Today’s Migrant: Rufous Hummingbird Weird fact: Rufous Hummingbirds complete one of the longest migrations of any hummingbird, traveling thousands of miles between Mexico and as far north as Alaska. Have you had a Rufous Hummingbird show up at your feeders yet?

Warbler checkpoint: How many warbler species have you seen this year?

Today's Migrant: Ruby-crowned Kinglet Weird fact: Despite their size, they have one of the most complex and surprisingly loud songs among small birds. Have you heard the explosive song of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet yet?

Did you find any new arrivals this past weekend?

Saw (and heard!!) a Horned Lark today!! @aba.org #bird #HOLA

Art and Pinyon Jays - what could be better?!

On the ABA’s Namibia Birding Tour, vast open landscapes like Etosha National Park and the Namib Desert set the stage for unforgettable encounters with the Common Ostrich. This trip is confirmed to run and only a few seats remain. Secure your spot: www.aba.org/namibia-bird...

Today's Migrant: American Bittern Weird fact: That famous “pump-er-lunk” call isn’t just vocal: American Bitterns use their esophagus and neck muscles to amplify that deep, booming sound. Have you heard an American Bittern yet this spring, even if you didn’t see it?

What birds are you hoping for this weekend?

@aba.org Birders will be like, “I needed this" and it's just a First of Year (black-and-white) warbler! 🖤🤍

Today’s Migrant: Hermit Thrush Weird fact: Hermit Thrush songs follow harmonic patterns similar to human music, one reason their song sounds so beautiful to people. Have you heard your first Hermit Thrush of the season yet?

Have you seen any swallow species yet this spring?

Raptor conservation expert Janet Ng joins host Nate Swick this week to discuss the impacts of energy infrastructure on hawk populations in open country of the North American West. Listen here: www.aba.org/how-to-be-ha...

New trip announcement: Japan Winter Birding 2027! If seeing one of the world’s most iconic birds of prey, the Steller's Sea-Eagle, in its element is on your list, this is the trip. Join the ABA Japan Winter Birding trip: www.aba.org/japan-winter...

Join Saraiya Kanning, birder and visual artist, for an online tutorial for learning how to draw a Pinyon Jay! The Zoom-based workshop will be held Sat., Apr. 11, 2026, 1pm–2:30pm MDT (3pm–4:30pm EDT). This workshop is FREE to all. To register, email Saraiya at [email protected].

The Atlantic Region: Fall 2025 Regional Report is out! Highlights include Townsend's Warbler, Little Egret, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, and Tropical Kingbird. Read the full report here: www.aba.org/atlantic-reg...

Today’s Migrant: Black-headed Grosbeak Weird fact: Black-headed Grosbeaks are one of the few birds that can safely eat monarch butterflies because the toxins that make most predators sick don’t seem to affect them. Have you spotted your first Black-headed Grosbeak of the season yet?

What warbler species are you most excited for this spring?

Birding magazine's "Birder's Guide to Gardening" series is all about making bird-friendly habitat where you are. The upcoming April special issue includes helpful information on how to maximize gardening space for birds. If you want this issue, now’s the time to join! aba.org/membership

From the magazines: "Color Me Cobalt," by Saraiya Kanning In this retrospective, Kanning shares a bit about her background and then walks us through the process of creating the remarkable art that she has produced for the Mar. 2026 issue of Birding. Read here: www.aba.org/color-me-cob...

From the magazine: "The Blue Crow," by Saraiya Kanning. In this richly illustrated and deeply informative article, five wildlife biologists share the results of their research on “the blue crow”—and offer hope for reversing recent population losses. Read here: www.aba.org/the-blue-crow/

Today’s Migrant: Black-throated Green Warbler Weird fact: Black-throated Green Warblers regularly hybridize with Townsend's Warbler in the part of the Rocky Mountains where their ranges overlap. Have you heard your first “zee zee zee zee zoo zee” of the year yet?

I found a handsome butterbutt yesterday 🪶

caught a few early birds

Yep! Always a delight having some new birds to look at after the same thing all winter.

Favorite so far!

Have you taken any nice spring migration photos so far?

wrote about and photographed last month's coolest bird in new york, then got out of bed in the middle of the night to edit the scheduled post because i thought of this title rarebird.substack.com/p/swanderlust

In the Mar. 2026 Birding, the ABA presents diverse commentaries on the state of the birding community. In this commentary, birding veteran Peter Pyle takes a playful but thoughtful look at the use of "electronic pishing." Read the full article here: www.aba.org/the-devil-we...

New website section! "From the magazines" gives birders an html-format sample of some of the excellent articles published in the ABA's publications. Check it out: www.aba.org/from-the-mag...

The Southern California: Fall 2025 Regional Report is out! Highlights include Ruddy Ground Dove, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and Bar-tailed Godwit. Read the report here: www.aba.org/southern-cal...

The Oregon and Washington: Fall 2025 is up! Highlights include Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Northern Wheatear, and Yellow-green Vireos. Read the full report: www.aba.org/oregon-and-w...

The Western Great Lakes: Summer 2025 Regional Report has published. Highlights include Kelp Gull, Burrowing Owl, and Rock Wren. Read the full report here: www.aba.org/western-grea...

Today’s Migrant: Yellow-throated Warbler Weird fact: Different populations favor different trees: sycamores farther north, pines and even Spanish moss-covered live oaks in the southeast. Have you found a Yellow-throated Warbler this spring?

What new arrivals are you looking for this weekend?

The Hudson-Delaware: Fall 2025 Regional Report is out! Highlights include Common Cuckoo, Arctic Warbler, Yellow-headed Caracara, and Redwing. Read the full report here: www.aba.org/hudson-delaw...

Today’s Migrant: Black-and-white Warbler Weird fact: Unlike other warblers and most other birds, often moves headfirst down trees. Have you found a Black-and-white Warbler yet?

What's the best part of April birding?

Kim Check, the ABA's Director of Young Birder Programs, thoughtfully reflects on Camp Surfbird and how the ABA's partnership with the San Diego Bird Alliance creates meaningful opportunities for young birders to connect, grow, and discover. Read here: www.aba.org/camp-surfbir...

New podcast episode! Host Nate Swick leans once again on Birding magazine Editor Ted Floyd for another Random Birds discussion. The Random Number Generator has a certain late winter, early spring bias with warblers and gulls and warblers and gulls.  Listen here: www.aba.org/random-birds...

Birding April Fools posts... Yea or nay?

Today’s Migrant: Fake Horned Owl Encountered often by birders, but the owls are not what they seem. Weird fact: Fake Horned Owl are always present whenever you are most excited about having found an owl. When was the last time you spotted a Fake Horned Owl?

New How to Know the Birds column, by Ted Floyd! The Florida Scrub-Jay, an ecological marvel, is a major draw for birders in Florida. What if the bird were "just" a subspecies? Would that make a difference? Read here: www.aba.org/how-to-know-...

Today’s Migrant: Louisiana Waterthrush One of the earliest warblers to return each spring, Louisiana Waterthrush are already back along forest streams, often arriving before most other warblers. Have you heard your first Louisiana Waterthrush of the season singing along a stream?

How was your March birding? Biggest highlight?

FOY American Woodcock!

New book review! The Best of Words on Birds by Jeff Reiter is a collection of newspaper columns for suburban Chicago’s Daily Herald that Reiter has been writing since January 2004. Read the review: www.aba.org/reveling-in-...

Today’s Migrant: White-faced Ibis Where to look: Shallow wetlands, flooded fields, and marshes in the West and interior. Often feeding in groups, probing mud and shallow water. Have you seen your first White-faced Ibis flock of the season yet?