Cornell Lab of Ornithology

There are a handful of factors that help narrow down bird ID. Habitat is a great place to start. Let's say you're at the beach for example, you're likely to see an array of species like: terns, gulls, plovers and more. Swipe to see some iconic and relatively common birds that make up this habitat. Shorebirds can be tricky species to ID, shape and behavior are the most helpful cues to help you quickly nail your ID.

If you've been interested in learning more about shorebird identification we've got the perfect self-paced course for you: https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/product/be-a-better-birder-shorebird-identification/

Do you have a favorite shorebird?

We wanted to introduce ourselves to our new followers. We're here to inspire curiosity, share knowledge, and build a community that celebrates and protects birds together.

What you’ll find here:

— Stunning photos and videos with accurate facts and data
— Inspiration and tips for connecting with birds and the natural world around you
— Resources to dig deeper into the birds you’re most curious about
— Updates on our conservation efforts
— Simple ways you can help birds and their habitats thrive
— Timely migration information to keep you in tune with seasonal changes

We are so excited to announce our 2025 Celestron Binocular Grant recipients! Thanks to our amazing friends Celestron, each of our educators received a classroom set of Celestron binoculars, helping students experience the outdoors in a whole new way.

This grant is run through our K-12 program, a free resource for educators. You can learn more here: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/k12/

Stay tuned for details on when applications open for the 2026 giveaway!

“I'm always blown away by the intricate patterns, textures, and colors found in nature. Those small details are the first things that catch my eye and inspire me to pick up my camera. Through my photography, I hope to help others slow down, look closer, and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us every day.”

We’re wrapping up Bird Photography Week with Troy Bynum, a wildlife photographer from Philadelphia. He captures birds in a way that encourages us to examine them closely, much like appreciating a painting up close.

“Whether it's the iridescent rainbow plumage of the Fiery-throated Hummingbird, the brilliant orange crown of the Flame-faced Tanager, the bold yellow bill of the Yellow-throated Toucan, or the striking contrast of the Red-legged Honeycreeper, each bird tells a story through color, light, and form.”

Spotting these birds in the wild can be quick, but these close-ups change how we experience each species, inviting us to pause and appreciate the natural world in a new way.

"To me, these photos are more than portraits of birds; they are reminders that some of the world's most remarkable works of art already exist in nature. My goal is to create images that inspire curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the diversity of life. If someone pauses a few extra seconds to admire the fine feather patterns, colors, or textures in one of my photos, then I've succeeded in sharing the wonder that first inspired me to pick up a camera."

Troy owns TB Wildlife Photography LLC, and when he isn't behind a camera, he's teaching others to use one, leading beginner photography workshops, and guiding bird walks across the region. Follow his Instagram and Facebook at TB Wildlife Photography or check out linktr.ee/tbwildlife for more great pictures of wildlife from around the world!

Today, Troy leaves us with our final prompt: share the photo you think best captures the vibrancy and intricate patterns of birds. Tag us @ cornellbirds on Instagram and use for a chance to win a free course and be featured in our final Bird Photography Week story.

That wraps up Bird Photography Week 2026. Thanks to Zach, Marky, Emma, Angela, and Troy for sharing their insights, and to everyone who participated!

QUIZ ANSWER: This bird’s long legs and fairly slender body help to place it in the heron family (Ardeidae). While many North American herons and egrets are patterned in white or blue, some members of this family—bitterns and juvenile night herons—are mainly brown. Limpkin, which belongs to its own family (Aramidae), is also worth considering, especially as it makes more frequent appearances north of its usual range. Limpkin, however, has a longer, thinner neck, and a much longer, yellowish bill, which it uses to feed on snails. American Bittern is much heavier bodied than the quiz bird, with thick brown stripes below and a lack of white spots or streaks above. Juvenile Black-crowned and Yellow-crowned Night Herons can be tricky to tell apart, but Black-crowned Night Heron has larger white spots on the wing, a thicker neck (rarely extended), and a longer, pale yellowish bill. This week’s quiz bird—with finely marked upperparts, fine streaking on the throat, a heavy black bill, and a fondness for crabs—is a juvenile YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. To learn more about this species visit All About Birds: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-crowned_Night_Heron Thanks to Martina Nordstrand for sharing this photo with eBird and the Macaulay Library archive.

