January/February 2017

Our cover features one of the most industrious of birds, a bird with an obsession. The acorn woodpecker excavates thousands of acorn-sized holes, then feverishly collects the objects of its desire and shoves them into the holes for easy eating and long-term storage. Stephen Shunk, author of the Peterson Reference Guide to Woodpeckers of North America, provides our cover species profile. Also, True Nature columnist Julie Zickefoose has found a phrase that separates nature lovers from industrial tourists: "We're just birding." Those who flee that phrase are likely to miss something special.

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Issue Features

Our Cover Species: Acorn Woodpecker: The Clown-Faced Woodpecker with an Acorn Obsession by Stephen Shunk

Northern Pygmy-Owl: The Forest Gnome by Scott Rashid

The Brown Booby by David Stringer

Rare Birders Find Rare Birds by Bruce Stambaugh

Birding Central Chile: From the Andes to the Pacific and Endemics in Between by Stephan Lorenz

Our cover features one of the most industrious of birds, a bird with an obsession. The acorn woodpecker excavates thousands of acorn-sized holes, then feverishly collects the objects of its desire and shoves them into the holes for easy eating and long-term storage. Photo by Don Faulkner.

In the Backyard

Nobody Expects the Birdish Inquisition by Al Batt

My Lifesaving Attempts by Paula Keller

My Way: Our Nemesis Snowy Owl: A Rare Florida Visitor by Harry B. Hooper

Pete's Tips: Finding Birds in Winter by Pete Dunne

During late December 2013, an immature snowy owl was reported at Little Talbot Island State Park on the Atlantic coast, just north of Jacksonville, Florida. BWD contributor Harry B. Hooper describes his "chase" for this elusive visitor. Snowy Owl (Photo: David Syzdek/Wikimedia)

Columns & Departments

Letters from Readers

Quick Takes by Paul J. Baicich

Migrations: The Other Eden by Scott Weidensaul

ID Yourself: Head Over Heels for Nuthatches by Alvaro Jaramillo

State Spotlight: Louisiana

Birders Question Mark by Mark S. Garland

True Nature: Just Birding by Julie Zickefoose

Birding Photography: What’s Your Angle? by Jeffrey Rich

Far Afield: The Florida Everglades: It's All About the Birds by Bean Friend

Watching Bird Behavior: Herons Do Spear Prey by David M. Bird

Book Notes

Well-Equipped Birder: Allura Hummingbird Feeder by Mollee Brown

This winter seems to be bringing an irruption of red-breasted nuthatches. Bird ID guru Alvaro Jaramillo reviews all four nuthatch species in North America so you'll know what to look and listen for in your area. Red-breasted nuthatch photo by Brian Henry.