirdAmazilia tzacatl

Sapphire-throated HummingbirdChrysuronia coeruleogularis

Sapphire-bellied HummingbirdChrysuronia lilliae

Blue-chested HummingbirdPolyerata amabilis

Charming HummingbirdPolyerata decora

White-bellied EmeraldChlorestes candida

Blue-throated GoldentailChlorestes eliciae

Violet-bellied HummingbirdChlorestes julie

Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)

King RailRallus elegans

Clapper RailRallus crepitans

Virginia RailRallus limicola

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola), by Erik Gauger.

Water RailRallus aquaticus

Russet-naped Wood-RailAramides albiventris

SoraPorzana carolina

Eurasian MoorhenGallinula chloropus

Common GallinuleGallinula galeata

Eurasian CootFulica atra

Hawaiian CootFulica alai

American CootFulica americana

Slate-colored CootFulica ardesiaca

Purple GallinulePorphyrio martinica

White-throated CrakeLaterallus albigularis

Aramidae (Limpkin)

LimpkinAramus guarauna

Psophiidae (Trumpeters)

Pale-winged TrumpeterPsophia leucoptera

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Pale-winged Trumpeter (Psophia leucoptera), by Erik Gauger.

Gruidae (Cranes)

Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensis

Burhinidae (Thick-knees)

Double-striped Thick-kneeHesperoburhinus bistriatus

Eurasian Thick-kneeBurhinus oedicnemus

Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)

Black-winged StiltHimantopus himantopus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), by Erik Gauger.

Black-necked StiltHimantopus mexicanus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus), by Erik Gauger.

A spark bird is the bird that ignited your interest in learning to identify and find new birds. I remember my spark bird moment. I was at the Grand Opening of the Aquarium of the Pacific, a new aquarium in Long Beach, not far from my South Bay apartment. Despite being opening day, few were in attendance at the aquarium, and I felt like I had the whole place to myself. I was walking from one indoor exhibit to the next through an outdoor passage, and there, lo and behold, was a cage with these amazing, singularly elegant birds from Africa. Wait a minute, I thought, why are there African species at an aquarium dedicated to local ecosystems? When I read the exhibit panel, I was blown away. These animals were not from Mozambique or Madagascar or Tanzania! They were from California's desert lakes - the very places that I loved to visit. That moment, the idea that I could go out into my backyard and find something as exotic as this was one of my biggest traveling moments. Within a few months, I had spotted my first Black-necked Stilt on the shores of the Salton Sea.

Pied AvocetRecurvirostra avosetta

American AvocetRecurvirostra americana

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana), by Erik Gauger.

Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)

Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus

American OystercatcherHaematopus palliatus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus), by Erik Gauger.

Black OystercatcherHaematopus bachmani

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani), by Erik Gauger.

Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)

Black-bellied PloverPluvialis squatarola

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola), by Erik Gauger.

European Golden-PloverPluvialis apricaria

Pacific Golden-PloverPluvialis fulva

Pied PloverHoploxypterus cayanus

KilldeerCharadrius vociferus

Common Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticula

Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus), by Erik Gauger.

Piping PloverCharadrius melodus

Little Ringed PloverThinornis dubius

Southern LapwingVanellus chilensis

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis), by Erik Gauger.

Wilson's PloverAnarhynchus wilsonia

Collared PloverAnarhynchus collaris

Mountain PloverAnarhynchus montanus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Mountain Plover (Anarhynchus montanus), by Erik Gauger.

Snowy PloverAnarhynchus nivosus

Kentish PloverAnarhynchus alexandrinus

Thinocoridae (Seedsnipes)

Rufous-bellied SeedsnipeAttagis gayi

Jacanidae (Jacanas)

Northern JacanaJacana spinosa

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa), by Erik Gauger.

Wattled JacanaJacana jacana

Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)

Bristle-thighed CurlewNumenius tahitiensis

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Bristle-thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitiensis), by Erik Gauger.

About 15 years ago, I recorded my sighting of a Bristle-thighed Curlew in Nome while photographing there. The sighting bothered me, as it was a very rare species and my certainty started to crumble. I took the bird off my list. In 2022, while walking around Bird Island in Tikehau, French Polynesia, I saw eight, and at close range. There are only 7,000 of these birds left in the world, but I was lucky to see the in their remote range in the South Pacific and to know the very restricted area where they summer in Alaska - one of the great migrating birds of the world.

WhimbrelNumenius phaeopus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), by Erik Gauger.

Long-billed CurlewNumenius americanus

Far Eastern CurlewNumenius madagascariensis

Eurasian CurlewNumenius arquata

Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponica

Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoa

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa), by Erik Gauger.

Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus), by Erik Gauger.

Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceus

American WoodcockScolopax minor

Common SnipeGallinago gallinago

Wilson's SnipeGallinago delicata

Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolor

Red PhalaropePhalaropus fulicarius

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius), by Erik Gauger.

Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatus

Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucos

Spotted SandpiperActitis macularius

Green SandpiperTringa ochropus

Solitary SandpiperTringa solitaria

Wandering TattlerTringa incana

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Wandering Tattler (Tringa incana), by Erik Gauger.

Common RedshankTringa totanus

Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipes

WilletTringa semipalmata

Common GreenshankTringa nebularia

Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleuca

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca), by Erik Gauger.

Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpres

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres), by Erik Gauger.

Black TurnstoneArenaria melanocephala

Red KnotCalidris canutus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Red Knot (Calidris canutus), by Erik Gauger.

SurfbirdCalidris virgata

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Surfbird (Calidris virgata), by Erik Gauger.

RuffCalidris pugnax

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Ruff (Calidris pugnax), by Erik Gauger.

Curlew SandpiperCalidris ferruginea

Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopus

Buff-breasted SandpiperCalidris subruficollis

SanderlingCalidris alba

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Sanderling (Calidris alba), by Erik Gauger.

DunlinCalidris alpina

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Dunlin (Calidris alpina), by Erik Gauger.

Purple SandpiperCalidris maritima

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima), by Erik Gauger.

Rock SandpiperCalidris ptilocnemis

Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdii

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii), by Erik Gauger.

Little StintCalidris minuta

White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollis

Least SandpiperCalidris minutilla

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla), by Erik Gauger.

Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotos

Western SandpiperCalidris mauri

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri), by Erik Gauger.

Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusilla

Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)

Collared PratincoleGlareola pratincola

Stercorariidae (Skuas and Jaegers)

Long-tailed JaegerStercorarius longicaudus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus), by Erik Gauger.

Parasitic JaegerStercorarius parasiticus

Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinus

South Polar SkuaStercorarius maccormicki

Alcidae (Auks, Murres, and Puffins)

Rhinoceros AukletCerorhinca monocerata

Tufted PuffinFratercula cirrhata

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata), by Erik Gauger.

Tufted Puffins are easier to see than you think. In the spring and summer in Oregon, volunteers help people see these beautiful birds at Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach. But you don't need to sit in front of a scope to see one. I like to stand in the surf and watch them from there. They key is to differentiate them from the other seabirds. They are small, and they fly like a football being thrown: fast and determined. Sometimes, they will drop low enough that you can see them up close from the surf. Get your feet wet, and you'll see them without the aid of somebody else's scope.

Atlantic PuffinFratercula arctica

While in Iceland, I wrote about my visit to see Atlantic Puffins. I also interviewed an ornithologist who specialized in Iceland's Atlantic Puffins. In the article, we discuss their decline and the Icelandic habit of eating them.

Horned PuffinFratercula corniculata

Cassin's AukletPtychoramphus aleuticus

Marbled MurreletBrachyramphus marmoratus

Black GuillemotCepphus grylle

Pigeon GuillemotCepphus columba

RazorbillAlca torda

Thick-billed MurreUria lomvia

Common MurreUria aalge

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Common Murre (Uria aalge), by Erik Gauger.

Ancient MurreletSynthliboramphus antiquus

Scripps's MurreletSynthliboramphus scrippsi

Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)

Black-legged KittiwakeRissa tridactyla

Sabine's GullXema sabini

Slender-billed GullChroicocephalus genei

Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphia

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia), by Erik Gauger.

Andean GullChroicocephalus serranus

Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus

Gray-hooded GullChroicocephalus cirrocephalus

Gray GullLeucophaeus modestus

Laughing GullLeucophaeus atricilla

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla), by Erik Gauger.

Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcan

Mediterranean GullIchthyaetus melanocephalus

Belcher's GullLarus belcheri

Black-tailed GullLarus crassirostris

Heermann's GullLarus heermanni

Common GullLarus canus

Short-billed GullLarus brachyrhynchus

Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensis

Yellow-footed GullLarus livens

Western GullLarus occidentalis

American Herring GullLarus smithsonianus

Mongolian GullLarus mongolicus

European Herring GullLarus argentatus

Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellis

Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus

Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreus

Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus), by Erik Gauger.

