Today we add a small, dapper shorebird to Birdorable. It's our Ruddy Turnstone!

In breeding plumage, as depicted in our Birdorable illustration, Ruddy Turnstones have white underparts, black and rufous upperparts, with black and white detailing around the face and neck. Outside of breeding, the Ruddy Turnstone's upperparts are more uniformly drab greyish brown.

Ruddy Turnstones are opportunistic feeders who search for prey in a variety of ways, including searching rocky shorelines and breakers by turning over stones (naturally!).

Ruddy Turnstones have a wide global range. They breed across the low Arctic in places like northern Alaska and the northern coast of Siberia. These impressive migrants winter along ocean shorelines nearly all over the world, including around the entire continent of Australia, both coasts of South America, and all around Africa.

Tomorrow we'll add a species of waterfowl with a wintery name. Can you guess this bird?

Today Birdorable welcomes another bird named after the ornithologist Alexander Wilson to Birdorable, following Wilson's Warbler and Wilson's Plover. Today Wilson's Phalarope joins our flock!

Wilson's Phalaropes are the largest of all three of the world's phalarope species (the others being the Red-necked Phalarope and the Red Phalarope), but are still relatively small as wading birds go, reaching up to 24cm in length.

Wilson's Phalaropes breed across parts of the western and northern United States and western Canada. Winters are spent down across a wide range of South America, with some birds reaching the southern tip of the continent!

Phalaropes are known for their atypical sexual dimorphism attributes and parental behavior. Females are larger than males and have a more brightly developed plumage. Females also leave most parental duty to the male birds. They are also atypical by Birdorable standards, as our illustration depicts a female.

Tomorrow another shorebird joins Birdorable, one of two species in its genus. This small shorebird with a wide global range can be found wintering along ocean shores, where it might search for food by turning over stones. Can you guess this species?

Today we add a small wader to Birdorable: the Little Blue Heron!

Little Blue Herons are New World wading birds with a wide distribution covering parts of North and South America. They are found near wetland habitats, where they feed, roost, and breed. Some birds are year-round residents (especially in South America) while some birds in North America migrate to breed further north.

Little Blue Herons are named for the plum and blue plumage of adult birds. For the first year of life, Little Blue Herons aren't blue at all -- they are white! This gives the young birds an advantage when hunting among Snowy Egrets, who are more likely to tolerate a bird, all white like them, hunting in close proximity.

Tomorrow we'll add another wading bird to Birdorable. Our illustration will feature the female of the species! This bird is named for a famous ornithologist. Can you guess the bird based on these clues?

Today we are adding another penguin species to Birdorable: the Galapagos Penguin!

This species of penguin has the northernmost range of all penguins, and it is the only penguin species to live north of the equator. The climate on their island home is warmer than that of most other penguins, so they have adapted methods to keep cool, which includes panting like a dog! They also jump into the water to cool off.

Galapagos Penguins are among the smaller penguin species. They are unfortunately the most endangered species of penguin, facing threats related to climate change as well as introduced predators and pollution.

Tomorrow we'll add a little New World wading bird named for the color of the adult plumage. Juveniles of these birds have no color at all. Can you guess the species?

We're excited to welcome the Abdim's Stork to the Birdorable family! This charming bird holds the title of being the world's smallest species of stork, and its diminutive size is just one of the many fascinating facts about this feathered friend.

Abdim's Storks are known for their striking appearance. Their plumage boasts a dark and iridescent sheen that sets them apart from their larger stork relatives. During the breeding season, these elegant birds undergo a captivating transformation. The bare patch of skin on their faces changes color, turning a vibrant shade of blue. It's a beautiful sight that signals their readiness for the breeding season.

These storks are not only visually appealing but also highly migratory. They embark on impressive journeys across the skies, covering vast distances during their annual migrations. While they call sub-Saharan Africa home during their breeding season, their travels take them as far south as South Africa during the non-breeding season.

Keep an eye out for these marvelous birds as they grace the African skies with their presence.

We hope you enjoy getting to know the Abdim's Stork, our latest addition to the Birdorable family. Stay tuned for more captivating bird species coming your way!

Tomorrow we'll add a new species of penguin to Birdorable! This penguin is the only species found north of the equator. Can you guess the species?

Today, we're thrilled to introduce the vibrant and charming Blue-gray Tanager to the Birdorable family! This tropical beauty is sure to captivate bird enthusiasts with its stunning appearance and delightful personality.

