Little Crake (Zapornia parva)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Zapornia (anagram of Porzarna) parva ("small")

Adult female Little Crake (Zapornia parva) near Side, Antalya, Turkey - March 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 35-60g  /  Length: 17-19cm  /  Wingspan: 34-39cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

As the name suggests, a small member of the crake family whose range is centred on Eastern Europe and Central Asia, largely migrating to the vicinity of large rivers nearer the equator such as the Nile and the Indus. Unusually for crakes, they are strongly sexually dimorphic, with the males having plumage not dissimilar to a water rail, while the females are more crypically mottled brown. They are an occassional vagrant to the UK.

Related Species:
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Rallidae
Genus: Zapornia
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

TURKEY  - Bataklık sutavuğu ("Swamp coot")

 - ANTALYA 2025 TRIP - Four birds seen near Side.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Buteo ("buzzard") rufinus ("rufous")

Adult Long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus) at Location - March 2025

Featured Subspecies: Buteo rufinous rufinous
Weight: 1-1.2kg  /  Length: 50-66cm  /  Wingspan: 145cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A large powerful buzzard that breeds in North Africa, South East Europe the Middle East and Central Asia, compared to common buzzards they prefer more open habitats such as steppe, semi-desert and dry shrubland. They are generally specialised as hunters of small mammals and reptiles, and have been recorded following wildfires to catch displaced prey. 

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Buteo
SUBSPECIES: B. r. rufinus, B. r. cirtensis

 - Sighting Locations -

TURKEY  - Kızıl şahin("Red hawk")

 - ANTALYA 2025 TRIP - A single bird seen in the mountains near Side

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Rüppell's warbler (Curruca ruppeli)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Curruca (bird mentioned by Juvenal) ruppeli (for Zoologist Eduard Rüppell )

Adult male Rüppell's warbler (Curruca ruppeli) at Side, Antalya, turkey - April 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 13g  /  Length: 14cm  /  Wingspan: 20-25cm
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED/ IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species that is centred around Southern Greece and Turkey during the beeding seasons and winter in North East Africa. Their preferred habitat is warm areas and scrubby hills where they hunt for insects, although they will also feed on berries outside breeding season. 

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sylviidae
Genus: Curruca
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

TURKEY  - Turkish:Karaboğazlı ötleğen("Black-throated Warbler")

 - ANTALYA 2025 TRIP - Fairly common towards end of trip, possibly migration arrival

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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White-spectacled Bulbul (Pycnonotus xanthopygos)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Pycnonotus ("strong back") xanthopygos ("yellow rumped")

Adult White-spectacled Bulbul (Pycnonotus xanthopygos)  at Side, Antalya, Turkey - March 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 38g  /  Length: 25cm  /  Wingspan: 25cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

An endemic of the Middle East, found along the Southern Coast of Turkey and widely across the Southern edges of the Arabian penninsula, this species is an adaptable generalist capable of living within towns and cities. It is a species which is on the outer edge of the bulbul family's range as the most Westerly species in Eurasia. They primarily feed on fruit but are broadly omnivorous.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Pycnonotidae
Genus: Pycnonotus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

TURKEY  - Turkish: Bayağı Arap bülbülü ("Common arabian bulbul")
 - ANTALYA 2025 TRIP - A common and abundant resident throughout. 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis)

OTHER NAMES: Laughing Turtle Dove, Palm Dove, Senegal Dove, Little Brown Dove 
Latin Etymology: Spilopelia ("spot dove") senegalensis ("of Senegal")

Adult Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) at Side, Antalya, Turkey - March 2025

Featured Subspecies: Spilopelia senegalensis senegalensis
Weight: 70-92g  /  Length: 25cm  /  Wingspan: 45cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A small and dainty species of pigeon that has adapted well to living around humans and has an extensive range from East Africa to Western China, generally in warm and dry habitats. They are often seen in pairs or small groups foraging on the ground. Their British language name comes from their call which does indeed have a slightly laugh like quality to it.

Related Species:
ORDER: Columbiformes
FAMILY: Columbidae
GENUS: Spilopelia
SUBSPECIES: S. s. phoenicophila, S. s. aegyptiaca, S. s. sengegalensis, S. s. cambayensis, S. s. ermanni

 - Sighting Locations -

TURKEY  - Turkish: Küçük kumru ("Little dove")
 - ANTALYA 2025 TRIP - A common and abundant resident throughout.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Middle spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocoptes medius)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Dendrocoptes ("tree striking") medius ("medium") 

Adult  Middle spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocoptes medius) at Vienna, Austria - October 2024

Featured Subspecies: Dendrocoptes medius medius
Weight: 50-85g  /  Length: 19-22cm  /  Wingspan: 33-34cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

As the name suggests, the middle spotted woodpecker is intermediate in size between the lesser and greater spotted woodpecker, though ironically not in the same genus as either. Their range is limited to Europe, primarily in Central and Eastern Europe, but is absent from the UK and most of Scandinavia as it is largely sedentary. 

