Barred Owl
By John Shackford The Barred Owl (Strix varia) starts its own conversation: “Who cooks for you, who cooks for you ALL?” which is perhaps the … Read more
Bird of the Month
Common Redpoll
By John Shackford This winter, with its arctic air masses coming frequently and deeply into the United States, has brought us several far north bird … Read more
Ruddy Duck
By John Shackford The Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) is something of an odd duck (as the saying goes); it is a diving duck species. The … Read more
Blue-winged Teal
By John Shackford The Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) is one of the dabbler ducks—ducks that feed by swimming on the surface of ponds with their … Read more
Baird’s Sandpiper
by John Shackford Many birds grace our state only during migration; one of these is the Baird’s Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii). The species is named “for … Read more
Great Horned Owl
By John Shackford The Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) ranges from most of Alaska and the southern two-thirds of Canada all the way down to … Read more
Fox Sparrow
by John Shackford The Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) is definitely one of my favorite sparrows. When I first see one my first thought is usually … Read more
Mountain Bluebird
by John Shackford The Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) is one of Oklahoma’s most beautiful birds. The male’s color is similar to, but prettier to … Read more
Brown-headed Cowbird
By John Shackford The Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) does not have the best of reputations among most bird people, but I know of at … Read more
American Tree Sparrow
By John Shackford There is an element of fun for me in identifying an American Tree Sparrow (Spizella arborea); it has to do with … Read more
White-breasted Nuthatch
By John Shackford The White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) and its ability to easily walk down a tree, as well as up, always strikes me as … Read more
Rufous Hummingbird
by John Shackford From what I have read the male Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a beautiful little gem of a bird. To the best … Read more
Ferruginous Hawk
by John Shackford Recently Bill Diffin relayed to me some interesting information about the Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis). The Ferruginous Hawk has small feet for … Read more
Brown Thrasher
by John Shackford The Brown Thrasher (Texostoma rufum) is about 11.5 inches long, is reddish brown on the upper (dorsal) surface, and white on the … Read more
Franklin’s Gull
by John Shackford The Franklin’s Gull (Larus pipixcan) is with us, almost exclusively, during migration. It is on the small side for gulls—about 15 inches—and … Read more
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
by John Shackford The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) is a breeding bird in most of Oklahoma, although it is decidedly rare in the Panhandle, especially … Read more
Northern Bobwhite
by John Shackford The Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) is a permanent resident of the southern states and well beyond. In Oklahoma it is found over the … Read more
Bell’s Vireo
by John Shackford According to USGS Breeding Bird Survey data from 1966-2012, and personal observations, the Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii) has shown a drastic decline … Read more
Domestic Chicken
by John Shackford Thanksgiving is coming and one of the things we have to be thankful for is abundant food. Turkey is the Thanksgiving tradition … Read more
Cooper’s Hawk
by John Shackford I always have a moment of pleasant surprise when I see a Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) fly over. Their flap-flap-flap—sail behavioral pattern … Read more
American Kestrel
by John Shackford I think the American Kestrel (Falco sparaverius) has an interesting glitch about its name. We used to call it the Sparrow Hawk. … Read more
Winter Wren
by John Shackford In checking on the taxonomy of the Winter Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), I found that it is the same species as the Eurasian … Read more
House Wren
by John Shackford The House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) is a fairly frequent migrant through central Oklahoma during spring and fall, although it does not advertise … Read more
Swainson’s Thrush
The Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) is strictly a migrant in Oklahoma. Most of these thrushes spend the breeding season well north of us in Canada … Read more
European Starling
by John Shackford Many years ago, about 1979, there was a huge blackbird roost in the cattails at the north end of Lake Overholser that … Read more
Yellow Warbler
by John Shackford The Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) has recently undergone a Genus name change, from Dendroica to Setophaga. All warblers in the Genus Dendroica, … Read more
Prairie Falcon
by John Shackford The main winter range of the Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanos) in Oklahoma covers the western 1/3rd of the state; sometimes one makes … Read more