California GullLarus californicus

Glaucous-winged GullLarus glaucescens

Slaty-backed GullLarus schistisagus

Iceland GullLarus glaucoides

Black SkimmerRynchops niger

White TernGygis alba

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a White Tern (Gygis alba), by Erik Gauger.

I have known this species for most of my life, and had always wanted to see one. They always seemed ethereal to me, which explains their old name, Fairy Tern. I remember David Attenborough specials showing how they laid their eggs on bare tree trunks, and how in books about Polynesian wayfaring, they are one of the most precise signs of nearby land. In the Tuamotus, I was able to see them up close, including good views of their stunning blue beak.

Brown NoddyAnous stolidus

Black NoddyAnous minutus

Aleutian TernOnychoprion aleuticus

Gray-backed TernOnychoprion lunatus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Gray-backed Tern (Onychoprion lunatus), by Erik Gauger.

Little TernSternula albifrons

Least TernSternula antillarum

Yellow-billed TernSternula superciliaris

Large-billed TernPhaetusa simplex

Gull-billed TernGelochelidon nilotica

Caspian TernHydroprogne caspia

Inca TernLarosterna inca

Black TernChlidonias niger

Forster's TernSterna forsteri

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri), by Erik Gauger.

Arctic TernSterna paradisaea

Common TernSterna hirundo

Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensis

Elegant TernThalasseus elegans

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans), by Erik Gauger.

Royal TernThalasseus maximus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus), by Erik Gauger.

Great Crested TernThalasseus bergii

Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)

American FlamingoPhoenicopterus ruber

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), by Erik Gauger.

Greater FlamingoPhoenicopterus roseus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), by Erik Gauger.

Podicipedidae (Grebes)

Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis

Least GrebeTachybaptus dominicus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus), by Erik Gauger.

Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podiceps

Horned GrebePodiceps auritus

Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegena

Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatus

Eared GrebePodiceps nigricollis

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis), by Erik Gauger.

Western GrebeAechmophorus occidentalis

Clark's GrebeAechmophorus clarkii

Opisthocomidae (Hoatzin)

HoatzinOpisthocomus hoazin

Eurypygidae (Sunbittern)

SunbitternEurypyga helias

Phaethontidae (Tropicbirds)

White-tailed TropicbirdPhaethon lepturus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus), by Erik Gauger.

Gaviidae (Loons)

Red-throated LoonGavia stellata

Arctic LoonGavia arctica

Pacific LoonGavia pacifica

Common LoonGavia immer

Diomedeidae (Albatrosses)

Laysan AlbatrossPhoebastria immutabilis

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis), by Erik Gauger.

Black-footed AlbatrossPhoebastria nigripes

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Black-footed Albatross (Phoebastria nigripes), by Erik Gauger.

Hydrobatidae (Northern Storm-Petrels)

Fork-tailed Storm-PetrelHydrobates furcatus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel (Hydrobates furcatus), by Erik Gauger.

Leach's Storm-PetrelHydrobates leucorhous

Procellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels)

Northern FulmarFulmarus glacialis

Scopoli's ShearwaterCalonectris diomedea

Pink-footed ShearwaterArdenna creatopus

Wedge-tailed ShearwaterArdenna pacifica

Buller's ShearwaterArdenna bulleri

Sooty ShearwaterArdenna grisea

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Sooty Shearwater (Ardenna grisea), by Erik Gauger.

Short-tailed ShearwaterArdenna tenuirostris

Yelkouan ShearwaterPuffinus yelkouan

Ciconiidae (Storks)

White StorkCiconia ciconia

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a White Stork (Ciconia ciconia), by Erik Gauger.

JabiruJabiru mycteria

Wood StorkMycteria americana

Fregatidae (Frigatebirds)

Magnificent FrigatebirdFregata magnificens

Lesser FrigatebirdFregata ariel

Great FrigatebirdFregata minor

Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)

Northern GannetMorus bassanus

Red-footed BoobySula sula

Brown BoobySula leucogaster

Cocos BoobySula brewsteri

Masked BoobySula dactylatra

Blue-footed BoobySula nebouxii

Peruvian BoobySula variegata

Anhingidae (Anhingas)

AnhingaAnhinga anhinga

Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)

Pygmy CormorantMicrocarbo pygmaeus

Brandt's CormorantUrile penicillatus

Pelagic CormorantUrile pelagicus

Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo

European ShagGulosus aristotelis

Double-crested CormorantNannopterum auritum

Neotropic CormorantNannopterum brasilianum

Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)

White IbisEudocimus albus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a White Ibis (Eudocimus albus), by Erik Gauger.

Scarlet IbisEudocimus ruber

Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellus

White-faced IbisPlegadis chihi

Green IbisMesembrinibis cayennensis

Buff-necked IbisTheristicus caudatus

African Sacred IbisThreskiornis aethiopicus

With travel comes the delirium of extreme jet lag. I woke up at 4:30 am after a long trek from Portland to Venice. While waiting for sunrise on the Ponte dell'Accademia, four large birds passed right above me. While I had studied my birds of Europe for many years, somehow, this species which is introduced to Europe, was something I never imagined seeing. But in fact, they are fairly common in the Venice Lagoon.

Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodia

Black-faced SpoonbillPlatalea minor

Roseate SpoonbillPlatalea ajaja

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), by Erik Gauger.

Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)

Rufescent Tiger-HeronTigrisoma lineatum

Bare-throated Tiger-HeronTigrisoma mexicanum

Fasciated Tiger-HeronTigrisoma fasciatum

Boat-billed HeronCochlearius cochlearius

American BitternBotaurus lentiginosus

Least BitternBotaurus exilis

Yellow-crowned Night HeronNyctanassa violacea

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea), by Erik Gauger.

Black-crowned Night HeronNycticorax nycticorax

Capped HeronPilherodius pileatus

Little Blue HeronEgretta caerulea

Tricolored HeronEgretta tricolor

Reddish EgretEgretta rufescens

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens), by Erik Gauger.

Pacific Reef-HeronEgretta sacra

Snowy EgretEgretta thula

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), by Erik Gauger.

Little EgretEgretta garzetta

Striated HeronButorides striata

Green HeronButorides virescens

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Green Heron (Butorides virescens), by Erik Gauger.

I have photographed and written about Green Herons in several regions in Notes from the Road, as they were one of the first birds to spike my interest in habitat and distribution. Check out my piece on Bakers Bay, Bahamas, which includes a photo of a Green Heron in the Abacos, and my other Green Heron sketch from Costa Rica.

Western Cattle-EgretArdea ibis

Great EgretArdea alba

Gray HeronArdea cinerea

Great Blue HeronArdea herodias

Cocoi HeronArdea cocoi

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi), by Erik Gauger.

Pelecanidae (Pelicans)

American White PelicanPelecanus erythrorhynchos

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), by Erik Gauger.

Brown PelicanPelecanus occidentalis

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), by Erik Gauger.

Peruvian PelicanPelecanus thagus

Cathartidae (New World Vultures)

California CondorGymnogyps californianus

King VultureSarcoramphus papa

Andean CondorVultur gryphus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus), by Erik Gauger.

Black VultureCoragyps atratus

Turkey VultureCathartes aura

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), by Erik Gauger.

Lesser Yellow-headed VultureCathartes burrovianus

Also called the Savannah Vulture. I saw my first at, you guessed, it, the best place to find vultures - a garbage dump in Mexico. Lesser Yellow-headed Vultures are spectacular birds, with dense and varied coloration on their featherless heads.

Greater Yellow-headed VultureCathartes melambrotus

Pandionidae (Osprey)

OspreyPandion haliaetus

Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)

Pearl KiteGampsonyx swainsonii

White-tailed KiteElanus leucurus

Gray-headed KiteLeptodon cayanensis

Swallow-tailed KiteElanoides forficatus

Eurasian GriffonGyps fulvus

Golden EagleAquila chrysaetos

Bonelli's EagleAquila fasciata

Harpy EagleHarpia harpyja

Eurasian SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus

Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatus

Bicolored HawkAstur bicolor

Cooper's HawkAstur cooperii

Western Marsh HarrierCircus aeruginosus

Swamp HarrierCircus approximans

Northern HarrierCircus hudsonius

Double-toothed KiteHarpagus bidentatus

Red KiteMilvus milvus

Black KiteMilvus migrans

Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalus

Mississippi KiteIctinia mississippiensis

Plumbeous KiteIctinia plumbea

Black-collared HawkBusarellus nigricollis

Snail KiteRostrhamus sociabilis

Slender-billed KiteHelicolestes hamatus

Slate-colored HawkButeogallus schistaceus

Common Black HawkButeogallus anthracinus

Great Black HawkButeogallus urubitinga

Roadside HawkRupornis magnirostris

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Roadside Hawk (Rupornis magnirostris), by Erik Gauger.

