Today we’re excited to add a parrot to our family as part of our Bonanza. Help us welcome the Indigo Macaw to our parrot flock! This striking blue macaw, also known as Lear's Macaw, isn’t just a feast for the eyes, it also carries a fascinating story that makes it a perfect new addition to Birdorable.

The Indigo Macaw is one of the world’s rare blue macaws, a large parrot from northeast Brazil in South America. Its feathers are a deep metallic blue with a subtle greenish shade, and its head may appear slightly paler. A distinctive pale-yellow patch adorns the base of its strong black beak, and bright yellow eye-rings add a flash of contrast.

You might wonder about the Indigo Macaw's alternative common name. Why “Lear’s” Macaw?  Who was Lear? The name honors Edward Lear, a 19th-century English poet, illustrator, and bird-lover. As a teen in the early 1830s, Lear published a book filled with drawings and paintings of parrots in captivity. One of those illustrations resembles what we now know as Lear’s Macaw, though at the time it was mistakenly labeled as a Hyacinth Macaw, another large blue beauty. It wasn’t until 1856 that the French ornithologist Charles Lucien Bonaparte formally described the species and gave it its scientific name, Anodorhynchus leari, in honor of Lear’s earlier work.

Despite appearing in art and captivity for many years, the real wild population of Indigo Macaws remained a mystery until 1978. That’s when the Brazilian ornithologist Helmut Sick located their home in a remote region of Bahia, Brazil, a dry, scrub-filled landscape known as the caatinga. There the birds roost and nest in sandstone cliffs, often in crevices high above the ground.

In the wild, Indigo Macaws mostly eat the hardy nuts from the licuri palm (a tree native to its region).  As with many macaws, their diet helps disperse seeds, a natural way they are an important part of their ecosystem.

The story of the Indigo Macaw is also one of hope and conservation. For a long time the species was extremely rare and poorly understood. By the late 20th century, many thought it might even be extinct in the wild. But thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, including habitat protection and monitoring of cliff roosts, numbers have slowly increased.

Welcome to the Birdorable family, Indigo Macaw! We hope that sharing the beauty and background of this species will help draw attention to the amazing world of birds and the need to protect them.

Indigo Macaw Swag

For tomorrow, get ready for a petite island endemic with a misleading name. This fisher is much more interested in frogs than fish. Any ideas?

International Vulture Awareness Day is coming up this tomorrow, Saturday, September 6, 2025. We've celebrated vultures here on the Birdorable blog before, and we're continuing the tradition with a Vulture Week series leading up to the big day. We're going to share new posts and reiterate essential vulture facts, aiming to share information and vulture love with faithful readers and newcomers to our blog alike.

When people think of zoos, they often picture lions, giraffes, or penguins—but vultures? Not usually. And that’s exactly why vultures need a spotlight. Around the world, zoos and wildlife rehabilitation centers are doing critical behind-the-scenes work to support vulture conservation. They’re not just displaying animals—they’re helping save them.

Captive vultures often serve as ambassadors, helping the public understand these misunderstood birds. Take Igor, a Black Vulture who lives at the Carolina Raptor Center in North Carolina. On Saturday, September 6, 2025, Igor will take center stage during International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD) events. He’s a permanent resident who can’t return to the wild—but he plays an important role in education programs, helping people see vultures up close and maybe change their minds about these “scary” birds.

Across the country and around the world, zoos participate in IVAD by offering special talks, behind-the-scenes tours, and interactive exhibits. These events are more than fun days out—they’re opportunities to spread accurate information, bust myths, and encourage action. When people meet a vulture in person and learn about their role as nature’s clean-up crew, they’re more likely to care about protecting them.

But zoos don’t stop at education. Many also support captive breeding and reintroduction programs. In South Asia, for example, birds raised in vulture conservation centers are being successfully reintroduced into safe zones as part of the Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction (SAVE) initiative. These birds are closely monitored and can help restore wild populations that were nearly wiped out by diclofenac poisoning.

At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, captive breeding of the California Condor has become a conservation success story in action. Once down to just 22 individuals in the wild, these majestic birds found a lifeline through pioneering conservation efforts in the 1980s. The park helped launch the first zoological propagation program as part of the California Condor Recovery Program, collaborating with partners like the Los Angeles Zoo and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Innovative techniques—like removing the first-laid egg to encourage the bird to double-clutch and incubating eggs with puppets to avoid human imprinting—rapidly expanded the population. Thanks to these advances, captive-bred condors began being reintroduced into their native range in 1992. 

