The indigo bunting, cerulean on its body and a brilliant indigo on its head, enjoys brushy early successional habitat throughout Wisconsin.
Purple Martin
Some consider the purple martin "America’s most wanted bird." They are also one of our favorite birds! North America's largest swallow is dependent on humans for nesting boxes. Before european settlement, Native Americans set out gourds for purple martins. It's as simple as this: people like martins--and martins like people.
Northern Harrier
American Kestrel
In the past several decades, researchers have become increasingly alarmed at dwindling numbers of North America's smallest falcon, the American Kestrel. But thanks to an expansive nest box program coordinated by Madison Audubon volunteers, 2016 may be a banner year for these little-but-fierce flyers.
Pileated Woodpecker
The “Reckless Wrens” Great Wisconsin Birdathon team included Jim and Kathy Shurts, Heather Inzalaco, and Mark & Sue Martin. The big day count was held on May 12th. We visited Madison Audubon’s Otsego Marsh where we found a good variety of warblers and saw a couple scarlet tanagers. However, we missed a family of barred owls that was found on May 13th.