Harris's HawkParabuteo unicinctus

Variable HawkGeranoaetus polyosoma

White HawkPseudastur albicollis

Gray HawkButeo plagiatus

Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterus

Red-shouldered HawkButeo lineatus

Zone-tailed HawkButeo albonotatus

Hawaiian HawkButeo solitarius

Short-tailed HawkButeo brachyurus

Swainson's HawkButeo swainsoni

Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensis

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), by Erik Gauger.

Rough-legged HawkButeo lagopus

Ferruginous HawkButeo regalis

Common BuzzardButeo buteo

Eastern BuzzardButeo japonicus

Tytonidae (Barn-Owls)

American Barn OwlTyto furcata

Strigidae (Owls)

Tropical Screech-OwlMegascops choliba

Western Screech-OwlMegascops kennicottii

Eastern Screech-OwlMegascops asio

Tawny-bellied Screech-OwlMegascops watsonii

Crested OwlLophostrix cristata

Snowy OwlBubo scandiacus

Great Horned OwlBubo virginianus

Northern Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium gnoma

Ferruginous Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium brasilianum

Elf OwlMicrathene whitneyi

Burrowing OwlAthene cunicularia

Mottled OwlStrix virgata

Spotted OwlStrix occidentalis

Barred OwlStrix varia

Short-eared OwlAsio flammeus

Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicus

Trogonidae (Trogons)

Golden-headed QuetzalPharomachrus auriceps

Resplendent QuetzalPharomachrus mocinno

White-tipped QuetzalPharomachrus fulgidus

Crested QuetzalPharomachrus antisianus

Slaty-tailed TrogonTrogon massena

Black-tailed TrogonTrogon melanurus

White-tailed TrogonTrogon chionurus

Baird's TrogonTrogon bairdii

Gartered TrogonTrogon caligatus

Blue-crowned TrogonTrogon curucui

Northern Black-throated TrogonTrogon tenellus

Elegant TrogonTrogon elegans

Collared TrogonTrogon collaris

Masked TrogonTrogon personatus

Upupidae (Hoopoes)

Eurasian HoopoeUpupa epops

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops), by Erik Gauger.

Todidae (Todies)

Cuban TodyTodus multicolor

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Cuban Tody (Todus multicolor), by Erik Gauger.

I wrote about my quest to find my first Cuban Tody, one of the most beautiful and mysterious of New World birds, in two articles on Cuba.

Momotidae (Motmots)

Tody MotmotHylomanes momotula

Lesson's MotmotMomotus lessonii

Whooping MotmotMomotus subrufescens

Rufous MotmotBaryphthengus martii

Broad-billed MotmotElectron platyrhynchum

Turquoise-browed MotmotEumomota superciliosa

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Turquoise-browed Motmot (Eumomota superciliosa), by Erik Gauger.

Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)

Common KingfisherAlcedo atthis

Society KingfisherTodiramphus veneratus

I love kingfishers, and I always dreamed of beginning to see the kingfishers of the Pacific. My first chance was in Tahiti, but my plans to visit Papanoo Valley in a 4x4 fell through. I decided to take a taxi south of Papeete and just get dropped off at the Grottes de Marea area to look for Gray-green Fruit-Dove. While viewing the Fruit-Doves through my binoculars, a pair of these Society Kingfishers crept into view, and then were gone. They were tiny!

Ringed KingfisherMegaceryle torquata

Belted KingfisherMegaceryle alcyon

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), by Erik Gauger.

Amazon KingfisherChloroceryle amazona

American Pygmy KingfisherChloroceryle aenea

Green KingfisherChloroceryle americana

Green-and-rufous KingfisherChloroceryle inda

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Green-and-rufous Kingfisher (Chloroceryle inda), by Erik Gauger.

Coraciidae (Rollers)

European RollerCoracias garrulus

Bucconidae (Puffbirds)

White-necked PuffbirdNotharchus hyperrhynchus

Black-breasted PuffbirdNotharchus pectoralis

Pied PuffbirdNotharchus tectus

Russet-throated PuffbirdHypnelus ruficollis

White-chested PuffbirdMalacoptila fusca

White-whiskered PuffbirdMalacoptila panamensis

Brown NunletNonnula brunnea

Black-fronted NunbirdMonasa nigrifrons

White-fronted NunbirdMonasa morphoeus

Swallow-winged PuffbirdChelidoptera tenebrosa

Galbulidae (Jacamars)

White-eared JacamarGalbalcyrhynchus leucotis

White-throated JacamarBrachygalba albogularis

Brown JacamarBrachygalba lugubris

Yellow-billed JacamarGalbula albirostris

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Yellow-billed Jacamar (Galbula albirostris), by Erik Gauger.

Rufous-tailed JacamarGalbula ruficauda

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Rufous-tailed Jacamar (Galbula ruficauda), by Erik Gauger.

White-chinned JacamarGalbula tombacea

Purplish JacamarGalbula chalcothorax

Great JacamarJacamerops aureus

Capitonidae (New World Barbets)

Scarlet-crowned BarbetCapito aurovirens

Spot-crowned BarbetCapito maculicoronatus

Gilded BarbetCapito auratus

Semnornithidae (Toucan-Barbets)

Prong-billed BarbetSemnornis frantzii

Ramphastidae (Toucans)

Northern Emerald-ToucanetAulacorhynchus prasinus

Southern Emerald-ToucanetAulacorhynchus albivitta

Collared AracariPteroglossus torquatus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus), by Erik Gauger.

Fiery-billed AracariPteroglossus frantzii

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Fiery-billed Aracari (Pteroglossus frantzii), by Erik Gauger.

Chestnut-eared AracariPteroglossus castanotis

Many-banded AracariPteroglossus pluricinctus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Many-banded Aracari (Pteroglossus pluricinctus), by Erik Gauger.

Ivory-billed AracariPteroglossus azara

Curl-crested AracariPteroglossus beauharnaisii

Yellow-throated ToucanRamphastos ambiguus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Yellow-throated Toucan (Ramphastos ambiguus), by Erik Gauger.

This is a sketch of a Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, a subspecies of the Yellow-throated Toucan.

White-throated ToucanRamphastos tucanus

Keel-billed ToucanRamphastos sulfuratus

Picidae (Woodpeckers)

Lafresnaye's PiculetPicumnus lafresnayi

Scaled PiculetPicumnus squamulatus

Olivaceous PiculetPicumnus olivaceus

Chestnut PiculetPicumnus cinnamomeus

Williamson's SapsuckerSphyrapicus thyroideus

Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus varius

Red-naped SapsuckerSphyrapicus nuchalis

Red-breasted SapsuckerSphyrapicus ruber

Cuban Green WoodpeckerXiphidiopicus percussus

Lewis's WoodpeckerMelanerpes lewis

Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalus

Acorn WoodpeckerMelanerpes formicivorus

Yellow-tufted WoodpeckerMelanerpes cruentatus

Black-cheeked WoodpeckerMelanerpes pucherani

Hispaniolan WoodpeckerMelanerpes striatus

Yucatan WoodpeckerMelanerpes pygmaeus

Red-crowned WoodpeckerMelanerpes rubricapillus

Gila WoodpeckerMelanerpes uropygialis

Hoffmann's WoodpeckerMelanerpes hoffmannii

Golden-fronted WoodpeckerMelanerpes aurifrons

Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinus

West Indian WoodpeckerMelanerpes superciliaris

Japanese Pygmy WoodpeckerYungipicus kizuki

Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major

Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescens

Ladder-backed WoodpeckerDryobates scalaris

Red-cockaded WoodpeckerDryobates borealis

Hairy WoodpeckerDryobates villosus

White-headed WoodpeckerDryobates albolarvatus

Arizona WoodpeckerDryobates arizonae

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Arizona Woodpecker (Dryobates arizonae), by Erik Gauger.

Red-stained WoodpeckerDryobates affinis

Crimson-crested WoodpeckerCampephilus melanoleucos

Pale-billed WoodpeckerCampephilus guatemalensis

Gray-headed WoodpeckerPicus canus

Eurasian Green WoodpeckerPicus viridis

Lineated WoodpeckerDryocopus lineatus

Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatus

Black WoodpeckerDryocopus martius

Cinnamon WoodpeckerCeleus loricatus

Chestnut-colored WoodpeckerCeleus castaneus

Waved WoodpeckerCeleus undatus

Cream-colored WoodpeckerCeleus flavus

Golden-green WoodpeckerPiculus chrysochloros

Golden-olive WoodpeckerColaptes rubiginosus

Crimson-mantled WoodpeckerColaptes rivolii

Spot-breasted WoodpeckerColaptes punctigula

Northern FlickerColaptes auratus

Gilded FlickerColaptes chrysoides

Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)

Laughing FalconHerpetotheres cachinnans

Crested CaracaraCaracara plancus

Red-throated CaracaraIbycter americanus

Yellow-headed CaracaraDaptrius chimachima

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Yellow-headed Caracara (Daptrius chimachima), by Erik Gauger.

