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Bearded Vulture - Photographer unknown

This incredible pre-historiclike raptor is exceptional in more than one area. Not only is it the largest living raptor, but it’s also the only living bird to specialize in scavenging for and digesting bone marrow. A threatened species, the Bearded Vulture lives sparsely in craggy mountain regions from southern Europe to much of Africa and Asia. Also called an Ossifrage, these birds have appeared in many legends, from a symbol of sovereignty in Iranian mythology, to the Greek story of a man who was killed by one when the bird dropped a tortoise from the sky to crack open the shell for consumption. In the latter story, there is even historical evidence of their resourcefulness in attaining a meal. These vultures are known for their skill in cracking apart bones, dropping small prey from altitudes onto large rocks to fray the bone, for the vulture to circle back down and swallow a hearty brunch. An impressive creature, the Bearded Vulture’s feathers are actually only cosmetically orange to red in appearance. They often dust themselves with the colored soil to keep the feathers preened and attractive.

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Black-Tipped Cotinga - photographed by njd201

This gregarious bird in both appearance and behavior is declining in population slowly. It lives primarily in Ecuador, Panama, and Colombia’s moist lowland forests. Though not yet considered a vulnerable species, the areas in which it lives are relying more and more heavily on deforestation practices, which leaves this Cotinga with little place to go. Though they are quite striking in appearance, with their pure white feathers and bright red eyes, the species is unknown to have any kind of call or song.

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Muscovy Ducks - photographed by Andrew Migneault

The Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) is a large duck in the family anatidae, which lived as a native in Mexico and Central to South America. Due to many years of breeding, selling, and trading for their meat- these adorably homely ducks have found themselves feral all across the United States. This particular image depicts a feral pair, as evidenced by the pied feather coloration. True wild Muscovies are mostly black with some white under-wings. This species does not mate for life, and often will create large families that come and go and care for the young as they please. It is suspected that this is a learned instinct of the species since many areas that they reside have heavy culling efforts to rid this lovely bird from the location. Killing the young and eggs of Muscovies is common practice. Muscovy Ducks can be aggressive in the face of danger, however you will often find them happily coming very near to you with their significant flat, large tail wagging back and forth.

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Killdeer - photographed by Andrew Migneault

A lovely little bird named onomatopoiecally after its call, the Killdeer can be found virtually all over the US. Though they are often considered to be shorebirds, they find home in open wetland to savannahs to dry and gravel-laden ground. A significant sign that you are in fact dealing with a Killdeer, is that it is known for its frequent use of the "Broken Wing" act, where they hold their wing in a injured looking position, flapping around, and emitting several distress calls. They do this in order to distract predators from their nests nearby. Once the intruder is properly convinced that the little plover will be their dinner, the Killdeer magically heals himself and flutters off.

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Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu - photographed by Phil Wallace

Yes, that's really what they're called! (though neither these birds nor chickens want to become your dinner- don't eat them!). This small passerine bird is found in the drier tropical regions. There is a small amount of sexual dimorphism within this species, where the females are a bit duller and lack the rosy cheeks. These normally passive birds are often chased away from feeding spots by larger granivores like themselves. However, this species is known for becoming rather aggressive toward each other during mating season.

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Roseate Spoonbill - photographer unknown

Pretty and pink, the Roseate Spoonbill is a beautiful wading bird found in South America and on the Gulf Coast of the United States. Depending on the location, their color can vary from pale rose to a fiery magenta. Their perfectly shaped bills allow them to sift through piles of sand underwater and excavate crustaceans, aquatic insects, and frogs. Unlike egrets and other wading birds, the Spoonbill flies with its neck outstretched, which makes it recognizable in the distant sky.

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Semipalmated Sandpiper - photographed by Arthur Morris

This teeny tiny shorebird gets its name from the partial webbing of its toes; 'palmated' means "webbed". They forage mainly on aquatic insects and crustaceans. The females will usually lay four small eggs, those of which are then left for incubation by the father. Once the eggs are hatched, the hatchlings find food and progess through adolescence themselves.