Related Species:

Order: Piciformes

Family: Picidae

Genus: Dendrocoptes

SUBSPECIES: D. m. medius, D. m. caucasicus, D. m. anatoliae, D. m. sanctijohannis

 - Sighting Locations -

AUSTRIA - Austrian: Leiopicus medius - "Middle Woodpecker"

Widespread breeding resident in Eastern Austria

 - VIENNA 2024: Seen in Vienna 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Haliaeetus ("Sea Eagle") leucocephalus ("white headed")

Adult Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) at Portage, Alaska, USA - August 2025

Featured Subspecies: Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus
Weight: 3-6.6kg  /  Length: 70-102cm  /  Wingspan: 1.8-2.3m
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

One of the most recognisable bird species on the planet, in large part due to it being the national bird of the USA and featured prominantly on a lot of it's iconography.  The bird itself however is perhaps less of an apex predator than it's hype would have you believe - a rather opportunistic feeder that will often feed on carrion or even landfill. A conservation success story - by the mid 20th century there were only 412 nesting pair in the Lower 48 as a result of shooting, pesticides such as DDT and other human caused deaths. With conservation measures, there are now believe to be over 71000 nesting pairs in the same area..

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Haliaeetus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Present everywhere but the High Tundra
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon

UNITED STATES - Found throughout most of the Lower 48 and Alaska
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and Alaska

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Greater Prairie Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido)

OTHER NAMES: Pinnated Grouse, Boomer
Latin Etymology: Tympanuchus ("kettle drum sound") cupido ("desire")

Adult female Greater Prairie Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) at Buffalo River Grassland Reserve, Minnesota, USA - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus
Weight: 700-1200g  /  Length: 43cm  /  Wingspan: 70-72cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

A large distinctive grouse perhaps most famous for it's booming display where it inflated large bright yellow pouches on the side of it's throat to enable it to make dramatic booming noises to attract mates. It's population has crashed significantly since colonisation and is now only found in a fraction of it's former range with the heath hen subspecies of the East coast entirely extinct and the Attwater's Prairie Chicken population functionally only supported by a robust reintroduction program.

Related Species:
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae
Genus: Tympanuchus
SUBSPECIES: T. c. attwateri, T. c. pinnatus, (formerly T. c. cupido - now extinct)

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Endemic to the US - found in several North-Central States
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Minnesota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)

OTHER NAMES: Tiger Owl, Hoot Owl
Latin Etymology: Bubo ("owl") virginianus ("of Virginia")

Adult Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) at  Writing-on-Stone National Park, Alberta, Canada - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: presumably Bubo virginianus lagophonus
Weight: 1.6-2.5kg  /  Length: 43-64cm  /  Wingspan: 91-153cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A large powerful species of owl with the widest distribution of any "true" owl in the Americas which will take any prey it can overpower. A relation of the Eagle Owls of Africa and Eurasia, it is believe to be descended from birds that crossed the Bering Land bridge. Most prey is killed by crushing with the feet and they are are more than capable of killing decent sized mesopredators including decent sized mustelids, and on rare occassion, cats or small dogs.

Related Species:
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Bubo
SUBSPECIES: B. v. algistus, B. v. lagophonus, B. v. saturatus, B. v. pacificus, B. v. subarcticus, B. v. pallescens, B. v. pinorum, B. v. heterocnemis, B. v. virginianus, B. v. elachistus, B. v. mayensis, B. v. mesembrinus, B. v. nigrescens, B. v. nacurutu, B. v. deserti

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Present everywhere but the High Tundra
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta

UNITED STATES - Present everywhere in the Lower 48 and all but the High Tundra of Alaska
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Heard in Minnesota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Bucephala ("bull headed") islandica ("of Iceland")

Adult in eclipse plumage Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) at Saskatoon Lake, Alberta, Canada - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 590-970g  /  Length: 43-49cm  /  Wingspan: 70-73cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species with a very perculiar range - it breeds in the Rockies up into Alaska, but also has a disjunct population in the Gulf of St Lawrence in Quebec, and, perhaps even more oddly, a relict population in Iceland in Europe.  In most plumages relatively simple to separate from the Common Goldeneye - in breeding males the face patch is a wedge rather than round, and in the breeding females the beak becomes orange, however, in eclipse it can become a bit subtler and features such as black wingbars and the head shape become required.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Bucephala
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA - Breeds across much of Canada
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)

OTHER NAMES: Little Bluebill, Broadbill
Latin Etymology: Aythya (a seabird named by Aristotle) affinis ("related to")

Adult and chick Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) at Anchorage, Alaska - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 450-1089g  /  Length: 38-48cm  /  Wingspan: 68-78cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A bird that is only differentiated from it's relative the Greater Scaup on fairly subtle shape details, particularly in more ambiguous plumages like the one shown above. However, note the narrow head profile without big round cheeks, a feature that is typical of the greater when present.  They feed by sifting through mud for molluscs, as well as feeding on aquatic plants.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Aythya
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Breeds in Alaska, the Rockies and areas of the Central Lower 48. Winters along Guld and Pacific Coasts
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Alaska

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Limnodromus ("marsh runner") griseus ("grey")

