Lifelist pins 25, 50, 75
25 NORTHERN CARDINAL (25-NOCA)
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). As one of our most common neighborhood species, even the beginning birder easily recognizes this grosbeak. The "Redbird" has been chosen the official state bird of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia.
50 BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE (50-BCCH)
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapilla). A very close cousin to the Carolina Chickadee differing subtly in plumage and most notably in song. From "Chick-a-dee-dee-dee" (hi-hi-lo-lo-lo) with the final three notes lower and all the same for the Black-capped, while the Carolina's is a sing-song rising and falling with each adjacent syllable-- "Chick-a-dee-dee" (hi-lo-hi-lo). Curious and easily tamed to feeders, they are often among the first birds on any list.
75 EASTERN BLUEBIRD (75-EABL)
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis). Threatened in many parts of its range, this hole-nesting thrush has had to compete for nesting space with invasive European Starlings--with the starlings often winning the battle. Efforts by many to restore this species to its breeding range have included creations of "Bluebird Trails" where nesting boxes have been posted with great success.