Black CaracaraDaptrius ater

Carunculated CaracaraDaptrius carunculatus

Lesser KestrelFalco naumanni

Eurasian KestrelFalco tinnunculus

American KestrelFalco sparverius

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a American Kestrel (Falco sparverius), by Erik Gauger.

MerlinFalco columbarius

Bat FalconFalco rufigularis

GyrfalconFalco rusticolus

Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinus

Prairie FalconFalco mexicanus

Psittaculidae (Old World Parrots)

Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameri

Blue LorikeetVini peruviana

Lorikeets are the most dazzling of all the birds, and I have always been interested in the blue-colored lorikeets of the South Pacific. Blue Lorikeets were known from only eight islands in French Polynesia, and I wanted to see if I could see one while in Tikehau. None had been observed since 1984, and every effort I made to find out if they were still there turned up negative. Prior to my arrival, I reached out to locals to keep their ears out. I talked to guides and hotel staff and even a shopkeeper who kept prints of the species. Basically, the story was: almost nobody on Tikehau had ever heard of them, and the few who had had never heard of them existing there. One person told me it was impossible for them to live on the main motu, where the main village of Tuherahera was located, because there were too many people.

As we were leaving Tikehau, I was looking for butterflies outside the airport, and noticed 8 birds flying just below the canopy of palms on the other side of the runway. They were dark in color and were flocking like parrots. I ran through the birds of Tikehau in my head, and realized that there were no other birds of that size, that color or that flocking characteristic. I decided I needed a window seat on the airplane that was pointing in the direction of those palms, so I could have one last chance to confirm the species. Unfortunately, the plane was taking off the opposite direction, so my view was of the airport. But just as we were taking off, two small birds, dark blue on the top and a blue of white on the bottom, came into view.

Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)

Scarlet-shouldered ParrotletTouit huetii

Monk ParakeetMyiopsitta monachus

Yellow-chevroned ParakeetBrotogeris chiriri

Orange-chinned ParakeetBrotogeris jugularis

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Orange-chinned Parakeet (Brotogeris jugularis), by Erik Gauger.

Cobalt-winged ParakeetBrotogeris cyanoptera

Brown-hooded ParrotPyrilia haematotis

Orange-cheeked ParrotPyrilia barrabandi

Red-billed ParrotPionus sordidus

Blue-headed ParrotPionus menstruus

White-crowned ParrotPionus senilis

Red-lored AmazonAmazona autumnalis

Yellow-naped AmazonAmazona auropalliata

Yellow-crowned AmazonAmazona ochrocephala

White-fronted AmazonAmazona albifrons

Cuban AmazonAmazona leucocephala

Hispaniolan AmazonAmazona ventralis

Mealy AmazonAmazona farinosa

Orange-winged AmazonAmazona amazonica

Scaly-naped AmazonAmazona mercenarius

Turquoise-winged ParrotletForpus spengeli

White-bellied ParrotPionites leucogaster

Santa Marta ParakeetPyrrhura viridicata

Olive-throated ParakeetEupsittula nana

Orange-fronted ParakeetEupsittula canicularis

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Orange-fronted Parakeet (Eupsittula canicularis), by Erik Gauger.

Brown-throated ParakeetEupsittula pertinax

Dusky-headed ParakeetAratinga weddellii

Nanday ParakeetAratinga nenday

Red-bellied MacawOrthopsittaca manilatus

Blue-headed MacawPrimolius couloni

Blue-and-yellow MacawAra ararauna

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna), by Erik Gauger.

Chestnut-fronted MacawAra severus

Scarlet MacawAra macao

Red-and-green MacawAra chloropterus

Crimson-fronted ParakeetPsittacara finschi

Cordilleran ParakeetPsittacara frontatus

White-eyed ParakeetPsittacara leucophthalmus

Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)

Fasciated AntshrikeCymbilaimus lineatus

Black-crested AntshrikeSakesphorus canadensis

Barred AntshrikeThamnophilus doliatus

Black-crowned AntshrikeThamnophilus atrinucha

Black-hooded AntshrikeThamnophilus bridgesi

Plain-winged AntshrikeThamnophilus schistaceus

Russet AntshrikeThamnistes anabatinus

Plain AntvireoDysithamnus mentalis

Spot-crowned AntvireoDysithamnus puncticeps

Cinereous AntshrikeThamnomanes caesius

Plain-throated AntwrenIsleria hauxwelli

Checker-throated StipplethroatEpinecrophylla fulviventris

Pygmy AntwrenMyrmotherula brachyura

White-flanked AntwrenMyrmotherula axillaris

Long-winged AntwrenMyrmotherula longipennis

Gray AntwrenMyrmotherula menetriesii

Dot-winged AntwrenMicrorhopias quixensis

Northern White-fringed AntwrenFormicivora intermedia

Santa Marta AntbirdDrymophila hellmayri

Dusky AntbirdCercomacroides tyrannina

Blackish AntbirdCercomacroides nigrescens

Riparian AntbirdCercomacroides fuscicauda

White-browed AntbirdMyrmoborus leucophrys

Black-faced AntbirdMyrmoborus myotherinus

Silvered AntbirdSclateria naevia

White-bellied AntbirdMyrmeciza longipes

Chestnut-backed AntbirdPoliocrania exsul

Sooty AntbirdHafferia fortis

White-throated AntbirdOneillornis salvini

Spotted AntbirdHylophylax naevioides

Dot-backed AntbirdHylophylax punctulatus

Black-spotted Bare-eyePhlegopsis nigromaculata

Ocellated AntbirdPhaenostictus mcleannani

Grallariidae (Antpittas)

White-bellied AntpittaGrallaria hypoleuca

Tawny AntpittaGrallaria quitensis

Rusty-breasted AntpittaGrallaricula ferrugineipectus

Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)

Rusty-belted TapaculoLiosceles thoracicus

Brown-rumped TapaculoScytalopus latebricola

Formicariidae (Antthrushes)

Black-faced AntthrushFormicarius analis

Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)

Gray-throated LeaftosserSclerurus albigularis

Olivaceous WoodcreeperSittasomus griseicapillus

White-chinned WoodcreeperDendrocincla merula

Plain-brown WoodcreeperDendrocincla fuliginosa

Wedge-billed WoodcreeperGlyphorynchus spirurus

Cinnamon-throated WoodcreeperDendrexetastes rufigula

Long-billed WoodcreeperNasica longirostris

Northern Barred-WoodcreeperDendrocolaptes sanctithomae

Elegant WoodcreeperXiphorhynchus elegans

Cocoa WoodcreeperXiphorhynchus susurrans

Buff-throated WoodcreeperXiphorhynchus guttatus

Black-striped WoodcreeperXiphorhynchus lachrymosus

Spotted WoodcreeperXiphorhynchus erythropygius

Straight-billed WoodcreeperDendroplex picus

Streak-headed WoodcreeperLepidocolaptes souleyetii

Spot-crowned WoodcreeperLepidocolaptes affinis

Montane WoodcreeperLepidocolaptes lacrymiger

Northern Plain-XenopsXenops mexicanus

Buffy TuftedcheekPseudocolaptes lawrencii

Streaked TuftedcheekPseudocolaptes boissonneautii

Caribbean HorneroFurnarius longirostris

Chestnut-winged CinclodesCinclodes albidiventris

Stout-billed CinclodesCinclodes excelsior

Montane Foliage-gleanerAnabacerthia striaticollis

Santa Marta Foliage-gleanerClibanornis rufipectus

Streak-capped TreehunterThripadectes virgaticeps

Fawn-throated Foliage-gleanerAutomolus cervinigularis

Pearled TreerunnerMargarornis squamiger

Many-striped CanasteroAsthenes flammulata

Parker's SpinetailCranioleuca vulpecula

Red-faced SpinetailCranioleuca erythrops

Streak-capped SpinetailCranioleuca hellmayri

Yellow-chinned SpinetailCerthiaxis cinnamomeus

White-bellied SpinetailMazaria propinqua

Slaty SpinetailSynallaxis brachyura

Azara's SpinetailSynallaxis azarae

White-whiskered SpinetailSynallaxis candei

Rusty-headed SpinetailSynallaxis fuscorufa

Pipridae (Manakins)

Lance-tailed ManakinChiroxiphia lanceolata

White-ruffed ManakinCorapipo altera

Velvety ManakinLepidothrix velutina

Orange-crowned ManakinHeterocercus aurantiivertex

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Orange-crowned Manakin (Heterocercus aurantiivertex), by Erik Gauger.