“I'm drawn to the quiet rhythm of a bird's everyday life. Watching ordinary moments unfold with grace and purpose reminds me that even the simplest behaviors can tell extraordinary stories.”

For Day 4 of Bird Photography Week, let's linger a little longer with Angela Ledyard, a Cleveland-born photographer who finds beauty in a bird's simplest, most ordinary moments.

Angela's eye for the everyday lives of birds finds something intimate in a passing glance, pulling you into the patient, solitary ritual of a crane preening.

“As a bird photographer, I'm captivated by the small moments that reveal a bird's personality. Rather than seeking only dramatic action, I wait for the behaviors that often go unnoticed, the moments that remind us these wild creatures are simply living their lives.”

What Angela does with a camera, patiently observing unnoticed behaviors, we can also achieve with a sit spot and some slow birding. If you watch long enough, you’ll realize that simple doesn’t mean unremarkable.

“Each of these images reflects that perspective. The juvenile Bald Eagle carrying tiny clams in its talons while eating in flight captures both strength and precision. The Reddish Egret, lit by the setting sun and mirrored in the water below, turns a familiar coastal scene into something almost painterly. The gently preening Sandhill Crane reveals a delicate, heart-shaped crown, while the Brown Pelican gliding toward the sun evokes a sense of peace and purpose.”

From sweeping drone shots to intricate macro details, Angela Ledyard captures it all: birds, wildlife, landscapes, architecture, and food included. As founder of the group, Black Female Landscape and Nature Photographers, she actively fosters a community that provides mentorship, education, and resources to women of color in the field. To see more of Angela's work, explore her full portfolio at angelaledyard.com, her Instagram @ chasing_bitsofnature, and her YouTube channel "AngelaLedyard" for her outdoor photography adventures!

Your turn! Show us your quietly captivating bird photos, tag us @ cornellbirds on Instagram, and use for a chance to win a free course and be featured in tomorrow’s story.

BIRD QUIZ: Here is a bird photographed in Virginia in early August 2021. Do you know what species it is? Leave your answer in Comments and we'll post ours at the end of the day. Thanks to Martina Nordstrand for sharing this photo with eBird and the Macaulay Library archive.

“It's often easy for a photographer to go out with one specific photo in mind: a perfect portrait or a wide-angle habitat shot. I do this myself, but I've begun to notice that seeking out interesting compositions can put the experience in a different, more meaningful light, one that often evokes a sense of awareness of a changing world.”

For Day 3 of Bird Photography Week, we zoom out to focus on a bigger picture with Emma Navazesh, a 16-year-old photographer from Toronto. She invites us to see birds as inseparable parts of the landscapes they call home.

“Through trial and error, I've discovered that new ways of demonstrating light and perspective within a scene let me capture moments in a thought-provoking way. I hold great value in this, as my greatest aim is to evoke a sense of depth in my images. Whether realizing how small we are compared to the vastness of our universe, or becoming frighteningly aware of how fragile ecosystems around us are quietly fading, moments like these add a whole new layer to my storytelling through images.”

In her photographs, the subtle interplay between subject and environment comes to the forefront. The bird is consistently present but never dominant, instead framed by its surroundings.

“The photos I chose represent this vision, as they showcase the world the birds rely on. Whether soaring through coastal skies to spy on fish, sneaking along a jungle river, or nesting along ocean cliffs, I strive to tell a story through various creative techniques and perspectives. The ability to convey the story of an animal that cannot tell its own story keeps me coming back to this style of photography. Everything around us has its own story, and I hope you are inspired to find your creative style and tell it.”