Wildlife rehabilitation centers play another crucial role: rescuing and releasing injured vultures. Whether it’s a Turkey Vulture hit by a car or a Black Vulture suffering from accidental poisoning, these birds get expert medical care and are returned to the wild whenever possible. For every vulture saved, a piece of the ecosystem is preserved.

Even vultures that can’t be released still have purpose. They often join educational teams, becoming ambassadors like Igor. These birds connect people to conservation in a personal, memorable way. And just like zoos do, some rehabilitation and conservation centers breed endangered birds for eventual release. During our visit to Vulpro in 2023, we learned about their own captive breeding program, along with all of the other important vulture conservation work they do.

So what can you do? If you visit a zoo or raptor center, you’re not just seeing birds—you’re supporting organizations that protect species under serious threat. Talk to staff, attend a keeper chat, and spread what you learn. Buy a ticket, make a donation, or simply share your new knowledge online. Small steps can lead to big change.

In a time when vultures face global threats—from poisoning to habitat loss—zoos and rehab centers are safe havens and conservation powerhouses. They remind us that every species, even the least glamorous, deserves a fighting chance.

What will you do to celebrate vultures on their special day tomorrow? How have you shared your affection for vultures with others? Let us know!

International Vulture Awareness Day is coming up this Saturday, September 6, 2025. We've celebrated vultures here on the Birdorable blog before, and we're continuing the tradition with a Vulture Week series leading up to the big day. We're going to share new posts and reiterate essential vulture facts, aiming to share information and vulture love with faithful readers and newcomers to our blog alike.

Vultures play a quiet but powerful role in the natural world. We know that they help keep ecosystems healthy by removing dead animals, which limits the spread of disease and supports biodiversity. But despite their importance, many vulture species are in serious trouble. Today, more than 70% of the world’s vultures are in decline, and several species are on the brink of extinction.

In South Asia, the crisis hit suddenly and hard. Populations of three species of Gyps vultures—the Indian Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture, and White-rumped Vulture—crashed by more than 99% in just a few years. The cause? A common veterinary drug called diclofenac. When livestock treated with the drug die and their carcasses are left out, vultures feeding on them suffer fatal kidney failure. The impact has been devastating, and the ecological fallout continues.

Across Africa, the threats are different but just as dangerous. Poisoning is a major issue—sometimes unintentional, sometimes deliberate. In some cases, poachers poison animal carcasses to kill vultures, which might otherwise reveal illegal activity to authorities. Other times, vultures are poisoned by pesticides or chemicals intended for problem predators. Habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade also contribute to population declines. Seven out of eleven African vulture species are now considered globally threatened.

But the situation isn’t hopeless. Conservation groups are stepping up to turn things around. In South Asia, the SAVE initiative (Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction) has made real progress. Diclofenac has been banned in several countries, and captive breeding programs have successfully raised healthy vultures for future release. Protected “vulture safe zones” have been established to create safer habitats for wild populations.

In Africa, groups like the Vulture Conservation Foundation are working with local communities to reduce poisoning, monitor populations, and spread awareness about the birds’ importance. Anti-poisoning response teams are being trained and deployed, and educational campaigns are helping reduce demand for vulture parts used in traditional medicine.

One of the most powerful tools for vulture conservation is public awareness—and that’s where International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD) comes in. Held on the first Saturday of September each year (September 6 in 2025), IVAD brings together zoos, conservation groups, educators, and bird lovers to share knowledge and celebrate vultures. From August through October, events around the world shine a spotlight on these misunderstood birds and the efforts to save them.

Vultures are in crisis, but with awareness, action, and collaboration, their future doesn’t have to be bleak. These birds may not be flashy, but their role is irreplaceable. Let’s not wait until it’s too late to appreciate—and protect—them.  Visit our Vultures of the World page to find out more about these amazing and endangered avian friends, and see our free vulture resources and activity downloads.

As someone who grew up in Lake County, Illinois, I (Amy) could not be prouder of the County Board’s groundbreaking bird‑friendly ordinance passed in May 2025.  Lake County became the first place in the nation to pass a policy requiring new single‑family homes to include bird‑collision prevention measures. This forward‑thinking move follows successful commercial building rules adopted in June 2024 and marks a historic leap toward protecting our local bird populations.

