'Alae ke'oke'o (Hawaiian Coot) chicks are considerably more colorful than their parents with their red bills and colorful fluffs of feathers. These guys are IUCN listed as near threatened, but they're federally and Hawai'i state listed as endangered. ...

Haaalp! My research methods are failing me... adult 'alae ke'oke'o (Hawaiian Coot) have red eyes, but do their chicks have brown or red eyes... or none of the above? I can't find any adequate pictures or descriptions, but I figured maybe one of you birders might know! 👀

The Turkey Vultures are starting to make their way back to Oregon after overwintering in warmer climes. The first ones we spotted at our house were on February 20th, a day earlier than last year; I half expected them to be even earlier with the super mild winter that we've had. Anecdotal evidence..

Exciting news for California Condors!

Here's a veeerrrry fluffy Red-footed Booby chick from Belize Bird Rescue's Instagram to help brighten up your feed! You can keep up to date with how they're helping birds in Belize by signing up for their newsletter! www.belizebirdrescue.com/newsletters

Hey Maui people! 📷 Haleakalā NPS Facebook

Last week for the Etsy anniversary sale! somebitsandbirbs.etsy.com

bits & birbs is 3! The entire Etsy shop is on sale for the month of February, so stop by to check it out! Link in bio. Here's a video of some of the birbs from the past 3 years as a little throw back. Thanks for all of the support and for contributing to avian conservation!

bits & birbs is 3! The entire Etsy shop is on sale for the month of February, so stop by to check it out! Link in bio. Here's a video of some of the birbs from the past 3 years as a little throw back. Thanks for all of the support and for contributing to avian conservation!

It feels inappropriate to post about cute birbs with everything that has been happening in the US. If you want to help and show support for Minnesota, this website has compiled a ton of organizations and Go Fund Me accounts: www.standwithminnesota.com. Keep contacting your representatives if...

Anybody need a wee little Royal Tern happily floating in some waves? Royal Terns are IUCN listed as least concern and they're medium-distance migrants with ranges along the tropical / subtropical coasts of North and South America and western Africa....

Extinct in the wild since 2002, several ʻalalā have survived their first year since being released on the Valley Isle.

Manu o kū, or white terns, are Hawai'i state recognized as indigenous and listed as threatened.  The manu o kū's breeding range is in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and the only main Hawaiian island that they nest on is O'ahu. They can be seen right in Honolulu...

The Northern Cardinal is IUCN listed as least concern due to its large range - along the US east coast, over to the midwest, into Mexico and small portions of Belize and Guatemala.  There are also introduced populations in Bermuda, Los Angeles, and Hawai'i. It's a popular choice as a state bird...

Thank you thank you thank you for supporting this adventure of mine!  It's donation day and you guys have helped raise over $820 for conservation since birbs' inception in 2023.  Birbs finally made it into the black recently, so I'll be entering the new year with a higher percentage of each sale...

The answer to Guess the Birb is...Subantarctic Rayadito! It exists only in the Diego Ramírez Archipelago, which are islands off of the south of Chile. They were described in 2022 as a new taxon due to their larger beaks, bigger bodies, and shorter tails that differ...

Guess the Birb! Newly observed taxon of a species was suggested ages ago, but I'm only now able to bring him into existence (life, right? 🙃). Hint: range is southernmost islands of Americas. I'll post the answer Friday & the 1st correct answer on each platform gets discount code for the Etsy shop!

Need a least minute stocking stuffer? Educational digital coloring books are available in the Etsy shop for only $6 USD! Somebitsandbirbs.etsy.com

A throwback to last year's process video of a big batch 'o birbs... these felt Hawai'i 'ākepa were for friendsofhakalauforest.org who have these & other birbs available in their shop! Help support Hakalau National Forest Wildlife Refuge & get a cute birb ornament or birb earrings while you're at it!

🔴 Keep the Endangered Species Act strong! The federal government has proposed 4 new rules that would weaken the Endangered Species Act (ESA) — one of the most effective laws we have to prevent extinction. ⏰ The comment period closes soon. Take Action: bit.ly/4aRREFC

Need a fun & educational stocking stuffer? I've just added a Birds of Belize digital coloring book to the Etsy shop! Link in bio. All you need is access to a printer AND it's available internationally, no shipping needed! A % of this purchase will be donated to belizebirdrescue.com Don't forget...

The ‘i’iwi is IUCN listed as vulnerable due to their numbers decreasing from avian malaria, invasive species, and habitat loss. Their range is across the main Hawaiian islands, but they're rare on O'ahu and Moloka'i. They use their curved beaks to extract nectar from flowers and...

The Tufted Puffin is one of 4 puffin species and is IUCN listed as least concern. Their range is the northern Pacific ocean and their numbers are declining, which is reflected in how they're listed locally...

It's that time of the year again... head on over to christmasbirdcount.org to see how you can join in and participate in citizen science!

The Scarlet Macaw is IUCN listed as least concern, although their populations are decreasing due to deforestation and the illegal pet trade.  They have a few fragmented populations throughout Central America according to the....

