September/October 2017 » Bird Watcher's Digest

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Bird Watcher's Digest

Current Issue: September/October 2017

The obscure Philadelphia vireo is a fascinating but often-overlooked bird, explains Scott K. Robinson, a world expert on our cover species and author of its species profile, "A Profile in Deception." Columnist Scott Weidensaul recounts 20 years of research on the northern saw-whet owl, a species once thought to be rare, but proven to be common, widespread, and secretive. Julie Zickefoose looks at Bird Life: A Guide to the Study of Our Common Birds, written 100 years ago by Frank M. Chapman. How things have changed! The Spotlight column is on Michigan in this issue, and Far Afield takes you to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where you might find sharp-tailed and spruce grouse!

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Issue Features

Our Cover Species: Philadelphia Vireo by Scott K. Robinson

Eurasian Collared-Dove: Sea to Shining Sea March Is Complete by Mel Carriere

A Bird by Any Other Name by Evault Boswell

Slaty-Backed Floater by John Sill

Busted in Palatka for Spying a Kite by Kathleen Siebert

The Agony and Ecstasy of Birding by Jerry Uhlman

Musings from Managua by Howard Youth

The Philadelphia vireo is one of those fringe species barely on the radar of casual birders. Its obscurity and the fact that it mimics its larger and louder red-eyed cousin is advantageous. Photo by M. Williamson.

In the Backyard

I Sat Through the Big Sit by Hank Weber

Bearing Through the Bird Feeder Blues by Eli Knapp

Pete's Tips: Buying Up by Pete Dunne

Big Sit participants watch the skies in Whipple, Ohio. Photo by Bill Thompson, III.

Columns & Departments

Letters from Readers

Quick Takes by Paul J. Baicich

Migrations: Shining Light on a Nocturnal Mystery by Scott Weidensaul

ID Yourself: Getting It Wrong by Alvaro Jaramillo

I Don't Know Who Let the Dogs Out, But I Let the Bird In by Al Batt

Spotlight on Michigan

Birders Question Mark by Mark S. Garland

True Nature: The 100-Year Perspective of Frank M. Chapman by Julie Zickefoose

Far Afield: Birding Michigan's Upper Peninsula by Jerry Uhlman

Watching Bird Behavior: Seven Good Questions by David M. Bird

Book Notes

The Well-Equipped Birder: Bino Bandit by Cheryl Smith

Once thought to be rare, bird banders—including BWD columnist Scott Weidensaul—have proven that northern saw-whet owls are widespread and common, but secretive.