Having watched and listened to birds since childhood, I know how deeply they enrich our community. Lake County lies along the Mississippi flyway and is Illinois’s most biodiverse county, so mitigating the roughly 1 billion U.S. bird deaths from window collisions annually (more than 40% at homes) matters a great deal there!

The ordinance wouldn’t exist without collaboration between the Planning, Building, and Development team in Lake County, and the Glass Collisions Program Director at ABC (American Bird Conservancy). Lake County birder and conservation advocate Donnie Dann was instrumental in the project; he first asked the county about adding such a policy to the books. Arthur and I fondly remember meeting Donnie at various Audubon related events back in the day.

The bird-safe new building requirements not only reflect local pride but also encourage a growing market for bird‑safe residential glass. As units begin construction this July, Lake County neighborhoods will become safer havens for migrating and resident species alike. It’s exciting to see how Lake County’s leadership is setting the standard—if we can show that bird‑friendly homes work there, other communities can follow.

Way to go, Lake County Illinois!

Read more about the ordinance here: 

• Lake County, Illinois Rules That Homes Must Prevent Bird Collisions – A National First
• County board passes ordinance requiring new homes to have bird-friendly features in Lake County 
• Bird-Friendly Building Design

Birds and Window Strikes

While birds are in danger of window strikes all year long, migration is typically the deadliest time of year for collisions. And the birds most likely to fall victim to a window strike are those that migrate at night, and call out while in flight. In 2022 the American Bird Conservancy identified the seven species that most frequently die from these crashes; you can learn more about some of them below, and read the full article here: These Seven Bird Species are Most Likely to Collide with Windows.

More resources:

• Getting Clear on Birds and Glass
• Window Strikes Are Even Deadlier for Birds Than We Thought
• Why Birds Hit Windows—and How You Can Help Prevent It

We’re thrilled to see Birdorable birds featured in a fun educational infographic related to an interesting study done by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan. The infographic is part of a public outreach effort to share results from a research project studying how wetlands in Prairie Pothole Regions support bird populations and biodiversity.

The study highlights how different types of wetlands provide essential habitat for a variety of bird species, and the special importance of small wetlands, which are unfortunately the type of wetland most vulnerable to degradation or loss. The research emphasizes how conserving a diversity of wetland types is key to supporting birds across the prairie landscape.

From dabbling ducks to shorebirds and secretive marsh birds, wetlands are home to some of our favorite Birdorable species—many of which make a cameo in the infographic! 

You can check out the full infographic here and peep some familiar feathered friends:
Biodiversity and Wetlands Infographic (PDF)

We're honored to have Birdorable birds helping to spread the word about conservation and the importance of wetland habitats.

A big thank you to the Prairie Water research team for using our artwork, and for giving Birdorable credit on the infographic. We love seeing our cute birds support science and learning! 

For more information on the study, follow these links:

• Prairie Water website
• Prairie Water on X

For the first time in nearly 40 years, the endangered Guam Kingfisher, known locally as the Sihek, has successfully laid eggs in the wild, marking a triumphant milestone in its recovery.

Nine juvenile kingfishers (four females and five males), hand-reared at zoo facilities across the United States and England, were released in September 2024 onto the predator-free Palmyra Atoll, a U.S.-protected nature preserve located about 1,000 miles south of Honolulu. The atoll's forests offer a safe reintroduction habitat for a species formerly extinct in the wild due to decimation brought on by invasive brown tree snakes on Guam. 

Within months, the birds paired up, established territories, excavated nests, and began hunting local prey. Three of the breeding pairs have now laid eggs, marking the first wild Guam Kingfisher eggs to be laid since the late 1980s! This is fantastic news for a species presumed to be extinct in the wild.

Though the birds are all young and inexperienced and their nesting attempt may not be successful, their efforts are being celebrated as a hopeful sign of ecological resilience.

The conservation effort is led by the global Sihek Recovery Program, involving institutions like The Nature Conservancy (TNC), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and various zoos, including Brookfield in Chicago, the National Aviary, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

With a strategic goal of establishing ten breeding pairs on Palmyra, more Guam Kingfisher juveniles are slated for release this summer. Experts hope this self-sustaining wild population will eventually support reintroduction back to Guam.

This remarkable achievement underscores how collaborative conservation and predator-free sanctuaries can rescue species from extinction—and offer hope for their return to ancestral homelands.