This past year, one of Emma's photos was picked for our Macaulay Library's Best Bird Photos of 2026! Explore Emma's full portfolio, including bird, insect, landscape, and mammal photography at emmanavazesh.myportfolio.com and follow her at on Instagram.

“Everything around us has its own story.” What's one you've captured? Share a photo where the setting speaks, tag @[cornellbirds] on Instagram, and use for a chance to win a free course and a feature in tomorrow's story!

"Photography, to me, is a strategic chase for the perspective no one else has considered: observing behavior, interaction, and communication while shaping it into an aesthetically composed image. It is both science and art in the same frame."

Grab your lab coat and take a closer look with Marky Mutchler for Day 2 of Bird Photography Week. Having studied birds everywhere from the Amazon basin to the Montana prairie, Marky shows us moments that are just as scientifically fascinating as they are stunning.

“I have been birding since I was very young, but the search to understand answers to infinite questions set me on a path toward science before my love of birds ever took hold. Now, in my PhD, I study the intersections of communication, genetics, and plumage in the form of bird crests, a pursuit that feels like a natural extension of the curiosity I’ve always known.”

Equipped with this specialized knowledge, Marky approaches photography with a unique perspective, capturing the fine details that change how we both observe and understand birds.

“That same curiosity draws me to the in-between moments as a photographer, those decision points where action begins. I always hope my photos tell a story: the often-hidden carotenoid-based mouth lining of courting Razorbills, the unique serrated bill of a White-tipped Plantcutter built for an unusual diet, or the freshly molted feathers visible across the wing of an Indigo Bunting in flight, giving us a glimpse into the age and condition of an individual bird. Each image is a piece of biology made visible. Seeing, to me, is the art of patience and curiosity, and these images are where I feel that combination is truly highlighted.”

Having been an avid birder since the age of 4, and now a PhD candidate studying bird crests at the University of Chicago, Marky has photographed birds all over the world, in addition to illustrating for both National Geographic and Birds of the World. Check out @ aplomado1 and @ aploart on Instagram to see more of their work at the intersection of science and art!

Have you ever caught bird biology in action? Share it with us and tell us what you've learned about your subject, tagging @ cornellbirds on Instagram with for a chance to win a free course and a feature in our story tomorrow.

"What I love about bird photography is that every encounter is different. Even with a subject I’ve photographed thousands of times, each interaction is unique, and therefore incredibly special.”

Welcome to Day 1 of Bird Photography Week 2026! 🌟 This year’s theme, "Seeing Birds: Light, Moment, Perspective," invites you to explore the unique ways we view birds. Today, we are excited to feature the work of Zach Vaughan. ​

Over the years, Zach's approach to photography has evolved: "When I first started bird photography six years ago, all I cared about was getting the shot. I paid very little attention to the impact my presence or actions had on the wildlife around me. But along the way, I came to understand just how important birds truly are. They are living, breathing creatures deserving of our respect and protection. Now, I always try to keep their best interest at heart. The photos I capture are on their terms.”

When photographing wildlife, ethical practice means prioritizing the animal’s well-being over getting the perfect shot. By minimizing his impact, he’s able to capture birds behaving naturally. Rather than limiting his work, this approach has deepened his appreciation for it.

“I strive to showcase their breathtaking beauty so others who see my work might gain the same appreciation I have for them and their well-being. Bird photography can be extremely difficult, and sometimes you miss opportunities that might not come again for years. But that's also what makes it so rewarding: when you finally do land that shot, it's something you'll remember for the rest of your life."

Explore more of Zach's work at zachvaughanphotography.com and follow him on Instagram @ zachvaughanphotography! Zach is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and has been photographing birds for 6 years.

What's the shot you'll remember for a lifetime? Share it with us and tell the story behind it, tagging on Instagram with for a chance to win a free course and a feature in our story tomorrow!