Birding with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Baby bird season is here, and not every young bird on the ground needs rescuing!!

A fledgling is a young bird that has left the nest but is still learning to fly. Look for:
• Feathers covering most of the body
• A short tail and slightly awkward proportions
• Hopping, fluttering, or making short flights
• Adult birds nearby bringing food or calling

Fledglings often spend several days on or near the ground while their parents continue caring for them. The best thing to do is usually to give them space, keep pets away, and watch from a distance.

A bird with little or no feathering is more likely a nestling and may need help returning to its nest. Birds that are injured, bleeding, cold, or unresponsive should be referred to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Have you spotted any fledglings this season?

Technology has decided to betray us this morning...we will have to reschedule this Cup Chat for a later date!

Inca Dove Appreciation Post!

These small, long-tailed doves are often seen cuddling, preening one another, and huddling tightly together. In extreme cold, they may even pile into little “dove pyramids.”

Sadly, many birders have noticed Inca Doves becoming harder to find in places where they were once familiar. Their range has expanded into some new areas, but recent eBird data still estimate an overall population decline from 2011 to 2021, reminding us that a bird can spread geographically while becoming less abundant.

Have you noticed a change in the number of Inca Doves where you live? Share your observations in the comments.

Birds are one of the most colorful and vibrant taxa of animals out there. The answer is a little bit more complicated than you may think. Join us tomorrow morning at 7:30am CST to talk with Dr. Geoff Hill of Auburn University to learn about how birds get their color.

One of the things that makes Flycatcher Week so special is the opportunity to learn from birders, researchers, educators, authors, photographers, and ornithologists who have dedicated their careers to understanding and sharing the fascinating world of birds.
This year's lineup features an incredible group of presenters who will help us explore flycatchers from every angle -- from identification and vocalizations to photography, behavior, habitat, and conservation. We're honored to welcome:
Gautam Apte • Dr. Cin-Ty Lee • Nathan Pieplow • Dr. Mike Husak • Mitch Barry • John Schukman

Whether you're hoping to finally conquer those confusing Empids, improve your bird photography, or learn how changing habitats are shaping flycatcher populations, there's something for every birder.
Even better, every registration helps support Rio Diablo Birding Camp by providing scholarships and keeping camp affordable for the next generation of birders, researchers, and conservationists.

🔗For more information or to register: https://wildlife.tamu.edu/2026-virtual-birding-seminars/

Our very own Liz Tidwell was recognized with an Above and Beyond Award!

While many of you know Liz through Birding with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, she does so much more than our birding programs. From wildlife education and conservation to supporting Texans across the state with natural resource programming, her passion and dedication make an impact every single day.

We may just have to dedicate an entire Cup Chat episode to all the ways Liz can support you when it comes to wildlife!

Congratulations, Liz! Your Birding with Extension family is so proud of you.

🌟 Excellence is found in every corner of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.

Today we're proud to recognize our 2026 Above & Beyond Award winners representing four outstanding departments. Your expertise, innovation, and dedication strengthen our organization and create a lasting impact across Texas.

Congratulations, and thank you for going above and beyond!

These two flycatchers land in front of you. Can you actually tell them apart?

If these put your ID skills to the test, Dr. Cin-Ty Lee, author of the Field Guide to North American Flycatchers, has the answers! Join us for a deep dive into the clues that separate these notoriously tricky birds during Flycatcher Week, our virtual birding seminar!

Think you know the answer? Comment your ID below!

https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/ereg/newreg.php?eventid=862644&