Read more: 

• Biologists Rejoice as Extremely Rare Guam Kingfishers Lay Their First Wild Eggs in Nearly 40 Years
• Bird species lost from wild for almost 40 years lays first eggs on new island home

The term banding, also known as ringing in some countries, refers to the practice of placing a small, uniquely numbered band or ring around a bird’s leg. This is done primarily for research and conservation purposes. The bands help scientists and researchers track the bird’s movements, lifespan, population trends, and behavior over time.

Bird banding has been used for over a century as an effective way to study avian ecology. By attaching a lightweight, durable band to a bird, researchers can gather valuable data without causing harm to the bird. The bands are designed to stay on for the bird’s lifetime; they are carefully sized to ensure the bird can hunt, fly, and perch comfortably.

Banding is typically carried out by licensed professionals or trained volunteers. These experts use mist nets or other humane methods to safely catch birds. Once captured, the bird is identified, measured, weighed, and banded before being released. If the banded bird is later recaptured or the band is found, the unique ID number provides a wealth of information. For example, the data might reveal how far the bird has migrated, how long it has lived, or how its population is changing due to environmental factors.

There are two main types of bands:

1. Metal Bands: These are usually aluminum and include a unique number and the contact information of the organization managing the banding program.
2. Colored Bands: These are often used in combination with metal bands to allow researchers to identify birds from a distance without needing to recapture them. Colored bands may include small flaps or flags which make the numbers or letter and number combo easy to read in the field, without recapturing the bird.

Bird banding has contributed significantly to understanding migration patterns, breeding behaviors, and threats to bird populations. For instance, by studying the migration of Arctic Terns, researchers have discovered that these birds travel astonishing distances every year, from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back again. Banding data has also been crucial for identifying declining populations and informing conservation efforts. And nearly all of the data on bird longevity is known from banding efforts. A famous example is Wisdom, the Laysan Albatross who was banded as an adult in 1956, who is the oldest living bird at over 70 years old in 2024.

If you find a banded bird or a bird band, it’s essential to report it to the relevant authorities. In the United States, you can report bird bands to the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory. They will use the band number to learn about the bird’s history and add your report to the database, helping researchers with their studies. In most cases, they will also let you know about the bird's history.

Bird banding is an invaluable tool for understanding and protecting our feathered friends. It’s a small action that provides big insights into the fascinating world of birds.

For further study, we suggest reading What Scientists Have Learned from 100 Years of Bird Banding.

The Bald Eagle has long been synonymous with American ideals of freedom and strength. Its image graces the Great Seal of the United States, official documents, military insignia, and currency. However, it wasn't until December 24, 2024, that the Bald Eagle was officially designated as the national bird of the United States.

The journey to this official recognition spans nearly 250 years. In 1782, the Bald Eagle was adopted as the central image on the Great Seal, symbolizing the nation's ideals. Despite this prominent placement, no formal legislation had ever declared the Bald Eagle as the national bird. This oversight persisted until President Joe Biden signed the bill into law on Christmas Eve 2024, amending the United States Code to include the Bald Eagle's official status.

The legislation was introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, a state renowned for its significant Bald Eagle population. The bill received bipartisan support, reflecting a unified acknowledgment of the Bald Eagle's symbolic importance. 

Historically, the Bald Eagle's selection as a national emblem was not without debate. Benjamin Franklin famously criticized the choice, favoring the Wild Turkey instead. In a letter to his daughter, Franklin described the Bald Eagle as a bird of "bad moral character," expressing his preference for the turkey, which he deemed more respectable.

Beyond its symbolic role, the Bald Eagle's conservation story is remarkable. By the mid-20th century, factors like habitat destruction, hunting, and pesticide use had driven the species to the brink of extinction. Conservation efforts, including the banning of DDT and legal protections, facilitated a significant recovery. In 2007, the Bald Eagle was removed from the threatened and endangered species list, and by 2020, the Bald Eagle population had reached approximately 316,700 individuals, a testament to successful preservation initiatives.

The official designation of the Bald Eagle as the national bird not only corrects a historical oversight but also reinforces the nation's commitment to preserving its natural heritage. As Jack Davis, co-chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center, aptly stated, "For nearly 250 years, we called the Bald Eagle the national bird when it wasn't. But now the title is official, and no bird is more deserving."

This formal recognition ensures that the Bald Eagle's legacy as a symbol of American freedom and resilience is enshrined for future generations.

Today's flashy new shorebird is known for breeding in remote parts of Siberia -- it's the Siberian Sand-Plover!