Little felt birb restock in the Etsy shop! Link in bio.

More Hawai'i island birbs just arrived for friendsofhakalauforest.org! They'll be at the Nā Mākua Christmas Gift Fair this coming Friday/Saturday in Hilo... stop by their booth and pick up a birb or two! Swipe for the event flyer for more details.

These chonky owl ornaments are available in the Etsy shop (somebitsandbirbs.etsy.com)! There's one for each organization: Great Horned Owl (belizebirdrescue.com), Snowy Owl (cascadesraptorcenter.org), & Pueo (mauiforestbirds.org). #conservation #savethebirds #etsyseller #bitsnbirbs #resist #birds

The annual Belize Bird Rescue raffle is live! They got some birbs from me this year in addition to some other great items, so head on over to the belizebirdrescue.com to put in your bid to help raise funds to help Belize's birds! Photo from Belize Bird Rescue on Instagram

Introducing digital coloring books in the Etsy shop!  The first ones up are Hawaiian Honeycreepers.  I've made 2 versions - one with extra details to keep you busy (pictured) and another that's less busy for younger kiddos or people who like to keep it simple.  Swipe to see all the pages. ...

The 'apapane is surprisingly IUCN listed as least concern, even though it's a native Hawaiian bird. Their range is across the main Hawaiian Islands, although they are rare on Moloka'i and Lāna'i. Their main threat is...

More 'alalā in the wild! Images from hawaiidlnr on instagram.

The global population of Snowy Owls is IUCN listed as vulnerable due to habitat degradation and urbanization, poisoning from rat bait, and decreased prey.  Their range extends from the arctic down to the northern US, northern Europe and Asia.  ...

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Holiday items are up in the Etsy shop in case you're feeling festive! Link in bio.

My 'ākohekohe post from last week reminded me of this process video of assembly line 'ākohekohe that I made a while ago. These guys were turned into earrings for mauiforestbirds.org!

The Vermilion Flycatcher is IUCN listed as least concern with increasing (!) numbers and have a large migratory range. Per allaboutbirds.org, there are actually 12 subspecies and they range from the bottom of the US all the way down to Argentina. The males are easy to spot...

The 'ākohekohe is a feisty honeycreeper whose range used to be throughout Maui and Moloka'i, but they're now only in a small area of Haleakalā on Maui. They're IUCN listed as critically endangered with numbers decreasing due to the threats that all native Hawaiian birds face...

Some birb updates! - Shipping has been a constant... struggle via the Etsy shop. Prices keep increasing and delivery time keeps decreasing. To help us both out, there's now an option for USPS Ground Advantage in the Etsy shop starting at $5! ....

The Lazuli Bunting is IUCN listed as least concern. These members of the Cardinalidae family overwinter in Mexico and head up to the western US and Canada to breed. Their common name comes from the breeding male's bright blue feathers, which are a similar color to lazuli gemstones...

Any Belizeans want to work with birds?! Belizebirdrescue.com is hiring!

The colorful Painted Bunting is IUCN listed as least concern.  The breeding range for these migrants is from Kansas to the southeast and Gulf of Mexico coasts and into northeast Mexico, then they head south to the Caribbean and Central America for the winter. ...

I went a little charm crazy.... these guys are now available in the Etsy shop! somebitsandbirbs.etsy.com

The answer to Guess the Birb is.. Puaiohi! They're IUCN listed as critically endangered. Also known as the small Kaua'i thrush, they only exist in a very small area on the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i. Nestlings/fledglings go through an awkward molting phase that...

It's been a while, but... Guess the Birb! This nestling/fledgling is a species of thrush from one of the smaller Hawaiian islands. The first correct guess on each platform will get a 15% off code for the Etsy shop! I'll reveal the answer tomorrow, the 19th. Be safe out there today, friends!

Calliope Hummingbird! IUCN listed as least concern, these guys can migrate up to 5600 miles from the Western US and Canada south into southern Mexico. They're tiiiiny at around 3 inches, and they're actually the smallest bird native to North America according to @audubon.org. ...

The Amazon Kingfisher is IUCN listed as least concern, but, like most birds, their numbers are decreasing. Their large range is from Mexico down to Argentina and Uruguay. They're similar to the Green Kingfisher, but with a bulkier beak and a more covert fishing tactic that involves...

Just a reminder that there's a little over a week left for the Halloween/Fall sale in my Etsy shop! Somebitsandbirbs.etsy.com A percentage of each purchase is donated to all 3 organizations. #conservation #savethebirds #etsyseller #bitsnbirbs #resist

It's the best time of year to get native plants in the ground in Oregon! If you're in Southern Oregon, make sure you get to the native plant sale on October 12th at pollinatorprojectroguevalley.org in Phoenix... they'll have lots of options to help support pollinators and local business!

'Akiapōlā'au, 'i'iwi, & Hawai'i 'akepa felt ornaments are restocked over at friendsofhakalauforest.org! The birbs will also be at their booth at birdfesthawaii.org tomorrow if you're on the Big Island, and check out the mauiforestbirds.org booth while you're at it! 📷: Friends of Hakalau