White-collared ManakinManacus candei

Orange-collared ManakinManacus aurantiacus

Golden-collared ManakinManacus vitellinus

Striolated ManakinMachaeropterus striolatus

Red-capped ManakinCeratopipra mentalis

Golden-headed ManakinCeratopipra erythrocephala

Cotingidae (Cotingas)

Green-and-black FruiteaterPipreola riefferii

Golden-breasted FruiteaterPipreola aureopectus

Purple-throated FruitcrowQuerula purpurata

Amazonian UmbrellabirdCephalopterus ornatus

Turquoise CotingaCotinga ridgwayi

Spangled CotingaCotinga cayana

Screaming PihaLipaugus vociferans

Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)

Black-tailed TityraTityra cayana

Black-crowned TityraTityra inquisitor

Masked TityraTityra semifasciata

White-browed PurpletuftIodopleura isabellae

Barred BecardPachyramphus versicolor

Cinereous BecardPachyramphus rufus

Cinnamon BecardPachyramphus cinnamomeus

White-winged BecardPachyramphus polychopterus

Onychorhynchidae (Royal Flycatchers and Allies)

Ruddy-tailed FlycatcherTerenotriccus erythrurus

Sulphur-rumped FlycatcherMyiobius sulphureipygius

Black-tailed FlycatcherMyiobius atricaudus

Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)

Ochre-bellied FlycatcherMionectes oleagineus

Sepia-capped FlycatcherLeptopogon amaurocephalus

Slaty-capped FlycatcherLeptopogon superciliaris

Rufous-breasted FlycatcherLeptopogon rufipectus

Yellow-green TyrannuletPhylloscartes flavovirens

Scale-crested Pygmy-TyrantLophotriccus pileatus

Pearly-vented Tody-TyrantHemitriccus margaritaceiventer

Black-throated Tody-TyrantHemitriccus granadensis

Rusty-fronted Tody-FlycatcherPoecilotriccus latirostris

Common Tody-FlycatcherTodirostrum cinereum

Yellow-browed Tody-FlycatcherTodirostrum chrysocrotaphum

Western Olivaceous FlatbillRhynchocyclus aequinoctialis

Yellow-olive FlatbillTolmomyias sulphurescens

Yellow-margined FlatbillTolmomyias assimilis

Ochre-lored FlatbillTolmomyias flaviventris

Cinnamon FlycatcherPyrrhomyias cinnamomeus

Brown-capped TyrannuletOrnithion brunneicapillus

White-tailed TyrannuletMecocerculus poecilocercus

White-banded TyrannuletMecocerculus stictopterus

White-throated TyrannuletMecocerculus leucophrys

Yellow TyrannuletCapsiempis flaveola

Forest ElaeniaMyiopagis gaimardii

Yellow-bellied ElaeniaElaenia flavogaster

Mountain ElaeniaElaenia frantzii

Black-capped TyrannuletTyranniscus nigrocapillus

Mistletoe TyrannuletZimmerius parvus

Slender-footed TyrannuletZimmerius gracilipes

Slender-billed TyrannuletInezia tenuirostris

Pale-tipped TyrannuletInezia caudata

Bran-colored FlycatcherMyiophobus fasciatus

Tufted FlycatcherMitrephanes phaeocercus

Olive-sided FlycatcherContopus cooperi

Dark PeweeContopus lugubris

Smoke-colored PeweeContopus fumigatus

Western Wood-PeweeContopus sordidulus

Eastern Wood-PeweeContopus virens

Cuban PeweeContopus caribaeus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Cuban Pewee (Contopus caribaeus), by Erik Gauger.

Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventris

Acadian FlycatcherEmpidonax virescens

Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax traillii

Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimus

Hammond's FlycatcherEmpidonax hammondii

Gray FlycatcherEmpidonax wrightii

Dusky FlycatcherEmpidonax oberholseri

Western FlycatcherEmpidonax difficilis

Yellowish FlycatcherEmpidonax flavescens

Black-capped FlycatcherEmpidonax atriceps

Black PhoebeSayornis nigricans

Eastern PhoebeSayornis phoebe

Say's PhoebeSayornis saya

Northern Scrub-FlycatcherSublegatus arenarum

Vermilion FlycatcherPyrocephalus rubinus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus), by Erik Gauger.

Drab Water TyrantOchthornis littoralis

Plain-capped Ground-TyrantMuscisaxicola alpinus

Pied Water-TyrantFluvicola pica

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Pied Water-Tyrant (Fluvicola pica), by Erik Gauger.

Yellow-bellied Chat-TyrantSilvicultrix diadema

Chestnut-bellied Chat-TyrantOchthoeca cinnamomeiventris

Rufous-breasted Chat-TyrantOchthoeca rufipectoralis

Rufous-tailed FlatbillRamphotrigon ruficauda

Cinnamon AttilaAttila cinnamomeus

Bright-rumped AttilaAttila spadiceus

Dusky-capped FlycatcherMyiarchus tuberculifer

Panama FlycatcherMyiarchus panamensis

Pale-edged FlycatcherMyiarchus cephalotes

Ash-throated FlycatcherMyiarchus cinerascens

Nutting's FlycatcherMyiarchus nuttingi

Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitus

Brown-crested FlycatcherMyiarchus tyrannulus

La Sagra's FlycatcherMyiarchus sagrae

Cattle TyrantMachetornis rixosa

Lesser KiskadeePhilohydor lictor

Great KiskadeePitangus sulphuratus

Boat-billed FlycatcherMegarynchus pitangua

Social FlycatcherMyiozetetes similis

Gray-capped FlycatcherMyiozetetes granadensis

Golden-bellied FlycatcherMyiodynastes hemichrysus

Streaked FlycatcherMyiodynastes maculatus

Sulphur-bellied FlycatcherMyiodynastes luteiventris

Piratic FlycatcherLegatus leucophaius

Sulphury FlycatcherTyrannopsis sulphurea

Tropical KingbirdTyrannus melancholicus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus), by Erik Gauger.

Couch's KingbirdTyrannus couchii

Cassin's KingbirdTyrannus vociferans

Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalis

Eastern KingbirdTyrannus tyrannus

Gray KingbirdTyrannus dominicensis

Loggerhead KingbirdTyrannus caudifasciatus

Scissor-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus forficatus

Fork-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus savana

Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)

Black-billed PeppershrikeCyclarhis nigrirostris

Scrub GreenletHylophilus flavipes

Lesser GreenletPachysylvia decurtata

Golden-fronted GreenletPachysylvia aurantiifrons

White-eyed VireoVireo griseus

Thick-billed VireoVireo crassirostris

Mangrove VireoVireo pallens

Cuban VireoVireo gundlachii

Bell's VireoVireo bellii

Gray VireoVireo vicinior

Hutton's VireoVireo huttoni

Yellow-throated VireoVireo flavifrons

Yellow-winged VireoVireo carmioli

Cassin's VireoVireo cassinii

Blue-headed VireoVireo solitarius

Plumbeous VireoVireo plumbeus

Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicus

Warbling VireoVireo gilvus

Brown-capped VireoVireo leucophrys

Red-eyed VireoVireo olivaceus

Yellow-green VireoVireo flavoviridis

Black-whiskered VireoVireo altiloquus

Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)

Hawaii ElepaioChasiempis sandwichensis

Laniidae (Shrikes)

Bull-headed ShrikeLanius bucephalus

Loggerhead ShrikeLanius ludovicianus

Northern ShrikeLanius borealis

Great Gray ShrikeLanius excubitor

Woodchat ShrikeLanius senator

Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)

Canada JayPerisoreus canadensis

Turquoise JayCyanolyca turcosa

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Turquoise Jay (Cyanolyca turcosa), by Erik Gauger.

White-throated Magpie-JayCyanocorax formosus

Brown JayCyanocorax morio

Violaceous JayCyanocorax violaceus

Green JayCyanocorax yncas

Yucatan JayCyanocorax yucatanicus

Black-chested JayCyanocorax affinis

Pinyon JayGymnorhinus cyanocephalus

Steller's JayCyanocitta stelleri

Blue JayCyanocitta cristata

California Scrub-JayAphelocoma californica

Woodhouse's Scrub-JayAphelocoma woodhouseii

Mexican JayAphelocoma wollweberi

Eurasian JayGarrulus glandarius

Azure-winged MagpieCyanopica cyanus

Oriental MagpiePica serica

Eurasian MagpiePica pica

Black-billed MagpiePica hudsonia

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia), by Erik Gauger.