The Siberian Sand-Plover, known by several other names, including the Lesser Sand Plover, is a small, chunky wading bird that breeds in the high-altitude tundra of Siberia and Central Asia. This bird is well-adapted to its environment, and its remarkable long-distance migrations make it a fascinating species for bird enthusiasts worldwide.

Adult Siberian Sand Plovers are compact birds with a rounded body, a short black bill, and relatively long legs. During the breeding season, males sport a striking plumage with a chestnut-colored breast band, white underparts, and a black mask that contrasts with their sandy-brown upperparts. Females and non-breeding birds have more subdued coloration, which helps them blend into the coastal or sandy habitats they frequent during migration and winter.

The bird’s breeding grounds in Siberia are remote and harsh, consisting of rocky, high-altitude plateaus and tundra. Here, Siberian Sand-Plovers lay their eggs in shallow scrapes lined with moss or other vegetation. The precocial chicks are ready to leave the nest and forage soon after hatching.

Once the breeding season concludes, Siberian Sand-Plovers embark on incredible migratory journeys, traveling thousands of miles to their wintering grounds. They spend the winter in coastal zones around Australia and nearby islands. These migrations highlight their adaptability, as they shift from nesting on arid tundra to feeding on mudflats and sandy beaches.

During winter, the Siberian Sand-Plover is often spotted feeding in flocks, picking at crustaceans, insects, and other small invertebrates along the shoreline. Their diet varies with availability, and they are adept at finding food in intertidal zones.

Considered endangered with a decreasing population, the Siberian Sand-Plover faces threats from habitat loss, particularly along its migratory and wintering grounds. Coastal development, pollution, and climate change impact the mudflats and beaches essential for their survival. 

This resilient bird, with its impressive migrations and adaptability, is a true marvel of the avian world. Birdwatchers treasure the opportunity to observe Siberian Sand Plovers, whether in their remote breeding habitats or along the bustling shorelines of their wintering grounds.

Tomorrow’s Birdorable Bonanza introduces an Old World bird famous for its sneaky parenting style and iconic call that announces spring! Can you guess what it is? Share your guesses below! 🤔

Today's addition to our Birdorable flock is an endangered species of parrot, the beautiful Puerto Rican Amazon.

The Puerto Rican Amazon, also known as the Puerto Rican Parrot, is a Critically Endangered bird endemic to the island of Puerto Rico. Known for its vibrant green feathers, blue-tinted wings, and striking red forehead, this parrot is not only a beautiful sight but also an important symbol of Puerto Rico’s natural heritage. Unfortunately, its survival has been gravely threatened by habitat loss, natural disasters, and human activity.

Once abundant throughout Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rican Amazon's population plummeted in the 20th century. By the 1970s, only 13 individuals remained in the wild, making it one of the rarest birds in the world. Habitat destruction due to deforestation was a primary cause, as large areas of forest were cleared for agriculture and urban development. The parrots lost not only their food sources but also the old-growth trees with cavities that they used for nesting.

Conservation efforts began in earnest in the late 1960s and have been crucial in pulling the species back from the brink of extinction. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and other organizations, launched a captive breeding and reintroduction program. Two aviaries, one in the Río Abajo State Forest and the other in the El Yunque National Forest, were established to breed parrots and prepare them for release into the wild.

The program has achieved significant milestones. By 2023, there were over 500 Puerto Rican Amazons, including both captive and wild populations. Despite these successes, the species remains vulnerable. Hurricanes, like Hurricane Maria in 2017, have posed severe setbacks, destroying habitat and wiping out reintroduced populations in some areas. In response, conservationists have worked to enhance hurricane resilience by planting native trees, creating artificial nesting cavities, and maintaining genetic diversity within the captive population.

Education and public engagement have also played a key role in the conservation of the Puerto Rican Amazon. By fostering pride in this iconic species, these efforts help reduce threats such as illegal poaching and habitat destruction. Local communities are encouraged to protect forests and support reforestation initiatives that benefit the parrots and other native species.

Despite the challenges, the Puerto Rican Amazon is a testament to the power of conservation. Its recovery, while still ongoing, is an inspiring story of collaboration and perseverance. Continued support and adaptive management will be essential to ensure this vibrant parrot once again thrives in its natural habitat.

Tomorrow’s Birdorable Bonanza reveals a bird so cool, it sounds like a superhero! This speedy predator loves twilight hunting and has a name that might make you think it fights crime at night. Can you guess what it is? 🤔 Na na na na na na na na na na na na na new bird! 🦇