The author of the popular Sibley Guide to Birds and other books explains bird behaviors and field marks, birding techniques, and more.
The brilliant yellow, orange, and red that you seen on many birds are not just for decoration; the colors send an important message about the … Read More “David Sibley: How reflected light gives birds their most vivid plumage”
When we talk about identification, we tend to focus on differences, but it can be instructive (and reassuring) to think about similarities. In fact, understanding … Read More “Sketches by David Sibley reveal similarity and variation in bill shape”
Experienced birders can often identify a bird after seeing only a flash of movement. The way a bird moves from perch to perch, how it … Read More “David Sibley: You can recognize groups of birds by the way they move”
Most of the dramatic seasonal changes in a bird’s appearance are the result of molt — that is, the replacement of old feathers with new. … Read More “David Sibley: How birds can change color without molting”
Late summer is a time of transition for birds and a time of tremendous variety for birders. You can see adult birds in breeding plumage … Read More “David Sibley: What the changing colors of a songbird’s bill mean”
The wing is one of the most remarkable parts of a bird. When extended in flight, it serves as a lightweight and efficient airfoil. But … Read More “Wing basics by David Sibley”
Spring is the season for birdsong, but seeing the singer can sometimes be a challenge. Here are simple tricks that will help you locate a … Read More “David Sibley gives simple tricks for locating a bird you can hear but can’t see”
When we talk about identifying sparrows and other streaky brownish birds, one of the things we focus on is whether the breast is streaked or … Read More “David Sibley tells how to identify streaky sparrows by their back pattern”
Birds’ incredible range of color patterns can be useful for identification, but the diversity can also be overwhelming. The key to deciphering color patterns is … Read More “David Sibley: How markings on feathers make spots and streaks on birds”