Clark's NutcrackerNucifraga columbiana

Eurasian JackdawColoeus monedula

RookCorvus frugilegus

American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchos

Cuban CrowCorvus nasicus

Fish CrowCorvus ossifragus

Carrion CrowCorvus corone

Hooded CrowCorvus cornix

Large-billed CrowCorvus macrorhynchos

Common RavenCorvus corax

Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)

Coal TitPeriparus ater

Marsh TitPoecile palustris

Willow TitPoecile montanus

Carolina ChickadeePoecile carolinensis

Black-capped ChickadeePoecile atricapillus

Mountain ChickadeePoecile gambeli

Chestnut-backed ChickadeePoecile rufescens

Eurasian Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus

African Blue TitCyanistes teneriffae

Bridled TitmouseBaeolophus wollweberi

Juniper TitmouseBaeolophus ridgwayi

Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolor

Great TitParus major

Asian TitParus cinereus

Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)

VerdinAuriparus flaviceps

Eurasian Penduline-TitRemiz pendulinus

Alaudidae (Larks)

Thekla's LarkGalerida theklae

Crested LarkGalerida cristata

Horned LarkEremophila alpestris

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris), by Erik Gauger.

Greater Short-toed LarkCalandrella brachydactyla

Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)

Zitting CisticolaCisticola juncidis

Acrocephalidae (Reed Warblers and Allies)

Icterine WarblerHippolais icterina

Common Reed WarblerAcrocephalus scirpaceus

Donacobiidae (Donacobius)

Black-capped DonacobiusDonacobius atricapilla

Hirundinidae (Swallows)

Bank SwallowRiparia riparia

Tree SwallowTachycineta bicolor

White-winged SwallowTachycineta albiventer

Mangrove SwallowTachycineta albilinea

Violet-green SwallowTachycineta thalassina

Bahama SwallowTachycineta cyaneoviridis

Purple MartinProgne subis

Gray-breasted MartinProgne chalybea

Northern Rough-winged SwallowStelgidopteryx serripennis

Southern Rough-winged SwallowStelgidopteryx ruficollis

White-thighed SwallowAtticora tibialis

White-banded SwallowAtticora fasciata

Blue-and-white SwallowPygochelidon cyanoleuca

Brown-bellied SwallowOrochelidon murina

Barn SwallowHirundo rustica

Western House-MartinDelichon urbicum

European Red-rumped SwallowCecropis rufula

Cliff SwallowPetrochelidon pyrrhonota

Cave SwallowPetrochelidon fulva

Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)

Brown-eared BulbulHypsipetes amaurotis

Light-vented BulbulPycnonotus sinensis

Common BulbulPycnonotus barbatus

Red-vented BulbulPycnonotus cafer

Phylloscopidae (Leaf Warblers)

Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus

Common ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita

Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits)

Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus

BushtitPsaltriparus minimus

Sylviidae (Sylviid Warblers and Allies)

Eurasian BlackcapSylvia atricapilla

Sardinian WarblerCurruca melanocephala

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Sardinian Warbler (Curruca melanocephala), by Erik Gauger.

Spectacled WarblerCurruca conspicillata

Paradoxornithidae (Parrotbills)

WrentitChamaea fasciata

Vinous-throated ParrotbillSuthora webbiana

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Vinous-throated Parrotbill (Suthora webbiana), by Erik Gauger.

Zosteropidae (White-eyes, Yuhinas, and Allies)

Warbling White-eyeZosterops japonicus

SilvereyeZosterops lateralis

Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes and Allies)

Chinese HwameiGarrulax canorus

Regulidae (Kinglets)

Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendula

Golden-crowned KingletRegulus satrapa

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa), by Erik Gauger.

Sittidae (Nuthatches)

White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensis

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis), by Erik Gauger.

Pygmy NuthatchSitta pygmaea

Brown-headed NuthatchSitta pusilla

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla), by Erik Gauger.

Red-breasted NuthatchSitta canadensis

Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaea

Certhiidae (Treecreepers)

Eurasian TreecreeperCerthia familiaris

Brown CreeperCerthia americana

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Brown Creeper (Certhia americana), by Erik Gauger.

Short-toed TreecreeperCerthia brachydactyla

Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)

Tropical GnatcatcherPolioptila plumbea

Yucatan GnatcatcherPolioptila albiventris

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Yucatan Gnatcatcher (Polioptila albiventris), by Erik Gauger.

White-browed GnatcatcherPolioptila bilineata

Blue-gray GnatcatcherPolioptila caerulea

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea), by Erik Gauger.

Black-tailed GnatcatcherPolioptila melanura

White-lored GnatcatcherPolioptila albiloris

Troglodytidae (Wrens)

Rock WrenSalpinctes obsoletus

Canyon WrenCatherpes mexicanus

Northern House WrenTroglodytes aedon

Southern House WrenTroglodytes musculus

Ochraceous WrenTroglodytes ochraceus

Mountain WrenTroglodytes solstitialis

Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytes

Pacific WrenTroglodytes pacificus

Winter WrenTroglodytes hiemalis

Sedge WrenCistothorus stellaris

Grass WrenCistothorus platensis

Marsh WrenCistothorus palustris

Carolina WrenThryothorus ludovicianus

Bewick's WrenThryomanes bewickii

Rufous-backed WrenCampylorhynchus capistratus

Yucatan WrenCampylorhynchus yucatanicus

Cactus WrenCampylorhynchus brunneicapillus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus), by Erik Gauger.

Stripe-backed WrenCampylorhynchus nuchalis

Bicolored WrenCampylorhynchus griseus

Black-bellied WrenPheugopedius fasciatoventris

Rufous-breasted WrenPheugopedius rutilus

Spot-breasted WrenPheugopedius maculipectus

Banded WrenThryophilus pleurostictus

Rufous-and-white WrenThryophilus rufalbus

Stripe-breasted WrenCantorchilus thoracicus

Cabanis's WrenCantorchilus modestus

Isthmian WrenCantorchilus elutus

Riverside WrenCantorchilus semibadius

Bay WrenCantorchilus nigricapillus

Buff-breasted WrenCantorchilus leucotis

Sharpe's WrenCinnycerthia olivascens

White-breasted Wood-WrenHenicorhina leucosticta

Gray-breasted Wood-WrenHenicorhina leucophrys

Song WrenCyphorhinus phaeocephalus

Musician WrenCyphorhinus arada

Cinclidae (Dippers)

American DipperCinclus mexicanus

White-capped DipperCinclus leucocephalus

Sturnidae (Starlings)

European StarlingSturnus vulgaris

Spotless StarlingSturnus unicolor

White-cheeked StarlingSpodiopsar cineraceus

Common MynaAcridotheres tristis

Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)

Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensis

Pearly-eyed ThrasherMargarops fuscatus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Pearly-eyed Thrasher (Margarops fuscatus), by Erik Gauger.

Read about how I discovered the northern-most record of the Pearly-eyed Thrasher on Great Abaco, Bahamas.

Curve-billed ThrasherToxostoma curvirostre

Brown ThrasherToxostoma rufum

Gray ThrasherToxostoma cinereum

California ThrasherToxostoma redivivum

Crissal ThrasherToxostoma crissale

Sage ThrasherOreoscoptes montanus

Bahama MockingbirdMimus gundlachii

Tropical MockingbirdMimus gilvus

Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottos

Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)

Eastern BluebirdSialia sialis

Western BluebirdSialia mexicana

Mountain BluebirdSialia currucoides

Townsend's SolitaireMyadestes townsendi

Andean SolitaireMyadestes ralloides

PuaiohiMyadestes palmeri

Varied ThrushIxoreus naevius

Black-billed Nightingale-ThrushCatharus gracilirostris

Orange-billed Nightingale-ThrushCatharus aurantiirostris

Ruddy-capped Nightingale-ThrushCatharus frantzii

VeeryCatharus fuscescens

Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimus

Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatus

Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatus

Wood ThrushHylocichla mustelina

RedwingTurdus iliacus

Mountain ThrushTurdus plebejus

Eurasian BlackbirdTurdus merula

Pale-breasted ThrushTurdus leucomelas

White-throated ThrushTurdus assimilis

Pale-vented ThrushTurdus obsoletus

Clay-colored ThrushTurdus grayi

American RobinTurdus migratorius

Rufous-backed RobinTurdus rufopalliatus

Red-legged ThrushTurdus plumbeus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Red-legged Thrush (Turdus plumbeus), by Erik Gauger.