Moulting Short-billed Dowitchers (Limnodromus griseus) at Anchorage, Alaska - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: Limnodromus griseus caurinus
Weight: 73-155g  /  Length: 23-32cm  /  Wingspan: 46-56cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Despite the seemingly clear cut naming difference between the long and short billed dowitchers, the differentiation is in reality no way near as decisive as the names would imply, and several more nuanced field marks such as patterning and shape are needed. Their preferred breeding habitat is in the Northern bogs, marshes and mudflats of Alaska and Canada.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Limnodromus
SUBSPECIES: L. g. caurinus, L. g. hendersoni, L. g. griseus

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Breeds in South-East Alaska, Winters on Southern Coast of the Lower 48
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Alaska

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Sedge Wren (Cistothorus stellaris)

OTHER NAMES: Short-billed Marsh Wren
Latin Etymology: Cistothorus ("shrub leaping") stellaris ("starry")

Alex Holt · Sedge Wren

Singing Sedge Wren (Cistothorus stellaris) at Buffalo River State Park, Minnesota - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 7-10g/kg  /  Length: 10-12cm  /  Wingspan: 12-14cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

Hearing a sedge wren in the grasslands of Northern Minnesota didn't prove too much of a challenge as they were one of the more vocal birds as I walked down the mown track. Seeing one on the other hand proved an entirely separate challenge as even when moving in the grass they never seemed to actually emerge from it which is a shame as they have a lovely subtle patternation.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Troglodytidae
Genus: Cistothorus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Breeds in Midwest, Winters on Gulf Coast
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Heard in Minnesota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Sayornis ("Thomas Say's bird") phoebe (possibly onoematopaic for call?)

Adult  Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) at Valley View, Illinois, USA - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 16-21g  /  Length: 14-17cm  /  Wingspan: 26-28cm
NO UK STATUS/ IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A fairly widespread species of woodland, particularly near water - they have adjusted well to the Anthropocene due to their ability to utilise human structures to nest and have increased in population since the middle of last century. They are primarily insctivores, taking much of their prey on the wing when stooping from an exposed perch.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Tyrannidae
Genus: Sayornis
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Found in Eastern half of the US, breeding in north east, wintering in south east, resident between.
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen in Illinois

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Two-barred Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera)

OTHER NAMES: White-winged Crossbill
Latin Etymology: Loxia ("crosswise") leucoptera ("white winged")

Alex Holt · Two-barred Crossbill

Call of Two-barred Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) at Mucho Lake, British Columbia, Canada - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: Loxia leucoptera leucoptera
Weight: 25-40g  /  Length: 14-17cm  /  Wingspan: 26-28cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The most distinct of the Crossbill species due to the prominant white wingbars that almost all other species lack, excluding the Hispaniolan Crossbill which has absolutely no range overlap by a factor of several thousand miles. Present in both North America and Eurasia where it's range in each coincides largely with northern boreal forests. They favour spruce as their trees of choice.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genus: Loxia
SUBSPECIES: L. l. leucoptera, L. l . bifasciata

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Breeds in most of Canada up to the Tree Line
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Heard in British Columbia

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Mniotilta ("seaweed plucker") varia ("variegated")

Alex Holt · Black-and-White Warbler (backgrounnd call)

Call in background - Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) at Sully Creek State Park, North Dakota - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 11g  /  Length: 11-13cm  /  Wingspan: 21cm
NO UK STATUS  IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A stunning looking species with distinct black and white stripes that give the overall bird something of a zebra-ish aesthetic. It behaves somewhat like a nuthatch in scaling up and down tree trunks looking for food - primarily insects and spiders.  This unique behaviour has resulted in it being placed in it's own genus.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Mniotilta
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Breeds in Eastern States of the Lower 48
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Heard in North Dakota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Eastern Wood Pewee (Contopus virens)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Contopus ("shaft foot") virens ("green")

Alex Holt · Eastern Wood Pewee

Eastern Wood Pewee (Contopus virens) heard at Tomah, Wisconsin, USA - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 14g  /  Length: 13-15cm  /  Wingspan: 9-10cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Pewee's get their name from their call, which in the case of the birds we heard while camping in Wisconsin, were a very theatrical "Peeee-ahhh-WEE" However, despite being able to head a number of them around the site I never actually reliably laid eyes upon one, and thus, for now at least, we must make do with a call only entry. There is only a very narrow band of overlap between it and the Western Wood Pewee which as the name suggests, occupies the Western US.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Tyrannidae
Genus: Contopus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Breeds in North Eastern States of the Lower 48
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Heard in Wisconsin and Illinois

 Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)

OTHER NAMES: Cut-throat
Latin Etymology: Pheucticus ("shy/to flee") ludovicianus ("Louisiana")

 

Near-mature Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) at Buffalo River State Park, Minnesota, 2024  - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 43-45g  /  Length: 18-22cm  /  Wingspan: 29-33cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A solid finch-like bird of the cardinal family, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak is found in open deciduous woodland where it feeds on insects, seeds and berries. The colloquial name "cut-throat" comes from the distinctive pinkish-red plumage on the males which looks like it is bleeding from a straight line beneath the black hoodd.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cardinalidae
Genus: Pheucticus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Breeds in North Eastern States of the Lower 48
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Minnesota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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