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** The Weekly Bird Word
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02/03/26

This week’s Bird Word:
Field Marks

When we go out birding, we use field marks to identify the birds we see - these are distinctive plumage patterns like eye rings, wing bars, spots and bands that help us distinguish one species from another. ([link removed]) Colors, shapes and patterns all help make a bird’s appearance more memorable…for instance, have you ever noticed that Northern Flickers have heart-shaped spots on some of their feathers? ([link removed]) Whether it's the hearts, the black spots or the yellow glow of their wing and tail feathers you catch first, these field marks are a welcome sight in the depths of winter- the perfect bird for February.
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Northern Flickers have very distinct field marks including spots, bars, bright yellow feather shafts and tail feathers, a red nape and even a black mustache for the males. Photo: Barbara Tomawski/Audubon Photography Awards


** More in local bird and nature news:
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* For more interesting field marks: Check out the Feather Atlas, a photographic record of the flight feathers of North American birds from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Here’s a page for the Northern Flicker’s primary feathers ([link removed]) , but you can also view secondaries and tail feathers (retrices) for comparison.
* An environmental “win” for Fairfax City: After years of advocacy, Fairfax City Council voted not to proceed with construction of a new bike trail that would have destroyed much of the urban forest in Fairfax City. NVBA has been fighting for this outcome alongside conservation partners for years, and the process demonstrates how constant vigilance is needed to secure an environmental victory over development. ([link removed])
* Get ready for the Great Backyard Bird Count: This long-running citizen science project starts on February 13, and you can help with every bird sighting you report! Here’s how you can prepare and participate ([link removed]) .
* Let’s go birding: Bundle up and join us at Huntley Meadows Park this Saturday for a guided winter bird outing ([link removed]) .
* Raptor Rehab and Rodenticide Awareness: After your morning birding adventure, come to Reston on Saturday for an afternoon program covering the fundamentals of raptor rehabilitation ([link removed]) with our partners Animal Education and Rescue Organization (A.E.R.O.).
* 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.

Stay warm and see you out there,

The Northern Virginia Bird Alliance Team
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