Black-billed ThrushTurdus ignobilis

Chestnut-bellied ThrushTurdus fulviventris

Great ThrushTurdus fuscater

Glossy-black ThrushTurdus serranus

Dusky ThrushTurdus eunomus

Naumann's ThrushTurdus naumanni

Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)

Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata

White-rumped ShamaCopsychus malabaricus

European RobinErithacus rubecula

Moussier's RedstartPhoenicurus moussieri

Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochruros

Daurian RedstartPhoenicurus auroreus

Blue Rock-ThrushMonticola solitarius

European StonechatSaxicola rubicola

Amur StonechatSaxicola stejnegeri

Northern WheatearOenanthe oenanthe

Black WheatearOenanthe leucura

Bombycillidae (Waxwings)

Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorum

Ptiliogonatidae (Silky-flycatchers)

Black-and-yellow Silky-flycatcherPhainoptila melanoxantha

Long-tailed Silky-flycatcherPtiliogonys caudatus

PhainopeplaPhainopepla nitens

Dulidae (Palmchat)

PalmchatDulus dominicus

Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)

African SilverbillEuodice cantans

Java SparrowPadda oryzivora

Chestnut-breasted MuniaLonchura castaneothorax

Common WaxbillEstrilda astrild

Prunellidae (Accentors)

Siberian AccentorPrunella montanella

Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)

House SparrowPasser domesticus

Italian SparrowPasser italiae

Spanish SparrowPasser hispaniolensis

Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanus

Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)

Gray WagtailMotacilla cinerea

Western Yellow WagtailMotacilla flava

White WagtailMotacilla alba

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a White Wagtail (Motacilla alba), by Erik Gauger.

Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis

Tree PipitAnthus trivialis

Water PipitAnthus spinoletta

American PipitAnthus rubescens

Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)

Common ChaffinchFringilla coelebs

African ChaffinchFringilla spodiogenys

BramblingFringilla montifringilla

Golden-rumped EuphoniaChlorophonia cyanocephala

Blue-naped ChlorophoniaChlorophonia cyanea

Chestnut-breasted ChlorophoniaChlorophonia pyrrhophrys

Golden-browed ChlorophoniaChlorophonia callophrys

Trinidad EuphoniaEuphonia trinitatis

Yellow-crowned EuphoniaEuphonia luteicapilla

White-vented EuphoniaEuphonia minuta

Yellow-throated EuphoniaEuphonia hirundinacea

Thick-billed EuphoniaEuphonia laniirostris

Spot-crowned EuphoniaEuphonia imitans

Olive-backed EuphoniaEuphonia gouldi

Fulvous-vented EuphoniaEuphonia fulvicrissa

Tawny-capped EuphoniaEuphonia anneae

Orange-bellied EuphoniaEuphonia xanthogaster

Rufous-bellied EuphoniaEuphonia rufiventris

Evening GrosbeakCoccothraustes vespertinus

ApapaneHimatione sanguinea

AnianiauMagumma parva

Hawaii AmakihiChlorodrepanis virens

Pine GrosbeakPinicola enucleator

Gray-crowned Rosy-FinchLeucosticte tephrocotis

House FinchHaemorhous mexicanus

Purple FinchHaemorhous purpureus

Cassin's FinchHaemorhous cassinii

European GreenfinchChloris chloris

Yellow-fronted CanaryCrithagra mozambica

Eurasian LinnetLinaria cannabina

RedpollAcanthis flammea

Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostra

European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), by Erik Gauger.

European SerinSerinus serinus

Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinus

Pine SiskinSpinus pinus

Lesser GoldfinchSpinus psaltria

Lawrence's GoldfinchSpinus lawrencei

American GoldfinchSpinus tristis

Hooded SiskinSpinus magellanicus

Calcariidae (Longspurs and Snow Buntings)

Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicus

Snow BuntingPlectrophenax nivalis

Emberizidae (Old World Buntings)

Corn BuntingEmberiza calandra

House BuntingEmberiza sahari

Yellow-throated BuntingEmberiza elegans

Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus

Passerellidae (New World Sparrows)

Short-billed ChlorospingusChlorospingus parvirostris

Sooty-capped ChlorospingusChlorospingus pileatus

Common ChlorospingusChlorospingus flavopectus

Stripe-headed SparrowPeucaea ruficauda

Grasshopper SparrowAmmodramus savannarum

Yellow-browed SparrowAmmodramus aurifrons

Black-striped SparrowArremonops conirostris

Tocuyo SparrowArremonops tocuyensis

Chipping SparrowSpizella passerina

Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallida

Field SparrowSpizella pusilla

Brewer's SparrowSpizella breweri

Black-throated SparrowAmphispiza bilineata

Lark SparrowChondestes grammacus

Lark BuntingCalamospiza melanocorys

Sierra Nevada BrushfinchArremon basilicus

Orange-billed SparrowArremon aurantiirostris

Golden-winged SparrowArremon schlegeli

Chestnut-capped BrushfinchArremon brunneinucha

American Tree SparrowSpizelloides arborea

Fox SparrowPasserella iliaca

Dark-eyed JuncoJunco hyemalis

Yellow-eyed JuncoJunco phaeonotus

Rufous-collared SparrowZonotrichia capensis

White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrys

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys), by Erik Gauger.

Golden-crowned SparrowZonotrichia atricapilla

Harris's SparrowZonotrichia querula

White-throated SparrowZonotrichia albicollis

Sagebrush SparrowArtemisiospiza nevadensis

Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineus

Savannah SparrowPasserculus sandwichensis

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis), by Erik Gauger.

Song SparrowMelospiza melodia

Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolnii

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii), by Erik Gauger.

Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgiana

Canyon TowheeMelozone fusca

Abert's TowheeMelozone aberti

California TowheeMelozone crissalis

Rufous-crowned SparrowAimophila ruficeps

Green-tailed TowheePipilo chlorurus

Spotted TowheePipilo maculatus

Eastern TowheePipilo erythrophthalmus

Yellow-thighed BrushfinchAtlapetes tibialis

Santa Marta BrushfinchAtlapetes melanocephalus

Northern Slaty BrushfinchAtlapetes schistaceus

Pale-naped BrushfinchAtlapetes pallidinucha

Spindalidae (Spindalises)

Western SpindalisSpindalis zena

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Western Spindalis (Spindalis zena), by Erik Gauger.

Zeledoniidae (Wrenthrush)

WrenthrushZeledonia coronata

Icteriidae (Yellow-breasted Chat)

Yellow-breasted ChatIcteria virens

Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)

Yellow-headed BlackbirdXanthocephalus xanthocephalus

Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglecta

Eastern MeadowlarkSturnella magna

Yellow-billed CaciqueAmblycercus holosericeus

Russet-backed OropendolaPsarocolius angustifrons

Crested OropendolaPsarocolius decumanus

Chestnut-headed OropendolaPsarocolius wagleri

Montezuma OropendolaPsarocolius montezuma

Olive OropendolaPsarocolius bifasciatus

Scarlet-rumped CaciqueCacicus uropygialis

Yellow-rumped CaciqueCacicus cela

Mountain CaciqueCacicus chrysonotus

Black-cowled OrioleIcterus prosthemelas

Orchard OrioleIcterus spurius

Hooded OrioleIcterus cucullatus

Yellow-backed OrioleIcterus chrysater

Orange-crowned OrioleIcterus auricapillus

Yellow-tailed OrioleIcterus mesomelas

Streak-backed OrioleIcterus pustulatus

Bullock's OrioleIcterus bullockii

Orange OrioleIcterus auratus

Yellow OrioleIcterus nigrogularis

Altamira OrioleIcterus gularis

Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbula

Scott's OrioleIcterus parisorum

Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceus

Tricolored BlackbirdAgelaius tricolor

Tawny-shouldered BlackbirdAgelaius humeralis

Shiny CowbirdMolothrus bonariensis

Bronzed CowbirdMolothrus aeneus

Brown-headed CowbirdMolothrus ater

Giant CowbirdMolothrus oryzivorus

Melodious BlackbirdDives dives

Scrub BlackbirdDives warczewiczi

Cuban BlackbirdPtiloxena atroviolacea

Rusty BlackbirdEuphagus carolinus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), by Erik Gauger.

Brewer's BlackbirdEuphagus cyanocephalus

Common GrackleQuiscalus quiscula

Boat-tailed GrackleQuiscalus major

Great-tailed GrackleQuiscalus mexicanus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus), by Erik Gauger.

Greater Antillean GrackleQuiscalus niger

Carib GrackleQuiscalus lugubris

Oriole BlackbirdGymnomystax mexicanus

Parulidae (New World Warblers)

OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapilla

Louisiana WaterthrushParkesia motacilla

Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensis

Golden-winged WarblerVermivora chrysoptera

Blue-winged WarblerVermivora cyanoptera

Black-and-white WarblerMniotilta varia

Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citrea

Flame-throated WarblerOreothlypis gutturalis

Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrina

Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celata

Lucy's WarblerLeiothlypis luciae

Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapilla

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Nashville Warbler (Leiothlypis ruficapilla), by Erik Gauger.

Virginia's WarblerLeiothlypis virginiae

I picked up my 1,129th life bird in Portland, Oregon. This bird summers in the American desert southwest, but winters on the Pacific coast of Mexico, and as far south as Belize. Somehow, an individual went the wrong way and ended up helping to keep Portland weird.

