Dixon CBC ID Practice

Identification Practice for the
Dixon Christmas Bird Count

Species observed in 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9-8 7-6-5 4-3-2 1 out of 16 years of the count.

This Learning-Feature was developed for the 2013 CBC season. As we prepare for the 2019 season, we now have 22 years of data. (See Updated Compilation)
This feature stresses the most commonly occuring species, so there is little change in the relative frequencies of those species.
A good preparation for the 2019 count is still provided.
An update of this feature will take place at a later date.

Ideas for using this table:
Exercise #1:	Use a sheet of paper to cover left column of display. Describe every part of the bird pictured. (If no local photo exists, use "Click for Photos" Link) Name the species and check in left column to see if you are correct.
Exercise #2:	Use a sheet of paper to cover right two columns of display. Try to describe the species from memory. Check to see how well your description matches the photo. (If no local photo exists, use "Click for Photos" Link)
Exercise #3:	Use as simple flash cards: Use a sheet of paper to cover left column of display. Name the species and check in left column to see if you are correct.
Exercise #4:	For each species: Using a field guide, read the species account to determine the habitat where the bird is most likely to be found. If you have no field guide, use the "Cornell" link to see their species account. Scroll down to "Habitat".
Exercise #5:	For each species: Using a field guide, read the species account to get a sense of the sounds this species makes. Go to the "Cornell" link to access recordings of this species.

External Links in table below:
(Remote sites open in a new window.)
Cornell	Opens Cornell Lab of Ornithology's All About Birds site's species account in a new browser window. This site offers detailed information on every species including sound recordings.
USGS	Opens the USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter species account in a new browser window. Includes BBS and CBC maps, ID Tips and Taxonomy for each species.
Image Search	Shows the results of a Google image search for the species.
All Photographs by Robert Templeton unless otherwise noted. Copyright Information.

English Name: Genus species:	Comments	Photos
Diurnal Raptors: Vultures, Eagles, Hawks and Falcons
Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Adult is pictured. Note the horizontal barring on the breast and belly.	El Bosque
American Kestrel Falco sparverius Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	A falcon smaller than a Robin. Commonly seen perching on wires along roads. (Commonly seen between Velarde and Alcalde) Note dark vertical bars on cheek. Sometimes seen "kiting" over fields while hunting. (A kiting bird is flapping while not moving up, down or forward.) Male is pictured.	Rinconada Rinconada
Wrens
Bewick’s Wren Thryomanes bewickii Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	It's very prominent, white eyebrow is distinctive. Most often seen at transition from Piñon-Juniper to agricultural or riparian areas. Song similar to Song Sparrow, but is "buzzier" and consistently ends on a clear trill.	El Bosque
Finches and Old World Sparrows
Pine Siskin Carduelis pinus Enlarge Map External Sites: Cornell USGS Image Search	Often mistaken for a female House Finch, this lover of Thistle and other small seeds, has a distinctively smaller, sharply pointed bill. There is a subtle presence of yellow in the wings and at the base of the tail. The last, over saturated, photograph shows these markings. Often gives a raspy, rising, slurred "shee".	Downtown Santa Fe Downtown Santa Fe El Bosque

Identification Practice for the Dixon Christmas Bird Count

Species Recorded in 13 out of the 16 Years of the Count.

Identification Practice for the
Dixon Christmas Bird Count