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Chestnut-crowned Babbler - Photographed by Peter Jacobs

This social "babbler" is endemic to the southeastern parts of Australia and is in the selective family Pomatostomidae. These birds are quite simply noisy, energetic, and friendly. Whether they're in groups or alone they appear to be cheerful and enjoying life very much so. They are birds known for their cooperative breeding; which means in their case that there are monogamous mates that stay together and multiple single birds who do not breed, but prepare nests, gather food, and protect just as another parent would.

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White Wagtail - Photographed by Lubomir Doubek

The White Wagtail in the Motacillidae family is Latvia's national bird. It is commonly found in most parts of Eurasia, Northern Europe, and often in the northernmost points of Africa. Their name is derived for them because of the seemingly constant wagging of their tails. Scientists believe it could either be a sign of submissiveness to other birds or a signal of pride to possible predators. Whichever it is, it's a staple bit of information in identifying this beautiful bird.

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Elegant Trogon - Photographed by Sean Graesser

This beautiful bird could also be called the Stoic, Regal, or Proud Trogon because of its behavior. It particularly seems to do as it pleases, how it pleases, and doesn't really bother anyone in the process. In the family Trogonidae, Elegant Trogons usually call abandoned woodpecker holes home. The significant look that I assume give them their name is when they perch, they are absolutely still. Leaving any onlooker in awe of such a motionless bundle of magnificent color. They are also quite fast when they fly- if they fly- which is rare because they often refrain from prolonged periods of flight. Again I assume it's because they recognize how beautiful they are and the lack of need to do much but show off.

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European Crested Tit - photographed by Maximilian Dorsch

The Crested Tit is an itty bitty bird in the family Paridae. They live primarily among the large and ancient pines in Scotland. Though common- and not unfriendly, they rarely stray far from the deep coniferous forests there.

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Hello there! I just discovered your blog and am utterly in love! I was wondering: do you have a link to the full-size image of the adorable little bird that appears in your avatar? I'd love to reblog him! :)

Hi hi! Thanks so much!! I do have it, and I’ll certainly post it for you.

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Siberian Rubythroat - Photographed by Adam Riley

This little guy used to be classified into the thrush family, but since repositioned as an Old World Flycatcher. Found in mixed coniferous forests where they munch on primarily insects.

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Red-winged Blackbird - Photographed by Joe Pescatore

This sleek black bird with a pop of vibrant color is one among the most abundant species in North America. They flock to wetlands really early in the spring with a throaty, yet cheerful call to wake the marshes up from a long winter. These birds are very sexually dimorphic which means in this case that the female is a spotty, drab brown color, looking similarly to a large sparrow. The longest recorded life of one of these birds was fifteen years and nine months!

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Eastern Towhee - Photographed by Gary Meszarosa

The Eastern Towhee, formerly known as the Rufous-sided Towhee before the bird was classified into two separate species (See also: Spotted Towhee), is a large sparrow who found it's name "Towhee" from one of its most common calls. They like bushy areas with vegetation similar to that of which can be found in most Eastern forests. Their diets consist of mainly seeds, berries, and small insect matter, but they've been known to eat larger things like small snakes, amphibians, and lizards.

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American Goldfinch - photographed by Bill Thompson

The American Goldfinch also known as the Eastern Goldfinch is a granivore, or a bird that's diet consists of the seeds of different plants. It is a very social bird that can often be found in large flocks while feeding or migrating. This Goldfinch survives particularly well in urban areas because they are attracted to birdfeeders and deforestation that occurs creates open meadows which are their ideal habitat.

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Bay-breasted Warbler - Photographed by Jacob S. Spendelow

The Bay-breasted Warbler is a New World Warbler that breeds mainly in Canada and the really northern parts of the USA. They are migratory however and flee all the way south to Central and South America in the winter. They nest in coniferous woodlands, but are more likely to do so when the Spruce Budworm (a destructive defoliating insect) infests the trees.