MacGillivray's WarblerGeothlypis tolmiei

Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphia

Kentucky WarblerGeothlypis formosa

Olive-crowned YellowthroatGeothlypis semiflava

Belding's YellowthroatGeothlypis beldingi

Bahama YellowthroatGeothlypis rostrata

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Bahama Yellowthroat (Geothlypis rostrata), by Erik Gauger.

Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichas

Hooded WarblerSetophaga citrina

American RedstartSetophaga ruticilla

Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrina

Cerulean WarblerSetophaga cerulea

Northern ParulaSetophaga americana

Tropical ParulaSetophaga pitiayumi

Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnolia

Blackburnian WarblerSetophaga fusca

Yellow WarblerSetophaga petechia

Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanica

Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striata

Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescens

Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarum

Olive-capped WarblerSetophaga pityophila

Pine WarblerSetophaga pinus

Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronata

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata), by Erik Gauger.

Yellow-throated WarblerSetophaga dominica

Bahama WarblerSetophaga flavescens

Prairie WarblerSetophaga discolor

Black-throated Gray WarblerSetophaga nigrescens

Townsend's WarblerSetophaga townsendi

Hermit WarblerSetophaga occidentalis

Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virens

Chestnut-capped WarblerBasileuterus delattrii

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Chestnut-capped Warbler (Basileuterus delattrii), by Erik Gauger.

Black-cheeked WarblerBasileuterus melanogenys

Golden-crowned WarblerBasileuterus culicivorus

Three-striped WarblerBasileuterus tristriatus

Santa Marta WarblerMyiothlypis basilica

Black-crested WarblerMyiothlypis nigrocristata

Buff-rumped WarblerMyiothlypis fulvicauda

White-lored WarblerMyiothlypis conspicillata

Russet-crowned WarblerMyiothlypis coronata

Canada WarblerCardellina canadensis

Wilson's WarblerCardellina pusilla

Painted RedstartMyioborus pictus

Slate-throated RedstartMyioborus miniatus

Collared RedstartMyioborus torquatus

Yellow-crowned RedstartMyioborus flavivertex

Spectacled RedstartMyioborus melanocephalus

Mitrospingidae (Mitrospingid Tanagers)

Dusky-faced TanagerMitrospingus cassinii

Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)

Hepatic TanagerPiranga flava

Summer TanagerPiranga rubra

Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivacea

Western TanagerPiranga ludoviciana

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana), by Erik Gauger.

Flame-colored TanagerPiranga bidentata

Red-crowned Ant-TanagerHabia rubica

Red-throated Ant-TanagerDriophlox fuscicauda

Carmiol's TanagerChlorothraupis carmioli

Black-faced GrosbeakCaryothraustes poliogaster

Vermilion CardinalCardinalis phoeniceus

Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalis

PyrrhuloxiaCardinalis sinuatus

Golden GrosbeakPheucticus chrysogaster

Black-thighed GrosbeakPheucticus tibialis

Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianus

Black-headed GrosbeakPheucticus melanocephalus

Blue-black GrosbeakCyanoloxia cyanoides

Blue GrosbeakPasserina caerulea

Lazuli BuntingPasserina amoena

Indigo BuntingPasserina cyanea

Painted BuntingPasserina ciris

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris), by Erik Gauger.

DickcisselSpiza americana

Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)

Red-crested CardinalParoaria coronata

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Red-crested Cardinal (Paroaria coronata), by Erik Gauger.

Red-capped CardinalParoaria gularis

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Red-capped Cardinal (Paroaria gularis), by Erik Gauger.

Yellow-billed CardinalParoaria capitata

Magpie TanagerCissopis leverianus

Black-capped HemispingusKleinothraupis atropileus

Orange-headed TanagerThlypopsis sordida

Gray-headed TanagerEucometis penicillata

White-shouldered TanagerLoriotus luctuosus

Tawny-crested TanagerTachyphonus delatrii

White-lined TanagerTachyphonus rufus

Black-throated Shrike-TanagerLanio aurantius

Flame-rumped TanagerRamphocelus flammigerus

Scarlet-rumped TanagerRamphocelus passerinii

Silver-beaked TanagerRamphocelus carbo

Crimson-backed TanagerRamphocelus dimidiatus

Hooded Mountain TanagerButhraupis montana

Blue-capped TanagerSporathraupis cyanocephala

Black-cheeked Mountain TanagerAnisognathus melanogenys

Lacrimose Mountain TanagerAnisognathus lacrymosus

Blue-winged Mountain TanagerAnisognathus somptuosus

Fawn-breasted TanagerPipraeidea melanonota

Blue-and-yellow TanagerRauenia bonariensis

Blue-gray TanagerThraupis episcopus

Palm TanagerThraupis palmarum

Black-headed TanagerStilpnia cyanoptera

Black-capped TanagerStilpnia heinei

Scrub TanagerStilpnia vitriolina

Masked TanagerStilpnia nigrocincta

Golden-hooded TanagerStilpnia larvata

Blue-and-black TanagerTangara vassorii

Beryl-spangled TanagerTangara nigroviridis

Spangle-cheeked TanagerTangara dowii

Plain-colored TanagerTangara inornata

Turquoise TanagerTangara mexicana

Paradise TanagerTangara chilensis

Opal-crowned TanagerTangara callophrys

Rufous-winged TanagerTangara lavinia

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Rufous-winged Tanager (Tangara lavinia), by Erik Gauger.

Bay-headed TanagerTangara gyrola

Saffron-crowned TanagerTangara xanthocephala

Flame-faced TanagerTangara parzudakii

Green-and-gold TanagerTangara schrankii

Silver-throated TanagerTangara icterocephala

Scarlet-thighed DacnisDacnis venusta

Blue DacnisDacnis cayana

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Blue Dacnis (Dacnis cayana), by Erik Gauger.

Shining HoneycreeperCyanerpes lucidus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Shining Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes lucidus), by Erik Gauger.

Purple HoneycreeperCyanerpes caeruleus

Red-legged HoneycreeperCyanerpes cyaneus

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus), by Erik Gauger.

Green HoneycreeperChlorophanes spiza

Bicolored ConebillConirostrum bicolor

Blue-backed ConebillConirostrum sitticolor

Capped ConebillConirostrum albifrons

Cinereous ConebillConirostrum cinereum

Black FlowerpiercerDiglossa humeralis

White-sided FlowerpiercerDiglossa albilatera

Slaty FlowerpiercerDiglossa plumbea

Rusty FlowerpiercerDiglossa sittoides

Bluish FlowerpiercerDiglossa caerulescens

Masked FlowerpiercerDiglossa cyanea

PlushcapCatamblyrhynchus diadema

Slaty FinchHaplospiza rustica

Saffron FinchSicalis flaveola

Blue-black GrassquitVolatinia jacarina

Chestnut-bellied SeedeaterSporophila castaneiventris

Ruddy-breasted SeedeaterSporophila minuta

Thick-billed Seed-FinchSporophila funerea

Variable SeedeaterSporophila corvina

Morelet's SeedeaterSporophila morelleti

Watercolor and Copic marker sketch of a Morelet's Seedeater (Sporophila morelleti), by Erik Gauger.

Yellow-bellied SeedeaterSporophila nigricollis

Pileated FinchCoryphospingus pileatus

BananaquitCoereba flaveola

Yellow-faced GrassquitTiaris olivaceus

Greater Antillean BullfinchMelopyrrha violacea

Lesser Antillean BullfinchLoxigilla noctis

Black-faced GrassquitMelanospiza bicolor

Dull-colored GrassquitAsemospiza obscura

Buff-throated SaltatorSaltator maximus

Black-headed SaltatorSaltator atriceps

Olive-gray SaltatorSaltator olivascens

Cinnamon-bellied SaltatorSaltator grandis

Streaked SaltatorSaltator striatipectus

Explore more in About Us

Contact Me

Write to Erik Gauger of Notes from the Road

Bird Life List

A list of all the birds I've seen in my life, with illustrations.

Butterfly Life List

A list of all the butterflies I've identified in my life, with photographs.

Reptile Life List

A list of all the reptiles I've identfiied in my life, with illustrations.

Amphibian Life List

A list of all the amphibians I've seen in my life, with illustrations.

Dragonflies and Damselflies List

A list of all the Odonata insects I've seen in my life, with illustrations.

Mammal Life List

A list of all the mammals I've seen in my life.

Spider and Arachnid List

A collection of photographs of spiders and other arachnids I've seen while photographing for Notes from the Road.

Fishes Life List

Explore my list of fish species that I have identified.

Grateful Dead Jams

My list of extraordinary road-trip approved Grateful Dead jams.

Phish Jams

My list of the best Phish jams for traveling and road trips.

Alley Cats of the World

My gallery of feral, stray and wild country cats.