View this email in your browser ([link removed])
[link removed]


** The Weekly Bird Word
------------------------------------------------------------
01/05/26

This week’s Bird Word:
Pileated

The word “pileated”means having a crest covering the “pileum,” ([link removed]) or the top of a bird’s head from the nape to the bill and gives the Pileated Woodpecker its name. If you are receiving this email, then you probably know that the Pileated Woodpecker is a special bird for NVBA - it’s been part of our logo since our inception because it represents resilience, fortitude and of course the sheer beauty of birds and the sense of wonder they inspire. For this and many other reasons, we chose the Pileated Woodpecker as our very first Bird of the Year! Join us tonight for a free online program about this amazing bird. ([link removed])
[link removed]
The Pileated Woodpecker, named for its signature red crest, is NVBA's first-ever Bird of the Year!. Photo: Megumi Aita/Audubon Photography Awards


** More in local bird and nature news:
------------------------------------------------------------
* TONIGHT: Our first Bird of the Year Webinar! Join us online this evening to celebrate the Pileated Woodpecker, our Bird of the Year for 2026 ([link removed]) . Matt Felperin will talk about this iconic bird and our other native woodpeckers. This FREE program is open to all!
* Have you seen our Annual report yet? 2025 was a transformative year for NVBA. Take a look at our Annual Report to see why ([link removed]) . We have a new format available for download as a pdf, plus an online version.
* How does climate change affect birds? Join this online program on Wednesday to learn about this important issue from naturalist Bill Young. ([link removed]) No special knowledge of birds is needed!
* Let’s go birding: Join us at Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve this Saturday, 1/10 to celebrate Save the Eagles Day ([link removed]) . Eagles are known to frequent the marsh, so we hope to see some!
* Missing your garden? Here’s an article from Plant NoVA Natives with some gardening work you can do in the cold winter months ([link removed]) .
* Winter bird feeding: Our recent article details some of the ways you can keep your local birds happy and healthy through the winter ([link removed]) .
* We need your help: Check out our volunteer page ([link removed]) for all the different ways you can lend a hand! From pulling invasives to helping with tabling events and counting birds and insects, there’s something for everyone.

See you out there,

The Northern Virginia Bird Alliance Team
Enjoy this email? Forward it on to friends and family. Or consider supporting NVBA so we can continue to bring you educational (and fun!) programs like this.
SUPPORT NVBA ([link removed])
Too many emails? Now you can update your profile ([link removed]) to let us know how often you'd like to receive email communications from NVBA.
[link removed]

============================================================
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
Copyright © 2026 Northern Virginia Bird Alliance, All rights reserved.
You subscribed to this list when you joined the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance directly, joined the National Audubon Society and live in the Northern Virginia area, are an NVBA volunteer, or asked to receive our email updates.

Our mailing address is:
Northern Virginia Bird Alliance
11100 Wildlife Center Drive
Ste. 100
Reston, VA 20190
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.