Migration Madness 2024

It is that time of year again. For the past 7 years, I have proudly hosted the Migration Madness voting competition. Who is the coolest, most well-liked bird out of 68 North American species? This is decided by you, the birders and those interested in birds. Voting will come via three different ways; (1) by commenting on this post. Make sure you mention in your comment that you’re opting out of the following two. (2) By joining the official Facebook group for Migration Madness, and (3) voting on the iNaturalist forum.

The Western Tanager was the 2023 winner of Migration Madness. Will they be a repeat winner? (Sean Cozart)

The 2023 Taxonomic Update

For those who follow my blog, some of you that I keep tabs on any updates to the North American taxonomy. Every year, the North American Classification Committee (NACC) of the American Ornithological Society (AOS) reviews proposals submitted by scientists and birders, who believe the taxonomy can be improved. The committee will review and vote on the proposals, and if it passes, they implement the new change. This was a rather slow year compared to years past, but many birders will be excited to excited to hear the relumping of Pacific-slope and Cordilleran Flycatcher, or perhaps the split of the Northern Goshawk. This year’s changes include: 10 splits, 1 lump, 1 species transfer, 3 genus splits, 1 genus lump, and 3 new sequences. You can view all the changes here.

This tentatively identified Pacific-slope Flycatcher from the Blue Mountains, Oregon can now be called a Western Flycatcher without going through the headache of which species it is. (Photo By: Sean Cozart)

Grosbeaks and Sparrows

When you’ve birded as often as me, you reach a point in which the only way you’re obtaining a new bird for your life list is when a rarity shows up. When a vagrant does occur though, you’re immediately joining in the car. I figured I’d write about my latest lifer, seen in northeastern Oregon.

Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Sean Cozart)

Global Big Day 2023

This is the yearly promotion that eBird’s Global Big Day is coming up this Saturday, May 13. Rules of this worldwide event are simple, go out birding in your area on May 13th, and try to find as many species of birds as possible. Remember to report to eBird afterwards. Whether it be a few minutes in your backyard or workplace, or an all-day outing, anything can be useful data at the end of the day. As for me, I’m going to repeat what I did last year, bird Baker County, Oregon. Last year, when I worked along the Elk Horn Mountains, I got 91 species that day, which broke the all-time Global Big Day record for that county. I intend on breaking that record again and perhaps getting the county over 100 species. How can you hope on Global Big Day.

Cedar Waxwings to promote Global Big Day 2023 (Photo: Sean Cozart)

Personal Birding Data Summarized

Have you ever wondered what your most common bird was? Or how often you see some species compared to others? Or the frequency of some species? Though a lot of work is involved to get those answers, those who have some time on their hands can answer their questions through their eBird data. Here’s how to summarize your eBird data to see your most common species, and my own personal life list. Hope you enjoy!

European Starling, unfortunately my most observed species on my life list (Sean Cozart)

Migration Madness 2023

Time passes really quickly, and now it’s that time of year again. Migration Madness 2023 is here and it’s going to be crazier than ever. Sixty-four species of North American birds, voted by you, to compete and see who the bird of the year is. You can vote in three ways; (1) by commenting on this post, (2) by voting on the Migration Madness facebook group and (3), voting on the iNaturalist forum. Good luck this year!

Winner of the 2022 Migration Madness, the Burrowing Owl. Will he be a repeat winner? (Sean Cozart)

Who’ll be the Next 10 Species?

Twelve years ago, American birding icon David Sibley created a list of the top 10 species of birds he would like to be split. As new information comes to light, a certain population thought to only be one species more accurately represents several distinct species. Species form in many ways, but in most birds, speciation occurs through reproductive barriers and selections against hybrids. Though the ultimate decision on which populations are treated as a full species is decided by committees like the ABA or the Clements Checklist, we should be ever so aware of species that might get split in the future so we can identify them when the time comes and add a few ticks to our life list. Here’s my top picks for future splits.

“Greater” Sandhill Crane in Utah (Sean Cozart)

Read more: Who’ll be the Next 10 Species?

The 2022 Taxonomic Update

After a very delayed released, the 63rd Supplement from the American Ornithological Society (AOS) has been released. Every summer, the North American Classification Committee (NACC) reviews research published to them in the form of a proposal to recognize necessary taxonomic changes. The committee votes on these proposals and the changes are implemented into the AOS checklist. This year’s biggest change will be the recognition of the Chihuahuan or Lilian’s Meadowlark as species or perhaps the denial of reverting back to Mew Gull. This year’s changes include: 8 species splits, 1 species lump, 2 genus splits, 1 genus lumps, 1 genus transfers, 1 scientific name change, 2 new sequences and 6 splits that don’t affect our taxonomy. You can read in full here.

A Western Meadowlark promoting the recognition of its sister species, the Chihuahuan Meadowlark!

Why the Bald Eagle has No Subspecies

All of us are familiar with the Bald Eagle. It is perhaps the most recognizable bird in North America, as the national symbol of the United States represents freedom and national pride. What some don’t know is that, as of the most recent committee checklists, the Bald Eagle has two subspecies. Two different populations that show some variation the other doesn’t. Or at least, that should be the premise. In this article, I will discuss these purported subspecies and explain why the Bald Eagle should not be subdivided.

Bald Eagle in Montana (Sean Cozart)

Migration Madness 2022

The past six years, I’ve entertained a couple of birders by creating Migration Madness. Now that it is March again, I’ve created the bracket and starting March 15th, the seventh tournament will begin. Voting can occur in 3 ways; preferably use my Facebook page, or iNaturalist forum, or commenting on this post. Below are the dates and bracket. Who will win this year? Will the Snowy Owl stop being the runner up? Or will the winner be an underdog like the Common Nighthawk? I hope to see you guys soon in a couple of weeks!

Last year’s winner, the American Kestrel. (Sean Cozart)