Winter 2025-26 Bird Report

Observations from December 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026

Graphic by Merissa Zaltzberg

Notable Bird Facts:

In the endless struggle of Cooper’s vs Sharp-shinned hawk identification, a nifty mnemonic from Cojaro on Reddit: “Mean Muggin’ = Cooper’s, Looks frightened = Sharp-shinned.”
Most male birds don’t have wieners.
Northern cardinals usually live their entire lives within a mile of where they hatched.

Bird-related Media Consumed:

Endless enjoyment browsing r/whatsthisbird, including:
- Bird drying feathers but looking ominous (Asian Openbill) [2025]
- Finally got a better look at this blondie (Leucistic Northern Cardinal) [2025]
JT_Birder on YouTube
More than 1,000 bald eagles converge at wildlife refuge just north of Kansas City [2026]
New England: Summer 2025 – American Birding Association [2025]
Together for Wildlife: Allens Pond’s 2025 Conservation Progress [2026]
Two American kestrels, Endless Chaos at SMJ Falconry [2026]
The Science of Birds podcast
Weekly Bird Report podcast
eBird, Merlin, talking to bird people, and tons of random articles and websites.

These Exist:

Incredulous for their name, image, and likeness

Catalogus specierum

American Coot (Fulica americana)

Lifer at Britland Park in Fall River, Massachusetts on January 9, 2026. A pair swimming in the only remaining water at the park on January 19, 2026. AMCO01.

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

Lifer at Gooseberry Island, Westport, Massachusetts, on September 27, 2025. It took a while to identify because it had the sun concealing its color. It was quite small. Though, it was larger than the bat it was chasing along the shoreline. Eventually catching it with talons mid-air and took off.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Not visible in the photo from the roof of the Lloyd Center, Dartmouth, Massachusett, but down on the ice two eagles were snacking on a duck. They remain active year round in the area.

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

A Chickadee [BCCH01] sharing a meal with a Downy Woodpecker.

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

Found some freak Canada Gooses this winter. First [CAGO01] on December 29, 2026, in Dartmouth, Massachusetts.

And another [CAGO02] in Fall River, Massachusetts on February 5, 2026.

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)

Lifer at Britland Park in Fall River, Massachusetts on January 9, 2026. A female [COME01] with some lovely teeth shot at the park by Stephen Petto on January 19, 2026.

Watched her get chased by various gulls who were after her lunch [COME02].

Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)

Wintering birds in the yard on January 29, 2026. [UDEJ01].

Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope)

Lifer at Riverside Cemetery in Fairhaven, Massachusetts on January 8, 2026.

European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

One of the more interesting plumages [EUST01] on January 25, 2026 in Dartmouth, Massachusetts.

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)

Steve got an absolutely incredible shot in Fall River on January 19, 2026. [HOME01].

HOME02.

Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus)

Lifer at Gooseberry Island, Westport, Massachusetts on January 10, 2026.

Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis)

Lifer at Gooseberry Island, Westport, Massachusetts on January 10, 2026.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

A vibrant male [NOCA02] ready for all the fun that spring brings in Dartmouth on February 27, 2026.

Redhead (Aythya americana)

Lifer at Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge in Middletown, Rhode Island on December 31, 2025.

Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)

Lifer at Britland Park in Fall River, Massachusetts on January 9, 2026.

Sanderling (Calidris alba)

Flock at Gooseberry Island, Westport, Massachusetts stayed all winter. This photo [SAND01] was taken on January 10, 2026.

Bird-related Art

@joedator. BART07.

Animalia superflua

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Neighborhood rascal glowing. FOXY01.

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