Blue-gray Tanagers are native to a wide range of habitats, making them a versatile and adaptable species. You can spot these striking songbirds in various wooded and open environments, stretching from central Mexico to the northern regions of South America. With their extensive range, they have become a beloved sight for birdwatchers across the continent.

One of the remarkable characteristics of the Blue-gray Tanager is its diverse diet. These avian wonders have a palate that includes fruits, seeds, insects, and even nectar on occasion. Their ability to feed on a variety of food sources showcases their resourcefulness and adaptability in their chosen habitats.

What truly sets the Blue-gray Tanager apart is its enchanting plumage. These birds boast a captivating blend of blue and gray tones, which makes them a true tropical gem. Their vibrant colors are a testament to the beauty of the natural world, and observing them in the wild is an unforgettable experience.

Unlike some migratory species, Blue-gray Tanagers are resident birds, meaning they remain in their habitats throughout the year. This makes them a reliable sight for bird enthusiasts who wish to enjoy their colorful presence whenever they venture into the great outdoors.

The Blue-gray Tanager is a perfect addition to the Birdorable collection, and we're excited to share its beauty with you. Stay tuned for more exciting additions to our Birdorable family as we continue to celebrate the wonderful world of birds.

Tomorrow's new bird is the smallest species of stork in the world. Do you know the name of this bird?

Today, a striking species of duck joins Birdorable. Our second Bonanza bird of 2021 is the Smew!

Smews are Old World ducks found in northern parts of Europe and Asia. These migratory ducks are easily recognized by the striking plumage of male birds: a white body with black stripes that look like cracks across the back, and a dark spot around the eye. Females are also beautiful, with a markedly different plumage of drab dark brown with ruddy red along the top of the head and back of the neck. Our cute Birdorable Smew is a male.

Smew ducks forage for food by diving beneath the surface where they look for small prey items like insects, frogs, and fish. They also feed on some vegetation.

Tomorrow Birdorable will go to the tropics when we add a new species of tanager to Birdorable. This bright songbird has two colors in its name, and has at least 14 recognized subspecies. Can you guess this bird?

How can a year both fly by and drag on? Can we all agree that 2021 has been an interesting one? As the weeks wind down, it's time for us here at Birdorable to share a flock of new birds in quick succession. Today marks the start of our 2021 Bonanza! For the next 11 days we'll reveal a brand new Birdorable bird species each day.

And so our 13th annual Birdorable Bonanza kicks off with a critically endangered species found in Asia. Welcome the Vietnam Pheasant to the Birdorable family!

The Vietnam Pheasant is endemic to rainforest habitat in parts of Vietnam. Rare in the wild, the species is part of a cooperative breeding and reintroduction program between several different conservation organizations.

The Vietnam Pheasant joins Birdorable today as our 755th species!

Tomorrow we'll add a black and white species of duck to Birdorable. This Old World bird has a simple four-letter name. Can you guess the duck?

Today we'd like to discuss a term that describes two related species or populations that exist in the same area: sympatry. Sympatry can refer to almost any kind of species or populations, but for this discussion we will focus on examples that include birds.

Species that are sympatric live in the same habitat, encounter each other frequently, and may share breeding or feeding locations. Interbreeding between species may occur.

Three species of flamingo in South America are sympatric. The Andean Flamingo, Chilean Flamingo, and James's Flamingo can all be found across a similar range and are known to share nesting sites.

Sympatric species do not necessarily share resources in this mutually beneficial way. The Great Spotted Cuckoo and its parasitic host species the Eurasian Magie are also considered to be sympatric. Cuckoos are brood parasites to their neighbors the magpies.

Sympatry is one of four terms used to describe how species (or populations) relate to each other. Species that exist in adjacent locations are parapatric. Species that are separated can be either peripatric or allopatric.

Today is Christmas Day! And it’s the last day of our 2020 Birdorable Bonanza. Our final bird is the Christmas Shearwater, a species of shearwater found around tropical and subtropical islands in the Pacific Ocean, including Christmas Island.

This bird has a festive name but a rather drab appearance with an entirely dark brown body plumage.

Christmas Shearwaters eat fish and other aquatic prey. They depend on oceanic predators, like tuna, to drive small fish and other small creatures upwards where the shearwater can snatch prey either at the surface or after a short and shallow hunting pursuit. To help them retain their prey, Christmas Shearwaters have specialized indentations on their tongues and along the back of their beaks.

On this Christmas day we wish all of our followers a wonderful holiday and a safe season! Thanks for following along. We’ll see you in 2021!