Friday Feathered Feature

Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoos

Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoos

Cuckoos are secretive, so spotting them and making an identification only by their bill color is difficult. Both can be found in the same habitats which adds some complication to ID, but there are a couple other good ways to tell them apart. 

Photo by Andy Reago and Chrissy McClarren

Eastern Kingbird

Eastern Kingbird

A stout songbird that commands attention with its striking appearance, the Eastern Kingbird sports a black head, back, and tail, contrasted by a crisp white underbelly and a distinct white band on the tail.

Photo by Courtney Celley/USFWS

Northern Flicker

Northern Flicker

The Northern Flicker is a dazzling, common woodpecker that can be found in most of North America. They’ll drum on trees similarly to other woodpeckers, but spend most of their time foraging for insects and larvae on the ground.

Photo by Courtney Celley/USFWS