Natural History Journal

Can anyone really argue that there is a more iconic bird of Christmas in North America than the strikingly scarlet Northern Cardinal?  With brilliant crimson plumage that both matches red holly berries and contrasts beautifully with evergreen foliage and white snow, the cardinal seems to embody everything in the natural world that is beautiful in wintertime - and by extension, Christmastime.  But, there may be more than one iconic winter bird out there that deserves to grace wintery Christmas cards and the December page of the calendar.   Join me in a little festive bird-related fun as I muse over a few additional species that I wouldn't mind seeing crafted into Christmas tree ornaments, shaped into sugar cookies, and emblazoned on Christmas sweaters! A somewhat wintery Northern Cardinal... in Texas.  Hands down, the most iconic bird of Christmas in North America! As indisputably beautiful as Northern Cardinals are, in their dashing little red winter coats, bird...

Situated along the western edge of the Gulf of Mexico, 113-mile-long Padre Island holds the distinction of being the world's longest barrier island.  South Padre Island, as the southern portion of the barrier island is known, is a renowned beach vacation destination, spring break hot spot, and (most importantly) the location of extraordinarily good birding, particularly during spring migration.   From late March through mid-May, birds migrating north from their wintering grounds in Central and South America to their breeding habitat in North America follow invisible yet ancient migratory pathways along the Central Flyway.  For birds making the 600+ mile non-stop flight across the Gulf of Mexico from the Yucatan Peninsula, the first land at which these tired migrants arrive is South Padre Island.  And for many weary avian travelers, this narrow spit of land and the lush, insect-rich habitat thereon, is a literal lifesaver. Male Baltimore Oriole, enjoying an orang...